Chapter 16: Those Who Laugh, Those Who Are Laughed At
"Yukari Tomonaga wants to change."
The film club started shooting a documentary true to that name.
I would be producing it, but...
Anyway, thinking I had to do something about her plump figure, I was on my way to the basketball club's practice court when I suddenly ran into my ex-girlfriend Satsuki, who was on her way to remedial classes...
This is bad! Satsuki is way more sensitive about appearances than most, and since she probably holds a grudge against me, she's definitely going to mess with us!
Satsuki looked back and forth between me and Tomonaga-san and started laughing.
Satsuki: "Kousuke? Kousuke! You know, I always thought you at least had good taste in girls! Ahahahahahahaha! This is who you're with now?"
Satsuki looked absolutely unable to contain her amusement.
It pissed me off.
Kousuke: "Don't say such rude things."
Satsuki looked truly delighted.
Satsuki: "But! But! A girl this chubby! All she does is eat sweets, right? Never moves, right? She's like, 'I want you to see the real me!' And her mind and her food choices are like a happy meal set! How did you even manage to confess to her? The boys she confessed to are bragging about it, you know? I know I shouldn't laugh but! Ahahahaha!!"
Tomonaga-san caught her breath.
How can she say things like that to someone she just met? It's not just me.
She's really turned into a heartless person.
"...She's a lot prettier than you are..."
Satsuki: "...Huh?! ...You mean me?"
Tomonaga: "...Kousuke-kun..."
Both of them were equally shocked, but their reactions were polar opposites.
Satsuki glared at me in fury, while Tomonaga-san looked at me with trust.
Of course, Satsuki snapped back!
Satsuki: "You don't get to call me 'you,' Kousuke! Stop acting like my ex-boyfriend!"
"...You called me 'you' first, Satsuki. We're not together anymore."
Satsuki: "You're so annoying! Even if you're just my ex, if you drag around some weird girl, it'll lower my value too!"
Kousuke: "...Just watch. Tomonaga-san is a wonderful girl. She's definitely going to become beautiful, so keep your mouth shut and watch..."
Satsuki: "Hmph! I thought at least you had good taste, but I guess you're blind. Go ahead and waste your time polishing an unremarkable rock that'll never shine, okay?"
Satsuki shot Tomonaga-san a sharp glare and strode away quickly.
I couldn't take it anymore,
"Good luck with remedial classes, Satsuki! Fight!!"
When I cheered loudly at Satsuki's back, she shot me a furious glare and left.
I said it...
It wasn't just sarcasm, I ended up provoking her... That must be Sho's influence. Oh well!
When I looked beside me, Tomonaga-san was crying.
She was silently shedding hot tears.
Tomonaga: "Was that person your...?"
I nodded.
"Actually, we just broke up recently. She cheated on me with another guy, then told me I wasn't good enough for her."
I ended up telling the truth to the crying Tomonaga-san.
That's why I want to get back at her. Whether it's in school or club activities, I want to give it my all and show her up!
Tomonaga: "It's true that I'm fat and easily swayed. But that much? Did she have to say all that? I'm your ex-girlfriend, Kousuke-kun, but I can't forgive her! I want to change! Lose weight! Become beautiful! I want to show her and everyone who made fun of me!"
"...But you know, I don't want you to become like that girl."
I briefly told her about Satsuki and me.
Tomonaga: "She changed that much after her high school debut? Before that, was she really a quiet, plain beauty?"
I nodded.
Tomonaga: "I'll change! I swear I will! Kousuke-kun, please! Help me! I'll do anything?!"
I took the hand that Tomonaga-san offered me.
A soft, smooth, and pleasantly small hand.
Tanaka: "Yeah! I got some great footage! This is the best! Woohoo!"
Tanaka-kun? Did you see all that?
He didn't just see it, he filmed it!
With twice his usual excitement, Tanaka-kun wore the biggest smile.
Tanaka: "You can't just say you'll do anything! If the film club senpais hear that, you'll end up like in some adult DVD, you know?"
Tomonaga-san is backing away! Stop it, Tanaka-kun!
Tanaka: "Here! Take this!"
Tomonaga: "...What is this?"
Tanaka: "A supplement to help burn fat! Now the hell of dieting begins!"
Yukari Tomonaga, usually gentle and easy to sway, made an unpleasant face for the first time.
It must be tough for someone not used to exercising.
Even so, anger and frustration can be the best fuel.
Source: me. I feel the same—I want to show her up, too!
Just watch, Satsuki.
Sho once said,
"Those who laugh will be laughed at."
I believe that whatever you say eventually comes back to you.
Let's do our best, Tomonaga-san! I'll work hard too, and help you!
Tomonaga-san is definitely going to become beautiful!
No matter how pretty the words, hell is still hell.
Even when it's a whip of love, a whip just hurts.
I realized that Yukari Tomonaga's tough summer vacation had just begun.
...That's why, Tanaka-kun! Don't record so gleefully! Be a little more tactful!
I can't help but feel anxious about this project.
Since I made the declaration, I can't back out now! An unforgettable summer is about to begin!