Chapter 76: The Beautiful Girl Gets Moving for the Culture Festival (Part 1)

The second semester began on September 1st.

Putting on my uniform for the first time in a while makes me feel a little tense—in a good way.

To be honest, September 1st is a Friday, and the 2nd is Saturday, so if we go to school today, it’s immediately the weekend again. I bet everyone’s thinking, “If that’s the case, just give us September 1st off too…”

Since it’s the first day of the second semester, I paid a bit more attention to my appearance than usual… well, not enough to actually wear makeup, of course.

I had breakfast, and since there are no afternoon classes today, I don’t need a lunch box. I’ve got everything I need. Perfect.

Outside, I wheel out my bike and wait for Ryoji.

He’d warned me that my underwear might be visible, which made me hesitate about riding my own bike, but in the end, I decided to stick with mine. I’ll probably be fine—as long as I don’t stand on the pedals, I should be fine!

Before long, Ryoji arrives on his bike.

When he sees me waiting with my own bicycle, he makes some kind of displeased face for no reason. What’s the big deal? If anything, this makes things easier for him—one less thing to carry. And whether my underwear shows or not isn’t something Ryoji needs to worry about. It’s not like I want him to see it. I don’t want anyone to.

The two of us zip through the fresh morning air on our bicycles.

"Riding on my own really does feel nicer."

"Yeah? You can hop on behind me anytime, you know?"

As he says that, Ryoji keeps glancing my way. He’s on a bike—he really should be watching the road.

And the moment I think that, I realize exactly where his eyes are wandering.

"Ryoji, ride in front of me for a bit."

"O-okay."

I slow down and move behind his bike.

Because he keeps sneaking peeks at my legs and skirt. Well… if I were still a boy and in his shoes, I’d probably be curious too. But I’m a girl now, and those kinds of looks are something I’d really like to avoid.

We park our bikes at the station’s parking area. The moment my feet hit the ground, I feel this odd, floaty sensation.

Yeah… riding it myself really is tiring.

The distance to the station isn’t bad at all, but I’m low on stamina and haven’t ridden on my own in a while, so I’m feeling pretty worn out.

We enter the station and board the train we always used before summer break. It’s packed with students. Seeing that really makes it hit home that school is starting again.

The opening ceremony itself is nothing special—just the principal’s “valuable” speech we all politely endure.

After that, homeroom basically turns into a space for everyone to chat about their summer, and the room gets noisy fast.

"Ayumi-chan, long time no see!"

Moeka-chan waves at me. Even though she says “long time,” we actually saw each other about a week ago—and besides, we talk every night on the messenger app anyway.

"Ayumi-chan really does look different in her uniform."

Beside her is Sakurako-chan, nodding approvingly at the sight of me.

"Ayu-chan, long time."

Togo joins our conversation too. It might actually be the first time I’ve seen him face-to-face in a while. Still, he’s in the same group chat as Moeka-chan and me, so it doesn’t feel that long.

Ryoji also greets everyone.

Just like the rest of the class, we all dive into summer vacation stories.

"Ayumi-chan!"

While I’m chatting with the Cooking Club members, a girl from class calls out to me from behind.

I tilt my head, and she spreads out something she’s holding in front of me.

"Is this you, Ayumi-chan!?"

Looking closely, I see a whole group of classmates gathered behind her.

What she spreads out is a magazine—the one with my photos in it. The shoot was at the end of August, and the issue went on sale right as summer break ended.

"Y-yeah."

"Kyaa, I knew it! See, everyone? I told you!"

My classmates suddenly erupt in loud excitement.

"I knew it was Ayumi-chan!"
"Honestly, the only surprising thing is that she didn’t appear in magazines sooner."
"This settles it, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, there’s no one else it could be."

It feels like the conversation is running ahead without me.

A nervous knot forms in my chest.

"Um… what’s going on?"

I ask the chattering group.

"This magazine isn’t that well-known, but the only time it ever sold out this fast was when your pictures were in it!"

"Right! Someone posted part of the photo online, and once people saw it, everyone rushed to buy the issue!"

"R-really…?"

I had no idea what kind of face I was supposed to make, so all I could manage was a vague, halfhearted reply.

I really don’t think the magazine sold well because my photos were in it, but my classmates were already hyped up on exaggerated rumors, and there was no stopping them now. Still… I can’t believe even my classmates bought it.

