A Girl's Turmoil

Chapter 26 - Heartache

After watching three separate movies, those three teams came up to the stage and awarded each of them a trophy before they could return to their respective seats. It would be a while until the host declared the competition over. In its conclusion, Sakurako, her team, her sisters, and the Akazas proceed to find their friends somewhere near the stage. As it turns out, the students, particularly the student councils of both schools and the photography club, are holding a photo session there. Teachers gather around with the Nagibara movie teams to get a photoshoot.

Sakurako looked over the people near the session and saw her other friends from both schools were waiting for them. For once, seeing Kyouko excitedly waving her hand at them doesn't annoy her, assuming that Kyouko might have been thrilled with her movie. Nishigaki, Shihoko, Shiba, Sumida, and George were also there to greet her team. Himawari there seems so happy, but at the same time, looks... a bit on edge.

"Sakurako, yahoo!" Kyouko greeted.

"Kyouko-senpai," Sakurako greeted back. "How did the drawing contest go?"

"I got second place!" Kyouko responded.

"Really?" Yui widened her eyes. "I was so sure you'll get first place."

"Yui-senpai~!" Chinatsu stepped in with a brilliant smile. "I'm the one who got first place!"

Almost immediately, both Yui and Sakurako whiten their faces. The thought of Chinatsu winning the competition with such... interesting art was blasphemy at its best. Sakurako also does a double-take on Himawari and sees Himawari herself looks as if she's been slapped by a wooden plank for not believing this nonsense, probably still looking like that even before the movie. Shiba, Sumida, and George happened to look over and were quite puzzled to see Sakurako with such an expression.

"You... got first place?" Sakurako stuttered, aside from the sweat on her forehead.

"Wah, really?" Akari walked over to the pink-haired girl. "Can I see your drawing?"

"Sure," Chinatsu showed her drawing. "I'm a bit confused why my drawing got me in the first place, though."

Shiba looks over at the drawing. "Oh, wow, that's a pretty looking bird. No wonder you got first place."

Misaka also looks over, despite Sakurako's warning. "That's a perfect drawing, Chinatsu-chan."

"You think so?" Chinatsu asked. "It didn't take me a lot of effort for this one."

Sakurako and Yui have to share a confused glance before risking themselves to gaze upon her art. Although unprepared, they were shocked by the sight of a well-drawn mockingbird resting on a branch. The level of art that is almost comparable to Leonardo Da Vinci himself. The Oomuro blonde looks at Chinatsu's perplexed face, then the drawing again, twice.

"What the goddamn?" Sakurako finally quoted Yui's swearing from her own movie in a whisper.

"Hm? Did you say something?" Chinatsu misheard.

"Nothing," Sakurako shook her head. "I was just... speechless."

"Indeed," Shihoko added, clasping her hands on her tummy. "She's quite ahead of Kyouko-san if I have to admit."

Both Yui and Sakurako look at the ribbon-head blonde, who gives a shrug in response.

"I'm so envious of you, Chinatsu-chan," Furoda admitted, feasting upon her art with such contentment. "Do you think you could teach how to draw like that?"

"I can teach you if you want," Chinatsu offered.

Sakurako simply smiled while Yui chuckled with concern. "Right," they both responded simultaneously.