Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 3.4

The Autumn When Love Begins 4

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Haruko’s PoV

On the first afternoon of the cultural festival, Sacchan and I were calling customers over together.

The aroma of nicely grilled yakitori wafted from the stall. Just defrosting frozen yakitori bought from a wholesale supermarket, applying sauce, and grilling it didn’t require much effort.

According to Sagara-kun, it’s a “shady business.” Thanks to our prime location in the middle of the grass plaza, we were quite busy.

“Sudo-san, Nanase-san. If you’re free, why don’t you take a look around?”

While grilling skewers, Torii-kun from the same seminar group said. It seems that Torii-kun was assigned to the role of grilling skewers solely because of the impact of his surname. However, he didn’t complain at all and continued to grill the skewers with a smile.

“Also, bring some customers along. Sagara and Kinami haven’t come back at all. Those guys, they must be slacking off.”

Hearing Torii-kun’s words, I burst into laughter, recalling the image of Sagara-kun wrapped in a panda costume.

Just imagining what kind of face that unsociable Sagara-kun is making under the costume is hilarious. I must take a picture with him later.

“Ok, leave it to me! If anything comes up, contact me.”

“Thank you, Torii-kun. Please take care of it.”

“Yeap, take care~”

Waved off by Torii-kun, we started walking side by side.

The sky was a clear blue, and the contrast with the red and yellow tinted trees was beautiful. The roadside was crowded with stalls, and in front of the fountain, a dance circle was showcasing break dancing.

At the stage on the grass square, the finals of a quiz competition were being held. As incorrect buzzers were hit, large amounts of water fell on the contestants, enveloping the venue in laughter. I wonder how it works.

Here and there, cheerful laughter echoed. Wrapped in the lively air of this unusual day, I felt my heart swell with excitement.

“Haruko, looks fun, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, it’s fun!”

In high school, I used to prepare in a corner so as not to bother anyone, and on the day itself, I would hole up in the library studying all day. Participating in a festival like this is a first for me.

I couldn’t help but skip, and Sacchan laughed, saying, “I like that about you, Haruko.”

“I’m looking forward to the beauty pageant in the evening! Passing the preliminaries, as expected of Haruko!”

Sacchan said that with a proud smile.

The moment she said it, I remembered the fact I had almost forgotten, and my stomach started to hurt.

Somehow, I had miraculously passed the preliminaries of the beauty pageant. I have to stand on the stage for the finals this evening.

How did this happen? There’s no way I can compete with the naturally beautiful girls. If there’s anything commendable about me, it’s only my makeup skills that deceive those around me. This, I’m somewhat confident in.

“Really, I’m proud to have you as a friend! My Haruko is the cutest!”

Sacchan was more delighted about my passing the preliminaries than I was. I’ve always thought so, but it seems like Sacchan overestimates my looks.

Is this what they call ‘friend bias’? If so, it’s quite pleasant.

…Still, I’m deceiving my dear Sacchan.

At that moment, a pair of girls passing by glanced over at me. Curious, I looked their way and heard them giggling. It felt unpleasant.

“…Nanase-san… is going to be in the beauty pageant…”

“…Wow, getting carried away…”

“…Not that great anyway…”

I could somewhat guess the content of the whispered conversation. They should be from the same department of economics as me. We had sat at the same table at the party before.

…Yeah. That’s right. I understand that much.

The overheard words “Not that great” felt like tiny thorns pricking me.

The confidence I tried to muster deflated.

“What’s that about. So rude! If you have something to say, say it clearly!”

Sacchan raised her voice, and the girls hastily walked away. Sacchan patted my back, trying to cheer me up as I looked down.

“Don’t mind that. Oh, want to eat takoyaki? Hiroki gave me a free ticket.”

“Y-Yes! I want to eat!”

Sacchan and I headed to the takoyaki stall next to building 2, run by the futsal circle Hiroki-kun belongs to.

Hiroki-kun was holding a large signboard, talking to a girl nearby. As soon as he recognized Sacchan, he interrupted the conversation and his eyes sparkled with joy.

“Hey, Saki! Welcome!”

“Yo, i came for takoyaki. Give me some extra.”

“Can’t help it, for beauties like you, I’ll add some extra. Satoshi, make it a large serving of takoyaki.”

Saying that, Hiroki-kun handed us a clear food pack filled with takoyaki. The takoyaki was topped with green seaweed and fluffy bonito flakes danced on it.

“Thank you, Hiroki-kun.”

“No problem. Sorry, I can’t help you guys out.”

“Really, even Sagara is being made to wear a panda costume.”

“I’ll do it tomorrow, the panda.”

“How’s that going to work? Showing your face is your only asset.”

“Idiot, it’s the reveal that’s good, ‘handsome when he takes it off.'”

Watching their exchange, I thought they really are a good match. I wonder if they ever will date. Though I’d feel a bit lonely if Sacchan got a boyfriend.

Then, as we strolled around the stalls, we also bought tapioca bubble tea along the way. Occasionally, we didn’t forget to call out, “We’re selling yakitori in front of the grass square.”

Passing by, a little girl said, “The panda earlier was cute,” and I involuntarily stopped walking. At the same time, Sacchan exclaimed, “Look, Haruko, there’s Sagara.”

“Where?”

Looking in the direction Sachi-chan pointed, I saw a giant panda surrounded by high school girls in uniforms.

One of the girls playfully hugged the panda. The panda seemed to be smitten, though of course, I couldn’t see his face at all.

…Huh. He seems to be having a great time.

“Aren’t you going to call out to him?”

“…No! He seems busy.”

Answering that, I sipped my tapioca bubble tea. The tapioca pearls at the bottom of the cup wouldn’t come out, irritating me even more.

“Hey, Haruko. There’s a dance circle performance in front of the gym now. Nami said she’d be there, let’s go watch.”

“Okay,” I replied, crumpling the tapioca cup and throwing it in the trash.

Turning my back so as not to see the panda, I quickly started walking. (tln : haruko is so jelly lmao)

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Sagara’s PoV

After wandering around for about half a day, I was utterly exhausted inside the panda costume.

I learned for the first time that just walking in a costume can be tiring. It’s hot, the view is restricted, and it’s incredibly uncomfortable to move.

I had never taken a costume job before, and I probably never will again.

Swept up by the magic of the cultural festival, Kinami hit it off with some unknown girls and went off somewhere.

Left behind, I was just a stray panda, wandering aimlessly with a signboard. Can I go home now?

As I aimlessly wandered, I spotted Nanase briskly walking in front of the fountain.