＜Author's Note＞
For convenience, I've labeled this as "Measure 68.55," but chronologically, this story takes place after the school festival (after the end of the 2nd Song).
Please be aware that it contains spoilers for the 2nd Song.
"Konuma, did you see that?"
"That?"
The school festival had ended, Sunday had passed, and it was now lunch break on Monday.
Ando poked me in the back while I was eating my lunch in the classroom, grinning happily.
"The Miss Contest results! They were posted in front of the shop!"
"Ah, those...!"
It seemed the results of the Miss Contest held during the school festival were out.
"Do you want to know the result? You do, right? First place is, surprisingly—"
"Wa-Wait a second!"
I held up my hand and raised my voice to stop Ando from dropping spoilers.
"I'm going to see it for myself, so don't say anything else."
"Ehh? Really? But I really want to say it—"
"No, even if you say that..."
"Just first place! Can I just say who won first place?"
"That's the one thing I want to hear the least!"
If I stayed here any longer, this Cherry Boy would definitely spoil it for me. I stood up quickly, trying to escape.
Then, the devil known as Entry Number 2 approached me with a grin, looking as if she were saying, 'The devil has ears everywhere, you know?'
"Heh-heh, I heard the results are out? Takuto-kun, let's go see them together!"
As she said that, she grabbed my arm tightly.
"No, Erina-san, um..."
That kind of behavior is a sensitive issue, especially today...
"Erina-chan?"
"Mmm? Hii..."
Erina-san, who had turned around with a mischievous face, stiffened and shrunk her shoulders upon seeing the owner of that voice and their strained smile. She then slowly let go of my arm.
"A-Amane-chan, I was just thinking about inviting you to go see the results together... right, Takuto-kun?"
"Ah, yes, that's right. It's true, really."
I immediately played along with Erina-san's genuine wink. The reason both of us were using polite language was because we were terrified of the person in front of us.
The object of our awe let out a sigh through her nose, sounding like a 'hmpf.'
"...Well, I suppose that's just how you are."
She muttered softly.
"What was that?"
"Nothing! Well then, shall we go see?"
"Y-Yes!"
As the three of us left Class 6 and headed toward the shop, we ran into two familiar faces coming out of Class 4.
"Ah, Takuto, Ichikawa-san, and Erina. Are you going to see the Miss Contest results?"
The blonde girl asked a question. (Probably.)
"Yep! Let's go together!"
"Okay."
Sako nodded. Beside her...
"Yuri, are you okay...?"
"Unya? Ah, is that you, amane-sama de-yansu...? Y-Yes, I-I'm, d-doing fine...!"
Azuma was having a complete character collapse. No matter how you looked at it, she was not 'fine.'
"Sakosh, what happened to Yuri?"
"The moment we decided to go see the result announcement, she started acting weird."
"Hmm...?"
Erina-san tilted her head.
She was probably in this state due to extreme nerves. Poor thing...
As I sympathized with her inner turmoil, she noticed me.
"Ah, Konuma is here too...! Um, what should I do...?"
Azuma, finally noticing me, turned her pleading eyes toward me.
"What do you mean 'what should I do'? We have no choice but to go see it now."
"Y-You're right..."
For some reason, Azuma looked dejected, and I scratched my head.
"Look, it'll be fine. I mean, the ranking doesn't really matter. It's the participation that counts."
"Yeah, you're right... Yeah, that's it."
"Ehh, Erina wants to be first!"
While Azuma was trying to steady her breathing and convince herself, the devil chimed in.
"Wait, I told you not to trouble Takuto."
Thank you, Sakosh...
"Anyway, you saw it during the school festival, right? Azuma, you were wonderful, and, how do I say it... you were that."
"What do you mean by 'that'...?"
Azuma looked at my face intently, just like she had during the courage test.
"'That' means, well, it's more like..."
"It means 'you're incredibly cute and charming'!"
A beautiful voice beside me took over as I hesitated.
"Geez, why don't you just say those things properly?"
