Re:Zero EX: "School Re:Zero! 4th Period! (Vainglory IF)"

This story is an April Fools' project.

First, please read "School Re:Zero! 1st Period!", "School Re:Zero! 2nd Period!", and "School Re:Zero! 3rd Period!" before reading this.

This is Re:Zero transplanted into a modern school setting with a complete "IF" setup.

Although it is a modern setting, character names, hair colors, and so on are accepted as they are without any sense of incongruity.

Because it follows many of the tropes of galge (dating sims), it might get on your nerves.

However, no one is unhappy.

With the above in mind, if you are someone who can take a joke and can forgive the characters being happy, please proceed with that understanding.

"—Look, morning has come, I suppose! Wake up!"

"Mornin'-honduras!"

Receiving a heavy thud of an impact, my morning began today as well. Coughing and wheezing as I opened my eyes, what I saw before me today, as always, was the face of my sister, Beatrice, whose prettiness knows no bounds.

"No, the word 'face' isn't enough to express this loveliness... Cute, lovely, so cute... Let's call it her Ultra-Divine Visage."

"Hmph, such an Ultra-Divine Betty is here to announce the morning, I suppose. Now, today is going to be a very, very important day. Get up quickly and go greet the morning, I suppose."

Beatrice displayed a poetic flair that made her future look quite promising. The Beatrice of our household is not only cute in appearance but also demonstrates multi-faceted talent in every possible direction, leaving my brotherly heart wavering because she has too many options for her future.

"Ugh... Beako is becoming a distant existence. I want Beako to keep playing the role of stopping my oversleeping every morning..."

"Betty also wants to contribute to Nii-cha—Subaru's comfortable awakening forever, but it won't work that way, I suppose. Because Betty is in her growth period every day, I suppose."

"Waaaaah, please stay my cute Beako who fits inside my bag forever!"

"I'm already at an age where I don't fit in a handbag anymore!"

As I tried to continue the pointless conversation on the bed, Beatrice threw a pillow at me. It couldn't be helped. I wanted to keep exchanging these morning expressions of affection with my sister for a while longer, but since today really was an important day, I decided to obey quietly. After all, today was—

"The day of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival!" "I suppose!"

It was the day of an event that this pair of siblings, who loved to make a fuss, could not miss.

△▼△▼△▼△

"Oh my, Big Brother, your bedhead is amazing."

"Oh, it's Meili-chan."

After finishing the energetic frolicking in the room with Beatrice, I changed and went downstairs, where I was greeted by a girl nibbling on toast at the dining table. This girl, with her dark blue hair in braids, was Meili-chan, who attended the same elementary school as Beako and was one of her good friends. Naturally, since I knew her too, I patted the elementary school girl's head without hesitation.

"What's this, eating our toast first thing in the morning? Don't tell me you've finally resolved to become my little sister?"

"Don't say such silly things. It's just that we ran out of bread at my house this morning, so I couldn't eat. See, I'm the type who prefers toast in the morning, right?"

"I didn't know, but I'll remember it. Toast in the morning... Strawberry jam? Peanut butter?"

"What I like is ham toast."

"A carnivore. Alright, I'll make sure to jot that down in the memo in my head."

Since she was a friend of Beako's, she might come over for breakfast again. My mom would usually handle it, but I should remember it too. By the way, Meili-chan had a somewhat listless way of speaking that didn't sound like a child, but it was quite heartwarming to know that her family had a large influence on her attitude. Speaking of that family, the world really was small—

"Even so, wanting to make me your sister is quite bold. Does that mean you'll marry Elsa, Big Brother?"

"Whoa, going there, are we? Elsa-sensei is certainly a beautiful and stylish 'cool woman,' but she has a scariness that makes her untouchable. I'm currently in a period of trial and error, deciding whether to go that route or find a way to make you my sister without relying on current laws."

"Hmph, well, try your best not to make Beatrice-chan angry."

"Hey now, even if I get more sisters, the love I give to my sister won't decrease. Rather, love is multiplied by the number of sisters... it's the Second Law of Siscon Dynamics. You'll learn it in middle school."

Meili-chan, who had let me pat her head while she nibbled her toast, looked exasperated. Her reaction was lovely in a different way from Beako's, but if I got too carried away, Beako would bite my hand, so I'd set aside the siscon talk for now.

"You don't learn that. Subaru-onii-san, please don't say weird things."

"Ah, Petra-chan was here too."

"Yes, Petra-chan was here too. I was in Beatrice-chan's room."

Looking up at my face after I'd been playing with Meili-chan was Petra-chan, with a large, cute ribbon on her head. The trio of Beako, Meili-chan, and Petra-chan was the usual group, and even without my family bias toward Beatrice, I thought the three of them had high facial-feature deviations. Since these three were in the same class, their elementary school classmates must have it rough.

"I wonder which one is the most popular... I'd like to say our Beako is number one, but she's a bit shy and has a sharp tongue."

"Ah, Big Brother, you're sharp. Even at school, Beatrice-chan has a habit of speaking bluntly to the boys. As expected, the most popular one is Petra-chan."

"M-Meili-chan, don't say that."

Meili-chan, moving on to her second piece of toast, supplemented my analysis as I stood with my arms crossed. Petra-chan's cheeks turned red at the explanation, but it was a convincing opinion.

"In terms of Appearance stats, it's hard to rank the three of them, but in terms of being approachable without any quirks, the crown goes to Petra-chan."

"Even Subaru-onii-san... But even if I'm popular with boys, it doesn't mean much. Boys in our grade are so childish."

"Oh, it's the theory that girls mature faster! Hearing it directly for the first time actually gets me pumped. Good, Petra-chan, keep bewitching your classmates like that."

