Chapter 1

Hm hmm… ♪

One scoop for the master~ Two scoops for the Himemiya house~ ♪ Hmm~ hmhm… ♪

(…Whew. It’s quite back-breaking to shovel snow, though it does give me much the same gratification as cleaning.)

(There’s considerably more snowfall this year than there was last year.)

(So we’ve called in a contractor to bring in a snowplow…)

(But we still must clear some of the snow as a preliminary procedure to allow them through.)

(Shoveling snow is a certified part-time job on campus, though, so this will help to pay for fine’s general repertoire of activities in the coming year.)

(Well… So long as I’m a member of fine, I will never be in need of money. That said, it’s not particularly a bad thing to have a surplus of funds.)

(I ought to follow in the master’s footsteps and offer my own contributions to the unit.)

(Should the proposal that I worked on with him last night be approved…)

(Then we’ll face expenses we hadn’t budgeted for, such as new costumes.)

(It would make me happy if I could earn enough money to cover the costs of that.)

(No… If I could simply be of some small help to him in realizing his dreams, it would be the utmost pleasure.)

Hm hmm hmm… ♪ Three scoops for fine~ Four scoops for Yumenosaki Academy~ ♪

Master Artist~… ☆

Master Artist Fushimi! I’m so happy to see you! You’re shoveling snow, right? Keep up the good work… ♪

Oh my, Takamine-sama. Good afternoon. …May I ask why you call me “Master Artist?”

Because you’re a master artist! I can’t believe you’d be so modest you don’t think you’re good enough to be called one!

You’re sooo cool, you really are an artist… ☆

Hmm, I can’t say I remember ever becoming an artist, though…?

Um, well. In any case, you’re dressed in the same Santa costume again you wore the other day. Are you planning to perform downtown again?

Yeah, something like that… The Eve of the Eve Live the other day was held downtown, but it ended up being surprisingly popular…

I dunno why, but we’re gonna do the same thing in the shopping district now…

Urgh… It’s so embarrassing ‘cause I live in the shopping district… Everyone I know is gonna be there…

So basically, I’m already so depressed I wanna die… So please give me your latest work, Master Artist Fushimi. You’d be seriously helping me out… ♪

Hm… Mm, well, I know you’re quite fond of cute things, correct? Then allow me to give you this snow hare ♪

Let me just… All right, I’ve fashioned its ears from leaves, and its eyes are made from red berries.

Here you go. Please imagine that it’s saying “Do your best at work, Midori-kun ♪”

I–it’s so cute! I was just hoping for a drawing, but instead you gave me this… ♪

Thank you so much, Master Artist! I feel like I can do anything now! Good luck with your shoveling too; I’m cheering you on… ♪

…Oh, the others in Ryuseitai are calling for me. I’d better go.

By all means. The snow is slippery, though, so please watch your step. Do your best at your job, Takamine-sama.

I definitely will!

Hey guys, check this out! I got a little bunny from the Master Artist… ♪

(Fufu. The snow hare put him in such high spirits…)

(He has such a handsome build, and yet he still feels like he’s the same age as the master.)

Heyyy~ Yuzuru! Sorry to keep you waiting! I had some work I had to take care of as class rep, and it ate up so much time!

…Wait, why are you just standing there smiling to yourself? It’s super creepy!

No, it’s just that I was endeared by a certain someone I was with. I couldn’t help but smile at how cute he was.

Huh? Was it a squirrel or something?

Anyway, if you’re done shoveling snow, let’s head over to the student council room. I wanna submit my proposal.

Recently, the Prez has been going home almost immediately unless he’s got something to do, so we’ve gotta book it.

Yes, that is what we planned, isn’t it… Apologies, but I haven’t finished my duties here yet.

It snowed again last night, so there’s far more than was expected.

Oh… Well that’s fine, I’ll just go by myself. After all, you hate leaving your work unfinished, right?