And at that moment, the classroom door rattled loudly as it slid open.

"Oh—homeroom’s startin’."

Our homeroom teacher, Mr. Yamanaka, walked in with his usual zero-motivation attitude.

Thanks to him, the noisy chatter gradually died down and everyone returned to their seats.

"Right, so. There’s not much to talk about, so just decide what you’re doing for the culture festival."

As always, no explanations. Just throwing responsibilities at us out of nowhere.

I mean—we’re first-years. We don’t even know what the culture festival is like. While I silently scream the thought I’m sure everyone else is having, a handout gets passed up from the front.

Oh, it’s an information sheet about the festival.

All of us quietly start reading. Summarized, it says:

The culture festival will be held from Saturday, October 28th to Sunday, October 29th.
Each class must put on some kind of attraction or event.
Clubs may also participate.
The best group receives special rewards.

It’s still over a month away. Do we really need to decide now?

"Alright, then. We’ll start deciding what the class is going to do."

The culture-festival committee boy and girl stand at the front and ask for ideas.

If we’re talking classic events, I guess a yakisoba stall is the usual one.

"Me! I wanna do a maid café!"

Someone shouts from the middle of the class. Ah—yeah, that is a common suggestion. But I really don’t want to wear a maid outfit. Once was enough during the sports festival.

I do like wearing cute outfits, but the ones that are obviously embarrassing… not so much. The cheerleader costume at the sports festival was worse than a maid outfit, so that was survivable, but still…

"Wait, wait! We already saw Ayumi-chan wearing a maid outfit during the sports festival! I want to see her in a different costume!"

Moeka-chan objects—except her objection is based entirely on me wearing it! That’s not the point! Someone else can wear it! They’re free to put on as many costumes as they want!

"I see your point."

"Yeah, but I still wanna see the maid outfit too!"

"Hmm… a different costume then…"

No, no, no! Why is everyone agreeing!? This isn’t my personal class!

"But coming up with a costume that’s easy to get isn’t that simple. And with a café, Ayumi wouldn’t stand out much."

Ryoji also joins Moeka-chan in rejecting the café idea.

No—no no no! That’s not the issue! I’m not supposed to stand out! It’s the class’s event, not mine!

"I… I don’t need to stand out. I can just help with the cooking in the back…"

Feeling guilty about my Cooking Club teammates causing trouble, I try to gently wrap up the conversation.

"Nope!"

"Not allowed!"

"No way!"

"Denied!"

For some reason, the entire class shoots me down in perfect unison. What is happening…?

"Sakura-san, that won’t do! You have to stand out! You’re going to be in the Miss Contest too!"

"Huh?"

Miss… contest? A giant question mark pops above my head. I quickly skim through the festival pamphlet again.

Apparently, Mikawa High’s Miss Contest is held alongside the culture festival. Each class selects one participant. Whoever wins “Miss Mikawa High” gets travel vouchers, and the winner’s class receives gift certificates. Pretty generous for a public school.

Okay, sounds like a nice prize and all, but… why am I automatically the representative?

"Um, I’m not entering any Miss Contest."

"NO!"

The whole class rejects me again with full force.

Ugh… this is scary.

"Ayumi-chan, everyone’s counting on you. You were in a magazine, and everyone thinks if you enter, we can win."

Sakurako-chan gives me a gentle smile.

Even if I was in a magazine, they’re going to forget in two months. It won’t matter…!

"Please, Sakura-san!"

"Do it for the class!"

"We’ll all support you!"

How did things end up like this?

It’s completely turned into the entire class versus me. When I look around, everyone is staring at me with hopeful, expectant eyes.

This is impossible… There’s no way I have the courage to say “I’m not doing it” in this atmosphere.

"O-okay. I’ll enter."

"YES!"

At this point, whatever happens happens.

Sure, I had photos in a magazine—but that’s not the same as having people stare directly at me. A Miss Contest is… well, exactly that. It’s embarrassing. I’d really like to back out, but the mood in here makes that impossible.

Ugh… Even if I enter, I’ll probably lose horribly.

While I’m sighing, Ryoji turns to me and gives me a big thumbs-up.

He really doesn’t get it!

I turn my face sharply away from him.

I can’t believe I’ve already been handed such a disaster on the very first day of the second semester.