Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093075629868223/episodes/16818792438460121129
“Hey, I have a feeling my face—either unblurred or pixelated—might show up in online news tomorrow.”
“Well, what a coincidence. I’m predicting it’ll be the day after tomorrow.”
The live event ended safely? Back to being a corporate slave once more.
I didn’t prepare, but I did attend the live event. So, my free time was almost entirely devoured by compensatory work, leaving me just the last hour before closing.
Alas. This must be how a corporate slave feels after taking paid leave.
And now.
Returning to my class still in my butler uniform, Kirishima was sitting there as a guest for some reason.
“I… couldn’t see clearly from far away, but… hey, you were doing it, right?”
“Hehe, you’re sharp, Kurusu-san.”
“Guh… It’s sad I can’t say anything since I did it too…!”
Incidentally, the band members were also firmly seated in front of the house.
Yuzuki was on this side, yet she paid to come sit over there. Envious.
“…Hey, over there.”
“Those are the band members from earlier, right? The three most beautiful girls all together.”
“Tch, I envy Irie…”
“Did you hear what happened earlier? Apparently, Kirishima-san kissed him.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, wait. He’s got a reservation right now. If you’re going to make a move, it’ll only be possible the moment the young ladies leave.”
What is this? I feel like the downside of having a high facial attractiveness score is kicking in.
“…I have a lot I want to say, but are you sure you’re okay?”
“What about?”
“Well, like I said, I think we’re about to get some pretty couple shots and a topic that’ll probably attract a swarm of barbaric ants… maybe…”
Surely, that earlier… thing, the kiss part, will end up on social media.
We kissed in front of that many people. Even if we tried to keep it quiet, word would spread.
Since Kirishima’s a celebrity, the editorial staff or publisher folks will definitely bring up the story they picked up on SNS.
“Don’t worry about it.”
But as if to say my worries were unfounded,
Kirishima sipped the tea she’d brought earlier elegantly and said,
“Like I said before, my agency doesn’t forbid romance. Even if there are reports or rumors about us being in love, as long as we don’t address it, it’s not a problem. In fact, I just confirmed with Ando san, and she said there won’t be any impact.”
“Oh… really…”
Well, that’s a relief.
That was my only real worry—
“By the way, she asked, ‘Does he really not fall for you, Kurusu-chan, even after all that? is he really that lucky?’”
―――That worry is incredibly infuriating.
“Well, but Ando san does have a point, I suppose.”
As I thought that, suddenly.
Kirishima leaned her body close to mine, standing before the table, and asked,
“It was my first kiss. Didn’t you feel anything?”
“!?”
Her exquisite features looked up at me from point-blank range.
For some reason, because of what happened earlier, my gaze couldn’t leave her moist, cherry-blossom-pink lips.
Because of that, heat naturally rose to my face.
“H-hold on a second!”
But immediately.
Yuzuki frantically stepped between us, pulling us apart with both hands.
“I’ll let the kiss slide, but anything more than that is blocked on the grounds of public decency…!”
“So, that means if it’s not in public, it’s okay?”
“…I’m doing it too, so I can’t really say anything.”
“Heh heh, that’s all I needed to hear.”
Kirishima smiled and sat back down in her chair as if nothing had happened.
Yuzuki, for her part, looked somewhat frustrated. Though she’d succeeded in pulling us apart, she seemed far from satisfied.
I—
(Damn… my face is burning.)
I had to somehow feign calm.
If I showed agitation in front of the whole class like this, I risked being teased later. Especially by Ikuto.
“…Everyone, thank you.”
Just as I was trying to stay calm, Kirishima spoke formally.
“You joined the band for me, right? Making time to practice despite your busy schedule… I caused you all so much trouble.”
Everyone looked slightly surprised at Kirishima’s words.
But only for a moment.
Yuzuki immediately hugged Kirishima, who was sitting next to her.
“It’s true! But I’m so glad Ku-chan is feeling better now!”
“…Yuzuki.”
Yuzuki had been the most worried this time.
She hadn’t done anything because Shiori-san had stopped her, but she’d kept contacting me and asking about things even while I was at my part-time job.
Probably because she didn’t know the situation or what kind of troubles I was facing, it made her worry even more.
“Thank you too, Sakurazaka-san.”
“N-no, not at all! I owe Kirishima-senpai a favor myself!”
Sakurazaka shook her head shyly.
It really was such a sudden request. She’d only spoken with Kirishima once or twice, yet she’d still agreed.
…She’s such a kind girl, I thought to myself once more.
“Shiori san…”
“Hehe, this was better, right?”
“…Honestly, I can’t compete with you, Shiori san.”
Had something happened between them?
Their somewhat suggestive demeanor made me tilt my head in confusion.
“Come to think of it, timing-wise, you started the band about a week ago, right?”
“Yeah, that’s about right.”
“It’s amazing you guys managed to get your act together that quickly.”
Well, it was sudden.
We literally had to practice late every night after school in the soundproof room at Shiori-san’s house.
Even so, I can proudly say now that things somehow worked out. Everyone’s amazing.
“…The most amazing one is Irie-san, right?”
“Huh?”
“I’d been practicing a bit beforehand, and Ku-chan had played piano before, so she could manage to some extent… but Tsukkun was supposed to be playing drums for the first time.”
“Whoa…”
What was that? A look like Kirishima was pulling away.
I thought this was the moment I was going to get praised.
“Well, it’s no surprise Irie is ridiculously high-spec, is it?”
Then—
“Irie.”
“Hm?”
Kirishima approached with a beaming smile.
“Thanks.”
―――If I’d gotten even one thing wrong, it might have been meddling.
Annoying, misguided, unnecessary interference.
If my way of reading the situation or how I offered reassurance had been off even slightly, I wouldn’t have seen this smile.
But still, the smile I wanted to see was there.
I don’t know if I’d do the same thing again if something like this happened next time.
(…I’m glad.)
Seeing this smile made me happier than anything else.
I found myself naturally resolving to protect this smile from now on.
Drawn in by Kirishima’s smile, I couldn’t help but smile myself.
“By the way, how long are you guys staying?”
“Oh? Didn’t you say you’d be joining us?”
“I want to go around with Ku-chan and the others, so wait for us!”
“W-well, I… was invited by Minase-senpai and the others too…”
“But it wouldn’t be right to just hang around without contributing much… How about we build a champagne tower?”
“Host club?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of cash. Let’s stack ’em high!”
“So it is a host club.”
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