"Hmm, that's not the important part of what I just said..."

"—?"

I thought I was praising Petra-chan for her remarkable growth into a little devil, but seeing her puff out her cheeks, it seemed my answer wasn't to her liking.

"Honestly, you're hopeless..."

Meili-chan was even exasperated in the background. Good grief, the hearts of modern elementary school girls are difficult.

"In that regard, Beako is easy to understand, which I appreciate as her brother."

"Subaru-onii-san, you need to learn more about the hearts of girls. How about reading the shoujo manga in Beatrice-chan's room?"

"Hey now, as someone always hungry for fresh stories, I've naturally read every single manga on Beako's shelf. I've read the classics like Kimi dake ni Todoke and Hanamuko Danshi."

"Then it hasn't stuck at all!"

"That's harsh!?"

In the first place, my theory was that manga is something you read for enjoyment, not for study. Of course, if it sticks as a result of enjoying it, then all the better.

"Anyway, let's change the subject since I'm at a disadvantage. —Petra-chan, Meili-chan, what are you doing for the Cherry Blossom Festival today?"

"I'm not really interested..."

"We're going too. Beatrice-chan is coming with us. Um, Subaru-onii-san, if you'd like..."

"Oh? Are you inviting me?"

Petra-chan spoke up hesitantly, and her kindness touched my heart. Probably, Petra-chan was worried about me, who didn't even understand the hearts of elementary school girls, floating aimlessly at school. Since I didn't have friends in high school, the image of me playing with elementary schoolers might look a bit pathetic, but the sentiment behind her concern was truly happy.

"But there's no need to worry. In another world-line, there might have been a lonely me like that, but in this thrilling and heart-pounding world-line, I'm not a loner."

"Rem-oneesan is there too, so I don't think you're all alone. But it might be more fun to be with us than with Rem-oneesan... Y-You'll have flowers in both hands and on your back."

"Wait? The direction of your concern was different!?"

"And I'm being included as one of the flowers. That's scary, so please stop."

In any case, I was very happy about Petra-chan's invitation, but I already had a prior engagement. Because for today's Cherry Blossom Festival, I already had a date promised with a super-foxy beautiful girl.

"So, the limit of how long I can hang out with Petra-chan and the others is about the first hour after the festival starts. Sorry."

"Even so, you'll make an hour for us..."

"Well, I want to have fun at the festival with Beako, and I want to see Petra-chan and Meili-chan having fun too. It's important, right?"

If this were a summer festival, I'd want to take pictures of them in yukatas, but I'd have to save that for another time. Simply seeing Beako enjoying the festival and seeing her together with her two good friends was an event I couldn't afford to miss.

"So, I'll join up with you immediately after school ends, so please forgive me with that."

"Muu, okay. I'll settle for that. But you have to come, okay?"

"Yeah, I'll definitely go. I'd even hock Beako to get there."

"Don't hock me! I'll become unable to be bought back for an exorbitant amount, I suppose!"

Since Petra-chan held out her pinky, I hooked mine with hers for a pinky swear. Once the promise was made, Beatrice, who had finished her preparations for school, joined us. And so, seeing off Beako, who looked the best in the world in her red backpack, and the other two who tied for first place in the backpack rankings, Natsuki Subaru's cherry blossom day began.

△▼△▼△▼△

"Don't make me say it over and over. Subaru-kun's mornings belong to Rem."

"You're the one who shouldn't make me say the same thing over and over-ssu. I'll be taking Master's mornings from now on-ssu. Thanks for your hard work up until now-ssu. Shoo, shoo!"

"It is not 'shoo, shoo'!"

In the morning, after seeing off the elementary school trio, I changed into my uniform and stepped out the front door, only to find an incredibly fierce catfight unfolding. It was rare for Rem not to ring the doorbell in the morning, so I had been worried that something had happened—

"Man, I didn't expect it to turn out like this. You're quite the lady-killer, son."

"Ugh, Dad..."

"Oh my, oh my, it's not just Rem-chan, but that girl is... Oh, could it be?"

"Eh? Mom, you know her?"

Behind me as I stood frozen at the entrance, my parents appeared side-by-side. I ignored my dad's usual comment and latched onto my mom's remark. The two arguing at the entrance were my childhood friend Rem and Shaula, who had just transferred in the other day. Shaula had blown my mind with her greeting on her first day during morning homeroom, and since then, she had been acting overly familiar with me at every opportunity, sending Rem's voltage to the MAX. However, behind Shaula's overly familiar attitude, I felt hints in her words that memories of me that I didn't know about were piling up.

"Is the mystery finally going to be solved? Mom, are you an acquaintance of Shaula's?"

"Well, you see, when Subaru was still little, we went to my father's place, right? At that time, there was a girl you played with near Grandpa's house... Oh right, come to think of it, that scar on Subaru's forehead was from when you tripped there."

"My old scar doesn't matter, and it's confusing how you mix calling him your father and Grandpa in the same sentence... The girl I played with there?"

If so, she was exactly like a character with a classic galge trope setting. Could it be that she really was someone I had made some complicated promise with when we were young? Such a question bubbled up inside me.

"If that's the case, then I... to Shaula..."

"No, but isn't that strange? I feel like the one playing with Subaru at Grandpa's house back then was Rem-chan, who had hidden in the trunk and followed us."

"Oh? Was that how it was?"

"Wait, wait, wait, I'm getting confused! In the end, which one is the right answer!?"

"Sorry, it seems it was just my misunderstanding."

Her suggestive attitude was usual, but this time my mom's misunderstanding really drained my strength. In the end, Shaula's mystery remained unsolved, and the story seemed destined to continue into the second half.

"It's not just the second half. I haven't even left the house yet. And it's the day of the Cherry Blossom Festival."

