Chapter 70

Yoshikawa-san and I first became classmates in the fifth grade of elementary school.

Even though she stood out among the girls, I knew of her existence well even when we were in different classes.

She was the young lady of the Yoshikawa family, a member of the Pivoine, with a hairstyle like a princess, beautiful but a bit intimidating and hard to approach. My first impression was just that. Her presence was even more imposing with the friends surrounding her.

Somehow, in the sixth grade, we ended up being class representatives together.

Usually, Pivoine members rarely become representatives, let alone someone like Yoshikawa-san.

But I remember she was on the sports festival committee in the fifth grade. I found it surprising then too.

At first, I was a bit anxious about being a class representative with Yoshikawa-san. Her group was particularly harsh on the boys except for Hayate and Ensho.

However, contrary to my expectations, Yoshikawa-san did her job as vice-representative diligently. She had an exceptional ability to manage the girls, making everything run smoothly.

Even the boys who usually forgot to submit their work would hurriedly bring it the next day when Yoshikawa-san appeared. It was impressive. She didn't threaten them, but her silent pressure was formidable.

I almost wanted to call her "The Great One" when she appeared.

Despite her appearance and typical Shizuran lady's speech, Yoshikawa-san turned out to be quite approachable when we talked.

She would readily do any odd jobs I asked her to. Maybe she couldn't say no?

I really wanted to work with Honda-san again this year, like last year, but having Yoshikawa-san as the vice-representative might have been for the best.

Honda-san. Honda Miharu is the person I like.

I've liked her since we worked together as class representatives last year, but I lack the courage to talk to her.

The fortune I drew at the shrine we visited during the school trip was a great one.

Maybe Yoshikawa-san could give me some advice. I also wanted her to write a message in my autograph book as a graduation memento.

When I told her this, she happily agreed.

Since then, I've been consulting her about love frequently.

When I advanced to middle school, I ended up in the same class as Yoshikawa-san again, and we became class representatives together once more.

Now, I no longer have any reservations about talking to Yoshikawa-san. I can talk to her about anything, even though she still looks intimidating.

However, sometimes, her image is shattered.

One day during lunch break, Yoshikawa-san and her friends were walking in the courtyard. I happened to pass by, and at that moment, a pigeon's droppings hit Yoshikawa-san's head!

"Ah! Yoshikawa-sama!"

"Pigeon droppings on Yoshikawa-sama!"

The other students quickly carried the stunned Yoshikawa-san away, saying things like "To the infirmary immediately!" and "Don't worry, it will fall off. Stay calm!"

With so many people around, only Yoshikawa-san was hit... I can't forget the look on her face, half-rolling her eyes.

I remember during the elementary school trip, she was surrounded by deer. Maybe she has a connection with animals.

That day, Yoshikawa-san left school early.

Yoshikawa-san fell in love.

The object of her affection was the third-year student council president. Although she tried to hide it, I noticed immediately.

Because she would snatch away any errands I was given for the student council and return from the student council room muttering to herself and smiling.

Yoshikawa-san, no! If someone sees you like that, they'll think you're strange!

I indirectly told her, "Yoshikawa-san, did something good happen? You seem so happy."

Yoshikawa-san covered her face with her hands and said, "Oh no." After that, she no longer muttered to herself or laughed alone. That's good.

But the student council president... So she likes charismatic types, huh?

Yoshikawa-san's love life doesn't seem to be going well. I understand how she feels because my relationship with Honda-san hasn't progressed either!

Then, Yoshikawa-san told me about a shrine in Tokyo for matchmaking.

It's embarrassing to go alone, but since Yoshikawa-san told me, I decided to go.

"Yoshikawa-san, I went. I even drew a fortune."

"Oh, really? What was the result?"

"Well, unfortunately, it was a medium good fortune."

"Really..."

"Yoshikawa-san, did you draw a fortune too? How was it?"

"...It was a good fortune."

"Oh, I see. That's a bit disappointing, isn't it?"

"..."

Is she making that face because it was a good fortune? It's not a particularly great result.

Yoshikawa-san clicked her tongue. Girls shouldn't do that.

After a while, Yoshikawa-san's visits to the student council room suddenly stopped. I thought it was strange and asked, "You haven't been to the student council room recently."

With a fierce look, she said, "Do you know, Representative, that first love never works out? It never works out, Representative," as if casting a curse on me. Yoshikawa-san, you're scary!

As she left, she turned around and smiled.

Scatter the evil spirits!

