Stage Fright! The Secret Strength in Class 2-B
The school’s yearly academic and talent contest isn’t just about trophies—it often sets the tone for who stands tall in Metoko School for the rest of the year. Yuuto Hayashi dreams of leading his class to win, but self-doubt stalks him. Is it possible for a quiet kid to come out on top with everyone watching?
As the contest’s sign-up sheets go up, noise fills the halls. Taichi slaps Yuuto on the back. “Can I count on you for the quiz relay?” Silky-haired Akari grins. “Only if your nerves don’t mess things up!” Yuuto tries to smile, facing his two best friends and rivals.
This year, the challenges are wilder: quiz duels, a science tower, and the silly—juggling trivia while solving hard math. Yuuto signs their names but hesitates. He froze last spring while speaking and can’t shake that shame. Why does it haunt him?
Akari whispers, “I heard Saga High’s super-club joined this year. Are we doomed?”, eyes sly, half testing, half sure. Taichi shoots back, “Only if Yuuto’s heart gives out.” Was that a joke or worry? For Yuuto, nerves twist his gut.
Do you ever feel watched, trapped by shame you can’t shake? Will a second chance help you break out?
The classroom becomes buzz and bickering. Momo leads a group debate on what event suits them. The homeroom banter is scorched peanuts, warm but sharp. Yuuto tries to play cool, but Taichi corners him. “I know you want this year to be different. Don’t carry last spring—you’re not that guy.”
Yuuto spends evenings in the gym, practicing tongue-twisters and weird memory sheets coded by Akari. She slips in, handing tea. “Sauce? Try not to melt.” He winces, but her joke lands. Lilies in her hair brush his cheek, and for a moment he feels anchored.
On contest day, hearts pound—tablets buzz, the science models quake over crowded desks. The rival school fields ringers for every event. Yuuto’s palms sweat so bad he nearly drops a quiz remote.
Crowds start giggling as he fumbles, but then he breathes in slow. “Sorry. Reset, please?” he calls up front.
The history quiz hits a wild patch. Taichi whips off four right, but it’s Yuuto—surprising all—who nails a last Japan vs Western Lit stumper dead-on, even as chuckles wash over him. Students stop sneering and start murmuring. Can ugly starts end in something else? Maybe.
As the events tick on, Akari, deadly with numbers, scores in the relay while Yuuto calls questions. Taichi feeds jokes over the mic, keeping them stable. Next, a moment pulls focus: during the math-juggle round, Momo drops her answers. Saga’s top scorer crows.
Yuuto walks to the stage unasked, helps Momo to her feet, and says, “Give her space.” Under hot lights, Yuuto scans the room, shivers, but forces the next question. Momo, blinking, takes a breath. Saga’s star falters.
The day thins to dusk. Principal Yuri gives nervous thanks; results stay hush. Yuuto sits, exhausted.
In the whispered dark, Akari plops next to him. “Still scared?”
He grins at last, but then the headteacher shrieks—scores are in, but there’s a tie. Only one team can go to finals. How will Class 2-B survive the surprise test set for next week?
