Chapter 60: Miss Hokusho Yukari Tomonaga
And so, the uniform check for the second-years and third-years finishes.
It's only a year difference, but the higher the year, the more mature they seem. Like adult beauties.
Tanaka: "As expected, so many beauties gathered together."
Nagase: "Kousuke-kun, do you like girls who enter beauty contests like that?"
Nagase-san, who had been quietly watching, suddenly brings up the topic.
I think for a moment,
"It's not that I like girls who enter beauty contests, it's that the girl I like happened to enter one."
Nagase: "...I see. I don't really feel much of a difference though..."
Between contestants, you mean? With Nagase-san's beauty and popularity, she could easily compete in the pageant too.
...Even so, I'm sure Yukari-san is number one.
Even without the crowd's influence, Yukari-san is the most attractive.
After a few minutes of tallying, everyone lines up and the results are finally announced.
First, the overall winner Miss Hokusho is announced, then each year's winner from first to third year is given a title.
Honestly, the results were obvious.
Overwhelming beauty and a Cinderella story.
She had the crowd's full support—this year's cultural festival heroine!
Drumroll echoes,
Host: "The prestigious Miss Hokusho title goes to... the Cinderella girl who rose to the top in one summer! First-year, Class 6, Yukari Tomonaga!!!"
Uwaaaaaaahhh!!!
Yukari-chan! Yukari-chan! Yukari-chan!
You did it! Yukari-chan is the only one for the win!
You worked so hard! I was so moved!
Under the thunderous cheers, Yukari-san breaks down in tears.
She really did her best—she truly gave it her all.
It's been about three months since that day; it was tough, but so much fun.
Yukari-san's efforts finally took shape.
Next, Miss Second-Year and Miss Third-Year are announced.
Some are moved to tears, some are disappointed, some are stunned—everyone reacts in their own way.
...Satsuki... she just reacts like she doesn't care anymore and quietly leaves the scene.
The interviews continue in order with Miss Third-Year, then Miss Second-Year.
And then, at last, it's time for the interview with the winner, Miss Hokusho Yukari Tomonaga!
Host: "Tomonaga-san, congratulations on winning Miss Hokusho!"
Yukari-san, still crying,
Yukari: "...Th-thank you very much."
Yukari-chaaaan! You can do it!
Cheers fly up from the audience.
Host: "As the new Miss Hokusho, who do you want to tell about this result?"
Yukari: "...Everyone who helped me with this diet! My friends in 1-6, the film club who made the documentary that started my change, and... everyone who worked hard with me on the diet!"
I'm so glad for you, Yukari-san.
I'm about to cry too.
Host: "The documentary was well-received and made quite a splash, but you went through a lot in a short time—dieting, heartbreak, being mocked and all. Is that right?"
Yukari-san, looking embarrassed,
Yukari: "Yes, but now I think it was all necessary. There was a lot I didn't know, so much I realized."
Host: "But don't you think the person who dumped you, who is now Miss Hokusho, must be regretting it right about now?"
Yukari-san gives a faint smile,
Yukari: "That was a turning point too, it all started from there. There were things I realized, things I understood later. But it's all in the past now, so? I'm not bothered!"
The audience reacts loudly to Yukari-san's words!
The host, getting into it, pushes with an even trickier question.
Host: "So, now, is there anyone you want to call out to? Are they here in the venue? It could be someone you want to thank, or even someone you like?"
Ooooh!!
The excitement in the crowd just keeps climbing!
Yukari-san, blushing, fidgets nervously.
No way? No, it'll be okay, right?
Yukari: "I'd like to take this opportunity to tell... someone how I feel..."
Oooooooh?!
Yukari-chan! Who is it?!
Love confession?! Someone you like?!
It must be the person who played a key role in Yukari-chan's victory, right?!
Isn't it the person who supported Yukari-chan in working so hard together?!
That's what people are saying.
No way... I hate standing out too much...
Everyone is locked in on Yukari-san's words.
Me too, of course.
Tanaka-kun is grinning, glancing this way.
Nagase-san looks bored, but keeps glancing at me.
Blushing bright red, Yukari-san starts to speak into the mic.
Yukari: "...Because you were there, this summer began. At first, I misunderstood a little... but when we talked, it turned out it was all my mistake..."
Turning beet red and desperately speaking, Yukari-san is the kind of girl who draws everyone's attention.
No one can look away.
Yukari: "When I was in trouble, you put yourself on the line to protect me. ...If you hadn't been there... I..."
Her tearful face transforms instantly into that of a girl in love!
Sighs escape throughout the venue,
Who? Who could it be?
I'm jealous. But I'm sure he's a wonderful prince, right?!
Gulp,
Everyone is waiting for what Yukari-san will say next.
Turning bright red, squeezing her eyes shut, Yukari-san finally says the decisive words.
Yukari: "Thank you, I was only able to do my best because of you. I'll say it again: I like you..."
Is she staring at a single spot? It's not me...
The venue falls completely silent.
?: "I like you too, Yukari-chan!"
Yukari-san's face lights up, and she yells out,
Yukari: "Kuzu-kun! Really? Will you be my boyfriend?"
Kuzu: "Yeah, I've been watching your efforts this whole time. You did great, Yukari-chan!"
Yukari-san with the guy who dumped her, Kuzu-kun?
...I'm not sure what's happening anymore.
The host hurriedly calls Kuzu-kun up on stage.
Kuzu-kun speaks on the stage.
He confesses that during summer break, Yukari-san confessed to him, and though he actually liked her, he purposely turned her down.
Yukari-san misunderstood, thinking she'd been harshly rejected because his true feelings didn't get across.
He was moved and cheered her on as she worked hard to change herself, relying on the help and support of many people.
And, as he was waiting for a chance to clear up the misunderstanding, he fell for Yukari-san's hard work all over again.
Finally, he had the chance to clear things up, and right before the festival, Kuzu-kun supported Yukari-san leading up to the big day.
The host declares!
And today, the two of them took a new step in their relationship.
The two of them gaze at each other on stage and share a passionate hug.
Host: "The Cinderella girl who made the boy who dumped her in the summer fall for her through effort and effort and effort! With her charm and guts, she finally won back the prince who once rejected her! The Cinderella legend is complete! Was she barefoot in that white dress just so she could wear the glass slipper?!"
Yukari-chan! I'm so happy for you!
Prince Kuzu-kun was supporting her diet all along!
Three months ago, the chubby introvert is now the Miss Hokusho who won back the guy who dumped her...
What is this, some kind of Narou light novel?
I just witnessed a legend!
The venue erupts in thunderous applause.
It's like I've landed on another planet—none of the information coming in makes any sense to me.
Tanaka-kun pulls me along, while Nagase-san supports me from the opposite side, and we leave the event venue.
Me? M-m-me? Did I misunderstand something?
Tanaka-kun is crying, and Nagase-san is crying too.
Don't cry, you two, okay? I'm the one who wants to cry here.
When I touched my cheek, I realized tears were streaming down in torrents.
Seriously, I really have no idea what anyone's saying.
The only thing I understood was that the girl I kissed a week ago is now someone else's girlfriend.