I look back. Honestly, I can’t help but look back. When I do, my mother wears an troubled expression, silently pleading for my help with her eyes.

…Sorry, there’s no way I can bail you out here.

“W-Well, I wouldn’t know… Natsuki and I don’t really talk about those kinds of things…”
“Natsuki-san never answers when I ask him. Iori’s the same. Don’t you think that’s cold?”
“Is that so? Ahaha…”

My mother lets out a dry laugh.

Still, I’m surprised Iori’s keeping it a secret too. She’s the type who’s open enough to want people to know about our relationship—you’d think she’d casually mention whether we’ve kissed or not.

…Actually, which version of Iori does she act like at home? The Iori everyone knows is the result of her carefully maintaining an image, but at home, she might just be her natural self. We don’t talk much about that, so I’m not sure, but if she’s in her original personality mode, I could see her keeping secrets.

“Speaking of Iori, do you know what she’s doing for her class event? The pamphlet only lists her name.”

Momiji glances down at the pamphlet. Right—I can’t just stand around. I got a ticket, but these two haven’t yet. If we don’t hurry, they might run out.

“About that—apparently it’s crowded enough that they’re handing out numbered tickets. You two should grab yours before they’re gone.”
“Oh my, is that so? Haruko-san, will you come too?”
“I’ll join you. I’d love to see Iori-chan in her element.”
“Ah, then I’ll show you the way.”

We head to where the tickets were being handed out earlier, and a placard peeks out from the crowd. Good, it doesn’t look like they’ve moved yet.

“Excuse me, could I get two tickets?”

When I call out, the girl holding the placard looks at us and grimaces apologetically.

“Ugh, I’m so sorry. We just ran out of tickets…”
“Wait, seriously?!”
“Yeah, it was this close… Really sorry.”

She bows her head. Behind me, the two exchange uneasy glances. Who’d have thought a school festival event would be so packed you couldn’t even get in…? What do we do now?

I slip a hand into my pocket and feel a slip of paper—the ticket I got earlier for the 12:00 slot. It’s a simple handwritten thing, with nothing but the time and Iori’s name on it. Probably in her handwriting, too. Suzakura students would probably fight over even a scrap of paper like this.

“Excuse me, how many people can enter with one ticket?”

The girl tilts her head slightly, resting a finger on her chin.

“Hmm… It’s not strict, but I think three people would be fine.”
“Got it, thanks.”

I turn back and show the ticket to the two of them.

“This should get us in. It’s for 12:00, so we’ve got some time to kill.”
“Oh my, thank you, Natsuki-san.”
“That’s sweet, but… are you sure you’re okay with us tagging along, Natsuki?”
“Totally fine. If anything, Iori’s the one who’d complain.”

Even Iori might be stunned if her boyfriend showed up with two mothers in tow. But there’s no way I can just go alone, either. I silently apologize to Iori in my heart.

There’s no insurance policy for this situation.