Chapter II | “Conceit”

♣♣♣

Having finished the first day of sightseeing, we checked into the hotel.

It’s a grand hotel-like building towering ostentatiously in a prime location in Tokyo. When I asked Hibari-san to handle the lodging arrangements, somehow it ended up being a place like this…

At its entrance.

Yatarou-san, exuding an utterly out-of-place vibe, speaks to Tenma-kun and the others with a fed-up expression.

“Seriously, you guys are staying here too…?”

In response, Tenma-kun says cheerfully,

“Yes. I thought it’d be a good chance to bond with Yuu-kun and the others.”

“If Kureha’s okay with it, I don’t care. But Tenma, tomorrow’s the actual performance, right? You skipped rehearsal today too, so if you mess up, it won’t be a joke.”

“I’ll rest properly tonight, and I’ve drilled the practice into my head. It’ll be fine.”

Yatarou-san says, “Is that so?” and roughly scratches his head.

Turning his gaze to me, he lets out a small sigh before speaking.

“Well then, Tall-kun. See you tomorrow.”

“Y-Yes! Thank you very much!”

Yatarou-san waves at us while calling out to Sanae-san.

“You’re heading home, right? I’ll drive you to your apartment.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you.”

Sanae-san smiles and bids us farewell.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Be careful on your way.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Waving at Himari and the others, she follows Yatarou-san out of the hotel.

“Alright then…”

I look around at the group.

The remaining guys are me, Makishima, and Tenma-kun.

The girls are Himari, Enomoto-san, and…

“Kirishima-san, are you sure it’s okay to stay with Himari and the others?”

“!?”

At my comment, Kirishima-san hurriedly turns her face away with a huff.

“W-Well, it just kinda happened, okay? Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t plan on this at all, but Himari insisted, so I had no choice, really.”

Despite that, the huge Boston bag she dragged out of Yatarou-san’s car screamed “fully prepared to stay over”…

(I kinda figured it out today, but Kirishima-san actually likes Himari, doesn’t she…)

As I send her a lukewarm gaze, Himari pokes her cheek playfully.

“Hehe♪ Yume-chin’s not honest at all, huh~”

“S-Stop it. I told you I don’t like you.”

They’re totally flirting.

As we’re making a ruckus, Makishima snaps open his fan with a flourish.

“Loitering around here is a nuisance. Let’s head up to our rooms already.”

“Ah, you’re right.”

We take the elevator to the floor with our rooms and part ways with Himari and the others.

“Alright, Himari. We’re heading this way.”

“Oka~y. Yuu, see you tomorrow~”

I whisper quietly to Enomoto-san.

“Rion, take care of those two.”

“Got it. Leave it to me.”

My girlfriend’s so reliable~

It’s practically like chaperoning a kindergarten outing, but Himari might get carried away if she’s alone with a beautiful girl. Enomoto-san needs to keep a close eye on her.

“Alright, shall we head to our room?”

I open the door and step inside.

Seeing the interior, I’m blown away.

“Whoa~…”

It’s spacious!

And so clean!

According to the hotel’s website, some famous designer worked on it, and the room has a unique, sophisticated design.

Amazing. The bed’s oval-shaped. I’m not sure if that helps with sleep, but it feels luxurious somehow.

Makishima laughs gleefully.

“Hahaha. As expected of a room booked by that perfect superhuman.”

“Yeah, this is gonna be fun…”

“Natsu, didn’t Rin-chan make Kureha-san book an even better room than this last summer? At your age, getting used to this kind of luxury will ruin your sense of money forever.”

“Ugh, well…”

Then Makishima narrows his eyes, as if realizing something.

“…Could it be that man is trying to ruin Natsu’s sense of money to make him dependent on the Inuzuka family in the future?”

“No way that’s true…”

Even for Hibari-san, something that inhumane…

Wait, is it really not possible? Suddenly, this splendid room feels like the inside of Enma’s mouth.

Tenma-kun, placing his luggage in a corner, laughs brightly.

“Then you just need to succeed as a creator so you never have to worry about money. I know you can do it, Yuu-kun.”

“You make it sound so easy…”

As always, his expectations are insanely high.

I’ve thought this before, but Tenma-kun has the personality of a great dad. A kid raised with his full-on affirmative parenting would turn out amazing, no doubt.

Makishima pulls out a change of clothes from his bag.

“Now that we’ve admired the room’s luxury, let’s head to the public bath.”

“Seriously? I was just gonna use the room’s bath…”

“Don’t say such boring things. A big bath is something you savor on a trip.”

“Well, fine…”

Tenma-kun and I grab our change of clothes and head to the public bath.

The bath has a European-style design, like something out of Thermae Romae. It’s clean, spacious, and gets you hyped up.

Soaking up to our shoulders in the massive tub, the three of us let out a collective sigh. Gazing at the city scenery through the huge glass window, we bask in a moment of bliss.

“Paradise…”

“Hmm. Not bad…”

“I’m lucky to be staying with you guys. My apartment only has a shower.”

Curious about his solo life, I ask,

“Tenma-kun, isn’t your family from around here?”

“Tokyo, yeah, but a bit far out in the suburbs. I started living alone this spring for university. It’s convenient for joining the theater troupe officially and keeping in touch with Kureha-san. She calls you up out of nowhere sometimes.”

“Got it. So, what’s living alone like? Don’t you get lonely?”

“Hmm. At first, doing everything myself was a hassle, but I got used to it. I crash at my university friends’ places a lot, so it’s not too bad.”

“I see. I’m kinda worried if I’d manage living alone, even if I pass my exams.”

“How about rooming together then? You’d be more than welcome, Yuu-kun.”

“Whoa, that’s tempting. I’d have to think about it…”

But would that be okay?

A guy like me with zero life skills might just end up being a burden to Tenma-kun.

Plus, there’s another issue that might make things awkward.

“…Also, you seem like you’d be super popular, Tenma-kun.”

“Haha, don’t worry about weird stuff like that.”

“I mean, don’t you have a girlfriend? University seems like a place with tons of opportunities to meet people. Wouldn’t I be in the way?”

“Well, I do have a partner, actually.”

“!?”

The casual bombshell makes me perk up.

“W-What’re they like!?”

“Whoa, you’re really into this, huh?”

“I mean, you never mentioned anything like that before…”

Ugh, so embarrassing.

I’m reacting like a middle school boy who just started noticing girls, and I hurriedly sink back into the water.

