Ome Quartet of Snow Country

Chapter 41 Cultural Festival·Film (for further reading)
On the morning of the second day of the cultural festival, the weather was fine, Naruse woke up from the bed, and there was bright light from the window.When he got up and went downstairs, Shangzi had already come to prepare breakfast.

Before going to wash up, he said: "I will probably be free today, so I don't need to prepare my bento."

The cultural festival is a student-led celebration, and shopping and eating have always been the eternal theme of the celebration, and he can't go hungry.

Shangzi looked back at him, "Then I'll eat the bento alone."

"Why are you talking so pitifully?" Naruse said helplessly.

"Let's go shopping together at that time. Didn't Shangzi say yesterday that the crepes are delicious?"

"I want to try the Teppanyaki noodles today."

"up to you."

After washing up and coming to the living room, Naruse turned on the TV, and then went to the kitchen to help.

"Let me mix the salad."

"it is good."

When the two returned to the dining table in the living room and began to eat breakfast, a morning news broadcast on the local TV station was about to finish.

["...The fire at the prefectural Tianjin High School has been completely brought under control. The fire chief assured that...it will not affect normal classes...In addition, the last three days are the cultural festivals at the prefectural Tianjin High School. In order to eliminate other fire hazards..." 】

Holding the soup bowl, Naruse froze for a moment, then turned to look at the TV.

"Did something extraordinary be said on TV just now?"

Shangzi blinked, feeling somewhat unbelievable.

"Looks like a fire?"

"Looks like Tsugo?"

"I have no idea……"

The news had finished broadcasting, and while drinking wakame miso soup, Naruse looked it up on his phone, but he could only find a text message.

He picked up his chopsticks again, "What happened around eight o'clock last night."

"Is Jin Gao really on fire?"

Shangzi still hadn't digested the matter, "Is it burning badly?"

"The fire didn't seem to be serious, and it didn't take long after it was found to be extinguished."

"That's good."

After breakfast and going out, while waiting for the bus, other Jin Gao students living nearby were also talking about the fire last night.

But like both of them, we all know very little.

"It's really a 'hot' cultural festival."

"Be careful of being struck by lightning when you say such things."

Arriving at the school, Naoko tugged at Naruse's arm as he passed by the courtyard.

Without her reminding him, he could see a large group of students surrounding the open space in front of the connecting corridor.

"What happened over there?"

"Could it be a place where the fire started..."

The two also walked over.

The students around were not too dense, Naruse monk easily squeezed in, one raised his eyebrows, and the other frowned.

"It seems to be your tree that was burned?"

Looking at the black paper ashes soaked in the water, Naruse still remembered the huge paper tree that was originally placed here. Even if he looked down from the window on the third floor, it still felt magnificent.

Shang Zi frowned and nodded, then thought of something, muttered: "No way..."

"What?" Naruse asked.

She shook her head.

"I just feel that this is a big trouble."

Naruse looked left and right, there was an open space all around, the fire could not spread, and did not affect other areas, "It should be an accident."

"Um……"

Perhaps it was because the annual work of the handicraft society was burned, Shangzi was not in the mood, and then said: "I'll go to the department room first."

"it is good."

The two separated in the atrium, and Naruse came to the classroom of Class C. Several students who had already come were talking about the accident below.

"It is said that cigarette butts were found at the scene."

"You mean someone smoked and accidentally set that paper tree on fire?"

"After all, it's made of paper, so it's easy to light."

"But the burn is too clean... Didn't the fire brigade come over soon?"

"Stupid, when the fire was discovered and reported to the fire brigade, it was already uncontrollable."

"Such a big tree..."

By the time it was time to go to the gym to gather for roll call, things had gone from bad to worse, and Naruse had heard at least five distinct conspiracy theories.

"This is some kind of mysterious religious ceremony, the purpose is to contact the aliens who observe the earth from outer space!"

Shangzi showed up at the gymnasium on time, with a calm expression on his face.Listening to the wild guesses of the students around him, as a member of the handicraft club, he just smiled when asked.

