▣ KO-FI ▣ DISCORD ▣

Chapter 10: The Eve of the Representative Selection Battle

Tomorrow is finally the “Miss Muse Representative Selection Battle.”

I was staring at my PC monitor at home.

…I’ve done everything I can…

That’s what I thought.

I immediately reported to Touko-senpai and Kazumi-san about my meeting with Rindo Akane.

Kazumi-san commented,

“Rindo Akane making a move on Isseki-kun right before the event, she must be feeling the pressure.”

“I think so too. Rindo Akane is probably not as confident as she claims.”

Touko-senpai seemed to be pondering something.

“Karen said she’s on ‘Rindo’s side’, right?”

“Yes. Although she also said ‘Karen is on Karen’s side’.”

“Even so, I can’t imagine Karen siding with Touko. There will be speeches by the candidates during the representative battle, right? Once we’re on stage, we can’t do anything more. If there’s something like a Q&A, and it turns into a two-against-one situation, we’ll be at a disadvantage.”

“I asked the organizers, and they said the speeches will involve answering questions from ‘general students’, which will be put in envelopes, and the candidates can pick whichever they want to answer.”

“So, we won’t know what questions will come in advance.”

Touko-senpai furrowed her brows.

“Right. Even if we knew the questions, we wouldn’t know what’s in the envelopes, and it’s up to the candidates to choose.”

Touko-senpai still seemed to be thinking.

“Right. The contact information of the judges you asked Miura-san to find, the former Miss Jyoto Daigaku winners, two of them have contacted me. Here’s their contact information.”

Kazumi-san showed me her smartphone.

And, they were exactly who I expected.

“Thank you. With this, we can at least make the judging somewhat fair…”

I said that. All we need now is the decisive factor… but there’s still no contact.

And so, I’m still at home, waiting for “that contact.”

I think he will make a move…

My smartphone vibrated with an incoming call.

…Is this it?

When I picked up the smartphone, …it was usually a welcome caller… but not the one I was waiting for now.

I slid the notification.

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Isseki-kun, can we meet now?”

I borrowed my mother’s car and headed to Touko-senpai’s house.

The convenience store near her house was the meeting place.

As I parked the car, Touko-senpai immediately came out.

“Sorry for calling you at such an odd time.”

She said as she got into the car.

“No, what’s wrong? It’s unusual for you to call me at night.”

“Yeah, I just thought I wanted to talk to Isseki-kun.”

“Shall we go to a family restaurant?”

I asked, and Touko-senpai shook her head slightly.

“No, I’d prefer somewhere quiet, away from prying eyes.”

Her words made me feel a bit nervous.

“Shall we go towards the sea then?”

I suggested, and Touko-senpai nodded affirmatively.

It’s about a ten-minute drive to the sea from here.

We parked at a parking lot along Keminagawa Beach. Nearby is the Mihama Bridge.

Before I was born, this bridge was a famous pick-up spot.

In the distance, the lights of Urayasu and Haneda Airport are visible.

Due to it being just after Golden Week, there weren’t many people around.

“Looking at it like this, Tokyo Bay at night is beautiful, isn’t it?”

Touko-senpai said in a somewhat relieved tone.

“Yes. On the opposite shore is Haneda Airport, to the right is Urayasu, and to the left is the Keiyo Industrial Area. It’s like being surrounded by a ring of light.”

“That over there, that’s the Skytree, right?”

Touko-senpai pointed to the right.

“Ah, that purplish light is probably the Skytree.”

Then Touko-senpai let out a deep sigh.

“What’s wrong?”

I asked. Touko-senpai seemed different tonight.

“Hmm, I just feel like I’m doing something unlike me.”

“The Miss Muse thing?”

Again, Touko-senpai nodded affirmatively.

“I quit being a reader model because I hated being exposed to the public eye and being judged arbitrarily… What am I doing now?”

“Do you regret it?”

“It’s not so much regret, but I feel like I’m caught in a flow I dislike.”

I silently waited for her to continue.

“I hate situations where I can’t control myself, like beauty contests where everything is controlled by others.”

I didn’t know what to say.

It didn’t feel right to console her, and I couldn’t think of any comforting words.

But… maybe Senior Touko was also feeling anxious.

“I’m just vain, aren’t I…” she muttered.

I didn’t understand what she meant, and while I was wondering whether to ask her, Senior Touko continued.