"That's right. Go do what you need to do, my son. By the way, your mom and I are going to enjoy the festival together, so there's no need to worry about your parents!"

"Shut up! Good for you for having a happy marriage!"

With words and a physical push on my back, I headed toward the two arguing at the entrance. Then, they both noticed me immediately and their expressions changed instantly.

"Subaru-kun, good morning. Now, let's go to school together with Rem!" "Master, mornin'-ssu! This morning has a nice, warm feel to it, so let's skip school and set off on a journey to make some sweet and embarrassing memories with me-ssu!"

"Hmm, the win goes to Rem."

"Why-ssu!?" "I did it!"

Rem and Shaula's fates were clearly divided. It wasn't that I disliked Shaula or anything, but—

"I'm the type of student who likes school, which is rare these days. So, I can't accept an invitation to skip school. Sorry about that."

"Yes. Rem understands that part of Subaru-kun perfectly. You could say that's where the difference between me and Shaula-san came out. It's the difference in our history as childhood friends."

"Is, that, so?"

I felt like it was slightly off, but since Shaula was the one who first brought up the "long-distance childhood friend" attribute against Rem, who was a local childhood friend, there must be a win-loss condition only the two of them understood. Anyway—

"Well, don't be so discouraged. First of all, that promise with you? I don't remember it, and I don't even remember where I met you before. I think it's probably better for you to just forget about such a terrible guy."

"Master..."

Ugh... the collapsed Shaula looked up at me with teary eyes while kneeling on the spot. Honestly, I'm weak to those kinds of eyes. I'm weak, but I should be firm here. In fact, what I told Shaula was my honest feeling. Shaula is beautiful and should be full of potential to be happy. It's better to quickly forget about tripping over a strange pebble and move on.

"That's why, from now on, as good friends..."

"In other words, Master is telling me to look at the current you, not the past you-ssu!?"

"It turns into that interpretation!?"

Oh no, the manliness of 'me' inside Shaula knows no bounds. If I had really meant it that way, it would be incredibly cool, but it also seemed like I was justifying forgetting the promise, so the fact that it was the worst couldn't be denied.

"Hey, Rem, you tell her too. If it's from your mouth... Rem?"

"T-There was that method... This was a blind spot for Rem. Rem was also relying on being a childhood friend and using only memories with Subaru-kun as a weapon..."

"Rem-san? Hey, Rem-san."

Trembling, Rem looked down at her hands in shock. Looking back at this exchange, I had no idea where there was room for Rem to be shocked, but Rem seemed to have an epiphany and clenched her fists.

"Rem must also look not just at the past Subaru-kun, but at the current and future Subaru-kun. Shaula-san, Rem is impressed by that way of thinking!"

"Mumu, could it be that you... are a girl I can talk to-ssu! Do you also want to keep Master's radiance in your eyes for all eternity-ssu!"

"I do!"

Snap, Rem and Shaula grabbed each other's hands. I was completely left behind, but it seemed the two of them had reached an understanding. If it meant there wouldn't be a quarrel every morning, that was fine by me, so I had no complaints about them becoming friends. I had no complaints, but—

"Uh, you two? I'm thinking of going to school soon..."

"Ah, that's right. Then, Shaula-san, Rem will take the right side today."

"I'm on the left side-ssu? Well, if you'll switch with me tomorrow, I'll endure for now-ssu!"

Saying so, Rem and Shaula took up a formation flanking me. Despite their arguing until just a moment ago, it was a beautiful display of coordination. Scratching my cheek, I felt a bad premonition and glanced back. At the entrance, my dad and mom were looking at us with lukewarm eyes, so I felt ticklish and ran away from the spot.

△▼△▼△▼△

"Wow, Subaru, you're so sweaty. Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine, I'm fine... I just got a bit too fired up since this morning."

"I see... Do you want to use a handkerchief? It's been kept nice and clean."

Saying so, Emilia, who was standing in front of the school gate, offered me a white handkerchief. As she said it was clean, the offered handkerchief was neatly folded and even ironed. It felt too cruel to let it wipe my sweat.

"No, no, I'm fine. I have my own towel. Uh, it's right here..."

"Here you go, Subaru-kun. Rem has washed it properly."

"Oh, thanks. Sorry about that, Rem."

Since Rem handed me my towel, I wiped my sweat with it without hesitation. By the way, I had run all the way from my house to the school without stopping, but unlike me, who was sweaty and exhausted, Rem and Shaula had kept up and were perfectly fine.

"Rem-san and Shaula-san have amazing stamina. Even though Subaru is so exhausted."

"Rem goes jogging with Sister every morning. So that if anything happens to Subaru-kun, I can run to the hospital at any time."

"Please use a taxi."

"Me too! I'm also a bit confident in my athletic nerves-ssu. Even if I look like this, I was a pretty well-known sportswoman over there-ssu."

Once I finally caught my breath, I got caught up in Shaula's energetic words. I had heard that Shaula, the transfer student, had lived overseas, but I hadn't heard what she was doing there yet. However—

"Seeing as you're not even out of breath, being a sportswoman seems legit."

"Legit of the legit, totally legit-ssu. My club coach told me I could even aim for a gold medal-ssu. But it didn't turn out that way-ssu."

"Is that because you came back to Japan?"

"Mu."

I had a bit of a bad feeling about Emilia's casual question. Not to be conceited, but I couldn't deny the possibility that part of the reason Shaula came back to Japan was because of me. In that case, could it be that Shaula kicked away her position as a gold medal prospect to come back to Japan...

"It's not because of me, right?"

"Of course it's for Master-ssu. When I thought of Master, I couldn't sleep at night, and honestly, nothing the teachers or coaches said went into my head at all, so my grades dropped like crazy and I was kicked out-ssu!"

