The Story Of How I, A Gloomy Guy, Ended Up Surrounded By the Top-Tier Beautiful Girls In Class After A Seat Change - Chapter 148-149.1

Chapter 148: Passionate Feelings Are Contagious

Amidst an intense race, Rui and two other competitors crossed the finish line almost simultaneously.

Although we were near the goal, we viewed the finish from a diagonal angle, so it was hard to tell who had won.

But then…

The time”11.59 seconds” appeared on the electronic scoreboard.

And almost immediately—

The name “Natsuhama Central High School, Rui Kuroki” was displayed.

“Whoa! Whoooooa!”

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.

Rui responded by catching her breath and waving toward the stands.

As she loosened her tied hair, her silky, long black hair swayed in the wind, as if celebrating her victory.

A five-time consecutive summer national champion in the 100-meter dash since her first year of middle school.

(That’s… way too perfect, Rui…)

Welcomed by the cheers, Rui bowed deeply toward the stands.

When she finished bowing, she looked up with a refreshing smile.

The usual teasing Rui who always pokes fun at me wasn’t there anymore.

Now, she was Rui Kuroki, the undefeated champion who claimed victory and proved her perfection.

“Rui Kuroki! Please pose for a photo here!”

“Over here too! Strike a pose!”

Surrounded by reporters on the field, Rui remained composed.

Ah, this feeling—I experienced it during the school festival too… this distance.

Why does it feel like… someone like me could never really support someone like Rui?

“Rui-chan won! She won!”

“Kuroki-san is amazing as always!”

“Really incredible! That’s Rui for you!”

Everyone was genuinely thrilled by Rui’s victory, and of course, I was happy too.

Normally, I’d play the supportive boyfriend role from the back, saying, “Yeah, my Rui’s amazing, right?” and someone like Tanaka would tease me about it. But now…

The more I witness Rui Kuroki’s greatness firsthand, the less I understand why she insists on staying with me.

During the school festival, Rui once told me that I had saved her from her”perfection” in the past, and that’s why she wanted me to keep supporting her.

But deep inside, I can’t shake this feeling of distance from Rui.

Isn’t Rui capable of achieving perfection all by herself?

Even if I hadn’t become vice president… Rui would still…

As I was lost in these thoughts, I glanced back toward Rui.

“…What?”

Rui, amidst hundreds in the stands, instantly spotted me. Her sharp gaze pierced right through me.

How… how did she know where I was…?

Then, Rui winked and made a hand gesture near her ear.

(A phone gesture? A call…? Is she talking about… my smartphone?)

After making the gesture, Rui left the field.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and stared at the screen for a while.

And then—

“Rui: Ryota-kun. I’ll be waiting outside Gate A.”

Rui… asked for me.

Even though I had felt distant from her, seeing Rui’s unwavering determination ignited something in me.

I couldn’t leave this burning feeling in my chest unresolved.

Right now, I want to talk to Rui.

I want to ask her again—why she needs me.

“Ryota-kun? What’s wrong?”

“Uh, I’m going to the bathroom!”

“Jeez, Ryota! At least say it more maturely. You’re not a grade-schooler anymore!”

“Exactly!”

With my mind still in a haze, I left my seat to meet Rui.

Rui…

—

Chapter 149.1: Rui’s Feelings, Ryota’s Thoughts (1)

I sprinted up the stairs and walked briskly down the hallway, heading toward Gate A of the stadium.

This stadium is way too big… Gate A should be this way, right?

I slowed my pace to check the stadium map on my phone. Just as I was about to open it—

“Eek!”

“Whoa!”

My gaze was fixed on my phone, and I ended up colliding with someone at the corner of an exit.

“I-I’m so sorry… wait.”

The person I bumped into was—

“Geez… You know walking while looking at your phone is really dangerous, right?”

Long reddish hair tied in a half-up style, a graceful figure that could pass for a model, and a sweet smile even while slightly scolding me. Her large eyes were captivating, and a fresh citrus fragrance lingered in the air.

Standing before me was none other than Nozomi Himesaki, the beautiful junior Tanaka had been praising just moments ago.

H-Himesaki…

Seeing her this close, I realized how incredibly cute she was.

“Um, excuse me, senpai?”

“Oh, s-sorry!”

“Please be more careful next time, okay? Ryota-senpai.”

“Huh? Ryota?”

“Oh no, it’s already this late… I have a friend competing in the pole vault, so I’ll take my leave. See you later.”

Himesaki bowed politely and left.

For some reason, she knew my name. Could it be because I hang out with those three beautiful girls so often that I’ve become famous?

“Well, whatever… More importantly—”

I need to hurry to Rui.

When I exited the stadium through Gate A, I didn’t see Rui yet.

I thought she’d be near the entrance, but…

The sunlight was scorching, so I waited in the shade near the entrance and exit to avoid melting in the heat.

“Hehe… Ryota-kun?”

“Wha—oh, Rui.”

I was startled by the voice behind me, but when I saw it was Rui, I felt relieved.

She was wearing her midriff-baring uniform, her hair tied in the same ponytail as when she was on the track.

“C-Congratulations, Rui! I heard you won five championships in a row. That’s amazing!”

“Hehe, thanks. It was pretty close this time.”

“Is it okay for you to be talking to me? Don’t you need to get ready for the next event?”

“It’s fine. My next event, the relay, isn’t until the afternoon. Besides… talking with you like this is also part of my preparation.”

“T-Talking with me is…?”

There’s no way that could be preparation for Rui.

Honestly, that’s what I thought.

“You were surprised, right? I didn’t tell you today was my competition.”

“O-Of course I was! When you said something about punishment the other day, I came to school all excited thinking it’d be something more… you know, fun and exciting…”

But when I opened the lid on that expectation, I was once again shown just how amazing Rui is. It made me painfully aware of my own insignificance.

Rui… she lives in a completely different dimension than I do.

“What’s wrong, Ryota-kun? Why the gloomy face? Oh, wait… do I smell bad?”

“Wha—! Rui, there’s no way you smell bad! You always smell amazing, like a real girl! A-Actually, if anything, I’d find it exciting if you were sweaty…”

“Hehe, honestly, Ryota-kun…”

Even when I say something so inappropriate, Rui just laughs it off with a smile. As always, Rui is—

“The Rui standing here now… is the usual Rui, isn’t she?”

“What’s with you all of a sudden, Ryota-kun?”

“…I’ve been thinking… someone as incredible as you shouldn’t have someone like me by your side.”

“…Huh?”

“You’re amazing, Rui. You’re number one nationally in both sports and academics. You’re beautiful… just perfect. Someone like me, a gloomy introvert, doesn’t deserve to be by your side.”