“What I said earlier, half of it was true, but half was a lie. Maybe the real reason I never entered contests was that I hated being compared to others. I hated being shown that I was less than someone else…”

“I quit modeling for the same reason. It was fine when no one knew me, but as I got a bit famous, I felt compared to others… I was scared of their gazes.”

“Actually, I think I was hiding my true self, being a vain person. Retreating into myself…”

“Is that a bad thing?”

I found myself asking naturally.

“Doesn’t everyone wear a mask to protect their heart? Don’t we all have a part of ourselves that we keep hidden from others?”

“Is that so?”

Senior Touko looked up at me.

“At least I have it. A place within me where I can escape to. ‘I’m different from others. I don’t need to be understood.’ If you say it’s ‘I don’t want to be compared, let’s escape!’ then maybe.”

Senior Touko’s eyes seemed to soften a bit.

“But, I don’t mind that. It’s normal to be scared of exposing yourself and leaving the judgment to others.”

“Maybe… that’s true.”

“Ishida is an otaku, but he’s always confident. He doesn’t hide his preferences or hobbies. Compared to him, I feel like I’m a much more gloomy recluse for not being able to show my true self.”

“Yeah, Ishida-kun is always open about himself.”

Senior Touko chuckled.

“But there’s something else that’s been bothering me.”

“What is it?”

“I wonder if I’ve caused trouble for everyone because of me.”

“That’s not true at all.”

I said firmly.

“Actually, I’m glad Senior Touko joined Miss Muse. Like I said before, I’m enjoying this situation.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Thinking about various plans with everyone, devising strategies, analyzing situations, and thinking of countermeasures when troubles arise. It’s been really rewarding!”

That was true. I enjoyed my role as a strategist in Miss Muse.

I was realizing that I was quite suited to this kind of work.

Moreover… if it was for someone I loved, it felt even more meaningful.

“Really? Then I’m glad too.”

“Yes, I wouldn’t lie about this. And the others are enjoying it too. That’s why they’re working so hard. The ‘stylish photos’ by Mina-san couldn’t have been done just out of obligation.”

“I see… that makes sense… Yeah, I should think like that! I can think about thanking and appreciating everyone after everything’s over.”

Senior Touko ended the conversation cheerfully.

“I was feeling anxious. Tomorrow, I will likely have to compete against Rindou-san and Karen-san. I was losing heart to that.”

Saying so, Senior Touko stretched her arms up.

“But thanks to you, Itsushiki-kun, I feel energized! Alright, I’ll fight tomorrow!”

“That’s the spirit! I’ll support you with all my might. No, I’ll fight with you!”

I said so, looking again at the night view of Tokyo Bay.

Senior Touko was indeed feeling anxious.

She was liked by many, but maybe she also felt antagonized by some.

To protect her heart from such people, she had to wrap herself in an “artificial self” like armor.

But even then, being exposed to the eyes of many in a beauty contest was naturally frightening.

I felt a small impact on my shoulder.

Turning, I saw Senior Touko resting her head on my shoulder.

“Can I stay like this for a bit? It’s for MP recovery.”

She said in a soft, quiet voice.

“Yes, as long as you need, Senior Touko.”

I felt very protective of her.

We quietly watched the sea together.

“Can I also ask for something for my combat power maintenance?”

“What is it?”

“For the thanks Senior Touko mentioned… I want a ‘victory celebration’ just for us. Like the ‘redo Christmas’ we had.”

“Is that okay… You’re already sure of victory?”

I looked at Senior Touko.

She was still resting her head on my shoulder, looking up at me.

Our eyes met… and I…

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz!

Suddenly, my phone in my pocket started vibrating intensely.

Startled by the vibration, Touko-senpai quickly moved away from me.

I also quickly sat up, realizing the situation.

Picking up the smartphone… it was the contact I had been waiting for.

“Touko-senpai, it looks like the final key has arrived,” I said, showing her the smartphone.

As I explained the contents, I saw a strong flame ignite in Touko-senpai’s eyes.

Then she spoke firmly.

“Isseki-kun. The key and all the evidence we’ve gathered so far, they’re meant to ensure a ‘fair judgment’, right?”

“That’s the plan… but who knows what kind of tactics the opponent might use?”

“Even so, that’s fine. I know you’ve been going through a lot of trouble, Isseki-kun, but please don’t do anything dishonest.”

Touko-senpai murmured.

“I want to settle things with Rindo-san with my own strength. Rather, I want to win this Miss Muse contest on my own merit. If I can’t do that, I’d rather lose.”

Hearing her words, I felt pleased, thinking, “That’s so like Touko-senpai.”