She looked at me and let out a small sigh, as if saying, 'You haven't changed at all, have you?' No, I really wanted to tell her to think about why I can't say those things out loud...
"I see, yeah, thanks..."
Azuma nodded and somehow managed to return to her normal mode.
"It'll be fine! Erina is going to be first anyway! So, Let's go!"
Erina-san, seemingly out of patience, raised her right arm and started walking toward the shop.
"Erina, wait."
Sako said softly and followed after her.
"Hahaha, Erina really is—"
Azuma finally laughed and continued.
"Setting up way too many losing flags, lol."
"True."
I also let out an exasperated laugh.
"...Lol?"
Beside us, a girl who, for various reasons, had low internet literacy tilted her head.
And so, we finally arrived in front of the shop.
There was already a small crowd gathered there.
"Mmm, I can't see!"
"Is it getting this much attention..."
Princess Erina and Queen Sako voiced their thoughts from the back of the crowd.
"Wow, this is a bit embarrassing, isn't it?"
"Don't run away, don't run away...!"
Archangel Amanel and Lady Yuri followed behind them.
Then, the crowd split in two with voices like, "Ah, it's the candidates!" "It's the real ones!" "The God 4!" "The Four Heavenly Kings!" "We must let them through," and "Right this way." Amazing, it's like Moses...! (By the way, I've activated my 《Stealth》 skill for the first time in a while.)
"Wow, thank you!"
Erina-san smiled and stood in front of the bulletin board.
The other three followed her. I tagged along on the side, muttering, "Ah, I was asked to take the photos, so I'm curious how they turned out." (To put it mildly, it was creepy.)
"Wow..." "As expected...!" "Dammit." "Huh?"
Now, when I looked up, the results were posted there.
＊ ＊ ＊
Musashino International High School Miss Contest 2nd Year Category Results Announcement!
Total Votes: 133
Thank you very much to everyone who voted!
＜1st Place＞
Ichikawa Amane (47 votes: 35.3%)
President of the Rock Club, guitar-vocal of amane, a dignified 1st place!
◆ Fan Comments (Excerpts)
・I love black hair sooooo much!!
・Authentic style is the best!
・Archangel Amanel
・Because it's amane
・Her jealous side
・Keep doing your best, amane-sama!
・She can sing songs that move others. Isn't that wonderful in itself?
＜2nd Place＞
Azuma Yuri (45 votes: 33.8%)
The demon president of the Instrumental Club, a close 2nd place!
◆ Fan Comments (Excerpts)
・I love her strength in making an effort for herself, becoming the person she wants to be, and moving forward positively even while being a bit self-deprecating.
・It has to be this girl.
・Brown bob cut. Her cuteness when she's flustered.
・I love everything about her, including how she loves youth and lacks confidence because of her high school debut! You're cute!
・I love Azuma-neesan. I like her personality, she's the most healing, her fluffy hair is cute, she has the best style, and I want her to have confidence!
＜3rd Place＞
Hasu Sako (32 votes: 24.1%)
Bassist of the same band as 1st place's Ichikawa Amane, and the cool queen of the Dance Club, Sako-sama takes 3rd place!
◆ Fan Comments (Excerpts)
・I really love the cool bassist look. So cool.
・Just how she's a good girl. How she's cool but suddenly says cute things. How she can wish for others' happiness. How she works hard even when she's hurting.
・Her sharp eyes.
・The periwinkle hairclip.
・Whatever you say, she's cute!
＜4th Place＞
Erina (9 votes: 6.8%)
...Don't mind!
◆ Fan Comments (Excerpts)
・Cunningly cute. And just cute.
・I was swayed by Cherry. I was an Azuma fan until then...
・Despite her devilish style being full of calculated cuteness, I like how she's pure and very warm to those she's close to.
＊ ＊ ＊
"I can't accept this..."
Erina-san's expression changed instantly, and she was now pouting. Well, after setting up all those losing flags, it's bound to happen...