On the other side, Makishima bursts out laughing.

“Hahaha. This guy’s been getting gay rumors from the girls at school lately. Your overly friendly attitude probably freaked him out a bit.”

“Watch how you phrase that!”

Tenma-kun, unfazed, laughs it off with a “Haha.”

“Yeah, I’ve always been a bit touchy with guys. Our group banned serious romantic fan service, so I got into the habit of keeping a line with girls. But with the members, we were super close…”

“Well, acting chummy with guys is a solid tactic to charm the ladies.”

Hey, Makishima!

Tenma-kun just gives a wry smile at the jab. Man, this guy’s got a great personality.

“So… how long have you been with them?”

“Since the group disbanded, so… about five years?”

“Whoa, that’s a long time!”

Makishima chimes in with, “Quite different from you, huh?” and I try to elbow him in the side under the water, but he dodges smoothly.

Riding the momentum, I dig a bit deeper.

“That long, so it’s like they’re family now?”

“Yeah. We’ve known each other since kindergarten, so it’s never been the stereotypical ‘lover!’ vibe. Our families live next door, and we’ve hung out together since we were kids. It’s like they’re just… always there. Like Chateraise’s karinto manju on the table, you know?”

“Huh, that sounds like a nice kind of relationship…”

Chateraise’s karinto manju… crispy skin, delicious. But comparing your lover to a budget-friendly traditional sweet that costs less than 100 yen? That’s bold…

Wait.

Something in his explanation catches my attention.

“…Isn’t that what people call a childhood friend?”

“Oh, yeah, exactly. I got into the idol group because she applied for me without asking. She dragged me to the audition, but I’m glad I went. I still grab meals with those members sometimes.”

As Tenma-kun laughs and shares old memories…

“…”

I cautiously turn to the other side.

Makishima, who was laughing carefree moments ago, is floating in the tub—pukaa~

“Makishimaaaa!”

“Huh? What’s with the sudden scream? That’s creepy…”

Tenma-kun recoils at the sudden suspense drama.

I hurriedly pull Makishima out of the water. …Alright, he’s fine. He’s breathing. Probably Tenma-kun’s story triggered a fresh wave of trauma, causing an explosion of emotional damage.

Tenma-kun scrambles to get out of the tub.

“S-Should I call the hotel staff…?”

“No, it’s probably fine…”

I give Makishima’s back a quick pat, and he snaps awake with a “Hah!?”

Realizing the situation, he hurriedly strikes a fan-waving pose and lets out a loud laugh.

“N-Nahaha! What’s wrong? Why the panic?”

“Dude, you reacted way too much to the word ‘childhood friend’…”

“W-What nonsense are you spouting? I’m not shaken at all. Stop making baseless accusations.”

“Yeah, sure…”

Then why are your eyes darting around like that?

“You were totally fine talking about it with Yatarou-san…”

“With a guy like Yatarou-san, whose love life is a mess, I don’t have to worry about him lording his childhood friend status over me!”

“Childhood friend lording? What’s that…?”

Tenma-kun, left out of the loop, tilts his head.

“Yuu-kun, what’s going on?”

“Makishima got rejected by his childhood friend Kureha-san recently…”

Makishima tries to shut me up with an “Oi, stop!” but after that display, keeping it a secret is pointless. Besides, Yatarou-san will probably spill it later anyway.

Even Tenma-kun can’t hide his shock at the news.

“What!? Of all people, Kureha-san!?”

“Yeah, well…”

Phrasing.

I mean, she’s beautiful, sure. But her personality… the scary parts are really scary.

“Oh, I see…”

Then, with a serious face, he places a hand on Makishima’s shoulder.

“It’s okay. Someone as great as you, Shinji-kun, will definitely win her over if you stay devoted.”

“Stop it! That kindness is like poison right now, so please stop!”

It’s not your fault!

His romantic rival is like some hermit living in a dark abyss!

Makishima, mercilessly drilled into his dark past by Tenma-kun’s well-meaning kindness, grits his teeth and says,

“Natsu, I might not like this guy…”

“Your baseless jealousy toward people with successful childhood friend relationships is way too intense…”

But that’s Makishima for you.

He quickly bounces back, laughing loudly.

“Hah! I don’t need pity. I’ve escaped Kureha-san’s curse. From now on, with my polished charm skills, I’ll have my pick of women.”

“Well, if that’s what you want…”

I just hope no one gets caught in the crossfire.

We leave the bath and head back to the room. Once there, we let out a sigh of relief.

It’s just past 9 p.m.

A bit early, but with tomorrow in mind, maybe we should sleep. I’m tired from all the traveling today.

The question is, who gets which bed?

The room has two large oval-shaped semi-double beds and one portable cot. Tenma-kun has his performance tomorrow, so he should take one of the big beds to rest well.

That leaves me and Makishima to fight over the rest, but… I’ll take the cot. No way Makishima’s giving up a proper bed.

Hmm, where should I sleep? The window side feels nice for some reason.

As I’m quietly moving the cot, Makishima plops onto the sofa and grabs the TV remote.

“Oi, Natsu. What’re you doing, trying to sleep already?”

“Huh? Are we watching something?”

The channel selection here is way bigger than back home.

If it’s just until I get sleepy… maybe we could order some late-night snacks too.

“Hahaha. I forgot, you’re the type who scoffs at this kind of tradition.”

“Tradition? For trips?”

“Something like that.”

Trip traditions?

We did sightseeing, ate good food, took a bath—what else is there?

As I’m pondering, Makishima flips through the channels with practiced ease. And what he selects from the bottom of the channel list is…

An adult pay-per-view channel.

“Now, tell me your preferences.”

“What are you saying with that serious face!?”

“Huh? Don’t tell me you were like this during your school trip too? I feel bad for your roommates.”

“What were you doing in Okinawa!?”

I was a fool for even considering engaging with him seriously.

Tenma-kun’s here too, so can we drop this middle school boy nonsense? I don’t want the sophisticated city guy to think we’re idiots.

“Hey, Tenma-kun, let’s just go to bed…”

But when I turn around,

Tenma-kun is sitting on the sofa with a dead serious expression.

“I’d like to know Yuu-kun’s preferences too.”

“Tenma-kun!?”

“For the record, I’m into romance stuff. I can’t get into it without a quality storyline.”

“Tenma-kun…!”

It’s so like him, but also I kinda didn’t want to know!