"That's not for my sake, it's my fault, and yet it's not my fault either, right!?"

It was such a sequence of self-inflicted consequences that I felt like I'd wasted my worry. No, in a sense, my conceit wasn't wrong, but it's within the scope of personal responsibility, right?

"Ah, geez, I've used up so much physical and mental strength since this morning... Even though I decided to have fun at the festival today, don't shave away my remaining energy with a slice of daily life like this."

"Ah, the Cherry Blossom Festival! Right, right, there was the festival. I almost forgot."

Saying so, Emilia stuck out her tongue slightly in a cute way as if reflecting on something. It was a gesture with enough power to blow one away when done by a transcendent beauty, but since I had resistance from my cute childhood friend, my promising sister, and her friends every day, I was able to endure it.

"If it weren't for that, I'd be a vegetable by now. Be careful, Emilia-tan. Your smile is a nuclear weapon that can bring peace to the world or destroy it, you know?"

"Sorry, I don't really understand what you're saying."

"Is that so... Wait, a cell phone?"

Cut down by her blunt response, I watched Emilia take out her phone while my heart bled. It was old. No, not old, but it had a very plain design. It wasn't a smartphone; it looked like an "easy-use phone."

"Uh? Did you find someone's lost property?"

"Eh? No, it's my cell phone, you know? Come to think of it, I hadn't gotten Subaru's contact info yet, so I was waiting because I wanted you to tell me. We promised to go to the festival together today, so I thought it would be a problem if I didn't know."

"Ah, I see, I see. Setting aside my impression that it's more 'unique' than 'old-fashioned,' we definitely need to exchange contact info."

"Yes. I've already registered your home number from the emergency contact list."

"Please, just don't call that one."

"Eh? U-Um, okay, I understand."

I was grateful that Emilia had registered the number while looking at the contact list, but if she called and my parents answered, they'd dig into our relationship and I'd likely take a huge hit. So, I deleted that option in advance.

"But in that case, you should exchange numbers with Rem and Shaula too, not just me. You're going to the festival with Rem... Shaula, what about you?"

"Eh? Me-ssu?"

"Yeah, there's a festival today. We're planning to go, so you're coming too, right?"

"I was just confessed to-ssu."

"I didn't confess!? I said Emilia-tan and Rem are coming too!?"

While exasperated by Shaula's sudden attitude, I took out my own phone and managed to register the numbers while operating Emilia's phone, which had a different layout.

"Wait, sorry for doing it without asking. You wouldn't want someone touching your phone, right?"

"No, it's okay. I don't really know how to use it well myself, so even when I call my family, I often just press things by intuition."

"If it connects, that's fine, but to master the basic usage, I think it's better not to skip the tutorial screen at the start of a game."

Games these days are often designed to be very helpful, so in most cases, there are tutorials for how to operate them at the beginning. People used to games might often find it annoying, but since you can't choose a player's gaming history, you can see the struggle of the developers. Anyway, back to the topic.

"Alright, I remember Rem's number by heart, so I've typed it in. Shaula, what's yours?"

"I want Master to put it in-ssu! It's 080—"

"Wait, wait, wait, be more careful for privacy's sake! You're a beauty, so you'll be followed by weirdos."

"I was confessed to-ssu!"

"I told you I didn't confess!"

After much fuss, I succeeded in registering the three numbers in Emilia's phone. Since Shaula was being noisy, I also registered Shaula's number, which I had memorized, in my own phone. For now, it seemed Shaula would be joining the party for the festival.

"At this rate, it won't matter how many more people join... Rem, what about Sister's plans?"

"She said she'd stop by Roswaal-san's house. As for the festival, it depends on how her work progresses, but..."

"Hmm, I don't want to get in the way of her love life, but I'll be lonely if Ram isn't at the festival."

"Rem feels the same way. I'll try begging her."

Rem clenched her hands in front of her chest. Since the "begging" comment came out, it could be said that Ram's participation was now almost certain. Ram, who doted on Rem, had never refused her sister's begging. At least, as far as I knew, not even once.

"In other words, not once in my entire life."

"Wow, such confidence. I've heard that Subaru and Rem-san are close, but is it the same with Ram-san?"

"Yes. Subaru-kun and Sister have been close since the time we shared the same first bath."

"I told you, the one who shared that bath wasn't me, it was Rem."

"I made a mistake. You've been close since you were wrapped in the same swaddling clothes."

"The one wrapped in those was also Rem."

I feel like I just did this bit recently. Or maybe it was about a year ago. Regardless, we couldn't just keep loitering in front of the school gate forever. I was standing out in a bad way because I was alone surrounded by three beautiful girls, so it was time to head inside.

"Right. Since we're at it, let's call out to the others. It'll also help increase the names in Emilia-tan's phone book."

"Ah, transfer student discrimination-ssu! I'm also a transfer student just like that girl-ssu! Master, I want you to give me the same amount of love-ssu! Rather, I want the big and strong kind-ssu!"

"What's 'big and strong love'? Like a giant teddy bear?"

Speaking of which, as an expression of big and strong love, a giant teddy bear was sitting prominently in Beako's room. Because my gift and my dad's gift overlapped, there were two of them. Seeing Beako sleeping sandwiched between them made her look like a protected target with guardians, which was a bit cool.

"————"

"Oh, what's wrong, Emilia-tan, with that difficult face? ...Could it be, you don't really want to increase the festival members? You want it to be just the two of us?"

"No, it's not that at all."

I just said it, but being flatly rejected was sad in its own way. Ignoring my inner feelings, Emilia spoke to me hesitantly. And then—

"Um, Subaru. I'm happy for the sentiment, but I don't have a phone book. I only have a diary and a vocabulary book..."

