The Salty Princess Told Me That I Was a ‘Convenient Keep’, so I Tested What Would Happen if I Introduced the Most Beautiful Girl at Another School as My Girlfriend
The sports festival is over.
The final event, the class relay race, has ended, and our Blue Team has won. …So what? you might say, but there was something special about the victory we achieved by running together.
It was fun, with everyone cheering and shouting, but it felt empty inside. I used to think that school events were just like that, but when you change your perspective, their value changes too. I’m sure I’ll never forget this day.
I thought about that as I gazed at the sky slowly turning crimson.
“See you later, Ochiha! We’ll have a party some other day!”
“Yeah. Let’s study hard starting tomorrow.”
“Ugh, stop it. You’re ruining the fun! Just thinking about the final exams is a hassle.”
“Haha, sorry, sorry. Well, be careful on your way home!”
We waved goodbye to each other casually and parted ways with our classmates. Actually, we had planned to have a party today, but it seems we forgot to make a reservation at the restaurant, so it was postponed to another day. …Well, to be honest, I was relieved. I was exhausted from running seriously for the first time in a while, so I didn’t have the energy to keep partying.
“Wait, is that…”
After changing my shoes and exiting the entrance, I saw what looked like Miwa-kun. Today, I had plans to go home with Sakaki-san and Koga-san. …But even so, I wanted to talk to him a little. It’s not like I wanted him to do anything for me just because I won the competition. But I wanted to at least settle things.
“Wait, is that…”
But before I could call out to him, his older sister, Amane-san, appeared in front of Miwa-kun.
“…Oh no.”
There was no reason to hide, but I instinctively hid behind a nearby utility pole. Amane-san spoke in a slightly quieter voice than usual.
“I’m sorry to hear that today didn’t go well.”
“…Oh, it’s you. I weren’t home yet. You didn’t have to come all the way here to cheer me on. It’s a hassle.”
“We haven’t talked much lately, have we? If we don’t have opportunities like this, you’ll just run away from me, won’t you?”
“…I don’t have anything to talk about with you. I’m different from you… and from him. I’m nobody, so I have to keep fighting all the time to have any value. Otherwise, no one will pay attention to me.”
“That’s not true—”
“It is. You wouldn’t understand since you’re so privileged.”
Those weren’t words I expected from the narcissistic Miwa-kun. …Or maybe that was his true feelings? At first, I thought he was a pretentious jerk, but maybe that was the only way he could prove his worth.
“Somehow, we’re similar.”
I, too, had been trying to prove my worth by dyeing my hair a flashy color. He was probably struggling in the same way as me. I don’t feel sympathy for him, but I can’t help but empathize a little. …Everyone is lonely deep down.
Miwa-kun stopped walking and looked up at the sky as if confessing something.
“Saori probably doesn’t care about me anymore. The others in class don’t even look at me now that I’ve lost. Sakashima… he probably doesn’t care about me either.”
“That’s not true—”
“But it is. …You’ve had everything from the start, so how could you possibly understand how I feel?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Amane-san bowed her head. Miwa-kun exhaled deeply, looking exhausted.
“I don’t want you to apologize. I just don’t like it when you pretend to understand me.”
“I didn’t mean to…”
“Then stop looking down on me with pity. I can walk on my own without you holding my hand. Don’t trample on my loneliness like that.”
It was like the words of a rebellious middle schooler. …But to be honest, I can understand some of it. There are certain lines that you just don’t want to cross, especially with family. If I were in front of my father, I might say something childish like what Miwa-kun just said.
“…I’m sorry.”
Still, seeing Amane-san looking so down, I feel like I want to say something. But I know that if I get involved, it will only make things worse, so I don’t.
“So don’t apologize. …You’re just a good person, no matter what. No matter how much you’re rejected, you believe in the goodness of yourself and others. But the reason you’re evaluated fairly for doing the right thing is because you’re privileged. No matter how hard I try, I can’t be like you. …I couldn’t be like him.”
“Sakashima san is certainly an amazing person. But you too…”
“I’m not losing you know? What good does it do to say that to me, who just lost? …You’re really a troublesome woman.”
