Chapter 29: The Changing Me [side Yukari Tomonaga]
Today is the start of the new semester.
Right now, all I feel is fear.
The fear of being watched by everyone, wondering if they'll accept the changed me.
All I feel is anxiety.
Up until now, I didn't leave a good impression on people, being overweight or barely noticeable.
But will it be okay? A summer break debut? Am I getting ahead of myself? Will people hassle me?
I'm incredibly worried.
Lately, I've been enjoying looking in the mirror and stepping on the scale.
It's because my everyday life is tough, but there's a part of me that's enjoying the transformation.
Deep down, I'm still the same timid, easily influenced me, though.
Will everyone notice the change?
I've been updating my two friends on LINE about my diet progress, and they've been cheering me on.
It's been three weeks since I last saw them, so will they be surprised?
I've been coming to school every day during summer break, though...
It's been a while since I've seen everyone.
"Good morning."
""Good morning.""
??
Am I being double-taken?
Have they noticed that I've changed?
I greeted my two friends as well.
"Morning."
The two of them looked shocked,
"Yukarin? Wow! You're so cute!"
"I'm stunned! You look super cute!"
Huh? Really?
...Actually, I've been realizing it more and more each day...!
The three of us are the inconspicuous background girls in this class, quietly spending time in the corner.
We spend our days peacefully and discreetly in our usual spot by the hallway, staying out of the spotlight.
The tension between girls or the drama over boys would give me a stomach ulcer.
"...Yukarin, about confessing to Kuzu-kun..."
"...It's kind of become a rumor..."
I already know about it since Mishima-san told me during summer break... but my slightly smaller chest still aches.
I admired him, after all.
Back in middle school, Kuzu-kun protected me when I was mocked for being fat... and we ended up at the same high school, Hokusho...
When I came to school for something during summer break, I ran into him by the school building... We talked after so long... I got carried away...
"Haha, I know. I said it on LINE too... That's why I... I want to change myself."
"You can become this cute..."
"You're not the same as before."
"It's still not enough. More, much more!"
My two friends said they'd support me.
But as we talk, I can feel the stares from my classmates.
...Am I really that different?
?"Hey!"
??
Huh?
Me?
The one who spoke to me was the gal, Osada-san.
Osada-san is known as part of the top caste in our class, basically one of the top clique girls.
She's flashy, dazzling, and the leader of a tight-knit group.
She's never spoken to me before?!
Osada "Come with me for a sec, okay?"
My two friends look at me with worry as they see me off.
I'm dragged off to the deserted special classroom building.
Osada-san's followers, the top clique girls, surround me...
"...I'm sorry... I don't have any money..."
I tell Osada-san, trembling.
Osada "Huh? I'm not about to extort a classmate—that'd be a real incident."
Does that mean she does it elsewhere?
Scary! Am I going to get roughed up?
Osada "Mishima from Class 5? They're saying you? Had the nerve to? Confess to Kuzu-kun! And they're spreading it around, but is it true?"
!!
Osada-san doesn't get along with Mishima-san from the class next door...
Is she mad because the girls in our class messed up and she's being laughed at?
I'm going to get roughed up!
Out of sheer terror, I spill everything.
About confessing, being seen by Kousuke-kun from the basketball club, venting to him, being taken to the film club, and crying about wanting to change.
About how the film club suggested filming a documentary of my transformation.
About how I worked hard on my diet during summer break, with Kousuke-kun's help.
About how Mishima-san harassed and insulted me during summer break.
About wanting to prove myself to Kuzu-kun and Mishima-san.
I confessed everything without holding back.
Scary!
As I finish explaining, her followers look at me with pity.
Osada-san is deep in thought.
After a moment, she speaks.
Osada "Tomonaga, listen. We're getting totally mocked by that Mishima jerk over this. I'm seriously pissed."
Her intimidating glare makes me let out a weird sound!
"Eek!"
But then, Osada-san smiles and says,
Osada "If our classmate is being mocked, we can't just back down, right? I get it. Keep working on your diet and show everyone up!"
"Huh?"
A dumb sound escapes me.
Osada-san smiles gently and says,
Osada "Then you absolutely can't stand out. Until the film club's documentary is done, until your transformation is complete? During lunch breaks or free time, stay in some empty classroom or something, and when you're in class, keep your head down? Slouch? Be the plain, shy girl... just like before, got it?"
Anyway, don't stand out.
Not until you get your revenge somewhere, maybe at the cultural festival.
Osada "Well, whatever. You don't seem to realize it, but you've lost weight and look pretty hot. I guarantee it. Let's get revenge on Mishima too, alright? Starting today, you're part of our group. Nah, Yukaricchi."
Huh?
Osada "What? Got a problem with that?"
"No! Not at all."
Alright then, good.
Don't stand out.
With that, I was let go.
What was that? Scary. Yukaricchi?
Something unbelievable just happened...
I've been absorbed into the faction of Osada-san, the top caste girls' group in our class...
☆ ☆ ☆
Utilization Value side Osada
"Hey, are we really letting such a fat girl into our group?"
She's still a bit chubby, but calling her fat is too much, right?
The others around me look dissatisfied. Well, of course, they've got pride in being part of the top clique.
I explain to them.
That Tomonaga is useful.
Even midway through her diet, she's transformed into a completely different girl.
Losing a little weight doesn't help if a girl's hopeless, but Tomonaga is pretty cool now.
She worked so hard to prove herself.
She's timid, easily swayed, and simple to handle.
So what? The others urge me to continue.
Mishima is getting full of herself and it's seriously annoying.
Mishima's been messing with Tomonaga too, and Tomonaga wants to get back at her.
The film club has quite a bit of influence at this school, a notable club that's won awards multiple times and gets a lot of attention, and they're using Tomonaga in their project...
In other words, if she were a stock, she'd be a guaranteed winner!
Oh!?
I emphasize this point to everyone around me.
If she succeeds, Tomonaga will probably become a celebrity known not just in our year, but throughout the whole school.
If we do her a favor now and back her up, her value to us will skyrocket!
At the cultural festival, for instance...
Mishima will definitely enter the beauty contest! That girl is so full of herself.
If I entered... I'm not saying I'd lose, but... it'd be tough.
But what about Tomonaga?
If it's Tomonaga, even if she loses, it's no big deal.
We'll pit Tomonaga against Mishima, who'll likely compete in the beauty contest on the second day. Depending on the buzz from the documentary on the first day, she might even become Miss Hokusho!
I think to myself, I'll provoke Mishima and challenge her to a showdown at the cultural festival.
If our class's secret weapon from our group defeats that arrogant Mishima, it'll be absolutely, totally awesome!
Gaining the class's support, and if Yukaricchi wins, it'll benefit the class too—mutual advantages all around!
This is getting interesting!
I'm counting on you, okay? Yukaricchi?