Saiki was referring to Mikoto Aiura.
Mikoto ran a fortune-telling shop in school and knew the supply channels. Getting maid outfits from her shouldn't be a problem.
After all, she was one of the only two psychics in school.
With ample personal points in Class A, buying anything was easy.
"Can you handle it?"
Horikita asked doubtfully.
"It should be fine."
Saiki nodded.
"I trust you."
Horikita nodded too.
After all, Suzune Horikita knew about Kusuo Saiki's abilities, so he should be capable of handling it.
"But I have another concern. It seems that Airi Sakura, who's in charge of the kitchen, might not have enough help. We should assign more people to the kitchen."
Suzune said seriously.
"I have an idea about that," Kusuo spoke up.
"Oh? What is it?"
"Let me handle the kitchen duties."
Kusuo volunteered.
"You'll assist Sakura? That's good, but..."
"No, I'll manage the kitchen entirely on my own."
"Huh?"
Suzune paused, thinking she'd misheard.
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah, you know I'm good at this kind of thing, much better than Sakura."
Kusuo replied.
"But there'll be a lot of guests at the school, and the workload will be huge. Do you think you can handle it alone?"
"It'll actually be more efficient if I do it alone."
Kusuo assured her.
In truth, with his psychic abilities, Kusuo could prepare coffee and desserts in the kitchen far faster than an entire professional team.
"Even if you say so, it's hard to believe... If possible, prove it during the next rehearsal."
"Sure."
Kusuo nodded.
After talking with Suzune, Kusuo planned to call Airi Sakura but decided to visit her room instead.
As he reached her door, he heard her thoughts.
*"Kusuo... He must know about my other identity, but he hasn't said anything. I've never shown that side to him..."*
Inside, Airi was in her "Shizuku" persona: twin tails, a figure-hugging outfit, and radiating feminine charm—a stark contrast to her usual gloomy self.
She posed cutely for selfies, but her smile faded after each shot.
*"I wish I could serve guests as a maid like the others... But..."*
Just then, a knock startled her. She tripped, fell, but quickly got up, removed her hair tie, put on her glasses, and asked softly, "Who is it?"
"It's Saiki."
Airi's face flushed, and her heart raced. She checked her appearance, rushed to the door, and tripped again.
Kusuo, able to see everything, didn't know what to say.
A second later, Airi opened the door.
"Kusuo... What brings you here so late?"
"I wanted to discuss the cultural festival. I've decided on the maid roles and wanted to talk to you."
"I see..."
Airi hurriedly invited Kusuo in.
*"Should I make tea for Kusuo? No, he probably prefers coffee or drinks. But would that seem too eager...?"*
Airi was torn, unable to move.
"The maids will be Matsushita, Kushida, Karuizawa, and Horikita."
"Got it."
Airi nodded, surprised Karuizawa Kei and Suzune had volunteered.
"I spoke with Horikita. The kitchen workload will be heavy, and it might be too much for you..."
"I see..."
Airi's eyes reddened at Kusuo's words.
*"So... They're excluding me because I'm not good enough... Even with practice, I'm still clumsy..."*
Airi thought Kusuo was delivering Suzune's decision to remove her from the festival.
She'd always feared this possibility, knowing her skills were lacking.
*"But... I want to participate..."*
"Hey, let me finish..."
Kusuo sighed but continued,
"I'll handle the kitchen alone. You'll be a maid, just like the others."
"Wait... Me, a maid?"
Airi was first happy, then shocked.
"Yes, that's what Horikita and I decided. But it's up to you."
"But I... I'm not good enough... I'd just hold everyone back. I'm grateful for the chance, though."
Airi imagined the scene and blushed.
There'd be countless guests, but she lacked the courage to face them.
With no friends and a low OAA rank, she felt unqualified.
*"I'd only cause trouble."*
"Is that so?"
Seeing her resolve, Kusuo didn't press further.
But as he stood to leave, he heard her thoughts.
*"I really want to join everyone... I want to be a maid..."*
"Looks like you've agreed, Sakura."
Kusuo looked at her.
"Huh?"
"I heard you say you wanted to be a maid with everyone."
"Did I say that?"
Airi froze, then lowered her head, blushing like a ripe apple.
*"Did I say that out loud?!"*
She wanted to disappear.
"It's your decision. I won't interfere. But this festival might be our only chance in high school, so don't leave regrets."
Kusuo stood up.
"I just think you'd look good in that outfit. Let me know your decision."
*"I promised Hasebe to encourage Sakura. If I don't do something, I'll feel guilty eating desserts later."*
Kusuo thought, *"Hasebe said my words mean a lot to Sakura. I don't want trouble, so this should be enough."*
He looked at Airi, who seemed ready to burst.
*"Kusuo thinks I'd look good in a maid outfit... Does he..."*
*"..."*
*"Has he seen my maid photos?!"*
Kusuo's brow twitched at the misunderstanding.
He'd only visited her blog briefly to investigate the phone shop incident and hadn't noticed other photos.
But Airi thought he'd seen all her photos, including the revealing maid ones.
*"..."*
Kusuo, realizing the situation, wanted to leave.
As he turned to open the door, Airi stopped him.
"Kusuo."
"No need to confirm later."
"I'll tell you now."
Airi placed her hands on her chest, summoning her last bit of courage.
Small, but far more than a year ago.
"I'll be a maid!"
She shouted with all her might, and Kusuo heard clearly.
"Got it. Good luck."
He turned, nodded, and said,
"I'll head back. Goodnight."
"Oh, goodnight, Kusuo. Thanks!"
Her courage faded quickly, and she wished he'd stay longer.
*"But this is enough."*
Airi smiled.
A year ago, she'd never have said that.
Meanwhile, Kusuo messaged Suzune and Hasebe about Airi's decision, resolving the matter.
"Cultural festival, huh?"
Back in his room, Kusuo teleported above the school.
It was his second time viewing it from above, the first being the day before enrollment.
Despite constantly complaining about this school, the students inside seem pretty decent.
These words are something the protagonist, Saiki, would never say out loud. Only I, as the narrator, can speak for him.
"Hey, be careful, or I'll make you experience Yagami's fate," Saiki said.
...
In October, the Sports Festival arrived with the autumn season.
This year's festival was different from the previous one, mainly divided into individual and team events.
Not only that, each student started with 5 points. During the festival, every student had to participate in 5 different events. Each event offered a participation reward of 1 point, and the top three finishers in each event received additional points depending on the event type.
If a student wanted to participate in more events, they had to pay 1 point as a fee and would no longer receive participation rewards.
Each student could participate in a maximum of 10 events. If they didn't reach the minimum of 5 events, all their points would be confiscated. Except for unavoidable reasons, any form of non-participation or withdrawal from registered events would result in a loss of 2 points. After completing their events, students would be assigned to designated areas for cheering activities.
This was Nagumo Miyabi's reform of the Sports Festival. Apart from this, Nagumo hadn't made any other excessive moves in school, as if he had become a different person.
After the Sports Festival ended, Class 3-A narrowly took first place in the overall standings. While they didn't pull far ahead of Class 3-B, they also didn't let the gap close.
With the Sports Festival officially over, everyone's focus shifted to the upcoming Cultural Festival.