Chapter 6: The Scenery We See Together
“Sorry, I’m late.”
“Good work. Don’t worry about it.”
Just past seven in the evening.
Joining up with Shizuku, who said her recording ran late, in front of a central city station, they start walking side by side.
Shizuku, disguised in a white hoodie, shorts, a cap, and a mask, blended perfectly into the nighttime city.
Touya, dressed in a street-style outfit with a denim jacket and hoodie bought from a thrift store, matched well with Shizuku’s disguised look, their coordinated styles fitting naturally together.
“Your clothes are different from usual, Sezaki-kun. Feels kinda weird.”
“Does it not suit me?”
“No, it suits you. Looks cool, doesn’t it?”
Being told something like that so casually, Touya can’t help but feel embarrassed.
Suddenly, he notices Shizuku carrying a paper bag from a famous apparel brand.
“Did you buy that?”
“No, it’s just the casual clothes I wore for today’s shoot. I don’t go to the set dressed like this.”
“Sorry for making you change. But I really wanted to see you today.”
At Touya’s words, Shizuku flashes a grin, visible even through her mask.
“What’s that? Are you hitting on me?”
“Not at all. It’s one hundred percent pure honesty.”
“Sounds like you’re hitting on me.”
“I’m telling you, it’s not. We’re heading to karaoke right now, but…”
“I don’t have much time, you know? I have to be in the pickup car by nine.”
“I know. Singing isn’t the main point.”
“Hm?”
Shizuku seems confused, which is only natural.
After all, all Touya had told her beforehand was, “Can you spare some time before you leave tomorrow?” and Shizuku had simply replied, “Sure,” without hesitation.
Deciding there’s no point in dragging it out, Touya turns to face Shizuku.
“The truth is, I wanted you to relieve some stress, Himeno. You’ve been super busy lately, and I thought just taking a casual break might not be enough to let it all out.”
“So, karaoke?”
“Yeah… like, shouting your heart out would help, right?”
“—!”
Shizuku seems to understand what Touya’s getting at.
Her face turns red instantly, and she looks away, clearly embarrassed.
“Was I wrong?”
“It’s not—wrong, but I’d rather you not dig into that topic.”
“I’ll join you today, so go ahead and scream your heart out.”
At Touya’s words, Shizuku stops walking.
Then, with a furrowed brow, she shoves both hands into her pockets, looking displeased.
“Hold on, I’m actually kinda annoyed.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s embarrassing, obviously. Why do I have to let a guy my age see me throwing a childish tantrum? What kind of punishment is that?”
Shizuku seems genuinely upset. Touya realizes, a bit too late, that he might’ve made the wrong call.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. But yeah, I should’ve thought it through. My bad.”
“And anyway, Sezaki-kun, you—ah!”
Just as Shizuku’s anger seems unrelenting, she suddenly freezes with a startled expression, grabs Touya’s hand, and starts walking.
“H-Hey, Hime—”
“Don’t say my name.”
Cutting him off with a cold voice, Shizuku leads them into a narrow alley.
“What’s wrong?”
“There was a reporter. They’ve been lurking around me lately. Probably because I’m on a national tour, they think it’s a hot topic… They must’ve sniffed out the studio.”
In the distance, a surprisingly young woman appears.
To Touya, she looks like any ordinary person—nothing special. She’s not even holding a camera, making it hard to believe she’s a reporter.
“She’s coming this way.”
“Is she really a reporter?”
“Yeah. This isn’t a manga; they don’t walk around looking obviously like ‘reporters.’ —Ugh, she’s definitely coming this way…”
Panic and tension flicker across Shizuku’s face.
There’s still some distance, but the woman has indeed entered the same alley.
If she’s really a reporter, they can’t afford to be spotted.
She doesn’t seem to have noticed Shizuku yet, looking around while fiddling with her phone.
Touya considers their options: speed up to put distance between them or keep walking slowly and blend into the crowd on the main street. The latter seems safer, but…
“—Ah!”
At that moment, Shizuku lets out a feeble yelp, stumbling as if she’s about to fall.
Touya instinctively pulls her hand, catching her gently in his arms.
In the process, Shizuku’s face presses into Touya’s chest, and her cap’s brim hits him, falling to the ground.
Her slender frame fits perfectly in his arms—warm, soft, and faintly fragrant.
Despite the critical situation, Touya’s mind is surprisingly calm.
The woman, likely a reporter, is now close. Moving recklessly might draw suspicion.
Touya tightens his embrace, shielding Shizuku completely.
Thanks to their height difference, Shizuku’s face is hidden from view, but Touya goes further, burying his own face in the top of her head.
They’re practically glued together. To an outsider, it might look like an extension of a kiss, but in reality, it’s a desperate camouflage to prevent Shizuku’s identity from being exposed.
Thump, thump—the sound of a heartbeat echoes.
