Chapter 10: A Supporting Role? Me? [side Mishima Satsuki]
About half of the room cleanup is done, but...
The remaining half is the larger half, isn't it?
This is... oh, from that time...?
Kousuke-kun and I started dating when we entered middle school.
Since everyone in public middle school has known each other since childhood, it's embarrassing, right? So we only told close friends that we were dating.
Becoming middle schoolers, looking at the class assignments...?
I'm in a different class from both Kashii-san and Kousuke-kun.
...A relatively plain class, but... well, this is fine in its own way?
I still feel like I can't beat Kashii or Obata and the others, though...
The top in this class is probably Ichijo-san, who was part of Kashii-san's group.
She's originally the third-position girl in Kashii-san's group.
With this, I might be able to secure a good spot in the top tier of this class!
Ichijo "...Umm, I have a lot of friends, you know? It's hard to form a group with the numbers. Sorry, Mishima-san?"
When I approached Ichijo-san, she gently turned me down...!
That girl! I thought she was laid-back and never refused in front of Kashii-san, but... she doesn't care about anyone other than Kashii-san and takes lateral friendships lightly...
But! Maybe it's time for me to have my own group?
I'm not exactly rivals with Ichijo-san, right? If I become the leader of a strong second-tier group, I'd be in the same faction as the top-tier Ichijo-san, like the biggest ruling party in the class, wouldn't I?
However, that doesn't go well.
I try recruiting beautiful girls who stand out, those who excel in sports, or smart kids,
But everyone is all about Kashii-san, Kashii-san, Kashii-san. Kashii this, Kashii that!
What's with that!
In the end, the second tier is Ise-san's gal faction.
Their bond is so tight that I can't break in at all.
On top of that, top-tier Ichijo and Ise-san are thrilled to be in the same class after a long time! I heard Ise-san and Kashii don't get along, but are Ichijo and Ise-san actually close?
Apparently, Obata and Ise-san are close too... what's with that?
In the end, I'm just the second-in-command of the third tier, among the prominent girls full of complaints. Since I oppose Ichijo-san, it's nothing but trouble!
I was unlucky.
I'm bad at sports, so I don't stand out at the sports festival, and I only get minor roles at the cultural festival.
Unnoticeable, a supporting role among supporting roles.
Isn't my position weird?
As for Kousuke-kun, it seems he's having a tough time because his close friend Tachibana-kun from a different class is being bullied or something. I was worried, but I heard about it later.
Apparently, Tachibana-kun caught the eye of the biggest boys' faction leader from another town in our year, and he's being bullied.
...Well, it can't be helped, right? He was allowed certain things because he was in Kanzaki-kun's faction, but since Kanzaki-kun is gone, it's Tachibana-kun's mistake for not changing.
I subtly told Kousuke-kun that he should get along with the group from another town, but he didn't listen at all. He said Tachibana-kun is his best friend.
That's cool! But is it okay?
Apparently, there were times when Kousuke-kun saved him from being ambushed or faced various crises. Is it necessary to go that far?
In the end, I heard a rumor that Tachibana-kun defeated that violent bully named Aoi, and not only was the issue resolved, but bullying across the whole school calmed down.
...Speaking of which, didn't Kashii treat Tachibana specially? Even at the Christmas party, she was smiling next to him, and I thought she had weird taste, but it's just a fluke, right?
There's no way Kashii has an eye for talent and Tachibana actually shone. A background character like that boy... both Kousuke-kun and Kashii are overrating him, it's laughable! Of course, I won't say it out loud.
Kousuke-kun's house is practically next to the middle school, no exaggeration.
I've visited his house a few times.
Latest computer, tons of gaming consoles, and a fancy house? Are they rich?
We keep our relationship a secret, but we go on dates at the riverside park or shopping at the terminal station. We spend time together regularly.
But we haven't kissed or done anything intimate yet. We were just kids, after all.
Being together and having our secret time without anyone knowing was so much fun. Since we're middle schoolers, I got simple accessories and hair clips from him. They were treasures.
We become second-years. The last class change!
I'm praying! To be with Kashii-san or Kousuke-kun!
There's no class change in the third year! So, two years in this class!
How is it!
Class 2...? This time, neither Ichijo-san, Kashii-san, nor Obata-san is here...?
To put it nicely, it's normal; to put it badly, it's characterless?
Surely, in this class...?
Again, second-in-command of the third tier...?
Why? Me? A supporting role among supporting roles?
