Monologue (⚠️ Spoiler Warning)

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"Please... 143, 143..."

I gripped my lucky charm. This is the prestigious high school I've always wanted to go to.

The first choice for someone like me, whose only redeeming quality is studying.

"Yes... I... I did it!!"

"I have to... tell Mom, too."

All that hard work paid off.

I was so happy.

I felt like screaming because I passed, but of course, I didn't have the courage for that.

And just as I was about to head home, I saw it.

"...Eh."

"...Who is that person...?"

I fell in love at first sight.

I heard that person passed too.

I felt relieved for some reason.

At the same time, I felt a sense of crisis.

"...I can't stay like this."

"I want to become cute and have them look at me."

Until now, I had always given up on things like romance.

I have no special talents, I'm not cute, and surely even in high school...

"...Am I going to end up as the plain old me again?"

...No. This time, I don't want to give up.

I'm going to change. Right here.

Since then, I worked so hard for you.

Using social media, I looked up recommended hairstyles and how to talk to people.

I even practiced makeup, something I'd never done before.

Everything was a first, and at first, I didn't really get it.

I'd mess up the timing of applying cosmetics, and when I tried full makeup, I'd suddenly look like an alien.

I spent the whole spring break practicing.

But I don't regret it.

Time spent for you. When I thought of it that way, strangely, it didn't feel like a chore.

The days passed steadily, and finally, it was the day of the entrance ceremony.

"Yeah, I... I can do this."

I thought a "high school debut" had nothing to do with me.

But this is the only way.

The plain me won't be noticed by anyone. I know that.

As expected, it was scary at first.

I was bad at talking to people.

I mustered up my courage and acted energetic.

I might have seemed awkward.

But unexpectedly, everyone accepted me—no, the "gal" me—kindly.

I fit into the class circle so easily, it was unthinkable compared to my life until now.

I thought if things kept going like this...

But then, whenever I saw you, I'd get so nervous.

From the very start, I talked to you with the wrong sense of distance.

In a way that looked down on you.

Since then, I've always been making fun of you or saying mean things.

I actually want to be kind. But it's too late to change now; it would be weird.

Because to you, I'm already just a sassy gal.

Even so, the fact that we have a connection makes me happy.

I arbitrarily made you my rival and added rules like the loser having to grant a request.

There were times I felt disgusted by my own brazenness.

But that's who I am now.

If I show weakness, you might hate me.

...Even as I say that, my heart still aches a little sometimes.

Does everyone like the "gal" me, or do they like the real me?

I'm scared, but at the same time, I want my true self to be acknowledged.

I wonder if you'll understand.

This might be a one-sided love.

...But.

Even so.

I love you.

For now, it's enough if you just look at the fake me.

...But, please. Someday.

Someday, please notice the real me.