I Will Do Everything In My Power To Bring Happiness To The Enchanting Beauty Who Can No Longer Smile. - Chapter 5: The Brilliance of the Beautiful Girl Who Can Turn a Nation Around.

The Brilliance of the Beautiful Girl Who Can Turn a Nation Around.

On the screen, two Shiba Inu puppies are playfully interacting. They chase each other, fight over toys, and occasionally jump onto the person filming them—their owner, most likely.

Their tails wag excitedly as they lick the camera lens. The owner hastily pulls back, saying, “No, don’t do that,” in a flustered tone.

“They’re adorable.”

“Aren’t they just the cutest?”

The puppies dash around the spacious yard, let their owner squish their cheeks while wagging their tails, and, not wanting to be left out, one of them places its front paws on the owner’s knee, seeking attention.

Just watching them makes one’s cheeks relax into a smile. They’re so incredibly cute, so heartwarming. Ah, adorable.

I glance at Tsubame, wondering if she, too, is smiling at this.

—But she remains expressionless.

Expressionless, yet… something is vastly different from before.

It’s her eyes.

Her eyes shine, radiating a brilliance incomparable to earlier—like stars scattered across the night sky.

“…So cute.”

The words slipping from her lips are probably unconscious.

But rather than feeling relieved, I find myself unable to.

The presence of this girl, often referred to as the “Nation’s Enchantress,” shakes the hearts of all who gaze upon her. I am no exception.

Her flowing black hair, sharp almond-shaped eyes, and features so stunning they seem blessed by the gods.

Seeing her up close, I question if she’s truly human—she looks even more breathtaking in person than in photographs or on-screen.

—I hold my breath, frozen as if encased in wax. My gaze locks onto her, unable to look away.

I thought I had moved past this. I thought knowing her struggles would keep me from reacting this way again.

And yet—

When I try to call her name, only the sound of escaping air leaves my lips.

Tsubame’s face remains blank, her lips unmoved.

Yet, she overwhelms me.

My heartbeat thunders, heat surging through my veins.

The background noise—video sounds, the ticking clock—all fade. Even the deafening rhythm of my own heart grows distant, as if time itself has stopped.

But that moment doesn’t last.

Her luminous eyes—like stars gleaming in the dark—turn toward me.

The instant our eyes meet, my consciousness rises from its daze.

“Shigure-kun, is something wrong? They’re adorable, aren’t they?”

“Ah… yeah. They really are.”

Instinctively, I raise a hand to cover my eyes. If I don’t, I doubt I’ll be able to look away.

Perhaps the reason she never smiles in any of her public appearances is this—

If she did, countless people would be left staring, dazed, just like I am now. If posters and magazine covers featuring her displayed a smiling face, accidents and missed train stops might skyrocket.

It’s a ridiculous thought.

—But I can’t dismiss it outright. That’s how overwhelming her beauty is.

This is the “Nation’s Enchantress,” a beauty so captivating it could bring a nation to ruin.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just… got a little mesmerized.”

My heartbeat gradually slows. My mouth feels dry, so I take a sip of my remaining corn potage. It’s already cold, but I don’t mind.

Just then, I feel a tug on my sleeve. I blink hard, then turn to her.

“What is it?”

“…Shigure-kun, are you like everyone else?”

Her eyes still shine, but within them, I see something deeper—a lingering shadow.

In that moment, I realize my reaction has touched something within her.

“I don’t know if I’m the same, but—”

Her question is vague, but I understand what she means. Just now, I was no different from those who gawked at her magazine covers and in the classroom when she walked in.

I recognize that. The feeling I had when I first saw her on the cover of “UBG” is the same as what I just experienced.

But am I the same person I was back then?

I ask myself—and I shake my head.

I may have been captivated just now, but there’s something different.

“I am me. I am Yukitsuki Shigure, your childhood friend. No matter what happens, that won’t change.”

What’s different from before?

Now, I am Tsubame’s childhood friend.

It may seem like just a label, but to me, it makes a world of difference.

And now, I know her story.

Tsubame looks straight at me, as if searching for something.

“…Really?”

“I promise. I may be shaken for a moment, but I’ll always return to myself. It might happen again, but I’ll always come back.”

“I believe you.”

I exhale deeply and look at her again. My heartbeat is still fast, thudding through my bones and flesh, but the unsettling thrill from earlier has subsided.

“Sorry, I just… wasn’t prepared for how much you’d changed.”

“Changed?”

“Yeah. You might not have noticed, but your eyes… they have light in them again.”

“Really?”

Since she wasn’t watching the video, the light in her eyes begins to dim. But it hasn’t disappeared yet.

