Unpopular Mae’s Struggles to being an Unattainable Flower.

Chapter XX

Mae and Ria, the two ‘Takane no Hana’

(Ria pov)

The girl sitting next to me right now is the girl that my younger brother loves.

Just a few months ago she was an indecisive individual who were trying to hide all her potential. Yet she now have entered the same grounds as where I’m standing right now.

So much have happened.

There was the event back at the cultural festival, there was the sports festival too.

How much did she have to endure and try just to reach this far.

But what really pushed her to follow this path? I never really questioned her about her feelings towards Ryuuji, but it must’ve been love that’s giving her the strength. Perhaps that should only be love.

I assumed this day might come already from when I noticed the potential within Mae, but I never expected it to come so fast.

“The power of love surely is frightening, right Mae?” (Ria asked Mae who’s sitting beside her.)

“Ria-senpai. I’ve come this far. I… No, Ryuuji and I will show you everything we’ve got.”

(Chieri who was sitting inside the room too closed her eyes as she looked sideways, trying to avoid the scene in front of her where Ryuuji fully supported Mae.)

Well I was supposed to be the one in there right now but I won’t be able to beat Ria-senpai with talent and popularity alone. But with the two of you…

…It might be possible.

“Hooooh~~ Now our little princess wanna-be here is talking rich! Haha!! Makes me want to laugh!”

“Kathryn quit it with your delusions. That girl there was the one that dethroned you on your safe spot.”

(The two other girls in the room started to speak for their convenience.)

“Now, now, I’m just teasing miss little princess wanna-be here. Don’t spoil the fun so much.”

“It’s fine Nana-senpai. I’m quite used with Kathryn senpai already.”

(Mae pov)

That’s right, I’ve come this far.

Together with Ryuuji.

(Mae was not that as fierce-looking as the others the others think she was. Ryuuji noticed her feeble hands trembling as she tried to cover it that much with her words. Noticing Mae, Ryuuji hold her hands directly and looked at her.)

That’s right. We’ve come this far.

Along with the help from everyone at the occult club:

Ozzy-senpai, his tricks, wisdom and his connection with everybody;

Chieri-chan, who stood as my rival not only with popularity but also with love.

Shiori-chan, who despite being the one who wanted to protect our daily peaceful lives the most, still stood up by my decisions.

And most especially Ryuuji, for opening up a new world for me.

These people, not only them, but everyone who have been supporting me so far. I did this not only for fame, but for love.

My feelings…

…which at first was a one-sided love towards him.

And him…

…who’s feelings eventually became mutual as mine.

“Say… Mae, what are your plans after the results came out? What would you do if you grabbed the top popularity spot from me? What would you do if not?”

“Ria-senpai… Whatever the outcome is…”

Yes, there is only one thing to do, that I am certain now…

“…I will continue to support Ryuuji with his passion. I don’t want to lose someone dear to me again.”

(A flashback with her mother, from when she went out of fame and when their family started to enter hardships in life.)

“These feelings of mine… Are mutual with Ryuuji’s. That I assure. If he stands beside me to protect this little world of our own then I will give it my best to support him, whatever hardships we encounter.”

“Hmp! Very well said. If you gave it you’re all, then rest assured…”

(Full panel of determined Ria’s face.)

“…This is not a battle which I took half-assed. I will show you the overwhelmingly true meaning of being popular.”

(Nana approached Ria and stood behind her.)

“Students in here, whatever your standing, whichever place you are at the current top 10. Feel free to support whoever your feelings tell you.

This is me not forcing you to choose right now. You may take your time. Just follow your heart.

Who will it be?

These two lovely couple that stirred the winds within this room?

Or… will it be me?”

(Some of the students walked behind Ria. The only ones that stayed by their positions were Ozzy, Kathryn and Chieri who at that moment had her eyes still closed.)

“Heheh! Don’t blame me for this Ria. I’m standing for little miss-princess here.”

(Chieri opened her eyes and looked straightforward at Ria.)

“I’ll bet on these two, elder sister… Though it would be most certain that you will win this.

I’m not betting at their present, but rather, I’m betting at their futures.”

“Well said Chieri, I see you’ve finally grown up.”

“Thank you, onee-sama.”

(Ria finally looked at Ozzy, who by that time were supporting his back at the walls of the room at the farthest side.)

“My sweet little vixens don’t look at me that much.

Including you, Ria…

…You already know I’m an observer from the very start. I’ll stay at this comfortable grey area I’m currently at and just observe you guys.”

(Mae answered)

“I see… As mysterious as ever, Ozz-senpai. It’s fine you have helped me that much already…”

(Full-page view of Ria and Mae sitting in front of each other with their supporters at their backs.)

