August 13th - Studio

Dispersing like that after what happened the other day made Kou feel restless. There was something else he wanted to talk to Sumire about. But unfortunately, he has a lot of work to attend to today.

He coincidently had work in the same building as Yuko-san. Every single person is looking at him now, clearly saying, 'wow, Maon Kou knows Sora Yuko'. Yuko-san's only been an idol for three years, a shorter time than him, yet she has this much influence.

No, that does not make a difference. Yuko-san was a member of Trio Stars Team S and was a thirty-ninth-generation member. Despite the long period split from when she was an idol as a kid to one as a young adult. She has a strong aura.

Yuko suddenly halts. "Ah."

"Yuko-san, what is it?"

Kou turned to what she was looking at, only to spot a certain brown hair girl alongside EMMA members.

Mimi, wasn't she supposed to be in Jupiter Buildings? Just as he was debating this, though, they were getting closer. He was about to call them over when Yuko grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him towards the pillar.

His sweatdropped, realizing what was going on. "Why do you need to hide?"

"I just want to confirm something."

Confirm?

He watches her gaze land on the members of EMMA. Ah, so that's what it was. He guesses Yuko-san does pay attention to these things.

Kou was curious about it too. However, his gaze hardened on the blue head man who stood dangerously close to Sumire. That shouldn't be allowed.

At that comment, Kou watched as somebody else grabbed hold of her hand. "You will trip Sumire." He said his voice was dangerous, yet his facial expression remained calm.

The owner of that voice was none other than Terashima. How odd for Terashima to be here too. Kou knew that somebody in the idol association board was pulling strings so the two could get no work together.

Sumire must have noticed since she sighs, yet she chuckled. "How unpleasant, jealousy that is."

"Be quiet."

Even if the two do get along very well, as he thought before, there was still something off. After what she said the other day, he immediately understood. Now Tsueno's gone; there's only one other person that can be on her mind. He had heard from the fiance that 'She cries herself to sleep.' In the end, it'll be that way. Arashiyan, exactly what does he plan to do about this?

.....

Avoiding them could only last so long. That and Yuko-san's staring became way too obvious. Anyhow, once they got to the canteen area, everyone, he does mean everyone turned their way. Saying their full names didn't help conceal them either.

Sumire blinks. "Eh Kou...and Yuko-san?" Sumire loudly exclaimed.

Mimi and her loud voice, quite some time has passed since he heard it.

Well, it's times like this where he's quite relieved since she doesn't seem so guarded.

"Sumire-san, you have to be more cautious around guys! You don't understand their mindset."

On second thoughts, Yuko-san is louder.

Sumire laughed as she looked sideways over at Yuhi. "Aha.. Well, you don't have to worry. This guy is quite safe despite what it looks like."

"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly that."

Yuhi rolled his eyes and bent down to kiss her lips. "Safe, huh?"

Kou watched as she hit and scolded him, but there seemed to be a nice atmosphere around them.

They get along as ever, huh? Kou expected this much. But even then, he wondered about that person. Arashiyan is serious about Mimi. Yet he still hasn't done anything about what happened then. While he is over there and stalling, anybody can steal Mimi away.

His thoughts break when Sumire tugs on his shoulder. "Kou, do you have a bit of time?"

"Yeah...."

In the end, they went out onto the back. Kou glanced around; only some members of the staff crew were sitting down on the grey benches and eating.

He watches her lean on the railing as a strong gust of wind blows before them. "Ah, this is nice. What a nice breeze."

"You and he seem to get along better now."

Indeed unlike before when Terashima was in star town briefly, there seems to be a better atmosphere.

"You know jealousy is a monster in disguise."

"You got me." He trails off. "But I've always displayed jealousy before." That's right, unlike his team members, he was the most vocal about his feelings towards her.

"Is that so?"

Being with her like this made him feel at ease. But at the same time, he knew that there must be a reason why she brought him out here.

"The rankings. Everyone is doing well, huh? I'm glad." She chuckles. "I was quite worried for a while what would happen. But it seems like in their own way everyone's working hard."

That look, so that's what it means. Whenever she has that look on her face, she must be thinking of the guys in Nanairo feather. So she misses them after all. It's a given, even though she decided to come with them. It's not like she has truly chosen them.

Kou reached over and patted her hair. "Kou?"

"Even now, your thoughts are all about them. But we don't intend to lose at all."

That's right because he resolved himself already. He was sure that the others shared the same thoughts as him.

Sumire reached over and placed her hand on his face, causing his eyes to widen. "If I don't choose?" She murmurs. "If I don't choose and remain selfish. I wonder what you will all say."

So that's what she was thinking about. The others seem pretty convinced that the person she chooses to be with then will belong to one of the groups. No one has ever considered the fact that she may not end up choosing someone. Even if she does, things may still remain the same way as before.

"Mimi, you would do something like that?"

She laughs lightly. "Who knows. But for sure, choosing has never been my forte. Ru would scold me about that, saying that. Being selfish is fine, but there are certain times where you need to know when to decide. There are times where you can't be selfish. You have to know when those times are." Sumire repeated.

"Ru's words had always influenced a huge part of my heart even long before I got together with him. I always thought that it was strange, but in the end, I accepted it." Sumire closed her eyes. "You know Kou, if possible, I want to keep on living in a dream world. Where everything is still peaceful, where nobody gets hurt, and I can help everyone achieve their dreams, but that was not my original path."

His eyes widened when he heard those words. As he thought, this girl is still the same.

She opened her eyes and stepped back.

"I promised to you that I wouldn't leave you, right? But saying that may have been a bit contradictory for me. There is something left that I still have to do, that's why I am sorry. I have to take it back."

She is the biggest fool he knows, and yet he cannot voice these thoughts out.