Third Person POV

It was finally the third and last day of the school festival.

Everyone of Iwatobi High was waiting in anticipation for the announcement for the competition from yesterday. No one wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to hear who the winners of this year will be.

However, Ryugazaki Rei wasn't thinking too much on the contest itself. His friend's words from yesterday buzzed in his ears instead.

"Say, Akemi-chan, if we both win tomorrow, I want to tell you something."

The butterfly swimmer couldn't sleep a wink last night thinking about it. He was positive that Nagisa was going to confess to her right then and there when the names are called out. He knew his friend well enough that he will do it. His stomach churned and he couldn't concentrate clearly. He was so angry. He wanted to tell Akemi that he liked her before Nagisa could.

He has to do so today.

Rei made sure to wake up earlier than usual and get ready for school. He must have the earliest chance to find the girl he likes and confess. The boy even tried practicing his lines in front of his mirror while he was changing into his school uniform. Of course, his confession has to be of utmost perfection and beauty. He cannot mess this up. Additionally, the free tickets he won to the aquarium were a confidence booster. That would be the perfect place to take Akemi on their first date... if he manages to pull everything off.

But, luck just had to have a little fun with him.

Nagisa must have been extra excited that day. Rei wasn't expecting his blond friend to be at the doorway the moment he opened his door. His violet eyes widened as he asked him, "Nagisa-kun, what are you doing here so early?"

"Well, isn't it obvious? I was going to text you that I was coming over earlier than usual but it must have slipped my mind!" Nagisa replied with a bright grin. "Looks like you're ready to go too! Shall we get going?"

Rei had to comply. It's not like he could decline at this point.

The two walked along their usual path to school. Once making it to the train, Rei finally had the courage to ask him, "You're planning on asking Akemi-san out. That was what you're planning to tell her today, am I correct?"

"Ah, Rei-chan, I knew you'd be able to figure it out," the blond chirped. The way that he had been so casual to saying that to Rei, irked him. He wasn't sure why he did, but there was something about the blond's tone that threw him off. "Don't you think it'd be great? I really hope I win."

"So you wouldn't confess if you lose?" The blue-haired boy pressed on, his eyebrows furrowed in both curiosity and irritation.

Nagisa caught onto the change in attitude in his friend and smiled subtly to himself. Rei was close to cracking, he could sense it. "I don't know. Maybe I would ask her out either way! But that wouldn't follow the tradition of the competition, now would it?"

Rei's lips twitched downward.

Nagisa grinned even more.

"You don't just so happen to be asking her out only because it's the tradition of the competition?" the taller of the two questioned, his voice threatening.

"Of course not!" Nagisa paused for a second, savoring the sweet sight of his friend being mad. C'mon, Rei-chan, you need to show me that you want her more than I do. "But how would you react if I was?"

If looks could kill, Nagisa would be lying on that train floor dead. "You shouldn't be doing that to Akemi-san. That shouldn't be the reason for you to be dating her."

Nagisa needs to keep this going. This was good, this needed to happen both for Rei and Akemi's sake! "Hey, Rei-chan, are you, perhaps, thinking I shouldn't do this?"

Rei hesitated to answer his friend. His lips were pursed and his gaze was cold. He wanted to declare that he didn't want this to happen and admit that he was trying to leave earlier than usual so to find Akemi before Nagisa. He wanted to confess to Tohsaka Akemi. He wanted to say to Nagisa to wait so he could have his chance.

Wait... that's so selfish of me, Rei hopelessly thought. Nagisa-kun is my friend—No, best friend. This isn't right. I shouldn't be discouraging my best friend.

Surely, he has good intentions. Nagisa wouldn't be one to commit to something or someone with ill purposes.

"My opinions shouldn't sway your decision, Nagisa-kun." They will be happy together, and that is what I should be thinking about. "You should ask her out if you really want to."

It was Nagisa's turn to frown. Did Rei just take a step back so he could have his nonexistent chance with Akemi?

Rei-chan, you really are clueless when it comes to love.

For the rest of the train ride, they remained silent.