"...Well, it's a reasonable result. I can see why."
Sako nodded. Are you playing the tsundere again?
"He-Hey, Konuma..."
My shirt sleeve was tugged repeatedly.
"What?"
Looking over, Azuma was flustered, pointing at the poster with her other hand.
"Do you have the data for that photo of amane-sama...?"
"Huh? No, I returned the camera to the committee, so I don't have it..."
"I want that..."
"Why are you being so polite..."
When I looked at her with a blank stare, she cleared her throat lightly.
"...Go get it for me, Konuma."
She returned to her usual self and said.
"Fine, fine..."
It seemed she no longer cared about the ranking once she saw amane-sama's photo. Seriously?
For now, I'll try consulting Ryuta Nukui-kun from the executive committee about the photo later.
...Wait, wouldn't it be creepy if I said I wanted it?
"No, it should be fine now. Amane is already Konuma's girlf—" "Wa-Wa-Wait a minute, and also please don't read my mind!"
Don't suddenly get back into your groove...
"I-I would be happy if you took it...?"
The girl herself had been listening beside us.
Seeing her look like such a beautiful girl with her blushing cheeks and downcast eyes, well, I can understand why she got first place... yes.
"Takuto, that grin is creepy..."
"Erina will never forgive anyone other than the nine people who voted for her."
...Wow, harsh! Also, Erina-san, your tone has changed!
"Ah, Ichikawa Amane-san."
"Yes?"
Looking toward the voice, Ryuta-kun, the Miss Contest representative from the executive committee, was standing there.
"Congratulations on first place."
Ryuta-kun said politely and calmly.
"Ah, yes, thank you very much..."
" I was just thinking of heading to Class 2-6."
"Eh, really?"
"Yes."
He nodded.
"To thank Konuma-san and to ask a favor of Ichikawa Amane-san."
"A favor?"
The winner tilted her head.
"I'd like to take separate photos of you next time."
"Eh, of me...?"
"Yes, please."
"Let's do it, amane-sama! And then give them to me!" "You beat us and took first, so you should at least do that." "Can Erina be in them too?"
Seeing the three different reactions, she gave a bitter smile.
"Well then, I look forward to it next time."
She accepted.
Azuma, Sako, and Erina-san decided to stop by the shop before heading back, so the two of us were left to walk back to the classroom alone.
"First place is amazing. Um, congratulations."
It was a bit embarrassing, but I thought I should say it, so I offered my praise.
"Ehehe, thank you. I wasn't first last year, so I didn't think it would be me."
"Ah, is that so?"
"Yeah, Erina-chan was first last year! She's really cute, after all."
"That's true..."
"...That's true?"
She glared at me.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Just kidding, just kidding. I'm the one who said it."
She laughed. Please don't pull those innocent tricks on me...
Feeling a bit awkward, I changed the subject.
"But it's interesting how the voting results change in a year even with similar faces. I wonder what changed?"
"...You don't know?"
She tilted her head at me blankly.
"I wonder..."
I folded my arms and thought about it.
"If I've changed enough to overtake Erina-chan in one year, there's only one reason for that."
"Ah...!"
I realized and clapped my hands.
"Because you're able to sing now."
She overcame her past, surpassed it, and showed growth. I think that's truly amazing.
I gave her a gentle smile, thinking once again that it was a wonderful thing.
"Eh? No, that's not it, okay?"
She gave me a wry smile in return.
"Then why?"
I frowned. That should have been a huge factor, so if there was something bigger than that...
"That's obvious."
She leaned in and brought her lips close to my ear.
"Because I'm in love with a certain someone, you know?"
Having said that, she quickly pulled away and scratched her cheek with an 'ehehe.'
Amane gave a bashful smile.
＜Author's Note＞
Once again, thank you so much to everyone who voted!
I was very happy to read the words in the comment section!
I want to respond to requests for situations or IF stories as much as possible, so please give me a little time!
Please continue to support 'Bedroom Musician'!