When I Brought The Lost Little Girl To Her House, The One Who Came Out Of The Front Door Was The Most Beautiful Girl In The Grade. - Chapter 51

As I was running, I came across Shirasaka, who seemed restless and anxious. His expression was truly one of distress.

“Shirasaka, are you also looking for Ayano?”

“Well, I’m on the organizing committee, so yeah.”

“It’s tough being on the committee, huh?”

“No, the one having a hard time is Shiragawa-san.”

“That’s pretty harsh, isn’t it? Doing something like that,” Shirasaka said angrily.

He’s a good guy, after all. Being able to get angry about someone else’s situation might be a sign of a good person.

“Oh! Right, want to search together?”

“Huh? Why?”

“I thought maybe you know where she might be.”

“Nah, I’m just going to change and head back to the classroom, that’s all.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

Shirasaka looked incredibly surprised.

“And besides, it’s probably more efficient to search separately.”

“True…”

“If you search places like the rooftop, you might find her.”

“The rooftop… Thanks!”

Saying that, Shirasaka rushed up the stairs. Watching his figure, I couldn’t help but think he’s really a cool guy, and I ended up smiling.

“But sorry, Shirasaka, I’m not as kind as you.”

I said that to Shirasaka as he ran up, knowing he probably wouldn’t hear it anymore.

There was a door leading to the back garden of the school, where there was a flowerbed. For some reason, the trick to opening this door was to pull the doorknob first and then turn it. Was the alignment off?

The memories that only the two of us shared, a place unknown to others, even Shirasaka didn’t know about it.

As I moved forward, I noticed that the silky black hair was swaying gently in the wind.

Before I knew it, I was lost in thought, standing there with my mouth hanging open.

Then Ayano noticed me. She looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, “As expected.”

“Oh? You caught me.”

“It’s not like you got caught. What are you doing?”

“I guess I’ve stopped caring about things like the beauty pageant.”

“Everyone is worried, you know.”

When I said that, Ayano’s expression instantly darkened. After that, she looked at me with lowered eyebrows.

“That outfit…”

“Because we did a Cinderella play, I took on the role of Cinderella.”

Saying that, she laughed softly. But the usual energy wasn’t there.

After that, silence continued.

***

After the silence persisted, it was Ayano who brought up the conversation.

“Did you see that photo?”

“Yeah, I saw it.”

“Seriously, what should we do? Wouldn’t it be really not fun if that photo says ‘Last year’s top vote-getter with a vote count of 0!’?”

This person is truly foolish, trying to turn the urge to cry into laughter. But when you want to cry, you should just cry. Sometimes, crying is the only way to let it all out.

Just laughing won’t make the pain go away.

“You’re such an idiot,” I said, sighing.

“Huh?”

“It’s not like your vote count was actually 0.”

I said that while letting out a sigh. She raised her eyebrows slightly and had a slightly annoyed expression.

“What do you know about me, Yuusei-kun?”

“I don’t know anything.”

“Then why?”

“But I do know why your vote count wasn’t 0.”

“…What?”

She asked me with an expression that seemed eager to know. I took a deep breath. Inhale and exhale. By this point, my heart was already pounding loudly.

I looked at Ayano with a mischievous smile and said, “Because I voted.”

“Huh? So, that means…”

“Even if an extremely beautiful actress or a model with an amazing figure showed up, I’d definitely vote for you, Ayano.”

“Huh, but, but…”

Was she shaken? She must have been holding back tears, as she rubbed her eyes, insisting that she wasn’t crying.

And then, Ayano took a deep breath as well. In a manner similar to earlier, she inhaled deeply and exhaled.

“There’s one thing I want to ask…”

“Anything, go ahead.”

“Why do you go to such lengths to help me?”

“Well, that’s because…”

“Back when we were in elementary school, when Natsuno got lost, and even now, you’ve always tried to help me… Tell me, why do you do so much for me?”

It was a very simple question. A question that the old me would never have been able to answer, one that I’d always evaded with vagueness.

But now, it was simple. The answer was obvious.

“That’s because I like you, obviously.”

“Like me?”