Touya can’t tell if it’s his or hers.
But the retreating footsteps suggest the woman, assuming they’re just a couple in an intimate moment, has turned back.
“……”
Even so, neither of them speaks.
And for some reason, Touya finds himself not wanting to let go.
His senses—smell, touch, and instinct—seem to scream that this moment, beyond reason or logic, simply feels good.
But all things must end.
Shizuku, her face still buried in his chest, grips his back tightly, snapping Touya back to reality.
“…She’s gone, looks like. You okay?”
“—Phew!”
Pulling her face away from his chest, Shizuku yanks off her mask, gasping for air.
Her face is flushed, likely from how stifling it was.
The way she’s breathing heavily up close is oddly alluring, catching Touya off guard.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hold you that tightly.”
“Hah, hah… idiot.”
“I said I’m sorry. But it looks like that woman’s gone now.”
“I’m one hundred percent at fault for almost tripping, but still, what were you planning to do if she’d spoken to us? Hugging me like that in an alley was a terrible move, totally.”
“Sorry…”
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but yeah, probably a bad one.
Seeing Touya genuinely remorseful, Shizuku turns away and takes a deep breath.
“W-Well, it worked out, so it’s fine. Thanks, I guess. Just be more careful next time.”
For some reason, Shizuku’s speaking quickly. Touya nods in response.
But he can’t help thinking, Wasn’t she the one who said she was one hundred percent at fault for tripping…? Shizuku’s intense attitude feels a bit over the top.
So, as a final act of defiance, Touya asks one last question.
“By the way, in a situation like that, what’s the right move? We couldn’t just run, and if we’d kept walking after you recovered, she might’ve caught up.”
“I don’t know.”
“Got it…”
Shizuku puts her mask back on, glancing at him awkwardly before speaking.
“Anyway, back to earlier. I’ve got a question for you, Sezaki-kun.”
“Yeah, what?”
“When someone denies something important to you or when you’re super stressed, how do you deal with it?”
“Me… Well, until recently, I’d go to a park. One with a basketball hoop.”
“Then take me there.”
“Huh? It’s pretty far, you know. Not nearby—it’s over twenty minutes by train.”
“Just do it. I’m in the mood to try your stress-relief method.”
“But we don’t even have a ball.”
“We can buy one at the department store over there. I’ll pay, so don’t worry about the cost.”
“Celebrities sure know how to take charge in moments like this…”
“Say whatever you want.”
So, as Shizuku suggested, they buy a basketball at the department store’s sports section, have it inflated, and hop on a train.
On the crowded train, they end up pressed close together again, but Shizuku doesn’t say anything about it.
After about twenty minutes and a few transfers,
they arrive at the destination station, where there are fewer people around.
Stepping onto the platform, Shizuku puts away the phone she’d been fiddling with.
“I texted my manager, and they’ll pick me up in front of this station in an hour.”
“Got it.”
“Are you nervous or something?”
“Nah, not at all.”
It’s been half a year since Touya last came to this area.
The surroundings are a quiet residential neighborhood, with few passersby due to the time of night. A five-minute walk toward the main road would lead to the park in question, but Touya isn’t exactly thrilled about it.
“If you don’t want to, I can just kill time here, you know.”
It’s unclear if Shizuku’s being honest or not, but she says this while fidgeting with her nails.
“It’s fine. We came all this way, so let’s go.”
“Alrighty.”
After five minutes of walking along sloped concrete,
a spacious park surrounded by trees comes into view, despite being along the main road.
Inside the grounds is a basketball court enclosed by high fences, with four hoops—two facing each other. Luckily, it’s empty.
“Wow, a place like this exists in the city? Total hidden gem.”
“Pretty cool, right? It’s even got lighting. The only downside is that other players tend to show up, but looks like we’ve got it to ourselves today.”
Setting their bags on a bench outside the court, Shizuku takes off her mask, grabs the ball, and steps onto the court.
“You used to come here to play basketball and relieve stress, right, Sezaki-kun?”
“Yeah. When a club match didn’t go well or I found things to work on, I’d come here to practice shooting. Sometimes I’d play against adults or older guys, too.”
“So this is like the sacred ground of your youth, huh?”
“Don’t say it like that, it’s embarrassing. Are you still holding a grudge about the karaoke thing?”
“Shut up—oops.”
While complaining, Shizuku takes a two-handed shot.
Her form is pretty clean, but the ball falls short of the rim.
“Hey, that’s a pretty nice form.”
“Don’t just admire it, teach me!”
“I have to play too?”
“Obviously.”
Urged by Shizuku, Touya reluctantly takes off his jacket and steps onto the court.
While Touya stretches lightly on the side, Shizuku keeps shooting boldly.
“It’s weird, I’m not doing as well as I do in gym class. Especially dribbling.”
“The ground here is dirt and gravel, so that’s part of it. Plus, the ball’s brand new, so it’s harder to handle.”
