When Kent and Patty were talking, other male students were watching them. However, when Josette started talking to him, although he seemed to be paying attention in the same way, he quickly averted his gaze without any particular involvement.
“Well, Kent is probably the only one among the commoners who would speak to me. Now that I think about it, Patty has also started talking to me recently.”
In this class, Josette is the only student from the aristocratic class. Ket thought that his situation might be similar, as there are only about one or two aristocratic students in other classes as well. Most commoners seem to want to avoid getting involved with aristocrats as much as possible. Some children from merchant families seem to approach them to receive the benefits of the aristocracy… Josette is a daughter of a Duke’s family, which comes second only to the Royal family in the aristocratic hierarchy, so it seems that even children from merchant families do not approach her due to her connections with the shops she frequents.
As Ket was thinking about such things, someone grabbed his hand. Without thinking, it was Josette’s hand, who was closest to him.
“Isn’t it bad if someone sees us?”
“No one is watching. But if I think someone might be watching, my heart starts to race a little.”
Josette said with a slight blush. The students in this classroom, both male and female, are all focused on Patty and her entourage, so it seems to be safe… or so he thought, but he noticed one person staring intently at him.
(Please help me, I don’t need you two making out.)
Patty, surrounded by a group of male students, looked at him with a troubled expression, as if asking for help.
“Oh, hohohohoho…”
Josette noticed Patty’s gaze, let go of Kent’s hand, and took out a fan from somewhere, fanning herself near her mouth to cover her embarrassment.
“Alright everyone, homeroom is about to begin. Take your seats~.”
As the homeroom teacher entered, the group dispersed, and everyone took their seats.
“Well then, the homeroom monitor.”
“Attention! Bow!”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“Take your seats!”
The homeroom began with the homeroom monitor’s command and greetings.
“So, today is the start of the new semester. I’m glad that everyone is here without any absences. This semester, we will be holding the school festival, which is the biggest event of the year. We will be selecting members for the school festival executive committee, who will be in charge of the planning, preparation, and operation on the day of the event. We will select one male and one female member. First of all, are there any volunteers?”
The homeroom teacher asked the entire class. A moment of silence followed.
“I don’t think anyone will volunteer because if you’re from a commoner background, being a committee member will take up your time until the school festival is over. Even aristocrats probably don’t want to do it because they might have to humble themselves to find sponsors, and they have their pride as aristocrats.”
Patty, sitting next to Ket, whispered to him. It seemed that most commoners live in an environment where they have to work so hard that they can’t afford to waste even time attending school.
“It seems there are no volunteers. Then, Ket, you will be decided first.”
“Huh?”
Clap, clap, clap, clap…
Ket was nominated by the homeroom teacher, and the class erupted in loud applause as if to approve. The male students, in particular, clapped so hard that their hands might have swelled.
“It seems to be the majority’s decision. Then, for the male students, Ket is decided. Next, for the female students, are there any volunteers?”
Without any further discussion, Ket was decided, and the teacher once again called for volunteers.
“Since I’ve been helped by Kent in many ways, I will…”
As Patty began to speak, a loud voice called out from the back.
“I will do it.”
Hearing the voice, the entire class turned to look at the female student who had volunteered.
“Rustle rustle…”
“Josette, are you sure about this?”
The students in the class were abuzz with surprise at the unexpected volunteer, and the homeroom teacher asked tentatively.
“Is there something wrong with me volunteering for the school festival executive committee?”
“…”
When Josette spoke in a sharp tone, everyone fell silent.
“Well, since Josette has volunteered, if there are no other volunteers, these two will be decided.”
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
The homeroom teacher said, and the class approved with applause. After that, there was an explanation of the events for the semester and a report on matters to be communicated, and homeroom time ended.
During the lunch break, Ket sat down on the usual bench behind the school building. Beside him sat Josette, who had followed him.
“Josette, was it a good decision to take on the committee position? I don’t know the details, but I heard you have to go around begging for funds…”
“That might be the case for families of lower aristocrats who don’t have much money. However, for a family like mine, contributing money for the class’s event at the school festival is not a significant amount. So, there’s no need to beg.”
“Are you saying the Duke’s family will provide the funds?”
“Yes.”
Ket could understand what Josette was saying, but something felt off.
“A-a-and, being able to act with you, Kent, means we can spend more time together.”
Saying that, Josette clung to Kent’s arm. The sensation of her chest’s fullness transferred to his arm.
“It’s late, isn’t it?”
Patty had been surrounded by male students before leaving the classroom and was taken to the school cafeteria. Normally, Caro and Rachel would have met him here, but they were nowhere to be seen. Josette said with a slight worry.
“Hey, Caro, don’t push!”
“Ah, sorry…”
“Kya!”
Rachel and Caro, who were hiding behind something, lost their balance and fell, coming into Ket’s line of sight.
“What are you two doing?”
“Hahaha… we were found.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hide, it just happened…”
When Ket asked them, Rachel had an expression of regret and Caro apologized.
“I thought their brother and Josette looked like they were having a good time, so I wondered if I should just push them over and was watching from behind the bushes.”
Rachel said without any remorse.
“Oh, so you two are going to be the school festival executive committee members. It’s a troublesome role, so no one wants to do it…”
When Ket told them about becoming the school festival executive committee members, Rachel said.
“But it’s fine if the Duke’s family provides the money, but is there any benefit?”
“What do you mean?”
Ket asked back at Rachel’s question.
“For example, if the sponsor is a shop… well, to put it plainly, if the sponsor is Marie’s Bakery. It’s not just about providing money, but they can sell their shop’s products as part of the class’s event, which will increase sales, and it will also serve as advertising because many people attending the school festival will learn about the shop’s existence. Therefore, businesses that have the financial capacity can relatively easily provide sponsorship as a promotional activity. Of course, aristocratic sponsorship is not impossible, but it might be perceived as a publicity stunt, like ‘We provided this much money!’ However, I don’t think anyone would complain about the Duke’s family, but it feels like the Duke’s family has no benefit from just providing money.”
“You are absolutely right, Rachel. However, if it means I can spend time with Kent, this is a trivial matter.”
When Rachel explained, Josette replied.
“Well, that’s hot. You have to respond to Josette’s feelings, brother, okay?”
Saying that, Rachel teased Ket.
“Then I’ll also contribute…”
“Caro, there’s no point. You’re not even a committee member.”
“Ugh, that’s right.”
When Caro tried to retort, Rachel delivered the finishing blow.