“It’s true.”

“…………”

She seems deep in thought. Wondering what’s on her mind, I pause the video.

After a few moments, she looks at me.

“Shigure-kun, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“If I change again… take a picture of me. With your phone.”

“Mine?”

Curious about why, I see her take out her smartphone.

“Mine is strictly for work. I’ve barely used the camera, and the quality isn’t great.”

“Makes sense.”

“Also, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but I can’t exactly hand over my work phone.”

Fair enough.

I have no problem with taking pictures, but one thing concerns me.

“Is that okay? I thought it was strictly prohibited.”

In today’s world, celebrities are constantly photographed in public, with their images spreading across social media. Often, these are taken without consent, yet they remain online unless the subject explicitly protests.

But with the “Nation’s Enchantress,” it’s different. Her agency has publicly declared: “Photography of Sakakibara Tsubame is strictly forbidden.”

Even rare instances of her appearing on social media are swiftly deleted within hours.

Some speculate her agency wants to “monopolize” her image.

Whatever the reason, the rule is clear—photography is not allowed.

“I trust you, Shigure-kun… as long as you don’t show anyone or post them online.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t… Alright, I got it.”

If she says it’s fine, then it should be okay. I’ll delete the photo after showing it to her, just in case.

I get my phone ready and start playing the video. I’m not keeping the camera pointed at her the whole time, but she doesn’t show any sign of concern about it.

I try to keep my eyes on the video as much as possible, occasionally glancing at Tsubame. As expected, the light gradually returns to her eyes.

…Alright, this should be fine. It was probably the surprise that caught her off guard earlier. My heart is still pounding, but at least my body isn’t freezing up like before.

A shutter sound clicks.

As soon as it does, Tsubame looks at me—Huh?

“What’s wrong?”

“…No, just a moment ago, there was light in your eyes. Let me check the photo.”

Tsubame’s eyes, which had been shining just moments ago, are now filled with a deep darkness. The stars that had been twinkling inside them are gone. But I was sure they were there just before… I quickly check the photo.

But—

“…It’s gone? Why?”

In the photo, too, the light in her eyes has disappeared. A moment ago, it was definitely there, and if it were fading, it should have happened gradually… That’s how it was earlier.

“Ah.”

“What is it?”

Tsubame lets out a small sound. When I ask, she shifts her darkened eyes from the photo to me.

“Maybe it’s because it’s a photo.”

“Like a professional reflex?”

“Yeah. Sorry. I thought it would be fine.”

“No, you don’t need to apologize.”

It must have triggered her instinct as a model.

If that’s the case, then it can’t be helped. And if even she didn’t expect it, then it really can’t be helped.

So… hmm.

“What about a video? I could try recording without you noticing.”

“I don’t think it’ll make a difference. Maybe if it were a hidden camera or something.”

“Well, yeah. Of course, I don’t have one.”

“I know. But since we have time, I’d still like you to try recording a video.”

“Got it.”

And so, I try filming a video as well… but just like with the photo, the notification sound goes off when I start recording. As expected, her eyes don’t shine at all while I’m filming.

Even when I excuse myself to the restroom and secretly record while returning, she still notices. Looks like I have no talent for sneaky filming… not that I wanted it in the first place.

Next, I try using a mirror, but that doesn’t work either. When I ask why, she says, “It feels the same as looking at a photo or video of myself.”

So, it seems her professional instincts kick in no matter what.

“…Hmm.”

“Shigure-kun, it’s fine now. I was just curious—that’s all. I’m not doubting you anymore.”

“That’s a relief to hear, but…”

I still want to show her somehow. But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t come up with a solution right now.

“This is the first time something like this has happened since I became a model.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I think… I might be able to change more from here on. Nothing like this has ever happened before.”

Nothing like this before, huh?

…It’s just a small change, but the first step is always the biggest.

After thinking for a moment, I nod.

“Got it. …You’ll be fine. Before long, you’ll be able to smile. No—I’ll make sure of it.”

“…You really haven’t changed, Shigure-kun.”

“Come to think of it, I think I said something similar when we first met.”

The first time… back when we were around two or three years old, in the neighborhood park.

Tsubame was shy and never smiled. I vaguely remember saying something similar to her back then.

I never thought I’d be saying it again.

“Well, it feels better when my childhood friend is smiling.”

“…Thank you.”

I won’t ask for things to be like they were back then.

I just want her to smile.

That’s all there is to it.

“Alright, let’s keep watching. There are lots of cute videos left.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Tsubame murmurs softly, gazing at me.

Maybe because she really is looking forward to it—her eyes now hold a gentle light.