Monologue (⚠️ Warning: Spoilers)

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

I gripped my lucky charm. This was the prestigious high school I had always wanted to attend.

My first choice, for someone like me whose only merit was studying.

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

"I have to... tell Mom."

All that hard work paid off.

I was so happy.

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

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

"...Eh."

"...Who is that?"

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 then, I had always given up on things like romance.

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

"...Am I going to end up as the same plain girl 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.

Relying on social media for recommended hairstyles and how to talk to people.

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

Everything was a first, and I didn't understand it at all at first.

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

I spent all of 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 quickly, and it was already the day of the opening 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 squeezed out my courage and acted energetic.

It might have seemed awkward.

But unexpectedly, everyone accepted me—no, the 'new' me—kindly.

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

I thought, if it keeps going like this...

But still, when I looked at you, I got so nervous.

From the very start, I chose the wrong way to talk to you, the wrong distance.

Looking down on you, like that.

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.

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

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

I made you my rival and added that rule about the loser granting a wish.

There were times I felt like throwing up at my own brazenness.

But that's who I am now.

If I show my weakness, you might hate me.

...Even as I say that, my chest still hurts a little sometimes.

Does everyone like the 'new' me, or the 'real' me?

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

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 this fake me.

...But, please. Someday.

Someday, please notice the real me.