Chapter 66: Miss Hokusho [side Yukari Tomonaga]
Culture festival, day two. 12:00, the main event starts!
Until just before 12:00, Osada-san was working me to the bone...!
I wonder if Osada-san is underestimating me?
...I'm too scared to say it, though.
It starts with the first-year division.
Honestly, I didn't think the first two would be any competition.
I'm a little curious about Mishima Satsuki, but isn't she that failing-grades girl?
She's wearing a short, backless, wine-colored evening dress, right?
She probably thinks she's strutting down the runway like it's a fashion show, but is she really?
The momentum is on my side now! The documentary had way more impact than I expected!
Even after I got back to Class 6 yesterday, I got bossed around, but everyone kept talking to me!
It was a pain, but when I humbly followed Osada-san's instructions, everyone was happy and cheered me on...
Waaaaaaah!!!
Yukari-chan!
You can do it, Yukari-chan!
You look beautiful!
You really did your best! I'm moved!
The cheers are amazing! Isn't this already a guaranteed win?
Just like in the PV, I'm wearing a plain white dress. That's it.
I walk barefoot down the runway with a bright smile.
Since I'm channeling Cinderella putting on her glass slipper, barefoot is perfect!
Your maid outfit yesterday was cute too!
You worked hard at the maid café as well!
That dress is super cute!
Yuka—ri—chan!
The whole venue is hyped up, and everyone's obsessed with me! It's because I did my best!
With this, I can definitely win Miss First-Year!
Maybe even Miss Hokusho!
I smirk to myself as I get ready for the final uniform check.
I can't really tell about the second and third-years' uniforms, so whatever.
With how popular I am now, I think I can win!
Even the failing-grades girl keeps staring at me... Is she feeling the pressure too?
It's kind of scary,
"...What are you looking at? Don't try anything shady, okay?"
I warned her.
I really think girls who betray others like this are shameless.
*While writing this, I thought they were sisters, lol*
Even during the Q&A session, just answering normally gets me showered with cheers.
Mishima-san next to me is twitching, it's so funny, lol
But I keep reminding myself to be modest and earnest, just like Osada-san said.
...I don't like it, but Osada-san's advice has never been wrong.
I really do trust her there.
And now the uniform check begins.
First, second, and then Mishima Satsuki's turn—something abnormal happened.
Mishima Satsuki is also in the Hokusho uniform, walking gracefully down the runway. When she turns in the center, it happens.
She's beautiful, and super slim!
Is she on par with Yukari-chan?
This girl is gorgeous too!
Huh? This girl...?
Wasn't she in the documentary?
Oh! Isn't she the one who made fun of Yukari-chan?!
Ehhhhh?!
The air in the venue turns tense.
murmur... murmur!
The audience is buzzing...!
Yes! It worked!
Hehe! Yesterday, right?
"Actually... the girl who trashed me in the documentary is Mishima-san, who's in the beauty contest... but that's a secret, okay?"
I told that to the pair of fans who came to my class yesterday!
And I wasn't actually lying, right?
Did that rumor spread? Now everyone's whispering, "Isn't she the girl who insulted her in the documentary?!"
All the malice is directed at Mishima Satsuki, and she freezes on the runway!
Looks like Mishima's appeal will get cut short!
Haha! That's what you get for mocking me! You're so nasty, this is what happens!
*Honestly, both sides are bad.*
I'd like to watch a little longer, but the worst thing would be if the contest got canceled, right?
Now, the moment everyone's been waiting for—me!
Doesn't the white dress look great on me? Thanks for waiting, everyone!
As soon as I appear, all the attention shifts away from Mishima and I'm relieved, but then she's left staring blankly, lol
Looks are the only thing you've got, huh? Sorry about that.
*Look who's talking.*
Seriously, I can't have this get canceled!
"Everyone! It's okay! She's not like that! Please don't be so angry!"
Huh? She's not?
Yukari-san is so kind...!
Are you sure? You're not covering for her?
So she's not? I see...
Doesn't this mean Mishima Satsuki owes me now?
The first-year division is over.
Well then, should I finish off this nasty girl?
I call out to her in a snide tone.
