The drive with Sumire only lasted thirty minutes. It seems like Yuhi is as sharp as ever; he spotted the reporters following them when they almost reached their destination. There is an observatory with a good view nearby, and he wanted to show her knowing that she liked sights like that.
He recalls how they ended up watching the aurora together last year, even though it was by accident. It was an accident, but he recalled his emotions at the time.
It was the first time for him to feel such powerful emotions towards another human and a girl on top of that. He remembered thinking, how nice would it be if he had a moment with her like this again.
The man named Hino wrapped a cloak around Sumire's head. "Good work. I will take it from here."
"Are you heading to your company?" Tetsuo asked.
"Yes, it's nearby. If the reporters see me, they will simply think you were taking Sumire to the company but met me halfway, so I took over. It's a simple story, but they should buy it." Hino trailed off when Sumire coughed. "Hey, do you have a fever?"
"Just a little."
"And you went out?" Hino pinched the girl's cheeks. "Are the words of your manager only a joke to you?"
"Ah, hey, it's not my fault! It actually did go down, and I felt fine today. But San told me that I will be getting random high fevers."
"Well, if Sano said so, but still, you better watch your condition. I can't have you run out of fuel before your performance with Yuhi."
"You're bullying me. I will tell my dearest."
Tetsuo watched the scene with great interest. He had heard the rumors, but it seems like Nasaki Hino likes Sumire. They seem to get along very well, too; it is rare for Sumire to show this carefree side of herself to anybody else.
Sumire turned to him. "Tetsuo-san, it's unfortunate that we couldn't go today. But please take me another time."
Tetsuo blinked in surprise.
'I thought she didn't want to go; she seemed uncomfortable during the journey.'
"Very well. I shall arrange a date."
He caught a glimpse of the reporter's car in the rearview mirror and said his final goodbyes before driving away. Sumire should be fine.
'I don't know much about that guy, but he seems to be the reliable type-' He spotted a violet-colored notebook from the corner of his eye. Isn't that her composition book? Should he turn the car back now and give it to her.
No, wait, why did she bring it with her- he paused in mid-thought, recalling something.
'Mimi wrote songs for all of us!'
Kou's words flashed in his mind, and Tetsuo put the car on auto drive as he flicked through the pages. Sure enough, it did not take long before he reached a page that read 'For Tetsuo-san.'
Even just briefly glancing at it, Tetsuo could tell how amazing the song was. That girl hasn't changed her ability to create amazing songs. She can write such beautiful music easily.
Since arriving in Tokyo, they have focused on other jobs and only silently watched over her.
'I can look at it properly another time.'
He wonders, since when did he only start to sing that girl's songs? Is it when she officially became their composer? Or was it before then? It seems like it has messed up his rhythm ever since he met that girl.
But he does recall when he first met her, it was on a rainy day. He was coming back from a job. Unfortunately, the car broke down, so he got told to wait somewhere. Realizing they were on a familiar street, he headed to his usual bookstore. There he met her.
Seeing his phone flash, he sighed deeply. This is not the best time to walk down memory lane; he has work to do.
.....
At an elite coffee shop.
Unlike the rest of the members in his group, he is an average person. He cannot assist with helping either Yuhi or Sumire with the fight against the Black Alice organization. Both Kou and Ran are members of the underworld, and Jun is a skilled hacker. But he has nothing that he can offer.
Normally it would not bother him, but those four have recently become busier. He has to cover for them when they are doing group jobs.
Even for him, covering jobs for four people is a nightmare. He doesn't even want to start with Kou and Yuhi; why do those two have so much work? Do they not sleep?
It makes sense for Yuhi to have a lot of work as a number one idol, but what's with the other one?
Tetsuo is truly glad that he recieves work based on his personality. He lifted the cup of tea to his lips.
"This Fragrant tea and exquisite sweets. Perfectly through service. This place promises to deliver a wonderful afternoon. I hope some beautiful ladies will someday join us in this tea room full of tradition and elegance. Arashi, the sugar."
Jobs like this make him glad that he is an idol. Initially, he had no interest in the entertainment industry; he was born as an elite member of society. Why would he have to join the entertainment industry that is filled with dirty rumors?
Those who belong to the elite industry see the entertainment industry as vulgar. He had a conversation with Sumire-san once about it, and it seemed like her parents were the same.
'I, too, had the same thought.' But, that changed after he met Kou. It was because of Kou that he ended up becoming an idol. At first, he simply wanted to repay him for all his help, but after, he became an idol. He realized that it was quite enjoyable.
'I would not mind doing this type of work for a bit longer.' Before he knew it, that year turned into several. He accepted the president's offer to become a group with Kou and two other members.
His other team members, Iwa Ran and Kira Jun, differed completely from Kou. He was half expecting two more hyperactive members, but he found the opposite.
"Yes, sir." Arashi hands him the sugar, and he carefully places a few cubes inside before stirring it.
"It's perfect," Tetsuo commented as he took a sip.
"What's going on?"
"I can't believe we can't enter while you're filming."
The waitress bows. "I'm terribly sorry. We'll let you know once we're finished."
One of the 'downsides' to being an idol is this. Using public areas for shooting requires the public not being able to enter. It's only natural since there are laws that require individuals' faces not to be caught on camera if they don't belong in the entertainment industry.
But closing down the shop completely would be bad for business. Although if this shoot goes well, then it would become a good marketing strategy for the shop.
'It seems like the waitresses are having a hard time explaining; that leaves me no choice.'
Tetsuo stands up.
"No way, we want to go inside now."
"Ladies, I'm terribly sorry," Tetsuo interjected.
Recognition automatically filled the girl's eyes, and he noticed the tint of red on the other one's cheeks. "Are you possibly Tetsu-sama from M5?"
'A fan, this is perfect.' Tetsuo smiled, and the girls squealed, and he bowed.
"Please accept my sincerest apologies for offending you. "
"Actually, we-"
"I'll have some tea prepared for you. Would you like to watch us film? " At that comment, the girl's eyes brightened up. "I'm delighted to have such beautiful ladies watch us. We'll work quickly so you can be seated soon."
"Okay."𝒇r𝘦e𝘸𝒆𝚋𝐧o𝘷𝘦𝘭. 𝒄oｍ