Chapter 44 The Second Woman꞉ Manami’s Proposal and Yuzuki’s Heartbreak
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The first Saturday of November and the following Sunday marked the annual school festival. As Sunday coincided with a public holiday this year, the school was granted a reprieve on both Monday and Tuesday.
The Board Chairman, a man with a distinct vision for community integration, had ensured the two-day event was a public affair. Local vendors lined the grounds, and students assisted as part of their social education. While the upperclassmen in their third year were exempted to focus on university entrance exams, the first and second years poured their creative energies into various exhibits. For the cultural clubs, it was the ultimate stage to display the fruits of their daily labors.
Manami, having already secured her future path, took to the gymnasium stage on the first day. Alongside nine other members of the Calligraphy Club, she performed a grand demonstration. They inscribed the words of Mitsuo Aida¹: “Even the nameless grass blooms with all its might to bear fruit.” The crowd erupted in thunderous applause. On the second day, atop the specially opened roof of the school building, she stood alone before a massive sheet of paper. With a single, elegant stroke, she painted the character for “Love.”
Being a figure of immense popularity, she drew a massive audience. I watched from a distance, lost in the sea of spectators, yet somehow her eyes found mine. As she finished, she turned toward me and offered a radiant smile. I felt a surge of warmth in my chest, a private conviction that both her works were silent messages intended for me alone.
The final event in the gymnasium was titled “Operation Proposal.” It was the brainchild of the second-year Student Council President, an avid devotee of light novels who believed fervently in the legend that couples formed during the school festival were destined to be together forever. It was a high-stakes game; success brought cheers, while failure meant public humiliation. Despite this, eight brave souls had volunteered to bare their hearts.
The rules were simple: anyone could step forward to challenge the heart of the person named by the original confessor. However, if one was rejected, they were barred from confessing to that person again. Naturally, if the intended target was not in the room, the proposal was void.
I had no interest in such spectacles and planned to spend my time studying in the quiet of the library. However, a message from Manami arrived, insisting—absolutely—that I attend.
The gymnasium was packed with onlookers, each one eager to witness the vulnerability of others. The Student Council President took the stage as the Master of Ceremonies, explaining the rules with practiced enthusiasm.
”First, our first confessor,” the President announced. “Nakanishi Manami-san, please come to the stage!”
A collective gasp rippled through the hall, followed by scattered screams of disbelief. Around me, the boys were in a frenzy. “Who is she going to pick?” one muttered. “I was going to step in if anyone tried to confess to her!” another cried. The air was thick with confusion.
”Nakanishi-san, to whom will you confess?” the President asked.
”Inamori Hirokazu-san, if you please,” Manami replied.
The name sent a fresh wave of bewilderment through the crowd. “Who is Inamori?” “Never heard of him!” People began looking around frantically, their heads swiveling like owls. Truth be told, I was just as bewildered as they were.
”Is Inamori Hirokazu-san here?” the President shouted into the microphone. “Inamori-saaaaan!”
”Inamori-kun, Manami is calling for you. Let us go,” a voice said.
I turned to find Miyama-san standing right there. Reluctantly, I began the walk toward the stage. Miyama-san followed closely behind, almost as if she were escorting me, and to my surprise, she ascended the platform right along with me. Manami greeted us with a smile, but the audience was now in a state of near-riot. “Is Miyama in on this too?” “Why is Yuzuki-chan up there?”
”Wait just a moment,” a voice rang out. Aizawa-sensei raised her hand and stepped onto the stage. “May I join as well?” she asked.
I was still reeling from Aizawa-sensei’s appearance when I spotted Watanabe-sensei standing by the Board Chairman, looking thoroughly amused. Beside him was Kotoha-chan. Manami looked at the middle-schooler in surprise, then shot me a sharp, questioning look that clearly said, “Who is this?”
The gymnasium was now in a state of absolute chaos. Between the school’s two reigning idols, a popular teacher, and a mysterious young girl, the prospect of a quiet, peaceful remainder of my high school life vanished into thin air. Manami had said she wanted to make us public, and it seemed I had no choice but to accept it.
”Please, everyone, be quiet!” the President pleaded. “Now, Nakanishi-san, your confession.”
”Hirokazu-san,” Manami said, stepping forward with a smile. “Please marry me after we graduate from high school.” She reached out her hand toward me.
”I am Miyama Yuzuki,” Yuzuki-san began, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Inamori-kun, even if I cannot be the first, please let me be your girlfriend.” She, too, reached out her hand.
”Aizawa Haruka here,” the teacher added. “Inamori-kun, please go out with me after graduation.” Her hand joined the others.
