After taking a break at the Japanese-style Cafe, we decided to look around at the other exhibits inside the school building.
Kotono and Noa walked ahead, with Riran and me following behind them.
Equipped with a pamphlet and a map, the two of them looked like they were having a lot of fun checking out various things.
"Oh! Look, look, Kotono! It’s a gemstone exhibition!"
"As expected of high schoolers. They’re displaying some amazing things...!"
The two of them entered the gemstone exhibition, and we followed suit.
"Come to think of it, we haven't looked at the exhibits yet," Riran remarked.
"That’s surprising. I thought you’d be the first one to jump at something like this, Riran."
"It’s because I was having so much fun walking around with Akito that I completely forgot."
Please stop saying things like that so nonchalantly. It's actually pretty embarrassing.
Apparently, there was a girl in this class whose family owned a gemstone shop, and they had borrowed various items from her home for the display.
There was even someone who looked like a security guard standing in the back of the classroom.
Is it really okay to go that far for a high school festival...? Well, if Yakushiji-senpai gave the permission, it’s probably fine.
...Knowing that person, she’d probably permit anything just because it seemed interesting.
"Wow, so pretty..."
"So this is what raw amethyst looks like..."
It certainly was beautiful. Even for someone like me who isn't particularly interested in jewelry, seeing the real thing made my heart flutter.
...Wait? Riran’s gone. Where did she go...?
...Ah, there she is. She was peering into something in a slightly secluded spot.
"Riran, what’s up?"
"Ah, Akito. Look, these are our birthstones."
"Eh?"
Ah, so this is the birthstone corner.
The birthstones were lined up from January to December.
Among them was the birthstone for July, the month we were both born in.
It was the Ruby.
Known as the queen of gems, its meanings include "pure love" and "flame of love," with many words related to love. Others include "passion," "courage," and "freedom." It’s also apparently called the "stone that brings victory."
"I looked it up once before, but seeing it again..."
"It's the perfect stone for us."
"I thought so too!"
Riran nodded, her face shining. It seemed she was thinking the exact same thing.
"By the way, in Myanmar, it’s believed to possess mystical powers. Even Shakespeare said that rubies were gifts from fairies."
"Heh, really? You're quite knowledgeable."
"It’s the basics of chuunibyou."
"Don't use your 'common sense' to talk about it."
"Oh, that was cool just now. You sounded like a protagonist challenging a powerful enemy."
"Thank you for the praise that doesn't make me happy at all."
Wait, wasn't that cool? Combined with her vampire look, I thought it felt pretty good.
"But regardless of birthstones or chuunibyou stuff, I actually like this stone."
"Why? Because it's pretty?"
"Yeah. Because it's the same color as your eyes, Riran."
"Ngh... stupid."
Hey, don't kick me with your pointed toes! That hurts!
"Are Senpai and Ane-san always like that?"
"I feel like they've gotten even sweeter than before. Maybe living together made them lose their restraint?"
"But it doesn't feel like they're doing anything lewd."
"Maybe they're just happy simply being near each other?"
"I see~"
Hey you two, stop with the wild speculations.
"Umm, excuse me?"
I was suddenly called out to and turned around.
There stood a girl wearing a headband with demon horns. Based on the ribbon color, she was a second-year. She might be from this class.
Shoot, were we being too noisy...?
"S-Sorry. We'll be quiet...!"
"Ah, no. That's not it... You two are Sanada-kun and Kuonji-san, right?"
"Eh... well, yes, but..."
I'm not surprised at our names being guessed anymore. After all, thanks to the wedding company ads, there's hardly a student who doesn't know us. This person probably just happened to see us and decided to talk.
"I knew it...! Wow, I've wanted to meet you at least once."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Ah, I'm Ishite-dera. Nice to meet you."
"Y-Yes, hello."
Ishite-dera-senpai pulled out a business card from somewhere and handed it to Riran and me.
"...Could it be that the minerals in this class are..."
"Yep! My family provided them."
Oh, I knew it. Ishite-dera Gemstone Shop. It’s a pretty major shop that I occasionally see commercials for.
"Hey, hey, you two are getting married, right?"
"W-Well, yes, I suppose."
"Have you decided on the stones for your engagement or wedding rings yet?"
"W-We haven't reached that stage yet..."
"Then you should get them from our place! The quality is great, and I'll give you a bit of a discount! In exchange, I’d be happy if you could do a little promotion for us~"
Wait, whoa, this person is really pushy...!
"Oh, do you know anyone else connected by a red thread!? If you do, could you introduce them...!"
"P-Please let us think about it! L-Let's go!"
"Y-You're right. Excuse us!"
"Ah, Onii-chan, wait!"
"Pardon us!"
"Ah...! I'll be waiting! Please contact me~!"
Don't try to make business pitches in the middle of a school festival! Just how shrewd can you be?!