NTR Kousuke

Chapter 66

Culture festival, day two, 12:00 Main event start!

Until the very last minute at 12:00, I was worked to the bone by Osada-san...!

Does Osada-san underestimate me or something?

...I'm too scared to say it, though.

It starts with the first-year division.

Honestly, I didn't think the first two were any real competition.

Mishima Satsuki is the only one I'm a bit worried about, but she's just a failing student, right?

She's wearing a short, backless, wine-colored evening dress, isn't she?

She's probably thinking she's walking coolly down the fashion show runway, but how's that working out for her?

The momentum is with me right now! The reactions to the documentary are bigger than I expected!

Even after returning to Class 6 yesterday, I was still worked hard, but people kept talking to me so much!

It was a hassle, but when I stayed humble as Osada-san instructed, everyone was happy and said they'd support me...

Waaaaah!!!

Yukari-chan!

Yukari-chan, do your best!

You're so pretty!

You did great! I'm so moved!

The cheers are amazing! This is basically a guaranteed win, right?

I'm wearing a white dress, just like in the PV. That's it.

I walk down the runway barefoot, confidently, with a smile.

I'm imagining Cinderella wearing glass shoes, so barefoot is fine!

Your maid outfit yesterday was cute too!

You worked hard at the maid café too!

That dress is adorable!

Yukari-chaaan!

The venue is buzzing, and everyone is obsessed with me! It's because I worked so hard!

At this rate, I can win Miss First-Year!

Maybe even Miss Hokusho!

I smirk to myself as I prepare for the final uniform check.

I don't really get the seniors from second and third year, so whatever.

With my current popularity, I might just win, right?

Even that failing student seems to feel it; she keeps staring at me...

It's kind of creepy, so,

"...What are you looking at? Don't do anything unfair, okay?"

I put her in her place.

I really think girls who betray others like this are utterly shameless.

※I was writing this and thought they might be sisters lol

Even during the Q&A session, just answering normally gets me a flood of cheers.

Mishima-san next to me looks so tense, it's hilarious lol

But as per Osada-san's instructions, I keep being humble and earnest.

...I hate it, but Osada-san's advice has never been wrong.

I trust her on that.

And then the uniform check begins.

First, second, and then on the third turn, something unusual happens with Mishima Satsuki.

Mishima Satsuki is also in Hokusho's uniform, walking beautifully down the runway, and when she turns at the center, it happens.

She's gorgeous, incredibly slim!

Is she on par with Yukari-chan?

This girl is super pretty too!

Huh? This girl...?

Wasn't she in the documentary?

Ah! Isn't she the girl who mocked Yukari-chan?!

Eeeh?!

The venue is filled with an uneasy atmosphere.

Murmur... murmur!

The audience is getting restless...!

Yes! It worked!

Hehe! Yesterday, you know?

"Actually... the one who badmouthed me in the documentary... it's Mishima-san who's in the beauty contest... it's a secret, okay?"

I said that to two of my fans who came to the class yesterday!

I didn't exactly lie, right?

And it spread? Murmur, murmur, isn't she the girl who insulted someone in the documentary?! It's spreading!

The malice is directed at Mishima Satsuki, and she stops in her tracks on the runway!

Looks like Mishima's appeal is going to end midway!

Heh! She mocked me so much! She's got a bad personality, so this is what happens!

※They're both as bad as each other.

I'd like to watch a bit more, but the beauty contest getting canceled would be the worst, so?

Everyone's been waiting for me to appear!

Doesn't this white dress suit me? Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone!

As soon as I appear, the attention on Mishima vanishes, and I'm relieved, though she looks stunned afterward lol

Her only strength is her looks, huh? Sorry about that!

※Look who's talking.

Seriously, cancellation would be a problem!

"Everyone! It's okay! She's not like that! Don't be so angry!"

Huh? She's not?

Yukari-san is so kind...!

Are you okay? Aren't you just covering for her?

She's not? Oh, I see.

With this, doesn't Mishima Satsuki owe me one?

The first-year division is over.

Now, shall I deliver the final blow to this nasty girl?

I speak to her in a sarcastic tone.

"Huh? Why do you look like it's over already?"

