Can I Still Be Your Heroine Even Though I'm Your Teacher? - Volume 3 Chapter 5.4

Because You’re the Best 4

“Reiyu-chan-Sensei, what should we do? We’re so popular that we’re about to run out of supplies.”

“We need a break too.”

Mayuzumi-san and Akira both let out their concerns.

It was clear to anyone that we were in a pinch.

Our class’s cultural festival might just end prematurely.

“I’m sorry. If I had noticed sooner…”

“Sensei, you had other things to do, like the swim club. It can’t be helped.”

I quickly reassure the worried Sensei. We can’t afford to have her turn into a Dark Reiyu.

“Yuu-kun and Ririka-chan, you shouldn’t push yourself. As an extra, Akira should take a break too.”

In this short time, Kaguya’s different levels of familiarity with each person became blatantly obvious.

“Don’t call your seniors by their first names without honorifics. And it’s not okay for an outsider to just walk into the back like that.”

Exhaustion was evident in Akira’s voice.

“I’m just worried about the tired Yuu-kun!”

Kaguya clings to my arm as if to support me.

“Accepting it so naturally, as expected of a siscon.”

Akira’s mouth turned into a frown.

“I just realized, but Kaguya-chan and Reiyu-chan-Sensei know each other? You seem quite close.”

Mayuzumi-san’s observation made me realize something.

I hadn’t discussed this with Tenjō-sensei or Kaguya.

“Nishiki-kun consulted me about his younger sister’s future, so I’ve actually met her before. But more importantly, let’s decide what to do next.”

Tenjō-sensei quickly wraps up the topic with a plausible explanation and moves on to discuss future plans.

“As a Sensei, I think it’s okay to close up without pushing ourselves. Managing to operate this popularly without any major trouble is very commendable. Everyone has done a great job.”

Indeed, if our operations had collapsed, it wouldn’t be strange to be shut down by the festival’s executive committee.

“With that said—what does Mayuzumi-san want to do?”

After stating her conclusion from a teacher’s perspective, she seeks the opinion of the class leader.

“But, the line is still going…”

For the first time, the girl who always led everyone with a smile as the leader showed hesitation.

“Don’t worry about it, Sensei will take care of it. You’ve worked hard enough as participants, now enjoy the rest of the time as visitors.”

“Hey, what do you think, Manager Nikky? Is it too difficult? Ririka wants to continue if possible.”

Mayuzumi-san looked at me.

Perhaps feeling guilty for possibly causing the congestion, she couldn’t decide on her own.

“Honestly, there’s not much point in continuing to push ourselves. Besides, as long as the flow of customers doesn’t slow down, the shortage of hands won’t be resolved.”

Tenjō-sensei’s advice was appropriate.

We had attracted more than enough customers for our cultural festival food stall.

Even if we stopped now, it would be a perfect memory.

However, that’s only if you look at it objectively.

We’re not in the business of making money.

Our goal isn’t financial profit; we’re holding this event for the memories of our second year in high school.

“I disagree. We can still do it.”

The unexpected objection came from Akira.

“Akiaki…”

“I hate leaving things half-done. If we started it, we should see it through to the end.”

“Akira, don’t be so stubborn. You’re not particularly good at customer service either, so you must be tired. We don’t have much in the way of supplies left, and with the current flow of customers, we can probably only operate for another hour at most.”

As the one in charge of the back, I made sure to share the inventory status.

The extra snacks we ordered, thinking we could share them at the end if there were leftovers, were already running low.

“That’s fine, an hour is plenty. If Nishiki is tired, he can just rest.”

“It’s not that simple. As always, you’re too harsh with your words, you know.”

“And you, as always, are too kind as ever.”

Akira retorted with heavy sarcasm.

“We agreed to be accomplices until the cultural festival. I’ll stick with you to the end.”

I returned the sarcasm firmly. There was no way I could betray her at the last moment.

“Hey, can’t we ask Kaguya-chan to be a pinch hitter?”

Mayuzumi-san, unable to give up, comes up with yet another surprising suggestion.

“Are you suggesting we let my little sister work as a maid?”

I hastily ask for clarification.

“Yeah. Even if it’s just to give Ririka and the others a break.”

“——Eh, I’d rather not.”

Kaguya flatly refuses.

Her ability to say no so calmly is typical of my stepsister.

“You should read the room and nod in agreement. I’m your senior, after all.”

Akira grumbles audibly.

“Don’t push your sports club mentality on me. I’m not even a student here yet.”

Akira and Kaguya’s gazes clash. These two really don’t get along.

“That’s right. It’s too much to involve an outsider like Kaguya-chan.”

Tenjō-sensei also gently declines, given her position.

“But, you could wear a cute maid outfit.”

Mayuzumi-san persists, though with less vigor than usual.

“I don’t need to wear a maid outfit to be cute; I’m cute enough on my own, no problem.”

“Well, that’s true. I’m sorry for asking too much.”

Mayuzumi-san looks downcast, like a flower wilting.

“Even if we borrow Kaguya’s help, it won’t make much of a difference.”

I try to keep the atmosphere from getting too somber by being overly cheerful.

“Hey, Yuu-kun. I can’t let that comment slide! Who says I won’t be useful?”

Kaguya snaps back at my light-hearted remark.

“I didn’t go that far. Just that expectations often lead to disappointments.”

“How rude! Taking orders, serving, and cleaning up is all there is to it. I can do that much!”

“Really?”

“Yuu-kun, if you want my help, just ask nicely, okay? Then I’ll consider it.”

Kaguya had seen through my intentions from the start.

“We don’t need to rely on such a cheeky middle schooler; we can manage on our own. Ririka, let’s go back.”

“Huh? I can do it, no problem at all!”

Kaguya, now unable to ignore Akira, becomes visibly annoyed.

Akira looks straight at Kaguya and says,

“You’re an eyesore. If you’re going to flirt with your brother like that here, you might as well change and come help.”

It was a classic Akira provocation.

“…Well, I do owe you for the dress, so just this once! But it’s a special case!”

Kaguya agrees, albeit grudgingly.

“But there’s one condition if I’m going to accept!”

Kaguya steps forward.

“What is it? Spit it out.”

“Rei-chan has to join in as a maid too.”

With that one statement, everyone’s gaze shifts to Tenjō-sensei.