I Want to Have a Girlfriend Too - Chapter 43

Now, our story has progressed one step further toward the end. – Vol 2 END

 

　The Sakura School Festival has ended without any problems and is now after school. Outside, students are tidying up their stalls with regret.

 

　Normally, I would have been in my classroom to clean up after my class, but――

 

“…Hey, why do I have to work until this time?”

 

　I was in the student council office, cleaning up after the Sakura School Festival.

 

“I told you at the beginning that you’d have to be both a student council member and a committee member.”

 

　In the student council room, beside me, there was Saijouin, the third runner-up in the beauty contest.

　Saijouin is still working as the student council president, so we are working together after school.

 

“But, don’t we have to do anything today? You could let us bask in the afterglow of the Sakura School Festival a little longer… “

“What’s done is done. It’s important to switch things up at times like this.”

 

　Saijouin was working on her hands even while she was talking to me.

 

　Uh, she said, “It’s important to switch….” We’re still in high school, right?

　We’ll learn that feeling when we become company employees, so why now?

 

“But we have to hurry, or else the launch will start. We’ll never finish this by today, will we? Saijouin-sama~? “”

 

　I look at the stack of papers on my desk and complain.

　There are more than a hundred sheets of paper.

　It’s a monumental task to have to type them into a sheet in an easy-to-understand manner…

 

“If you feel that way, then do it with your hands. Otherwise, you won’t even get it done, will you? “

“Huh, I really hope you will pay my overtime… “

 

　With a small whine, I resumed my sad and painful work to attend the class launch later in the day.

 

“…you’re always saying something more, but you always do a good job..”

 

　I hear Saijouin’s muttering at the end, but I type silently on the computer.

 

`*`*`*

 

　Thirty minutes later.

　Saijouin and I work silently without talking to each other.

 

　But as time goes by, we lose our concentration.

　So I stopped working, stood up tall, and called out to Saijouin.

 

“Hey, Saijouin,”

“……? “

 

　Saijouin pauses her work, turns to me, and I say,

 

“Did you have a good time at the Sakura School Festival? “

 

　I asked her shortly and simply about the Festival.

　For Saijouin, the Sakura School Festival must have been very special because of the many events that took place.

 

“…Yes, it was a lot of fun, even though a lot was going on.”

 

　She gets up from her seat and takes a seat near me.

　…Wait a minute, why did you approach me? Can’t you talk in your seat?

 

“You tried so hard to please your father that you collapsed on the first day of the Sakura School Festival.”

” …I was really impatient at that time.”

 

　Saijouin turns to me as if reflecting on the past.

　I took my eyes off her for a moment and thought back in the same way.

 

“By the way, Tokimori-san broke into my house, didn’t he? “

“Don’t you know that if I didn’t do that in that situation, it’s the end of you? “

“Fufu, I’m just kidding.”

 

　Saijouin put her hand on her mouth and smiled happily.

　I look at her face and feel my face getting red for some reason.

 

　…No, I’m not nervous at all!

 

　That’s it! It’s getting hotter! It’s autumn!

　It’s not because Saijouin is cute that I’m nervous!

　She is indeed very cute, but! But don’t get me wrong, readers!

 

“I’m really sorry for the trouble I caused you at that time… “

“I told you not to worry about that. “

“I know, but…”

 

　Seeing that Saijouin was still not backing down, I gently patted her silky blond head.

 

” ! ! ! “

“We’re both here for each other when we’re in trouble. Besides, I didn’t notice that you were trying too hard, so it’s only natural for me to do that as a friend, right? “

” …… “

 

　Saijouin is a little surprised when I pat her on the head but soon lets her head fall into my hands.

 

　At the time, I didn’t realize that she was trying too hard, and I was distracted from the reality of the situation, even though I felt a sense of discomfort.

　That’s why I didn’t notice until she collapsed.

　So I’m responsible… for taking care of her, that’s a given.

 

“That is―― “

“Isn’t it funny how hard work isn’t rewarded? “

“Oh, I remember that well.”

 

　Yes, it’s strange that those who work hard don’t get rewarded.

　If Saijouin had stayed down and the Sakura School Festival had ended, Saijouin would not have been rewarded.

　That’s why I helped her.

