Otome Game Rokkushuume, Automode ga Kiremashita

As expected, the little expectations I had were completely crushed on that day.

On a poster crammed full of notices, was a poster that held the information of the contestants. Their class, name, and even a picture There was the picture of when Christine-sama was advertising for the drama club. Other contestants had pictures that drew out their charm points. Only my picture was like a normal ID picture. Yep, it was the picture for my student handbook.

Its the beginning of hell (Maria)

Youre exaggerating.

Youre thinking its someone elses problem!

Dont worry about it.

In contrast to me, who wanted to just grab my head and scream, Keito was calm as usual. I didnt want to go see the board alone because I might have gotten disheartened and started crying. It might have been better to have asked Primera and Eru instead. They would be kinder.

However, I dont want to talk about the match between Christine-sama and me. I dont think Primella or Eru would spread rumors, but I might become paranoid. This way, I can avoid feeling that way. After all, even walls have ears. I dont know where or when someone could be leaning against the wall eavesdropping.

There are more contestants than I expected.(Maria)

Yeah Ten people, huh.

Even if I hadnt been selected, there would have been plenty of participants. Give me back my peaceful school festival!

I didnt recognize any of the names besides Christine-samas, but as expected, all of them were beauties. Just by looking at the bulletin board, you could tell everyone was sublime. Right now, there were still some white spots on the poster, but they would soon disappear.

When I was contacted about the festival, I received numerous necessities handouts. I had thought, whats necessary for a festival? Reading through all of it would have been troublesome, so I just skimmed it.

One thing included was an artificial flower to be used for voting. Using the flower, students were supposed to stick it by the picture of the candidate they liked most to keep the voting results obvious. Students even bet on the contests. Of course, unofficially.

As expected, Christine-sama will win overwhelmingly.

She is the poster girl for the drama club Though, this is my first time seeing her. (Keito)

The ten contestants had the same amount of space on the poster and it had just been put up. Even so, under Christine-samas name, there were already red roses placed here and there.

These flowers are really well made. They aernt losing their shape at all. (Keito)

Thats probably not the impression they wanted you to have. I had thought Keito was looking at Christine-samas face with a serious expression since it was his first time seeing her, but his gaze was actually directed towards the artificial flowers.

He was that impressed.

Do you think I can keep this if I dont vote?

They dont plan on collecting them, so I think its fine.

Youre not supposed to be wondering about that. As an adolescent boy, shouldnt you be thinking of other things? Even though there are so many pictures of beauties lined up on the board Or is that just my own bias?

I wonder if I should be reassured that he hasnt changed at all.

This will last a long time and the color is just like the real thing.

Come to think of it, you also tried making these sometimes.

I was only my dads helper though.

Basically, Ikebana [flower arrangement with living flowers] is quite common, however, there are more instances where artifical flowers can be used. You can send it to people who are allergic, you can use it as permanent decoration, and so on. It cant be helped that an imitation has more uses than the real deal sometimes.

What are you going to do

After the festival, Ill give mine to you, too.

Ooh, thank you.

Keito was acting as usual, so I found myself relaxing. Well, its within my expectations for him to be the same as usual Although he was slightly different from what I thought it would be like.

Well, if Keito did become Christine-samas fan, I think I would have mixed feelings about it.

As a contestant, what are you going to do?

We have a meeting with the contest committee.

Today?

After school.

Then, Ill wait for you. There isnt anything going on with the gardening club, as usual anyway.

It seems like the gardening club has various things going on for the festival, but its mostly tending to the flower bed. Its not different from what they normally do, well at least not for Keito.

I heard that they also decorated the arch for the festival but It had the same feeling of usual. The gardening club has guts to do that. You could say theyre cheeky.

Ill just go to the flower bed then?

Yeah, the usual place.

Got it.

After the meeting, Ill definitely be fed up the contest, but at least Ill be able to look forward to walking and talking with Keito afterwards.

Keito probably knew Id feel that way, so he brought it up. I knew that Keito isnt as straightforward about being kind to me after all.

Then, see you after school.

Yeah, work hard in class.

Maria, too Dont sleep in class.

I-I dont sleep!

After tapping the area around my eyes a couple of times, he waved goodbye and turned to leave. I watched as his back grew further and further away before he finally rounded a corner. Then, I also rubbed the area around my eyes.

My eyelids felt heavier than normal, but my eyes werent bloodshot, nor did I have dark circles under my eyes. My complexion wasnt poor and physical condition looked fine.

When I checked my face in the mirror this morning, I looked the same as usual.

Did he find out?

That I couldnt sleep much last night.

Were the dark circles forming under my eyes now? Thinking they might have been, I took out my compact mirror to check. Do I look different from my picture even though it was my own face, I wasnt sure.

Howd he know

How does Keito see me? He really is mysterious. Maybe my attitude was different and I just didnt realize it, or something about me was different that I didnt notice.

In the end, no one else besides Keito pointed out my fatigue.

How strong is Keitos sixth sense?