I went home and started writing poems for Honda-san. I'll exorcise the bad spirits with my poems!

Even so, every autumn, Yoshikawa-san would always muse, "It's the season for moon viewing."

Even if she's a bit off, she's still Yoshikawa Reika. She's refined.

She's a bit unusual and sometimes looks at couples with envy, but I quite like Yoshikawa-san, who is kind and occasionally silly.

But he also observes Yoshikawa-san closely. During the pigeon droppings incident, he was watching and had a smile on his face.

♦♢♦♢♦

Ensho-kun is my idol.

He effortlessly completes everything with a smile, and despite not seeming to study hard, his grades are always top-notch.

I prefer Ensho-kun's gentle demeanor over Hayate-kun's absolute charisma.

Hayate-kun has an aura that makes people around him obey without a word. He excels in both academics and sports, and his family background and wealth are impeccable, making him a perfect person. Sometimes, when he silently looks out the window, he seems much more mature than us. That's what makes him scary and hard to approach.

In contrast, Ensho-kun talks to everyone with a smile, making him easy to approach.

When I was in the first year, I was in the same class as Ensho-kun. I became the class representative and struggled with the divide between internal and external students and the girls who were after Ensho-kun.

It was Ensho-kun who supported me, asking, "Are you okay?" He gently reminded the girls who were causing a fuss about Ensho-kun to be careful not to hurt others and encouraged external students to get used to the school by recommending them for committees and tasks.

His subtle consideration! Even Honda-san, who worked with me as a class representative, was impressed.

When I became a third-year and was anxious about being in the same class as Hayate-kun and being a class representative, Ensho-kun recommended that I have Yoshikawa-san as my vice.

Yoshikawa-san is like the female version of Hayate-kun!

She is always surrounded by female friends, quietly smiling, and is the number one girl you don't want to make an enemy of.

If Hayate-kun is the emperor, then Yoshikawa-san is the empress. She's terrifying.

However, she agreed to be the vice-representative. Ensho-kun is impressive. To be able to persuade someone like Yoshikawa-san.

Yoshikawa-san turned out to be easier to talk to than I expected, but I still felt a bit nervous, especially with the pressure from the girls behind her.

A group that defied the empress Yoshikawa-san appeared: Manaka-san and her friends.

The two groups were clashing, but Yoshikawa-san just smiled calmly and ignored them.

Occasionally, as vice-representative, she would give a warning, but when the Manaka group didn't listen, she would quickly back off, saying, "Fine then."

I thought she should have been more strict, but being Yoshikawa-san, she probably had her reasons.

The classroom was filled with a tense atmosphere due to the conflict between the two groups, but only Hayate-kun and Yoshikawa-san seemed unaffected. They were truly on a different level.

However, I had a feeling that something would happen soon because Yoshikawa-san's eyes weren't smiling.

And that day came suddenly.

Yoshikawa-san, holding a fan, was intimidating from the start. She seemed to be radiating an indescribable aura.

After school, she left the classroom with a smile, followed by her close friends.

The remaining classmates were excited, saying things like, "The mountain is finally moving!" and "The goddess Curly has descended!"

But everyone was too scared to go and watch.

The next day, the Manaka group didn't come to class. Friends from other classes said they were unusually quiet.

It seemed that Yoshikawa-san had won decisively.

A brave observer, who had secretly watched, told me, "The queen delivered a furious blow. You must never defy the queen!" while trembling.

The girls were in an uproar because the cold Hayate-kun had affectionately tapped Yoshikawa-san's head. And she was also close to Ensho-kun!

They really are in a different world, and they are the scariest people if they become enemies.

When I told this to the class representative of Class 5, he said, "She's just an interesting person."

Ensho-kun also said, "Yoshikawa-san is fun," so maybe I should try to see her without preconceptions.

But there wasn't anything particularly interesting about her.

During the school trip, she finished a blue cake that everyone else gave up on with a smile and was unwell for the rest of the trip, or she was drenched while her friends encouraged her at an attraction in the theme park.

Oh, once in the hotel corridor, she was standing on one foot. When I asked her what she was doing, she said, "It's the tree pose in yoga." Is she into yoga because she's Curly?

She suggested, "The firefly pose and the eagle pose are also recommended. How about we do them together?" but I politely declined.

Yoshikawa-san in the tree pose was discovered by her roommate, Fumi, and quickly taken back to the room.

Maybe someone as amazing as Yoshikawa-san is beyond our understanding as ordinary people.