The time between our final presentation and the announcement of the School Spirit Project Contest results felt like an eternity. Every hour stretched into an agonizing wait. The initial euphoria from our performance and Sakura-san's unexpected hug slowly gave way to nervous anticipation.
We had done our best. Our presentation was solid, our theme unique, and the 'chemistry' (now less fake than before) was definitely felt by the audience and judges. But the competition was tough. The Drama Club's performance was visually stunning. The Art Club's mural project had significant student participation.
During the waiting period, school life continued, but everything felt colored by the impending announcement. Walking through the hallways, the buzz about our presentation was still there, maybe even stronger than before. People who had been skeptical were now saying things like, "Wow, I didn't expect the Classic Literature & Film Society to put on such a good show," or "Tanaka was actually... good?"
Sakura-san and I saw each other, exchanged nervous smiles, and offered quiet words of encouragement. The hug backstage was a powerful memory, a secret shared moment that reaffirmed the new reality between us. We didn't hug again publicly, of course, but there was a palpable shift in how we interacted – more comfortable closeness when others weren't directly looking, softer tones, lingering eye contact.
We met in the clubroom to pass the time, going over the presentation one last time, finding minor things we could have done differently. It was a way to manage the stress. Kenji was trying to keep our spirits up with increasingly wild predictions about the results. Aiko visited, bringing snacks, her presence a quiet comfort. She didn't ask direct questions about my relationship with Sakura-san anymore; her look was one of gentle support.
During one of these tense hours, I saw Akane Sato in the hallway, passing by our clubroom. She was with a couple of her Drama Club friends, looking tired but determined. Her eyes met mine through the clubroom door window for a fleeting second. Her expression was unreadable – not hostile, not friendly, just... assessing. A rival looking at the competition.
It was a reminder that this wasn't just about romance and saving a club; it was a contest, with real stakes and real competitors, including Sakura-san's closest friend.
The announcement was scheduled for the end of the school day, during a general assembly. The entire school would be there. The tension in the assembly hall was electric as we all gathered. Clubs that had participated sat together, a mix of hopeful anticipation and nervous energy.
Sakura-san and I sat with the rest of the Classic Literature & Film Society members. Mr. Yoshida was surprisingly alert. Kenji was practically bouncing in his seat. Yuki Nakamura was sitting quietly, her hands clasped. The two first-years looked like they were about to faint.
The principal stepped up to the podium. After some opening remarks about school spirit and student involvement, he got to the point.
"Now, for the moment we've all been waiting for," he announced, his voice booming through the hall. "The results of the School Spirit Project Contest!"
He started listing the honorable mentions, then the top ten, counting down. Each announcement was met with a mix of applause and disappointed sighs. Our club name wasn't called in the top ten. My stomach sank. Had we not done well enough? Had the 'buzz' not translated into points?
Sakura-san's hand, resting on the seat beside mine, subtly clenched into a fist. I felt a pang of disappointment, seeing her hope potentially fading.
The principal continued, listing the top three.
"In third place, the Art Club!"
Polite applause. The Art Club members cheered, looking happy with their result.
"In second place, the Student Council!"
More applause. Sakura-san, being Student Council Vice President, applauded along, a small smile on her face, though her eyes still held a flicker of tension. Akane Sato, sitting with the Drama Club, applauded politely, her expression unreadable.
This meant only two clubs were left: the Drama Club and us.
My heart was pounding. It was down to this. The Drama Club, the reigning champions of school performances, led by Akane-san... against our small, obscure Classic Literature & Film Society, fueled by a unique theme and a fake relationship that had become unexpectedly real.
The hall fell silent, everyone waiting for the principal to announce the winner.
The principal cleared his throat. He smiled. "And now, the winner of this year's School Spirit Project Contest, receiving the grand prize funding and recognition for demonstrating outstanding school spirit and engagement... is..."
He paused for dramatic effect. It felt like an eternity.
I glanced at Sakura-san beside me. Her gaze was fixed on the principal, her expression a mask of calm anticipation, but I could see the tension in her shoulders.
"...The Classic Literature & Film Society!"
The hall erupted.
For a second, I didn't believe it. Did he say our club?
Then, the reality crashed over me. We won. We won!
Kenji let out a whoop, jumping out of his seat. The two first-years screamed. Mr. Yoshida startled awake, looking bewildered but happy. Yuki Nakamura gave a rare, small smile.
Sakura-san turned to me, her eyes wide, a look of pure, unadulterated joy on her face. Her public composure shattered, replaced by genuine, radiant happiness.
"Tanaka-kun!" she exclaimed, her voice full of emotion. "We did it! We actually did it!"
She threw her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight hug right there in front of the entire school. This wasn't a backstage secret hug; this was public, unscripted, and filled with overwhelming relief and triumph.
I hugged her back just as tightly, burying my face in her hair, a wave of emotion washing over me. Relief, excitement, pride in what we had accomplished together. And the overwhelming, confusing, wonderful reality of holding Sakura Yamato, the girl I had pretended to date and had actually fallen for, in my arms, celebrating a victory we had won together.
The applause was deafening. Students were cheering, some looking utterly shocked, others genuinely happy for the underdog club.
Over Sakura-san's shoulder, I saw the Drama Club's section. They were applauding, some looking disappointed, but most smiling. My eyes met Akane Sato's. She was applauding too. Her expression was complex – surprise, a hint of disappointment, but also... respect? And perhaps, a lingering question in her eyes as she watched Sakura-san hug me.
The principal called us up to the stage to receive the prize. Sakura-san pulled back from the hug, her face still flushed and smiling, her eyes shining with unshed tears of happiness. She grabbed my hand, her grip firm and real, and we walked onto the stage together, the cheers of the school surrounding us.
Standing on the stage, receiving the certificate and the oversized check for the funding, the lights bright, the applause roaring, I looked at Sakura-san beside me. Her hand was still holding mine. Her smile was radiant. This wasn't the performance. This wasn't the act. This was real.
We had set out to save a club with a fake relationship. And in doing so, we had found something entirely unexpected. Something real.
The feeling of her hand in mine, the sound of the applause, the look on her face... it all solidified the unbelievable truth.
The fake dating was over. The unexpected love had won.