Project: Socialize

Preparations for the Festival went on according to schedule. Like expected, Muria, Irina, and I were all confronted by wave after wave of clubs and classrooms, asking for us to grant them more funds. It was quite a difficult task judging whether the fund was for personal benefits or not and whether or not the event would make a big enough profit to offset the funds spent on it. It was quite a tedious task and quite difficult to do as well.

Numerous times, people approached us with requests for absurd amounts of money and for some simple event. It was obvious that they want the money for their own use, so we declined them. However, in these groups, some had wanted to try their luck and gave up quite easily once we said no, but others were quite persistent and annoying. They acted as if the money was theirs and we were denying them access to those funds, causing a huge scene and backing up the line.

It was difficult for Irina to deal with such people due to her inability to reject people in the quickest and most efficient way possible. It was probably due to her years as a celebrity that made her subconsciously want to maintain a positive image that prompted her to go the long route in declining their requests. Since Muria was extremely efficient with the paperwork process, if she were to be dealing with these persistent flies, then our job will be lagging behind in pace. Therefore, for our own benefit, Muria wasn't allowed to deal with them. That leaves me to take care of it all.

I'm not the most enthusiastic about my job, basically not caring whether or not it was completed to perfection. All I cared about was doing the minimum and get it over with. This must've triggered the perfectionist in Muria since she sighed and took the job. That left me with not much to do and the job of dealing with these annoying people that demanded that we grant them more funds.

It was a tough job interacting with these people. Like I've mentioned before, they think they deserved the money, so taking something that they think are theirs is extremely difficult. They often get mad as well. In addition, if you succeed in driving them away, chances are, they'll start rumors about you. Therefore, their's no real benefit in doing this job. However, it must be done, and what better candidate are there besides me, the person that cares the least about his reputation?

Other than that, things went on without disruptions. Once the first week was over, class was suspended for the week to allow the students to prepare and decorate their locations for the Festival. Different classrooms had different events, so therefore, different decorations are needed for each classroom. For example, class 2-B was doing a horror house, which meant their decorations will be completely different from the maid cafe our class was doing.

Muria, Irina, and I were spared of the decoration process and participation in the operation of the cafe during the two days of the Festival since we had the job of class representatives in the committee. It seemed that my classmates were enjoying the process of decorating and securing the costumes needed for the event. Half the time, they were joking around as they worked, but all in all, progress was on pace.

The Wednesday of that week, Muria, Irina, and I were located in our club room after school, finishing the portion of our work for the day. Muria and Irina, both seated in the opposite end of the long table near the window, were entering each individual spending report into her laptop to be printed later. While doing so, they had their earbuds plugged into their phone and were listening to music As for me, the person seated near the door, I was reviewing the additional budget reports from the different classrooms and clubs, making sure that the granted funds were spent on the items that they were granted for. In addition to that, I was also listening to music. This job will be even more tormenting if I'm not allowed to do so.

On the other side of the window, the sun was starting to set, signalling the gradual beginning of the end of the day. We, too, were extremely fatigued from the day's work. My eyes felt dry and extremely strained after staring at reports for the entire day. Muria and Irina appeared to be tired as well for on their faces were a sluggish veil that emphasized the bored frown on their face as they continued with their work.

I sighed and placed the last report paper on the desk and in face-down in the pile that I had created. I closed my eyes and brought my left thumb and index finger to my nose ridge, gently rubbing them. Then, I opened my eyes and observed the club room where the only sound audible was the gentle breathing of the two girls and the sound of their fingers running across the keyboard of their laptops.

Loyd and Zaksus weren't present because they were busy helping out their own class in the decorations. Zaksus in particular had to help out both the basketball team's event and his classroom. That sucks for them, but... at least they don't have to do this boring job.

"So that's it for today." Muria sighed as she finished documenting the costs of the different events and printed them out using the printer located in the corner of the club room. She removed her earbuds from her ears as she walked over and retrieved them from the machine before sitting back down in her seat.

"Thank you," Irina smiled as she pushed her laptop to the side and accepted the papers from Irina. "Now all we have to do is bring it to the meeting tomorrow."

"Remember that the meeting will start later tomorrow as well because of the preparations," Muria reminded her.

"I know," Irina responded as she stretched her back and arms.

