The after-party part one neared its end. After the light music band, karaoke contest, and comedy routines, the final segment was the confession contest.
“Right, Ryouya-kun, let’s go.”
”…Where?”
“You’ll see.”
“I’ll watch your heroic moment from the audience.”
“Wait — what is happening!?”
It was too sudden and my brain wasn’t catching up; Reona pulled me along regardless. We arrived backstage. Backstage was full of visibly popular boys and girls — and me, the only one out of place.
“Are entry #9 Tsurugi Reona and entry #10 Yagami Ryouya here?”
“Yes, we’re both here.”
“It’s starting soon — please stand by.”
“W-wait — what’s entry number?!”
The student-council member directing students looked confused. I had not entered the contest. The after-party events required a pre-submitted application form.
“He’s just nervous before the performance, please leave us alone.”
Reona told the confused council member. Why is my name registered? I had not filed any forms.
I glanced at Reona — she looked thoroughly pleased. I had been had. The form Reona had me sign earlier — when I thought it was the math homework — was for this.
What was I supposed to do — I had nothing to confess. Before I could think, I was on stage.
“Welcome to this year’s annual confession contest. What’ll happen this year? Let’s go in entry order!”
The MC’s overly chipper announcement launched the contest. After throwaway banter, contestants confessed in sequence.
Some confessions succeeded — applause. Some failed — MC consolation. I wasn’t paying attention; I was searching for an escape vector. Found none. Reona’s turn arrived.
“Entry #9, Tsurugi Reona.”
The crowd surged. After a beat of silence, Reona started:
“There’s a person who has seen me naked, and slept in the same bed with me, and stolen my first kiss — and is not taking responsibility for any of it.”
The gym exploded. Everything Reona described had a concrete me-shaped referent.
“So entry #10 Yagami Ryouya is going to take responsibility and date me. I can’t force him, of course — final decision is his.”
She handed me the mic. The spotlight that had been on her swung to me.
She’d said not forced, but if I refused I’d be branded as a creep who had seen her naked, taken her first kiss, etc., and refused to face the consequences.
So refusing was not in the option space. On a stage, with everyone in the gym watching, both possible answers had witnesses. If I’d been in the audience there might’ve been an exit; on stage, there was none. Checkmate.
“Fine, I’ll take responsibility — please, enough.”
“And so, starting today, Ryouya-kun and I are a couple. Please congratulate us.”
Reona was wearing the most pleased expression I had ever seen on her. The gym was electric. What was about to happen to my life — unclear.