~*~

Akemi was already at school with her orchestra mates. The pink-haired violist was clad in her performance outfit, which was a knee-length black dress decorated with a pearl necklace and her small heeled shoes. In this attire, Akemi would note she looked more beautiful than cute, and she was happy about that.

Then again, playing her viola always made her feel beautiful.

With their performance just a couple hours away, both orchestra and band mates must practice their songs. And so, currently, all the students were crammed in that room, so to perfect the songs they shared together.

The chatter and the tuning of instruments ceased as a strong voice echoed for them to listen. Before them, the orchestra teacher stood with pride at the podium, alongside the band instructor. "The day had finally come, everyone," Akashi-sensei said, earning a few cheers from a few. "We have practiced very hard to perfect our songs. We want to show our school and visitors that we are people to take seriously. That we are people who are passionate about music. So, let us play our songs now beautifully and with no mistakes, ok?" A few murmurs of uncertainty scrambled around the room due to some lack of practice. "Ok?"

"Yes, sir," the students reluctantly rounded.

The orchestra and band played their songs magnificently in that room, despite how much students had doubted their talents. The rehearsal had been going by just fine for a matter of thirty minutes, until the intercom above them crackled to life.

"Hello, this is Wakahisa Yuina!" a familiar girl's voice called out. The orchestra kids chirped in recognition to their fellow orchestra mate.

"And I'm Ueno Airi, and we're about to announce the winners of the Second Years' Couple Contest!" the other girl said.

All focus pointed over to Akemi. Her face heated up at the sudden attention and she glanced down at her music sheets to avoid their stares. Regardless of her classmates, Akemi concentrated on the announcements of her superiors. Her heart was racing, and she had to close her eyes and place her hand on her chest to calm herself down.

At this point, I want to win.

The two girls listed the names of the first two categories whom performed, which were the most athletic and the most creative. Everyone had stayed silent, mostly when the cutest category finally came up.

"For the cutest girl: Tohsaka Akemi. And the cutest boy: Nakamura Kai! Congratulations to our two cutest people of our school!"

The whole room burst out into cheers for the dumbfounded violist. She couldn't grasp onto what happened. Her name had been called. She had been dubbed the cutest girl in Iwatobi High.

Everyone surrounding her began congratulating her for the win. She grinned brightly and thanked everyone for the kind words. But, this also meant that her partner had not won. Hazuki Nagisa didn't win cutest boy... Within her, she had hoped she would win alongside with the blond.

What a bittersweet feeling.

"And last but not least, who were deemed as our most popular smarties? Smartest girl goes to Akamatsu Michiko and smartest boy is Ryugazaki Rei! Their wondering cooking show must've been a big hit, congratulations to the two of you!" Yuina's voice quipped.

Rei won?

Akemi smiled brightly at this.

"Now, whenever you see these wonderful winners around the festival today, make sure to congratulate them! They deserve it. Also, these winners, please come by the gym before the festival ends for your prizes," Airi added in. "That is it for now. Hope everyone has a wonderful last day of the school festival!"

Once the announcements clicked to a close, bursts of congratulations showered the young girl. Left and right, cheers and "good jobs" were thrown at Akemi with seemingly no end. It wasn't until Akashi-sensei clapped his hands to get everyone's attention once again. "Alright, settle down, students. Yes, congrats, Tohsaka for your win, but we still have a performance to do. Celebrate after our concert."

With collective sighs, everyone agreed. After all, their concert was supposed to be the highlight of the last day. They have to be spectacular.

Akemi nodded along to her instructor's words and got into position with her viola. She's going to have to congratulate Rei later.

~*~

Nagisa and Rei had met up with Makoto, Haru, Gou, and Chigusa. The waiting four showered their precious butterfly swimmer with cheers for the win and how he deserved the title after his marvelous cooking show yesterday. Once realizing how horrible the blond must feel, they quickly transitioned to how well he had been in his performance with Akemi and how he should've been the cutest boy winner. Nagisa shrugged it off, telling his friends that they didn't have to worry for him. He was going to move on from it, he mentioned. The others decided to let it go just as he was willing to.

