“Kent-san, there are a lot of people gathered outside the gate.”
Patty said, looking at the crowd assembled at the school gate. Many people had gathered at the school gate, which had been temporarily closed for safety. The school was open to the public today, and anyone could easily enter. They were expecting many visitors besides the students’ families. Since an unspecified number of people would be entering the school, ensuring safety was the top priority, and professionals dispatched from the military would be working to maintain public order within the school.
“That’s right. Is it almost time?”
It seemed that the preparations for the exhibits in the other classes were also finished. Once the gate opened, the school festival would begin. Kent said, gazing out the window next to Patty.
“Hey, the gate’s open.”
“It’s started. Everyone, please get into position. Customers will be here soon.”
Bobby said, and Josette, upon hearing him, gave instructions to the entire class.
“Even so, we don’t really have anything to do…”
“It’s fine because we have executive committee work. But since there’s still time, I think we can help with the reception.”
“That’s right.”
Josette said with a hint of disappointment, but upon hearing Kent’s words, she became motivated. She stood next to the person in charge of reception and made preparations to welcome the guests. A little time passed, and the sound of many footsteps could be heard. Kent also pulled himself together and decided to guide the line until it was time for his executive committee duties.
“Excuse me, those who wish to use the haunted house, please line up here. This is a pathway, so please line up in two rows so as not to block it.”
Kent called out to the customers waiting their turn.
“Kent-san, we’re getting more customers than expected. What should we do?”
“It can’t be helped. Let’s extend the line all the way outside. That should take care of it.”
“Understood. Excuse me, could you please move the line? This way, please.”
Kent’s classroom was on the second floor. To avoid obstructing the exhibits from other classes, they extended the line to the stairs, then down to the first floor, and further out of the school building. At the end of the line, they stationed guides holding placards to manage the flow.
“Now, before you enter, we will explain. … So, we ask for your understanding if you agree to these terms, you may enter. Please be careful on your way through.”
Josette and several other classmates standing at the reception explained the precautions to each customer in a streamlined process, allowing only those who agreed to enter. As expected, with royalty as a sponsor, several people who appeared to be aristocrats had come, but the event was running smoothly without any trouble.
“Kyaa!!”
“Uwah!”
Loud screams were heard from inside from time to time, and each time, the customers lining up reacted differently, either being surprised together or looking eager to enter.
“It was okay because I was there, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, you seemed very reliable.”
Next to the entrance was the exit, and customers who had finished experiencing the haunted house were coming out. Couples who entered together seemed to become closer, and young men and women who entered before they were dating left holding hands, suggesting it had a good effect on fostering relationships.
“Sob sob sob…”
“It’s okay now. Look, we’re outside.”
There were also families with crying children being comforted by their parents, indicating a positive customer response.
“The line of customers is getting shorter.”
“That’s right.”
With the line of waiting customers dwindling, Kent and Josette finished their assistance and were observing the customer flow near the entrance. Since the attraction was set up in a classroom, the distance was not very long, and the turnover was quite fast. Therefore, after the initial rush of people at the start time, the number of people lining up gradually decreased, and now the end of the line was visible from the entrance.
“Kent-san, you’ve worked hard.”
“Ah, Catherine, you’re here.”
“Oh? Catherine, are you alone?”
“No, I came with someone today.”
As they watched the line for a while, someone called out to them from behind. It was Catherine. When she replied that she had come with someone, Kent assumed it was Marie, but she was with an unexpected person.
“Kent, Josette, you’re both working hard. It’s a great success, isn’t it?”
“Eh? Oh, Your Highness the Queen. Why are you here?”
“Your Majesty, for this occasion, you have been very accommodating regarding the sponsorship…”
“That’s enough. Today, I’m incognito, so you can treat me as an auntie, just like before.”
“Understood.”
“Your Majesty… I couldn’t possibly call you ‘auntie,’ it’s too daunting…”
Accompanying Catherine was the Queen. Her attire was similar to when Kent first met her, making her look like an ordinary middle-aged woman. Catherine was also wearing clothes of similar colors and patterns, so at first glance, they could have been mistaken for mother and daughter. Josette was surprised to see the Queen interacting so casually with Kent.
“Since I’m here, I’d like to see the inside.”
“Then, I will guide you from here.”
“No, that’s alright. We’ll just line up. Come on, Catherine.”
“Yes!”
Kent tried to skip the line for the Queen, as she was a sponsor, but the Queen, with Catherine in tow, joined the end of the queue.
“I had no idea Kent-san and the Queen were on such familiar terms. And you treated Catherine as if you were mother and daughter. It makes sense that she would become our sponsor if you are this close.”
The Queen, now at the back of the line and some distance from Kent and the others, was waiting her turn while chatting happily with Catherine.
“Well then, I’m off.”
“It’s getting dark, so be careful where you step.”
“Okay!”
“Now, I’ll get to see how hard Kent has worked.”
“Yes, have a good time.”
“Please be careful.”
Kent and Josette watched Catherine and the Queen, who looked like they were having fun, enter the haunted house from the entrance as their turn arrived.
“It was quite interesting.”
“It was fun.”
After a while, the Queen and Catherine emerged from the haunted house, looking satisfied.
“How was it inside?”
“Well, I had heard reports from Clara, but I was impressed by the technology I’ve never seen before. To be able to give form to something as unknown as ghosts, Kent, you’ve really done well.”
“Is that so? If there’s anything that sparks your interest, please let me know again.”
“I will. It would be best if I could tell you directly, but I am a busy person. If anything comes up, I will relay my thoughts through Clara or Catherine.”
The Queen said this, took a step back, and switched places with Catherine, who was looking at Kent as if she wanted to talk to him.
“It was amazing! Suddenly, something flashed, and then there was a ‘pssh’ sound of air coming out…”
“Wasn’t it scary?”
“No, it was fine.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“Hey, you’re tickling me.”
Seeing Catherine animatedly recounting her enjoyment, Kent instinctively ran his hand through her hair. Catherine, without seeming to mind, smiled with delight.
“Well then, we’re off. Kent, Josette, please do your best.”
“Kent-san, Josette-san, see you later.”
The Queen and Catherine said this, stating they were heading to their next destination, and disappeared into the crowd.
“It was a strange combination, though. I heard that Catherine was receiving training directly from the Queen for something, but perhaps it was a cover, but I don’t understand how they could be so friendly with only that much interaction.”
“You think so? Catherine seems to get along with everyone very quickly. Perhaps it’s because she often works at the register, but I’ve seen her talking with many different customers.”
“Now that you mention it, that might be true. Being able to get along with anyone is, in a way, amazing.”
Whether it was her inherent personality or something else, Catherine seemed to be liked by everyone. Kent and Josette thought that this had also influenced the Queen.