Makishima, bolstered by unexpected backup, smirks at me.

“Not bad for a pretty face, huh?”

“Heh. Does this make up for earlier?”

What’s with this filthy friendship forming??

Why are you two acting like this is some noble moment? Your good looks make it seem like a profound scene, and that’s the worst part…

Makishima and Tenma-kun both pat the space between them.

“Come on, Natsu. Give in and sit.”

“Yeah, Yuu-kun. Nothing’s scarier for a creator than emotional stagnation.”

No way!

No matter how I answer, Enomoto-san’s gonna hear about this tomorrow and get mad! I’ve learned my lesson this past year!

As I steadfastly refuse, they both shrug with a sigh.

“Fine. We’ll just have to interpret your intentions for you.”

“Sounds good. I’ll help.”

You’re gonna interpret my intentions but not let me just go to bed!?

For some reason, they’re suddenly super motivated, gripping each other’s hands with gleeful “Heh heh heh” laughs. Oh no. I couldn’t unlock Tenma-kun’s potential, but Makishima’s chemical reaction is making it bloom. I really shouldn’t have brought him…

Ignoring my inner turmoil, they both reach for the remote at the same time.

And then—

“I’ll pick the hottest woman…”

“I’ll choose a pure girl that suits Yuu-kun’s taste…”

Lightning crackles between them.

What a turn of events.

Just seconds ago, they were in sync like lovers from a past life, but now the temperature between them has plummeted below freezing. Their mouths twitch as they lock eyes, a bead of cold sweat rolling down their foreheads.

They stand up from the sofa in unison.

“Obviously an erotic older woman! This guy’s a closet perv, so the bigger the chest, the better!”

“No, Yuu-kun needs a pure younger girl. Proper tastes nurture a healthy mind.”

Are you two a married couple arguing over child-rearing!?

But the actual argument is the worst. I hurriedly step between them as they heat up.

“Oi, Makishima, calm down! And don’t just decide I’m a closet perv!”

“Huh!? You don’t get the appeal of a domineering sexy woman!?”

What happened to “escaping Kureha-san’s curse”!? That’s clearly a fetish she carved into you!

I can’t stop Makishima alone.

Turning, I try to pull Tenma-kun to my side.

“T-Tenma-kun, you too, calm down. I’m not saying I want to watch that stuff…”

But for some reason, he grabs both my shoulders with surprising strength.

“Yuu-kun! Even if it’s fiction, consuming overly extreme stuff all the time is bad for you!”

“I never said I liked extreme stuff!”

What do these two want from me? Are they still high on the Immersive Land vibe with their brakes completely shot??

I’m ready to give up when Makishima snatches the remote with a triumphant laugh.

“Fine! Before Natsu, I’ll drill the appeal of older women into you first!”

“Bring it on. Let’s see what a regional hero’s got.”

A heated battle kicks off.

But the content is utterly pathetic. With a heavy sigh, I mutter, “I’m going to the convenience store downstairs” and leave the room…

♢♢♢

 

After parting with Yuu and the others, the girls’ group heads to our room.

We hit the public bath together, then enjoy the room’s big beds—

“So, wanna watch some naughty channels? ☆”

“No way. Are you an idiot?”

Yume-chin shuts me down flat.

Ugh~ So serious as always!

“Come on, Yume-chin, you’re curious too~♪”

“Stop it! Don’t poke my cheeks!”

Yume-chin hurriedly turns to Enocchi, who’s cooling off in a bathrobe on the bed, for help.

“Say something to her!”

“If you take Hii-chan seriously, you’ll just get tired.”

“You’re practically enlightened! Himari, how much trouble do you cause daily!?”

“Kirishima-san will get used to it soon.”

Enocchi says this while pulling a cup of ice cream from the freezer. This girl’s still claiming she needs more body fat…?

“Hey, where’s my share!?”

“There isn’t one. Hii-chan, didn’t you say you’re avoiding extra food tonight to prep for tomorrow?”

“Ugh! Eating ice cream in front of me like that, you’re pure evil~!”

Enocchi deliberately scoops the vanilla ice cream and eats it with relish.

Grrr…!

I flop onto the bed, pretending to sulk.

“Fine~ I’ll just have a love talk with Yume-chin then~”

“No way. You’ve got an early start tomorrow, so go to bed already.”

“Come on~ Let’s do something like a school trip vibe~”

“A school trip love talk, huh…”

Yume-chin sits on the bed, looking like she’ll at least hear me out.

This girl’s secretly super weak to pushiness. I’m worried some weird guy might take advantage of her someday.

“So? What’s this school trip love talk thing?”

“Hmm. What I did on my last school trip was~…”

I turn to Enocchi, who’s eating her ice cream.

“By the way, Enocchi, how far have you gone with Yuu?”

“…Pfft!?”

The moment she puts the vanilla ice cream in her mouth, Enocchi spits it out.

…Oh ho?

I crawl off the bed and lean over Enocchi’s shoulder from behind.

“That reaction… could it be?”

“N-Nothing’s happened!”

“Heh~ You think you can lie to the battle-hardened ‘siren’ like that~?”

“I said nothing’s happened!”

Enocchi twists away, her face bright red, trying to escape my probing.

Her full-on beautiful girl aura makes Yume-chin’s eyes sparkle too. We both close in on her from either side.

“Enocchi? Tell your big sisters~”

“It’s fine. We won’t do anything bad.”

We both place a finger under her chin, leaning in with a sultry vibe.

“~~~~~~~~!”

Enocchi hurriedly finishes her ice cream and bolts to the bathroom.

“I said nothing’s happened! I’m getting ready for bed!”

“Hey! She escaped!”

Yume-chin shrugs.

“Himari, don’t force her.”

“Ugh~ I was gonna get all the details and tease Yuu starting tomorrow~”

Pouting, I grab my wallet and stand up.

“Fine, I’m gonna grab a drink from the vending machine~”

“Alright, be careful.”

I step out and check the floor guide by the elevator.

(Let’s see… the vending machine’s on the second floor… huh?)

Sensing someone, I turn to see Yuu walking toward me.

“Oh, Himari.”

“Yuu, you heading somewhere too?”

“Yeah. Makishima and the others are getting along too well, so I’m going to the convenience store in the basement.”

“Huh~ That’s an unexpected turn…”

Yuu shrugs with an exasperated look.

