I finally arrived at the west plaza where Eliza’s presentation was to take place. The area around the plaza was lined with more shops, and it was already bustling with many people. Senior teachers have their presentations at the central plaza during the last slot of the morning and last slot of the afternoon, while general teachers and students hold their presentations at the four sides and the central plaza during other slots.
Usually, Glenn-sensei would give the final presentation on the last day, but for some reason it was me this time.
Perhaps they did this to introduce the new senior teacher. Anyway, I'm grateful as thanks to that, I can go around and see the cultural festival until the very end.
While thinking about such things and observing the clamour of the west plaza, I noticed that various shops were there. And, I recognized the shopkeepers.
"Oh!? It's big sis Aoi!?"
"What'd you say!?"
"Big sis, are you here to spectate!?"
For some reason, the Nevis family and the members of the White Ashes were grilling meat and selling miscellaneous goods. The stern-faced men saw me, called out my name, and started making a racket.
The people around me started looking at me, wondering what was going on, so I approached the stalls and softly called out to them.
"Since there are a lot of people here, please keep it down. By the way, why are you all running shops?"
When I asked, the men pointed to the plaza and the people gathering there.
"The cultural festival is a time to make money, you see."
"Although, this year is iffy."
At those words, I tilted my head.
"I'm relieved that it's a very wholesome business. But, is it iffy even with this many people?"
The sales seemed very good, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"No, normally, if you grab a spot inside the academy quickly, various trading companies would buy that spot for money, you see. Especially trading companies from other countries, as it's a good advertisement, so they tend to pay high prices. It'd be a large sum of money, but this year, they're being tight-fisted."
"That's right, they're all stingy trading companies. And then we thought, 'If that's the case, it'd be more profitable for us to trade ourselves, you know."
"If we don't give in for a day, the trading company folks might be willing to pay reluctantly, you know."
And, the men explained the situation while laughing. It seemed they intended to secure a location and make money, but they couldn't find buyers at the usual rates.
It’s a bit strange that all the trading companies were refraining from setting up shop. There seemed to be a reason, but it wasn't my role to investigate that.
"I think it’s better to do an honest business. I hope your sales will continue to rise like this."
When I said that, the men replied with a wry smile, "Yes." I felt uneasy leaving just like that, so I bought one item from each shop.
I crossed the plaza and headed towards Eliza, who was preparing for her presentation. I approached Eliza's back as she was doing something on the ground in a corner, and called out.
"Eliza-san, how are the preparations going?"
"H-huh!?"
When I called out to her, she quickly turned around and looked relieved when she saw me.
"It was you, Aoi-san. I was worried that it was already time."
Eliza smiled like a child, raising her eyebrows into an inverted V-shape and chuckled, "Ehehe," and I smiled as I confirmed the time.
"It looks like there are only a few more minutes left."
"Eh, is it time already!?"
When I told her the time, Eliza hurriedly stood up. When she looked around, there were also people who had gathered waiting for the presentation to start. Among them were those who were clearly dressed as royalty or nobility, and Eliza’s tension increased at once.
"I-I'm incredibly nervous... I also had many mistakes last year, so I wonder if it will be alright this year..."
Eliza said that anxiously. I lightly nodded, and put my hand on her back.
"It'll be alright. If anything happens, I'll secretly help you out. Please relax your shoulders and face the audience."
I tried to encourage her, but Eliza still seemed anxious. She definitely had ability as a magician, but she seemed to lack confidence. It seems like because she lacked confidence, she put too much pressure on herself, making mistakes that she wouldn't normally make.
"If you're still worried, shall I present with you as an assistant?"
When I asked that, Eliza shook her head from side to side vigorously.
"...No, I'll do it alone! Please watch me!"
"Understood. Then, I'll be watching you from over there. Please do your best."
Eliza had made up her mind to do it alone. I nodded to that and gave words of support.
Then, Eliza suddenly noticed something in my hand and tilted her head.
"Aoi-san. What is that?"
"This?"
In response to Eliza's question, I checked my belongings. A colourful cloth bag, a flashy transverse flute with a bird's feather attached, and freshly grilled meat skewers.
"I bought them from the stalls over there. Do you want to eat some?"
When I said that and offered her a meat skewer, Eliza gently took it.
"...Aoi-san, you like festivals, don't you? That's unexpected."
She mumbled that, bit into the meat skewer, and Eliza laughed as if letting out a breath.
"I feel a bit more energetic now. I'll go do my best."
And with that, Eliza smiled cheerfully.
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