 

” …So that’s why Tokimori-san brought my father here.”

“Uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about. “

“Don’t worry. I knew because I asked my father about it.”

 

　That bastard old man… I told you not to say anything――I’ll remember it the next time I see you.

 

” …Why did you do that much for me? “

 

　Saijouin moves her face closer to mine and looks into my face.

　Wait!? Aren’t you too close to me, miss?

 

“No, I mean… I want Saijouin’s efforts to be rewarded…”

 

　I turn my face away from Saijouin to get away from her.

　She’s really close! When I turn my face toward her, I’m conscious of her peach-colored lips and stuff!

 

” …Is that all? “

 

　Saijouin is not backing down yet.

 

　…It’s true, she’s right, that’s not all.

 

　But I can’t say that to her or anyone else yet.

　Because this is my own problem.

 

“By the way, it’s too bad you got third place in the beauty contest! “

 

　So I forcefully change the subject.

　Then Saijouin sighs a little and leaves me.

 

　…Whew, that was close.

 

　My heart is still thumping.

　I really hope she’s aware of the fact that she’s a beautiful girl.

 

“Not that I’m that disappointed since it wasn’t my goal to win first place.”

” … Did you mean that you just want someone you like to see you? “

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

　In the end, Maya-nē took first place, Kagurazaka took second place, and Saijouin took third place.

　I had expected Saijouin to take first place after hearing the cheers from the audience, but it seems that her shocking comment made her lose first place.

 

　I guess it’s the same thing as when an idol gets married, and her popularity drops.

 

“I was so surprised… I’ve never heard of it before .”

“fufu, I didn’t tell anyone either.”

 

　Saijouin gave a small smile.

 

　What? Didn’t you tell Senpai?

　Then why did Senpai look like he knew?

 

　…No, Senpai, the man among men, must have sensed it when he saw Saijouin.

 

　Great job, Senpai.

 

“You could have told me…”

“I can’t tell you, ──── and I’ve only recently realized that I like him.”

“…I see.”

 

　I see the look on her face and stop pursuing the matter any further.

　It’s a sensitive subject, and she’s going to do her best to make her love come true on her own without my help.

 

　 …As someone who has been with her for quite a while now, I am a little sad about this, but it can’t be helped.

 

　I will support her to make her love come true.

 

” ──── but since Tokimori-san helped me out… I’ll give you a special hint.”

 

　She got up from her seat, crossed her arms behind her back, and smiled at me with a big smile.

　For a moment, Saijouin seemed to sparkle in the sunset in the student council room.

 

“This is my first love. The first person who looked at me when no one looked at me personally. The one who, despite my complaints, helped me get a boyfriend. The one who told me how hard I worked when I was on my own. The one who told me it was wrong that my efforts were not rewarded and acted to ensure I was rewarded.――The man I love is that kind of man.”

 

　The way she talked about her favorite person was sparkling and fantastic.

　I can’t help but feel a thrill when I see her like that.

 

　No, it’s more like――

 

“Wait, that’s…”

“Fufu, let’s finish our work earlier and join the launch.”

 

　Saijouin turned her back to me and went back to her seat.

 

　I feel a bit bothered by the sight of her.

　Every word she said sounded as if she was referring to me.

 

“Saijouin, do you like…. me? “

 

　She didn’t tell me to my face that she liked me.

　But I could only think so from what she said.

 

　I can feel my face getting hot when I think about it.

　Maybe if I look in the mirror now, I’ll be as red as a tomato.

 

　Maybe it’s conceit.

　Still, I can’t help thinking of Saijouin’s words.

 

“….huh, who is it?”

 

　I sigh.

　Ultimately, I still can’t be sure until I ask her.

 

　In the meantime, I’m sure I’ll continue to be conscious of her words.

 

“Anyway, I guess I’ll just get it over with….”

 

　I stop thinking for a moment and go back to work.

 

 

 

　Despite everything that happened, this is how our Sakura School Festival came to an end.

 

　She has moved forward a great deal in this Festival.

 

　I don’t know how she will go on to achieve her goals.

　Still, the only thing I do know is this―――

 

 

“She’s one step closer to her goal now.”

 

 

 

　And now, our story progressed one step further toward the end.