…I’ve got a bad feeling, but I’ll leave it alone. Knowing Makishima-kun, it’s probably something dumb.

While waiting for the elevator, we chat about nothing in particular.

“Feels kinda like the night of our school trip, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. Back then, you were at the vending machine too.”

The third night of the school trip.

When Yuu was struggling with his path as a creator and decided to let go of Enocchi’s hand.

“You’d already decided to go to Kureha-san’s place back then, right?”

“Yeah. I was more shocked that you were freaking out.”

“Shut up. I have my moments too.”

Ding, the elevator arrives.

We step in together, and Yuu taps his card key to press the button for his floor.

“Himari?”

“Second floor for me, I guess~”

“Got it.”

He presses the buttons for the second floor and the basement.

The elevator descends slowly. As we watch the floor numbers tick down, Yuu says quietly,

“Tomorrow’s your first job, huh?”

“Yeah.”

I glance up at him.

He’s looking at me too… with such a gentle smile that I suddenly feel embarrassed and look away.

“Do your best.”

“Yeah.”

Hearing it so directly makes me shy, and I turn my face away.

We reach the second floor.

The doors open, and I step out. Stepping out alone suddenly feels… sad, for some reason. No, really, why? I’m just going to buy water from the vending machine…

I turn back.

Yuu, who was pressing the close button, hurriedly stops the door.

“What’s up?”

“Uh, well…”

I almost say, “Maybe I’ll go to the convenience store too~” but hold it back.

“Nothing.”

“? Okay.”

Yuu looks puzzled but presses the close button again.

The elevator doors shut for real this time, leaving me behind as it descends.

(…So that’s how it is.)

It never hit me until now.

A deep loneliness suddenly settles in my chest.

We were always together before.

Back then, we’d definitely have gone to the convenience store together.

But not now.

I only need water from the vending machine and should head back to sleep soon.

Yuu’s probably getting snacks or something, maybe even planning to stay up late with Tenma and the others.

Different goals mean different destinations.

So I will go alone.

We won’t always be together like before.

(…Can I really do this alone?)

Since that school trip, I’ve asked myself this over and over.

No matter how many times I tell myself, “You can do it,” three minutes later, the same anxiety hits again.

Before, I could use Yuu as an excuse.

But from now on, it’s all on me.

“…It’s fine.”

It’ll definitely be fine.

I can do it alone.

These past six months, I’ve managed just fine watching Yuu and Enocchi get all close.

I chose this myself.

I have to see it through.

I touch the double-ringed flower necklace at my neck.

…It’s fine.

I’m fine.

♣♣♣

 

The next morning.

We wake up at a leisurely pace and head to the restaurant on the hotel’s first floor. Securing a table, we go to grab breakfast from the buffet.

“Tenma-kun, just fruit for breakfast?”

“Yeah, I don’t eat much in the morning.”

Makishima’s got a healthy Japanese-style breakfast centered around grilled fish.

I stick to my usual bread… I know I should try something different at a place like this, but habits die hard.

Then, I spot Enomoto-san and the others at another table.

“Rion. Kirishima-san.”

The girls’ group is here for breakfast too.

Since there are empty seats, we decide to move to their table. Sitting at the one next to theirs, I greet them.

“Morning, you two.”

Kirishima-san returns a cool greeting.

“Morning. Fancy meeting you here.”

“We saw each other yesterday…”

Didn’t we just work together to save a saint’s life or something?

What a quirky person… I’m thinking when Enomoto-san greets me back.

“Morning, Yuu-kun.”

“Rion, did you sleep well… whoa.”

I freeze, and Enomoto-san tilts her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing…”

It’s just that the buffet spread in front of you looks like an appetizer platter…

Makishima laughs and chimes in.

“Hahaha. Rin-chan’s in top form today.”

“Morning, Shii-kun.”

Tenma-kun’s impressed too.

“That’s amazing…”

“Tenma-kun, you should eat more.”

“U-Uh, I’ll try.”

It’s… a lot, so I move on with the conversation.

“Where’s Himari?”

“Hii-chan left around seven. She’s stopping by her sister’s place first.”

“That’s early…”

As expected of the modeling world.

Probably has a meeting or something, but still, that’s early. When we talked last night on the way to the convenience store, she seemed a bit down, but it’s probably my imagination. She was super pumped about coming to Tokyo.

“Oh, by the way, Kirishima-san, aren’t you going with her?”

The moment I say it—

Zubishi! Enomoto-san’s chop hits my side!

“Ow!? Why!?”

“Yuu-kun…”

She glares at me with a deadpan stare.

Makishima’s completely exasperated, and Tenma-kun just gives a wry smile. Wait, did I say something weird… oh!

Right. Today’s Himari’s job.

“S-Sorry…”

Kirishima-san looks incredibly awkward and averts her gaze.

“It’s fine. That girl’s Kureha-san’s favorite, after all.”

“But you’re working too, Kirishima-san…”

“I haven’t gotten any jobs from Kureha-san yet.”

“Ugh.”

I’m digging myself deeper…

I decide to shut up.

Makishima’s “idiot” stare is making me super uncomfortable.

Then Enomoto-san, with a wry smile, asks Kirishima-san,

“By the way, what kind of job is Hii-chan doing?”

Huh?

Is it okay to ask that?

I’m confused, but Kirishima-san answers casually.

“The usual.”

“The usual?”

Tenma-kun explains instead.

“It’s a cover shoot for a magazine. The photographer and Kureha-san are close, so she sometimes prioritizes her junior models for it.”

“I see. So that’s the usual…”

I ask Tenma-kun for more details.

“What magazine?”

“Hmm, it’s a fashion magazine for teen girls, so I’m not sure if you’d know it…”

The magazine name he mentions is one even I recognize.

“That’s a pretty famous one, right?”

“Yeah. It’s been running for a long time.”

Enomoto-san’s eyes widen.

“That’s the one my sister was in…”

“Yup. It’s also the job that launched Kureha-san’s career. Her connection with the photographer comes from that.”

Wow, I see.

Kureha-san… she’s really a top model. Obviously, but her usual behavior… it’s a lot. She’s unconventional in good and bad ways.

“That photographer has an incredible eye for talent. There’s even a jinx that anyone they pick will definitely make it big.”

“Seriously…?”

Someone like that really exists? It’s got that ‘industry’ vibe.

As we’re marveling, Kirishima-san lets out a frustrated groan.

