15
I had always thought that changing was a scary thing.
“I think it’s really cute.”
I was so happy to hear those words from him.
“Really? That’s good…”
From Noble mtl dot com
I was so relieved that I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.
I’d been feeling like I was being avoided lately, so I was really worried.
I felt like all the effort I put into dressing up was worth it just to hear him compliment me.
“I tried a little harder today. I thought it would be nice to do something like this once in a while. I’m so glad you said that.”
Still, I couldn’t help but feel like I wanted to be complimented more.
It’s not like I was trying to show off, but I wanted him to know that I had made an effort.
(It’s not like I want him to notice or anything…)
The current situation was quite stressful for me.
My appearance on that TV show had changed everything around me.
I still remember that day clearly.
I was eating dinner when my aunt came to my house and started talking a mile a minute about how I had been chosen to appear on a TV show that I had applied for.
If that was all, I could have just said, “Oh, that’s great,” but my aunt had entered me in the contest without my permission.
I remember vividly how I was pressured into it, how my parents even said it would be fine, and how I was at a loss for what to do.
I couldn’t say no.
I’m not the kind of person who is strong-willed, and I know that I’m easily swayed.
I don’t think my aunt meant any harm, and I figured it would be a nice keepsake, so I ended up nodding in agreement.
In the end, it was definitely my decision.
I thought, “Oh well,” when I saw my parents talking excitedly about the plans, as if it was an unchangeable fact.
Of course, I consulted with Kou-kun right away.
I knew he wouldn’t be happy about it, and since it was already a done deal, it ended up being more like I was asking for his approval after the fact, which I felt bad about.
Even so, I was truly happy to hear him say, “Do your best.”
He looked away awkwardly as he said it, but it meant a lot to me that he acknowledged me.
I was in love with Kou-kun.
He was the only one who had been by my side since I was little.
We did everything together, and we had similar hobbies.
He wasn’t a bother to be around; rather, he made me feel calm.
So it was only natural that I would fall in love with him, and I was overjoyed to know that Kou-kun felt the same way about me.
…But lately, I feel like that’s starting to change.
The trigger was probably that one thing.
If he had just appeared on TV, it probably wouldn’t have been a big deal.
“Mio-chan, you always wear such plain clothes, don’t you?”
I remember this too, very well.
The day before the TV recording, my aunt came to my house with a large suitcase.
When I answered the doorbell, she greeted me with a big smile.
Thinking back, I guess that’s when I lost.
“Well…maybe so…”
“Are you planning to wear your usual clothes tomorrow?”
“Well, I don’t have any other clothes…”
“That won’t do! I’m glad I came.”
The conversation in the doorway was completely one-sided.
Even though I had the right to make the decision, my aunt’s forceful personality was too much for me to handle.
Since I was so passive, she just kept pushing, which was really annoying.
I really do think I’m weak against pressure.
“It’s a waste to have such good material! I’ll make you look really cute, so wear this.”
“No, I…”
Even so, I tried to refuse.
I don’t like to stand out, and no matter how much I dress up, I…
That’s what I thought, but then,
“If he sees how cute you’ve become, I’m sure your boyfriend will be happy.”
My heart wavered at my aunt’s next words.