"I meant the one on your phone!"

I gave a loud retort to the classic blunder.

△▼△▼△▼△

"Heh, a festival? Sounds good, let's go together."

Leaving aside Emilia, who was staring at her phone screen and tapping away next to me, Felt, who had just given her number, said so with a spirited smile. As discussed at the school gate, the plan was to adjust things in the direction of increasing the festival members. So, I caught Felt, who was unusually early to the classroom, and immediately brought up the festival and the number exchange with Emilia.

"You're in a good mood. Honestly, I'm surprised."

"Huh? Surprised? Why? Are you saying I'm the type who's a killjoy and turns down invitations?"

"No, I mean the members. I'm going to invite Reinhard too, you know? You'd normally hate that on the surface, right?"

"What do you mean 'on the surface'! I hate it on the inside too!"

Making the back of her chair creak, Felt tried to kick me with the sole of her indoor shoe. I dodged it nimbly, but she really has no hesitation even in a skirt. Well, Felt is a girl who wouldn't hesitate to leap onto a shoe locker to escape from Reinhard, so this level of roughness was business as usual.

"I've gotten tired of running around lately. No matter how much I run, that guy always finds me, and the classmates aren't on my side either..."

"So, you've given up and are staying quiet in the classroom. Then, have you surrendered?"

"I haven't. It's just that I decided to use my iron will to parry everything he throws at me. In the end, it's all up to my heart."

With her arms and legs crossed, Felt's attitude was brave and manly. It was certainly true that matters between a man and a woman only work when both intentions align. However, as a classmate who had watched the two of them grow closer, Felt's lack of awareness that she was being won over was, in a word, frustrating.

"Does Reinhard-kun like Felt-chan?"

"Nuga."

Emilia suddenly dropped a bomb into the delicate problem of male-female dynamics. While concentrating hard on her hands, Emilia had apparently been listening to our conversation. She said, "Mm, done," with a satisfied look as she closed her phone, and while returning Felt's smartphone, she continued:

"The other day, you were walking the dog together on the riverbank, right? So, I thought the two of you were very close..."

"Damn... That's why I told you then, too. I was only with him because of Rommy, so I had no choice..."

"But it's an important doggy, right? It feels strange to leave it with someone you really hate. Puck is very important to me, so I can't let him go."

Saying so, Emilia looked out the window. Wondering what it was, I followed her gaze and saw a gray cat on top of a telephone pole outside the window, and I was genuinely astonished. "Can't let go"—did she mean that in a literal, physical sense?

『—Now, now, just overlook it as one of Lia's cute points. I'm just following because I want to.』

"Is this guy finally sending telepathy into my head...!?"

"Hey, Subaru. You're mumbling and have a creepy look in your eyes. Also, explain it to this transfer student. No matter how much I try, I can't get through to her."

Emilia's pet cat, Puck, was a monster-cat-in-training who spoke in a voice only I could hear. I felt like saying "what am I even talking about," but since it was real, there was nothing I could do. Anyway, if I talked to Puck, I'd be treated as a weirdo like this, so I had to be careful. I cleared my throat and returned to the conversation between Emilia and Felt with an "Ah, well."

"Emilia-tan, there's actually not much I can say. It's a fact that Reinhard likes Felt, and it's also true that Felt is running away."

"Wow, really? I thought so. Hehe, I'm sharp, aren't I?"

"Yeah, like an HB pencil."

Since it was a confidence that seemed like it would break easily, I wanted to prioritize sharpening it carefully for now. Well, Reinhard's intention was firm, and the classmates mostly saw it as a matter of time before their relationship made significant progress. Of course, for Felt, it must be unpleasant, like being made into a spectacle.

"But it's like a storybook, like Cinderella, right?"

"A spectacle and a storybook are completely different things! I have no intention of becoming a spectacle!"

"Then, is it different if no one is watching?"

"Ugh..."

Felt fell silent with a look as if she'd been poked in a sore spot. Felt narrowed her red eyes and glared at Emilia, but Emilia herself had a puzzled look. Since she didn't seem to have said it intentionally, Felt was at a disadvantage here. Felt certainly had cat-like qualities, so she might have two sides. Unable to be honest and sweet when others were watching—

"When it's just the two of you, you're sweet like a kitten... Tigris!" "Shut up!"

The moment I laid a finger on a part of the truth, Felt's merciless front kick pierced me. Being completely in "idle talk" mode, I couldn't dodge and was KO'd by a kick to the stomach. Emilia rushed over and patted my back.

"Subaru, Subaru! Honestly, Felt-chan, you're overdoing it even if it's to hide your embarrassment."

"I'm not embarrassed! Anyway! I'm going to the festival! I won't stop you from inviting that Reinhard bastard. He'll come anyway. In that case, I'll beat him back!"

"W-What do you think Reinhard is going to do to you..."

"Who knows!" Felt said, raising her middle index finger and storming out of the classroom. In the end, although it was related to Reinhard, she had flown out of the classroom for an indirect reason. She probably wouldn't be back until homeroom.

"Ah, damn, I messed up. I teased her too much, so I have to apologize later."

"Eh, were you teasing her?"

"It's surprising that Emilia-tan had no self-awareness, but it's consistent with my interpretation. ...Well, at least I'm rooting for Reinhard's love life."

That was, of course, because I was betting on the two of them getting together in the office pool, but it was also largely because Reinhard and I were friends. Despite being a handsome, tall, all-around genius who excelled in every way, Reinhard's approach to Felt was like a first love—how should I put it, his methods were so clumsy I couldn't bear to watch.

"But it's like that bittersweetness where you watch through the gaps in your fingers. You know?"