Shizuku’s wearing sneakers, so her footwear isn’t an issue.
Her form, though, looks a bit tense.
“Alright, that’s enough stretching. —I’m gonna touch you, okay?”
“Oh, sure.”
After giving a heads-up, Touya moves behind Shizuku and touches her arms.
“First, you’re putting too much strength in your shoulders and elbows. Also, focus on coordinating your legs and hips, look at the hoop—and shoot.”
When Shizuku shoots at Touya’s cue, the ball hits the backboard and goes in.
“Whoa, it actually went in!”
Shizuku turns around excitedly, and their close proximity makes Touya instinctively look away.
Maybe because his focus shifted, Touya recalls coming here to play with his parents long ago, feeling a wave of nostalgia.
“Sezaki-kun?”
“Oh, yeah, that was awesome. You’ve got some talent.”
“Your compliments are so half-hearted. I’m probably just gym-class level anyway.”
Shizuku picks up the ball and hands it to Touya.
“Nah, I’m good.”
“Show me how it’s done.”
“It’s just a sample, but I only shoot with one hand, you know.”
“That’s fine.”
Reluctantly, Touya takes a free throw, but the ball hits the rim and bounces off.
“Pfft.”
“Hey, that’s harsh. Even pros only have like a seventy percent success rate.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
She apologizes, but her amusement is barely concealed.
Slightly annoyed, Touya takes another free throw.
This time, the ball sails cleanly through the net without touching the rim.
“Whoa, nice!”
“Well, I was in the basketball club, so this is nothing.”
“Heh, look at that smug face. Be honest, how do you really feel?”
“I’m just glad it went in… seriously.”
Since they play basketball in gym class, it’s not like Touya’s been completely out of practice for half a year.
Still, it’s been a while since he’s had to take a shot he couldn’t miss.
Though, in this case, the only reason he couldn’t miss was pride—missing would’ve looked uncool.
“You’re kind of a show-off, aren’t you, Sezaki-kun?”
Shizuku takes another shot but misses.
“I’m aware. Especially in front of girls.”
“Being honest scores you points.”
“Do those points actually mean anything?”
“They make you popular.”
Shizuku says this with a smug grin, then shoots again—and misses.
“Being popular with you doesn’t exactly help, Himeno…”
“That’s harsh! I’m supposed to be, like, a national idol, you know?”
“Oh, right. But still, being popular with someone I can’t date is kinda…”
“That’s such a loser mindset. You should be grateful just to be complimented by a girl.”
“I’m fine being a loser. I’m not that interested in romance anyway.”
“A passive loser is a serious case.”
“Mind your own business.”
Clang—the ball bounces off the rim.
Looking half-frustrated, Shizuku retrieves the ball and stands in front of the hoop again.
“Stop. —Himeno, your shoulders are tense again.”
“Go ahead and get handsy, just teach me.”
“That’s the worst way to phrase it… Now I don’t even want to.”
Shizuku hesitates, looking down shyly.
“…Teach me, Coach.”
“O-Okay…”
Honestly, being called “Coach” hit him hard, but admitting that would definitely lead to teasing, so Touya holds back and focuses on teaching.
Touching Shizuku’s hands, Touya adjusts her shooting form.
“—And shoot.”
Shizuku shoots at Touya’s signal, but this time it misses.
“Ugh, no good. I’m sweating like crazy. Let’s take a break.”
“Yeah.”
Leaving the court, Touya buys two cans of white water from a nearby vending machine and hands one to Shizuku, who’s resting on the bench.
“Thanks. I’ll pay you back.”
“Nah, it’s on me.”
“Such a show-off.”
“Say what you want.”
Shizuku drinks the white water with such refreshing charm that it could star in a commercial.
Wait, she’s already in a commercial, isn’t she?
Touya thinks as he sips his own can, standing nearby.
The only thing unlikely for a white water commercial is the nighttime park setting. But with someone as captivating as Shizuku, it might just work.
Though, right now, Shizuku isn’t in idol mode.
Meanwhile, Shizuku sets her can down and gazes at the court.
“From outside, the lighting feels bright, but once you’re on the court, it’s kinda dark and hard to see.”
“Yeah. You’ve got an important live show tomorrow, so don’t go getting injured, okay?”
“I know, I know.”
“Also, kinda late to ask, but is this actually helping you relieve stress?”
To Touya’s question, Shizuku gives a slightly tired thumbs-up.
“Good enough, I guess.”
“What about you, Sezaki-kun?”
“Huh?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Touya’s momentarily stunned.
“Are you relieving your stress? All that pent-up frustration.”
“Frustration, huh… I think I’m letting it out.”
“Really?”
“Really. I was avoiding this place because I thought it’d bring up memories, but that sense of avoidance is gone now.”
“Good. That’s great.”
