I Chose the Plain Girl Instead of the Class’s Top Three Beauties, and Somehow She Became the Heroine - 33

Chapter 33: The Three Great Beauties Part 1

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《Mizuki Kiritani’s POV》

My world was distorted in some way, and it had to do with the fact that my older brother worked in the entertainment industry. His acquaintances would come to our house and invite me to join the entertainment world as well. I was interested, but while I attended high school, I wanted to live a normal life.

I talked with my three childhood friends, but somehow, I felt a distance between me and everyone except the three of them. People at school treated me like I was something special. So I couldn’t close that distance, and confusion won out. But the other day, something interesting happened.

A boy I wasn’t usually close with, someone I kept at a distance—Mukei-kun. He tried to help me simply because I was in trouble. Even though it was something ordinary, something that was natural for him, to me it was an ordinary yet extraordinary event. So, for the first time, I greeted Mukei-kun in the morning of my own accord.

What kind of person is he? 

I started thinking things like that. After school, I passed by the library for a committee meeting.

Through the glass, I saw Mukei-kun. He held down the worksheet with his finger and gave a short explanation. Next to him was Anno-san. She was the type who didn’t stand out even in class, and outside of greetings, I had never spoken to her.

She nodded slightly and copied the key points into her notebook. I couldn’t hear their voices, but at each pause their eyes met, then turned forward again. It was a good rhythm. Watching them, I thought their atmosphere looked nice. A junior stepped into the hallway and asked me a question.

“Senpai, where’s the meeting room?” 

After telling her the location, I peeked in just one more time. Mukei-kun put down the red pen in his hand and pointed to the next problem. Anno-san’s shoulders lifted slightly as her posture straightened.

Hehe, two quiet kids in the class, huh~ I like that kind of thing.

I could have gone over and said something teasing, but today I decided not to. I had no reason to interrupt. Maybe I’d ask Mukei-kun for help again tomorrow. I had already confirmed that he would help me when I was in trouble. He was surely someone gentle, someone who would give me what was “normal.” Seeing the two of them made my heart calm. It was heartwarming. That alone was enough.

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《Yua Miura’s POV》

While I spun the label of a plastic bottle in front of a vending machine, my friend said to me.

“The library seems crowded today.”

Since the test was coming soon, we decided to study. I had a lot of friends. Someone would help me if I was in trouble. But lately, number one for me was definitely Mukei-kun. With his mature atmosphere and calm voice, he helped me when I was being groped. After that, my friends started going home with me, but I still ended up checking that Mukei-kun was in a different train car than me.

When I peeked into the library, it was full of people studying before the test. Looking through the glass, I saw Mukei-kun. Next to him was… Anno-san? I had never spoken to her. But she was a quiet girl, right? Why was she alone with Mukei-kun? My throat tightened. I pushed out a mint gum with my finger, but without putting it in my mouth, I returned it to the case.

How lucky~ I want to have one-on-one study with Mukei-kun too.

But I had only been helped by him, and I hadn’t given anything back. The truth was, I was scared of men. Except for Kai, I wasn’t good at talking to boys in general. But Kai was selfish, while Mukei-kun listened to what I had to say. I remembered the time he helped me with my English printout. His explanations were short, so I didn’t get lost. He was the one who spoke to me when I was scared.

Going in there wouldn’t be right. I knew that much. The air between the two of them was precious right now. But I was jealous. A little below my chest felt hot. Ugh, this wasn’t like me. I was usually good at laughing it off, but today I wasn’t working like usual. I opened my phone and typed, then erased.

『Can you teach me English sometime?』

『Is the library free after school?』

『Want some gum?』

I deleted everything. The timing wouldn’t be right today. I took a deep breath and put my phone back. On the other side of the door, Anno-san nodded slightly. She looked happy as she smiled at Mukei-kun. I couldn’t see clearly because of her glasses and hair, but I understood.

If it were me, I’d definitely be happy too. I don’t want to lose.

I returned to my seat and opened my English vocabulary book with my friends. I put a small mark on the corner of the page. 

Next time, I will speak to him. But I will be prepared. I hate being lonely. I wonder if Mukei-kun will pay attention to me?

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《Asuka Hino’s POV》

While I was stretching in the clubroom, I saw Mukei-kun and Anno-san leaving together. Club practice was off today, so I wanted to move my body, study with the club members, and go home afterward. Mukei-kun matched the other person’s pace, listened, and said exactly the words they wanted. I didn’t call out to him. Today was a study day. They were probably talking about studying too.

As always, Mukei-kun was such a good guy. It was the same when I saw him in the gym. He didn’t show off in front of anyone, only supported where necessary. The angle of the screen was precise and efficient. His way of speaking was the same.

Anno-san didn’t stand out even in class. I had thought she was the type who wasn’t good at talking, so I left her alone. But Mukei-kun must have stepped into her world. He was creating space for her to take a step forward. They were a good pair. I could accept that as their friend. Their time belonged to them. My time would be made in my own ring.

Tomorrow after school, I will borrow him for a little bit and I’m sure Mukei-kun will be happy to adjust to me.

I looked once more through the glass. The two of them were both facing forward. I raised my hand slightly and ran down the hallway. The gym doors grew closer. Today’s menu was footwork and mid-range. If each of us did what we needed to, we could meet in the same place again. That kind of relationship was fine with me.

After that, I would work hard on my studies too.

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