Besides, Kai's performance was adorable.

"Akemi-chan's concert is going to start soon," Chigusa chimed in excitement. "I can't wait to hear her solo."

"Akemi-chan has a solo?" Makoto mused.

"Yeah, after all, she's one of the best in orchestra," Gou replied with a nod.

And if on cue, the orchestra and band kids start filing out of the school to make their way to the stage. Everyone within radius watched their fancy clad classmates with awe, the hype of the concert only growing. The crowd around the stage begin to grow in anticipation for the concert. Nagisa spotted Akemi, his mind racing on what to do.

This would be a good time, wouldn't it? If the last step to the plan doesn't work, then I'm going to have to confess their feelings for them.

"I'll be right back, guys!" Nagisa told the group. Instantly, Rei knew what he could be doing, and his own mind was gearing on what to do in this situation. It was going to happen. Nagisa is about to confess to Akemi and then ask her out on a date. Rei wasn't sure if he could bare to wait around and witness it. "Rei-chan, come with me, I need some support, ok?"

Before a word could leave Rei's lips, Nagisa was already pulling him towards Akemi. Just as she was about to step onto the stage, the boys had stopped her. "Oh, Nagisa-kun, Rei-san, hello," she greeted the two with her usual, friendly smile.

Rei gulped. She looks absolutely beautiful.

"Oh! Before I forget, congratulations, Rei-san! Being dubbed the smartest guy in school must be amazing!" Akemi told him, her fingers unconsciously reaching to the strands of hair that fell from her bun.

"Y-You too," Rei stammered out. "O-On, you know, cutest girl."

"Thanks!" Her attention then turned to Nagisa, a small pout on her lips. "I'm sorry you didn't win with me, Nagisa-kun."

"Nah, it's fine, Akemi-chan! I'm just glad you won, you definitely were the cutest girl that performed," the breaststroke swimmer replied with a wink. The blond side glanced at his blue-haired friend to make sure he was listening. Then, with a sigh, he rapidly said, "Akemi-chan, I know I mentioned I was going to tell you something if we both won, but I want to tell you anyway."

Akemi tilted her in curiosity, waiting for whatever he was going to say.

Rei, however, stiffened at his best friend's words, not wanting the dreaded confession to leave his lips.

"Akemi-chan, I—"

"Tohsaka, let's go, we need our soloist up here," Akashi-sensei called out to her. Akemi gave Nagisa an apologetic glance and hurried up onto the stage.

To the side, Rei silently breathed out in relief. At least he doesn't have to suffer through that right now. "Aw, I guess I'll have to tell her after the concert," Nagisa sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Rei just nodded at him and returned back to their friends before him. He could only hope that his face doesn't give off anything.

After thirty minutes of waiting, the orchestra/band performance began. All it once, the audience became quieter as an upbeat song resonated through the open air. A few students bobbed their heads to the beat, some even chattered to each other in enthusiastically when they spotted a friend within the group. Overall, the concert was a big hit with the crowd.

It wasn't until Akemi's viola solo when everyone was blown away. Everyone could tell why she picked to have the spotlight on her. It shone. Her passionate expression and her little movements of her body made her every bit more captivating than anyone else on the stage. This was her passion and she showed it magnificently.

If winning the Second Years' Couples Contest didn't gain more popularity for Akemi, then this concert definitely did.

~*~

"Akemi-chan, you were brilliant!"

"Your solo was the best part of the concert!"

"Yeah, now that I know how amazing you are with your viola, I'll continue to come to the orchestra concerts and cheer for you."

"Mm, yeah, you were great."

Akemi beamed at her extended group of friends. The moment the concert ended, she made sure to approach them first before going back into the school to change. She had been too happy and she wanted to share it with them. "Thank you so much, everyone. This means a lot that you think so," she told them.

As well as from her friends, classmates around her bid her a job well done too. Akemi was in her peak, today was the most thrilling day of her high school life.

