Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330665542028014/episodes/16817330668854969290
My childhood friend stands on the podium with an imposing appearance, basking in the gaze of all the people gathered in this spacious gymnasium. The sight of her now splendid appearance made my eyes burn with excitement.
[Today, we are entering Amanohashidate High School. Thank you very much for holding such a grand ceremony for us today. On behalf of the new students, I thank you.]
A tranquil voice echoed through the hall. The voice is somewhat glamorous, but there is definitely a trace of the Hanazono Kanna that I know.
[I am so excited to be standing here, having overcome the difficult days of high school entrance exams.
Up until now, I have spent my life with the help of many people, including my parents. I am still a child, immature and illiterate, but I would like to grow by watching the backs of my seniors in order to become a person of vast wisdom.]
“……Hm?”
I suddenly heard a few unfamiliar four-character idioms. It’s not particularly unnatural. However, the choice of words is very difficult to understand. Because of this, question marks began to appear from the entire audience.
[And from now on, I will do my best to be a student of Amanohashidate High School, and I will always do my best to make sure that I am worthy of being a student at Amanohashidate High School.For the next three years starting today, I pledge to work hard every day with an unyielding attitude.
I would like to ask the principal, teachers, and seniors for their warm guidance and encouragement.
With these words, I would like to conclude my speech as a representative of new students. Hanazono Kanna.]
“—Buha !?”
I couldn’t hold back and unintentionally blew it out. Don’t do the triple jump hop, step, and jump during the ceremony. You are getting off the stage with a look of [I’ve done my part] but do you realize that the venue is in a wake? You’ve come full circle, and people are confused as to what you’re talking about.
But on the other hand, I’m convinced. I’m sure that this is the Hanazono Kanna I know. She had always been smart and used difficult four-letter idioms that she had learned from wherever she came across them in conversation. That’s why I was the only friend he had.
“What the hell……you’ve changed only in appearance, but inside you’re exactly the same as you used to be.”
A sigh of relief escapes from my mouth as I see my childhood friend, who has not calmed down, but has gotten worse after more than ten years. However, what I’m also concerned about is how she has been spending her time since she moved here.
Did she make friends here? Was she able to communicate without me? Did she ever cry because she was bullied or ostracized and felt lonely? I’m aware that I’m like an overprotective older brother, but I can’t help but worry about Hanazono Kanna.
“I want to talk to her as soon as possible. Depending on Kanna’s reaction, it may feel like a wake as soon as she enters the school.”
I’m anxious. But more than that, I wanted to talk to her as soon as possible, even if it was only for a second. I want to know and talk about how she has been spending her days since we separated. I want to bridge the gap that has unintentionally formed. That’s all I want to do now.
“Haa……I wonder if the entrance ceremony will ever end.”
After Kanna left the stage, the students stood up to sing the school anthem. I honestly don’t remember any of the lyrics, so I’m going to do my best to cover it up by lip-synching. After the closing speech by the MC, we new students leave the gymnasium with a big round of applause from the guests, parents, and current students.
We left the gymnasium to go to our classrooms, where we will spend the year. We are told to sit down and take our seats. What awaits us now is self-introduction time between homeroom teachers and my 30 classmates. I don’t want to trip up here, but this is the time of freedom that has finally arrived. I was about to stand up when I checked where Kanna was sitting,
“I don’t suppose you’re going to go talk to Hanazono Kanna?”
A male student who happened to be sitting in front of me called out with a somewhat stunned look on his face. It was as if he was looking at an idiot who was going to challenge the last boss with level 1 initial equipment. I’d like to think that it’s my imagination that makes me feel that way.
“…That’s right, but is it okay if I go and talk to her?”
“I won’t say anything bad. You shouldn’t do that Hanazono Kanna.”
Before I could ask him why he said that, the boy pulled out his smartphone from his pocket and quickly searched for something. He showed me the screen.
