CH 13

“…Ah, I feel like crying.”

I was currently overwhelmed with emotions. 

When I woke up this morning, I stepped onto the scale and, to my surprise, I had lost four kilograms. 

I had declared that I would lose weight and had successfully achieved it.

“… But, is losing four kilograms really something to be happy about?”

When I thought about it, it was a somewhat ambiguous situation, but it could be considered a big step forward. 

There were no visible changes in my body shape, but seeing the numbers drop was still a pleasant surprise.

“Although, it could just be because I’m hungry from waking up…”

No, let’s not think about that. 

It had only been a month since I came into this body, but I felt a sense of accomplishment. 

Dieting wasn’t just about losing weight, it was also about slowly improving one’s physical health and stamina. 

It was more like killing three birds with one stone than two.

“… But who knew that just having a successful diet could make me feel so refreshed.”

I wanted to share this feeling with Shirayuki… and even Hisui, but I didn’t want to burden them with something so trivial.

However, the fact that I was able to think about them in this way indicated that our relationship wasn’t bad.

In fact, it has improved quite a bit. 

Initially, I was in despair after being reborn as Arashi, and I had even felt jealous of Yosuke, the protagonist of this world. But now…

“Since I became Arashi, or rather, since my character has changed from within, my responses have naturally changed. Shirayuki also mentioned that she doesn’t ridicule those who try to change; instead, she sees them for who they truly are.”

As expected, Shirayuki Hououin remained unchanged.

“Alright, let’s get ready!”

After finishing my breakfast and getting dressed, I headed out.

“Ara, good morning.”

“Good morning.”

Initially, I didn’t interact much with the other residents of the dormitory. 

However, once I started greeting them, they began to reciprocate. 

They were all surprised when I first greeted them and I couldn’t help but laugh at how reserved I had been.

“I’ve got everything, but no friends… right?”

In my past life too, I didn’t have many friends. 

Nonetheless, spending time with a few close friends was enjoyable… I wondered if it was possible to make such friends in this world.

“Well, it all depends on my actions.”

However, since my position in the class was still that of an unpopular character, it will be a long time before this dream comes true.

“Well, it’s not like they hate me; they just don’t want to associate with me.”

It was still a sad thought… And as I pondered these things while on my way to school.

“…?”

There was a girl sitting on one of the benches at the end of my line of sight.

Her silvery white hair swayed in the slight breeze… Yes, she was Shirayuki.

“What is she doing?”

Incidentally, she was sitting just before the spot where she used to walk to school with Yosuke. 

She sat motionless, clutching her bag to her chest. 

I looked around to see if she was waiting for Yosuke but didn’t see anyone who resembled him. 

Instead, I found myself at a loss.

“…For now, I guess, I’ll just have to walk away.”

As I stepped forward with determination, she gently turned her gaze toward me.

The moment our eyes met, she stood up and slowly made her way over to me… 

It seemed like she had something to tell me.

“Good morning, Gundo-kun.”

“… Good morning Shirayuki.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Well, I was wondering why you were here.”

“I was waiting here because I thought you might come, Gundo-kun.“

“…”

She wasn’t one to smile in front of anyone other than her close friends.

However, she just smiled sticking her tongue out at me and I found myself completely captivated by her expression rather than her words.

(… Oh damn. The more I see this smile, the more I feel like cursing myself for being Arashi and wishing that I could be the main character.)

I shook off these negative feelings and made eye contact with her.

“If that’s the case then you could have just contacted me. If I overslept or took a different route than usual then you would have been waiting here for nothing.”

“Well.. Fufu, isn’t it nice if things happen to be a little different from usual? I’m too much of a goody two-shoes, you know?”

“Even so, don’t go out of your way to take the path of a delinquent.”

“Yes~”

…This girl looks good no matter what expression or voice she has. 

There’s a saying that heaven doesn’t give two good things but that’s a lie when it comes to Shirayuki.

“Oh, yeah, Shirayuki, hear me out!”

I said this on a whim. 

Well of course, I just wanted her to hear about my joy at losing weight but had thought that there was no need to report something so trivial. 

Yet, when I saw her face, I couldn’t help but say it.

“… Sorry, it’s nothing.”

Shirayuki looked surprised because I suddenly raised my voice, wondering what it was about.

I looked away like that but she urged me to continue.

“Did something good happen to you earlier? It’s not fair to go that far and not say anything. I won’t move from here until you tell me.”

“… eh.”

I thought about it for a bit, then nodded my head and decided to speak.

“It’s not such a big deal. I was just curious and weighed myself this morning and found out that I had lost four kilos… I was so happy that I wanted to tell Shirayuki-san and Hisui-san about it―”

I tried to continue speaking but realized how silly it was to be happy about something like this.

But then she took my hand— with both her hands— and gently caressed my hand with hers.

Then she looked me straight in the eye and said.

“It’s a good thing, you know? It’s the result of your hard work and effort. It may seem like a small number to be happy about but my mother and I know how hard you’ve been working. So even if it’s just a small step, we’re happy for you as if it were our own achievement.”

“… Shirayuki”

I felt like crying. 

Quickly looking away in an attempt to hold back my tears… but Shirayuki chuckled so maybe it was all for naught.

“You’re going to keep it up right?“

“Of course. I’m going to lose even more weight…and then show those who made fun of me before.”

“Is that really how you feel?”

“Huh?”

“I don’t think Gundo-kun is the kind of person who would think about revenge or stuff. Losing weight is just a byproduct, isn’t it? I think maybe there’s something else you’re aiming for.”

“… Well, um…”

I do have a plan to use their underestimation of me to my advantage but if she finds out about it then it would be disastrous.

“Let’s not talk about that for now. Anyway, let’s go to school, Gundo-kun.”

“O-okay!”

We walked together for a while, thinking about each other. 

Then I suddenly asked her a question.

“By the way, isn’t that guy… Koizumi with you today?”

“No. He went ahead of us.”

For a moment, I felt like Shirayuki’s mood had become heavy but I didn’t pay it any mind and didn’t ask any more questions about Yosuke.

“Ah, I see. Actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to say for a while.”

“W-What is it?”

“Don’t be so nervous, please.”

“If someone were to tell you something they’ve been wanting to say for a long time, you might get nervous… Because, you know, I am…”

“So, what I wanted to say to you is… Ahem, I’d also like to call you by your name.”

“…Is that all?”

But now that she mentioned it, I realized that I had been the only one calling her by her name.

When she asked if it was okay to start calling me by my name, I didn’t object and simply nodded. And without wasting a single second she said it…

“Arashi-kun.”

“…”

—May I say something?

I was more moved to be called by name by Shirayuki than I thought I was by Hisui… well, I was called Arashi, but still I was honestly happy that this body is mine now.

“Oh, and…”

“What is it?”

“Would you come up to the rooftop for lunch today? I made lunch for you.”

“L-lunch!?”

“Yes.”

Apparently, I did not mishear.

“It’s a classic move to win someone over through their stomach. Ufufu, so be prepared because I’ll gradually make it so you can’t escape me♪”