"Sure you won't. Now let's see those pictures! I bet they're going to be amazing!" The group gathered around Mitsuri's phone, except for Obanai who was trying to sneak away. "Oh no you don't!" Tengen grabbed Obanai's shoulder. "You're part of this too, whether you like it or not." Obanai struggled against Tengen's grip, but it was no use.
"Let me go! This is mortifying!" Sanemi watched the scene with a mix of amusement and sympathy for Obanai's plight.
"Serves you right for being friends with these lunatics." Mitsuri squealed again, showing everyone the photos. "Look at how cute we all are! Especially Sanemi and Giyuu!" Sanemi's face darkened immediately.
"Delete that right now, Mitsuri. I mean it." Giyuu remained silent, but his ears turned slightly pink. Mitsuri giggled mischievously and held the phone out of Sanemi's reach.
"No way! They're perfect for our group chat!"
Shinobu joined in the teasing.
"I think we should make them our official maid photo. What do you think, Giyuu?"
Giyuu looked at Sanemi with an unreadable expression. "I think Sanemi might actually murder us all if we do that." Shinobu smiled and clapped her hands to get the intention. "Okay everyone time to go outside to the festival!" The group cheered, finally releasing Obanai who immediately made a break for the door. "Thank goodness. I need fresh air after this nightmare." Sanemi finally let go of Giyuu, adjusting his maid outfit with a scowl.
"Finally. I can't wait to change out of this ridiculous outfit."
Tengen wrapped an arm around Sanemi's shoulders. "Aw, come on! You make a great maid! Just wait until you see what the festival has in store!" Shinobu laughed cruel. "No no~ you are wearing that the whole day, infront of the whole school." Sanemi's eyes widened in horror. "WHAT?! That wasn't part of the deal! I'm not walking around like this for the entire festival!"
Giyuu looked equally shocked, but tried to maintain his composure. "Shinobu, that's cruel even for you. There are hundreds of students attending." Shinobu smirked devilishly, blocking the door.*
"Too late! You all signed up for this. Besides, I've already told everyone to expect our 'maid squad' to be there." Sanemi's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. "I'm going to make you regret this, Shinobu. Mark my words." Mitsuri tried to lighten the mood. "At least it's for a good cause! The money we raise will go to charity!" Tengen laughed heartily, completely unbothered by the situation. "Yeah! Think of all the cute photos we'll get! This is going to be legendary!" Sanemi turned to Giyuu with a desperate look.
"Tell me you have a plan to get out of this. Please." Giyuu shook his head. Tengen and Rengoku were striking dramatic poses, clearly enjoying the attention. "Look at how well we're rocking these outfits!" Tengen boasted. Rengoku nodded enthusiastically.
"The crowd is going to love our performance! Right, Shinobu?" Shinobu clapped her hands together excitedly. "Absolutely! And Giyuu and Sanemi will be the perfect backdrop for our dance routine!" Sanemi's face turned a dangerous shade of red.
"DANCE ROUTINE?! No way in hell am I dancing in front of everyone!"
Giyuu stepped forward, looking concerned. "Shinobu, I think you're pushing it too far. Sanemi's about to explode." Shinobu just smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, it's just a simple maid dance. Nothing too embarrassing... probably." Sanemi lunged at Shinobu, but Giyuu quickly grabbed his arm.
"Calm down, Sanemi. Let's just get through this festival first."
Tengen and Rengoku started practicing their dance moves, completely oblivious to the tension. "Come on, Sanemi! Join us! It'll be fun!" Tengen called out. Sanemi struggled against Giyuu's grip, seething with rage. "Fun? This is torture! I swear I'll-" Mitsuri stepped in front of them with pleading eyes. "Please don't fight! We need all of us to perform together!" Sanemi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"Fine. But I'm not smiling for any photos, and I'm definitely not dancing unless absolutely necessary." Giyuu let go of his arm cautiously. "That's... reasonable." Shinobu clapped her hands again, clearly satisfied with Sanemi's compromise. "Perfect! Now let's head to the festival grounds. The show must go on!" As they walked to the festival, Sanemi kept his distance from everyone, walking slightly behind the group with his arms crossed. "I can't believe I let you drag me into this," he muttered to Giyuu. Giyuu walked beside him, maintaining his usual stoic expression.
"You could have said no. Shinobu is just too persistent." Sanemi shot him a sideways glance. "You think I didn't try? That woman is a demon in disguise." The festival was bustling with activity, but as soon as the group appeared in their maid outfits, a hush fell over the crowd. Sanemi immediately tensed, feeling hundreds of eyes on him.
"This is exactly what I was afraid of..."
Giyuu noticed several people pulling out their phones to take pictures.
"Just keep walking. The faster we get to the stage, the better." Shinobu led them through the crowd, waving and smiling at everyone while Tengen and Rengoku struck poses. A group of giggling girls approached them, phones already recording. "Oh my god, it's the maid squad!" one of them squealed. Sanemi's face burned with embarrassment as another girl called out: "You two look so cute together!" pointing at Sanemi and Giyuu. Sanemi growled under his breath.
"I'm going to murder Shinobu." Giyuu kept his head down, trying to ignore the attention. The crowd continued to gather around them as they reached the stage area. "Looks like we've got quite the audience!" Tengen announced cheerfully. Sanemi spotted Shinobu whispering something to the festival organizers, who were looking increasingly amused.
"What's she up to now?" he asked suspiciously.
Giyuu followed his gaze and frowned.
"Nothing good, I'm sure."