Another Perspective: The Other Side of Month C
The Other Side of Month C: Amagiri Sumire’s Perspective
To be honest, the sports festival was nothing but gloomy for me. I’m not very good at sports. When I was in elementary school, there was a time I liked playing outside, but now I prefer novels, anime… I even write my own stories. I love indoor hobbies.
During the sports festival practice in class, I was spacing out in the shade, praying for time to pass quickly, when a certain boy practicing for the relay caught my eye. His name was, if I recall, Sakakibara Akira. He’s the popular guy from the class next door. Rumor has it he was confessed to by two girls on the very first day of school, and he’s so popular that the approaches still haven’t stopped. They say he’s a superman who can do both sports and academics.
He’s like a prince, I thought. Before I knew it, I was always following him with my eyes. I think it was something like admiration. …I knew it was impossible, but I even harbored feelings like something out of a novel, wishing I could get closer to someone as wonderful as him.
One day, a blank-faced boy who seemed to be Sakakibara’s friend spotted him and suddenly called out to him in a voice so loud you’d never imagine it coming from that expressionless face. I couldn’t understand the meaning behind his actions at all. I was so startled I reflexively hid behind a wall.
For someone who called out to Sakakibara so rudely, the content of their conversation was quite normal. Things like where they were stopping on the way home, or how the tests went well. Maybe he purposefully called out to Sakakibara to help him out, since he’s always surrounded by people.
The final topic of their conversation was about the type of girl they liked. And from Sakakibara’s own mouth, I heard that he likes someone he can talk to about shared hobbies. Listening further, I gained the information that reading is actually one of Sakakibara’s hobbies! I felt a faint hope that maybe, just maybe, I actually had a chance.
Then, inexplicably, the blank-faced boy who was talking to Sakakibara began to speak—very passionately—about the merits of… “Literature Girls.”
“Shared hobbies, huh? I see. In that case, you definitely can’t overlook the Literature Girl type, can you? Let me explain the appeal of Literature Girls by breaking it down into three main points. First: the passion they can pour into their hobbies. To enjoy literature requires a corresponding level of concentration. Also, the mental speed required to read through text accurately while mixing in their own unique interpretations. Regardless of whether they’re good at outputting those thoughts, that passion for what they love is a charm point. Second: the fact that many of them have a quiet atmosphere. The important thing here is that it’s ‘delicious’ whether the girl is actually quiet like she looks, or surprisingly active. You can get a sense of security, or you can enjoy the ‘gap.’ This is incredibly powerful. Finally, third: strictly speaking, the high rate of glasses. Glasses are a bewitching item. Even if you don’t have a glasses fetish, there’s something heart-tugging about the bare face you see when they take them off, and you can enjoy various vibes depending on the frames. The classic black frames, the slightly sexy vibe of red frames, the strictness of silver frames, and so on. When you pair Books and Glasses, a supreme synergy effect occurs. That concludes my presentation on Literature Girls based on my own arbitrary bias. Thank you for listening. So, what do you think, Sakakibara?”
“A mysterious presentation starts without warning and then you demand my feedback? What do you want me to do with that…? Well, I certainly do see the appeal, but…”
Even listening from the outside, it was completely nonsensical. But, I see, so Sakakibara thinks Literature Girls are an ‘okay’ option… Knowing that made me feel a little happy. I accidentally looked over at them.
…At that moment, I felt like I made eye contact with the blank-faced boy, but that must have been my imagination, right…?
Then, the next day, a miracle happened. I was paired with Sakakibara for the three-legged race!
I was half-happy and half-scared. I told myself I had to practice hard so I wouldn’t hold him back…!
…But perhaps being uncharacteristically enthusiastic was a mistake. I sprained my ankle during practice. Sakakibara shielded me and caught me, but I had to give up on practicing for at least that day… I was filled with regret.
Sakakibara tried to carry me, but a crowd gathered around us and it became chaotic. Just as I was wondering what to do, the one who reached out to me was… that blank-faced boy.
