Chapter 52: Secret Attention [side Yukari Tomonaga]
Fufufu! I kissed Kousuke-kun!
My first kiss!
Just the other day, up until late July, I was a chubby introvert... Well, honestly, I'm still an introvert.
Living in the corner of the class, but I was fine with that.
I confessed to Kuzu-kun, who I admired, got rejected, and after venting to Kousuke-kun, I changed.
I was made to run like a literal workhorse, boot camp, self-restraint. It was days of hell.
But I achieved my goal.
Now I just have to maintain this and make it to the beauty contest, and tell Kousuke-kun at the end of the school festival!
...But maintaining it is so hard...
Other than the crepe the other day, I haven't slipped up at all...
It seems this is my limit, and even though I'm only eating lose weight, low-sugar, high-protein meals, my weight is 52kg.
I'm drinking plenty of water, that must be it.
But drinking water to boost metabolism is basic, so I can't cut water until right before.
I knew it, just as expected.
There's less than a week left, just a little more! But it's tough, painful.
I want to see Kousuke-kun... Even though I declared I wouldn't see him for a week, I already want to see him, want him to listen to my grumbling, want to be spoiled.
Now is the time to hold back! But all I'm doing is bottling up stress!
So, the school festival is already this weekend, and there are quite a lot of people peeking into our class.
Because of my diet, I feel sluggish, and since Osada-san told me not to stand out, I'm often passed out on my desk, but I still notice the stares.
I decided to ask Osada-san,
"Hey, Osada-san. Lately, there are a ton of people peeking into our classroom, right?"
Osada-san nodded,
Osada: "Well, it's right before the school festival, so they're probably curious what we're doing? Ours stands out especially with the maid café."
Oh, that's what it is. I was convinced.
"I see. That makes sense."
As I nodded along, she dropped a bomb on me,
Osada: "Also, they're coming to see Yukaricchi, you know? That."
"Ehhh?!"
Osada-san gave me a look like, 'You seriously didn't realize that?'
Osada: "Everyone wants a peek at the mysterious beautiful girl (lol) rumored to be in the beauty contest! You feel all those gazes, right?"
That's true! The stares do get to me. But I figured it was because I look shady in that messy black wig.
But, why?
Osada: "Well, the other day, when we filmed the PV and showed it to the whole class, the boys saw it, right?"
I was surprised,
"But, but didn't you make everyone swear to secrecy, Osada-san?"
Osada: "The ones you tell to keep quiet are the ones who talk. In fact, it makes them want to talk even more."
Huh? Then why?
Osada-san made a 'what can you do' face,
Osada: "Listen, Yukaricchi is really cute right now! That's also a secret! You want to tell someone! But see, it's about to be revealed anyway."
"If it's going to be revealed, shouldn't they just keep quiet until then, or wouldn't it spread even more?"
Osada: "Once it's out, that info's worthless, right? But if it leaks early, people hunt for the source... Still, you want to spill a secret you know! That's why it always happens at this timing."
"Is that really how it works?"
Osada: "That's how it is. You know? You let a few people in on a secret—Anyway, once the entries are announced, it means nothing. But right now, saying 'Class 6's secret weapon is entering the beauty contest' makes for great gossip. I did warn them, so it won't explode, but anyone who hears is dying of curiosity, right? What kind of girl is she?"
"Then why keep it secret? If it'll get out anyway."
Osada-san gave me a bit of a smug face,
Osada: "If you kept it totally secret, the reveal would be shocking, but no one would know. So by leaking it just enough, you hype up the interest in advance. You can't win a beauty contest on looks alone, right?"
I was shocked—she thought this far ahead?!
Brr brr, Osada-san really is scary.
☆ ☆ ☆
Osada: "But, you know, keeping it secret was for your sake too, Yukaricchi."
She probably couldn't be heard, but Osada-san muttered towards Yukari's back.
Brr brr! My phone's ringing.
Watching the back of Yukari leave, Osada answered her phone,
"Yeah, yeah... Uh-huh. As planned. Yeah, you're scary. Ahaha, don't worry, I'll keep my promise, I'll introduce her. But don't do anything mean, okay? Well, it's up to her, she's the type to just go with the flow."
After hanging up, Osada made an exasperated face and headed to the vending machine to buy a strawberry au lait.
Osada: "I definitely can't drink sweet drinks in front of Yukaricchi."