"Akemi-chan." Her gaze then landed on Nagisa, who had called her quite urgently. At this point, everyone's attention in the group was on the blond, curious on what he had to say. Rei closed his eyes, waiting for the confession to happen. This was the moment of truth. "I like you a lot! After the couple weeks I spent with you, I realize how amazing you are. Let's go out on a date?"

Nagisa was waiting for an outburst, not from Akemi but from Rei. But, nothing came out from his best friend's mouth and he gritted his teeth at the thought that he had pansied out for his sake. What a great friend... but so clueless.

Akemi was taken back by the confession. She knew Nagisa was trying to get her with Rei, but she wasn't so sure if this was a part of the plan. Was this another step on making Rei jealous? The blue-haired boy didn't even react in any way she had wanted. This is getting far too complicated. If Rei wasn't going make the first step, then she will. "Sorry, Nagisa-kun, but you know very well that I can't return your feelings, for I like someone else." Her eyes then averted over Rei, who looked utterly shocked by her answer.

Actually, no one expected for the girl to be the one to confess first.

"Akemi-san, what are you saying?" Rei sputtered out.

She flashed her one of her dazzling smiles that got his heart racing. "I actually really like you, Rei-san. I have for a while but I've been so afraid to tell you before, but this is a good time as any to finally let you know. Please disregard what Nagisa-kun said, he was actually trying to help me in getting you to feel the same way. And I will take full responsibility for that."

"Akemi-chan..."

The rosy haired girl glanced at Nagisa. "It's fine. I feel horrible for playing along for this long." She turned her attention back on Rei. "So, please don't be mad at him, Rei-san."

"You like me?" Akemi wasn't expecting the response, but nonetheless nodded at him. "Thank you... You have no idea how happy that makes me. I like you too, Akemi-san."

"Y-You do?"

"Yes, I do. I've always thought you were the most beautiful girl I've met." Akemi couldn't comprehend the situation. After so long of yearning to hear those words come out his mouth, she didn't think it'd ever happen. But, this was seriously happening, this was her reality. Her longtime crush just told her, the very girl who won Cutest Girl in the school, that she was beautiful.

The two stood there staring at each other, both surprised and delighted at how everything turned out. How lucky did they have to be that their crush likes them back?

Rei rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "About the aquarium... Would you like to come with me... as a date?"

"Of course, Rei-san!"

"Finally!" Chigusa and Gou sighed in relief. Akemi turned towards her best friends, a blush on her cheeks. Gou stepped forward and wrapped her arm around the shorter's shoulder. "Alright lovebirds, as much as I don't want to break up this eventful moment, Akemi-chan needs to change and put her viola away. Rei-kun, why don't you help her carry her viola case?"

"I-I can do that," Rei replied, his own cheeks tainted with pink. Akemi nodded in agreement and handed her case to Rei. With that, the new couple walked back into the school together. The remaining five watched them, very happy for their friends for finally admitting.

Gou gave Nagisa a smack to the back of his head. "Ah! Gou-chan, what was that for?" the blond whined, rubbing his head with a frown.

"That's for making everything so complicated for them! If Akemi-chan didn't suddenly have the courage, this wouldn't have happened!" The burgundy haired swim manager scolded him.

"Well, it still ended up the way I wanted it! They're together, isn't that what we all wanted?"

"There were easier ways of doing things. I seriously just convinced Rei about his feelings for Akemi not too long ago! He probably would've been able to tell her if it weren't for you."

Makoto stepped in between them. "That's enough, guys. The bottom line here is that they're together now, right? We should just be happy and supportive of them."

Gou and Nagisa nodded, smiling. "Right."

Akemi and Rei finally got together. And, in the end, the tradition of the Second Years' Couple Contest continued on... with a few exceptions. 

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A/n: And that concludes this story! Wooo, finally. But I'll admit that I'm not a 100% satisfied with the ending, but for now, it'll have to do.

Kay, if you're reading this, I hope you enjoyed the read! I'm sorry I couldn't have gotten this out earlier. But, ya know, college.

Thank you to everyone else who read this, I hope it was a great read for the rest of you too! Also, listen to the song! I think it fits this story very well! {Sorry, I couldn't help myself}

Goodbye for now!