She shows a complicated expression for a moment, but doesn't even say thank you? What a horrible girl!

※She's ignoring the fact that she provoked this herself.

"If I win Miss First-Year, you better apologize. For all the insults you threw at me that day during summer break."

I'm confident of my victory, so I'm assertive!

But Mishima-san just pretends not to know.

Mishima "Huh? Insults?"

"That day, at that place, Tanaka-kun recorded the scene, and it was aired in the documentary with your face blurred. That's why everyone is so hostile toward you."

There's proof, after all!

...I did provoke her too, though.

Mishima "Huh? My footage was used without permission! I'm the one who deserves an apology!"

I look at her with cold eyes, tormenting her as I say,

"Well then, I'll just say that Mishima-san is actually the girl who spewed all those insults. I covered for you because a beauty contest cancellation would be a hassle, but really..."

She must've been really scared, huh? Mishima Satsuki looks like she's about to cry, and,

Mishima "Okay, fine. I'll apologize first. I'm sorry. Is this good enough?"

Huh?

"Of course it's not good enough! You said such awful things, and you think 'I'm sorry' is enough? Fine, I get it. After this is over, I'll tell the truth."

I threaten her a little! Mishima-san bows her head deeply,

"I'll apologize first... Yukari Tomonaga-san... During summer break, I mocked you for being rejected and laughed at your weight. I'm sorry... Is this okay?"

I desperately maintain a serious face to keep from bursting into laughter as I say,

"After the beauty contest is over, don't ever get involved with me again, okay?"

I managed to pin her down about the cowardly attack during the contest and forced her to apologize for the humiliating insults from summer break!

Hehe! She's so overconfident it's downright comical!

※You're not much better yourself.

And finally, the results announcement!

A Cinderella story with overwhelming beauty.

Truly the heroine of this cultural festival, receiving the full support of the crowd!

The drumroll echoes,

Announcer "The honor goes to! The Miss Hokusho title belongs to! The Cinderella girl who rose in just one summer! Yukari Tomonaga from Class 1-6!!!"

Waaaaah!!!

Yukari-chan! Yukari-chan! Yukari-chan!

You did it! Yukari-chan is the only winner!

You worked so hard! I'm so moved!

Tears came out.

I want to praise myself for all the effort I put in this summer...!

It was tough, painful, over and over!

I never want to do it again! I have to watch out for rebound weight gain!

Next, the Miss 2nd Year and Miss 3rd Year were announced.

Mishima Satsuki slinks off in defeat!

Learned your lesson? You should think about other people's feelings, you know?

※I'm done with this.

And now, finally, it's time for the interview with the winner, Miss Hokusho, which is me!

Announcer "Tomonaga-san, congratulations on becoming Miss Hokusho!"

I answer while crying.

In my head, I'm reviewing the plan I discussed with Kuzu-kun to let everyone know about our beautiful, pure love story.

"...Thank you so much."

I bit my tongue.

Yukari-chaaan! Do your best!

Cheers fly from the audience.

Announcer "You've earned the prestigious Miss Hokusho title, but who would you like to share this result with?"

"...Everyone who helped with my diet! My friends from Class 1-6, the film club members who made the documentary that became the catalyst for my change, and... all the supporters who worked hard on the diet with me!"

Speaking of which, what about Kousuke-kun?

Announcer "The documentary received great acclaim and got a huge reaction, but you went through a short-term diet, heartbreak, and were mocked for various things, right?"

"Yes, but now I think it was all necessary. I learned so many things I didn't know and realized a lot."

Announcer "But, heartbreak? The guy who rejected the future Miss Hokusho, Tomonaga-san, must be regretting it now, don't you think?"

That's fine!

I'll make sure everything adds up neatly!

"That was also a catalyst. It's where it all started. I realized things through that, understood things later on, so many things. It's in the past now, so I don't mind it!"

I really don't mind, you know?

I'm the type who stops caring about past things.

Announcer "So, right now, who would you like to call out to? Are they here in this venue? Someone you're grateful to, or someone you like, it's okay either way!"

Ooooh!!

The crowd is reacting loudly, huh?

But confessing in front of everyone... it's kind of, well, embarrassing...?

