Epilogue
The long holiday had ended.
Perhaps because of the class gathering the day before, the classroom atmosphere felt somehow lively.
On top of that, today, as always, the popular idol Himeno Shizuku was blooming with a radiant smile, which certainly contributed to the vibrant mood.
“Shizuku-chan, I saw the announcement for your new song! I’m totally buying it!”
“I went and gave the announcement video an instant thumbs-up!”
“But seriously, if you were gonna upload a video at night, you could’ve mentioned it during the class gathering! Shizuku-chan, your professionalism is just too much!”
And so on—since morning, Shizuku was surrounded by a crowd, the center of attention.
In fact, last night, a video announcing a new song by the idol group Princia had been uploaded.
Moreover, it seemed to be a different song from the one scheduled for release this month, and with this flurry of new releases, SNS was buzzing with excitement.
“She’s really something, isn’t she? Himeno-san’s popularity.”
“Yeah, for sure.”
To Touya’s absentminded reply, Shuuichi held out his smartphone screen.
“Here, take a look at this.”
“Hm?”
The screen was playing the announcement video for Princia uploaded last night.
“It’s a bright song perfect for the upcoming season, so everyone, please check it out~♪”
Himeno Shizuku, displayed on the screen, announced this with a smile so dazzling it was almost blinding.
“So the new song’s got a summer theme, huh?”
“Exactly! Maybe there’ll even be a swimsuit reveal in the MV, unlike My Summer!”
“A swimsuit, huh…”
It’d be a lie to say he wasn’t curious, but getting too eager here felt off somehow, so Touya let his words trail off vaguely.
“What’s that? Don’t tell me you’re not interested, Touya!”
“I didn’t say that. More importantly, you’ve got a girlfriend—should you really be talking like that? Shouldn’t you be cherishing her in a swimsuit?”
“Shut up! It’s fine! I’m just admiring Himeno Shizuku-sama’s noble visage from an artistic perspective! There’s not a shred of ulterior motive—oww!?”
At that moment, Natsuki, looking irritated, slapped Shuuichi’s shoulder.
“Quit looking at Himeno-san with those sleazy eyes. As if things would go the way you guys are imagining.”
“Ugh, a hardcore fan, huh?”
“Yo, Kanai. Sorry about the other day.”
When Touya casually apologized, Natsuki nodded with a sigh.
“It’s totally fine. You look kinda refreshed or something.”
“Do I?”
“Isn’t that just his usual dumb face?”
“You’re the last person I wanna hear that from, Shuuichi.”
“Seriously.”
“That’s harsh!”
Banter like this with this group made it really sink in that school had started again.
Lunch break.
As Touya was agonizing over what to buy at the vending machine,
“What’re you getting?”
A voice called out from behind, and when he turned, sure enough, Shizuku was standing there.
“Oh, it’s you—Himeno. I’m currently in the middle of a dilemma.”
“Then go with White Water! I’m the ambassador for it, you know.”
Shizuku, in full idol mode, said this in a bright tone and promptly pressed the White Water button.
“I haven’t even answered yet—don’t just press it!”
“Whoops, sorry! I’ll go with milk tea, then.”
“Not White Water for you?”
There was no one else around besides Touya and Shizuku, but her tone remained in idol mode.
For some reason, that felt oddly unsatisfying, and Touya considered asking her to speak more casually, but…
“—Huh? It’s not that sweet.”
Shizuku was drinking the same product they’d had on the rooftop of that building.
Perhaps because of that, she tilted her head curiously.
“Maybe it’s the place or the temperature? They say heat makes things taste sweeter, so maybe the temperature difference is affecting it.”
“Oh, wow. Yeah, it was chilly up there, wasn’t it?”
Shizuku flashed a mischievous smile.
Even as the idol-mode Himeno Shizuku, the fact that they could share a conversation only the two of them understood made Touya’s body start to heat up.
“…Ahem. Shouldn’t you head back soon?”
“Yup, let’s go~!”
Touya had planned to return to the classroom separately, but thanks to Shizuku’s cheerful remark, they ended up going back together.
Walking behind the beautiful girl everyone admired, Touya finally managed to calm his racing heart.
“By the way, are you working today, Sezaki-kun?”
“Yeah, I’m heading straight there after school.”
“Got it. Good luck~♪”
Shizuku sent him a cheer with an adorable smile.
To an onlooker, it might have seemed like a sweet gesture from a cute idol.
But to Touya, it felt more like she was unilaterally saying, “I’m stopping by the shop today, so take care of it~!”
That night, while Touya was working the reception at the karaoke shop, just past 8 p.m., a stylishly dressed beautiful girl walked in, wearing a cap, a short-sleeved hoodie, and fake glasses.
Perhaps because it was a weekday right after the long holiday, Touya was the only one in the lobby.
“Thank you for coming. Please fill out this form.”
“Sure.”
Her slightly low, laid-back voice was pleasant to the ears.
“Would you like a drink?”
“White Water, please.”
“Understood. Your room is number 205. Here you go.”
As he handed her the room plate, Shizuku glanced at him briefly.
“Are you also hoping for a swimsuit reveal in the new song’s MV, Touya?”
Caught off guard by her direct question, Touya answered despite his surprise.
“Either way’s fine. It’d be a lie to say I’m not curious, and honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing it.”
“Hmm. Well, for an idol, a reveal’s pretty much expected, right?”
“You don’t like it?”
“Not at all. I’ve worked hard to make sure my body’s nothing to be shy about in a swimsuit.”
“Oh, really?”
“What’s with that reaction? Boring.”
“I just said I’d like to see it, didn’t I? If you’re cool with it, Himeno, then I’m—”
“Shizuku.”
“…If you’re cool with it, Shizuku, then I’ll definitely look forward to the swimsuit.”
Touya replied, a bit embarrassed, and Shizuku gave a soft smile.
“Good. Then keep looking forward to it.”
Seemingly satisfied, Shizuku started walking but suddenly stopped and turned back.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“No peeking today, okay, Touya?”
“…”
Shizuku stated this matter-of-factly before striding off toward the private room.
Watching her back as she left, Touya thought to himself,
I really can’t figure out what this whimsical goddess is thinking.
