Today is the day of the culture festival at the Seiyuri Joshi Gakuin Shougakkou elementry school for girls. It's quite famous in this part of the city and it is open to the public, so I have made it a habit to go and check it out every year. Stalls are lining the path through the school yard and I pick up some takoyaki as I make my way into the school. Looking at the colorful, crayon drawn sign at the entrance, I try to decide which attraction to visit first.
What's that? A "House of Cute & Funny?" What is that supposed to mean? It sounds like some weird meme from the internet. Apparently it's hosted by Tanegawa-sensei's class. I scratch my head in wonderment. Tanegawa-sensei is a weird girl. We met at university and I've kept loosely in touch with her since then. Her sense of humor was always a little off-kilter, so I dare not imagine what she came up with this year. With a shrug, I head towards her classroom.
She notices me right away when I enter the corridor with her classroom and waves me over to the entrance. I try to peer inside, but the window panes facing the corridor are covered with pink paper, as is the glass section of the door.
"You came, that's so wonderful. I can't wait to hear what you think of this!" Tanegawa-sensei grabs my and and starts gushing as soon as I come into range. With a cough, I withdraw my hand.
"So, what is this supposed to be? A house of cute and funny?"
"Yes, yes! It's like a haunted house, except the girls aren't dressed as ghosts, but in cute outfits and they do funny dances instead of scaring you! It's really funny! It's the gap! The gap! You know, between the girls and the outfits and dances and everything!"
Tanegawa-sensei is caught up by a giggle fit. Really, what's wrong with this girl? She's always so bubbly and excited, it's hard to believe that she's a teacher. Before I can get a word in of my own, she continues.
"Chise-chan and Kiko-chan are taking care of the first stage. You just have to see it! They're doing such an amazing job. Really! It's super funny! Come on, come on! You're our first visitor too! So in you go!"
Without giving me a chance to resist, she slides the door open, pushes me through the door and slams it shut behind me. I find myself inside a world of pink cardboard and hand made paper decorations. Apparently they've turned the classroom into a twisty tunnel using cardboard walls. Taking the first cardboard tunnel turn, I find myself alone in front of a small stage, made by pushing together a few tables. Two familiar girls are standing on top of the table stage, looking straight at me. The first one, Chise-chan, looks at me shyly, her face burning red from embarrassment. Kiko-chan on the other hand is full of confidence and looks down at me with a smug grin. But that's really besides the point. The thing that makes me stop in my tracks like a deer caught in the headlights is the way they are dressed.