Chapter 19 The Wonderful Woman I Admire
#21MotoKanojoThe Wonderful Woman I Admire
“I first met Kakizaki Hatsune-senpai during my first year at Doujo High.
Even though I had gone through the escalator system from elementary to high school at Doukei Women University-affiliated schools, I had never heard of Hatsune-senpai.
That’s no surprise since Hatsune-senpai transferred into our high school.
Apparently, over the past few years, her family’s company, Kakizaki Farm, had grown rapidly. But before that, they were just ordinary people.
So, I used to look down on Hatsune-senpai.
After all, isn’t it obvious? I’m the daughter of the Mushakoji Group, and some nouveau riche like Kakizaki Farm is nothing compared to that.
But… surprisingly, she was popular among the students at Doujo.
She didn’t shy away from us daughters of politicians and business tycoons, was always cheerful, kind, and had a strong sense of justice.
At the time, I found Hatsune-senpai’s presence intolerable.
I had always been pampered and spoiled through middle school, and it had gone to my head. So, I used others to harass Hatsune-senpai.
I’d have people scribble falsehoods on her desk, hide her textbooks and gym clothes… Haha, petty, wasn’t I? I think so too.
But… Hatsune-senpai didn’t seem to care at all and remained her usual cheerful and kind self.
That only irritated me more. I couldn’t stand it, so I confronted her directly.
“You don’t belong in this school. You’re an eyesore. Disappear immediately!”
That’s what I told her.
And guess what Hatsune-senpai did?
She slapped me across the face with all her might.
The reason she got angry was unbelievable too.
“Because of your ridiculous orders, other girls were forced to do things they didn’t want to! That’s the worst thing a person in power can do!”
That’s what she said.
She completely ignored the harassment she had endured and instead worried about the feelings of the girls who were carrying it out. In the end, it was like I was defeated one-sidedly.
But I was so frustrated by that incident that I decided to defeat Hatsune-senpai in other ways.
Whether in academics or popularity.
Just like Hatsune-senpai said, I started paying attention to the students who followed me and devoted myself to my studies.
Embarrassingly, since I had assumed I didn’t need to study because I was on the escalator path to Doukei Women University, it was a real struggle.
During those times, Hatsune-senpai would…
“Mikoto, let’s study together!”
“Hey, this part is wrong, okay?”
“Wow! You got a perfect score on everything!”
Right before exams, she would always come to my classroom to teach me, forcefully at that.
I later heard that, early on, when I was struggling with my studies, some other students had noticed and consulted with Hatsune-senpai.
I was doing all of it because I wanted to beat Hatsune-senpai, but they went to consult that very Hatsune-senpai… Hopeless, isn’t it?
But.
“What are you talking about! It just shows how much you care about everyone! That’s why they’re willing to help you in return!”
When Hatsune-senpai said that to me with a smile, I realized something for the first time.
Why she had scolded me back then, even slapping me on the cheek.
I cried my eyes out in front of Hatsune-senpai, completely losing my composure.
Over and over, I apologized to Hatsune-senpai, saying, “I’m sorry… I’m sorry.”
And she gently embraced me, softly patting my back.
From that moment, Hatsune-senpai became the person I admired.
After that, I always stayed by her side.
Thinking that one day, I’d become a wonderful woman just like her.
A year passed, and I became a second-year student while Hatsune-senpai became a third-year.
She would graduate in a year, but I thought if I just endured that one year, we could be together again at Doukei.
But the university Hatsune-senpai aimed for was Chuho University, not Doukei Women University.
She told me excitedly that she wanted to study law there so she could become a lawyer and help people in need. That image of her has stuck with me.
Haha… That’s why I’m at Chuho University, not Doukei Women University.
And Hatsune-senpai got accepted into Chuho University and is about to graduate in two weeks.”
“…That massive fraud case, huh…”
At my murmured words, Mushakoji-san silently nodded.
“…Of course, despite that incident, Hatsune-senpai was able to graduate from high school. Even if she didn’t attend school, even if she didn’t attend the graduation ceremony. But… for some reason, Hatsune-senpai submitted a withdrawal form…”
Saying this, Mushakoji-san bit her lip tightly with a frustrated expression.
“After that, I completely lost contact with Hatsune-senpai, and every day, the news kept coming in…”
Unable to hold back anymore, she began to shed tears.
The ever-confident, strong-willed, and proud Mushakoji-san.
“Sniff… I tried to find out what happened to Hatsune-senpai after that too, but… my father strongly forbade me, saying ‘don’t get involved anymore,’ and because of that, no one in my family followed my instructions either…”
“I see…”
…I never would’ve imagined that Mushakoji-san had such a deep connection with Kakizaki-san.
But because of this, I got to learn something new about her.
“S-So… what about you…?”
I pulled out my phone, typed a message, and showed it to Mushakoji-san.
[From here on, let’s use written communication.]
Perhaps realizing the situation, she also took out her phone and started typing.
[Are there people eavesdropping on us?]
[I’m not sure. But it’s better to be cautious.]
[Understood. So, what about Hatsune-senpai?]
[I can’t say much yet, but she’s safe.]
The moment she read that message, a look of relief washed over Mushakoji-san’s face.
“…Well, that’s how it is.”
“…I see.”
We nodded to each other.
“By the way… I have a lot more I want to ask you. Should we exchange IDs?”
Mushakoji-san’s suggestion caught me by surprise.
Of course, I also had things I wanted to ask her in the future, so exchanging IDs was convenient, but…
“W-Wait… Are you okay with this? Didn’t you dislike me?”
“T-That’s because! …I just thought I needed to push you a little since you looked so hopeless back then…”
Oh… To think she acted that way because she was thinking about my well-being… Really?
“No, there’s no way I could’ve seen it that way…”
“Ugh! I-I know, okay! I just didn’t know how to interact with you!”
Saying that, Mushakoji-san turned her face away in a huff.
“Well… fine, whatever…”
We exchanged IDs awkwardly.
“Well then, I’ll be going now.”
“Sure… Wait, what about the mixer?”
“Ah… I only joined because Sasaki-senpai asked me to. I’m not really interested.”
“I see. Well, I only set it up because those girls asked me to.”
Haha, I figured as much.
After all, mixers don’t suit someone like Mushakoji-san.
“Alright then…”
“Yeah…”
And with that, as I stood up to leave…
“Oh, right.”
“…What is it?”
“If… we could meet again sometime… I’d really like that.”
“Ah! …Yes… Yes…!”
As tears streamed down her face, Mushakoji-san nodded happily, seeing me off as I left the shop.
“Phew… It’s cold…”
I shoved my hands into my coat pockets and hurried back to my apartment.
“I’m home!”
“Aha! Welcome home!”
With a bright smile, Kakizaki-san greeted me joyfully.