I Chose the Plain Girl Instead of the Class’s Top Three Beauties, and Somehow She Became the Heroine - 79

Chapter 79: Halloween Party 2

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《Hiroko Anno’s POV》

I arrived at the karaoke place in front of the station a little earlier than the meeting time. Beyond the automatic doors, Yua-san, An-san, and Fuu-san were holding cardboard boxes they had received from the staff.

“Hiro-chan, perfect timing! Hold the paper bats and the garlands, okay?”

“Yes!”

The paper wings rustled softly in my hands. The four of us headed to the party room together. When we dimmed the lights a little, it took on a nighttime look even though it was still daytime. Buckets of candy sat on the tables, and at the edges were paper plates and plastic cups. Preparing in silence felt like building a secret base.

“The bats look better if they’re flying diagonally.”

Yua-san climbed onto a chair and tore off strips of tape.

“This table… Drape the black cloth diagonally over it.”

Fuu-san spoke in a relaxed voice, but her hands moved quickly.

“Hiro-chan, if there are fingerprints on the glass, wipe them off. They’ll shine.”

An-san handed me a disinfectant wipe.

It felt nice, like everyone’s roles were already decided. As I moved just as I was told, I watched the four of our shadows overlap on the floor, then separate again. I never imagined a day like this would come to me, a day spent preparing for a party with friends.

“All right, setup’s done. Hiro-chan, sit down. We’ll do your makeup.”

“Y-yes, thank you very much!”

Instead of a mirror, we used the front camera on a smartphone. A small ritual I had learned during the school festival began.

“Glitter should be applied like creating a constellation.”

An-san picked up the light with her finger and gently placed it on my eyelids.

“Blush is the memory of body warmth.”

Yua-san softly brushed my cheeks.

“Lips are colorless. Don’t forget the moisture.”

Fuu-san handed me lip balm. The witch’s hat we had gone shopping for together was a black beret with sheer tulle. Around my neck was a slender persimmon-colored ribbon. On my wrist, a single star. Each time a knot was tied, the pounding in my chest settled. I was the praying witch. I remembered being given that name tag.

“All done. The praying witch is complete.”

Yua-san nodded in satisfaction.

“Hiro-chan. Seriously, this is great! You’re cute. Keep your gaze gentle. Yeah, that suits you.”

Fuu-san gave me a thumbs-up.

“Your bangs are god-tier. Perfect. Can I hug you?”

An-san made me laugh with her usual line. Our laughter bounced around, like it brightened the room’s lights just a little. Deep in my chest, I said, “Thank you,” one more time. Before long, the door began opening busily. As time passed, our classmates started arriving.

Cat ears, wolf tails, angel wings, vampire capes. It seemed like half the class had gathered. The jingles of a tambourine rang out, with maracas chiming alongside it. The waiting list filled up with names in no time.

“Hiro-chan, let’s take pictures.”

“Okaay.”

The four of us lined up and snapped a shot. Even on the screen, we were close together. That was when it happened. The door opened quietly, and one long shadow entered. The lines of the shadow were neat, the footsteps silent. Just by the way he breathed, I knew who it was.

Sora Mukei-kun was wearing a phantom thief cosplay. A black turtleneck, slim slacks, a long coat. Thin leather gloves on his fingertips. His hair was lightly parted, letting light pass through his eyes. A small silver tie pin blinked once, like a distant star. Something lightly leapt inside my chest. What surprised me was that my gaze didn’t wander. Without searching, he was there. I found him instantly.

After sharing a brief laugh with Takatou-kun, he noticed us. Within that quiet presence, a warmth I knew lit up.

“Hiroko-san.”

“…Sora-kun.”

Just his name made a smile spill across my face. There were so many people, so much sound and light. Yet only Sora-kun’s voice came through clearly.

“The outfit suits you. You’re the Praying Witch, right?”

“Thank you. Sora-kun, you look really cool too.”

When I put it into words, the ribbon at my chest trembled once. He lightly straightened the front of his coat. His movements were quiet. Even the sound of closing a door would be gentle for someone like him. As I answered, Yua-san poked my shoulder from behind.

“Hiro-chan. Since we have the chance, I’ll take a picture of just the two of you.”

“Huh?!”

“Cosplay like this is a rare occasion, after all!”

One photo of just Sora-kun and me was taken.

“I’ll send it to you.”

After that, An-san, Fuu-san, Yua-san, and Sora-kun each took photos one by one. The flash light unraveled for just an instant, and laughter followed after it. Inside the karaoke room, anime songs, classic rock, call-and-response chants, and tambourines echoed together. When I glanced back, Sora-kun was being asked by classmates to take photos. His movements hadn’t changed.

“Hiro-chan, let’s go refill the drinks.”

“I’m coming.”

At the drink bar, I poured orange juice into paper cups. The small sound of ice clinking together. Beside me, An-san handed out straws, and Fuu-san wiped the rims of the cups.

“Hey, Hiro-chan. Your witch outfit today is super cute, you know.”

An-san smiled. I could tell she was looking out for me.

“C-cute?”

“Yeah. It’s good.”

“Hehe. Make sure your happiness reaches properly, okay?”

Fuu-san said it slowly.

“…I guess.”

Yua-san was talking with Kiritani-san’s older brother, while An-san and Fuu-san kept chatting with me. I was able to talk with people other than Sora-kun thanks to those two.  Even after the classmates left, the four of us stayed to clean up. Everyone helped with the trash and cups, but the decorations were something the four of us had prepared together.

The party room lights dimmed another notch. The paper bats swayed slowly. I gently pressed the edge of my beret and checked the ribbon knot—a mark tied by my friends’ hands. If it ever came undone, I could just remember. But for me, it had been an irreplaceable time. Laughter flowed out beyond the door. As I listened to it, a smile formed at the corner of my mouth.

“Come on, Hiro-chan. Let’s go home!”

“Yua-san.”

“You’ve got a date tomorrow, right? October thirty-first is the real Halloween.”

“Yes!”

“I’m hungry.”

“Let’s eat before we go home. We worked hard running things, after all!”

I walked home with Yua-san, An-san, and Fuu-san. The three of us stopped by at a family restaurant and we talked a lot. It was so much fun. I wanted to do this again.

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