Vol. 5 Ch. 2 Ep. 3: A New Festival

Easy. Don't drop it.

And since you can't see your boots, take small steps so you don't trip.

Oof. I thought they ordered a sign half this size!

Are you sure this is what the Festival Operations Department wanted?

Well, first of all, the Yin-Yang Club ordered this one.

They say they want to hang a haiku scroll hand-written by Chise. And to make it big and high enough for the whole festival to see...

Wh-Whoa there!

What are you thinking, running around a construction site like this?

Hey, are you all right? She didn't hit you, did she?

Tsk, I missed...

Missed? What do you...

Boss, "Operation: Accidentally on Purpose Break Chise's Sign, Then Offer to Fix It, Only to Then Exchange It with A Different Sign!" has failed!

H-Huh? I don't think I approved of that!

Should we pivot to "Operation: Overrun the Festival with Guns and Bombs Usin' the Usual Mouryo Gusto and Subtly Switch the Sign Then!"?

..."Usual Mouryo"? Now that I think about it, I recognize these punks...

Yeah! Whenever there's a celebration, you troublemakers pick fights and mug tourists for their festival tickets. Is that right?

Hmph. Maybe at one time, but we don't care about mere tickets. The Waraku Festival is personal!

Little Princess Waraku thinks she's so cute and deserves ALL the attention. But she's nothin' compared to our glorious Arata!

Uh, wow. That's...very flatterin'.

You...really don't have to say that.

Ah, is that why you punks are trying to sabotage the festival?

You're just jealous because Chise is likable and popular?

No! Of course not! The reason why we're tryin' to mess with the haiku sign is...

Because of the haiku competition last week!

Hmm... You mean the haiku competition hosted by the Yin-Yang Club?

Yes! Our boss submitted a perfect, inspirational, and evocative piece to the competition...

...and didn't even make it to the preliminaries because of the Yin-Yang Club's sabotage and cronyism!

Hey! I WAS in the preliminaries!

So of course everyone focused on pretty Princess Waraku's haiku, even though the boss's was worlds better!

Yeah! Just readin' it made me feel...poetical!

If everyone was forced to read Arata's haiku, then they'd see how brilliant she is!

Heehee! Oh, stop! You're embarrassing me!

Wait. THAT'S what all this is about? Just me? Not even...ruining the festival like usual?

Of course, Boss. You're amazin'. You were robbed!

And once your haiku is displayed, everyone will know that you should have won!

In fact, let's share it now! EVERYONE! LISTEN UP!

No, please, stop...

The fanciest festival

may be detestable

without half off the digestible

Look, Boss! They're so moved that they're speechless!

Uh... Is that even a haiku?

No! I was counting! Those syllables are way off!

Shut it! If the boss says it's a haiku, then it's a haiku!

Don't try to limit her ideas with your rigid rules!

Haikus require structure. THAT was a mess.

Ugh... Ughhh!

You know what? Let's trash this place!

I was wondering what all that noise was about. It's the Mouryo, of course.

Wh-Who are you?

While your poetic sentiments are charming, I cannot permit you to disrupt the festival any further.

Attempting to ruin a festival with terrible poetry? And here I thought your lot was growing predictable.

Are you truly compelled to ruin every party this town holds?

We, the Hyakkaryouran, shall not permit such tyranny to pass!

Th-The Hyakkaryouran...?

Boss. What do we do? They're multiplyin'!

Oh, please. The Hyakkaryouran. I've been dreaming of this!

It's on, girls! Time for some payback!

Tch... I knew this wouldn't be easy!

But I know the pale one's secret shame!

Everyone, aim for her right! Her right arm is her weak point!

How utterly shameless!

You're too soft, Renge. There's no virtue or shame in strategy. All that matters is victory.

Nagusa, now!

...Right. Though my weakness may be on full display...

...I still have friends who rely on me and keep me standing strong.

Ugh... Boss, we can't take much more!

Maybe we'll let this haiku thing go and beat them at the next senryu competition instead!

Will you PLEASE stop talkin' about my haiku?!

Grrr... Until next time, Hyakkaryouran!

Wait. Wait a second!

Who's trying to ruin our festival? Where'd they go?

Do you people have any idea how much the Yin-Yang Club raised to pay for...

P-President, I understand the passion, but you can't just leave a meeting with the higher-ups...!

...Huh? The Hyakkaryouran?

Hm? You're right! Why is the Hyakkaryouran...