“Kureha-san only gives this job to her favorites! Ugh! I want to do it too! It pisses me off that a rookie like Himari got it before me!”

Yeah, she’s definitely holding a grudge…

I resolve to steer clear of this topic from now on. But then Kirishima-san sighs and shifts to a cool demeanor.

“Well, it’s not that easy anyway.”

Tenma-kun, munching on a piece of orange, agrees.

“Yeah.”

I tilt my head at their words.

Before I can ask why, Tenma-kun adds,

“But it’s good that Yume-san isn’t going to the shoot today.”

“I know.”

What does that mean?

As I’m puzzled, he answers with a laugh.

“Yume-san’s performing in our troupe’s show today.”

“What, really!?”

“I mean, Yume-san’s one of our troupe’s stars.”

“No way!?”

I get it now!

That’s why she’s here even without Himari! She’s heading to the performance with Tenma-kun.

Kirishima-san shoots me a deadpan look.

“You didn’t know?”

“No, nobody told me…”

I turn to Makishima, who’s silently mixing natto, and ask, “Right?”

…But he just gives me an exasperated look.

“She definitely mentioned it. You just weren’t listening.”

“Wait, am I the only one who didn’t know?”

Even Enomoto-san nods with a vague expression.

“I’m kind of a big deal in the scene, you know.”

“Yeah, she’s even got a nickname.”

What?

The phrase “nickname” tickles my boyish curiosity, and I brace myself. Tenma-kun chuckles mysteriously before revealing it.

“Her title—‘The Talent Misplacement’!”

“That’s harsh…”

What does that even mean…?

As I, a mere mortal, struggle to comprehend, Kirishima-san puffs out her chest proudly, unfazed.

“The name of a woman destined to become a top model. Remember it.”

“That’s how you’re spinning it? It’s a pretty positive nickname?”

“Want me to sign something for you?”

“You’re coming on strong…”

I end up getting her to sign my T-shirt later.

…She’s also adding a message, but I wonder what it’ll be.

♣♣♣

 

We finish breakfast, part ways with the girls, and get ready in our room.

Around the same time, Yatarou-san comes to pick us up, just like yesterday. Stroking his unshaven stubble, he greets us with a sleepy face.

“Yo. Sleep well last night?”

“Oh, yes. You, Yatarou-san…”

The bags under his eyes are painfully obvious.

He looks like he pulled an all-nighter.

“I was gonna crash after getting home, but that witch dumped a job on me out of nowhere… Didn’t sleep a wink…”

“T-Thanks for your hard work…”

Uh, is it safe for him to drive today?

…As I’m worrying, Tenma-kun’s eyes light up, and he clenches his fist!

“Then I’ll drive today!”

“Hold on! Let’s talk this through!”

In the end, Yatarou-san drives us to the venue for the performance.

Shimokitazawa.

A corner of the cityscape in front of the station.

It looks like a miscellaneous building, but apparently, this is the venue for today’s performance. Looking up at the narrow staircase with peeling paint here and there, I spoke to Tenma-kun, who was walking ahead.

“I thought a theater troupe’s performance venue would be, you know, more like a proper facility.”

“Haha. A proper one, huh?”

“Uh, well, I guess… back in my hometown, we have a multipurpose hall. They hold big meetings, choir performances, and, you know, Rion’s brass band performs there too…”

“That kind of place, huh? They exist, but for small-scale troupes like ours, venues like this are more common.”

I see…

Things like rental fees and transportation access probably play a role. Conversely, in a place like my hometown, the venues for performances like this are probably limited.

“Alright, we’re gonna go prepare. It’ll take a while until the show starts, so feel free to explore the area.”

“I just need to come back here when it’s time, right?”

“Yup. Go up these stairs, and there’ll be someone from the troupe at the entrance. Hand them this ticket.”

“Thanks.”

Yatarou-san, letting out a huge yawn, turned on his heel.

“I’m gonna sleep in the car.”

“Huh? You’re not watching, Sensei?”

“I told you I pulled an all-nighter. If you’re okay with me snoring in the audience, I’ll watch.”

“Haha. Alright, I’ll contact you when it’s over.”

That’d definitely be a problem…

After that, Enomoto-san, Makishima, and I decided to kill some time around the area.

We browsed nearby shops, took photos for Enomoto-san to post on Instagram, and finally stopped at a café Tenma-kun recommended for tea.

I ordered a cream puff along with my tea. The café’s homemade cream was piled so high it was practically spilling out. Yup, this is the kind of cream puff you want at a café.

Ever since overhearing Himari and Kirishima-san’s conversation at the airport yesterday, I’ve been craving a cream puff… Enomoto-san’s giving me a damp stare, but I’m pretending not to notice.

While eating, I said to Makishima,

“I’m kinda surprised you’re honestly coming to watch the performance.”

“Yeah, true. Shii-kun, you didn’t seem like the theater type…”

Then Makishima,

for some reason, flashed a refreshed smile, gazing into the distance as he answered.

“If a man of that caliber pours his soul into something, how could I not watch?”

Huh?

Did I just hear “man” pronounced as otoko? It feels like they’ve gotten super close out of nowhere. Why… oh!

I suddenly remembered what they were doing last night after I escaped to the convenience store. As if confirming my bad feeling, Makishima murmured with a dreamy expression.

“Heh. I haven’t had a night that fulfilling in a while.”

“Stop digging into that awful story…”

This is a classy café, you know?

If we’re not careful, it could cause trouble for Tenma-kun and the others.

Enomoto-san tilted her head with a “???” but I can’t explain any further. Everyone has boundaries they shouldn’t cross. Just like I can never touch the abyss of the Inuzuka family…

When the time came, we returned to the tenant building where the theater was.

A few audience members were starting to trickle in. We climbed the stairs and handed our tickets to a stylishly dressed girl.

(Huh? This girl looks kinda familiar…)

As I was thinking that, she smiled brightly.

“Natsume-san. You made it.”

“Huh? My name…”

She gave a wry smile and revealed the answer.

“We met at Murakami-san’s exhibition last time, remember?”

“Oh!”

She was the receptionist!

That means we also met at Tenma-kun’s solo exhibition last summer. She remembered me perfectly, and I completely fumbled the interaction…

I could feel Enomoto-san and Makishima’s exasperated stares from behind…

“Yuu-kun, that’s kinda rude…”

“You can tell flowers apart like it’s nothing, but people…”

But her style changes so much every time we meet!

