Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 3.5

The Autumn When Love Begins 5

When I saw her with Sudo during the day, she was in high spirits, skipping around, but now she has an unnaturally stiff expression.

On closer inspection, her right hand and foot are moving together. Is she alright?

“Nanase.”

My voice came out muffled due to the mascot costume. Nanase, turning towards me, had an anxious expression like that of a lost child.

“Are you Alone? Isn’t Sudo with you?”

“…It’s almost time for the beauty pageant to start. I’m going to prepare.”

Is it that time already? I looked up at the large clock on Building 1. It was 15:30. The beauty pageant that Nanase is participating in starts at 16:00.

“I need to change and touch up my makeup. I have to make myself at least somewhat presentable…”

Saying this, Nanase slumped. She must be nervous. Her clenched fists were trembling slightly, and her face seemed a bit pale.

“…Are you okay?”

When I asked, Nanase gave a stiff smile. No, it was more like she forced one side of her cheek to twitch rather than a smile. She didn’t look okay at all. However, I’m the type who doesn’t have the right words of encouragement in times like this.

As I remained silent, not knowing what to say, Nanase hesitantly started to speak.

“…Um, Sagara-kun. Can I ask you for a favor?”

“Depends on what it is.”

“…Could you, maybe, say that I’m cute…!?”

I was dumbfounded by Nanase’s sudden request. I didn’t quite get what she meant.

“…Why?”

“Don’t ask why! I know I’m asking for something annoying!”

Nanase was holding her cheeks with both hands, screaming in a fit of emotion.

“But, maybe it’s like, the power of words!? If someone says I’m cute, it feels reassuring… Like it gives me a bit of confidence!”

“I don’t get it. Sudo and others are always saying stuff like that to you.”

I often hear Sudo praising Nanase, calling her cute. Kinami does the same. There are plenty of people who call Nanase cute; I don’t see why I need to say it.

Nanase lowered her long eyelashes, fidgeting with her hands in front of her chest, and murmured.

“Because… you’re the only one who knows my true face…”

…Ah, I see.

In essence, Nanase is seeking affirmation for her natural self to gain confidence. Indeed, that’s something only I can do for her. If that’s the case, I don’t mind helping out. It’s not much trouble to say it out loud.

I took a short breath.

“Cu…”

Nanase was staring at me with hopeful eyes. The words got stuck in my throat and wouldn’t come out. Why can’t I simply say a five-letter phrase?

“…You are …Cute.”

The voice I finally managed to squeeze out was embarrassingly cracked. Against my will, my cheeks grew hot. I was glad to be wearing the panda mascot costume.

Nanase took my fluffy hands and smiled with narrowed eyes.

“Thank you, Sagara-kun. I feel like I can do my best now.”

“…Yeah.”

“Then I’m going to go.”

Nanase said, slapping her cheeks lightly. Then, she straightened her back and walked away.

Left alone, I was desperately trying to cool my cheeks. Strange sweat started to break out all over my body.

…Ah, I shouldn’t do things I’m not used to.

As I stood there dazed, Kinami returned.

“Hey, Sagara. What are you standing around for?”

“…Ah… nothing.”

I replied, attempting to sound calm, and Kinami glanced at his smartwatch.

“Is it that late already? Sagara, are you heading home? You said you have work tonight, right?”

It seemed he remembered what I said this morning. Turns out, he’s more considerate than I thought. After spending half the day together, I realized he doesn’t discriminate against even someone as gloomy as me, and I began to understand why he has many friends.

Come to think of it. It’s the first time I’ve spent such a long time with someone else at university.

Even this morning, I hadn’t talked this much with the others from  seminar before.

…It seems that it’s not only Nanase who has made her way into my otherwise comfortable and solitary university life.

I felt a rough sensation of discomfort. It’s as if something unknown is slowly encroaching upon me.

“By the way, the beauty pageant is starting soon. Nanase said she’s wearing a sleeveless dress! She doesn’t usually show much skin, so her upper arms are a rare sight! I definitely want to see!”

Kinami raised his voice excitedly, to which I directed a scornful look. He asked me, undeterred by my gaze.

“Sagara, what are you going to do?”

I hesitated for a moment. Honestly, I was quite exhausted from walking around in the mascot costume. I have work late tonight, and I should be heading home to sleep…

…That was the plan.

But then I remembered Nanase’s face earlier. Her eyes, filled with anxiety as she looked at me for reassurance. Even though my presence might not mean anything, I couldn’t bring myself to just go home and sleep.

“…I’ll go.”

At my response, Kinami showed a meaningful smile. What’s with that look? It’s not like I want to see her upper arms.

◇◇◇

Fifteen minutes before the show. In the beauty pageant waiting room, I felt like I was going to die of nervousness.

A temporary tent set up next to the stage in the grassy plaza where the beauty pageant was to be held served as the waiting room. Inside were mirrors and lockers for each contestant. I changed into a rented light blue dress, draped a shawl over my shoulders, and fixed my hair and makeup in front of the mirror.

To my right and left were beauties. In front of me was a plain woman disguised with makeup.

In this place, I was the only outlier. While the other girls chatted amiably, I couldn’t join in. Memories of my lonely high school days came back to me.

Everyone here was a genuine beauty. A place like this wasn’t meant for a fake like me.

Could I withdraw now? But then, my friends, who were happy about my participation, might be disappointed. …I absolutely don’t want to let my friends down.

With determination, I slapped my cheeks and glared at my reflection in the mirror.

—The reason you’re considered beautiful now is because of your hard work.

—In that sense, you’re much more amazing than those naturally good-looking. So, it’s not something to be blamed for.

Yes, I’m okay. There are people… who truly see me and acknowledge me.

“Ten minutes before the show starts. Contestants, please head to the stage!”

A staff member’s voice echoed in the waiting room. Holding the words “you’re cute” close to my heart, I walked towards the stage.

“Well then, it has started! Who is the most radiant Miss Campus of the year? Welcome to the Miss Risseikan beauty pageant! I am Yoshikawa from the executive committee, your host!”

His resonant tenor voice spread through the speakers. The beauty pageant was more popular than expected, and a large crowd had gathered in the grassy plaza.

“Let’s welcome the six beauties who have triumphed in the preliminaries to the stage!”

A passionate cheer vibrated through the air. With trembling legs, I forced myself to walk awkwardly. The other five seemed unnervingly familiar with this, walking like supermodels on a red carpet. Maybe I’m the only one this nervous. Swallowing my saliva, I stood in my designated spot.

“Go Haruko! You can do it!”