"I think I do, and I think I don't... But I understand what Subaru wants to say. Since they like each other, you want them to get along. I also want my Father and Mother to get along forever and ever."

"Hmm? Well, yeah, I guess."

When compared to marital problems, the story changes a bit, but since it wasn't wrong in a broad sense, Subaru didn't deny it. However, that didn't mean it was okay to neglect Felt's feelings just to respect Reinhard's. That was something that needed reflection.

"As you saw, Felt will use physical force if she thinks it's unpleasant. I don't think she truly hates him, though."

Despite what she said, Felt only used attacks that Reinhard could withstand. I thought that was an expression of Felt's hesitation, so I was just rooting for my friend's first love to bear fruit.

"Therefore, I'd like to invite Reinhard to the festival too."

"Yes, I have no complaints. I want to become friends with Reinhard too."

"Guh, that big-heartedness is wonderful, Emilia-tan. Hey, did you hear that, Otto?"

"You've been treating me like I wasn't here this whole time and now!?"

With such an exaggerated reaction, Otto, who had been at the edge of the screen, joined the conversation. By the way, Otto, who is the ace of the soccer club despite his looks, often sleeps at his desk until morning homeroom after morning practice is over. Still, he's a useful guy because he responds dutifully when needed.

"From Felt's reaction, it seems Reinhard hadn't invited her to the festival yet. It's rare, but do you know what's up with him?"

"No, I don't know. Reinhard-san isn't in the same club as me."

"Hey now, you're useless. If you're in the 'best friend' position of a galge, you have to be an information expert who can smoothly answer what the protagonist asks."

"It's presumptuous of you to put yourself in the protagonist position of a galge, and even for a character in that position, the information they prepare is about the girls."

"Even though it's Otto, he's making a valid point..."

"Am I not even allowed to use logic!?"

But Otto's point was spot on. Even a best friend character in a game wouldn't expect to be asked for information about a male classmate instead of the heroines.

"No, but if it's a best friend character in a galge, then maybe...?"

"What is this inexhaustible trust you have in galge best friend characters?"

"I don't know what this 'galge' thing is... but Otto-kun, you're coming to the festival today too, right? Why don't you come with us?"

As if to put an end to the galge best friend position debate, Emilia proposed that Otto join the festival. Hearing that, Otto's eyes widened, and I covered my face with my palm.

"Oh? Did I say something strange?"

"That's right, Emilia-tan. You have to make Otto more anxious..."

"You just reflected on your attitude toward Felt-san a moment ago, didn't you!? Why don't you apply that reflection to your attitude toward me!?"

"Alright, alright. Then, it's a promise under the legendary cherry blossom tree."

"You're still dragging out the galge thing!"

The fact that I occasionally showed detailed knowledge was why I couldn't escape the galge best friend position, but sadly, that was just who Otto Suwen was. Anyway, with Otto added to the festival party, our adventure continued.

"That's right, our festival starts here!"

"It feels like it's going to end here!"

"Wow, you're perfectly in sync."

This was indeed Otto Suwen.

△▼△▼△▼△

"—As you all know, the Cherry Blossom Festival will be held today. I'm sure many of you will be going, but please do not get too carried away. Please make sure to act with the moderation expected of a student."

"You don't have to tell us, Delica-sensei. We're high schoolers too, you know?"

"Yes, that is why I am telling you, Natsuki-kun."

"Wait, what!?"

During afternoon homeroom, while everyone was in a restless mood because of the festival afterward, I was singled out for a warning by our very own Frederica-sensei. Acting with the moderation expected of a student—there should be absolutely no reason for me to be warned.

"Delica-sensei, why me?"

"It has already reached my ears. I hear a Great Alliance has already been formed to head to the festival. I believe the originators were Natsuki-kun and Emilia-san."

"A Great Alliance? That's an exaggeration."

It was true that I was the one who proposed gathering a party for the festival under the pretext of a "plan to increase Emilia's friends." In the middle of it, the pretext increased to include Shaula, who was complaining about transfer student discrimination, and I had casually told my classmates to "invite whoever you want," but—

"But that's not a strange thing to say, right?"

"My, my, my, Subaru-kyun is so strange. He doesn't even realize who he asked for what."

As I tilted my head, Ferris laughed with his hand over his mouth. I asked, "What is it?" to the words of my calculating classmate. Of course, Ferris was one of the members I had invited to the festival. Ferris had readily agreed to it, and I didn't think there was any particular problem.

"And yet, that's meaningful?"

"Feri-chan doesn't really care? But, but, since you invited Feri-chan, naturally you invited Crusch-sama too, right?"

"That's... ah, no way?"

I finally understood what Ferris was trying to say, and I looked over Ferris's head to Crusch, who was sitting on the other side. Crusch, who wore her uniform with dignity, tucked her chin deeply when she noticed my gaze.

"Do not worry. You said the more people, the better, did you not? So, I have called out to as many as possible. We should expect a fair number of personnel."

"I didn't want a labor force!"

Crusch gave a slightly off-target answer, but she was the Student Council President. Not only that, her family was one of the most prominent in the city, so she had connections everywhere. From Crusch's misunderstanding, it seemed likely that the people she called out to weren't limited to those within the school.

"That's why it might turn into a much larger group than Subaru-kyun thinks, nya."

"Don't say 'might,' if you knew, you should have stopped her!"

"Ehh, is there a reason for Feri-chan to stop her? Crusch-sama worked very hard on the preparations, and her profile was so beautiful..."

"Ah, geez, I was a fool to expect anything from you."

"Subaru-kyun is a dummy."

"What was that!?"

I was unintentionally provoked by Ferris's challenging words. Frederica-sensei at the teacher's desk clapped her hands to stop the battle between us two small animals to decide who was at the top.

