2 days left for the Cultural fest…

At night, Helbram just came out from the bathroom. Just then, he heard his phone ringing.

He checks and saw that the group chat is having a video call. So, he accepts it and everyone’s in.

He mutes his mic and hid his camera since he is changing.

Just then, Sydney, the Class President, starts announcing.

“Good evening to all! Sydney, the benevolent class president is here!”

“What’s with a video call, class pres? What’s the urgency?” Student(1) complains.

“Since we're left with 2 days for the cultural fest, how about tomorrow, we, Grade 12 Section A have a class section bonding?”

Everyone looks intrigued.

“Where?”

Sydney smiled.

“Have you guys heard about the grand opening of the Eastern Empire Carnival?”

Both nods and student(2) speaks.

“Yeah! I just read their advertisement poster that the opening will be tomorrow!”

The crowd gone noisy.

“Wait, don’t tell me you– !!”

Sydney snap her finger.

“You got it right! Tomorrow, we, from class A, will be heading at the Carnival tomorrow!”

The crowd cheers.

“The meet-up time will be 10 A.M. Heh! Ya guys up for it?”

The crowd cheers once more.

“Also, I have a surprise event for all of us though, so be prepared guys!”

 The crowd went silent.

“But anyway, let’s enjoy ourselves! Tomorrow! Wohoo!”

The call ended.

“I guess there’ll be outing tomorrow, huh?”

Meanwhile....

Mikhail knocks his door.

“Big brother, dinner’s ready!”

Helbram finished dressing up.

“Coming!”

Helbram and Mikhail headed downstairs and dine together.

“So, how’s school today Bram-bram, Mikmik?”

Evangeline ask and Mikhail responds.

“Well, great as always.” He said. “But the thing is– the campus is busy for the upcoming cultural fest.

“Oh? The cultural fest?” She looked at the calendar. “Eh? July, the 7th month of the 7th year!”

Helbram and Mikhail were eating.

“So, what are you guys up to?”

Mikhail eats his share.

“Our teacher says that I should participate in Math Quiz Contest.”

Evangeline looks happy.

“Oh, that’s great Mikmik. How about you Bram-bram?”

Helbram paused.

“I want to rest from participating that Quiz bee mimi.” He drinks his water.

“Huh? But why?”

“I just want to rest for a while.”

Evangeline and Mikhail look at him with uncertainty.

“I see. Well, can’t force ya though. It’s your choice.” She shrugs as she eats her food. “So, what are you up to Bram-bram?”

“I’ll still participate but only those that allows me to explore new environment and relax.”

Mikhail and his mother gave him a stare.

“Mimi, I heard that big bro has errands tomorrow.”

“Oh, are you going to skip Sunday mass son?”

Helbram jolt.

“Of course, not! And most importantly, the meet up will be in 10 A.M. at the newly opened Carnival.”

All of them were surprised.

“Carnival?!”

“Yes.”

Mikhail looks envious.

“Woah! How lucky!”

“Anyway, if you wanna come, you can tag along. I’ll cover the expenses.”

Evangeline shakes her head.

“Oh no. It’s okay son. You should enjoy with your classmates. Besides, you’re already Grade 12. Next year, you’ll be in college. So, enjoy while there’s still can.”

Helbram smiled. “Thanks mimi. You’re the best.”

Next day, 10 A.M.

Helbram and the rest are waiting at the Carnival’s gate.

“Alright everyone, listen up!”

Sydney announces and everyone halts.

“Before we enter, there are rules that must be upheld.” She smiles. “Remember the special event I told last night? Well, that very event will be first initiated once the rules were established. So, listen well.”

She clears her throat.

“Alright, before we enter the carnival, one must choose their partner. Strictly, partners are made up of male and female.”

The crowd sounds rampant.

“Boo!!!”

“Damn Tophet! What an absurd rule! We’re afraid we cannot follow!”

And so, the crowd agrees.

“Are you— perhaps scared to partner with your... Crush?”

Her brows move back and forth. The crowd got triggered.

“If one of y’all fails to comply the rule, the consequences will be– boys are required to wear a maid costume.”

This made the male ones gasped.

“Nooo!?”

“Oh yeah! You heard it right boys!” She announces.

“You need to pair up! And once the clock hits 6 P.M. we all return here, okay?”