...When I heard about a "haiku battle" in the street I assumed it would be the Ninjutsu Research Club. But the Hyakkaryouran? Of all people?

Don't be ridiculous! We were the ones breaking it up!

...Anyway, does the Ninjutsu Research Club really have "haiku battles"?

I don't know much about it. Pina says they shout phrases a lot.

Certain Mouryo were attempting to sabotage this haiku display. We arrived in hopes of peacefully mediating.

However, the conflict escalated. We apologize for disrupting your festival preparations.

No, please! We're grateful for your help!

The Mouryo crash every festival, no matter how much we invest in security. The Hyakkaryouran is a huge help!

On behalf of the Festival Operations Department and the Hyakkiyako merchant guild, I would like to express my gratitude.

It's the sacred duty of the Hyakkaryouran to guard justice and curb chaos! We only wish you a peaceful and prosperous festival!

If you need help, call the Hyakkaryouran any time, day or night!

Oh, how funny you say that. If you're offering, the Momoyodou could use some helpers!

I'm sorry, but we are not in the business of running anyone's personal errands.

The duty of the Hyakkaryouran is in ensuring the academy's safety and mediating conflict.

Oh? That's unfortunate.

We were hoping you could taste-test the new chestnut dango with special Trinity marron cream that we'll debut at this festival.

But if the Hyakkaryouran is so busy, I guess we can find someone else.

W-Wait. While we ARE busy, perhaps...

Too bad! Looks like the operations officer is all tied up with her noble tasks. I guess it'll just have to be the three of us...

Renge!

Fufu, just kidding. We have enough for everyone.

Now, please follow me!

So sweet... It's really amazing!

This is truly dango? The inside is so soft and supple!

It's incredible! Who would have thought to combine a cream with wagashi?

And the savory scent of chestnuts brings to mind a manju, yet it all plays off the natural saltiness of the dango!

Yukari, you have chestnut cream on your face.

And remember to brush your teeth right after. You don't want a sticky dessert getting stuck in your molars.

O-Of course! I knew that!

This is quite innovative. You've captured the traditional appeal of the dango while adding novelty with the cream.

However, I find the texture to be a little tiresome. Perhaps you can add tsukune in between the dango balls?

Then it wouldn't be a dessert!

Heehee! I'm glad everyone's enjoying it.

We made these specifically for the Hyakkaryouran to thank you for your hard work. Please, have your fill!

You are much too gracious! It's you, the Festival Department, that livens up Hyakkiyako every season.

Besides, we were...quite disappointing at the last Lantern Festival. You truly owe us nothing.

Nonsense! The Festival Department was utterly overwhelmed last time. We hardly helped at all.

Besides, it must have been terrible for the Hyakkaryouran, seeing as President Ayame had just disappeared...

A-Ah... Sorry! I didn't mean to...

...It's fine. Ayame shall return.

When she does, I'll relay your kind wishes.

Thank you. I'll...uh, leave you to it, then!

Um, excuse me. You see...we're working on an embankment around the central venue. It's sagging because of the recent rain.

We're reinforcing its base with sandbags, but we could use a few strong hands.

I'm sorry, but I don't have anyone to spare. Everyone's out securing supplies.

Could you wait a bit? Once everyone's back, I'll lead them over...

If the safety of the festival is at stake, then the Hyakkaryouran shall rise to the occasion!

Sure. I could use a good workout.

...Sounds like an ideal post-treat exercise.

Great! In that case, I'll leave it to you, at least until the others return!

We shall not fail!

...This should be sufficient. I'll place those sandbags on top of the embankment, so stack them in order.

They're heavy so pass them carefully.

Don't worry! These are no heavier than my training weights.

Fufu. Maybe it's due to all those dangos, but I am brimming with energy!

Nagusa, would you kindly pass me that bag?

Yes. Here you...

...Ugh.

What's going on? What was that sound?

N-Nagusa! Are you all right?

Sure. Just...a sprained wrist.

But you look so pained...

Nagusa, take off your bandages and show me your right arm.

I told you, it's nothing...

Show me.

This is...

...This doesn't look like a sprain to me.

Nagusa, how long has your arm looked like this?

There was...a minor incident at the Great Snowfield. It'll heal soon, so you needn't worry.

"Heal soon"? What happens if the wound festers and you can't use your arm anymore?

You need a doctor, right now! ...Wait, should we call an ambulance?

...There's no need to make a scene.

Nagusa, if you'd please indulge me...

I think...the Kadenokouji family may be able to treat you.