I fell in love with the most beautiful girl when I was in middle school. Now, the person I like who went to a different high school asked me to become her bodyguard - Chapter 2

The end of Golden Week, about a month has passed since entering high school.

 

Getting used to commuting to school by train, I dashed into the classroom.

　

Two minutes before the bell starts ringing. I caught my breath and took my seat, thinking it was such a relief that I wasn’t late at the last minute.

 

One male student, Kazuya Yamane, noticed me and raised his hand towards me.

　

Kazuya and I have known each other since the third grade of elementary school.

 

I usually talk with Kazuya, my best friend, at one of our seats until school starts, but today, I was almost late, so the only conversation we had in the morning was greetings.

　

During lunch break, Kazuya and I went to the school cafeteria. I ordered udon while he ordered curry. When we sat at an empty seat, Kazuya asked me why I was so late.

　

“Masato, were you reading light novels until late again?”

　

I’m open about my otaku hobbies to Kazuya.

　

We’ve known each other for a long time, so we don’t have much to hide.

　

“Ah, well, that’s about it.”

　

“I understand that you read until late because you’re curious about what happens next, but please do it in moderation. Otherwise, you’ll be seriously late.”

　

“I know. Thank you for worrying about me.”

　

I always set an alarm when I have school the next day.

　

Sometimes, I went to bed at a particular time due to light novels or games, but I generally tried to go to bed at a fixed time.

 

By the way, Kazuya knows about this too, but I guess he thought I was just getting carried away while reading.

　

“You usually arrive at school with plenty of time to spare, but sometimes you are as late as you are today, right? Is it really always because of light novels or games?”

　

As expected of Kazuya, he understands me very well.

　

I listened to Kazuya’s questions while slurping my udon noodles.

　

“Sometimes I indeed go to bed late because I’m so absorbed in light novels and games, but that’s not the only reason.”

　

Kazuya looked a little thoughtful while eating curry as if he was thinking about other reasons. Then he looked startled.

　

“No way. It can’t be because you’re secretly peeking at Sairenji from behind the scenes…”

　

“Not for such a reason! Don’t imagine it on your own and getting turned off on your own!”

　

It seems the udon clogged my throat involuntarily due to his misguided expectations.

　

I almost died while got the stigma of being a pervert.

　

Needless to say, Kazuya knows that I’ve been in love with Sairenji since middle school.

　

“Ahaha, just a joke. … half of it.”

　

“Do you think I’ll do something Sairenji doesn’t like?”

　

“I know you still like Sairenji. Even so, you haven’t seen her even once since the graduation ceremony, right?”

　

“… Well.”

　

After graduating from middle school and attending different high schools, I lost contact with Sairenji.

　

Even when I was in junior high school, we only had the bare minimum of conversation. Naturally, we weren’t friends yet, much less exchanging contact information.

　

Since we only connected as classmates, I had no way of knowing what she was doing or what kind of high school life she was going through.

　

“You were so fat back then. Now, there’s no sign of it. Sairenji is just such a beautiful girl to me. That’s why I certainly don’t understand how you feel about her! However, the fact that you haven’t met her yet since you graduated from middle school is true, right? Of course, it’s good to believe in the slim possibility, but I think one of the possibilities is to look for new encounters.”

　

I continued my diet even after graduating from junior high school. Continuously working hard on it during spring break, I was able to drop my weight from 90 kg to 65 kg, making my diet a success.

　

“I understand what you’re trying to say, Kazuya. However, even if I go out with someone, and I don’t love that someone more than my love for Sairenji, then I think it would be disrespectful to Sairenji and the woman.”

 

“Well, I think that kindness and seriousness are Masato’s good points. Just, if I had to say one thing…”

Kazuya’s expression became serious.

　

I swallowed the last of the noodles I was chewing.

　

“My girlfriend is great.” 

 

His face turns to melt. That Kazuya guy.

　

I was a fool hoping for the most serious talk of the day with this lovebrain!

　

“You are genuinely devoted to Akane.”

　

Akane Shinonome, also known as Akane, was a second-year student who attended Kazami High School like us.

　

She was slightly taller than average, had an overall slim build, and had an active personality. A beautiful girl with short hair.

　

Aside from Kazuya, the reason why I called her Akane, who is an upperclassman, was because Akane and I were childhood friends who often played together when we were little.

　

Akane currently lives about a ten-minute walk from Kazami High School. About six months ago, when I was hanging out with Kazuya at a shopping mall to take a break from studying for entrance exams, I happened to run into Akane again. From there, Kazuya and Akane hit it off and started dating after Kazuya finished his entrance exams. Currently, they are in a loving relationship.

　

And I was the victim of the Strawberry World created by these two.

