Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093075629868223/episodes/16818792438339977568
(From Kurusu’s perspective)
“Honestly, I thought this last year too… our school festival sure draws a crowd.”
Even though we’re just in front of the school gate, you can see a huge number of people.
Because of the constant flow of people, it’s hard to tell who’s a student and who’s a visitor, even though uniforms are supposed to make it obvious.
(Well, at least it means I don’t stand out…)
I look down at my own clothes.
It wasn’t the uniform I always wore when coming here.
Casual jeans, a casual shirt. A deeply pulled-down cap, oversized sunglasses.
(…This is fine, right?)
It would be weird for me to participate as a student.
I ended up taking a week off, but it looks like three days will be eaten up doing assignments to make up for the missed classes.
Besides, it’s way too late for me to show up as a student now. What face would I even make? That’s how it’d end up.
And besides—
(Shiori san, I’m sorry)
Just a little longer.
I don’t have the courage to face Irie yet.
So today, I’ll attend the cultural festival as an ordinary person.
(More like, why did Irie even ask me to come to the festival?)
We could meet outside of school if it’s just to see each other.
Maybe he wanted me to join his class’s performance?
(I still haven’t sorted out my feelings about meeting him…)
But coming all this way and not going to see him isn’t right either.
Shiori-san went out of her way to bring me here and give me that push, so I’ll make up my mind while I walk.
(It’ll be fine. I manage just fine on drama shoots. Worst case, if I can’t act normally, I’ll just pretend to act normally.)
Thinking that, I slowly entered the school grounds.
I’d been delayed deciding whether to wear my uniform… but since it was past noon, the school was even livelier than it felt outside.
Plus, normally just walking around would cause a bit of a stir, but today, for some reason, that wasn’t happening. I was a little surprised.
(Is it because I’m disguised?)
With this much commotion, maybe they just haven’t noticed.
But even people passing by completely ignored me… Not that I’m conceited, but I always felt eyes on me whenever I came to school, so this felt a bit refreshing.
(…Where should I go first?)
To Shiori san’s place? Or to see that cute underclassman who joined recently?
Or maybe—
(…Oh no.)
Just thinking about where to go makes my heart pound too loudly.
It’s just going to see him. Maybe just seeing him from afar would be enough.
(Seriously, I… like Irie way too much, don’t I?)
The prince who saved me long ago, my first love.
Even though I’d always thought about him, he was a boy who could easily have remained just an idol.
But that’s not how it turned out.
He remained the same kind-hearted person, reaching out to anyone in need.
Whether it was his childhood friend, a girl he’d never met before, or an older girl—it didn’t matter.
The person I like has helped others besides me.
I briefly wondered if he’d change as he grew up, but I heard he risked his life to save Yuzuki.
He’s good at housework, good at studying, good at sports, he sees me for who I am, and that warmth… he has this kindness that can’t leave someone in trouble alone—
(It’s impossible not to fall for someone like this…)
But more than that… I’m scared of not being seen by the one who feels this way.
Every step toward the classroom where he might be feels too heavy.
More than losing the fight, I’m scared of disappearing from his heart before I even step onto the ring…
(What should I do, after all…?)
Even knowing I’m scared, I can’t bring myself to speak up and then act.
What if this is all a waste of effort? Maybe I should leave now, before my feelings grow any stronger.
I’m sure, back then.
If I’d just listened to Irie’s talk, he would’ve said, “That’s not true.”
But probably… he wouldn’t have believed me.
Because those words held no proof, no certainty.
(…What a troublesome woman I am.)
I haven’t given him anything yet, and I’m already trying to take something from him.
…Honestly, it’s pathetic and low, it makes me want to cry.
Falling for someone isn’t always as pretty as it is in romance novels, huh.
(Anyway, I have to go. Just moping around here won’t… Wait, huh?)
Suddenly, my walking feet stop.
Why? Because—
“Hey, I heard this year’s individual performances are amazing!?”
“The act going on now? Apparently two of the Three Great Beauties are doing it!”
“No way!?”
“And the other first-year girl is super cute and a great singer too!”
“Hey, hurry up! We’ll miss it if we don’t move!”
—Because someone rushing past me said that.
(…That means)
It wasn’t like I’d never heard the term “Three Great Beauties.”
I knew exactly who it referred to, and that I was counted among them.
My feet started moving on their own.
It was a different building from where Irie and the others were. I was sure the people who ran off headed toward the courtyard.
It wasn’t like I was thinking, “Well, since I’m already here, maybe I could make a little detour…”
I thought this might be why Irie wanted me to come.
(I have to get there before it ends)
Thinking that, I kept walking.
The closer I got to the courtyard, the more people there were.
―――By the time I finally reached the courtyard, there was such a huge crowd I couldn’t tell who was who anymore.
And then―――
“Are you all excited?”
“””Whoa !!!!”””
―――The very front of the courtyard.
There was a large stage there.
“Nice! You’re really getting into it, Aira-chan!”
“I, I don’t know if this is okay, but is this okay!?”
“Hehe, you can do whatever you like. As long as you’re having fun.”
At the center of this frenzy, unimaginable for a school festival, were guitars, keyboards, microphones, drums, and the familiar faces of girls.
And then―――
“Ha-haah! Keep it up, Sakurazaka! Let’s keep cranking up the energy!!!!”
―――There was also the figure of the one who had given her the chance to choose.
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