Chapter 58: Beauty Contest Main Event First Half
Culture festival, day two.
I've been on shift since morning, but I made sure to keep the time for the beauty contest main event at 12:00 free.
The courtyard, the venue for the beauty contest, is enveloped in excitement.
I'm watching the beauty contest with my best friend Tanaka-kun and, for some reason, Nagase-san.
Tanaka "Ah, you're Nagase-san, right? I'm Tanaka, a friend of Kousuke-kun!"
Nagase-san looks exasperated at the nervous Tanaka-kun.
Nagase "...Ahh. You were filming Tomonaga-san a lot..."
Tanaka "Ah, yes, sorry about that."
Although the three of us in the basketball club practice in the same gymnasium as the girls' basketball club, Tomonaga-san was also in the basketball club during summer, and Nagase-san must have seen her running like crazy with Airi-senpai for their diet. She knew about Tomonaga-san too.
Nagase-san and Tanaka-kun aren't talking... well, I guess that's inevitable.
Normally, Tanaka-kun isn't that sociable. He talks a lot when it's about shared hobbies, but on the other hand, Nagase-san is popular with both guys and girls... their types are so different that they're incompatible, or rather, it looks hard for them to talk.
I'm not much of a talker myself, but I'm standing between them...
Ah! It's just started!
A girl from the broadcasting committee is hosting again, just like yesterday.
Today is in two parts, starting with the date outfit check.
This is a check of the clothes you'd wear on a date.
Even though it's called a date, there are all kinds of scenarios, and since there are no clothing restrictions, apparently in the past there were everything from swimsuits to wedding dresses.
You don't need to worry about the term "date outfit"; just wear whatever you like.
Finally, the main event starts!
Just like yesterday, it begins with the first-year students.
The first one is elegant, the second has a girly vibe?
The third is Satsuki...
Satsuki appeared in a short evening dress with an open back.
It's wine-colored, with a large ribbon on the back, a cinched waist, and it looks like it enhances the bust...
Honestly, she looks prettier today than yesterday...
But Yukari-san is prettier, right? That's what I think, but I'm getting anxious.
Satsuki walks confidently down the runway, like a fashion show catwalk, in matching heels, and though it pains me to admit it, she looked beautiful.
Expressionless, just like a fashion model.
Stylish and cool beauty like a model, she has every reason to be proud of herself... maybe.
She's so beautiful!
A first-year? She looks so mature.
Satsuki! Looking great!
Cheers erupt; she has that much presence.
Is this okay?
Waaaaah!!!
Yukari-chan!
Yukari-chan, do your best!
You're beautiful!
You've done your best! I'm moved!
My worries were unfounded.
As Yukari-san steps out from the corner, the cheers are even louder than yesterday!
Yukari-san is wearing a white dress, just like in the PV. That's it.
She walks down the runway barefoot, with a confident smile.
Every move she makes draws shouts.
Yesterday's maid outfit was cute too!
You worked hard at the maid café too!
That dress is adorable!
Yukari-chaaan!
The venue is in a Yukari fever!
The excitement is incredible!
Could she win Miss First-Year with this?
Maybe even Miss Hokusho...!
The walking continues with the second and third-year students.
The second and third-year seniors were also incredibly beautiful.
The segment where contestants answer the host's questions has started.
Trivial questions.
The contestants answer them.
Everyone gives safe, unremarkable answers.
Well, of course. If you try to be too quirky, it might backfire, right?
Still, Yukari-san's popularity is on another level.
Every time Yukari-san answers,
Yukari-san!
I saw the documentary! I'm rooting for you!
You've done your best!
Keep going until you're Miss Hokusho!
The support... no, the frenzy is engulfing the venue...
This is...
Even Tanaka-kun next to me is a bit taken aback.
The documentary we made turned Yukari Tomonaga, a heroine who should be competing on equal terms in a beauty contest, into something like an idol group where fanatical voting decides the center, creating an abnormal atmosphere where popularity is justice.
This abnormal popularity was created by Yukari-san herself and the three of us from the film club.
If I had to say, it's me and Tanaka-kun.
I feel a bad aftertaste for turning this beauty competition into an event dominated by popularity through sheer force...
We've created an incredible star.
The school is in a frenzy over every move Yukari-san makes.
And now, the final judging, the uniform check.
They say this part always shows the biggest differences.
Since it's the same uniform, the raw differences in material stand out.
There's no hiding it.
Everyone's in Hokusho's uniform.
Navy blazer, gray checkered skirt, white blouse, and red tie.
In the end, everyone thinks the girl who looks best in the uniform is the cutest.
An incident happens during the turn of the first, second, and third, Satsuki's turn.
Satsuki, also in Hokusho's uniform, walks beautifully down the runway, and when she turns at the center, it happens.
Beautiful, so slender!
On par with Yukari-chan?
This girl is incredibly pretty too!
Huh? This girl...?
Wasn't she in the documentary?
Ah! Isn't she the girl who mocked Yukari-chan?!
Eeeh?!
The venue is enveloped in an uneasy atmosphere.
The tumultuous second half of the beauty contest begins.