Kanpeki na Sako-san wa Mobu (Boku) Mitai ni Naritai Chapter 2

If you like our work, please follow us on our social media, join our discord and consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://discord.gg/e4BJxX6 
https://www.patreon.com/CClawTrans

Chapter 2

The following morning was unbelievably clear, making you doubt that it was still June. While pushing my way through the humid air at school, I opened the door to the classroom. Arriving at my seat, the boy sleeping on the one next to mine raised his head.

“…Morning, Tsuyoshi.”

“Morning, Takumi.”

Isaka Takumi is a friend I made here at this school. He’s got a tall stature plus short hair, and he’s the catcher of the baseball club. He’s got this sort of listless look in his eyes, usually sleeping during class. A well-slept child is a well-kept child, as they say. And despite that, he’s always passionate, it’s crazy. Takumi rested his chin on his palm as he looked at me, narrowing his eyes.

“Lacking sleep, huh?”

Being told straight to my face with no hesitation made me tense up.

“…Does it look that way?”

“You probably didn’t pull an all-nighter. You’re not the type to stay up late…so you probably had a reason that wouldn’t let you sleep?”

At times, Takumi could be awfully sharp, immediately seeing through me like this. Truth be told, I didn’t get much sleep last night. Despite me being the one who rejected Sako-san, her crying face just wouldn’t leave my mind no matter what. Thanks to that, my thoughts ended up in a mess, and I can’t focus at all.

“Just making sure, but you’re okay, right? Must have been something huge if you were worried to the point of not being able to sleep.”

Takumi and I have been on good terms since our first year, so she’s someone I can trust. Thinking that letting it out may have been a necessary step to find closure with it myself, I opened my mouth.

“I was confessed to by Sako-san.”

“Oh?”

“And I rejected her.”

Takumi sighed in grand fashion and raised his head fully.

“I don’t get why you would reject her. She’s good-looking, skilled at studying, has a great personality, and she seems like a great wife to have. You might not know, but she’s very popular.”

“I get that she’d be popular, but…”

“No, you don’t understand at all. Since she doesn’t stand out that much despite her traits, it’s a bit hard to see her in action, but that’s exactly what gives boys the idea that they might have a chance with her. That’s what secretly makes her popular.”

“You’re making it sound like you were there to see that happening.”

“Because I did. During last year’s summer training camp, we talked about that sort of stuff. One of the boys started by saying they liked Sako, which was followed by practically half of the first-year boys confessing they had feelings for her.”

“That’s a bit exaggerated, no?”

“Not exactly. Since she’s in the wind ensemble, she often comes to play during the baseball club’s games, right? That’s what gets all the boys head over heels for her. It’s more than possible, trust me.”

If what he said was true, and they had connections through their clubs, then it didn’t seem too impossible. That being said, it’s amazing to think that she had so many admirers. After Takumi finished his explanation, he did a long stretch and grumbled.

“That’s how it is. You’re an absolute moron for turning her down.”

“She’s too much of an unattainable flower in my eyes, you know?”

“An unattainable flower is something that should always be out of everyone’s reach. But she confessed to you, putting herself on your palm so that comparison doesn’t work here.”

“Don’t sweat the small stuff, seriously. Anyway, I don’t see myself as a guy worthy of being with Sako-san.”

“Sako’s the one to decide if you’re worthy or not.”

“So do you think I’m a good catch, Takumi?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“The fact that you didn’t even try hurts.”

Of course, I understood what Takumi was talking about. And I get that he’s annoyed with my decision. But even so, it’s a fact that Sako-san and I aren’t meant to be going out.

“I think you’d be a better guy for Sako-san, Takumi. You’re athletic, good at studying, tall and handsome, and you’re kind deep down. You always think about the people around you.”

Immediately after I finished my words, Takumi showed me a grossed-out expression.

“Don’t praise me out of the blue like that, you’re giving me the creeps.”

“That really hurts, you know?”

“Well, I guess this is why Sako’s taken a liking to you.”

“Hm? What are you talking ab—”

I couldn’t even finish my sentence as loud noises came from the front of the classroom. Following that, a girl’s baffled voice reached even us in the back.

“Machika?! What happened to your hair!”

It was Nishida-san, who’d always be around Sako-san.

