Chapter 2

Good work, everyone… ☆

Fufu, it was our total victory. We sold out of our merch, and the live was a massive success.

I think it’s safe to say that we met all the conditions the President gave us.

Fufufu. Perhaps I’m putting a damper on things, but is that really the case?

Don’t pop out of nowhere, you masked pervert. Did you just fall from the sky?

Indeed I did! I saw your smug look all the way from my hot-air balloon, so I decided to drop in ♪

Hmph. I’m sure you wanted to surprise me, but you’re not going to get a rise out of me that easily anymore.

Anyway, I hate the way you said it, but what did you actually mean?

The cotton candy stall you and Sakasaki were managing was really going well, but in the end we probably had more customers.

That’s true. We did, in fact, have fewer foot traffic, but Eichi’s condition was that you had top sales with your booth.

And unfortunately, Trickstar was unable to achieve that.

Wait… Is it because cotton candy is so cheap to make?

Precisely! That spares me the effort of explaining things!

So it is exactly that, Isara Mao-kun. I look forward to you offering up the rest of your summer to me ♪

Now then, what shall I have you do? I could always make you my assistant for my magic tricks~

I’m actually about to go on a little business trip, so having an assistant would be quite helpful.

Wataru-nii-san. You seem so confident in your victory. But did you forget to include this?

Hmm, hmm… Is this the manufacturing cost for the summer-themed balloon?

Yes. The amount is massive because you prepared a hot-air balloon for the customers to use.

Even if the cost of production is low for cotton candy and we turned a huge profit, we run into the red if you include the cost of the balloon.

Does that mean…?

Congratulations, Trickstar. You’ve won the competition.

Woohoooo! We won! We saved Sally’s vacation!

Thank you, seriously. …Haha, I’m actually starting to cry from the relief.

I might cry, too. But it’s good, isn’t it? They’re not tears of frustration, they’re tears of joy. Waaah, this is great, Isara-kuuun!

Yeah, I’m so glad. Now I can spend the rest of the summer with you guys.

I did not just hear that. You’re dedicating your summer to me, not Trickstar.

Uwah—Ritsu?! When did you get behind me…? Sometimes you seriously have no presence at all.

Whatever, just say it again. Tell me you’ll spend the rest of your summer with me.

Uh, no, I can’t. Well I say that, but I will spend as much time as I can with you. So cut me some slack, okay? Please?

Urgh, I can’t say no if you’re asking so nicely…

Ughhhh. I thought I was going to get a whole summer with Maa~kun. This is so tragic. Boohoo, boohoo.

Amazing! I’ve found an ally! I, too, could cry because of the tragedy that befell me today.

Come, come, let us depart on a journey to heal our heartbreak together! You too, Knight-san, let’s take this balloon for a spin!

Excuse me? Why me? I’m not getting in that thing. Wait, hey! How the hell are you so strong?!

I wouldn’t say it’s fit to carry a hundred men, but we’ve plenty of space for this little party. Now everyone, let’s embark on this sentimental journey… ☆

Hm. He just forced them into the balloon and took off.

It helped me out. If Hibiki-senpai hadn’t taken them away, Izumi-san totally would’ve chased me around begging for us to go home together.

Oh right… I forgot to thank Hibiki-senpai for tending to our booth. I guess I’ll do it next chance I get.

You helped us a lot with the sales too, Anzu. …Hm? You’re happy we sold out, but disappointed that we couldn’t keep any for ourselves?

Oh yeah! Well, it was supposed to be for later, but I’ll give them out now.

Yep. Surpriiiise~ ♪ We actually kept the last one of them for you as a present. It’s signed by all of us, by the way.

It’s a genuine, one-of-a-kind T-shirt. When we’re super famous, it’ll be worth a buttload ♪

Just kidding, it’s way too early to start talking about that.

But I don’t think it’s just a pipe dream, either. We were able to make Sunflower Live a huge success, after all.

Yeah. Even if we stumble, we’ll keep getting back up and continue going forward.

We sure will. We have some bitter memories of summer, but now we have some really great ones, too. I’m glad.

Me too. And the summer isn’t over yet, either. So let’s fill it with all sorts of fun memories… ♪