The campus of Sakura University was transformed. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, stalls lined the walkways with colorful banners, and the air smelled of fried snacks, cotton candy, and excitement. Students wore costumes ranging from traditional yukata to full anime cosplay, and laughter echoed from every corner.
Kai clutched his backpack nervously. This was his first campus festival, and the crowd, the noise, and the vibrant chaos made his heart race.
"Come on, newbie! Don't just stand there!" Mika's pink hair bounced as she grabbed Kai by the hand. "You have to enjoy this! Welcome to the annual Sakura Festival!"
Riku, balancing a tray of takoyaki in one hand, winked at Kai. "Don't worry. I'll show you the ropes… or at least make you trip spectacularly."
Haru, already wearing a cat-ear headband he found at a stall, waved enthusiastically. "Come on, we're going to win the Festival Games! Or at least make everyone laugh trying."
Sora followed calmly, notebook in hand, noting "strategic locations of snack stalls" and plotting their game approach.
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Festival Games Chaos
The first stop was the Obstacle Relay, a silly race designed to test coordination rather than speed. The course included jumping over fake rivers, balancing on wobbling beams, and dodging swinging plushies.
Kai hesitated. "Uh… I don't think I'm ready for this…"
"Ready or not!" Mika shouted, grabbing his arm and dragging him to the starting line. "We're a squad! We do this together!"
The whistle blew. Immediately, Riku tripped over a beam, causing Haru to crash into him, while Kai tried to balance but ended up spinning in a circle. Mika somersaulted gracefully over a plushie swing—almost—but accidentally kicked it, hitting a nearby student, who laughed instead of yelling.
By the end, the Worst Squad finished… last. Not a single member crossed the finish line without stumbling.
Kai, red-faced but laughing, looked at his friends. "We… actually finished?"
Mika threw an arm around him. "We didn't win, newbie. But we survived! And that's what matters!"
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Snack Adventure
After the race, the squad dove into the festival stalls. Haru insisted on buying three extra-large takoyaki balls per person, dropping some on the ground in the process. Kai tried cotton candy for the first time and ended up with sticky pink strands in his hair.
Riku leaned on him, grinning. "See? Even sticky hair is a badge of honor in the Worst Squad!"
Mika grabbed a squirt gun from one stall, spraying Haru and Kai mercilessly. Kai shrieked, slipping on a puddle of spilled lemonade and landing in a heap, hair now plastered to his forehead.
"Perfect anime moment!" Riku shouted, capturing a mental snapshot.
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Evening Fireworks
As night fell, lanterns floated in the air, and fireworks began to burst above the campus. Red, blue, and gold lights painted the sky. The Worst Squad sat together on the grass, exhausted, sticky, and happy.
Kai looked around at his friends—the pink-haired Mika laughing, Riku smirking with lemonade stains on his shirt, Haru dozing with his head on Sora's lap, and Aya sketching the scene.
He smiled. "I… I think I'm really lucky. Even if we stumble through everything, it's… fun. Really fun."
Mika nudged him playfully. "Welcome to the Worst Squad, Kai. Life's messy, chaotic, and beautiful—and you're part of it now."
And as fireworks exploded above them, reflecting in their wide, sparkling eyes, Kai realized something. Life wasn't about perfection. It was about laughter, friendship, and moments like this.