"Huh? Why do you look like it's all over?"
For a moment, she looked conflicted, but she still didn't thank me. What a pain!
*She totally forgot she started this in the first place.*
"If I win Miss First-Year, you have to apologize. For all those awful things you said to me that day during summer break."
I'm confident I'll win, so I'm bold about it!
But Mishima-san just plays dumb.
Mishima: "Huh? Insulted?"
"That day, Tanaka-kun who was there recorded the scene, and they broadcast it in the documentary with your face blurred out. That's why everyone's so hostile toward you."
I've got proof!
...I was provoking her too, though.
Mishima: "Huh? They used my footage without permission! I'm the one who deserves an apology!"
I glare at her coldly, tormenting her as I say,
"Fine, then I'll just tell everyone you're actually the girl who spewed abusive words. I only covered for you because I didn't want the contest canceled, but that's the truth."
She must've been really scared, because Mishima Satsuki looks like she's about to cry,
Mishima: "Okay. I'll apologize first. I'm sorry. Is that enough?"
Huh?
"Of course that's not enough! Saying 'sorry for saying such awful things' doesn't cut it! Fine, whatever. Once it's over, I'll tell everyone the truth."
After a little intimidation, Mishima-san bowed her head deeply,
"I'll apologize first... Yukari Tomonaga... I'm sorry for mocking you about getting dumped and laughing at you for being fat during summer break... Is this good enough?"
Fuh! I desperately try to keep a straight face as I almost burst out laughing,
"Once the beauty contest is over, don't get involved with me ever again, okay?"
I managed to get her to apologize for the cowardly attack during the contest, and for all those horrible insults during that humiliating summer break!
Fufu! You're so over the top it's ridiculous!
*You're pretty bad yourself, you know.*
And now, finally, it's time for the results announcement!
With overwhelming beauty, a true Cinderella story.
The heroine of this school festival, winning over the entire crowd!
The drum roll echoes,
MC: "And now! The one who will shine as Miss Hokusho! The Cinderella girl who soared in just one summer! First year, Class 6, Yukari Tomonaga!!!"
Uwaaaaaaahhh!!!
Yukari-chan! Yukari-chan! Yukari-chan!
You did it! There's no one better than Yukari-chan!
You worked so hard! I'm so moved!
Tears flowed.
I want to praise myself for all the effort I put in this summer...!
It was one struggle after another!
I never want to go through that again! Gotta watch out for rebound!
Next, Miss Second-Year and Miss Third-Year are announced.
Mishima Satsuki leaves the stage, totally defeated!
Let this be a lesson! You should think about other people's feelings!
*No more, I'm done.*
And now, it's finally time for the interview with the winner—Miss Hokusho, me!
MC: "Tomonaga-san, congratulations on becoming Miss Hokusho!"
I answer through tears.
In my head, I'm reviewing the plan I worked out with Kuzu-kun to make sure everyone hears about our beautiful, pure love story.
"...Thank you very much."
I bit my tongue.
Yukari-chaaaan! You can do it!
Cheers fly in from the audience.
MC: "Miss Hokusho, who do you want to share these results with?"
"...Everyone who helped me with this diet! My friends in 1-6, the film club who made the documentary that inspired my change, and... everyone who worked hard on the diet together with me!"
Speaking of which, what should I do about Kousuke-kun?
MC: "The documentary was a big hit and made waves, but you went through a lot, right? Like dieting in such a short time, heartbreak, and being mocked and all that?"
"Yes, but now I think it was all necessary. There were so many things I didn't know and things I realized."
MC: "But don't you think the guy who dumped Miss Hokusho, Tomonaga-san, must be regretting it now?"
That's not a problem!
I'll make sure everything fits together perfectly!
"That was a turning point too, that's where it all began. I learned so much from that, things I realized later. But it's all in the past now, so? I'm not bothered!"
I really don't care about it anymore, you know?
I tend to stop caring about things once they're over.
MC: "So, right now, who would you like to speak to? Are they here in the venue? It could be someone you want to thank, or even someone you like!"
Ooh!!
The crowd is reacting loudly, huh?
