Chapter 4: The Girls Who Wish for a Change

───● A Bookish High School Girl Wants to Take a Picture ●○●

“I believe it is time for the relationship between myself and my Prince to advance to the second stage.”

My voice echoed clearly through the classroom.

It was currently lunch break, after fourth period.

Everyone had moved their desks around and split into groups for lunchtime.

Not too long ago, I used to eat my bento alone at my desk, but lately, the group of friends I’m close with has started to gather around me naturally.

This is another one of those happy changes.

…But.

“So like. Did you see that drama last night?”

“Ah~ I only watched it for Ennosuke-sama. He was as handsome as ever.”

“Hey nooooooooooow.”

These bitches aren’t listening!

What is going on!

“…What?”

“What do you mean what?! I just made a grand declaration, did I not?!”

Can’t they hear me? Should I give them their own private ear-cleaning ASMR session?

“Haaaah… Is this another one of Shiori’s fantasies?”

“Her fantasy prince (lol).”

The one who said that with a sneer was the most boyish of the group, the short-haired Hatsumi.

This one still doesn’t believe in Masato-sama.

You loser!! Accept reality!!

Well, I guess it can’t be helped. You’re just jealous. I get it, I get it.

I looked at Hatsumi with eyes full of loving compassion and gave her a few pats on the shoulder.

“I understand your jealousy. But, you know, just accept it.”

“I’ve decided I’m not believing you until you bring back a picture of the two of you together.”

“Guh…”

This is something she’s been saying for a while.

If you want us to believe you, bring back proof.

But it doesn’t have to be a two-shot, right?!

“But this is the Shiori who went out of her way to ask us about outfits, and who is right now wearing a pure white sweater with her hair down to play the part of a prim and proper young lady (lol), right?”

“Even though her insides are full of impure thoughts.”

“Hey, that part was uncalled for.”

Anyone can see that pure white is the perfect color for a pure and chaste maiden!

“And she’s even employing a social media strategy where she pretends to be a trendy high school girl (lol).”

“That was seriously cringe. It was way too gross.”

“For you, autumn is just time to prepare for hibernation.”

“I’m seriously about to kick your ass.”

Are you mistaking me for a bear or something~????

“So, well, I guess he probably does exist. Leaving aside whether he’s the perfect superhuman, Shiori says he is.”

The one who said that nonchalantly was Miyaki, the only one in our group with a boyfriend.

She’s with a guy from the soccer club. Unforgivable.

“If you’re going to go that far, I’d want you to bring him to the culture festival.”

“Ah~ True.”

The culture festival… the culture festival, huh.

I don’t remember having any fun at all last year, but it’s true that I have a few friends now, so maybe I could enjoy it.

But if I invited Masato-sama…

“Yo, Shiori’s Prince! This girl ain’t prim and proper at all lol.”

“She’s the type of bookworm (lol) who whispers sweet nothings like ‘I love youuu’ to a poster.”

“Oh, while we’re at it, why don’t you become my tutor instead?”

Ugh~ I’m gonna snap.

This is no good. I have a feeling nothing good will come of introducing him to these girls.

That aside, the idea of having Masato-sama come to a school event is appealing.

Walking through the school with Masato-sama… what a feeling of superiority.

I guess my only choice is to invite him without these girls finding out…

“Well, with Shiori’s chicken heart, a two-shot picture is probably just a pipe dream.”

“I-If you’re going to go that far, then I’ll get a picture! He’s super handsome, for real.”

“Oh, looking forward to it~”

“You’ve gone this far, so you can’t back out now~”

Th-These bitches… their eyes are glued to their phones, their tone so casual it’s clear they have zero expectations… It seems I have to put them in their place… show them who’s on top…!

Well, considering the emotional distance between Masato-sama and myself, taking a picture is a simple matter.

To be honest, it’s a piece of cake.

I can already see the looks of regret on their faces at the beginning of next week.

I’ll execute the plan this weekend!

…There was a time when I, too, thought such things.

“Shiori-chan? What’s wrong? You’ve been acting fidgety for a while now…”

“N-No no no no no! It’s nothing at all!”

