Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093075629868223/episodes/16818792437605852263
“Yees, smile more! As naturally as you can, Aira-chan!”
“Y-yes!”
The spot where Kirishima had been standing just moments ago.
The interrupted shoot grew lively again, and several pedestrians walking along the embankment began to stop.
Though from a distance, the angle allowed for a clear view of Kirishima being filmed from above.
And also, the figure of a cute junior she happened to run into—
(I never thought Sakurazaka would actually agree…)
Kirishima’s proposal was for her to join the shoot as a replacement for the missing member.
Indeed, Sakurazaka’s appearance was as polished as any celebrity’s, and she wouldn’t look out of place standing beside Kirishima.
However, subjectively speaking, Sakurazaka gave the impression of someone who didn’t particularly want to stand in a prominent spot.
“I, I think this is my chance… Being seen by so many people in the same place as Kirishima-senpai… I think it could be the catalyst to fix this personality of mine, even if it’s forced!”
But contrary to that impression.
Sakurazaka seemed more eager than expected to change her personality.
After only a moment’s hesitation, she accepted Kirishima’s proposal.
“This time, let’s try going for a slightly more reserved vibe!”
“A-a reserved vibe…?”
“Not like you are now, but more like you’re scared and clinging… Yeah, like a robber just showed up and you want to be saved!”
“I don’t have brass knuckles…”
“Why are you trying to fight?”
“I do have a stun gun, though…”
“Why do you have that?”
Well, it’s a pretty unsettling conversation unfolding here.
I’m also surprised I’m carrying gear so mismatched for a simple walk.
(Still, if anything happens, Kirishima will back her up, right?)
All I can do is cheer them on and ask later when this shoot’s magazine issue comes out.
Gotta make sure to secure copies for safekeeping, viewing, and spreading the word.
“Oh, you! Can I talk to you for a sec?”
Just as I was thinking that, I spotted a woman coming up the embankment.
She was dressed in a black business suit, her hair pulled back for ease of movement.
I think she was the woman who’d been standing next to Kirishima the whole time…
“Well, Kurisu-chan found a real gem here! Though that personality might be a bit tricky, her visuals are top-notch!”
“Her visuals are great, but Sakurazaka’s a good kid, right?”
“I’m not worried about that. The tricky part is that reserved personality… But maybe I’ll try scouting her later?”
Wow, getting scouted already.
So if someone approaches you, that kind of thing happens?
“So, is something wrong?”
“Ah, I have a bunch of questions! Right, first things first—let me introduce myself.”
The woman pulled a business card case from her pocket and handed one over.
It bore the company name and the name ‘Miku Ando’.
(…I see.)
So that’s how it is.
“First, let’s confirm the terms.”
“No, no, it’s not a scouting offer.”
Yeah, I knew that.
I knew it, but it still stung a little. Seems I’m not the same as Sakurazaka.
“No, I wanted to hear about Kurusu-chan as a manager. You know, you’re her boyfriend, right?”
“’not boyfriend, though…”
“Huh? Really? I assumed you are, since the way Kurusu-chan looks at you is like she’s seeing a prince riding in on a white horse.”
Well, it’s hard to deny a lot of what she’s saying.
“…Well, I’d like to stick to no comment on that topic. What do you want to hear about? I won’t say anything involving personal information or stuff you’d write in a notebook of dark history, okay?”
“It’s surprising you even know about the kind of stuff to write in a black history notebook… But what I want to ask about is school.”
“School?”
“Well, she’s been busy lately, right? Usually, other girls tend to neglect their studies, but she’s pretty diligent about that sort of thing.”
“Ah…”
I started to understand what Ando-san wanted to know.
She was probably asking if she was pushing herself too hard to balance her busy schedule with her studies.
Asking her directly might just get dodged.
It made sense she wanted to ask now, while someone from school was present.
“…I’m not in the same class as Kirishima, so I don’t really know.”
“Hm?”
“But she has supportive friends and seniors who care about her. So, I think she’ll be fine.”
She knows people who’d worry about her if anything happened.
Yuzuki and Shiori-san too—if Kirishima pushed herself too hard and something happened, they’d surely be there for her.
“Well, I can’t exactly say ‘Leave it to me…’ with confidence, but Kirishima is important to me. If anything ever happened to her, I’d do whatever I could—or couldn’t.”
If something happened to Kirishima, someone would be devastated.
I’d be sad too if anything happened to her.
We haven’t known each other that long… not as long as Yuzuki and I have, but I feel like we’ve become that close, and she’s grown that important to me.
Whether I can or can’t, if something happened to Kirishima, I want to do anything to make her smile again.
“…I see. I think I understand your relationship a little better now.”
Ando, sensing something, began to sit down beside me.
“Do you know what Kurusu-chan said to me the first time I spoke to her?”
“No, how could I know something between just the two of you? My pockets aren’t made by a cat-shaped robot.”
“Hehehe… On this point, I win.”
What contest? I tilted my head in confusion, and Ando-san slowly opened her mouth.
‘I’m not really interested in modeling. It’s just… if my face gets out there… maybe that prince from back then will find me. So, if that’s okay as a reason, I’d really appreciate it.’
Hearing those words, my face flushed a little.
I’d caught a glimpse of those words during the study session too.
Hearing it confirmed by a third party—
“Kurusu-chan is truly devoted, isn’t she?”
“……………!”
“Kurusu-chan is a good kid, no favoritism involved. So, please take good care of her.”
I knew that already, even without being told.
But I was too busy trying to cool my flushed face to respond to Ando-san’s words.
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