Days passed quickly, and soon the festival day arrived. I stepped into the Academy with a heart fluttering with excitement.
"Professor, look at that!"
The Professor and I always arrive at the Academy earlier than other students. The Professor comes early to do research, so I've grown accustomed to breathing in the dawn air on our way.
Because of this, there's usually hardly anyone around except for a few professors or work-study students passing by—that's the normal scenery.
But today was different. Even at this early hour, I could see people bustling about. Not just one or two, but crowds of people moving toward their respective tasks, which made me feel even more excited.
I stopped in my tracks. Holding the Professor's hand tightly, I stood there gazing up at someone hanging a banner. The Professor looked up at what I was watching and smiled wryly.
"Well, days like this help motivate the students to work hard."
"It starts today, right? Right?"
"Yes, that's right, it starts today."
The Professor smiled and continued walking.
After crossing the main road and passing several buildings, we saw the large Library building. People often use this open space as a walking path, but now the wide area was beginning to fill with food trucks.
Perhaps because of this, the Library doors were closed.
It was unfortunate for students who wanted to study. But I thought, since it's a festival day, wouldn't it be better to enjoy it together rather than reading books?
We passed by people preparing food, carrying ice boxes from their trucks.
On the vast field, a stage had been erected that I'd never seen before. It was impressive that they built it in just under two weeks.
The grass-covered soccer field and the basketball court next to it were being transformed into viewing areas. I was excited to see what kind of festival would be held there.
I heard there would be singing competitions among students, and even celebrities would come at night, so I wanted to see it at least once. I was thinking I might if the Professor said it was okay.
"Professor, what's over there?"
"That's near the department buildings... must be booth events. They're setting up tents there, see?"
I followed the Professor's pointing finger.
Even in the corners of the spacious field, they were starting to set up booth spaces. Seeing people moving equipment needed for the booths, I realized anew that this festival was no ordinary scale.
When I just looked at the pamphlet, I didn't realize it, but even without comparing it to other school festivals, the Academy's festival was incredibly impressive.
I worried that people might get tired, preparing from such an early morning and operating until the event's closing time.
"Aren't your friends doing anything, Urr?"
"...Well, given our department, it doesn't seem like they're participating. And my club is just a Study Group."
Since our department wasn't particularly distinctive, nor was it like an invention department that creates things, there wasn't much suitable to showcase at the festival.
We're just a department researching Demon Gods and creating magic formulas—what could we possibly present?
Besides, given the nature of our club, it seemed like there wasn't much we could contribute to the festival except participating in other event booths.
Can't be helped. All I can do is enjoy the events everyone has worked hard to prepare.
"Shall we head back for now? Everyone seems busy with preparations. Let's come back later and eat something delicious over there."
"Okay."
I nodded at the Professor's words pointing toward the food trucks and turned around.
Back in the laboratory, I pulled a chair over to the window. Resting my knees on it, I pressed my forehead lightly against the glass. Through the clean window, I could see people moving busily.
Among them, I spotted some unfortunate people.
Black outfits with pure white patterns—monochrome attire similar to third-year students yet somehow different. The design of their clothes was individually determined, making them even more diverse and interesting.
Institute Students beside such a festival—the sight of people who had to help with the Professor's research even on festival days made their shoulders look particularly heavy.
"Wow."
The dawn air had already changed to morning air under the sunlight.
Perhaps because it was May, the air was warm from the morning, and closing my eyes made me feel comfortable. When I came out holding the Professor's hand again, delicious smells wafted through the air, unlike before.
The food trucks had each put up their signs and started cooking, as if beginning from early morning. Cotton candy was hanging abundantly, but unfortunately, I wasn't particularly drawn to it.
As I turned my head and sniffed the sweet smell, I heard someone calling me from behind.
"Urr! Professor Yuria!!"
"...Karen?"
"Karen."
She seemed to be one of the early-arriving students who wasn't involved in festival preparations. Karen approached me with a light jog.