　

“Well, I’m grateful to Masato for introducing me to Akane. That’s why I want Masato to find his girlfriend as soon as possible and be happy.”

　

I thought he would continue to talk about his loved one, but he started talking about some embarrassing things.

　

I lifted my bowl and drank the udon soup in one go.

　

I tried to hide my embarrassed face from my best friend’s unexpected comment.

　

***

 

After school that day, when Kazuya and I were heading toward the entrance to leave school, our music teacher, Sakai-sensei, called us on the way.

 

“Nakasuji-kun, Yamane-kun, I’m glad you are here. I’m planning to start practicing next week for the mixed four-part choir competition that will take place during summer vacation, so please meet me in the music room after school next week, okay?”

　

We said “Yes” to that question, and then Sakai-sensei walked towards the music room.

　

I was also a member of the temporary choir in high school, and so was Kazuya, who was also a member of the temporary choir in middle school.

　

“Starting next week… I’m sure the competition is in early August, right? I thought it was a bit early for the members, including temporary members, to practice for three months in advance, but is this normal for high schools?”

　

When I was in junior high school, the temporary club members usually started practicing about two months before the competition.

　

Although I was a little surprised they started a month early, I tried to accept that this was normal for high school students.

　

“According to hearsay, Sakai-sensei wants to win so badly against Takasaki High School, and that’s why he calls in the temporary club members early and practices hard…”

　

Takasaki High School’s choir club is a powerful school, reaching national competitions almost every time. Their teacher-cum-advisor, was aiming to become a professional singer before becoming a teacher, so she had an extremely high singing ability besides having deep experience. She also had solid teaching ability, so much so that some students took the Takasaki High exam just for her teachings.

　

Still, her practice was challenging, but other than that, she was kind and gentle. Someone said she was an extremely beautiful and flawless teacher.

　

“I understand why Sakai-sensei is so eager, but isn’t it a little impossible to beat Takasaki High?” Said Kazuya with a sigh.

　

Indeed, it’s doubtful that Kazami High School’s ability will make it through the prefectural tournament in August.

　

Honestly, there was a slim chance of winning. But…….

　

“There may indeed be little hope of winning, but since our regional can have two tickets. Let’s think about getting the right to be on the same national stage as Takasaki High first, rather than forcing a hasty statement.”

　

There were capable high schools other than Takasaki High.

　

First and foremost, let’s improve my skills so that I could stand on the same stage.

　

After the prefectural tournament in August, you could be pessimistic then.

　

“Well, you might have a chance to reunite with your beloved Sairenji at that tournament. It’s only natural that you’ll be excited.”

　

Kazuya turned to me, grinned, and said something outrageous.

　

“Hey, what are you talking about?! I – I don’t mean that way… Moreover, it’s not definite that Sairenji will continue singing in the high school chorus!?”

　

It’s not like I didn’t think about that possibility either.

　

Students from other schools’ choir clubs gather at such competitions, so I might even meet Sairenji at the venue.

　

However, I didn’t have the confidence to calmly talk to my first love, whom I had barely spoken to since middle school, even though I got a chance to reunite with her.

　

I could even see a future in which I became totally worked up and behaved suspiciously, and I ended up being labeled as a creep by Sairenji.

　

I thought I had strengthened my mental health a little by telling myself to stay as positive as possible after losing weight, but that wasn’t the case when it came to love.

　

“No, I can assure you that Sairenji will definitely be continuing to sing in the chorus! It is hard to imagine Sairenji, who had been singing so happily with such a beautiful voice and singing ability, would stop singing in the chorus. Above all, there’s no way the teacher wouldn’t pay attention to Sairenji! If the advisor is someone who can’t see through Sairenji’s ability, no matter how great that person is, I don’t fully trust that person’s appreciation for music.”

　

What a big shock.

　

I couldn’t believe Kazuya rated Sairenji so highly…

　

I was surprised by what came out of Kazuya’s mouth, in view of the fact that is what I was thinking when we were singing together in middle school. Well, I mentally nodded my head at that statement.

 

It’s hard to imagine that Sairenji, who loves singing so much, would have given up singing in the chorus. Therefore I…

　

“I guess so… sorry. That’s certainly not the case unless Sairenji voluntarily stopped singing the chorus.”

　

I apologized for doubting my best friend’s attitude toward the music of my favorite person.

　

“Besides, you want to see it, don’t you? Sairenji in Takasaki High School’s uniform.”

　

My arm, which was about to reach for the shoe rack, suddenly stopped.

　

Sairenji was wearing a Takasaki High School uniform…

　

Takasaki High School’s uniforms are so popular that a certain number of girls take entrance exams just for that reason.

