A Pretty Girl Has Her First Kiss Stolen By an Equally Handsome Classmate - Episode 4.17

Friday, November 4

Once November began, Sakugaoka High School became all about the culture festival.

As always, everyone was excited about the event. The festival committee was quickly formed, and each class chose their own representatives. Shizuku Mizuhara was invited by Kaede Wakamatsu, and she went ahead and volunteered for the organizing committee too.

“Why is it so noisy?”

“Look over there. People are gathering around the bulletin board.”

She pointed to a crowd on the first floor of the school.

Kaede made a face while eating a rice ball. It was probably some announcement about the festival.

“Wakamatsu-senpai! We’re cheering for you!”

Someone suddenly called out from behind them as they sat side-by-side on a bench in the courtyard. When they turned around, there were a few unfamiliar girls standing there. All their eyes were on Kaede. Shizuku felt left out.

“Huh? Cheering for what?”

The girls blushed.

“For the Miss Contest Grand Prix!”

Kaede looked at Shizuku, totally confused and hoping for help. But there was no way Shizuku would know something Kaede didn’t.

“Wait… what do you mean?”

“Your name is on the contestant list!”

“What!?”

Kaede was shocked. They said goodbye to the younger girls and rushed over to the bulletin board.

Sure enough, Kaede Wakamatsu’s name was there.

“Isn’t this a nominee list made by others?”

“A nominee list?”

“Candidates chosen by school recommendation. It started this year, remember?”

“Ugh, who the heck nominated me?!”

Kaede held her head in her hands next to Shizuku.

Kaede thought she could just stick to the tasks assigned by the festival committee this year. But now she was caught up in a big event. Still, there wasn’t much Shizuku could do.

Kaede always struggled with saying no—if someone asked, she’d probably join the contest.

“Wakamatsu! Go win that Grand Prix!”

“Being good-looking must be so tough, huh?”

Back in the classroom, Masuda and Ariyoshi teased Kaede, already knowing her name was on the list. She brushed them off, looking annoyed, and went back to her seat.

“Wh-what are you going to do, Shizuku-chan?”

“What do you mean?”

Chisato Wakumura, who now sat behind Shizuku after a seat change, asked nervously. Shizuku didn’t understand what she was getting at.

“If Kaede-chan enters the contest, she’ll be super popular again.”

That one sentence brought back memories of the sports festival over the summer.

If Kaede won the Grand Prix, things could get wild again. It was easy to imagine.

“…You mean, that whole thing might happen again…?”

“Exactly! What should we do?!”

Now it was Shizuku Mizuhara’s turn to hold her head in her hands.

“Hey, can’t you just drop out of the Miss Contest?”

“Well, I already agreed when they asked me…”

After school, Kaede came over to Shizuku’s house. It had been a while since they spent time together. But it started with a serious talk. Just as Shizuku expected, Kaede had already said yes to entering.

“Can’t you do this one thing for your girlfriend?”

“Ugh, that face is cheating…”

Shizuku put her hands together and looked up at Kaede with puppy-dog eyes. Just as she thought, Kaede—who once said she loved Shizuku’s face—blushed and looked away.

“Nope, don’t look away.”

Shizuku leaned in close. She gently grabbed both of Kaede’s cheeks and turned her face back toward her.

“Gahhh… you’re seriously cute.”

“Please drop out, Wakamatsu.”

“B-but I already said I’d do it…”

“There are plenty of others who can take your place.”

Kaede narrowed her eyes at her.

“What’s with that attitude? Fine then, I’m entering.”

“Don’t get all pouty. Please drop out, Wakamatsu.”

“Geez… what’s gotten into you?”

Shizuku suddenly kissed her, stopping her whining.

She lightly nibbled on Kaede’s upper lip and traced the edge of her mouth with a finger.

Kaede trembled, her eyebrows twitching, taking in all of Shizuku’s teasing.

“Don’t make me jealous.”

After pulling back from the kiss, Shizuku hugged Kaede tight.

“If you enter that contest, you’ll get super popular again.”

“I only care about you. I won’t fall for anyone else.”

“But I hate it. I don’t want to see other people admiring you.”

She spoke from the heart, honestly.

“Okay. I’ll make sure you don’t have to feel that way.”

Kaede gently stroked Shizuku’s cheek. Drawn in by the warmth of her hand, Shizuku leaned in closer.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’ll think it through. So… can I still enter?”

Shizuku looked down and sighed.

“You’re way too nice to people.”

“But that’s part of what you like about me, right?”

“…I guess so.”

Kaede smiled proudly at her answer.

—This year’s culture festival… looks like it’ll be another wild ride.