"Wow, I heard the Academy festival was amazing, but seeing it in person is really something."
As Karen glanced at the Professor and grinned, the Professor looked at Karen and the direction she was looking, tilting her head.
"Haven't you seen the Academy festival before, Karen? They usually allow outsiders to enter freely on festival days, so you could have seen it."
"Ah, back then I was desperately studying to get into the Academy. There are other academies, but this one is the biggest... When I was younger, I couldn't afford to come, and it was awkward to come alone, so, ahaha."
"Well, it's good that you made it to the Academy."
The Professor smiled gently at Karen's dry laugh. Perhaps because she was a freshman who showed a lot of effort, there was an atmosphere of wanting to be nice to her.
The Professor looked extremely benevolent.
After looking up at the Professor, I turned my gaze to Karen.
"Karen, I want to eat that. Want to eat together?"
"Huh? Oh, the food trucks opened really quickly?"
"They opened super early. Have you had breakfast? I want to try that stir-fried udon first."
"That's fine with me."
"I have 50 Rill! Let's go, Professor!"
"Looks like Urr's spending her allowance today."
The Professor chuckled at my words and followed behind me.
Since the food trucks had just opened, we became the first customers. Standing on tiptoe to peek at what it looked like, I was greeted by a quite satisfying visual.
"How much is this?"
"The basic is 5 Rill 30 Celt. Add cheese for 6 Rill!"
Not a bad price.
Since I had 50 Rill... after buying for the Professor and Karen, I could buy two more for myself. Since I don't really feel fullness anyway, I decided to just eat three times and be done with it.
It was like making three wishes to a genie from a magic lamp. I decided to choose just three meals, in case there might be something more expensive, and slightly extended my hand.
"Then please give me three."
"Yes! That's 20 Rill!"
The event booths seemed to be run by students, but the food trucks appeared to be operated by outsiders. The food truck owner took my money and gave me change.
I had 34 Rill and 10 Celt left.
Only two more chances left. As I clutched the money with a solemn expression, Karen, who was watching from behind, opened her wallet in panic.
"No! I'm not planning to freeload, Urr! Here, I'll give you money. 5 Rill, 5 Rill 30 Celt..."
Seeing Karen taking out her coin purse and jingling it, I couldn't help but smile contentedly.
"I ordered on my own. It's okay for you to eat, Karen. I've received plenty of things already."
The sizzling sound and smell of stir-fried udon on the hot plate tickled my nose. Grinning as I waited, soon a styrofoam container was placed in my hands. I immediately handed it to the Professor, who smiled and patted my head.
"This is your allowance for the month, Urr."
The Professor had apparently been quietly taking out money, as she handed me bills she'd been holding. Five 10 Rill notes were added.
After staring at them quietly with both hands, I stretched my arms up like I was cheering and shouted.
"Yay! Allowance! Karen, I can eat five more times!"
"...No, that's not it. I don't want to freeload like that. And I can't eat that much anyway."
Karen shook her head in alarm.
I found her reaction amusing and handed her one container.
I didn't particularly want to burden her with a sense of debt. I just didn't want to see someone worrying about money and being stingy with food on such a joyful day.
Even if that was my selfishness, it was okay.
I just wished we could enjoy it together.
It was too boring when I lived alone in the forest. Remembering having to spend days in a space where I couldn't talk to anyone, I definitely wanted to be nice to everyone and keep them by my side.
Even if I was a Demon God now, it was fine as long as I could get along with people like this.
"This one's for Karen, this one's mine."
I grabbed the chopsticks that came with it and started eating the stir-fried udon.
As I was munching away, the Professor put her hand on my shoulder in shock.
"Urr, what are you doing burying your face in the udon?"
"It's so delicious..."
"Oh my, it's all over your face."
The Professor pulled out a tissue from beside the food truck and wiped my mouth.
Karen, who had been quietly watching, burst into laughter.
As she chuckled, I stared blankly before raising the corners of my mouth.