Shizuku says with a refreshed expression, stretching widely.
Her joyful smile captivates Touya, and he can’t help but stare.
“What?”
“Just thought you look beautiful.”
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
“……”
Crap. His true thoughts slipped out.
Touya blushes, regretting his blunder, but Shizuku gives a relaxed smile.
“It’s fine. I’m used to hearing stuff like that. Don’t worry about it.”
“…That kinda makes me feel complicated.”
“Why!? I was trying to let it slide!”
Before he knows it, Shizuku’s face is bright red too.
Touya finds that oddly pleasing and bursts out laughing.
“Hey, why are you laughing? That’s actually annoying.”
“No, it’s fine. My bad.”
“You don’t think it’s your fault at all, do you? Ugh, so annoying. You’re totally underestimating me.”
“If I licked you now, you’d taste salty.”
“That’s a blunder!”
Shizuku, face still red, playfully smacks him.
The subtle pain suggests she’s genuinely irritated.
“My bad, that wasn’t something to say to a girl.”
“Seriously! You’re way too casual!”
“Ow, ow, I get it.”
It takes about five minutes for Shizuku to calm down.
Finally composed, she sighs.
“Ugh, I’m not in the mood to keep playing basketball anymore.”
“But if it relieved your stress, mission accomplished, right?”
“True, but now I feel like I’ve got a new worry.”
“New worry?”
“Do you believe in platonic friendships between guys and girls, Sezaki-kun?”
Is this a general question? Touya tilts his head but answers.
“I think they exist. Maybe because I’ve got female friends.”
“Got it. Then maybe it’s fine.”
“What do you mean? Are you worried about our relationship or something?”
Concerned, Touya asks, and Shizuku nods easily.
“It’s obvious, but the more I get to know you, the more I realize you’re a guy, and I’m a girl, and we’re different.”
“Like what?”
“Like your strength. Or the compliments and slip-ups earlier—if it was a same-sex friend, I might’ve brushed them off better. …I don’t usually care about my fans’ gender, though.”
“Well, I’m hesitant about physical contact with you too, Himeno.”
“Yeah, it’s complicated, isn’t it? I’m kinda scared now.”
“Scared I’ll turn into some obsessive fan? I don’t even know if that applies to the real you, though.”
“It’s not about that one-sided stuff—ugh, never mind. Let’s drop this. Overthinking is my bad habit.”
Seeing Shizuku start to get frustrated again, Touya sighs.
“It’ll work out. As long as we keep caring about each other.”
“I’m not a fan of that kind of idealistic talk.”
“You always say stuff like that. You’re kinda cynical, Himeno.”
“I don’t want to hear that from you. …But with you, the distance feels right. It’s super comfortable, and I feel really at ease.”
“And then you get all honest out of nowhere.”
“Don’t make me sound emotionally unstable.”
“Sure, sure.”
Shizuku has an important live show tomorrow.
They both know they should wrap things up, but the conversation keeps going.
“You ask about surface-level stuff but don’t dig too deep, Sezaki-kun. And it’s always at the exact moment I want to talk, so I end up wanting to share more.”
“That goes both ways, doesn’t it? I’m trying to open up more than I used to, you know.”
“Really? I’ve got tons I haven’t told you, but I barely know anything about you either.”
Under the moonlight, Shizuku’s profile looks faintly anxious.
“Do you want to hear about me?”
“…Maybe not.”
“Which is it?”
“I want to know, but I don’t, or maybe it’s better not to know.”
“Then that’s fine, isn’t it? You’re probably just nervous before the live show.”
“Maybe… Don’t you have anything you want to ask me?”
“I do.”
His answer is immediate.
“What?”
“As an idol, do you want me to become your fan, or do you not want me to? Which is it?”
“……”
Shizuku looks down, at a loss for words, then slowly raises her head.
“I don’t know.”
“Huh?”
“I said I don’t know. I want you to recognize me, but not necessarily as a fan.”
“Like I’ve said before, I already recognize you—I genuinely think you’re amazing.”
“That’s not it. To put it simply…”
“Simply?”
Still looking down, Shizuku murmurs,
“…I might want you to like me.”
“Eh?”
Stunned by the unexpected words, Touya freezes, while Shizuku shakes her head, clutching it.
“No, that’s not it! I mean, I want you to like the idol me, but not as your top priority. The real me should matter more, but the idol me is still cool—just not as a fan, or something like that.”
“That’s so complicated.”
“Ugh, I know…”
Touya’s “complicated” comment hits hard, and Shizuku sighs, still clutching her head.
So Touya playfully ruffles her hair and says,
“We’ll figure it out eventually.”
“Here comes the classic delay. That’s what makes you sound like an old man.”
“The real you has such a sharp tongue. Your fans would be shocked.”
“I’d never say this in front of fans. I don’t want to disappoint them.”
Shizuku says this firmly, and Touya, curious, asks something else.