Two perfectly formed groups have already come together, with good numbers and unity. On top of that, the top two groups are friendly with each other, it's sheer numerical dominance!
And the bond between the members is so tight, it's an unbreakable formation.
This is wrong! I'm better than this!
I'm cute, and I have the ability to observe people! Why?
Even if I'm not on Rena Kashii's level!
However, these two groups are weak when it comes to events.
My second year was unimpressive, and in the final third year, there was a battle that caught the whole school's attention,
Class 1 had Kashii, the guy from another town, Ichijo, and other flashy members,
While Class 3 had Obata, Aoi, Kousuke-kun, and others who countered them, creating a legendary clash at the fall event that screamed youth!
Our class got third place at the sports festival and only won the project presentation at the cultural festival, pretty plain results. Everyone was crying, but since I didn't do much, I felt nothing.
In second and third year, my relationship with Kousuke-kun didn't change much.
Of course, we get along well, right? We exchange gifts on birthdays and Christmas, right?
A fur scarf, cute accessories, and various things, I received them.
But he still only talks about Tachibana-kun.
In third year, Tachibana's little sister enrolled, right? She's the ace of the tennis club as a first-year and is rumored to be cute, which annoyed me a bit.
Cute? Isn't she just a brat? Someone like her?
I reminded Kousuke-kun again that a guy with a girlfriend shouldn't be too friendly with other girls.
We set our goal to go to Hokusho High School, studying together to get into the same high school.
It's frustrating, but Kousuke-kun is smarter than me.
He's pretty high up even at Shinkawa Middle School. I'm good at Japanese and social studies, but I struggle a bit with English and math.
Kousuke-kun's teaching is thorough and kind. He doesn't say much, but I can tell he cares about me.
I end up relying on him and venting my frustrations about my current situation and position.
I just wanted him to listen. But Kousuke-kun gently reasons with me.
He says it's fine to be the Satsuki I am now. Being outgoing isn't the same as being happy, right?
I get that. But as a girl, I want to be cute and not lose to others.
Indeed, Kousuke-kun is said to be a good boyfriend.
When I complain to friends, they say aside from being a bit short and quiet, he has no weaknesses, almost perfect.
Mentally mature and kind, with a sense of justice that makes him go out of his way for friends, and the initiative he showed at the fall event apparently attracted quite a few girls.
"But, Kousuke-kun turned them all down without hesitation, you know? Even when Obata-san asked to pair up for the three-legged race, he immediately said he has a girlfriend! You're loved, huh!"
I do feel loved, indeed.
We both passed into Hokusho, holding hands as we returned to middle school.
Since there were acquaintances around, we quickly let go of each other's hands.
Seeing Kousuke-kun turn red, I realized that even though I thought he was mature, he's just a boy my age.
After the graduation ceremony, we had our first kiss in the library.
I thought I was cherished, but since he never made a move, I realized I had been anxious. I was so moved that tears came out.
He was trembling when we kissed... that Kousuke-kun...
For the first time, I felt like I had the upper hand.
Until now, I felt like I was the one approaching him, respecting the mature and quiet Kousuke-kun.
He taught me studies, listened to my thoughts, and guided me, so I thought Kousuke-kun was above me.
...But, Kousuke loves me, it's okay to say he adores me.
He was trembling just to kiss me?
What's this? Doesn't that mean I have the upper hand...?
I feel like getting back at the always mature-acting Kousuke.
Why have I been so reserved until now?
It's all middle school's fault.
They didn't value me, and I couldn't even find my proper place in the caste.
Things won't be like this once I'm in high school!
I'll change it! My position!
I'll change it! To a position that suits me!
Kousuke acts all mature and says things to me, but I don't need to listen to that.
I'll polish myself up and become someone like Rena Kashii in no time!
Well, I had times like that, didn't I? It was just a few months ago, but so much has changed drastically since high school enrollment that it feels like such a distant past.
I let out a small chuckle. I was just a little girl, wasn't I?
The understated accessories and hair clips Kousuke gave me, the fur muffler, and a few cute trinkets—I toss them into the trash bag one by one.
Come to think of it, the silver accessories I'm wearing now are from honey.
The necklace... well, branded items aren't guilty, are they? I could sell it at worst, right?
The satisfaction of tidying up while cleaning makes throwing Kousuke's gifts into the trash bag feel rhythmic and smooth.
Cleaning is going great!
Trash cleanup is reaching its final stage♪