The person truly ready to confess simply chose a sunny afternoon, put on the most ordinary sportswear, went to the track, and never looked back.
Only those who haven't made up their minds hesitate, because for someone confessing, hesitation is also a waste of time. Those who loudly proclaim, "She might not like me," and look around with every step they take, are cowards without courage. A single "Don't go" will make them give up.
Sakurai Saki is not a coward.
He walked toward the broadcast station next to the track, where the principal was announcing upcoming matches alongside Ki Karen from the Media Department.
"Karen, can I say a few words?" Sakurai Saki smiled slightly at her.
"Are you looking for something?" Ki Karen turned off the microphone.
"No. It's something else. Important."
Ki Karen smelled a big story. She obediently gave up her seat.
Sakurai Saki sat down, looked at the smiling principal beside him, and asked—"Principal Adolphe, what happens if I confess to a girl I like over the broadcast during the Sports Festival?"
Adolphe Pescarolo's golden eyes looked at Sakurai, his voice carrying a heavy foreign accent. "Sakurai-kun, are you sure you want to do this?"
Behind him, Ki Karen covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.
What is this? So cool. Super romantic.
"The person I like is a coward." Sakurai Saki sighed. "She won't agree if I don't do this."
Principal Adolphe stroked his beard, squinting his eyes. "Three self-reflection essays. One week of suspension. Sakurai-kun, if it's just a confession, you don't need to go to this extent."
Ki Karen tried to dissuade him. "It's almost Tanabata. You can confess that day."
"Oh." Sakurai Saki's expression didn't change. "So I won't be expelled. That's a relief."
To Ki Karen's shocked gaze, he turned on the microphone button. He tapped the microphone, emitting a sharp buzzing sound.
Everyone on the sports field had their attention drawn to him.
"Good afternoon, everyone. This is Sakurai Saki, General Affairs of the Student Council."
"Next, what I'm about to say is very important. Listen carefully. I'll only say it once."
The entire sports field immediately became restless. Everyone began to whisper. Some even took out their phones to record. A brief commotion was followed by silence—as profound as death.
At this moment, Sakurai Saki shouted. His voice, as if using all his strength, spread throughout the entire sports field.
"Hayasaka Ai from Class 2-A!!!!!"
"I like you—!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone started to cheer. Everyone became boisterous—even more exaggerated than before. Even some teachers sitting in the teaching building preparing lesson plans couldn't stay put. They all opened their windows to observe the situation on the sports field. In all these years, they had never seen such a bold student.
"I swear to the entire Tokyo Minato Ward!! I swear to the Earth!!!"
"Ai-chan—!!! I like you the most! Most! Most!!!"
"Please—!! Go out with me!!!"
Sakurai Saki finished shouting, standing, then leaned on his knees and caught his breath.
So tiring. Confessing is hard work after all.
Ki Karen handed him a bottle of water, saying with an admiring tone, "Sakurai-kun, you're amazing."
Sakurai Saki took the water and took a long gulp.
The principal sighed. "How youthful, Sakurai-kun."
And then—
Sakurai Saki was taken away by his homeroom teacher.
Very realistic.
Next to the track.
The members of the Student Council were dumbfounded.
Especially Kaguya Shinomiya. She really didn't expect Sakurai Saki to dare to do such a thing. Wasn't he afraid of being expelled? To Kaguya's knowledge, daring to violate school rules to this extent would lead to expulsion.
"Sakurai is really amazing," Shirogane Miyuki admired him immensely.
Doesn't it feel cool? Confessing to the person you like in front of the entire school faculty and students is super cool. Though it's a bit chuunibyou, and he might be expelled afterward, his actions truly show great courage.
"Huh?!" Ishigami Yu was the most shocked among them.
Wait. So Sakurai-senpai wasn't dating Fujiwara-senpai after all? Huh? No way? What did I misunderstand all this time?
I want to die. Ishigami Yu was so ashamed he wanted to die.
How nice. Fujiwara Chika envied him internally.
If Saki-kun's confession was for her.
The Nakano Five Sisters were also present.
"Nino, what's wrong?" Itsuki asked, looking at the motionless Nakano Nino, concerned.
Nakano Nino's thoughts were in turmoil. "Nothing."
Ichika already knew that Sakurai Saki had a girlfriend, so she didn't react much.
Miku gazed at a distant lamppost, where a black crow perched. She just stared blankly, lost in thought.
So he has someone he likes. Nino murmured to herself.
Heh. Isn't that obvious? But it was Hayasaka-san, not Fujiwara-kun whom she had seen last time.
Now, what should she do?
She felt a sudden emptiness in her heart. So strange. A sharp, piercing pain suddenly appeared in her chest. Nakano Nino felt as if a tendon had been pulled from her legs. She slowly squatted to the ground.
Her stomach also started to ache. So painful.
I, who foolishly liked him, am just like an idiot.
In the office.
Sakurai Saki was led by his homeroom teacher, Masaki-sensei, to a consultation room on the side.
Seated, Masaki-sensei adjusted her red-framed glasses that had almost fallen off from shock. Her skin was very fair, and bright-colored glasses suited her well.
"Sakurai-kun, you knew the consequences before you did this, right?"
Sakurai Saki sat upright opposite her, nodding. "I did."
"Then why did you still…? Sakurai-kun, you're young. There's no need to ruin your future for love." Masaki-sensei's expression was worried.
"Principal Adolphe told me that confessing to someone you like in front of the entire school faculty and students would require writing three self-reflection essays and a one-week suspension." Sakurai Saki reiterated the principal's words.
"…" Masaki Megumi rubbed her temples.
That's it?
Sakurai Saki was one of her most promising students—gentle, excellent in academics, could be called a model student. Yet, perhaps because he was usually too honest, he had done something like this during the Sports Festival. Originally, she had thought he would at least be suspended for a month, or even more severely, expelled. After all, he was just an external transfer student from a mixed school, and his family certainly had no background. But if the principal had really said that, then there was still a turning point.
"Forget it. You can go now. The disciplinary decision will be communicated to you later by phone." Masaki Megumi waved her hand at him as if shooing away a fly. "Next time, don't do something like this."
Sakurai Saki bowed slightly, saying softly, "Thank you for your concern, Teacher."
After he left, Masaki Megumi sighed.
This student doesn't seem as honest as she thought.
She had misjudged him.
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