The crowd seems uncertain.

“Hey, hey? Don’t look at me with scorn! I am merely doing this favor as a way to help our beloved SSC Pres.”

Rose felt shy.

“Umm…..”

“The reason for this is– SSC Pres here is asking for help in regards to cafeteria participants. You see, the cafeteria team lacks staffs, giving additional problem to our beloved SSC Pres. The SSC sets ad posters but few women participate on that. So, that’s when SSC Pres is asking me to help her. And that’s how the special event is created.”

She clasped her hands.

“Alright, I hope that’s understanda– ”

Before she could finish, some of them are already paired.

“Hmm… That was quick.” She wondered.

Meanwhile...

Helbram’s looking around, looking for pair but then–

"Hel, are you looking for a partnet? I… I could be your pair.”

Helbram’s eyes widened and gladly take her hand but– Fredrick quickly grabbed her.

“Sorry guys! The star of the show is late! And Rose here will be my pair.”

Rose seems surprised.

“But I am paired with– "

Fredrick held her hand. “Rose, let’s go!” 

Everyone else go, except Helbram. He stares at them and–

“Well, I forgot that there’s a total of 29 students in Class A. Ha! Surely, I’m the unluckiest.”

He sighs.

“I guess it’s just a waste of time going here in carnival after all.”

Helbram headed to the nearby bench and waited for them to comeback.

All of them manage to enjoy but they’ve forgot about Helbram.

6 P.M.

They all come back, all happy, but then, they saw Helbram, sitting all alone in a bench.

“Oh? It seems there’s a lucky one who’s a candidate for a maid costume!”

The other boys laugh but Bryan step up.

“Can’t you all realize that we’re only 29 students in our class?”

Sydney rubs her chin.

“Oh, I didn’t expect that coming.” She wondered.

“Anyways, I think Mr. Wilheim is exempted of the rule, everyone!”

Fredrick stepped up.

“What? No, no, no! There should be no exception, Pres.! You said it yourself it’s a rule and whoever does not comply will face the consequences!”

“If you try and admonish the said law, then what’s the point in all of this?”

The boys agreed.

“But the pairing is– ”

Sydney felt guilty for not seeing their numbers but Helbram pats her shoulder. 

“That’s fine, Pres. Sydney. Rules are rules, they say.”

Rose felt bad.

“But Helbram, this isn’t fair! You– !”

Helbram didn’t allow Rose to finish her sentence and goes straight to Sydney.

“Pres. Sydney, I shall face my punishment. And the cafeteria lacks 1 member, right? Well, I consider joining.”

Sydney’s brought into tears of joy.

“Alright! Helbram here is gonna face his punishment!”

And everyone’s glad.

“Remember guys, our school’s cultural fest last for two weeks. And since our country’s gonna celebrate, our school will have 2 weeks’ vacation.”

The whole class celebrates.

“So, let’s do our best and make our school proud!”

They all cheer.

“Let’s prepare for tomorrow’s awaited event, everyone!”

Most made their leave. Rose wanted to stay but–

“Rose, allow me to escort you home. I’m sure everything will be busy tomorrow, so you need some plenty of rest.”

Rose looks hesitant.

“But I– ”

Rose looked at Helbram.

“It’s time to go!”

Fredrick drags her out of the Carnival.

All left, except Helbram and Sydney.

“Alright, Helbram! I didn’t expect you to willingly volunteer! What a shocker!”

She shows a smile.

“By the way, I am not joking about wearing a maid costume, ya’know. I mean it.”

Helbram scratches his head.

“Fine, fine! I get it! I’ll be cosplaying as Maid, okay?!”

Silence goes on for a minute.

“Look Helbram, I just realized that there is a total of 29 students in our section and I mindlessly spoke that rule. I’m sorry I made a grievous mistake.”

Helbram scoffed.

“That’s okay, everyone else were enjoying, so am I. So, it's still a win-win.”

“Anyway, to pardon my mistake, I’ll be in-charge of your make-over.”

Helbram’s eyes widened.

“You say – what?!”

Sydney let out a smug.

"I’ll make use of my cosplaying skills to aid you! With my skills as a Make-up artist and cosplaying, I’ll make sure those boys do not recognize you! I swear in my family name!”

Helbram felt awkward.