But confessing in front of everyone... That's, well, kind of embarrassing...?
Wait, did Kousuke-kun just realize he might be about to get confessed to?
...Did I give him the wrong idea? I might have done something a bit mean, but he'll forgive me, right?
Okay, Kuzu-kun! Here we go!
"I want to take this chance to tell someone how I feel..."
Oooooohhh?!
Yukari-chan! Who is it?!
Love confession?! Someone you like?!
I bet it's the person who helped Yukari-chan win, right?!
Isn't it the one who supported Yukari-chan through it all?!
Alright! To wrap up this legend perfectly, time to speak into the mic!
"...Because you were there, this summer began. At first there was some misunderstanding... but after we talked, I realized it was all just my mistake..."
I confessed to Kuzu-kun, but there was a misunderstanding and we got our wires crossed.
"When I was in trouble, you put yourself on the line to protect me... If you hadn't been there... I would have..."
You covered for me when I was being harassed and protected me from that attacker.
It really is embarrassing!
Blushing bright red, I squeeze my eyes shut and address Kuzu-kun,
"Thank you. I was able to do my best because of you. I'll say it one more time: I like you..."
I don't mean any harm, but I wonder how this sounds to Kousuke-kun?
I hope I can explain it well so people accept—maybe even root for—me and Kuzu-kun.
I confessed to Kuzu-kun again!
Kuzu: "I like you too, Yukari-chan!"
"Kuzu-kun! Really? Will you be my boyfriend?"
Kuzu: "Yeah, I've been watching all your hard work. You did great, Yukari-chan!"
I wonder how my banter with Kuzu-kun looked to everyone?
With this, I've made it clear that Kuzu-kun was the one who helped me diet!
It's only natural for me to go out with Kuzu-kun!
Some people already know I was supposed to date Kousuke-kun after the festival... but this rewrites it!
It wouldn't be right for Miss Hokusho—that is, me—to look like I switched partners in such a short time!
Kousuke-kun will definitely understand!
The MC quickly calls Kuzu-kun up to the stage.
Kuzu-kun speaks on stage.
How he was actually in love with Yukari-san when she confessed during summer break, but purposely turned her down.
That Yukari-san misunderstood and thought she'd been dumped really hard because the nuance didn't come across.
That he was deeply moved by watching Yukari-san work hard to change herself with the help and support of all sorts of people.
And that, while waiting for a chance to clear up the misunderstanding, he fell for her all over again as he watched her efforts.
Then, when the opportunity to clear things up finally came, Kuzu-kun supported Yukari-san right up until the cultural festival.
The MC makes the declaration!
And today, the two of us have taken the next step in our relationship.
Kuzu-kun and I gaze at each other and, laughing, share a big hug on stage.
The MC says something wonderful,
MC: "The Cinderella girl who won back the guy who dumped her in summer, with sheer effort and determination! With her charm and guts, she turned the prince who dumped her into her own! The Cinderella legend is complete! Was she barefoot in that white dress because she was waiting for her glass slipper?!"
Yukari-chan! I'm so happy for you!
Prince Kuzu-kun was supporting her diet all along!
Three months ago, she was an overweight, quiet girl, and now she's Miss Hokusho who got the guy who dumped her...
Is this some kind of web novel?
I just witnessed a legend!
The venue erupts in thunderous applause.
Right by my ear,
"It worked out, didn't it?"
Kuzu: "A boyfriend of Miss Hokusho needs to have some achievement, right?"
"Yeah, that's true. That way, everyone will accept it, right? Kousuke-kun likes me, so I'm sure he'll understand, don't you think?"
Kuzu: "...You think so? Well, you'll talk to him after this, right? Let's go out."
"Yeah, it's been a week since I last saw Kousuke-kun. I wonder if he'll be surprised. But I bet if he likes me, he'll cheer me on."
I didn't doubt it.
I didn't do anything wrong, did I?
I even took care of the ex-girlfriend who betrayed me, right?
Not being able to keep my promise was a minor thing, and I thought maybe he still liked me and couldn't give up, so I headed to the meeting place at 17:00, feeling just a little bit sorry for giving him hope.