Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818792436242691997
We returned to the room and decided to carry out Toka’s so-called Kagurazaka fire prevention plan (?). That said, I had absolutely no clue what Toka was trying to do. I ended up just watching whatever she attempted.
Toka’s dad said, “I’ve done what I needed to do,” and stormed off somewhere, his face all red. He did say “Happy Birthday” at the end, but it was the last thing on my mind.
The article’s content was roughly as follows:
・Asahina Toka had her work stripped away due to agency decisions, completely against her own will.
・The salary issues surrounding Asahina Toka, who was on her way to becoming a major actress.
・The feud between Asahina Toka and Kagurazaka Kaede.
・Similarities between Asahina Toka and Kagurazaka Kaede. How Kagurazaka Kaede imitates Asahina Toka.
・The reason Kagurazaka Kaede started getting pushed so hard.
And so on and so forth, written with complete disregard for accuracy. I can’t tell what’s true, but the whole thing reeks of malice. This is no different from those failed development articles about Toka I saw back in the day.
“So, when are you finally going to tell me what you plan to do?”
“Honestly, I really, really don’t want to do it. I don’t want to, but I want to be like Ryo-kun too, so I’ll try my best.”
Thud! Toka’s phone landed on the desk in the middle of the room.
“What’s this?”
“I was thinking of using this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was thinking of starting an SNS account.”
“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?”
Toka was about to do something way too unexpected!
Starting SNS right now, at this timing, makes absolutely no sense!
“No, why!? Attention on Toka hasn’t dropped at all right now! If you do that, tons of people will see Toka’s SNS!”
“That’s why I thought it might be worth it.”
“B-but even so…”
“I know something. My reputation isn’t bad right now, is it? People are starting to call it a ‘successful development,’ right?”
“Huh?”
I was speechless. I knew about it vaguely because I browse the internet…
“I used to be called a ‘failed development,’ but now I’m being talked about like a ‘success story.’ …So, if someone like me says ‘I recognize Kaede-san,’ wouldn’t that change the flow a little?”
Toka stared at me with serious eyes. There was no trace of jest in them, and I found myself holding my breath.
“Ever since I reunited with Kaede-san at the shopping mall, I’ve been thinking about it. Wondering if there wasn’t something I could do to support her.”
“Toka…”
“Of course I’m scared. I’ve never spoken my feelings to the world before. But—”
Toka squeezed my hand tightly.
“If you’re by my side, Ryo kun, I feel like I can do this. No, I want to do this.”
Toka, who never had anyone saved in her phone, was saying this.
—The girl who, until just a little while ago, refused to connect with anyone.
The Toka who had no interest in anyone, who had even lost interest in herself… was now saying things like this.
“Alright, let’s do it! I’ll support you all the way!”
“Yeah, thanks!”
I found myself desperately trying to hide the tears welling up in my eyes.
“But what exactly do you plan to do?”
“I was thinking of posting some cute photos with Kaede-san. Well, that’s partly why I was taking pictures this time, actually.”
“That’s ridiculous… I can’t believe that Toka was thinking that far ahead!”
“I feel like you’re mocking me, so I’ll punish you with a kiss later.”
I thought it sounded like a reward, but I decided not to point that out here.
I sat down on the sofa with her and decided to help Toka set up her SNS account.
“Email? Password? Registration’s such a pain…”
“It’s important, so do it properly.”
“Well, I’ll probably forget it anyway. I won’t log in much. And I’ll just use the free email I made for Kaede-san.”
“Who knew that free email would come in handy here…”
“My real name is fine for the name, right? What should I put in the profile?”
“Just something random should be fine. I feel like the posts themselves are what matter.”
“Hmm… Then I’ll go with ‘Love my boyfriend so much. Every day is sweet♡’.”
“If you write something like that, you’ll get flamed again! Even if it’s true, there are things you shouldn’t make public!”
“But I already made it public.”
After I stopped her with all my might, the profile text settled on a safe, single sentence. That was close, really close. There was a slightly serious vibe where she might have gone through with it.
“Toka”
“Hm?”
“Don’t you dare post the wrong photo. If it’s one with me, you’re in big trouble.”
“Got it. I won’t mess up.”
“Don’t you dare mess up.”
“I said I got it. I won’t mess up.”
“Don’t you dare mess up!”
“Alright, then I’ll post this photo of me kissing Ryo-kun!”
“I’m not joking!”
We went through this ridiculous exchange while smoothly setting up the account.
“Alright, account complete!”
Toka held up her phone with satisfaction. The screen showed her shiny new SNS profile page.
“You really made it.”
“Yep. So, time for the first post!”
“Wait! you need to mentally prepare—”
Ignoring my protests, Toka opened her phone’s album. The thumbnails showed photos of her smiling shoulder-to-shoulder with Kaede… or so I thought, until I noticed photos of me sleeping in bed tucked away on the edge.
“Where did you take these?”
“When I was nursing you back to health.”
“That’s voyeurism!”
“No, I just took pictures of my boyfriend.”
I never really pictured Toka using a phone, but apparently she’d been taking pictures of me sleeping without me noticing.
“Wait, seriously, I just realized—you can actually use a phone, Toka?”
“What do you mean?”
“I just didn’t picture you using one much. Seeing you operate it normally is kinda surprising.”
“Oh…?”
Toka suddenly covered her mouth with her phone for some reason. She looked incredibly embarrassed.
“Well, I guess I didn’t before, but I use it pretty often now…?”
“Oh, really? Why, though?”
“B-because I want to know what makes guys happy…”
“Huh?”
“I-I won’t say any more than that!”
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