“Wow, you really are passionate when it comes to make-up and cosplaying.”

Sydney rubs her nose and let out a smug.

“Oh well, suit yourself. I’m sure you’ll be having a hard time changing me into a full-blown maid because of my physique.”

Sydney grinned.

“I’ve seen bunch of male cosplayers cosplaying as female characters at conventions. Heh! I assure you that I’ll turn you into one.”

Helbram shrugged.

“Alright, it’s a game of bet then?”

“Heh! I’ve never lost in a betting game!”

She let out a smirk.

“Anyways, since tomorrow’s the start of event, tell your mother that you’ll be staying at my house tonight.”

Helbram's eyes widened.

“What??!”

“I need to study your anatomy first before going full transformation, ya’know? And also, we’re going to buy some clothes because– I’ll be honest, your body is wider than mine. If I let you wear my cosplay dresses, you’ll rip them apart!”

Helbram became quiet.

“That’s why, we’re going shopping tonight.”

“And where will you get the funds for that?”

Helbram raised a brow and Sydney lets out a smug.

“Of course, our classroom funds, duuh!”

She bleeh at him and Helbram gave him a bombastic eye.

“I see… Well, give me a moment to tell my mom.”

Helbram grabbed his phone and start texting his mother. Thankfully, she understood and he smiled.

Suddenly, Bryan messaged him, saying:

“Bro! I didn't expect you decided to join the cafeteria (o3o) that's unexpected! Heheh! I’m looking forward to work with you but– well, let me get straight to the point. The culinary contest's last for 2 weeks due to the overwhelming participants! Well, they merged the college and high school entries, that makes it more thrilling.”

“Remember the part where I am joining both Cafeteria and Culinary contest? Bro! Their schedule’s a total mess! I can’t participate in cafeteria at this point! So, I told Pres. Sydney about it and thankfully, she’s considerate. Anyways, it’s time to leave now bro and I’m so sorry for the trouble!”

Helbram sighs.

“Seriously, that guy’s nuts.”

“I guess, by the look you’re giving, I’m sure Bryan told you huh?”

Sydney's expression tells grim.

“Yeah… that four-eyed giant back out, losing another member of the cafeteria team.”

He made a facepalm.

“What should we do, Pres. Sydney? Tomorrow’s the start of the event and everyone’s already at it! What should we do?”

Sydney grinned, having greatest ideas.

“Oh, there’s nothing to be worried, Helbram. You are all I need! Ehe!” She giggles. “Anyways, what will become of our bet? It’s still on, no?”

“Of course it is” He crossed his arms. “If I won the bet where you can’t fully transform me into a maid, you will buy me a set of 25-kilogram weighs for my workout.”

Sydney grinned.

“Oooh? You’re secretly working out?”

“Of course, I need to train my body so I’ll be healthy.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot your mother is a former heavy weight lifter champion in her prime. Heh! Mauler’s genes surely run in your veins! But I wonder why you’re such a twink.”

Helbram’s triggered.

“Hey?! I’m not twink! I’m just… a late bloomer. That’s my mimi and my grandparents said. That’s all.” He made a pouty look and she laughed.

Sydney’s clapping. “That’s great! Tryna follow your mother's footsteps, are we? Anyway, even though you’re a twink in the family of Maulers, I can’t ignore those toned muscles of yours. They’re beyond average.”

“Hmm… Transforming you into a full maid cosplay is quite tricky.”

Helbram rubs his nose.

“Now, aren’t ya gonna back out though?”

“Who says I’m backing out?” She looks confident. “You don’t know my capabilities in make-up and cosplaying, Helbram mah guy.”

Helbram felt shivers down his spine.

“Alright, tell me your condition and I’ll gladly comply.”

“If I won the bet, you have to– ”

Sydney whispered on his ears, making him flinch, shocked, and blushing.

“Wait, are you serious??!”

Sydney smiled.

“So, Deal?”

Helbram’s hesitating but later on, he honors their treaty and they shake hands.

“Alright, let’s head at the mall and start buying your clothes.”

“Bryan backed out and the role he took is Goth butler. So, we’ll buy that one too.”

Helbram flinched.

“Wait– what??! Bryan’s role in Cafeteria is a Goth Butler?”

Sydney nods and he sighs.

“Seriously, this cafeteria is nuts.”