At last, the school festival is tomorrow.

　Schools are in a hurry, with students running around everywhere.
　The school grounds are decorated with decorations.
　Seeing this kind of situation makes us feel that the festival is about to start.

　In the midst of all this, in my class........


'Mary's!'


One of the students in the 《First》 class shouted out.
　When I looked, I saw that Marise was wobbling, and although she had stepped back on the verge, she was about to fall over.

'You're okay!　I've been working all the time, but...
No, no, it's fine. Don't worry about it.

　Marise tries to keep the work going while the girls lend a shoulder to help her.

　As well as the crepe squad that Lara is in charge of, the drama squad is also extremely busy, which is frustrating.
　Marise has been moving around day in and day out to help organize the class.
　It made the play something that I could be sure would be great.

　

'We're almost there...!

　Marise stood strong and encouraged everyone.

'Tomorrow...!　Let's all make sure that you all have an absolutely successful turnout. And then we'll win the MVP we'll all rejoice together. That's what I'm going to do. Can you help me, please?
""Oh, oh, oh, oh!"

　Marise's words bring everyone in the class together.
　She is not lying about what she is saying. She must want to succeed in putting on a show from the bottom of her heart. Those were powerful words that made me feel that way.
　Those words are admirable, though.

''Ah........''

　That's when everyone took their eyes off Marise to continue working.

　Her body slowly tilted and fell to the ground just as it was--

Get some rest.

　-- the moment I tried to, I moved over to Marise and supported her body.

'S-Sorry.'
What do you need to apologize for?
'To be about to fall down at such an important time... I guess I'm still too weak.

　Marise's face darkens.

　She is more responsible than anyone else.
　She has no need to apologize or regret, but she's probably depressed at her inadequacy.

　But.

'I'm the one who has to apologize.
What?
'I didn't get to speak to Marise until she was this bad. It looked a little overwhelming........I didn't expect you to be this fatigued. Even though I told you that I would make the cultural festival a success, I'm sorry for the delay in responding to you.
No, no. It's not your fault. Kurt even went out to the guild, you know. I have to work harder...

　While we were having these conversations, the class was rehearsing for the play.
　I could see that they were not only trying to make it a burden for Marise alone, but they were all trying to support each other.

'Marlies. When you're done with this, come to my room for the night.
To Kurt's room?
Yes. I need you to come alone.

　If I'm going to call Lara and Cynthia as well, it's going to be noisy.
　What I'm trying to do is to be as quiet and calm as possible.

''Wow, I get it!　But won't the head of the dormitory, Erika-sensei, get mad at you?

　Why does the teacher's name come up there?

　It's hard to get a hold of a woman's heart, even if it's been a while since her reincarnation.

　◆ ◆ ◆

　And night.

　Thump.

You can come in.

　I heard a knock at the door, and when I called out to him, he said, "Excuse me," and then Marise came in.

　That's fine.........

'What are you wearing?'
....!

　Marise's body jolts.

　For some reason, Maryse was dressed in a red dress.
　Her hair is neatly tied up, just like a princess visiting a ballroom party.

Heh, is that weird?

　Marise asks, her voice wavering.

'No, it's not, it's beautiful,'

　I was used to seeing her in her usual uniform.
　Although she was usually beautiful, Marise looked even more radiant in her dress.

　As I said it, Marise's cheeks turned pink with a pop.

'Oh, thank you...!　I was embarrassed, but I wanted Kurt to tell me I was beautiful.

　Marise took a firm step and sat down next to me.

'Then please...!
Yeah, right. But you don't have to get so worked up about it. You can make them more relaxed.

　And I grabbed both of Marise's shoulders.
　Then Marise shut her eyes and lifted her chin up a little.

　I stayed in place and concentrated on--.


"Holy Heels.


　The healing magic was deployed.
　Marise's body was enveloped in a white holy light.
　Her blood circulation gradually improved, and the stiffness in her body was released.

''Is this...?''

　Marise opens her eyes.

'Holy Heels. You look like you're getting tired. One more minute and you'll be completely exhausted from Marise.

　After all, the cultural festival is tomorrow, right?

''Oh, I see........''

　Hmm?
　I don't know why, but Marise looked disappointed.

''Well you will be, won't you? Because he's Kurt. Really.........he's such an amazing wizard, but he's so insensitive.......
What are you mumbling to yourself?　Could it be that the Holy Heel isn't working?
'Yeeeee!　That's not true!

　Pouting, Marise averted her gaze.
　I was a little worried, but I'm pretty sure I'm getting less and less tired from Marise. Not even in the unlikely event, but it seems that the magic activation is going well.
　Even so, even if it's only for a minute, it's still awkward to be silent like this.

　So.

I'm sorry.
What's going on?

　Marise's voice seems a little sharp, and she sounds a little sharp.

'Thank you for everything,'
What?
'I'm not very good at bringing other people together. I've always had Marise to help me. I just want to thank you again.

　I inadvertently let the word 'this time' slip out, but Marise doesn't seem to notice it.

　Her face goes blurry.
　And then a smile breaks out on her face.

No, that's not true!　Thank you again for today. I'm enjoying my school life because of Kurt, too. Please keep up the good work!

　I said happily.

　For a moment I thought Marise might have hated me, but I guess I was prematurely wrong.
　Let's enjoy tomorrow's cultural festival to the fullest.


　After that, when the healing spell was over, she skipped back to her room.