He clenched his teeth and ran his fingers through his hair.
“I know you don’t mean any harm. But I hate being entangled like this. I’ll prove my worth in my own way. I’ll eventually talk things out with my father and mother. So please just leave me alone.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Amane-san lowered her gaze. She was in a completely different mood than usual. She must also have feelings toward Miwa-kun. Whether it’s guilt or familial love, I can’t tell.
“…Ugh, this is really annoying.”
Seeing his sister like that, what did Miwa-kun think? He gritted his teeth to suppress his irritation and tried to run away… but just before he did, he muttered in a very small voice.
“You’re really an oblivious nuisance. …But the omelet you made wasn’t bad. …That’s all!”
Saying only that, Miwa-kun ran away from the scene.
“…He’s surprisingly cute, isn’t he?”
Considering what Miwa-kun did to me and Sakaki-san, I can’t be friends with him now. He probably doesn’t want to be friends with me either. But well, maybe I can forgive him for all the trouble he’s caused me so far.
After all, I accidentally overheard the conversation too.
“So, what have you been doing there all this time, Sakashima-san?”
After Miwa-kun disappeared from sight, Amane-san turned around and glared at me with a stern expression. …It seems she had noticed me after all.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have eavesdropped.”
Swallowing my awkwardness, I stepped out from behind the utility pole. Amane-san exhaled softly with a gentle expression.
“It’s fine. I wasn’t talking about anything I’d be embarrassed to have overheard. But that thing he did earlier…”
“I understand. I won’t tell anyone, so don’t worry. To be honest, I still don’t like him, but I don’t hate him either.”
“…I see. You’re still so kind, aren’t you?”
“I just try to be that way.”
I laughed. Amane-san laughed too.
“Speaking of which, Sakashima-san, haven’t you used that thing I gave you the other day?”
“The other day? …Oh, the amusement park tickets! Sorry, I forgot.”
I had received the amusement park tickets as a thank-you for teaching her how to lift. Since then, I had been so busy that I had completely forgotten about them.
“You did forget, didn’t you? The tickets are still valid, but if you’re going to invite her, you should do it sooner rather than later. I’m sure Koga-san would want that too.”
“Yeah. I have something I want to talk about anyway, so I’ll invite her over the weekend.”
“Please do that. …Well, I’ll be going now.”
Amane-san bowed gracefully and left in a hurry. It seems like there’s no need for me to interfere in their relationship after all.
“Besides, I don’t have the luxury of worrying about other people’s business.”
I still have things I need to do. …Or rather, I ended up following Miwa-kun and the others, but I had a promise with Sakaki-san and Koga-san.
I hurry back to the school gate. Sakaki-san and Koga-san are already there.
“Sorry, guys. Did I keep you waiting?”
When I bowed my head, they smiled and said it was okay.
“I don’t really care! …I don’t know how this one feels, though.”
“I’m not angry either …I’m not like this short-tempered girl over here.”
“Muu.”
“…………”
Sakaki and Koga were still glaring at each other. They seemed to be on good terms, but there was something more important to say first.
“I know this is sudden, but how about the three of us going to the amusement park during the next break? I have something to talk about. …Something very important.”
Before talking to my father, I wanted to tell the two of them first. What I wanted to do from now on. Today, at the sports festival, I ran with all my might for the first time in a long time, and I felt like I could see the path I wanted to take.
So, first of all, I wanted these two to hear about it.
“…Okay. I’m a little concerned about this girl being with us, but I’m really looking forward to going to the amusement park with Ochiha kun again.”
“Yeah, I’m a little concerned about the third wheel, but I was thinking I wanted to go on another date with Sakashima-kun anyway.”
“…Thank you. Then, shall we head back soon? As an apology for keeping you waiting, I’ll treat you to something on the way home.”
The three of them started walking side by side. The breeze that gently caressed my cheek had already taken on the color of summer. …There are only a few days left until my father returns home. No matter what choice I make, I thought to myself, I won’t have any regrets.
Maiban