Naruse leaned over to ask about the situation at the handicraft society, and she said, "The incident happened suddenly, and the minister and the others are discussing a solution."

"Is the exhibit from last year still there, let's make do with it?"

"When the cultural festival is over, donate or dispose of it."

Naruse's suggestion could only go so far.

"By the way, the paper apple tree was designed by Takahashi, the second grader. How did she react?"

"Before I came here, Takahashi-senpai never came to the club room."

The time for the roll call was 08:30, and the teacher Zhong Yuanxue appeared about 10 minutes earlier. After the roll call, he specially reminded to pay attention to fire prevention.

The morning assembly was only for roll call, and it could be disbanded after the end. Shangzi greeted Naruse, and then went straight back to the department of the handicraft club.

Other members also came over one after another. Seeing the minister Ritsuko Sugiyama, Shangzi greeted, "Minister."

Sugiyama Ritsuko didn't know what she was thinking, she glanced at her blankly, and nodded after a few seconds, "This flower."

The handicraft society has undergone such drastic changes, and the person most affected is the minister in front of him.

"Are you all right, Minister?"

"It's fine. Well, I'm fine..."

It's not all right.

Shangzi didn't say this, but instead asked, "Did the discussions come to a conclusion?"

Ritsuko Sugiyama took a deep breath and regained some composure.

"Because I'm going to the gymnasium for roll call, it's temporarily put on hold. Let's discuss it together when everyone returns to the club room...Do you have any suggestions for this flower?"

Shangzi nodded.

"Before you think of a better idea, it's better to find someone to clean up the venue, then choose two or three exquisite works that are more eye-catching from the department room, and go to the original place to set up a stall for display. It's best to make another sign , 'For more works, please come to the handicraft club on the second floor of the annex building to visit' and the like, leading the attracted guests to the department room."

Ritsuko Sugiyama was silent for a while, then nodded quickly.

"That makes sense, let's do it."

Shangzi said no more.It was the minister's business to give orders, and most of the members were still on their way back at this time.

"This flower..."

Ritsuko Sugiyama stared at her for a few more seconds.

"This time, it shouldn't have anything to do with you, right?"

Shangzi was taken aback, then glanced at her, and said, "As long as I am still a member of the handicraft club, this matter will be related to me."

"No, I mean..."

Ritsuko Sugiyama pursed her lower lip, and stopped talking, "No, it's nothing. This flower suggestion is very good, please let Komatsu-san prepare the sign first."

"Okay, Minister."

The members of the handicraft club returned to the department room one after another after the roll call, and Ritsuko Sugiyama, who came back to his senses, also followed Naoko's suggestion just now and took remedial measures intensively.

Select works, submit an application to the cultural festival executive committee, and then set up a booth for display in the cleared space of the atrium. After everything is almost busy, it is already past nine o'clock.

Takahashi Tomoyo still did not appear.

Not only did she not come to the department of the handicraft club, she even did not come to school.

"Zhishi sent me a message just now, saying that she asked for leave today."

Ritsuko Sugiyama explained to the inquiring staff, "She saw the news that the paper apple tree was burned in the news in the morning, and she was not in a good mood, so she decided to rest at home for a day."

Most of the members expressed their understanding. After all, she is the main designer of the paper apple tree. It is inevitable to feel depressed when encountering such a thing.

But Shangzi stared at the puppet he sewed with his own hands, without saying a word, as if he heard nothing.

The morning passed quickly, and there seemed to be more visitors than yesterday.

At noon, there were far fewer people, and Shangzi was about to rest.

Another visitor walked into the department room, attracting the attention of many left-behind members.

He turned around, greeted people he knew well, and finally stopped in front of Shangzi's place, raising his hand to play with her puppet.

"Exquisitely done. Are these not for sale?"

"Ah."

"it's a pity."

Shangzi laughed, "You can buy souvenirs at the door, and they are also handmade."

"That's not far off."

"—Hey, I heard it all, are you here to mess things up?"