Today, she’s dressed like a total subculture girl, blending perfectly into the theater troupe’s vibe. If she’d been born in a different era, she’d probably be thriving as a female spy…

“Are you helping at the reception again today?”

“Nope! I’m actually part of this troupe.”

“Oh, got it. I’m looking forward to today.”

“Thank you! Oh, Murakami-san is already here.”

“Murakami-kun’s here too!?”

“Yup. He’s probably in the audience with his companion.”

His companion?

Who could that be? If it’s someone Murakami-kun knows, maybe Sanae-san? I stepped into the floor, thinking about it.

“Whoa…”

In the dimly lit room, a stage illuminated by lights stood out.

For this performance, the stage was set up to resemble a gritty urban back alley.

Facing the stage were the audience seats, arranged with a gentle slope like a movie theater. Each row had about ten seats, so… maybe fifty seats total?

Man, the stage and audience are so close!

The front row could practically reach out and touch the actors. It feels like there’s a sense of unity between the stage and the audience. This must be fundamentally different from the theaters I’d imagined. This is the vibe of a Tokyo venue, huh.

Looking up, I saw vintage lighting and speakers hanging from the ceiling. Behind the last row of seats was a large setup that looked like sound equipment… probably for the sound technician.

In the back of that last row, I spotted a familiar face.

“Murakami-kun!”

“Yo, Natsume-san. Sup.”

Murakami Jun-kun.

Like Tenma-kun, he’s a second-year high school creator funded by Kureha-san. He works with flowers like me… well, that’s pretty much the only thing we have in common. Comparing myself to Murakami-kun would be absurd.

“You came to watch too, huh?”

“Yup. It’s summer break, so no school. Enomoto-san and… who’s that guy?”

“Oh, this is Makishima. A friend from my hometown.”

Come to think of it, I introduced him to Tenma-kun and the others, but not to Murakami-kun yet.

“Makishima, this is Murakami-kun. He’s a creator who works with flowers like me, but he’s already submitting to international competitions, super impressive… huh?”

Something’s off with Makishima.

Specifically, he’s not listening to me at all, staring past Murakami-kun with a twitching mouth. What’s up with him when I’m trying to introduce them?

…And it wasn’t just Makishima acting weird. Enomoto-san was also fidgeting, looking unsure of what to do.

“What’s wrong with you two?”

They both shot me incredibly disappointed looks.

“Yuu, Yuu-kun…”

“Oi, Natsu…”

Following their gazes, I looked at the person sitting beyond Murakami-kun. Oh, right, I heard Murakami-kun had a companion.

From the silhouette, it’s a woman.

It’s dim, and her abundant hair is draped over her face, almost intentionally hiding it. She feels mature, so probably older. But I could tell it wasn’t Sanae-san… which means it’s someone I don’t know.

(—Hah!)

It hit me.

What a brilliant flash of insight. I’d certify this as my greatest epiphany ever. I hurriedly whispered to Murakami-kun in a low voice.

“Uh, Murakami-kun. Are we… interrupting something?”

“Huh?”

Murakami-kun looked confused.

He clearly didn’t get what I meant… huh? That’s weird. I was sure this was a date.

Then, from behind, Enomoto-san’s sharp chop struck me!

“Ow!?”

“Yuu-kun, you’re being rude again…”

“Huh? Again? What do you mean?”

Is it someone I know?

As I was thinking, I finally realized who it was.

It was the actress Yonekawa Nagisa.

Gah!

“S-S-Sorry!!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. You’re pretty funny, huh?”

Yonekawa-san laughed heartily.

…Suspecting a scandal with a national actress is way too much.

Come to think of it, she was at Tenma-kun’s solo exhibition last year. I talked to her then too, but I didn’t recognize her and just said “Yo” or something, which left Enomoto-san dumbfounded—a bitter memory.

Yonekawa-san asked Murakami-kun,

“Who are these kids?”

“They’re our creator friends. I heard they joined Ito-san’s exhibition last summer…”

“Oh, the kid who made those flower accessories?”

She remembered!?

I hurriedly straightened up and answered.

“Y-Yes, that’s me!”

“Got it. I still have the one I bought back then displayed. The colors have changed a bit, and it’s cute, right?”

“Thank you so much!”

She gets the charm of preserved flowers!

I’m so thrilled. As I was flustered, Yonekawa-san continued.

“So, you’re Himari-chan’s partner, huh?”

“Y-Yes, that’s right.”

“Is Himari-chan doing well? Rikka barely shows up at the agency, so when I ask about Himari-chan, she says she doesn’t know.”

Rikka… that’s Akinashi Rikka, right?

According to Himari, she’s a young but specialized makeup artist for Yonekawa-san. She’s kind of eccentric, and Himari said she’s only met her once.

Murakami-kun asked Yonekawa-san,

“Speaking of which, where’s Akinashi-san?”

“That girl doesn’t like Pega-kun.”

“Oh, right. Ito-san’s got that dazzling aura.”

I totally get it…

When Tenma-kun shines his kind smile on you, it feels like your impurities are being purified. That might sound like a good thing, but, well, some people feel uneasy without a bit of grit in their soul…

“Natsume-san, it’s almost showtime.”

“Oh, right. Mind if we sit next to you?”

“Of course not.”

We sat down next to Murakami-kun and the others.

More audience members started pouring in. A pair of girls sitting in the row in front of us kept glancing back, whispering, “It’s Yonekawa Nagisa,” and “She’s here again~.” …Looks like some people aren’t here just for the play.

“So, Yonekawa-san, are you here to see Tenma-kun today?”

“Pega-kun’s part of it, but I’m actually one of the founding members of this troupe. Though I left years ago, and none of the original members are around anymore.”

“I see. So you still come to watch?”

“Well, kinda, but…”

Yonekawa-san trailed off meaningfully…

“My favorite’s over there, I think.”

“Huh?”

Just then, it was time for the performance to start.

When Tenma-kun appeared from the wings, a wave of excited cheers erupted from the audience.

His popularity is still unreal. Even years after his group disbanded, he’s got a loyal fanbase cheering him on.

As the cheers died down, he greeted the audience through a microphone.

“Thanks for coming out in this heat. Please enjoy the show.”

With a graceful bow, he disappeared into the wings.

For a moment, he glanced our way and smiled… huh? Why are the girls in the audience turning around and glaring at me? That’s scary.