It was almost 6 PM.

Today’s lesson with Masato-san was coming to an end.

And so far, no picture.

On the contrary, I’ve just turned into a weirdo who keeps taking out her smartphone to check her own face.

Ever since… I saved Masato-sama from those scouts, it’s become a little hard for me to keep up the prim and proper act.

I wonder why… I know the reason.

It’s because even though I know it’s absolutely not allowed, there’s a part of me that wants to try talking to him as my true self.

But, no. If I take off this mask, I’m sure Masato-sama will stop coming.

Masato-sama is not meant for some ordinary high school girl.

And besides, it’s only because I’m not myself that I can talk to him so easily right now.

…But then, what do I want to happen between Masato-sama and me?

Do I want to date him? Of course I do. There’s nothing more wonderful than being able to date him and do all sorts of… things (meaningful pause).

But… if that’s the case, how long do I have to wear this mask?

Let’s say we did start dating. The one he fell for would be me, but also not me. Would I have to hide my true self for the rest of our relationship?

“Alright, let’s call it a day! You worked pretty hard!”

“Eh… ah, but there’s still a little left…”

“Let’s make this part homework! There’s no point in forcing yourself to do it when you’re getting tired.”

Oh, crap… He must have seen that my hands had stopped and was being considerate. I can’t exactly tell him my hands stopped because I was fantasizing about dating him.

He really is so kind… so considerate, no matter what.

So, as I thought… I really don’t want to waste this chance.

With those thoughts in my mind, Masato-san and I packed up our study materials, and I went down the stairs to see him off at the door.

“Your mock exam is next, right? Good luck.”

“O-Of course. I’m confident!”

That part is true. Masato-sama is a great teacher… and the material sinks into my head so easily.

“Alright, well, I’ll be heading out then. Good work today!”

“…Thank you again for today. Well then, until next… ah!”

The moment I gave him a slow, elegant bow, I realized.

Crap! The picture!

Even after all that big talk to my friends, I still haven’t taken a picture!

I had a chance earlier, but I’m a coward, so I couldn’t say it.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Um… well…”

I can’t just come out and say, “Please take a picture with me!” Even with my mask on, my true identity is still just Villager B. I can’t say something so audacious.

D-Damn it~~ what should I say?

I managed to get that amazing voice message from him last time because it was over text, but…

It’s embarrassing to say it to his face!

My hand, holding my phone, was just flailing around.

“Ahaha~,” was the only meaningless sound I could make.

What on earth should I say…

“Hey, Shiori-chan.”

“Hweh?”

Masato-sama, who was just about to leave, his hand on the doorknob, came back towards me.

W-Wait, your divine countenance is a little too close, my lord…

“Want to take a picture?”

“Eh…?”

“Well, the person who’s like my guardian was asking what kind of girl I’m teaching, so if you don’t mind, would you take a picture with me?”

“…Y-Yes, of course! It’s no problem!”

“Mmm… good.”

W-Whaaat!? C-Can a miracle like that really happen??

Oh, thank goodness. I can clear the mission after all. Thank you to the god who gave me this opportunity.

Masato-sama took out his phone.

“Okay, I’m gonna take it, so come over here.”

“Yes… wait, what!?”

As I was told, I moved closer to where Masato-sama was.

Then, Masato-sama put his arm around my shoulder and brought his face right next to mine.

So so so so so so so so so so so so so close close close close close toocloooose!!

“Okay, here we go~ Say cheese.”

“Ah…!”

“Okay, thanks! I’ll send it to you too, just in case. Well then, see you next week!”

Clack.

The door closed, and Masato-sama was gone.

“~~~~~~~~~!!!”

It’s always like this.

He always does just what I want him to do, and then gallantly leaves.

Just like a prince from a story.

He’s always the one in control.

The entryway, now empty of Masato-sama.

My heart was still pounding.

My face was definitely hot.

And for some reason—I was frustrated.

Slowly, I sucked in a breath.

“I SWEAR I’LL THROW YOU DOWN AND FUCK YOU SOMEDAY!!!!!”

All I could do was make that incomprehensible declaration of intent.