Akane-san's interruption left me reeling for the rest of the day. Sakura-san's question – "What do you think, Tanaka-kun?" – hung in the air, a frustratingly beautiful enigma. Just as I thought I was close to understanding what she might be feeling, Akane-san appeared, pulling Sakura-san back into her world and leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts.
The possibility that Sakura-san's feelings for me might be becoming real was both exhilarating and terrifying. Exhilarating because... well, because it was Sakura Yamato. Terrifying because if it was real, what did that mean for the fake relationship? What did it mean for us? And was I ready for that kind of reality? (Spoiler: Probably not).
The next day, my confusion had morphed into a persistent buzz of anxiety and anticipation. I saw Sakura-san in the hallway, and we exchanged brief, public smiles that probably looked natural to others, but to me, they felt charged with the unspoken question from the day before.
Our focus for the next few days shifted back to the School Spirit Project Contest itself. The preliminary presentations were over, and the judges were expected to release some initial feedback and potentially rank the projects before the final presentation round.
Meeting in the clubroom, the atmosphere was a mix of nervous energy and determined focus. Mr. Yoshida was present, though thankfully awake this time, offering quiet encouragement. Kenji was excitedly talking about the 'buzz' we'd created. Yuki Nakamura had, surprisingly, helped refine some of the literary excerpts for the presentation, her quiet competence a valuable asset. The two first-years were mostly just wide-eyed, still in awe of the fact that their club was suddenly relevant.
Sakura-san was coordinating everything, reviewing the judges' expected feedback criteria, and strategizing our approach for the final round. Her leadership skills were evident.
"The feedback should be posted on the school website by end of day," she announced, looking at the clock. "That will give us a clearer picture of what the judges are looking for and who our main rivals are."
Main rivals. Right. This wasn't just about saving our club; it was a competition. And knowing Sakura-san, she didn't like losing.
We spent the time reviewing our presentation script, practicing our skit (still awkward, but getting better), and brainstorming ways to make our final performance even more impactful. Working closely with Sakura-san again, even with others present, brought back that sense of comfortable teamwork, occasionally punctuated by moments where our eyes would meet, and I'd remember her question, and my heart would do its usual erratic dance.
As the end of the school day approached, the tension in the clubroom mounted. Everyone kept checking their phones, refreshing the school website page.
Finally, a shout from one of the first-years. "It's up! The feedback is posted!"
We all crowded around the laptop. Sakura-san navigated to the right page, her fingers moving quickly.
The list of participating clubs appeared. Our club name: "Classic Literature & Film Society." Next to it, a brief summary of feedback and an initial ranking.
Our initial ranking was... promising. We were in the top five. Not first, but definitely contenders. The feedback praised our unique theme, the clear concept, and mentioned the 'engaging dynamic' between the presenters – code, I knew, for the fake relationship buzz.
But the feedback also highlighted areas for improvement. "Needs more visual impact," "Consider incorporating a more modern connection," "Ensure the skit feels integrated, not tacked on." Fair points.
And then we looked at the rivals at the top of the list.
The Drama Club was ranked first. Unsurprisingly. Their feedback praised their theatrical flair and strong performance concept. Akane Sato was listed as a key member of their project team. Of course. We were directly competing with Sakura-san's own main club, spearheaded by her best friend. That added another layer of complicated rivalry to the mix.
The Art Club was second, proposing a large, collaborative mural project. Third was the Student Council, with a project focused on school infrastructure improvements (very practical, very 'Student Council').
Seeing the competition, especially the Drama Club at the top, solidified the challenge. Saving our club wasn't just about putting on a decent show; it was about beating established, well-funded groups.
Sakura-san's expression was determined as she read the feedback. "Okay. We're in the running. But we need to step up our game for the final round. The Drama Club will be tough competition."
"Especially with Akane-san leading it," I added, remembering her intense gaze.
Sakura-san nodded. "Akane is incredibly talented and driven. She'll put everything into their project."
The thought of directly competing with Akane-san, for funding that would save our club, while pretending to date her best friend, felt incredibly complex.
"We need to make the 'visual impact' stronger," Sakura-san mused, tapping her pen against her notebook. "And ensure the skit feels essential. How can we make 'Our Story In Between' feel more... visually engaging?"
We brainstormed ideas – maybe using projections, props related to classic films, or incorporating music more effectively. The energy in the room was high, everyone focused on the goal.
As the meeting wrapped up, and the others started to leave, Sakura-san and I stayed behind for a moment, gathering our notes. The clubroom was quietening down.
"We have our work cut out for us," I commented, looking at the feedback notes.
Sakura-san sighed softly, leaning against a desk. "Yes. But I think we can do it, Tanaka-kun. Our theme is unique. And we have... our dynamic."
She looked at me when she said "our dynamic," a faint smile on her lips. It brought back the memory of her question, hanging unanswered between us.
"About that dynamic," I ventured, my heart doing its usual stutter. "After the last presentation... what did you mean by... 'unexpected love' not just being for the presentation?"
Her smile softened. She looked at me, her gaze open and searching. The quiet of the clubroom seemed to deepen around us.
"Akane interrupted us before, didn't she?" she murmured, her voice low.
"Yeah," I replied.
She paused, looking thoughtful. Then, instead of answering the question directly, she changed tack slightly.
"Have you ever thought," she began softly, her eyes meeting mine, "about how strange this whole situation is? Me, the 'school idol,' asking you, the quiet member of the Classic Literature & Film Society, to fake date me to save the club?"
"Every day," I admitted honestly.
She chuckled softly. "Me too. It's completely... unexpected."
She emphasized the word 'unexpected'.
"And," she continued, her voice even softer, stepping a tiny bit closer, "sometimes... when you're in the middle of something completely unexpected... you start to notice... unexpected things. About the situation. And... about the person you're with."
She held my gaze, her expression serious and open. She wasn't explicitly saying "I'm developing real feelings for you," but she was saying that something unexpected was happening because of the situation, and it involved noticing things about me. It felt like a very careful, very subtle confirmation of the possibility.
My mind was racing. Was this it? Was this her way of saying it?
Before I could form a coherent thought or response, her phone buzzed loudly. She jumped slightly, the moment broken.
She glanced at the screen. Her expression immediately shifted back to her composed, slightly weary public face. "Ah, it's Akane. Student Council work."
She sighed, a genuine sound of tiredness. "Duty calls, I guess."
She looked back at me, the intense, searching look gone, replaced by her usual friendly smile, though there was a hint of lingering softness in her eyes.
"I need to go, Tanaka-kun," she said. "But... think about what we talked about. About unexpected things."
"Okay, Yamato-san," I managed, my voice still feeling a little numb.
She gave me one last smile, gathered her bag, and hurried out of the clubroom, presumably to attend to Student Council duties with Akane-san.
I was left standing alone in the quiet clubroom, the feedback notes on the desk, the distant sound of her footsteps fading away.
'Unexpected things. About the situation. And... about the person you're with.'
Her words, carefully chosen, felt like a heavy weight in the suddenly silent room. She still hadn't said it directly. But she had come closer than ever before to confirming that my terrifying, exhilarating hope might not be entirely unfounded.
The fake dating was getting real. And the main rival wasn't just the Drama Club or Akane Sato. It was my own inability to believe that something this incredible could actually be happening.