Chapter 85: Suspension Ends Today [side Yukari Tomonaga]
Finally, my suspension is over. Three days before it ended, I went to greet my homeroom teacher to show my remorse.
I also submitted my reflection essay to the teacher. So, I'm back, right?
Teacher "Reflection essay... you need to show a bit more remorse, Tomonaga."
I got a retake on it. I thought I had submitted something pretty humble and exaggerated in terms of reflection.
When I resubmitted it?
(Will they say, "You're reflecting this much?!" or "You don't need to write this much"?)
While I was thinking that,
Teacher "Well, this is about right. I'd like you to write a bit more self-critically, but... I guess it's fine."
They said it in a way that felt like they were just letting it slide!
I wrote so much and reflected so hard! I thought I overdid the remorse appeal a bit, but still?
It seems the world's perception is quite different from mine.
Well, from now on, I'll live properly, with moderation.
Kuzu-kun said he's been busy or something, but once I'm back at school, I'll see him every day, right?
Even so, sneaking back to school once has made my anxiety grow bigger...
Suspension... when I go back to school, won't everyone pity me and be nice to me?
...Or will they avoid me like before the suspension, treating me like a sore spot, or just ignore me?
Since getting together with Kuzu-kun, the moment I won Miss Hokusho was my peak, and from there, I've felt things gradually going wrong.
Even Kuzu-kun, who saved me so many times like a prince, can't do much against this harsh reality.
I might have been a bit carried away...
I was thinking about all this while eating Kemutucky chicken I bought on my way back from school.
The 28th is Chicken Day, and they sell discounted sets!
※I was munching away while reflecting lol
Of course, on November 30th, the last day of suspension, I refrained from snacks and overeating to get my body in shape for my return!
※Except for this one day, I more or less took actions that increased my weight lol
And so, on December 1st, my suspension ends, and I'm allowed to return to school.
I head to school, feeling nervous.
The gate, the entrance, the shoe lockers, changing into my shoes.
There's a quiet kid from my class... I talked to them a bit before my diet...
"H-Hey... good morning..."
"......Morning."
The reaction wasn't great, but well, they're not really a social person, so?
I head to the classroom.
Even if I'm not part of the top clique anymore, I'm a well-known figure because of the beauty contest and the film club's documentary. If I talk to people, there should be plenty who'll at least respond...
That quiet kid from earlier had a kinder reaction.
Am I being ignored, treated like I don't exist?
Without talking to anyone, morning homeroom starts, the teacher doesn't mention anything, and first period begins.
(I'd be troubled if they did something like, "Tomonaga-san is back from suspension! Woo!" but... there's no consideration at all!)
But, well, that was their way of being considerate.
Walking down the hallway,
"Ah! That's the first-year Miss who got suspended for improper relationships? More like Miss Failure!"
"I was a fan when I saw that documentary, and I was really moved when she confessed at the beauty contest award ceremony, but she was already going to a love hotel by then, right? I feel cheated!"
"Wasn't the guy who actually helped with her diet someone else? They say Kuzu-kun didn't help at all but took the credit. In the documentary, the diet helper was a different guy's name!"
I'm being gossiped about.
Somehow, the fact that I went to a love hotel the day before the beauty contest got out.
On top of that, rumors are spreading that my confession to Kuzu-kun was a lie and we already had a physical relationship, or that I stole Kousuke-kun's achievement... all of it's out there... why? It's true, but it's awful!
Lunch break begins!
They say rumors about people last 49 days, right?
Kuzu "Rumors about people last 75 days, you know."
Kuzu-kun says it with a fed-up tone.
He seems kind of worn out... was the suspension that tough on him?
But... the legend of Cinderella, who got together with her dream prince, is real.
Let's do our best together, okay, Kuzu-kun?
However, at that moment, Kuzu-kun says something concerning...
Kuzu "Hey... Yukari-san? Is it just me, or have you gained a little weight?"
Ugh, how tactless.
Sure, at the beginning of last month during the beauty contest main event, I had perfectly achieved my beauty weight of 50kg, and that was my peak... I mean, pig... no, peak.
...It's probably because I've been watching Pig Motor scandals every day...!
Of course, that was my limit weight when I was at my best, and even maintaining it was the absolute most I could do.
I might have gained a little since then, but...?
This doesn't count as gaining weight, right?
I just went back to normal.
Kuzu "...No, you've definitely gained weight, right?"
"A little, maybe? Compared to when I was at my best, sure..."
He was being so persistent, so I said that.
But then he suggested I measure myself at the nurse's office, and I went there, feeling a bit annoyed.
(If my peak was 50kg, then I've gone back to 52? And since I was indoors the whole time during suspension, eating treats as a reward for myself, maybe my average is around 53? Or 54 or 55?)
Come to think of it, I haven't weighed myself since right before the beauty contest.
Thinking about it, I got scared to measure myself at the nurse's office, so I postponed it.
Home! I'll measure myself when I get home!
School feels way too hostile right now; I can't deal with this!
Ah!
I ran into Mishima Satsuki in front of the gymnasium.
Mishima Satsuki came up to me, grinning...
☆ ☆ ☆
1-6 Classroom.
My classmates are gossiping.
"I thought we should be nice since it's her first day back from suspension, but... hasn't Tomonaga-san gained weight?"
"I can't say it... it's too noticeable, I can't even react!"
"What happened during her suspension? She's changed so much, it's hard to say anything."
"What should we do... Osada-san... what about Tomonaga-san?"
Osada "What can we do about it?"
My classmates couldn't react because the changes in Yukari Tomonaga after her suspension were just too drastic.