　

My face must have been loose as I imagined Sairenji wearing such a uniform.

　

“What is with that disgusting face?”

　

As we heard a female voice nearby, Kazuya and I looked in the direction of the voice. There we saw Akane Shinonome, my childhood friend and Kazuya’s girlfriend, with short black hair and wearing gym clothes.

　

“A, Akane⁉︎”

 

I was flustered. I thought Kazuya and I were the only ones in this area. I didn’t expect to hear Akane’s voice.

　

“Hey, Akane. Actually, Masato was fantasizing about Sairenji wearing the Takasaki High School uniform.”

　

“The rumored super cute girl who was once your classmate in middle school, right? What, Masato, do you still like that girl?”

 

Even though Akane was in a different grade, back then, she knew that there was an adorable girl in our grade.

　

Akane must have heard that from a male student in the same grade as her hence, she knew of Sairenji’s existence.

　

“Never mind.”

　

“Well, I can’t blame you for making a sickening face if you want to see someone you like, such a beautiful girl, in school uniform.”

　

Kazuya gets in the middle and calls me disgusting.

　

“She’s that cute. Maybe Kazu would like to see her in her school uniform too?”

　

Akane asked Kazuya, looking up and looking worried.

　

Ah, this is…

　

“Well, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see it at all, but I don’t have the same feelings as Masato. As long as Akane is here, I’ll be happy.”

　

With that said, Kazuya placed his hand on Akane’s head, and Akane hugged Kazuya’s arm as she said, “Ehehe”

　

These troublesome lovebirds started flirting whenever they had a chance…

　

At present, I was the only one around who knew them well. They seemed even less concerned about being seen than they should be.

　

I wish they were a little more aware of my presence. It’’s been about two months since they started dating, so I finally got used to their pink world…. maybe.

　

I started feeling embarrassed watching them, so I asked Akane: “Hey, Akane? Don’t you have a club?”

　

“Oh My God! I’m gonna be late! See you both later.”

　

“Yeah. See you again.”

　

“See you later. Good luck with your club activities.”

　

She dashed to the gymnasium as the time for volleyball club activities was approaching.

　

“You two are still the same great couple.”

　

“Really? Isn’t this normal?”

　

Was it normal to flirt in public…?

　

I suppressed the question that rose to my throat.

　

“If Masato starts dating Sairenji, I think he’ll be like us, right? At least, you’ll understand what it’s like to be in love with that person and want to touch her no matter where you are.

　

“Regardless of whether or not we become a couple, I think the first step is to make contact with Sairenji again.”

　

Currently, there is no connection between me and Sairenji.

　

In order to regain that feeling that was lost upon graduation from middle school, we must meet again and at least have a conversation.

　

I didn’t recall having a conversation at all, so that was a hurdle to overcome.

　

“Anyway, let’s practice hard for the summer competition.”

　

“That’s right.”

 

I couldn’t think of any excellent idea to get along with Sairenji now, so I decided to concentrate on improving my level for the competition.

　

“I’ll stop by the bookstore before going home.”

　

“Okay. Then, see you tomorrow.”

　

Then, I parted ways with Kazuya at the school gate and headed to the bookstore.

　

The bookstore I was heading to is [Myojo Bookstore], about a 15-minute walk from Kazami High School.

　

I only went there a few times because it was in the opposite direction from the school to the station. Still, it was a large store with a good selection of products.

 

I went there when I had a book I wanted. 

 

On my way to Myojo Bookstore, I found an empty can littered on the roadside.

　

“Hmm, why can’t some people just throw it away properly?”

　

After sighing, I picked up the empty can and put it in a nearby garbage can. I headed to the bookstore again, bought a few light novels, and went home.

　

***

 

The following week, Kazuya and I started participating in practice for the choral competition.

　

Basically, we practiced after school on weekdays other than Wednesdays. On Saturdays, we practiced from noon to evening. There were no practices on Sundays and holidays.

　

Naturally, we took a break from practice during the test period and focused on studying for the test.

　

When I was in middle school, I had a bad grade. That’s why I put a lot of effort into studying besides dieting. I could rank higher on midterm and final tests thanks to my regular study habits.

　

If you get a red mark at the end of the term, you will have to take supplementary classes during the summer vacation, so this time, I had to avoid it more than usual.

　

We practiced from noon to evening five days a week, even in summer vacation.

　

Walked and took a train to school in this sweltering midsummer heat.

 

After practice, Kazuya and I bought a drink at a convenience store near the station. I drank it all to relieve the heat and soothe my throat, which had been so worked up during practice.

　

The students were eager to practice hard, and Sakai-sensei was eager to give instruction as if they were making a final push. 

　

Before we knew it, the day of the choral competition arrived.