“By the way, why do you do the idol thing? I just realized I’m curious about that.”
“Check the agency’s official site for details—just kidding. I guess because I was scouted? Also, my dad’s in the industry, and maybe to break free from my super education-focused mom. A bunch of reasons, really.”
Among the info Shizuku rattles off quickly, there’s some surprising stuff, but that’s not what shocks Touya.
“I’m actually stunned. I barely know anything about you, Himeno.”
“That’s mutual. There’s still so much we don’t know about each other. —Wanna hear more?”
“…Nah, maybe not.”
“Don’t copy me!”
Irritated, Shizuku pokes Touya in the side, making him choke.
“H-Hey, you keep doing that side-poke thing, but it actually hurts. You should probably work on that violent streak.”
“It’s fine, I only do it to you.”
“That doesn’t make it fine for me…”
“But guys like this kind of thing, right?”
“Don’t lump it in with hamburgers or whatever.”
Their back-and-forth banter escalates, and they both feel it spiraling out of control.
So Touya, ready to wrap up, says,
“This is where we compromise. I’ll learn more about your idol side. You, don’t bottle up your worries—talk about what’s on your mind even more. That feels like a good balance for both of us, don’t you think?”
“You’re so kind, Sezaki-kun.”
“No teasing. Yes or no.”
“Then, yes. But I’ve got a proposal too.”
“What’s that?”
Shizuku stands up and deliberately turns to face him.
“From now on, let’s call each other by our first names. We’re each other’s stress-relief buddies and friends, right?”
It’s a simple suggestion from Shizuku.
Touya doesn’t think it’s a bad idea, but…
“I’ve never called a female friend by her first name.”
“No big deal, just get used to it—right, Touya?”
“…Alright, Shizuku.”
The sound of it feels pleasant to his ears, oddly fitting.
Even though it’s a bit embarrassing, neither teases the other about it.
After that, they both grow quieter, washing off the dirt at a sink.
Shizuku changes into neat casual clothes in the restroom, putting on her mask and fake glasses.
With that, they’re both ready to head back.
“…That outfit suits you too.”
“Haha, you don’t have to force compliments.”
“Sorry…”
“Let’s head to the station.”
“Yeah.”
After a few minutes of walking through the night,
they reach the station, where a sleek black luxury car is parked.
“Is that the car?”
“Yup.”
“Impressive…”
A woman in a suit sits in the driver’s seat, staring at them. That must be Shizuku’s manager.
The fact that it’s a woman is unexpected, but her stern expression matches Touya’s assumptions.
“Well, this is it. —See ya, Sezaki-kun.”
Fully in idol mode, Shizuku waves with a bright smile, and Touya waves back.
It seems Shizuku doesn’t show her true self to her manager either. That worries Touya a little.
Also, I’m getting glared at the whole time. How much has Shizuku told her about me?
If she hasn’t yet, she probably will soon.
Once Shizuku gets in the car, the manager’s gaze shifts, and the car drives off.
When it’s out of sight, Touya lets out a big sigh.
Today was eventful. He and Shizuku opened up more than ever, and they even started calling each other by their first names.
Though, the first-name thing is just when they’re alone.
Touya resolves to be careful not to slip up as he heads home with a light step.
◇
The last day of the long holiday.
As planned, a class reunion is held in the evening.
First, a buffet-style standing party takes place at a rented French-style café-restaurant. The second part is karaoke, but Touya plans to skip it.
Today, Touya’s usual jacket style has a twist.
He’s wearing a quirky smiling-face printed T-shirt he bought recently.
His classmates are thrilled to see Himeno Shizuku after so long.
Shizuku’s activities during the holiday were posted on her official SNS, including live show announcement videos, so there’s no shortage of news. Everyone’s talking about her.
But then,
“Wait, isn’t the T-shirt Shizuku-chan’s wearing the same as Sezaki-kun’s?”
A comment from one of the girls freezes the room.
A brief silence falls, and all eyes dart between Shizuku and Touya’s outfits.
Shizuku’s wearing a pastel cardigan with the T-shirt in question, paired with a flare skirt—a girly, approachable look that’s both cute and relatable.
But the quirky T-shirt, subtly woven into her outfit, now stands out boldly. Touya’s is gray, Shizuku’s is white, so the colors differ, but it’s still easy to see them as a matching pair.
It’s not exactly a trendy item—it was a rare find at that thrift store. The odds of them wearing the same one are slim, and figuring out how to explain it is tricky.
While Touya hesitates, Shizuku approaches with a smile.
“Wow, really! Sezaki-kun, we’re matching! Did you get yours at that shop too?”
“Uh, yeah, it was cheap.”
“I heard it’s an original from that store. Cute, right?”
“Y-Yeah.”
Shizuku’s natural response convinces everyone it’s just a coincidence.