”I am Watanabe Kotoha, a third-year in middle school,” the young girl said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I followed my papa here and saw something exciting happening, so I jumped up on impulse. Inamori-san, please!”
I later learned that the Board Chairman, having heard of the “troublesome customer” incident I had been involved in, had invited Watanabe-sensei to become the school’s legal counsel. He had come to the festival to observe the school’s atmosphere.
I stood before Manami. “Let’s get married,” I said firmly, taking her hand in mine.
The room exploded. Screams, cheers, and thunderous applause drowned out the few bitter voices shouting, “Did he just say marry?” and “Reject him!” We left the gymnasium hand-in-hand, pursued by a mixture of envy and jealousy.
Once outside, Kotoha-chan came running after us. Manami gave me another one of those sharp looks, but her expression softened when I explained that Kotoha was Watanabe-sensei’s daughter.
”Since I gave you my first kiss, why didn’t you take responsibility for me?” Kotoha-chan pouted.
”Hirokazu-san, what does she mean by that?” Manami asked. Her tone was stern, but I could see the amusement dancing in her eyes.
”I was caught off guard during the training camp…” I muttered sheepishly.
”Well, in that case, you really must take responsibility,” Manami said, turning to the girl. “Kotoha-chan, you must come over to our house to play sometime. You’ll be very welcome.”
”Yes! Thank you very much!” Kotoha-chan bowed happily and scurried back toward the gym.
It was then that I saw Miyama-san. She was walking away at a brisk pace, her shoulders tense. Manami noticed her too.
”I don’t want to make Yuzuki suffer any more than she has,” Manami whispered. Her words about not needing to be the first echoed in my mind. “I’ll be fine,” Manami continued, bowing her head slightly. “Please, accept Yuzuki’s feelings. I’m asking you.”
I had always thought Manami was the jealous type, but her sincerity was undeniable. She truly cared for Yuzuki. I took off, running after the retreating figure.
”Miyama-san, wait! I need to talk to you!” I called out.
I wasn’t sure if she heard me. “Yuzuki!” I shouted with all my might.
She stopped and turned. Her face was streaked with tears. I stood there, panting, realizing I hadn’t actually thought of what to say. My heart was racing as I looked at her.
”If you’re okay with it…” I started, extending my hand toward her. “Please be my girlfriend, Yuzuki.”
Yuzuki didn’t say a word. She lunged forward, throwing her arms around me and burying her face in my chest. Then, she looked up at me, her eyes fluttering shut. I leaned down and gently pressed my lips to hers.
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Summary:
Manami publicly proposes to Hirokazu during the school festival, sparking a chain reaction of confessions from Yuzuki, Aizawa-sensei, and Kotoha. Ultimately, with Manami’s blessing, Hirokazu accepts Yuzuki as his second girlfriend and shares a kiss with her.
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Character Insight:
Manami shows incredible emotional maturity and selflessness by encouraging Hirokazu to accept Yuzuki, proving her love transcends simple possession. Yuzuki’s willingness to be ‘second’ highlights her desperation and deep-seated affection for Hirokazu.
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Behind the Scene:
The ‘Operation Proposal’ event is a classic trope in high school rom-coms, used here to force a public resolution to the mounting romantic tensions.
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T/L:
¹ [Mitsuo Aida] A famous Japanese poet and calligrapher known for his simple, soulful style. ↩
Notes:
• Nakanishi Manami – The protagonist’s classmate and long-time crush since middle school. She is charismatic, a bit strong-willed, and has strong leadership qualities. She is considered one of the ‘idols’ of the high school. Her hair is black long haired. Daddy’s girl.
• Inamori Hirokazu – The protagonist. He is an only child, born late to doting parents. Their constant attention and anticipation of his needs made him a classic ‘my-pace’ loner who struggles with self-expression. He sees himself as awkward and eccentric, and his aura apparently keeps people away, though his childhood friend thinks he’s a good guy.
• Watanabe – The protagonist’s guardian. He is a lawyer who is skilled at dealing with difficult people and has a history with Yabuta’s father.
• Kotoha – Junior high school student, middle school 3rd year (short height). Daughter of Watanabe-sensei. Energetic, playful, short hair in a ponytail.
• Miyama Yuzuki – A fellow high school ‘idol’ and Nakanishi-san’s close friend. She is seen as a ‘cool beauty’ but is known to be very loyal and passionate toward her friends, suggesting Nakanishi has a strong support network. Reminds mc of Ingrid Bergman. Have biggest chest and tall.
• Aizawa Haruka – A new teacher, only three years into her career, making the protagonist’s class her first homeroom. She is conscientious, popular among students, has elder-sisterly vibe. Tall, slim, black hair tied back, wears glasses, brown eyes, D-cup.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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