This is yet another short tale that happened behind the scenes during the school festival.
This happened after school ended on the day our class agreed to make the maid café our main event.
"You know this event thing? I really wanted to try doing this other thing, you know?"
"Oh? Why didn't you suggest it then?"
According to Horikita's proposal, the person suggesting an approved event would be receiving a reward.
Kei wanted more Private Points so trying to suggest something didn't sound like a bad idea after all.
"I know, but—"
Even though she wanted to do something, she clearly didn't show any signs of it.
Why isn't she answering? Should I wait a bit?…
"It's so embarrassing!"
"It is?"
"Ah, uhm, not that."
It probably reminded her of something as she waved with both her hands, trying to deny it.
"I just thought it would be childish of me."
"Don't you think school festivals are a fit for that as well?"
It was still unknown what most of the other classes were going to do, but 3rd Year Class A was going to do a spooky house and a labyrinth after all.
In that kind of sense, it being a bit childish posed no problem at all.
"It may be possible depending on the budget. you know?"
An ideal event where you could earn a lot of income while spending as little as possible is something all classes are keeping their eyes open for.
"Y-yeah…"
"Anyway, try saying it?"
Since we have been alone for quite some time, there was no problem no matter how long it takes.
"Kiyotaka, you like books, right?"
That's sudden, and it didn't sound like it had any relevance to the topic.
"Hmm? Ah, that's right."
Since I was little, I have never hated reading.
While there were times we weren't permitted to talk, they allowed us to read.
"Do you like fairy tales?"
"Fairy tales?"
I like books, but this was unexpected.
"I have read some."
"Ah, of course you can be mainstream sometimes, Kiyotaka"
Kei looked surprised.
"What do you think I am?"
"Look here, you usually never smile at all, and you reading fairy tales don't fit your image, right?
"That's rude."
"Which have you read?"
"Is it related to the thing you wanted to do for the festival?"
"Come on, just answer."
She does seem more interested in which ones I've read though.
"Let's see…"
This happened when I was quite young though, I reminiscenced.
"For starters, The Flying Classroom."
"... What?"
"Then the Secret Garden. The Happy Prince as well."
"...…"
Kei went silent.
"What's wrong?"
"Uhm…. you know, eh?
Yet another strange silence.
"Eh?"
Did I say something weird?
Each and every one of them are definitely classified as fairy tales.
"We were talking about fairy tales, no?"
"Indeed, fairy tales, but they are also classified as childrens' literature as well." I rephrased.
I have no idea why she is so puzzled.
"Your answer is so far from anything I've ever expected…"
"What did you expect then?"
"Usually, it's The Three Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood or something similar."
I see. I certainly have heard of those before.
"Never read them."
"Ehhhh!?"
"Is that something to be surprised about?"
It feels as though she is making fun of me somehow.
"How to say it, yup, that's the Kiyotaka I know."
"Well, back to the topic, is the thing you wanted to do connected with these fairy tales?"
"So… I wanted to do a play."
"A theatre play? That doesn't sound too bad."
"Really?"
"Of course, a lot of preparation time has passed already, and it might not be realistic anymore, but the suggestion itself is not a bad idea."
In fact, if Kei associated school festivals with plays, then it was worth looking it up again.
"What fairy tale did you want to do?"
I was a bit interested in that as well.
"You know, I'm a girl after all so maybe Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast?"
Those sound like fairy tales that girls would love.
"But—"
She said, then she went silent.
"The play I wanted to do the most is, Sleeping Beauty, I think."
"Sleeping Beauty…?"
I do seem to remember the title, but unfortunately I haven't read it.
"How's the story?"
"Eh? You don't know this one too? I'm surprised you even consider yourself a book lover."
"Sorry for that."
I think perhaps my feelings got hurt there.
I listened to her awkward retelling of the story and I think I got it.
A daughter born among royalty was cursed by a witch and fell asleep for a long time. In the end, a prince arrived and kissed her.
And then she woke up and they lived happily ever after…
Well, that seems to be the usual for fairy tales.
"When I was little, I didn't really like the story that much. But, it somehow resembles me. My heart was always sleeping. But then you came and woke me up…" She said, like she was spellbound in some fantasy of hers.
"I will play the princess and you will play the prince. Don't you think that would be fantastic?"
"… I see."
I now understood from hearing her.
"Not suggesting it was the right choice. With that casting, our classmates will make fun of us, no, they will be throwing rocks instead."
"I-I know that already. That's why I didn't say anything, you know?"
I'm so terribly relieved she could control herself.
The way she was looking at the school festival is good and all, but the part where she is doing as she pleases is a bit too much.
"Seems like my prince is a bit of a teaser."
Being told that is troubling.
"If I fall asleep again, make sure to wake me up with a kiss?"
"Will you wake up with just one?"
"Hmm? I don't know. It may take ten, maybe even a hundred." She said pleadingly.
After I answered to her wishes, she smiled faintly.
"Never mind, I'm done with fairy tales."
"Why so sudden?"
"I'm more than fine with reality."
She happily leaned onto me and closed her eyes as if falling asleep.
Translation : Cinnamon Translation
https://cinnamontranslations.wordpress.com/