Naruse turned his head and smiled at Rina Ogawa, "Sorry."

Shangzi got up and walked out, "Leave the department to the seniors."

Rina Ogawa waved her hand.

The two left the handicraft club and chatted while walking.

Various ribbons hang from the top of the corridor, colorful balloons float, and there is a faint chorus outside the window.

"Did Chunhai go shopping a lot this morning?"

"Almost. I watched the magic show of class A for three years, went to the gymnasium to listen to the live of the light music department, and tasted... half a piece of handmade cookies from Dim Sum Research. It was too sweet, too sweet for people to bear. .”

Going down to the first floor, several first-year girls were holding flower pots and preparing to go upstairs. Their steps seemed to be unsteady, and the two of them avoided carefully.

"The horticulture department has an exhibition on the roof. There are many kinds of flowers and plants, and they are also very beautiful. If it weren't for the constant sound of snapping pictures, it would be quite relaxing."

"Although the shogi department downstairs has always had the sound of slapping pieces, the atmosphere gives people a sense of tranquility. The members are all playing chess on their own, regardless of the visitors..."

Finally coming to the atrium, Naruse turned his head to look at Shangzi: "There should be nothing to do at the Handicraft Club, let's go shopping together later, and go back later."

Shangzi smiled slightly, "Okay."

The thing to do now is to fill my stomach.

The prefectural Tsugao cultural associations are already very rich, and this year's class exhibition has also shown their enthusiasm, Naruse and Shangko even feel like they can't go shopping.

"Let's visit the rest of the places tomorrow."

"Okay."

The two had a great time shopping, even a little tired.After the separation, Shangzi returned to the department room to continue her shift and had a rest, while Naruse went back to class C to have a look.

Today, there are two boys sitting at the door of the classroom to attract customers, but the effect seems to be very ordinary. There is no line, and the soundproof room inside is mostly empty, which makes people feel a little deserted.

Naruse is very clear that the current bleakness is the real situation.Eighty percent of yesterday's abnormally high popularity came from Takikawa Hikari.

And today she pulled Haixing again and continued to wander around. He and Shangzi even met them when they visited the Calligraphy Department.

Naruse's legs were sore from walking, and he just wanted to sit for a while.He was just about to propose a class change to one of his bored classmates, but he glanced at Class E not far away and changed his mind.

"Wait a minute, Naruse! Did you have something to say just now, I saw it! Don't shy!"

"Ah, sorry...and, it's Don't be shy."

"hateful!"

Instead of sitting around doing nothing, why not go to Class E and watch their homemade movies.

When he came to the door, he glanced at the timetable posted on the side, and the next movie started more than ten minutes later.

No one sold tickets, and the movie was free to watch. Naruse walked into the dimly lit classroom, where there were already seven or eight audience members sitting, including a middle-aged couple.

Even if the attendance rate is less than one-third, it is still more lively than the private study session in Class C, he thought sadly.

Finding a seat closer to the front, Naruse looked up and saw Morimi next to the podium looking at him through his glasses.

"Work?"

"more or less."

She patted the white foam box in front of her lightly, "Would you like something to drink?"

"What is it?" Naruse asked.

“Coke coffee juice green tea.”

After walking around for so long, he happened to be a little thirsty, so he got up and went to have a look, and finally ordered a bottle of green tea.

Morimi sat still and reached out to him, "170 yen."

Naruse glanced at his usual drink, "120 yen is right."

"The extra fifty yen is for running errands and storage."

"..."

After paying, Naruse was about to return to his original seat with a drink, when Morimi held him back and gestured for the seat in the front row with his eyes.

He didn't go back, and sat down nearby.

"Didn't Mori say before that there was only screenwriting work?"

"That's right, I'm replacing your sister now. It's her turn today."

Naruse didn't say anything, just opened the green tea and took a sip.

Morimi looked at him, "Is light the solution that Naruse thought of?"

"That's it for now."

"I feel that the compatibility between the two of them is not particularly compatible. Can it last?"