Wait, did I just realize? Is Kousuke-kun misunderstanding that I'm about to confess to him right now?

...Did I get his hopes up? I might have done something a little bad, but he'll forgive me, right?

Alright, Kuzu-kun! Here I go!

"I'd like to take this opportunity to express my feelings... to someone who's here..."

Oooooh?!

Yukari-chan! Who is it?!

A love story?! Someone you like?!

It's gotta be the person who helped Yukari-chan win, right?!

Probably someone who supported Yukari-chan and worked hard with her, right?!

Alright! To beautifully close this legend! I start speaking into the mic!

"...Because you were there, this summer began. At first, there was a bit of a misunderstanding... but when we talked, I realized it was completely my mistake..."

I confessed to Kuzu-kun, and there was a misunderstanding that caused a mix-up.

"When I was in trouble, you risked yourself to protect me. ...If you weren't there... I..."

You helped cover for the harassment and protected me from thugs, didn't you?

Ugh, this is so embarrassing!

My face turns bright red, I tightly shut my eyes, and throw my words at Kuzu-kun,

"Thank you, I could keep going because of you. I'll say it again, I love you..."

I don't mean any harm, but how does this sound to Kousuke-kun?

I hope I can explain it well and get him to accept or even support my relationship with Kuzu-kun.

I confessed to Kuzu-kun again!

Kuzu "I love you too, Yukari-chan!"

"Kuzu-kun! Really? Will you make me your girlfriend?"

Kuzu "Yeah, I've been watching your efforts all along. You worked so hard, didn't you, Yukari-chan!"

How's this exchange between me and Kuzu-kun?

This should give the impression that Kuzu-kun was the one who helped with my diet, right?

It's natural for me to date Kuzu-kun!

Some people already know I was supposed to date Kousuke-kun after the cultural festival... so this overwrites that!

After all, the impression of switching partners so quickly isn't fitting for Miss Hokusho, which is me!

Kousuke-kun will surely understand!

The announcer hurriedly invites Kuzu-kun onto the stage.

Kuzu-kun speaks on the stage.

During summer break, Yukari-san confessed to me, and I actually liked her, but I deliberately rejected her.

The nuance didn't come across well, and Yukari-san misunderstood it as a harsh rejection.

I was moved by Yukari-san's efforts to change herself with the help of many people and supported her.

And then, I was waiting for a chance to clear up the misunderstanding, but I fell for Yukari-san again as I watched her work hard.

Then, there was an opportunity to resolve the misunderstanding, and until right before the cultural festival, Kuzu-kun supported Yukari-san until the festival day.

The announcer declares!

And today, the two of us have moved forward into a new relationship.

Kuzu-kun and I laugh together, gaze into each other's eyes on stage, and share a passionate hug.

The announcer says something wonderful,

Announcer "The Cinderella girl who turned around the guy who rejected her in the summer with effort, effort, and effort! She finally won over the prince who dumped her with her charm and determination! The Cinderella Legend! It's complete here! Was she barefoot in the white dress to wear glass slippers—?!"

Yukari-chan! I'm so happy for you!

Prince Kuzu-kun was supporting your diet all along!

Three months ago, she was an overweight introvert, and now she's Miss Hokusho who won over the guy who rejected her...

What is this, some kind of isekai light novel?

I witnessed a legend!

The venue erupts in thunderous applause.

At my ear,

"It worked out well, huh?"

Kuzu "The boyfriend of Miss Hokusho needs the merit of having supported her, right?"

"Yeah, that's right. It makes more sense to everyone that way, and since Kousuke-kun likes me, he'll surely understand, right?"

Kuzu "...You think so? Well, you'll talk to him later, right? We're dating now."

"Yeah, it's been a week since I last saw Kousuke-kun. I wonder if he'll be surprised. But if he really likes me, I think he'll support me."

I didn't doubt it.

I haven't done anything wrong, right?

I took care of the ex-girlfriend who betrayed me, didn't I?

Not keeping my promise is a trivial matter, and since he might still like me and can't let go, I might have led him on a bit, so with just a tiny bit of guilt, I headed to the meeting place at 17:00.