Chapter 46: Preparations for Spring Festival are progressing quickly- the opening ceremony (2)

After changing into Aya’s middle school uniform, I headed out to meet the VIP, the fabric clinging to my body in a way my slightly loose uniform never did.

‘It’s like a custom fit!’

The uniform was comfortable, but… every time I moved, I could smell Aya’s faint scent, a light, sweet fragrance that made me blush.

‘No, focus, Rina. This is a VIP meeting…’ I took a deep breath, composing myself, and followed Aya and Mizuki.

Today, we were meeting Nakamura-san, the local politician. Nakamura was a common surname in both Korea and Japan, so it didn’t sound particularly impressive.

But he was no ordinary politician. A prominent figure in the region, elected for multiple terms, his family having held political power for two generations. He was practically royalty in this area, and knowing that made me nervous.

****

At the meeting place, several local reporters and aides were already waiting. And at the center of it all stood Nakamura-san.

He seemed to be in his late forties or early fifties, his sharp eyes and impeccable suit giving him an air of authority. While not a nationally recognized figure, he seemed to hold a position of influence within his party.

Camera flashes lit up the room as we approached.

“Good afternoon,” Aya greeted, and his gaze turned towards us. He smiled and stepped forward.

“It’s an honor to meet Takamari’s ‘Trinity’,” he said.

“Thank you for coming,” Aya replied calmly, bowing her head slightly. Mizuki followed suit, and I tried my best to mimic their graceful movements.

‘Wow, this atmosphere is… intense…’

Aya and Mizuki, as expected of the academy’s leading ladies, were perfect: poised, elegant, their smiles unwavering. They were the epitome of Takamari Academy students.

I, on the other hand… I could only try to blend in, mimicking their actions, hoping not to disrupt the sophisticated atmosphere.

“No, it’s my pleasure. This is a local festival, after all,” Nakamura-san said, extending his hand.

I was momentarily flustered, but Aya calmly shook his hand. “Thank you. We heard you’ll be giving a speech at the opening ceremony tomorrow.”

“Yes, I look forward to it.”

I watched their exchange. The politician, bowing his head respectfully… He was more humble than I’d expected for a current member of the Diet representing this district. Or perhaps… it was a testament to Takamari Academy’s influence.

Was it like this in the novel? It felt like the Asakura family practically ruled this region. The novel had only mentioned that a “politician would be visiting,” so I didn’t know the specifics of his connection to the academy.

Click—click— Camera flashes went off as Aya shook his hand. I tried to maintain a natural expression, subtly mimicking Aya’s poise.

‘Like Aya… like Aya…’

But I couldn’t replicate her effortless grace. Just then, Nakamura-san looked at me.

“Are you… the one who spearheaded the social media campaign?”

“Yes, this is Kurosawa Rina,” Aya introduced me, and I flinched as all eyes turned towards me.

“H-Hello! I’m Kurosawa Rina!” I bowed deeply, almost instinctively.

Nakamura-san smiled, looking intrigued. “It’s remarkable that a student-led initiative has generated so much interest in a local festival. It’s inspiring to see the younger generation’s ideas shine. I have much to learn from you.”

‘Wow, that’s… a very standard political statement…’ I thought, nodding dumbly, feeling slightly overwhelmed. This wasn’t my world… Aya stood beside me, a quiet smile on her face.

The meeting was brief. After a few photos and a short exchange of pleasantries, Nakamura-san and his entourage left.

****

“Phew… that was exhausting. Meeting VIPs is nerve-wracking,” I said, my body slumping with relief as the tension finally dissipated. I was glad I hadn’t fainted. My shoulders ached from being tense throughout the meeting.

Aya and Mizuki, as always, had been flawless. I, on the other hand, had just been trying to survive, shaking hands and mumbling greetings whenever it was my turn.

‘I’m glad I didn’t say anything wrong…’

I stood up, realizing I had to return Aya’s uniform. “I should probably go home and change…”

But then, Aya spoke. “No, you can wear it a little longer.”

“R-Really?” I was stunned.

“Yes,” she replied calmly, nodding. Well, it was kind of her, but… was it really okay to keep wearing her middle school uniform?