"That is enough! Setting aside the quarrel between you two, Natsuki-kun, that is not all."

"Eh, there's more?"

"Of course. Surely you have not forgotten that you extended the same invitation to me?"

Hearing that voice, I could only say "Uge." Turning around, the smug face of the young lady in a modified uniform—Priscilla—who was lounging arrogantly in her seat, was burned into my eyes. Priscilla hid her mouth with the fan in her hand and said:

"Such a city event holds no interest for me. However, to be asked and not respond would cast doubt upon my character. Therefore, I have pulled a few strings as well."

"I-I see, pulled strings. That's not something a high schooler usually says, is it?"

"Do not worry. It is loathsome to please that vixen, but if the stiff Student Council President is moving, I must show something greater, must I not? That is all."

"I see. That is quite grand, but does that mean you intend to compete with me, Priscilla?"

Crusch easily took the bait from Priscilla, who was playfully provoking those around her. This was bad. Seeing two of the "Three Great Maidens"—the most troublesome people to have as enemies in this class—about to clash, I hurriedly jumped in between them.

"Wait, wait, wait, you two! Don't fight over me—!"

"Fool, who would fight over the likes of you?" "We are merely staking our own names."

"It's not something you need to go that far for! Also, if homeroom drags on any longer..."

Crusch and Priscilla wouldn't listen. I hesitantly tried to tell them the situation. However, even faster than that, the worst problem woke up. That was—

"—Now, you three. You understand that today is an important day for me too, right?"

"————"

"And yet, you're talking for so long... I want to finish school quickly and head to the festival venue. Do you understand?"

Standing up with a soft smile as usual was the last of the Three Great Maidens—Anastasia. Anastasia, a talented merchant who was rumored to frequent the city's Chamber of Commerce and control it from behind the scenes, had been heard to be running around for today's festival. Actually, I heard it from her directly. So, I knew she wanted to head to the venue as soon as possible today.

"The whims of young ladies are all well and good. But it's a problem if you don't consider the time and place. You'll have a hard time after you grow up if you're like that, you know? Don't you understand even as high schoolers?"

"You, do you think you have gained the upper hand just by frequenting a mere Chamber of Commerce? The power of something appropriate is wielded in an appropriate place. The fact that you must hop around in a cheap place is no different from you selling yourself at a low price."

"Your words are excessive. However, I can nod at Priscilla's argument. Anastasia, I also know of your efforts as a member of the Student Council. However, a student's duty lies in the place of learning. It sounds a bit bad to have a way of thinking that neglects that."

"Gyaaaa! Delica-sensei! I'll do my best not to get carried away! Also, I'll take proper responsibility for my words and actions! So let's end homeroom!"

In the center of the classroom, while being scorched by the sparks of the three clashing maidens, I desperately begged Frederica-sensei to mediate. It was an act like seeking salvation from a god to stop a war, but fortunately, unlike a god, Frederica-sensei had a physical form in front of me, so my tearful plea worked.

"Very well! At the festival, make sure not to get carried away like you are now! I do not want to turn the memories of a fun festival into bad ones!"

"————"

"Where is your answer!?"

"—Yes!!"

With my loud reply representing the entire class, homeroom ended. Finally, the Cherry Blossom Festival was about to begin.

△▼△▼△▼△

And so, the main event of the Cherry Blossom Festival arrived. The festival was an event where many stalls appeared at a famous spot where cherry tree rows lined up as far as the eye could see—you could think of it as a simple spring festival.

After school ended, I went home, changed into my private clothes, and met up at the entrance of the festival. Under the loose rule that if you couldn't make it at the promised time, you could just join up later, we decided to have fun in a relaxed way, while being careful not to make Delica-sensei angry. At the very least, if any problem occurred, there was a high possibility that I would be the one held accountable.

"Seriously, how did it turn out like this... Oh?"

While harboring a slightly dissatisfied feeling, I headed to the promised meeting place and found Emilia already waiting there. However, Emilia was not alone.

"No way, did a pick-up artist appear..."

"—I told you, please let go. It sets a bad example for the other teachers."

"Really? You don't have to worry so much, I think it's fine if we go around together. Echidna-sensei, it's not like you're forbidden from having fun, right?"

"Wait, Emilia-tan is the one doing the picking up!?"

I rolled up my sleeves, but my enthusiasm to jump in and help was in vain. I had assumed that a stereotypical thug was pestering the beautiful Emilia, but the one holding back and the one being pulled were the opposite. And the one being pulled by Emilia was a white-haired beauty—

"It's Echidna-san. ...No, Echidna-sensei."

"Natsuki-kun. ...It feels somewhat itchy to be called 'sensei' by you."

"Well, you'll have to get used to it. It wasn't me, but Echidna-san herself who chose to become a student teacher. But..."

Echidna-san, with her troubled eyebrows and slightly flushed cheeks, was currently a student teacher at our Lugunica Academy. To me, she was one of the beautiful older sisters in the neighborhood, so I was a bit lost on how to interact with her at school, but I decided not to show it. That was because seeing Echidna-san troubled was a feast for the eyes.

"Emilia-tan is the one holding Echidna-sensei back?"

"Ah, that's right. Natsuki-kun, please tell her too. Tell her that I am a teacher by position and that I came to the festival for the purpose of student guidance."

"I've heard that many times. But it's lonely if you just leave. Subaru, you think so too, right? That it would be better if we went around together."

"Ah—"

Looking back and forth between Emilia-tan and Echidna-san, I scratched my cheek. Well, both of their arguments had merit. Echidna-san was working, and as a student teacher, she probably had to draw a clear line between herself and the students. On the other hand, from Emilia's perspective, it was strange not to act together when she knew she was there and was even watching them from a distance.