“Actually, to tell you the truth, I’ve had a crush on you since elementary school, Ayano.”

“Oh… uh…”

The moment I conveyed my feelings, tears overflowed from Ayano’s eyes. After that, her tears didn’t stop.

Maybe she had been holding it in for so long, that she was crying out loud.

“Ayano, you did well.”

Saying that, I hugged the sobbing Ayano.

“Ayano, this might not be the best time, but I want you to hear me out. I really love you. I want to be with you.”

I finally said it. However, Ayano either didn’t have the composure to react or didn’t say anything even after hearing my confession.

A few minutes later, Ayano’s crying subsided.

“Alright! I’ve cried a lot, and I’ve gained some strength from it, so I’m going now!”

“Yeah, take care.”

“Yeah! Yuusei-kun, that outfit suits you too!”

Even though she said it suits me, since I’m crossdressing, I’m not particularly thrilled about it.

I imagined how wonderful Ayano would look in the Cinderella outfit, if she were the one wearing it.

I removed one of the tiaras that I was wearing on my head.

“Ayano, wait.”

Saying that, I called out to Ayano. She seemed to be wondering what was going on.

I put the tiara I was holding onto Ayano’s head.

“Yeah, it looks good on you.”

“Jeez! …Thank you.”

Saying that, this time for real, I ran off. Once Ayano’s figure was out of sight, I sat down on the spot.

“Phew, I finally said it. I was really nervous.”

Suddenly, I felt like a wave of fatigue hit me all at once.

Thinking of returning, I opened the door and stepped outside, only to find Shirasaka standing there.

“I wonder why I can’t beat you.”

I hadn’t been competing with him or anything, but… Shirasaka was looking at me with a serious expression.

“Whatever, I’m not as kind as you are.”

“I’m not that kind either.”

“No, you are.”

That was the end of the conversation with Shirasaka. No, I ended it. After realizing his feelings, I thought it would be better not to be there, so I quickly returned to the gymnasium.

“I’m sorry for being late…”

“Oh? Weren’t you going to change?”

Ayano’s mother said with a laugh.

“Don’t tease me.”

Really, if someone else found out I was looking for Ayano, what would I do? Well, I guess it’s okay if they find out.

“Everyone, I’m sorry for being late!”

Ayano was apologizing at the front of the stage.

“If you’re late, we should deduct points!”

Someone from the audience said to Ayano. Ayano seemed like she didn’t really care about that.

“If you want to deduct points, go ahead. I don’t care about being the number one in a beauty pageant!”

The crowd murmured as they heard her words.

“I have something I want to say, is it okay?”

“S-Sure!”

Even the host, overwhelmed by Ayano’s presence, allowed her to speak.

“I was confessed to yesterday and today as well. But I’m sorry, there’s someone I’ve liked since elementary school, so except for that person, I don’t have anyone else in my heart!”

Hearing those words from Ayano’s mouth, I thought I had been rejected.

But strangely, I didn’t feel regret. Was it because I felt like I had given it my all?

Maybe because I had said what I wanted to say.

“I’m going to tell you who that person I like is now.”

What kind of guy is it? I wanted to see his face, wondering where he’s coming from. I looked around restlessly.

“Kuroda Yuusei! Are you there?”

My name was called, and when I looked at Ayano, she was also looking at me.

Why, how did she know?

“See, he’s right there.”

Saying that, Ayano stepped off the stage and walked toward me.

I felt like time had stopped, and I was frozen. But my heart was pounding loudly and getting faster ever since my name was called.

“I’ll answer your earlier question now. I love you too! If you’re okay with someone like me, please go out with me.”

She smiled and gave a graceful bow. Of course, there was no way I would say no.

“I-I’m looking forward to it.”

The moment I said that, Ayano hugged me. I gently hugged her back.

And so, Ayano and I started dating.

***

As for Ayano, she ended up winning first place in the beauty pageant after all. It seems she was overwhelmingly successful.

The message incident had been deleted by the time the first day of the cultural festival was over.

And as for me, I suddenly became famous. As the guy who dated the top-ranked beauty of the year while crossdressing, I gained quite the reputation as a weirdo.