As expected, Idol Himeno Shizuku’s quick-witted communication skills are not to be underestimated. She’s completely different from her real self in this regard.
“But, like, that T-shirt isn’t really your style, Touya.”
While the crowd surrounds Shizuku again, Shuuichi approaches Touya, who’s quietly resuming his meal, with a plate piled high with meat dishes.
He’s not wrong—normally, Touya doesn’t go for bold, fashion-forward pieces like this.
But having it pointed out now stings. The only saving grace is that Shuuichi isn’t shouting.
“Sometimes I can’t tell if you’re sharp or just clueless, Shuuichi.”
“I’m always sharp, man.”
“Sure, sure. Just keep your voice down.”
“Bet you saw Himeno-san wearing it on SNS or something and copied her, right?”
“Why would you think that?”
“Himeno Shizuku’s like a fashion icon for our generation’s girls. You probably thought, ‘If I copy her, I can’t go wrong.’ You’re the type to buy a whole mannequin’s outfit as-is, aren’t you, Touya?”
It’s frustrating that Touya can’t fully deny it, but thankfully, Shuuichi’s guess is off the mark.
“Fine, let’s go with that.”
“That’s kinda cute of you. And now you’re getting all this attention at the reunion—nailed it.”
“Your imagination is something else.”
“Shut up. It’s practically my lifeblood.”
“Haha.”
“Tch, you’re way too chill, and it’s pissing me off. —But it’s good to see you back to normal. You were totally out of it before, and Kanai was worried about you too.”
“Yeah, that happened…”
During the holiday school day, Touya invited Natsuki to the arcade on the way home but treated her poorly, and he’s only now realizing it was a jerk move.
Seeing Touya quietly clutch his head, Shuuichi says with exasperation,
“Make sure you follow up with her. You should focus on real girls instead of getting distracted by idols.”
“Himeno’s a real girl too, you know.”
“Huh?”
Touya might’ve said something unnecessary out of stubbornness.
He quickly tries to cover it up.
“I mean, you use fancy words sometimes, Shuuichi. Bet you don’t even know what half of them mean.”
“As expected of Touya, you know me well.”
“I’m not complimenting you.”
Touya feels awkward, watching his friend’s inexplicably proud expression.
He covered it up because he didn’t want Shuuichi to suspect his relationship with Shizuku.
Glancing away, Touya catches Shizuku’s profile as she chats in the distance.
Why did Himeno wear that T-shirt to a public event like this…?
It’s a risky choice. Even if it didn’t match Touya’s, it’s different from the kind of casual outfits she wears in the media.
Touya wore it too, despite the risk.
Deep down, he might’ve wanted to subtly flaunt that his connection with Shizuku is deeper than others—a shallow thought.
In full idol mode, Shizuku brightens the room with her radiant smile.
Watching her from afar, Touya feels an indescribable unease.
The first part of the reunion ends after about two hours.
The group disperses outside the venue, with some heading to the karaoke for the second part.
Touya, not particularly fond of karaoke, plans to slip away with Shuuichi,
“Hey, are you two heading home already?”
But then, Shizuku calls out brightly.
Her surprised expression is charming, natural, and undeniably cute to anyone watching.
If this is calculated, Idol Himeno Shizuku is a force to be reckoned with.
Seeing Shuuichi freeze awkwardly, Touya steps forward to respond.
“Yeah, we don’t have any super close friends here.”
“Isn’t a class reunion for getting closer to people you don’t usually talk to?”
“Uh…”
She’s tough. Idol-mode Shizuku is not easy to deal with.
Touya doesn’t know what she’s really thinking, but it’s clear she wants them to stay.
As an idol, Himeno Shizuku seems laid-back but is precise. She speaks facts with such emotion that it feels like she’s expressing genuine feelings.
It’s hard to argue against her, and agreeing feels like the only right choice.
As Touya hesitates, Shizuku presses on.
“Plus, I’d be a bit lonely if the T-shirt alliance left.”
Somehow, Touya’s been roped into a weird alliance.
Bringing emotions into it leaves him with no escape.
Still, Touya resists out of stubbornness, but Shuuichi, finally unfrozen, steps forward.
“Yes! I’m staying!”
“Yay! More people make it more fun!”
“Exactly! —You’re coming too, right, Touya?”
What a guy. The moment a pretty girl invites him, he’s all in.
Not wanting to be a buzzkill, Touya reluctantly nods.
About twenty people head to the karaoke venue, which happens to be where Touya works part-time.
Renting two party rooms starts off fine, but the energy gets wilder than expected.
Shizuku, treated as a VIP, is apparently just listening, not singing.
But her presence alone sends the class into a frenzy—everyone’s singing and dancing at max energy.
Even Shuuichi’s no exception. He picks Princia’s song—“Your Only Princess”—and insists on dueting with Touya.
“What? No way, I’m not doing that.”