Once Tenma-kun left, all the lights went out.

In the pitch-black space, only the blinking lights of the sound equipment flickered.

…The atmosphere feels different now. The chattering audience fell silent, holding their breath.

A faint chill ran through me.

This is my first time seeing a play live, and I’m getting a bit nervous.

As my heart raced, I heard the faint sound of footsteps. The stage floor creaked unreliably, signaling an actor stepping onto the platform.

Then, a dazzling light hit the stage.

Kirishima-san, with her hair down, stood in the center.

She slowly raised her hand, shielding her eyes from the blinding light. It felt like she was looking up at the sun, and I somehow understood the situation.

At the same time, her pre-recorded voice played through the speakers.

“That summer, I met a girl with the same face as mine—”

The story goes like this:

During summer break in Tokyo,

a high-achieving high school girl runs away from home after a fight with her parents.

With no close friends to turn to, she’s at a loss on the streets—until she meets a girl who looks exactly like her.

The other girl dropped out of high school and lives day-to-day with her bandmates.

She’s just as shocked to meet her doppelgänger.

Despite their opposite personalities, they’re drawn to each other like it’s fate. The runaway ends up living in the band girl’s room, and a secretive daily life unfolds in a corner of the metropolis.

Eventually, their feelings grow beyond friendship, but naturally, their peace doesn’t last long.

When the runaway is found by her mother and dragged back home,

returning to her old life feels like half her soul has been torn away. With the help of a bandmate and ally—played by Tenma-kun—the two girls choose to run away together.

Kirishima-san plays both girls in this fleeting, radiant story of a summer love between two girls.

It’s a classic story, in a way.

But the venue was enveloped in a quiet fervor.

If yesterday’s immersive attraction was about collective participation, this was about the audience holding their breath, as if secretly observing two girls in the vast city—a forbidden game.

That’s how much everyone was captivated by Kirishima-san’s heroines.

(Incredible…)

I genuinely thought so.

Whether her acting was skilled… honestly, I couldn’t tell.

But somehow,

Kirishima-san’s performance felt like it revealed the character’s entire backstory.

“Why? Why do I have to do what Dad says?”

A simple line like that,

and in my mind, I saw her days spent studying under her strict father’s orders. Even getting first place on a test earned no praise—just a cold, dismissive glance, as if it were expected. Scenes not in the play flashed through my head.

“Huh? Me, kind? You’re so naïve, falling for a little kindness. Are you stupid?”

When the band girl snaps with that sharp tongue, it’s clear it’s not her true feelings.

You can see her timid nature, pushing people away out of fear. The reason? A glimpse of her strained relationship with her mother from fragmented lines.

She can’t trust others’ kindness, probably because of harsh words from her mother… I found myself expanding the world on my own. It didn’t matter if it was true. Kirishima-san manipulated the audience into thinking that way.

And yet, it felt strangely satisfying.

In this small venue—we were all fixated on Kirishima-san alone.

The story ends with the two girls’ attempted double suicide.

Both survive but are kept unaware of each other’s survival.

“Because I wished to be with her, she…”

“Because I suggested we escape, she…”

Losing the person who felt like half their soul, the girls wake from their dream and return to their respective lives.

The performance—eternal yet fleeting—ended, and reality returned to the venue.

I let out a breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

Enomoto-san turned to me, her eyes sparkling. As a romance lover, she clearly adored the performance.

“Yuu-kun, that was so good!”

“Yeah, I was surprised too.”

Even Makishima, usually aloof, let out a sigh and groaned in awe.

“You can’t get this kind of emotion back home.”

“Wow, you praising something honestly? That’s rare.”

“What do you take me for? I praise what’s great.”

In the lit-up venue, the audience stayed seated, buzzing with excitement as they shared their thoughts.

The reason was, above all, Kirishima-san’s presence.

Her acting was skilled… but more than that, it felt deep.

“Yume’s exceptionally good at embodying her roles,”

Yonekawa-san said with a sigh.

I tilted my head at her words.

“Embodying her roles?”

“Didn’t you feel it? When Yume acts, you see that character’s entire life in your mind. Her performances are like flipping through an album of the character’s life.”

“Yes! I felt that!”

I thought it was just me, but apparently, that’s Kirishima-san’s unique acting style.

I get it. To convey a character’s dense life in such a short performance is incredible. No wonder the audience was so captivated.

Even someone like Yonekawa-san murmured dreamily,

“I couldn’t do that at her age. If she seriously pursues acting, she’ll go far.”

“But Kirishima-san…”

Yonekawa-san gave a wry smile.

“Yeah, she’s head over heels for Kureha, isn’t she?”

“Hmm…”

I see.

So that’s why her nickname is “The Talent Misplacement”…

The exit doors opened, and the audience began to leave bit by bit. Toward the end, Murakami-kun stood, urging us along.

“Natsume-san, let’s head out.”

“Oh, got it.”

We stepped out into the blinding sunlight.

Man, it’s hot…!

It’s just past 2 p.m., the hottest time in Japan. Moments like this make you think, air conditioning is a miracle! Civilization is the best!

At the bottom of the stairs, troupe members were seeing off the audience.

The popular ones—especially Tenma-kun—were surrounded by girls, while others chatted amiably with acquaintances.

When we came down, Tenma-kun’s face lit up. He said to the girls, “See you at the next one!” and approached us.

“Yuu-kun, how was it?”

He clapped my shoulder like he was about to hug me.

Maybe it was the high from the performance, but he felt more intense than usual. If we in the audience were that excited, it must be even more thrilling for the actors. …And I got more glares from the girls who came for Tenma-kun. Sorry about that.

…Anyway, back to Tenma-kun.

“It was awesome! You were super cool too.”

“Haha, thanks. I couldn’t rehearse much this time, so I took a smaller role. Next time, I want a bigger part.”

“The story was great too. Who wrote the script?”

Tenma-kun smiled knowingly.

“Who do you think?”

“Huh? Someone I know?”

Someone who could write such a delicate, romantic story?

Maybe a famous writer? But I don’t read much… As I tilted my head seriously, Tenma-kun chuckled and spilled the beans.

“It’s Sensei. Our troupe always asks Sensei for original scripts.”

“Oh, Yatarou-sa… huh?”

I recalled the delicate love story of the two girls…

“That love romance?”

“Yup, that’s how it goes.”

Tenma-kun gave a wry smile.