“Ehehe, I cut it.”

“You cut a bit too much if you ask me.”

I felt curious because of this brief exchange and turned my head towards the source of those voices when I spotted a grave change in Sako-san’s appearance. She had cut off her beautiful long hair, turning it into a bob cut that hung above her shoulders. Her bangs also ended up a lot shorter, revealing more than half of her smooth forehead. As a result of that, I could see her eyebrows that were usually hidden by her bangs.

I was utterly entranced by these eyebrows. They were angled, shaping a pulled-up hanging bridge, giving her a dejected expression even when she smiled. It awakened a protective instinct inside of me. Usually, she possessed a calm and collected image, but now she reminded me of a small puppy, making me think of her as cute. After I stared at these eyebrows for a moment, I realized too late that her large eyes were directed at me.

I frantically averted my gaze, resting my head on the desk. I could tell that my face was hot. How long was I staring at Sako-san’s face, I wonder? And since when did she realize? I heard the sound of footsteps slowly approaching me. It was painfully obvious that they belonged to Sako-san. With my head on the desk, I decided to fake being asleep.

“Tsuyoshi-kun, good morning.”

Hearing Sako-san’s voice, I was once again reminded of yesterday’s confession, making my head spin.

“How do you feel about my new hairstyle?”

I was worried that steam might be rising from my head. The embarrassment left me unable to raise my head.

“Hey, Tsuyoshi-kun.” Sako-san shook my shoulders.

I could hear our other classmates becoming noisier. They’re probably wondering why Sako-san went out of her way to ask for my opinion. I’m really not good with getting so much attention, so I really wish she’d not.

“Hey, Tsuyoshi, it’s bad manners to not give you impressions.” Takumi raised a displeased voice.

Even so, I continued to ignore her. However, two thick arms suddenly went beneath my arms, pushing my upper body up from the desk. Takumi was carrying me like a cat.

“Hey, Tsuyoshi, get a good look at her.”

I was forced to directly look at Sako-san’s face after it had undergone such drastic change. Up to yesterday, she always gave off this relaxed and comforting atmosphere, but all of that was gone, exchanged with a somewhat childish impression. If I was being perfectly honest, she’s really cute.

“It looks weird that I cut off so much, right? You agree, don’t you, Tsuyoshi-kun.”

I would never refer to it as weird, but I sadly didn’t have the guts, to be honest here. When I went silent, Sako-san responded with a pout.

“Oh, so won’t even give me any impression? What a shame, I went out of my way to cut it.”

As she bullied me with a sulking expression, I almost found myself blurting out ‘So cute’ in the heat of the moment.

“Is it weird? Or is it cute? I’d like at least a single word~”

Both choices didn’t sound like answers I wanted to give her. I don’t have the right to choose either of these. As I chose to remain silent, Takumi took my spot and spoke up.

“I think your bangs do look a bit weird.”

“Right?!”

For some reason, Sako-san sounded oddly happy about that response. Why? Wouldn’t you be hurt?

“Hey, Tsuyoshi-kun, you agree, right?”

It seems like she’s planning on questioning me until I give her my answer. I wanted to run away immediately, but Takumi kept me locked up. Why did Sako-san cut her hair? Why is she so desperate to hear my impressions? Is this some punishment for rejecting her? Is it my fault that this happened? I have no idea what Sako-san is thinking, and it’s making my head go into overload.

“Ah.”

At the most crucial timing, the chime rang. The teacher walked inside the classroom, and our other classmates returned to their seats. Sako-san gave me a displeased look and did the same. Takumi on the other hand let out a sigh and freed me. Since I rejected Sako-san, I thought she would never talk to me again. And yet, she’s been even more aggressive now. I’m so lost. From a distance, I heard Takumi whispering.

“You’re awfully close with Sako despite rejecting her. Why’s that?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.”

Will Sako-san still approach me from now on? I can’t tell if I’m happy or scared. At the very least, any more exchanges like those just now will be bad for my heart. I found myself praying that we could at least be friends from now on.

June 14th,

Because I changed my hairstyle a great deal, it felt like the look in Tsuyoshi-kun’s eyes changed.

At the very least, I shouldn’t be perfect anymore.

I’ll do everything it takes for Tsuyoshi-kun to accept me.