A Pretty Girl Has Her First Kiss Stolen By an Equally Handsome Classmate - Episode 4.20

Sunday, November 27

The second day of the school festival was nearing its end.

Kaede Wakamatsu had been chosen as a finalist for the Miss Contest Grand Prix and was waiting for the final selection.

“Are you coming to the courtyard to watch the Miss Contest?”

A big stage had been set up in the courtyard for the event. Even if Wakamatsu was participating, I had no desire to go into such a crowded place.

“Too many people. I don’t want to.”

“Thought so. Then watch from the hallway window near Class 3.”

“I guess that’s okay.”

If I lean out the hallway window, I can see the courtyard. That much is enough for me.

“Alright! That’s a promise then.”

“Ah… are you leaving already?”

I felt a little sad, and without thinking, I grabbed Wakamatsu’s arm.

“Don’t make such a cute face.”

Wakamatsu bent down and kissed my cheek.

Maybe my feelings showed on my face too clearly. My cheeks grew hot as she teased me.

Laughing, my classmate walked off into the hallway.

“Haa…”

I let out a long breath, doing nothing in particular. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of the changing season. The scent of winter was in the air, and it made me feel a bit lonely. Maybe that loneliness came from her not being by my side.

“The final judging of the Sakugaoka High Miss Contest is about to begin!”

The school broadcast played an announcement, and the courtyard got louder. When I peeked outside, I saw the stage area full of people. Even the first-floor balconies were packed with students enjoying the last event of the festival.

Following the announcer, the finalists—each in their special outfits—walked onto the stage.

“Who will win the Grand Prix!?”

The host hyped up the crowd.

In previous years, there had been separate categories for boys and girls. But this year, they changed the rule—only one winner with the most final votes would receive the Grand Prix. The judges were the school principal, last year’s festival committee head, and several current staff members. Their votes would decide the winner.

“Ahh, she’s so popular…”

The finalists walked the stage in order by grade.

Kaede Wakamatsu wore a blazer uniform and fake black-rimmed glasses. For fairness, all the girls had matching pants styles.

When her turn came, the cheers were so loud I wanted to cover my ears. Just moments ago, she was beside me, and now she seemed so far away. My chest tightened with pain.

“Haa…”

Watching her became too hard, and I closed my eyes.

Feeling the cool breeze, I just listened to the host’s voice. Only the announcement was left now anyway.

My thoughts drifted to my sister, who was somewhere far away.

Yuu Mizuhara, my sister, also went to Sakugaoka High. Where is she now? What is she doing?

What is she seeing and feeling?

“The Grand Prix winner this year is—”

The atmosphere went quiet. I opened my eyes.

“—Kaede Wakamatsu from Class 2-3!”

The entire crowd burst into the loudest cheers of the day.

Honestly, this result was no surprise.

Kaede Wakamatsu had the kind of face that both girls and boys would call “cute.” Since there was only one winner this year, the judges’ votes had probably gone to her.

“Now, a word from the Grand Prix winner!”

A staff member set up a mic in the center of the stage, and the host guided Wakamatsu there.

She walked up calmly without hesitation. Just that alone made the crowd scream in excitement.

“I have something I want to tell everyone.”

Wakamatsu’s clear voice echoed across the courtyard.

Everyone fell silent, eager to hear her words. I listened too.

“I, Kaede Wakamatsu—”

Suddenly, she looked up. Her eyes turned toward the hallway where Class 2-3 was located.

“—have someone special I’m dating!”

A high-pitched scream—whether of joy or shock—rang out, and the boys shouted in surprise.

Wakamatsu caused the biggest reaction of the festival.

“Is the person from this school or another?”

The host, now caught in the excitement, asked eagerly.

“It’s a secret. I want to protect this person, so please don’t dig into it.”

“Ohhh!”

“So I ask for your understanding.”

Wakamatsu gave a small bow and walked off the stage.

“I’ll make sure Mizuhara never feels like that again.”

So that’s what she meant by those words.

Shizuku Mizuhara stared blankly at the now-empty stage. The program had moved on to interviews with the other contestants, but she didn’t hear a word. Her heart was racing.

All she could think about was how much she loved Kaede Wakamatsu. She wanted to see her.

Right now.

“Shizuku!”

From the end of the hallway, I heard the voice I love.

Kaede Wakamatsu ran toward me, still wearing the fancy Miss Contest outfit.

“…Wakamatsu!”

Without thinking, I ran toward her. Seeing me coming, Wakamatsu stopped and opened her arms wide.

I ran into her arms with all my feelings, not worrying about anything else.

“Nice tackle!”

She joked, laughing.

“…Congrats on winning.”

“Think I can be a partner you’re proud of?”

“From the start, you’ve always been too good for me.”

Wakamatsu fumbled around in her pocket and took something out. Still in her blazer, she got down on one knee and showed me a small white box. I recognized it immediately.

“Huh?”

She opened the box. Inside was the pair ring we made together.

“Shizuku Mizuhara,”

Wakamatsu looked straight into my eyes, her face serious.

“I love you. Will you go out with me again?”

A second confession. There was no reason at all to say no.

“…Yes, please.”

I held out my right hand.

Wakamatsu understood and gently slid the ring onto my ring finger, just like that day. She kissed the ring softly and smiled with satisfaction.

“It’s not ‘someone like me.’ I want it to be you, Mizuhara.”

She smiled so brightly.

I hugged her as she stayed kneeling.

“Why did you confess again?”

As I stroked her hair, I asked.

“I wanted proof that we were really back together.”

“Haha, that’s so childish.”

But I couldn’t help laughing.

“I love you too, Wakamatsu.”

“Yeah.”

“I love you so much… Stay with me forever.”

A confession and a hug in the hallway.

Caught in the festival’s magic, Shizuku Mizuhara hugged her beloved classmate tightly.