He seemed used to it as he smoothly lifted me onto his back and carried me to the nurse’s office. He even gave me light first aid and called the school nurse, who had been away. I said thank you, and with his usual expressionless face, he said:
“Don’t worry about it. Being able to work hard at something you’re not good at is a strength too. I’ll tell Sakakibara for you, so just do your best at the next practice.”
It was a casual bit of encouragement. But it somehow entered my heart so naturally that after he left, I found myself giggling a little.
After that, I continued practicing with Sakakibara, and we improved to the point where victory was in sight. Sakakibara was kind during practice, and it seemed like the blank-faced boy was constantly thinking of ways for us to run better.
Then, on the last holiday before the sports festival, I ran into Sakakibara by chance at a bookstore. O-Oh my, does the God of Romance really exist…!
However, my excitement was short-lived. Sakakibara apologized for not being the one to take me to the nurse’s office that other day. He had apologized before, but he said he wanted to do something to make up for it. It wasn’t Sakakibara’s fault, and he didn’t need to worry so much…
While I was wondering what to do, the blank-faced boy appeared. Before even asking what was going on, he asked if it was… a d-d-date…! I denied it in a total panic. Sakakibara immediately asked him for help. He suggested we go to a cafe. Sakakibara invited the blank-faced boy too, but…
“Eh? Are you sane, Sakakibara…? No, never mind. After I buy this new release, I have a mission to do ‘this and that’ and ‘this and that’ and then go grocery shopping for dinner and cook.”
“Wait!? …That’s so half-hearted!”
After that exchange, Sakakibara and I went to the cafe alone. Seeing me flustered because I didn’t know what to talk about, Sakakibara brought up a topic. That topic happened to be the blank-faced boy.
“It’s strange. He’s very considerate and fun to talk to, but because he’s so expressionless, no one approaches him. It’s hard to tell what he’s thinking, but I think he’s a kind person. I feel somehow at ease when I’m with him.”
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That’s what Sakakibara said. He had supported us during our sports festival practice, so I felt like I could relate to a lot of that.
Besides, what is this feeling? It feels a little nostalgic. Like the sense of relief you feel when you find something that’s been missing for a long time. That’s how I feel when I’m with him. When I told Sakakibara that, he teased me, asking if I had feelings for the blank-faced boy…! I denied it, but for some reason, it didn’t feel bad. Even though the Sakakibara I admired was right in front of me…
Despite all that, on the final day of practice, we ended up going to a get-together with classmates from our same class and team! It was Sakakibara, Sasaki, Umihara… and the blank-faced boy. Takashiro and Shironami from Sakakibara’s class tried to join, but Sakakibara turned them down. Was that really okay…?
Once we got to karaoke, everyone took turns singing their favorite songs! I hadn’t really sung much except for humming to myself, but I somehow managed to get high scores in a row…! Everyone praised me…! Being praised for songs I like made me so happy and shy…!
The funniest part was the blank-faced boy. While remaining completely expressionless, he sang anime songs with perfect inflection. Singing about love and passion while looking like that… it was very surreal. I’m not good at sports festivals, but I’m so happy to have made more friends like this!
Later, there was a moment when I was alone with Sakakibara. We talked about doing our best for the sports festival, and he told me he was counting on me… I still lack confidence, but I want to try my best! …But I ended up stuttering when I tried to say that, and my face got so hot… what a blunder.
The sports festival arrived. Everyone was fired up, and I got swept up in the atmosphere and was working hard. The events proceeded one by one… and during the three-legged race with Sakakibara, I did something terrible. From the impact of bumping into another pair, I sprained my ankle again.
I had thrown cold water on everyone’s hard work. I had caused trouble for Sakakibara. I had ruined the mood… sadness, regret, and everything else got mixed up, and I ran away from the spot.