Naruse looked at the ceiling, "Who knows, at least they get along better than me."

Morimi didn't say much except for the sentence "It's better than staying with those hot girls".

About 10 minutes later, a class E student got up and went outside the classroom, announcing loudly that the movie was about to start.

Another five or six spectators flooded into the classroom and sat in the middle and back rows.

A girl stepped onto the podium and played a movie—turned on the projector, moved the mouse, and clicked on the movie file on the computer.

Naruse was looking at the projection screen when Morimi, who was guarding the drink box, got up suddenly and sat next to him.

"If you want to complain about something, you'd better think about the feelings of the screenwriter sitting next to you."

Naruse smiled.

It seems that the quality of the film's completion did not meet her expectations.

The movie started quickly, and the first thing that appeared on the screen was a paragraph of text.

【If anyone can still receive this signal, it means that I am not the last surviving human on earth.

Whoever you are, I implore you to reply to me, please.I am in Aomori, Japan, the northernmost part of Honshu Island.

What I’m going to say next is entirely based on my real experience in the past three months. If you can find me, I can show you the photos and videos I took...]

The picture turns from black to gray and white, and the first scene of the movie is a dark sky.

After a roar, several fighter jets roared past, and the camera turned sharply.

What followed was a large city filled with gunpowder, fighter jets swooped down and fired, and a large group of zombies took over the streets under attack.

There was a hail of bullets, flesh and blood flying everywhere, Naruse turned his head and looked at Morimi.

She looked at the screen with no expression on her face, "The special effects must be very realistic."

"Well, at least I won't fall asleep watching."

This level of special effects doesn't look like it could be produced by a group of high school students.

"Because it's an edit from a real movie."

"...It's a little dangerous."

"It doesn't matter, it's just a self-made movie that was shown at the cultural festival of the county high school. It's unpopular and niche, and it won't spread...at least it won't spread to the producer of the original movie."

Naruse smiled, and shook his head again.

"And there's only this part, the rest will be all real shots..."

As soon as Sen Jian finished speaking, the scene turned into a wilderness, with a familiar mountain in the distance.

"Mt. Iwaki...is this the Soma area?"

"Well. There is an almost deserted village in the mountains over there, and all the filming was done there."

The style of the film has also changed abruptly, from a bloody doomsday disaster film to a literary film full of protagonist monologues.

[...I fled to this rural village far away from the city, waiting for the end of the disaster... After a month passed, I couldn't help thinking: the meaning of life, is it to exist or to continue...]

Maybe the monologue is too long, or maybe it's because the protagonist's thinking is really heavy, like a heavy hammer, directly smashing Naruse into the bottomless abyss.

Fall, fall.

Keep sinking.

He gradually lost control of his body, and even began to enjoy the feeling of sinking in the darkness:

As long as it has not landed, sinking is also floating.

"You can tell, I'm referring to "Reminiscence of the Past" for this line... Hey."

Seeing that he was asleep, Sen Jian squinted his eyes for a while, and finally just rolled his eyes and sighed.

Is it that boring?

After staring at it for a while, she gently took out the drink that was about to slip from his hand and put it on the empty seat next to him.

After a day of shopping, his body was very tired, and the occasional noise helped him to sleep. Naruse slept for more than two hours.

When he was shaken awake, he only felt a headache and a sore neck, and he felt uncomfortable everywhere in his body.

The classroom in front of him was dark, and what followed was a huge sense of emptiness.

"The cultural festival... is it over yet?"

puff.

He looked over, and the starfish beside the podium turned around in a panic.

"Well, it's over." Mori Jian stuffed a bottle of drink into his hand, "Today's part will be over soon."

Naruse looked down for a while, and then remembered that this was the green tea he bought for an extra fifty yen.

"Everyone, teachers, students and guests—"

The campus broadcast sounded at the right time, announcing the end of the second day of the cultural festival.

Naruse struggled to unscrew the bottle cap.

"sleepy."

(End of this chapter)