“Come on, let’s sing! I’ll lead!”
“I wanna hear it!”
Even VIP Shizuku chimes in eagerly, cutting off Touya’s escape.
Resigned, Touya drags himself up and grabs a mic with Shuuichi.
And so, their brief duet (two guys) begins—
—Clap, clap, clap!
“That was amazing!”
After the song, Shizuku cheers and claps loudly.
Her genuinely happy smile makes Touya feel a bit shy.
Over the past few days, Touya watched all of Princia’s music videos and learned the songs to some extent. The full versions being available online during the holiday helped.
The duet with Shuuichi wasn’t exactly great, but it definitely boosted the room’s energy.
The classmates keep singing enthusiastically, and time flies by.
The reunion ends just past nine, and they disband at the station.
As Touya prepares to head home, his phone buzzes.
It’s a message from Shizuku, who he just parted with: “Can you come to the front of the venue?”
Thinking it’d be risky for Shizuku to stand alone in casual clothes, Touya hurries over.
When he arrives, Shizuku’s waiting, already in her fake glasses and mask.
She waves as Touya approaches.
“Yo. Long time no see.”
“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”
“Nah. I need you to come with me for a bit. You got time?”
Her low, calm tone suggests she’s back to her real self, a stark contrast to the after-party.
“I’m free, but are we singing now?”
“Not karaoke—oh, perfect timing.”
Shizuku raises her hand, flagging down a taxi.
“Get in. I’ll pay.”
“I’m fine splitting it, but where are we going?”
“Secret. You’ll see when we get there.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Touya sighs but gets in the taxi with Shizuku.
Shizuku tells the driver a building name, and the taxi takes off.
“Phew.”
Shizuku lets out a sigh, as if finally relaxing.
“The reunion was kinda exhausting.”
When Touya says this, Shizuku nods slightly.
“I really don’t like those kinds of gatherings, you know.”
“Is that why you invited me to the after-party?”
“That’s part of it, but it’s the last day of the holiday, right? I figured it’d be better to spend it together the whole time.”
“Makes sense.”
It’s clear the taxi is heading toward the city center.
Touya still has no clue about their destination, wondering what Shizuku’s goal is.
“By the way, I didn’t expect us to match with the T-shirts. That was a shock.”
“I was surprised too. Your quick thinking saved us.”
“You were totally frozen, Touya, so I had to do something.”
“My bad. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
As the view outside the window shifts to clusters of high-rise buildings, Shizuku’s expression grows serious.
“My manager—her name’s Kashiwai-san—she asked me about you, Touya.”
“Oh.”
“I told her, ‘Is it wrong to have a guy friend?’”
“That must’ve put her in a tough spot.”
“Hehe, yeah, she was stumped.”
“Laughing about it? You’re kinda evil.”
“She didn’t exactly approve, but I used my ultimate smile to call it a draw.”
“A draw, huh?”
“Hey, I tried my best. I deserve some praise right now.”
“Good job, good job.”
“So half-hearted! —Anyway, back to the after-party. I was shocked you could sing Princia’s songs so well.”
Shizuku playfully nudges him, but her expression seems genuinely delighted, as if it was a big surprise to her.
“I’ve been binge-watching the full music videos lately. Plus, the songs play in the lobby at my part-time job, so when I tried to memorize them, it just kinda worked.”
“Wait, can you sing all of them?”
“About sixty percent.”
“That’s impressive. You’re practically a fan.”
“I’m not a fan.”
“So stubborn.”
Despite her words, Shizuku beams with joy.
Feeling both pleased and embarrassed, Touya turns his gaze to the window.
Perhaps because it’s the last day of the long holiday, the taxi navigates crowded streets for about thirty minutes.
Finally arriving at their destination, they step out of the taxi.
“This place…”
Touya looks up at the massive office building towering before him.
Overwhelmed by its scale, he scans the surroundings in awe.
The directory lists numerous company names, including Suzukaze Production, the entertainment agency Shizuku is signed with.
So, this is the headquarters of Shizuku’s agency.
Recalling the earlier unsettling talk about her manager, Touya instinctively braces himself.
“Come on, follow me.”
“Right…”
Led by Shizuku, they enter through the main entrance.
The spacious entrance hall greets them, and following Shizuku’s instructions, Touya signs in at the reception, receiving a guest card.
Wearing it around his neck, he heads with Shizuku to the elevator hall.
Inside the elevator, Shizuku presses the button for the top floor—not the eighth floor where Suzukaze Production is located.
Touya still doesn’t know Shizuku’s intentions. Despite being alone in the elevator, Shizuku leans against the wall with her eyes closed, as if avoiding questions altogether.
—Ding. The elevator reaches the top floor. The elevator hall is small, with only a couple of vending machines at the far end.
Shizuku removes her mask and glasses, buys two cans of hot milk tea from the vending machine, and hands one to Touya.