"Hmm, if I have the casting vote, one vote for Emilia-tan. I want to hang out with Echidna-sensei too."

"See! Subaru says so too."

"Even Natsuki-kun... Do you not care if I fail my student teaching and lose my position as a female teacher?"

"Calling yourself a 'female teacher' makes it sound like a scandalous title, but I don't think it'll go that far. I understand Emilia-tan's point, and honestly, I think we'll be the largest faction among the members from our school participating in the festival."

"Mu..."

In fact, with the cooperation of Crusch and Priscilla, and the related parties like Otto, Reinhard, and Ram, who joined because of Rem's begging, the scale was now beyond even my grasp. While it wouldn't reach the level of the entire student body, a two-digit number close to three digits was entirely possible.

Echidna-san seemed to have heard a similar story from Frederica-sensei. Thinking my story had credibility, she let out a deep sigh, which was rare for her.

"You are good at persuading me. You're a genius of Echidna."

"Wow, that's amazing. I want that too."

"Really? I was about to comment that I don't know if I should be happy or not."

Setting aside Echidna-san's attitude, Emilia was unusually attached to her. When I asked why, Emilia put her finger to her lips and said, "Well..."

"I don't really know myself, but I felt like I wanted to be friends with Echidna-sensei. No, I felt like we could become friends."

"I see. By the way, since Echidna-sensei and I are neighbors, if you become friends with me, you'll naturally have opportunities to interact with Echidna-sensei..."

"Please do not use me as a tool to deepen your friendship with her. It hurts a little."

"Ugh, sorry. I got a bit too greedy for the win."

I reflected that I had indeed done something bad. Then, our persuasion seemed to have worked, as Echidna-san said, "I'll contact Frederica-sensei," and moved a little away from us with her phone in hand. I thought she might use that as an excuse to run away, but she seemed to have truly given in and was making the call in a visible position, so it seemed fine.

"Oh? Subaru, were you already playing at the festival earlier?"

"Ah, actually, a little bit. It's not that I stole a march on you, but I had a prior engagement with my sister and her friends. You know, elementary school finishes early."

"Ah, that's why you ran home with such momentum after homeroom ended."

"Yeah, yeah."

By the way, because homeroom was delayed, I had pushed myself quite hard to make it in time for my promise with Beako and the others. I used many shortcuts and back alleys, and as a result, I almost ruined my knees, so I took a taxi at the end—that's a secret. By the way, my dad, who understood my feelings, paid the fare.

"Anyway, I met up with my sister and the others like that and played for a bit. Our Beako was great, of course, but Meili-chan and Petra-chan seemed to be having fun too. Petra-chan was even more fashionable than usual... that's definitely for a boy."

"Oh? Subaru's sister is an elementary schooler, right?"

"Yeah. But they say elementary schoolers these days are advanced. Compared to when I was the same age, the game graphics and everything are on a different level."

With next-gen consoles, graphics that I thought couldn't get any better keep evolving, making me realize that human technology has no end. And while I was trembling at the future of children like that, Emilia suddenly murmured.

"I'd like to meet Subaru's sister too."

"Oh..."

"Oh? Did I say something strange?"

Emilia tilted her head at me as I widened my eyes at her unexpected words. But I immediately shook my hands, head, and knees back and forth.

"No, no, no, nothing strange, nothing strange. That's right, I want to introduce Emilia-tan and Beako too. I'm sure you'll get along."

"Hehe, I'm looking forward to it. Then, I'll bring Puck along too."

"Yeah, I think that's good. Somehow, I feel like Beako and Puck would be a good match."

Well, our Beako's cuteness is a black hole that swallows everything, so I believe there's nothing in this world that doesn't match with Beako.

"Thank you, Subaru. For doing so much for me."

"Eh?"

"I had just transferred, so I was worried if I could fit in. But Subaru, Rem-san, and everyone else have been so kind to me..."

Saying so, Emilia turned toward me. At that moment, a slightly strong wind blew, and the petals of the cherry trees danced more than usual. They fluttered around the smiling Emilia as if dancing—

"————"

I thought that being captivated was exactly what this felt like.

"Thank you, Subaru."

"...You're welcome. I'm glad you're happy, Emilia-tan."

I managed to answer while maintaining my composure. For a moment, I had been naturally entranced, so I didn't want to break Emilia's naturalness with my strange attitude. Because this casual moment felt incredibly precious, especially.

"—Subaru-kun! Sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Ma-steeeer!!"

Just then, I heard the voices of Rem and Shaula, whom I was supposed to meet. Not just the two of them, but the reliable members who had come to enjoy this Cherry Blossom Festival to the fullest were arriving in a group.

"The festival is fun, but..."

"Eh?"

"There are going to be plenty of fun things from now on too. Get ready, Emilia-tan."

Watching everyone arrive, I winked at Emilia. With a flash of my teeth, I gave my best dashing smile, aiming right at the girl I liked. At my words, Emilia widened her eyes and then smiled again. She smiled—

"Yes, I'm really looking forward to it!"

She showed me a brilliant smile that didn't lose to the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

—The festival begins. But it's not just about the Cherry Blossom Festival; every day of fun times is a festival. That's why the festival begins, and it continues.

—The festival continues. The festival does not end.

Because the fun days are still just beginning.

<<School Re:Zero! 5th Period to be continued!>>

As I mentioned last time, the annual April Fools' IF routes are currently filled! Whether an IF route can be done during Arc 7, or whether the mentally stable Subaru will ever become as distorted as in other IF routes in the future, even the author doesn't know, so the schedule is undecided!

For now, today is April Fools', and it's Natsuki Subaru's birthday! I hope you enjoy the April Fools' extra while celebrating the protagonist's birthday and his future!