Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818792436173511628
Seeing that message, Toka let out a deep sigh.
“Haa, this is such a pain…”
Kagurazaka’s message somehow radiated a sense of desperation. The text itself was filled with cute emojis, very much like a typical girl her age… Wait, typical girl her age? It felt a bit like an old man’s style, or maybe not.
“Sounds like you’re going through a lot…”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Kagurazaka Kaede. She’s the successor to the once-called child prodigy “Asahina Toka,” making her Toka’s direct junior. I don’t follow entertainment news as much as Toka did, so I’m not entirely sure, but apparently there’s been quite a stir over her agency transfer. I caught her name briefly on a talk show Mom was watching the other day.
Kagurazaka clearly looked up to Toka… you could tell just by watching her. But Toka, while not exactly disliking Kagurazaka, seemed very uncomfortable around her. There was even an air about her, like she was trying to keep her distance.
“Alright, let’s check out some date spots.”
“Wait, wait! Don’t just skip over!”
“But…”
Toka gave a light, dismissive laugh, but her face betrayed a hint of genuine confusion.
“If things keep going like this, I’ll just end up causing trouble for Yuzu-chan…”
She was supposed to be the buffer between Toka and Yuzuha, but getting messages like this from Kagurazaka must be incredibly stressful for Yuzuha. After all, compared to the other two, Yuzuha was just too ordinary a girl.
“If you don’t want to give out your number, should I reply for you?”
“Haaaaa!? Why are you trying to connect with Kaede-san!? There’s no way I’d let you do that! Don’t mess around!”
“My apologies.”
It was a completely well-intentioned suggestion, but it didn’t come across at all. In fact, it felt like I’d stepped on a landmine.
“Maybe I should make a free email address and send it from there.”
“Your dedication is impressive.”
I still don’t really get Toka’s criteria for adding people to her phone contacts. Right now, it’s just my family and Dad, I guess? Until recently, it seemed like she didn’t even have Dad saved.
“Yuzu-chan, you can give her this address… here.”
She quickly made a free email address online and sent it to Yuzuha. Almost immediately, a message arrived at that address.
kagurazaka July 26 10:57
to Self▽
Subject: It’s Kagurazaka Kaede!
Body:
Hey Onee chan! Long time no see, it’s Kaede
Yuzuha-chan gave me your address!
Nice to meet you!
Actually, I want to apologize for the other day. I caused you a lot of trouble too…
Apologize… Well, Kagurazaka didn’t really do anything wrong. It’s just that someone leaked our conversation at the shopping center in a way that made it sound funny.
“Ryo-kun, let’s go find a date spot!”
“Reply to her, she looks so sad!”
At my words, Toka pouted, “Muuu.” Her attitude toward Kagurazaka was pretty cold.
“But if I reply, she’ll definitely message again. What am I supposed to say?”
“She’s talking about an apology, so you should acknowledge it. She’s still in elementary school!”
“Fine, I guess…”
Toka simply sent back one word: “No need.” If my dream senior treated me like that, I’d probably cry from the shock.
“Hey, Ryo kun, where do you wanna go?”
Ten seconds after Toka said that—ping—the notification sound rang out again.
“So fast.”
Before I could say anything, Toka opened the new message.
kagurazaka July 26 10:59
to Self▽
Subject: Are you busy right now?
Body:
“No need” means you’re busy right now, right?
No worries! Kaede will wait for you~
Just reply when you have time, okay? Take your time
By the way, I’m thinking we should take purikura together next time we meet!
I’ve got a really great apology gift ready for you, so look forward to it!
Mental toughness! As expected of a celebrity on the front lines! Doesn’t get discouraged, doesn’t get down, doesn’t break!
“Sooooo annoying!”
Toka impulsively flung her phone into the air!
“Heyyyyyyyyy!”
I reflexively jumped up and caught it!
“You’ll break it! Take care of your things! I’m writing this in your training log!”
“But it’s just so annoying.”
“Sigh… Fine, how about just an apology and we call it even?”
“…Ryo kun, don’t you think that’s kind of cheap?”
“I’m offering the absolute best compromise I can!”
Okay, so my voice got a little loud—can’t be helped. But Toka’s cheeks puffed up too. She picked up the cushion that had fallen off the bed and plopped it on the floor, striking a sulky pose.
“So if we do end up meeting, Ryo-kun absolutely has to come with me!”
“Wh-why…?”
Toka tapped away at her phone, breathing heavily through her nose.
Subject: Re: Are you busy right now?
Body:
I’m not exactly free.
You say you’re sorry, but honestly, I’m not that bothered, so don’t push yourself too hard.
Next time, if I bring my boyfriend, I guess I could meet you for a little while.
An emoji-free email was sent. The gap between their feelings made her cold feel like it was getting worse again.
kagurazaka July 26 11:07
to Self▽
Subject: Actually…
Body:
Actually, the apology I meant was about the travel voucher~
It’s one I got on a show, but I couldn’t bring myself to use it!
So I really want you to take it, Onee chan!!
You can go with your boyfriend, or I can come along too?
Please! Just give me a little bit of your time, onee chan
I won’t bother you like last time, I promise! I just want to talk properly!
I’ll make sure not to cause you any trouble at all, onee chan!
Also, we absolutely have to take purikura photos later!
I want a two-shot with you, onee chan, to treasure forever~
I’ll be waiting!!
Toka froze upon seeing that message.
“Fine, if you insist that much, I’ll meet you.”
“You called me lowly, right? Can you take that back immediately?”
Toka, you definitely reacted to the word “travel voucher,” didn’t you?
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !