Hyouka - Volume 03 - The Kudryavka Sequence - Welcome to KANYA FESTA! (1)

yet returned. It seems like I came too early.
Somehow, I became a bit anxious as I didn't want to waste any time. In such
a situation, I should do some deep breathing. So I inhaled deeply and
breathed out slowly. One more time, breathe in, breathe out.
I looked around me, there didn't seem to be anyone from the General
Committee coming this way.
On the notice board beside the door was a catchy Cultural Festival promotion
poster. I've seen many other Cultural Festival posters within the school
grounds and around the neighbourhood, but this was the first time I'd seen
this one. It was drawn in a manga-like style which Mayaka-san might be
familiar with. It showed two students, a boy and girl preparing for the
Cultural Festival. The characters looked cute while the clothes they wore
looked real, one could feel the amazing originality effusing from it.
If there was one complaint to make, it would be its title, "The 42nd Kanya
Festival." Its official name ought to be the Kamiyama High School Cultural
Festival, as "Kanya Festival" doesn't really evoke a good meaning. As for
why, it's rather difficult to explain. On the corner of the poster were written
the words "Student Council Executive Committee." Since it's a poster made
by the Executive Committee, I feel they ought to avoid using the name
"Kanya Festival."
I moved my eyes away from the poster and looked around me once more, but
there still wasn't anyone coming. Oh dear, this doesn't look good. Should I
just keep waiting here? But we haven't got much time.
No, in such times, I should calm myself down. I once again took a deep
breath, breathe in, breathe out... Okay, one more time...
"...Can I help you?"
"Wah!"
As I had just inhaled a deep breath, I couldn't help but let out a yelp. As I was
startled, I couldn't suppress such a strange sound. I tried to wave my arms to