(Then the door slid and came a banging sound that break the silence at the room. A messenger student that was sent by the poll-counting committee entered.)

“The results are finally out!!!”

---

(It was a quiet spring morning at the occult club room. The usual members have gathered at the cramped spot of the club room that they have. It was a small space but to them it was a huge world that opened up a lot of possibilities for them.

Ozzy was at is usual spot at the left side of the table reading a manga and swinging a baton with the other hand.

Chieri was sleeping soundly at the very single couch they had on their club room.

Ryuuji was near the cabinets organizing his kits and stuff.

Shiori was at the little kitchen they had, preparing their usual morning tea.

Mae was sitting at a chair beside the window where the cool breeze of the morning winds passes and sways the curtains of the clubroom.)

(Finished preparing the tea, Shiori prepared the tea set at the table near Ozzy and started pouring at Mae’s teacup.)

“Too bad we still hadn’t beaten Ria-senpai and grabbed the top spot at the popularity rankings…”

“Well, it’s my sister we’re talking about here. Chances are slim, right from the start. Hehe!”

“Don’t ‘Hehe’ me! This was your brightest idea at first place!!”

“It’s fine Shiori, It’s fine. It was a great experience eitherways.”

“If you say so Mae…” (Shiori looked at Ryuuji and gave him a ‘bleh’ while Mae was not looking.)

“Hmp! Not even near half of the total votes. I could do much better.” (Chieri, now awake, told them while pouring herself a cup of tea.)

“At the end we only managed to pull a third of the total student body, huh?” (Ryuuji answered while looking at the members of the occult club.)

“As I say before, Ryuuji, it was a great experience. I’m not expecting you to back out now that we’ve achieved something.”

---

(A flashback from after the results were announced. Nana and Kathryn were quarrelling behind Ria.)

“That’s what you get for siding with the wrong team. Fufufu…”

“Eeeh? Whaddya’ say?? Wanna get a piece of me huh, little punk?” (the agitated Kathryn answered Nana.)

(The two continued to quarrel as Ria approached Mae and Ryuuji.)

“Ryuuji… I’m proud of you.”

“But sis—”

“Sssh! No need to say anymore. And Mae.”

“Ye-Yes, Ria-senpai?”

“It is true that this is still an overwhelming victory for me… But to admit, this is also the smallest gap of margin between the results ever since I’ve entered Kamigawa-high.

Consider this not as a loss, but as a great feat. I look forward to seeing you achieve more feats in the near future.”

Well, my feeling was right all along. You really have the potential.

(Mae, who was still seated looked up with reddish cheeks, which seemed like her tears are about to burst out but she’s just preventing it.)

“Thank you… Ria-senpai. Everything was a fun experience for me.”

“Same for me too. Now don’t get disheartened and continue what you and Ryuuji have started.

To be honest, I never really disapprove of you two going out on a relationship…”

(Mae and Ryuuji blushed.)

“…Just make sure not to commit mistakes which you will regret in the future.”

(Ria embraced Ryuuji and started whispering to him.)

“This is my final legacy at Kamigawa-high… Everything is in yours and Mae’s hands now.”

(Ryuuji was snorting)

“Yes… Ria-nee!!”

“My my… Don’t cry, that too unsightly for a Shirogane.” (Ria told him as she’s about to cry too.)

(Ria headed towards the center of the room where her table and original seat were located. She supported her body at the side of the table looking happy and exhausted. She began her final speech)

“And with this results, the popularity ratings for this school year have finally ended…”

---

“So Ria-senpai and the other graduated, huh?” (Shiori said, looking down at the tea set at the table.)

“Speaking of which, Ozzy-senpai why are you here? It’s the start of the new school year already. Don’t tell me you repeated a grade?” (Chieri asked Ozzy)

“My little zambie-chans… You hit where it’s hard.”

“Wha—” (Everyone was shocked)

“Just kidding, just kidding! I was just running some paperworks at the faculty when I suddenly felt like ditching class and resting here.”

“That really does not sound so reassuring.”

(Ozzy stood up and packed his things)

“Well I guess it’s time, to go back… to my own hell called college again.”

“Don’t look so dejected Ozzy-senpai.”

“Right, I’ll leave the things here in your care, new club president, Shiori-senpai!”

“Wha!!—come back here!!”

(Everyone laughed at Shiori.)

“Well, what are we going to do with the current headcount, we need to recruit a new member. I really felt like things that happened last year will repeat themselves again this year. It’s giving me chills.”

“What now, Mae-chan?”

“Don’t ask me. I’m always a yes-woman.”

(Mae then looked at Ryuuji)

“Don’t try to tell me you’re backing out now.”

“No, silly, we’re just getting started.”