…I knew crying wouldn’t help. But I couldn’t stop the tears. That’s when Sakakibara and the blank-faced boy came to find me. …Sakakibara simply told me he wanted me to lend him my strength and then left. I didn’t know if I could actually be of any help. But the sports festival wasn’t over yet. I wanted to move my body and at least cheer for them, but I was scared to go back after causing so much trouble, so I couldn’t move.
…As I sat there, the boy who stayed behind sat down next to me and said:
“Ah, I’m tired… Sports festivals are exhausting, aren’t they…?”
He continued.
“I think Sakakibara knows better than anyone how hard you were trying, Amagiri. That’s why he wants to fight alongside you. Besides, think about it. Sakakibara, whom you cheered for with all your might, wins by a landslide. Because of your cheers, and no one else’s. He pumps his fist toward you, gives you a thumb’s up… doesn’t that sound a little… fun? …Alright, I’m heading back. Come if you feel like it. I’m sure it’ll be more fun that way.”
I don’t know why… but I remembered a boy I used to play with a long time ago, a childhood friend from kindergarten until third grade. Because the “Ama” in Amagiri means “Heaven” or “Sky,” it came up in a story back in kindergarten, and everyone used to call me “Sora-chan.”
Whenever I was feeling down or about to cry, that boy would always pull me along and say:
“Sora-chan! There’s something way more interesting over there, let’s go!”
…The back of the expressionless boy as he walked away overlapped with the back of that boy who used to be so full of emotion… and without thinking, I started chasing after him.
I returned to where everyone was, gave a desperate apology, and then cheered with everything I had. I shouted louder than I ever had before so that my voice would reach everyone who was working hard.
Sakakibara gave his all in every event he entered. He produced the amazing result of taking first place in everything.
And then, the final event: the relay. It was an event both the blank-faced boy and Sakakibara were in.
The blank-faced boy was the first runner, and Sakakibara was the anchor. My heart was pounding as I waited for the starting signal.
And then, the start. I cheered with all my might. I felt like I wouldn’t mind if my throat gave out right then and there.
The blank-faced boy fell into last place immediately. But it couldn’t be helped. After all, the other members running against him were all from sports clubs. Even so, he was desperately clinging to them. He broke his usual expressionless mask, gritting his teeth. As a result, he passed the baton without letting the gap widen. To pass the baton without being left behind is amazing…! After he finished running, he left the track and collapsed face-down on the ground. Good job…
Finally, the anchor Sakakibara started running from second place. Just as he was steadily closing the gap, his shoelace snapped and started fluttering in the wind…! Without thinking, we all shouted for him to do his best with everything we had. …Sakakibara actually kicked his shoes off and ran, brilliantly taking first place! I burst into tears on the spot, but that’s how happy I was.
Sakakibara thanked me… it was embarrassing, but I was so happy he said that my face turned red… Then, prompted by Sakakibara, the blank-faced boy stood before me…
“…See? It got interesting, didn’t it?”
He said, slightly lifting the corners of his mouth. …He really reminds me of that boy I played with when I was little. But that boy was so expressive and laughed a lot… there’s no way they’re the same person… While I was lost in thought, he suddenly turned to the people around us and said:
“Did you see that, you guys?! This is the power of a Literature Girl!!! Worship her!! Say ‘Banzai to Literature Girls’!!! Now!!!”
He started saying such mysterious things that Sakakibara and Sasaki had to haul him away. He’s such a boy…! I thought.
We won brilliantly, and the sports festival ended safely. Afterwards, I went to a family restaurant for an after-party with Sakakibara’s classmates and his friend Ryuchi!
Ryuchi told us many stories about the blank-faced boy from middle school. Apparently, he was expressionless even back then and was invincible at staring contests… it sounded both believable and unbelievable at the same time.
…Hmm. Thinking back on it, I don’t know why, but I’m curious about the blank-faced boy. O-Of course, I’m curious about Sakakibara too!
And so, the sports festival I was so bad at passed by happily! Maybe I’ve grown to dislike it just a little bit less…?
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