Chapter 45: Measuring [side Yukari Tomonaga]
I never imagined that I'd end up betting so much on the outcome of a beauty contest in my life...
When I complained that my escape route had been cut off... Kousuke-kun said,
Kousuke: "It's like fighting with your back to the river..."
He let out a thoughtful hum.
That means fighting a decisive battle with no way to retreat, right?
Well, I only told Kousuke-kun that I'd gotten drawn into the top clique girls, been entered into the beauty contest, and that based on the results my position in class might change...
At first, when I agreed to the documentary filming, there was talk about entering the beauty contest to build confidence! But honestly, I never planned to go that far.
I thought I'd made it clear that my confession preview had nothing to do with the contest and that I wanted him to listen on day two...
But, whatever!
I'm going to give the beauty contest my all! Be brave! No turning back now!
I can't even retreat anymore.
Without realizing, I made my best friends run errands for me, and now I don't even have a place in my old corner.
After standing out this much in class, if I get targeted by the second-tier and below (sorry) and get kicked out of the top clique, who knows what'll happen... shivering.
The only people I can rely on now are Osada-san and the top clique girls' group.
All I can do is finish my diet, complete the documentary, get results in the beauty contest, contribute to the class's maid café, and confess to Kousuke-kun!
I have to believe in this one path and charge straight ahead!
I end up relying on Kousuke-kun again, crying, laughing, getting angry, getting lost—just a mess.
But, no matter what I say, Kousuke-kun always gently talks me down.
Pain pain pain happiness. The kanji look similar, but I want a little more happiness frequency too!
And finally, the documentary's last filming is this weekend.
Whether I cry or laugh!
Just 2kg left! Hang in there, me!
Every day, I run to my limit, drink water! Bare minimum meals!
I don't care about the means anymore.
It's not like I even have the right to choose!
Staff: "Is this your first time donating blood?"
"Yes! Please take care of me!"
The next day.
Still not enough...
Of course, I sprint at full speed!
Snip, snip, I cut my nails. I want to cut my hair too...
*Warning: Slightly sexual content ahead! Please be advised!*
The next day,
"This is the only place left..."
Shave, shave...
It feels so breezy. I've shaved off... that hair...
The next day.
Osada: "Yukaricchi? What have you been eating for a while now?"
"Huh?"
Osada: "Huh?"
"Eek! I was... I was sucking on shiitake mushrooms, dried shiitake... To get some saliva... even just a little..."
Osada-san and the others were creeped out.
Day of measurement.
Today I get measured, and with tomorrow's documentary shoot, it's a wrap!
The number on today's scale will be filmed and become part of the documentary footage.
The film club leaders will edit it and present it as the film club's cultural festival activity report, a documentary [recorded film] based on the truth.
The location is the film clubroom.
The place where we did endless boot camps.
Three months ago, I started here, wishing I could change.
When I look in the mirror, I see someone who looks like a completely different person.
To accept myself, I have to pass through this ritual.
The clubroom has been tidied up for filming and feels about three times bigger than usual.
Everyone is holding their breath and watching.
Especially Kousuke-kun and Tanaka-kun. They're super nervous.
Haha, you two aren't the ones getting measured, are you?
The goal is just 50kg, and even if I don't hit it, it's fine! It's obvious I've lost a ton just by looking! Everyone will support me.
But you know? I still want to hit my goal.
I've come this far, so I want to see 50kg, or at least 50.4kg if I round up!
I'm barefoot, wearing just underwear, a gym shirt with short sleeves, and gym shorts.
Just now I considered a sneaky trick—getting measured without a bra or panties.
But I'm glad I didn't... To go braless and pantyless in front of this many people is just too terrifying...!
It's embarrassing, but... my nipples have been standing up from all the excitement and nerves...
If I'd been braless, it would have been a disaster! Way too scary...!
The scale shows minus 700g.
That's subtracting for my clothes.
The clubroom is completely silent, the tension is high.
Tanaka-kun looks at me and nods, I nod back,
Kousuke-kun looks worried...
I brace myself, and gently, gently step onto the scale...
Stepping on gently doesn't make me any lighter.
Still, the needle wobbles wildly! It's an analog type!
Hey, that's rude! I'm not that heavy anymore!
I watch, praying, as the needle settles.
Kousuke-kun... making a prayer pose like that...
The desperation on his face is adorable.
Right, we worked so hard together, didn't we?
My whole summer break flashes before my eyes.
I confessed, got rejected, cried on Kousuke-kun's shoulder, wished to change in the film club, got mocked by Mishima-san, got support from Airi-senpai,
I ran and ran and ran! Like a workhorse!
I spent my days in the film club doing boot camps and Joyman exercises!
Every day I gulped down protein meal sets, I'm so done with chicken breast...
The "omekake" from my boyfriend is so tasty...
Protein milk is tasty too.
Ugh, I don't even want to remember all those sweaty days.
Laugh or cry, this is the result!
The needle slowly starts to settle.
There was a digital scale in the nurse's office, but the film club definitely picked analog to make it more dramatic.
There's nothing left for me to do—I've done my best!
The scale's needle is...
Kousuke: "49.9kg!!!"
The first time I've ever heard Kousuke-kun shout that loud!!!
I'm overwhelmed with emotion!
"Kousuke-kun!"
I can't help but throw myself into Kousuke-kun's arms!!
But then everyone in the film club hugs both me and Kousuke-kun, we get smushed together!!
☆ ☆ ☆
Two minutes later.
Yukari, blushing bright red and clutching her chest.
Kousuke: "...Among us, someone took advantage of the chaos and grabbed Yukari-san's sideboob..."
Club member: "...Kousuke-kun is scary..."
Tanaka: "... (I can't say it...)"
They couldn't identify the culprit, so everyone was released, but Tanaka-kun was haunted by the memory of Kousuke's intense eyes.
☆ ☆ ☆