“He’s like that usually, but his style is super romantic. Though that’s probably why his work doesn’t sell as well these days.”

“I-I see…”

Saku-neesan and a romance novelist, huh…

Nah, whatever. If it’s Saku-neesan, she’d probably gleefully nitpick his work. They might actually get along. Let’s leave it at that.

While we were talking, Kirishima-san, the lead, ran up to us.

She struck her now-familiar pointing pose with a snap.

“You came, Yonekawa Nagisa! Our meeting here is a hundred years in the making!”

“I’m here! Yume’s been cute for a hundred years.”

“Obviously. My beauty transcends the concept of time.”

That’s a fun conversation…

So that’s how you respond to Kirishima-san’s greetings. Good to know… wait, why am I learning this?

Yonekawa-san, clinging to Kirishima-san from behind, showered her with praise.

“You were amazing today too!”

“Hmph. Flattery won’t get you anything.”

“Hey, why not join our agency?”

“No way. I’m loyal to Kureha-san.”

“I’d praise you tons if you were with me.”

“You’ve got Rikka, don’t you? If you flirt with other girls too much, she’ll hate you.”

“I make sure to cherish her the most, so it’s fine.”

Kirishima-san turned to us, puffing out her chest with a smug grin.

She didn’t even ask for our thoughts—maybe she’s that confident in her performance, or she could tell we were satisfied just from our faces.

“Did you see!? That’s my true power!”

“It was incredible. I was moved.”

“Hmph. As long as you respect me, it’s fine.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she smugly tossed her hair. This girl’s mood flips so easily…

I never underestimated her to begin with, but since Himari’s always teasing her, she probably thinks we’re part of that crew.

“Tenma-kun, is today’s performance done?”

“There’s another one this evening. I wanted to grab dinner with you guys, but it might be tough with this schedule.”

“No, I’m just happy you thought of it. We came to see the play this time.”

So, what should we do now?

It’s just past 2 p.m. Since Makishima’s here, maybe we could go somewhere he wants to visit…

Then, signaled by Tenma-kun, Murakami-kun raised his hand timidly.

“Uh, I’ll take over from here.”

“You sure?”

“Yup. That was my plan for today.”

Oh, I see.

Looks like Tenma-kun called him to show us around. He’s seriously a master of consideration. I should learn from him…

Then Yonekawa-san, who’d been clinging to Kirishima-san, perked up.

“Where are you going with Murakami-kun? Want me to recommend some spots?”

“Huh!? Yonekawa-san, you’re coming too!?”

“What, I can’t? I wanna hear about Himari-chan while we’re at it.”

“No, it’s not that you can’t!!”

You’re a national actress!

Is it okay!? Hanging out with commoners like us!? Won’t paparazzi swarm you!?

Tenma-kun said with a wry smile,

“Nagisa-san, you might make Yuu-kun and the others feel awkward…”

“Aww, really? No go, huh.”

Yonekawa-san laughed heartily… looks like she was joking.

While we were talking, a troupe member called Kirishima-san from the upstairs dressing room door.

“Yume~ Your phone’s ringing~”

Kirishima-san tilted her head.

She was in the middle of seeing off the audience, so it seemed odd to her that they’d call her just for a phone call.

She raised a hand to the member.

“I’ll check it later. Thanks.”

“Huh? Later’s fine?”

The member widened her eyes in surprise.

“It’s from Kureha-san. Her name came up.”

“…!?”

Kirishima-san’s expression changed.

She shouted to us, “I’ll be right back!” and hurriedly ran up the stairs.

Watching her go, Tenma-kun gave a wry smile.

“Sorry, our lead’s gone…”

“No, it’s Kureha-san, so it makes sense.”

Kirishima-san’s a girl who idolizes Kureha-san and aims to be a model.

And, well… to put it bluntly, she’s not exactly Kureha-san’s favorite. That’s why she sees Himari as a rival. Getting a call from Kureha-san must be a huge deal for her.

As we were talking, the upstairs suddenly got noisy.

“Sounds lively up there.”

“What’s going on? Is it some kind of trouble…?”

But Tenma-kun, as if realizing something, said,

“No, it doesn’t feel like a fight. This might be…”

Suddenly, Kirishima-san burst out of the dressing room door.

For some reason, she was clutching her belongings and frantically running down the stairs.

“Oh, Kirishima-sa…”

“Sorry! Later!”

Without even glancing at us, she dashed toward where Yatarou-san had parked his car.

It happened in an instant.

As we stood there stunned, Tenma-kun and Murakami-kun nodded solemnly at each other.

“So that’s it, huh.”

“Yup.”

“I had a feeling it was about time.”

“Kirishima-san’s been working especially hard lately.”

What’s going on? Their insider conversation left me, Enomoto-san, and the others out of the loop.

Yonekawa-san sighed with an “Oh, man” vibe.

“I was seriously trying to recruit Yume, you know.”

I tilted my head at the three of them, who seemed to know something.

Is it safe to assume the lead, Kirishima-san, just… ran off? It was so sudden, we were all just dumbfounded.

Enomoto-san asked Makishima beside her,

“What’s up with Kirishima-san?”

“Dunno. How would I know?”

But despite the big incident, the atmosphere was warm.

The other troupe members were chatting amiably, saying things like “Finally, huh” and “I’m happy for her, but it’s a shame.”

What’s going on? It feels like we’re witnessing a pivotal moment, but I’m completely lost with no info…

I asked Tenma-kun for the reason.

“What happened to Kirishima-san?”

“Oh, that…”

Tenma-kun shrugged, but his expression was bright.

“Looks like the evening performance is canceled. Maybe I’ll join you guys for dinner after all.”

“Huh? Why’s it canceled? Does it have to do with Kirishima-san?”

“Yup. It happens sometimes with us. We let the audience know in advance when they buy tickets, but…”

After dragging it out, Tenma-kun chuckled.

“She probably got called to a job by Kureha-san.”

“Kureha-san? That call just now?”

“Yup. She does this sometimes. When someone’s skilled enough, she’ll suddenly summon them to a job site on the same day. She thinks it’s a surprise, but it shocks everyone around.”

“I-I see…”

That’s so Kureha-san.

But that means Kirishima-san’s been recognized. No wonder the other members seem happy.

Still, Tenma-kun continued with a serious expression.

“But today, Kureha-san’s supposed to be with Himari all day.”

“…”

The true meaning of those words only hit me after I returned to the hotel.