I Ended Up Pretending to Be the Boyfriend of a Beautiful but Tough Classmate for Just a Month, but It Seems That She Has Awakened Her Yandere Tendencies Because of That.

Chapter 56

“…Good job.”

When I returned backstage, Takamiya, her face bright red, was there to greet me.

I, too, felt embarrassed seeing her like that.

Still feeling nervous, I replied in a trembling voice.

“Yeah. Somehow, I managed to do it.”

“Y-you’re such an idiot. Seriously, saying something like that in front of everyone… geez.”

Even as she said that, Takamiya smiled a little.

“But… I’m happy. That you think of me that way.”

“Well, sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“…Go do your best.”

As the reality of what I had just done sank in, my body grew hot.

Avoiding eye contact with the sulking Takamiya, I encouraged her.

She responded in a bright voice, “I’m going,” before stepping onto the stage.

“Hmph, you’re really cunning, aren’t you?”

As I watched Takamiya slowly walk toward the microphone, Jinguji’s voice called out from behind me.

“I was just being honest. I only spoke the truth.”

“You think she’s reflecting on herself? What a joke. I will never acknowledge that.”

She was probably irritated that I had received a better reaction than she expected.

Jinguji kept glaring at me, shaking her leg impatiently. Meanwhile, beside her, Tokito nodded with a straight face.

“Yes. That was precious.”

“…Um, is that a popular phrase or something?”

“Yeah. Ah, it’s starting.”

Tokito pointed forward.

Of course, she was pointing at Takamiya.

I turned to look at her and focused on her first words.

♡

“Hello, everyone. My name is Riara Takamiya. I am honored to stand here today as a candidate for student council president.”

She introduced herself and bowed.

She waited for the scattered applause to die down before lifting her head.

Everyone was looking at her.

I could tell they were expecting something from her.

I wasn’t Mika, but I had a vague sense of what the people here were looking for.

It was all thanks to Suzukaze-kun.

Because he had introduced me so well.

Because of him, everyone was expecting something from me.

I wanted to meet those expectations.

But before that—

I needed to properly convey my own feelings.

“I… probably am not as admirable as I was introduced to be. I am an immature person who can’t even be polite to people I don’t like.”

Yes, I am not someone worthy of praise.

It’s true I went through painful experiences, but I used that as an excuse to be cold to others and easy on myself.

I never truly understood other people’s pain.

“I relied on my friends who supported me, depended on the precious people who stayed by my side, took advantage of my position, and made excuses for my situation. I depended on everything. That was the kind of person I was. But—”

But now, I feel like I’ve changed, even if just a little.

Thanks to Mika.

And thanks to Suzukaze-kun.

“I was blessed with wonderful encounters, even though I was someone like this. That person accepted all my pain, sorrow, and anger. I learned a little about kindness. I realized my own foolishness. If it were the old me, I would have never thought I was someone who could stand at the front. I would have blamed myself, thinking I wasn’t worthy of it. But now, now I truly believe I can be of help to everyone.”

For the people who supported me—

I feel like I have to do this for them.

“I may not be able to make clear campaign promises, but I will do my best to ensure this school remains a warm and kind place for everyone. And—”

With him.

With Suzukaze-kun.

With the Suzukaze-kun who said he loved someone like me, the Suzukaze-kun that I love.

I want to be with him forever.

“And…”

The words wouldn’t come out.

I want to be in the student council with Suzukaze-kun.

But something was stopping my small wish from turning into words.

Was it the guilt of always being selfish? The guilt toward Maria? Or—

“I…”

Tears naturally started to fall.

I can’t cry here.

I’ll just trouble him again.

He’s watching over me from backstage.

If I cry, I won’t be able to stay with him.

No, I don’t want that.

I finally realized my own feelings.

“No… I want to be with Suzukaze-kun more… I want to stay with him…”

I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore.

I was just desperately trying to hold back the flood of emotions.

But the tears wouldn’t stop.

The words wouldn’t come out.

Before I knew it, the teachers had come and escorted me off the stage.

By the time I had calmed down, I was in a separate room, and the speech time had ended.

◇

“Ahaha! What was that? A pity act? Playing the tragic heroine—now that’s something!”

Right after Takamiya was taken away by the teachers, I tried to go after her, but Jinguji blocked my way and laughed mockingly.

“…Move.”

“Oh my, is that how you speak to someone who’s going to be your superior starting tomorrow?”

“It’s not decided yet.”

“But you already know the result without even seeing the outcome, don’t you? You’ll keep your promise. So for tonight, go ahead and comfort that crybaby all you want.”

With a smirk, Jinguji disappeared into the depths of the backstage area.

And I—

I hurried to go find Takamiya, but—

“Hey, Suzukaze-kun.”

This time, Tokito called out to me.

“Uh, yeah? What is it?”

“A competition is a matter of timing. But since this must be fate, let’s get along from now on.”

Expressionless as ever, yet for some reason, she held out her hand for a handshake.

“Uh… sure.”

I absentmindedly took her hand and shook it, then snapped back to reality.

“Wait, this isn’t the time for this! Sorry, Tokito-san, see you later!”

I immediately rushed toward the waiting room backstage.