Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330665789841745/episodes/16817330668712956524
As I waited in the car, I was desperate to reassure my manager, Sasaki san.
“No matter how many times I’ve been told, I still find it very hard to believe that Yukimi san is strong ! And this number of bikes ! How many are there inside !”
“Sasaki san……”
Sasaki san had been Hakari chan’s manager since before she made her debut.
I can understand why she might be emotional.
“Using common sense, it’s impossible ! Let’s call the police !”
She had no time to spare when she was concentrating on her driving. I wasn’t this distraught.
Now, she just can’t stand to wait and do nothing.
It is true that Hakari chan may have been attacked by a delinquent.
But thanks to Sasaki san, I was able to keep my composure.
“I had seen Yukimi kun beat three delinquents in a casual stroll before.”
“B-but that was three, right?”
“I don’t think the number matters. His sister Yuki chan told me that Yukimi kun has unusually good eyesight. Besides, it’s too late to call the police now. Let’s wait fifteen minutes.”
“Y-yeah……Hakari…….”
Sasaki san closed her eyes as if in prayer.
The time passed in silence.
Meanwhile, I remembered what Yukimi kun was about to say earlier.
[I’ve been thinking about it since then, Kyoko, and I still think I’m……]
I wondered if Yukimi kun was trying to give me an answer to my feelings for him.
I said to Yukimi kun.
[Don’t tease me too much.]
[I like you.]
The timing could not have been worse.
I regretted it many times before going to sleep at night.
But anyway, I wanted him to be aware of me.
I wanted him to know that I was thinking about him so much.
I don’t know what I should have done.
I didn’t know what to do from now on.
All I could do now was pray for Hakari chan’s safety.
ーーーーーー☆彡
I heard the sound of several motorcycles’ engines rushing and found that they had started to run.
Me and Sasaki san braced ourselves for a moment, but they didn’t come this way.
A little later, when I saw someone walking toward us, I felt sincerely relieved and weak.
At the same time, I noticed that Hakari chan, who he was holding, was looking at him with a weak but affectionate gaze.
The feeling of jealousy inside me was ignited.
Ah, I really like this hero, I thought.
A hero who easily rescues the heroine even in a situation that would have been dire for an ordinary person.
And I realized that I’m not a real heroine if I’m not embraced by the hero.
If this world were a drama.
I would be a losing heroine.
Still.
The car starts to drive away, and there is a moment of silence.
After several conversations, Hakariya Hakari says, having decided on something.
“I’m going to return to being an idol.”
This is the only place for me, I thought.
“Does that mean you’re going to enter the general voting as well?”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
Hakari chan had been on hiatus since the incident, so she had not entered the general voting to determine the group’s ranking.
The voting period by viewers is already half over.
There are still other factors to be scored, such as performance (singing, dancing, etc.) and activities this season, but the viewers’ voting points will be a major factor.
“It’s already started, so I think you’re at a disadvantage…..what’s your goal?”
“First place, of course.”
Hakari chan, who has always been in first place for the past two years, answered.
“T-then. Wanna play with me?”
“……,Sure.”
Hakari chan must have guessed it.
I couldn’t see her expression as she sat in the backseat, but I knew that much.
So I said it straight.
“If I become win the first place, I will seriously confess my feelings to Yukimi kun.”
This world is not a drama.
It is reality.
I’ll change it.
ーーーーーー☆彡
A few days later, I was at Yukimi kun’s part-time job.
I felt I had to tell him as well as Hakari chan.
I wanted to talk to him in person, not on the phone.
I sat down at a table for four by myself and pressed the order button.
“Are yoiu already decided what to order……? Eh? Akamori Kyoko?”
The waitress who came was the woman who was once present when Hakari chan confessed her feelings to Yukimi kun.
Today, too, she is very stylish. As a woman, I’m instinctively jealous.
“Good evening, Hinoriwa Mio san.”
After that, I was researching about her.
I learned that she is a very popular high school gravure idol who is taking the industry by storm.
The fact that Hinoriwa san is still working part-time here must be because of [that].
“Oh, you remember me.”
“Yeah. What time do Yukimi kun get off?”
“Yukimi again……I think it’s about time for today. Should I call him when he’s done?”
“Yes, please.”
She gave me permission surprisingly easily. I thought it was a misunderstanding, but she suddenly approached me and asked me in a whisper.
“W-what are you going talk about, by the way?”
I laughed, thinking that this person was after all the same type as me.
She must have feelings for Yukimi-kun.
Suddenly I felt a sense of familiarity.
“I like Yukimi kun too. That’s why I came to declare war.”
ーーーーーー☆彡
After that, I exchanged RINE with Hinoriwa san.
I guess she had something on her mind.
She said he wanted to hear more about what I had to say.
I have a feeling we can be friends, too.
After waiting for about 30 minutes, Yukimi kun came out after changing his clothes.
“Good evening.”
“I’m sorry I made you wait. Let’s walk outside for a bit.”
Yukimi kun was the same as usual.
After paying the bill, we went outside together.
The night breeze felt good.
Walking next to each other, I realize how much I like him.
Even though we didn’t talk, just being there filled my heart with contentment.
I’m almost swept away by the feeling of wanting to stay like this forever, but I shake it off.
To make these moments last forever.
“Thank you so much for the other day.”
“Yeah. How is Hakari?”
He calls her by her first name.
“You haven’t seen her?”
“Not at all. She’s busy with something.”
“Ah, she’s coming back to work. She’s got a lot to do.”
“Hakari is strong.”
Yes, Hakari chan is strong.
She chose to fight even though she had a big scar on her face, which is a girl’s life.
“Yeah. Do you like that about her?”
“……Kyoko.”
Fufu. I’m worried because I was angry the other day.
Yukimi kun is really kind.
I trotted a little further ahead and looked back.
“In a week’s time, the general voting for Koikoizaka is going to be held.”
“I see.”
“And if I win first place, I want you to think seriously about me.”
“Kyoko, that’s…..”
“Please.”
I know I’m asking for the impossible.
From Yukimi kun’s perspective, I think it doesn’t matter what the voting results are.
The only way left for me is to go here.
I, who fight a handicap, am cunning and cowardly, and cannot be saved.
But I don’t want to end my first love without doing anything.
Please.
Please give me a chance.
“……Got it.”
“Thank you ! Bye !”
Okay, I got the word.
I turn my back on Yukimi kun and start running.
I’m doing it.
I’m doing it.
I’m doing it.
Yukimi kun knows how I feel about him.
I found myself burning up at the thought of seriously trying to win against Hakari chan.
I accept all of my urges and breathe.
I will greedily seek both love and idols.
A clear goal began to move me.
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