“I’m not really into being treated, you know.”
“Then treat me to something next time.”
“Fair enough.”
Touya doesn’t want to argue at this point, so he accepts the can.
Shizuku pushes open a door leading outside without hesitation. Following her, Touya steps into an outdoor plaza with a sprawling wooden deck.
“Whoa, this is amazing.”
Touya can’t help but let out a gasp of admiration.
Likely a break area, the space is empty except for him and Shizuku.
The ground is well-lit with plenty of lights, ensuring no risk of tripping even with the moon hidden.
“Over here, Touya, come on.”
Called by Shizuku, who’s already standing further in, Touya jogs to her side and—
“Whoa…”
He’s stunned by the view before him.
The city’s nightscape stretches out in full glory.
The lights from office buildings and the distant bustling streets paint the night vividly, captivating Touya’s eyes.
“This is, like…”
“Pretty, right?”
Standing beside him, Shizuku smirks as if this view is her personal treasure.
The city lights reflect in her eyes, sparkling like jewels.
Speechless, Touya can only nod silently.
“I wanted to show you this view.”
Shizuku says with a clear, bright smile, spreading her arms wide. Drawn by her sense of freedom, Touya spreads his arms too.
A night breeze sweeps over them, bringing a chill unexpected for May.
Oh, that’s why she got hot cans, Touya realizes.
He presses the warm milk tea can against Shizuku’s cheek.
“So warm! —Here’s yours back.”
Shizuku presses her own can against Touya’s cheek.
The warmth spreads, accompanied by a ticklish feeling in his chest.
To mask it, Touya speaks up.
“But why show me this view?”
“Because I wanted to thank you for everything, Touya. Right now, this view is the only thing I could think of giving you.”
The surprise catches Touya off guard.
At the same time, he realizes Himeno Shizuku has a romantic side.
Is this what they call a gap? Used to her usual blunt words, seeing this girlish side of Shizuku makes his heart race.
“This place is special to you, isn’t it, Shizuku?”
“Yup, my favorite spot. Not many people use it, though. I come here when I’m feeling down or frustrated. Or when something great happens. It’s kinda like that park is for you.”
“I get it. This view could definitely blow away a worry or two. And it probably makes happy moments feel even bigger.”
“Hehe, isn’t ‘bigger’ a bit much?”
“Yeah, I got carried away.”
Shizuku lightly squeezes Touya’s hand, turning to face him.
“I’m really glad I met you, Touya. That’s my honest feeling.”
“What’s with the sudden seriousness? It’s embarrassing.”
“Yeah, it’s embarrassing. Not really my style.”
“I didn’t say that much.”
When Touya teases, Shizuku gives a meaningful smile.
“But I think you have to say these things out loud for them to matter.”
“……”
The city lights illuminate Shizuku like a halo, holding Touya’s gaze.
Her shy smile is more beautiful than any view he’s ever seen, stirring his heart.
His heartbeat is so loud it’s almost deafening.
Touya feels like he knows what Shizuku will say next.
Yet, he holds a faint hope it might be something else—
“—Touya, here’s to a long, long friendship.”
And so, Shizuku says exactly what he expected.
If anything, the “long, long” part was a surprise.
The fleeting, worldly thoughts that crossed Touya’s mind vanish instantly.
“Is that as an idol or as a friend?”
“Do you even need to ask?”
Shizuku flashes a challenging grin.
That smile suits her perfectly.
“No, I genuinely don’t know…”
“Forget that—what’s your answer?”
Shizuku’s earlier boldness gives way to a mix of hope and anxiety as she asks.
Touya shrugs with a sigh but responds.
“Yeah, here’s to us, Shizuku.”
At his reply, Shizuku lets out a relieved sigh.
Just then, a gust of wind makes Shizuku sway.
The railing ensures there’s no risk of falling.
Still, Touya instinctively reaches out.
Thud.
Catching her slender frame in his arms, Shizuku freezes.
The floral scent and warmth radiating from her body make Touya’s heart and body flush.
“You okay?”
“Y-Yeah…”
Seeing Shizuku’s ears turn red, Touya snaps back to reality and lets go.
“You didn’t have to let go, you know.”
“N-No way, I had to. If someone saw us, it’d be trouble.”
“Who are you even explaining to? You held on pretty long on the street. Plus, it’s cold, so a little closeness is normal, right?”
“That’s a stretch!”
“Coward.”
It’s a harsh jab, but Shizuku’s own face is bright red, so Touya doesn’t have the energy to argue back.
Instead, he opens the milk tea can and takes a sip.
“So sweet.”
“Lemme try.”
Shizuku opens her own can and takes a sip.
“You’re right. Was it always this sweet?”
“Not bad, though, right?”
“Yeah.”
They both put on a bit of a cool act.
Under the night sky with the cityscape sprawling before them, Touya and Shizuku laugh together.
