When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

[Akane POV]
***
The day of the candidate speeches.

I, Akane Shinjo, was waiting backstage for my turn.

Currently, Hiyori Fumiko is giving her speech.

She’s amazing. I think.

Her dignified demeanor is hard to believe for a first-year student, and her words are persuasive. She explains clearly and succinctly how she wants to lead this academy as the student council president.

Until now, I thought the only difference between her and me was that she came from a prestigious family and was a bona fide young lady.

But I now understand that’s not the case. The weight behind Hiyori Fumiko’s words isn’t just due to her being the class president and having served as the student council president last year.

What’s there is an impressively strong will.

The confidence and behavior of someone who absolutely will not lose.

And an aura that makes you think she might actually achieve what she sets out to do.

My heartbeat quickens.

Sweat breaks out on my hands.

My stomach hurts.

Anxiety, nervousness, and fear assault me.

It’s the complete opposite of my current state.

This is bad.

“…Kazuki…”

I unconsciously look for Kazuki, but of course, he’s not there.

That’s right. Kazuki, who was there for me last time, isn’t here now.

I have to figure this out on my own.

“Next, we have the candidate speech from Akane Shinjo.”

Before I knew it, Hiyori Fumiko’s speech had ended, and it was my turn.

I start walking with a trembling body.

The stage lighting is blinding.

I stand in front of the podium and face forward.

Many eyes are watching me.

“…ah.”

My throat and mouth are dry, and no voice comes out.

“Eh? Did she say something?”

“Is there a problem with the microphone?”

“…What’s going on with Shinjo-san?”

“Could it be the same performance as Sato-kun?”

What should I do? This is bad. I need to speak.

I need to follow the script. But I can’t make a sound.

Why?

What’s the reason?

I was able to do it just a while ago.

The atmosphere is turning sour. My mind goes blank.

Ah, I see.

I am…in the end, a weak person who can’t do anything on my own.

My consciousness begins to fade away.

I’m losing the strength to stand.

I think I’m about to fall, but my body doesn’t collapse.

“…Are you okay, Akane?”

When…Kazuki?

My consciousness completely faded at that point.

“…Ah, Akane-chan. Are you okay?”

“…Sis…”

When I woke up, I was lying in a bed in the nurse’s office.

My consciousness is still…fuzzy.

…!!

“Eh, the speech!?”

That’s right…!! The speech…!! I haven’t said anything yet…!!

Without thinking, I tried to raise my body and stand up. But I couldn’t muster the strength to do so properly.

“Wa, Akane-chan. Calm down, okay?”

My older sister soothed me and supported me to sit on the bed.

“I’ll explain what happened now.”

I listened quietly to my sister’s explanation.

As I thought, it was Kazuki who had supported me when I was about to faint.

Apparently, he had asked my sister to watch over me from near the stage.

So he was able to react quickly when I was about to fall.

According to my sister, he might have anticipated this happening.

Not only that, but he apparently explained that I had fainted due to exhaustion from juggling student council duties and election preparations.

Thanks to that, it seems everyone at school is worried about me.

I’m just causing trouble.

After the explanation, I went home with my sister.

“………………”

While lying in bed, I started replying to everyone who had sent me worried messages.

Futaba also sent a message saying, “Are you okay?” which made me a little happy. By the time I finished replying to everyone’s messages, it was dark outside and it was raining.

I seized the opportunity when my sister went to take a bath and left the house.

I walked without an umbrella.

I remember. That pathetic figure of mine during the speech.

Somehow, I felt like I wanted to be hit by the rain. Also, I didn’t want anyone to see me crying.

My face is so wet, it’s hard to tell if it’s tears or rain.

My shoes slowly get wet, and my heart gradually darkens.

I sit on the swing in the park near the Aorei Academy.

I came here because it seemed like a place where no one would come.

“I knew it!! No matter what I do, a person like me will never change!!”

My past self is speaking.

“All that I’ve done so far has been in vain.”

Shut up.

“In the end, you’re just a lonely fool who deserves to be mocked.”

Why can’t I get rid of these hallucinations even though it’s raining so hard…!!

“Just give up. You should—”

“You’ll catch a cold if you don’t use an umbrella.”

I heard a voice.

Looking up, Kazuki Sato was standing in front of me.

“…Why?”

“Because I know. You always cry in places where no one is around.”

Saying that, he held out an umbrella to me.