“[The world is watching ! Hanazono Kanna, current junior high school student president]? Heh….Hanazono Kanna is the president? Well, she’s always been smart, so it’s no wonder…..but wait a minute. The president on the school pamphlet might be……?
“Oh, come on, you didn’t know? I didn’t think there were any students at this school who didn’t know about Hanazono Kanna… So, you’re an outsider, right?”
“Yes, but….I didn’t know when she became famous. I’m surprised.”
By the way, outsiders refers to those who entered high school from outside after taking the entrance exam. The students who have attended Amanohashidate Academy since elementary and middle school are called the Row and the Internal.
“Well, it’s not surprising that outsiders don’t know about it, but since it’s so famous that it’s been written about on the Internet, they must have a very low sensitivity to information.”
“Unfortunately, I’m from the countryside. So I’m not familiar with what’s trending.”
“Is that so? So you moved to Tokyo after high school and lived alone? If you have any trouble, you can always ask me. I’ll help you. Ah, I’m Wada Akira. Nice to meet you.”
Saying this, Wada, who is now a male student, holds out his hand to me. I also said to him, “[‘m Itsuki Jinpei. Nice to meet you too]
“By the way, there are some famous people in this class besides Hanazono Kanna…..do you want to ask?”
“No, I’d rather hear why I shouldn’t talk to Hanazono Kanna.”
“It can’t be helped. If you insist that much, I’ll tell you.”
Wada glares at me, hoping that I will listen to what he has to say, but Wada doesn’t care at all and starts talking on his own.
“The first one is Asakura Nao. She is a promising star in the Japanese women’s track and field world.”
With that, Wada turns his gaze to the window seat. Ahead of him is a girl with a wolf cut who is looking at the ground with her cheekbones on the floor. She is a beautiful girl who is better described as cool than cute.
“The second one is Sasatsuki Mika, a child prodigy who debuted in show business at the age of three. I don’t know where she is.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“She doesn’t have much of a sense of presence. I’m lucky if I can find her.”
Thinking that, I looked around the entire classroom for a child whose presence was thin. I quickly found the target. I couldn’t see her face because she was propped up against her desk, but I could see the girl sitting in the front row. That’s Sasatsuki Mika.
“Wow,……there are all kinds of girls over here.”
“…I’d say you’re really determined, or should I say you’re insensitive? Normally, it wouldn’t be strange for your to be shocked, but this reaction was so bland that I was actually surprised.”
“That’s probably an exaggeration. Rather than that, could you please tell me in detail about Hanazono Kanna?”
“Huh…I guess you’re all about Hanazono Kanna. I’m curious as to why, but I’ll tell you.”
“First of all, she has a look that rivals any celebrity. She has a style that would make even models and gravure idols run away barefoot. She has a samrt brain and always gets top grades. She started her own business when she was in middle school and is now the company president with annual sales in the hundreds of millions. She is absolutely flawless. A beautiful woman. That girl is Hanazono Kanna.”
“You’re talking very fast, aren’t you?”
“So don’t even think about getting close to her just because she’s cute !”
“……I see. I get the gist of it.”
Wada concluded by clenching his fists tightly. I understood that he was quite knowledgeable and that Kanna was popular with the opposite sex. But that’s not a reason not to go talk to your childhood friend.
“Thanks for the advice, Wada. But I’m going. After all, she is my…”
“I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation, Wada kun. If you’re going to talk behind my back, you might want to lower your voice a little, don’t you think?”
A male student exclaimed, sounding like a crushed frog. It’s interesting to see how his complexion gradually loses his vitality, but that’s not the case right now. I never expected Kanna to come this way.
“Long time no see, Kanna. Do you remember me?”
I stood up from my seat and said calmly. A heart that beats noisily. My mouth is getting dry from the nervousness. How will she react?
“This must be the first time we’ve met, right? Yet you’re acting very chummy.”
It had been a long time since we had met again. The first thing she said was I should know my place. I want to cry.
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