I Will Do Everything In My Power To Bring Happiness To The Enchanting Beauty Who Can No Longer Smile. - Chapter 1: My Estranged Childhood Friend Had Become A Model Known As A 'Nation's Enchantress'.

My Estranged Childhood Friend Had Become A Model Known As A ‘Nation’s Enchantress’.

“Hey, this month’s issue is crazy, right?”

“You mean the one with the ‘Nation’s Enchantress’ on the cover? I bought a magazine for the first time in my life because of that.”

Everyone passing by was talking about the same thing.

It was all because she graced the cover of today’s newly released issue of Unreal Beauty Girls, or UBG.

“I got chills the moment I saw it in the convenience store.”

“It kinda scared me a little… That’s not a doll, right?”

“She’s real. My friend knew her when she was still just a reader model.”

No matter where I walked, regardless of age or gender, all anyone talked about was her. Her presence was just that overwhelming.

“They call her the ‘Nation’s Enchantress,’ but she actually lives up to the name. That face, that figure… It’s unreal.”

“Did you hear? Some prince from a foreign country tried to contact her.”

“For real? That’s literally nation-ruining.”

“I even heard a famous oil tycoon proposed to her. And she’s still in high school—wait, no, middle school?”

“That’s kinda creepy… or is it? She doesn’t seem like a kid at all.”

“Right? If someone told me she was older than me, I’d believe it.”

No matter how far I walked, the conversation about her never ended.

Moving to the side of the sidewalk, I pulled a magazine from the bag I was carrying.

The moment I looked at the cover, my breath caught in my throat.

Everything around me fell silent—not just the noise of the city but even the sound of my own heartbeat. It felt as if time itself had stopped.

“…She’s beautiful.”

The last time I saw her was back in elementary school, just before moving up from second to third grade. It had been years since then.

Sakakibara Tsubame.

My childhood friend had become Japan’s top model.

…It’s been so long. She probably doesn’t remember me anymore.

As I gazed at her on the cover, a faint sense of unease crept into my mind. Something about her expression felt off—but I dismissed it as my imagination and put the magazine back in my bag before heading home.

***

Years passed since I learned my childhood friend had become a top model. Now, I was a high school student.

“Oh, we’re in the same class! That’s awesome, Shigure!”

“…”

“Huh? What’s wrong? See someone you know from elementary school?”

The guy chatting next to me was Haiguchi Shirao, a friend from middle school. We had entered the same high school together.

But now, a problem had arisen.

“Wait… is this Sakakibara Tsubame?”

“…What?! You mean that Sakakibara Tsubame?!”

“Oh, wow, you’re right. The ‘Nation’s Enchantress’ is in our school?!”

The hallway buzzed with excitement, and beside me, Shirao let out an amazed whistle.

“Man, that’s insane. A celebrity in our class. …Wait, are you okay, Shigure? You look pale.”

“…It’s nothing.”

I was so shocked my heart felt like it was creaking under the weight of it. But after taking a deep breath, I managed to calm down a little.

…There’s no way she remembers me. She has to have forgotten by now.

“Feeling sick? Wanna go to the nurse’s office?”

“I’m fine. Thanks. Let’s just head to the gym.”

“Oh, right. Good idea—too crowded here.”

If I stayed, I might run into her.

…Though, that seemed inevitable at this point.

Pushing through the throng of students, I nudged Shirao forward, and we made our way to the gym.

***

The entrance ceremony proceeded as expected—speeches from the principal and student council president, formal greetings, and all that. Once it ended, we moved to our classrooms.

Fortunately, we had to walk in an orderly line, so I didn’t have to face her directly. But I still caught sight of her from behind.

Even without searching, she naturally stood out.

Her figure was exceptional—tall but not overwhelmingly so. Her hair shimmered in the sunlight, and even her movements exuded an aura that set her apart in the best way possible.

As expected, students whispered excitedly, prompting teachers to step in with gentle warnings, likely because it was the first day.

Upon reaching the classroom, we found our seats listed on the blackboard in alphabetical order.

My seat was near the back by the window—the perfect spot. I’d have to be careful not to doze off.

Shirao sat in the front row, while Sakakibara Tsubame’s name was listed near the aisle, at the very front.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I had expected our names wouldn’t be close, but seeing our seats were far apart as well was a welcome reassurance.

“Seating is alphabetical, but if anyone has trouble seeing, speak up now so I can make adjustments,” the teacher announced.

A brief silence followed, then the girl beside me hesitantly raised her hand.

“S-Sorry, Sensei. My eyesight’s bad. Can I sit at the front?”

“Oh? Alright. Nejou, would you mind switching?”

“Sorry, Sensei, but my eyesight’s bad too… I can’t handle the back.”

“Hmm… I see.”

A bad feeling crept over me.

If she was anything like she used to be, she would raise her hand right about now.

No, surely not. Someone else will volunteer. The front row is coveted—

“I’ll switch.”

“Oh? Are you sure, Sakakibara?”

“Yes.”

Her voice had matured, flowing like a clear mountain stream yet carrying a weight that commanded attention.

The room instantly filled with murmurs.

“Alright, then. If you’re fine with it.”

“T-Thank you, Sakakibara-san!”

“Don’t mention it.”

The moment my neighbor left, I stared intensely out the window.

Great weather today. Absolutely fantastic. The kind of day perfect for a picnic—not that I’ve gone on one in ten years.

My thoughts were interrupted by the voice I least wanted to hear.

“Yukitsuki-kun.”

“…You’ve got the wrong person.”

“No, I don’t. It’s you.”

The sweat broke out instantly as she called my name.

Resigned to my fate, I turned.

There sat the ‘Nation’s Enchantress,’ looking straight at me.

But the face I remembered was nowhere to be found.

“…Yes. I’m Yukitsuki Shigure.”

“I know. It’s been a while.”

“Yeah… it has.”

The classroom was in chaos. Even the teacher struggled to restore order.

Yet her voice cut through everything.

“Let’s get along, Yukitsuki Shigure-kun.”

“…Uh. Yeah. Nice to meet you, Sakakibara Tsubame-san.”

The words felt hollow.

The childhood friend I once knew—

Her eyes had lost all their light.