I fidgeted with the skirt, then said cautiously, “But… it might get dirty, so…”

“It’s fine,” Aya said. And then, her next words… “…I don’t have anyone to pass it down to anyway.”

I was speechless. Her voice was quiet, but she was looking away, a subtle vulnerability in her demeanor.

“But it’s your uniform, Aya, filled with your memories.”

Aya looked at me, her gaze gentle. “Then, return it tomorrow.”

“Okay!”

Mizuki, who’d been listening to our conversation, suddenly grinned and excused herself. “Great work, everyone! I just remembered something I need to do, so I’ll be going now~!” She waved and walked away, leaving Aya and me alone.

‘Mizuki’s been making a lot of excuses to leave us alone lately…?’

I shifted awkwardly, suddenly self-conscious about the quiet atmosphere. “Aya, thank you for lending me your uniform. You’re always so perfect, I feel like I’m constantly relying on you.”

Aya, always composed and elegant, whether during VIP meetings or in everyday life… I could never be like her. But Aya, tilting her head slightly, surprised me with her response. “No, it’s because you’re here that I can be like this.”

My eyes widened. “Because of me…?”

Aya’s gaze held mine as she stepped closer, then, to my surprise, she wrapped her arms around me in a gentle hug.

We were standing in a secluded corner of the school grounds, beneath the cherry blossom trees, hidden from view.

“…!” My heart pounded in my chest, the sudden closeness, the warmth of her body against mine, her soft breathing…

“Aya…?” I looked up at her, flustered, and she said, her voice calm and steady, “Thank you, Rina. I would have collapsed from exhaustion if it weren’t for you.”

Being held in her arms, I couldn’t speak, my heart racing.

‘What…?!’ My face burned. I didn’t know where to look, mortified by the sudden intimacy. But… I didn’t want her to let go.

“Aya…”

“Yes?”

“Why… suddenly…?”

“Just because.”

“…!!” I inwardly screamed.

‘Aya, are you doing this on purpose?!’ My heart was still pounding even after she released me. The hug hadn’t lasted long, but it had felt like an eternity.

But… this… was this okay? I stood there, frozen, staring at the spot where her arm had been around me, still warm.

“I’ll be going now,” she said, her face slightly flushed as she waved and walked away, her demeanor casual, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

“…” I watched her leave, speechless, the familiar sight of her silver hair swaying in the breeze. But somehow, it was a sight I knew I would never get used to.

The tension finally breaking, I sank onto the bench, weak with relief and… confusion.

‘Ah, Aya…’ I took a deep breath, my hand resting on my chest, feeling my heart still racing.

Aya, in the novel, was a normal heroine, someone who liked boys.

But… what was that just now?

‘Aya… me…?’ I covered my face with my hands.

Aya clearly had special feelings for me. I could feel it.

“…” I tried to rationalize it. Aya’s actions were purely out of gratitude, nothing more. I wanted to believe that.

But the memories…

The moments of jealousy.

The strange look in her eyes when I was talking to Kasumi.

And… the moments that felt like dates.

The playful touches at the arcade.

The conversation at the family restaurant.

The closeness on the rooftop, the warmth of her body against mine.

‘Could Aya… possibly…?’

Like me? But if that were true… what about Mizuki?

Aya and Mizuki were childhood friends, inseparable. And Mizuki had been constantly teasing us, testing the waters.

Was it just playful banter? Or… had Mizuki sensed something too?

I clutched my head, my thoughts a tangled mess. If I’d kept my distance, things might have been okay. But now…

What was I supposed to do?

‘…’

I liked Aya. It was undeniable. I’d been captivated by her from the moment I saw her illustration in the novel.

And that wasn’t right. This was reality. Girls liking girls… it wasn’t accepted. While some countries might be more open-minded, Aya was the heir to a prestigious, conservative Japanese family.

And yet… my emotions, a confused jumble of hope and fear, were spiraling out of control.

There was no turning back now. Was this… really okay?

Could I… be honest with myself? Just a hug had left me this confused and flustered… what would happen if I went further, if I… with Aya… ugh…

But even if I confessed, how could I be sure Aya felt the same way? What if it was just… a close friendship between girls?

I couldn’t answer any of these questions.

But… I could still feel the lingering warmth of Aya’s embrace. Perhaps it was because I was wearing her uniform.