Help! I Got 8080'D

I'm one of the most popular people in school, by common consent: easygoing and cheerful, polite and gracious, an excellent student, considerate, able to sing and dance, and beautiful as well as talented. As a member of Namimori's girls' volleyball team, I always draw crowds of onlookers outside the gym during practice.

What nobody knows is that I don't like living it up at all. I'd much rather stay home all day.

That's right.

I'm a tragic character, the kind everyone loves to criticize: I read the room too well and unconsciously cater to others, becoming more and more concerned about what people think. Even when I don't like something, I still have to do it perfectly, constantly trying to please everyone. I only seem so capable because I'm unusually gifted.

I'm pretty impressive, too. I hold fast to this belief and see it through, maintaining that image for everyone, even my family.

Until one day, I crossed paths with another popular student at school.

He smiled brightly and said to my face, "Aren't you tired?"

I couldn't keep it together. I cracked a little, and my tendency to cry uncontrollably kicked in full force. I burst into tears right there and demanded to know why. He was completely at a loss. The athletic guy from the baseball team held out a tissue to wipe my tears, but I dodged him.

Afterward, once I'd calmed down, I apologized and decided to stay away from this terrifying person who'd tricked me into wasting my special move and dodge.

But he wouldn't leave me alone. He seemed unable to hear what I was implying and kept trying to find ways to get closer to me.

I thought it was basically "bullying."

-

1. This plot bunny came to me all of a sudden, mostly because I wanted to make a pun.

2. An ordinary, delightfully cheesy school romance. If it isn't cheesy, you get your money back.

3. [Added] The story will switch between first-person and third-person perspectives.

4. [Added] The protagonists' growth and romance may get roughly equal attention, or perhaps a 60/40 split, depending on how it goes. There will be matches involving Namimori's girls' volleyball team. This isn't entirely a romance.

5. [Just in case] This story absolutely does not promote or trivialize bullying. Its overall tone is about clearing up misunderstandings, dispelling prejudice, and finding oneself through a youthful romance.

6. [Added] At fourteen or fifteen, nobody is mature. Adolescence always comes with conflict and friction, but these good kids mean no harm. They're just trying to show their concern for the people they care about in their own ways. If I see overly harsh criticism, such as abusive comments that spoil other readers' experience, I may delete it. I hope you understand.

Theme: The most important thing is to be happy, right?