This motion made it so that her chest was thrust outwards and the posture made it so that a greater emphasis was placed on her breasts. I swear I wasn't staring. They were just... there and in my line of sight.

"Irina," Muria sighed and notified Irina of where I was staring.

"Alevian..." Irina frowned as she quickly brought her arms over her chest and covered them from me.

"I wasn't staring." I quickly shifted my gaze away to the screen on my phone. However, I think I was blushing somewhat for my face felt warm.

The two then began to pack their belongings into their school bags, carefully placing their laptops in their so as to not cause any damage to it. Just as they finished placing everything away, the door to the club room slid open, revealing Loyd and Zaksus. They smiled as they greeted us, walking into the club room and taking a seat in the empty chairs available.

"Man I'm tired," Zaksus sighed as he sat with his back slouched against the backrest of the chair.

"Just a few more days," Loyd encouraged him. Then, he turned his face towards the three of us that were in the room from earlier. "How's your progress?"

"We're mostly done," Irina responded, smiling proudly. However, that smile appeared quite fatigued, but it was nothing too serious. It was just a plain and simple sluggishness that made her lose part of her vitality. "All we have to do now is to just present our documents to the student council president tomorrow and we'll be done."

"That's good to hear," Loyd smiled.

"Loyd," Zaksus suddenly sat up in his seat. "What about that request?"

Muria and Irina's interest seemed to be drawn by that phrase since their eyes became quite attentive as they looked in the direction of the two boys. They were paying attention to what the two were to say, which I understand since helping out other students who seek help from us is technically our club activity. However, I wasn't extremely interested.

"What's the issue?" Muria asked. On her face was a countenance of genuine interest and concern.

"It's the theater club president," Loyd explained. "Their two main heroine for the play they'll be playing for the School Festival both got sick and can't perform."

"Just have other people substitute in," Irina commented.

"That's the problem," Loyd sighed. "They apparently wanted to make it a grand production so every single member of the club have a role. No one from the club can substitute in, and since we only have a few days until the Festival, they wanted our help. More specifically, your help, Irina, since you're a professional."

"Are you sure their not trying to use her to sell more tickets?" I apathetically commented.

"Alevian, you sure are pessimistic about humanity!" Zaksus remarked and laughed aloud. He was amused by my attitude, which I don't see how, but it is what it is.

"That's not the case," Loyd shook his head. "The theater club president said the club will be willing to pay."

"If they're not after anything," Irina smiled. "Then let's help them."

"But your jobs?" Loyd reminded her.

"It's fine," Irina said. In her voice was a hint of enthusiasm. "We're basically done anyways."

"If that's the case," Loyd nodded his head. "What do you think, Muria?"

"What does this have to do with me?" Muria appeared confused as to how this decision related to her.

"They need two actresses," Zaksus explained. "So... it's gonna be the both of you."

"Is that so..." Muria frowned and brought a hand to her chin as she thought over the decision.

"Come on, Muria," Irina pulled on her arm, eliciting a somewhat troubled expression from her partner. "It won't be that bad."

"B-but..." Muria gazed into Irina's begging eyes. Like a mother gazing at a teary-eyed children, she caved in to her pleas and agreed after a brief mental dilemma. "Fine," she sighed.

"Thank you, Muria!" Irina appeared quite happy.

I know exactly the reason for her joy. That reason is that she's able to spend more time to bond with Muria. Over the short week that the two had been working together, they've become quite close. To other people, after seeing their behavior, anyone would say that they're friends. I would also consider them friends as well, which made me quite happy as well since Irina was able to find someone she can rely on.

With the acquisition of a new friend, Irina is extremely happy and joyful. Each morning when she were to enter the classroom and see Muria, there was always a large smile on her face. It seemed to her that Muria was a great source of comfort and joy for her since Muria is her first normal friend.

As for Muria, she did not share Irina's enthusiasm about their friendship. Rather, she was the more conservative and reserved one of the two. Irina's enthusiasm often led to her expressing her gratitude and friendship through physical intimacy. That, Muria wasn't accustomed too. Often times, Muria would appear troubled when Irina were to be up against her, making contact with her body.

"If you agreed to it," Loyd smiled happily, almost as if he was relieved that he was able to help someone in dire need, "then let's hurry to the theater club room. They should still be practicing their lines."

"Let's go!" Irina said as she got up from her seat. It seemed that the news of this new opportunity to bond with Muria has revived her vitality.