Ryuko's roommates Tsumugi, Ayae, and Satsuki were the first to notice her growing restlessness.
It didn't take long for everyone else to pick up on it either.
Some of her classmates and friends weren't sure whether the rumors were true that her "boyfriend," the now-famous manga artist Mizushiro, might actually show up. But her three roommates? They knew the truth, and they didn't keep it to themselves for long.
Soon, nearly everyone at the party was glancing toward the door just like Ryuko.
Everyone looked up in unison, expecting him.
"Why's everyone staring at me like that? Keep doing whatever you were doing!" said the newcomer, looking bewildered.
It was Misaki, Ryuko's cousin.
Ryuko blinked, then quickly smiled and composed herself.
"Misaki, hey! You're finally here we were waiting on you."
"Sorry, I brought a couple of classmates last-minute," Misaki said, stepping in and motioning behind her. "They're fans of your work and begged me to tag along. Hope that's okay?"
Two girls followed behind her: Miyu and Yuzuki.
"No problem," Ryuko said warmly. "The more the merrier."
The new arrivals took seats near the center of the room. They were polite, but clearly intrigued sneaking curious glances at Ryuko. Her reputation as a rising voice actress made her feel like a celebrity, even among peers.
Misaki had invited them partly as a friendly gesture, but also to give them a chance to connect with someone successful in the industry. It was the kind of opportunity that could make things easier post-graduation.
It didn't take long for Miyu and Yuzuki to notice something odd.
Ryuko kept glancing at the door.
"Is someone still not here?" Miyu asked, turning to Satsuki, one of Ryuko's roommates.
"You could say that," Satsuki said with a smirk. "She's waiting for her boyfriend. Keeps claiming nothing's going on between them, but look at her."
"Boyfriend?" Yuzuki raised an eyebrow.
Rumors about Ryuko and the manga artist Mizushiro had been floating around for a while, especially after the voice cast for his anime was announced. It was all over fan forums.
"Wait, you mean the Mizushiro?" Yuzuki asked, stunned.
"Yep," Satsuki replied. "He might actually show up tonight. It's almost eight. If he's late, he's losing points."
Miyu and Yuzuki exchanged wide-eyed glances. They had expected to meet Ryuko. But Mizushiro?
This was way beyond what they'd hoped for.
"I wonder what he looks like…" Miyu said.
"There are plenty of photos of Haruki online," Tsumugi chimed in. "He's not a model, but definitely decent-looking."
"Handsome enough for Ryuko, anyway."
"Wait—'Haruki'?" Yuzuki repeated, confused.
"Oh, yeah. That's his real name," Ayae explained. "Ryuko calls him that, so we just go with it too."
Yuzuki frowned. "That's funny… there's a guy in our animation production class named Haruki. He barely showed up during our first year, and now he just skips to go to net cafes. The professors always use him as a warning like, 'You'll end up like him if you don't work hard.'"
"Wait you're all from the same class as Misaki?" Tsumugi asked.
"Yep," Yuzuki said. "Misaki, Miyu, and I are all roommates."
Just then, Misaki, catching her name, leaned over.
"What are you all talking about?"
"They were just saying that Mizushiro's real name is Haruki. And it turns out, one of our classmates has the exact same name," Yuzuki said with a grin.
"Wait… Haruki is coming?" Misaki froze.
She glanced sharply at Ryuko, who hadn't heard through the noisy karaoke system.
Panic flashed across Misaki's face.
When rumors about Ryuko and Haruki had first popped up, she had directly asked Ryuko whether they were true. Ryuko had denied it, and Misaki had believed her. She assumed they'd lost contact after Voices of a Distant Star wrapped in January.
So she'd invited classmates today, thinking nothing of it.
If the Haruki really showed up now…
He's blowing his cover.
Misaki had promised him she'd keep his identity secret from others at school. And now, she'd accidentally brought two classmates face-to-face with the very person she was supposed to hide.
She started running through excuses in her head anything to get Yuzuki and Miyu out of there before they realized—
At 7:59 on the dot, Haruki stepped into the room, holding a carefully wrapped package.
He immediately spotted Ryuko. She was seated on the center couch, looking like she'd stepped straight out of an anime subtle makeup, black dress, hair styled with small braids framing her face, two strands tucked neatly by her cheeks. She'd even matched her style to his preferences long hair, monochrome palette, quiet elegance.
Haruki froze for just a moment.
It was rare for him to be caught off guard by a person's appearance, but tonight, Ryuko had managed it.
Ryuko's eyes lit up as soon as she saw him. She stood up instantly and walked over.
"Haruki, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you."
She grabbed his sleeve and pulled him to the couch beside her.
Someone wisely turned off the karaoke music to quiet the room.
Haruki glanced around. Sixteen people. Fifteen women.
This is going to be awkward.
"Wait… Haruki? Why are you here?"
A familiar face. But he couldn't place her name.
"Um… sorry, do I know you?"
"It's me—Yuzuki. Seriously? We've been in the same class for nearly two years. Don't tell me you don't even know my name?"
Yuzuki stared at him, dumbfounded.
He just looked… blank.
Haruki had barely shown up for lectures, rarely spoke, and now now he didn't even remember her name?
The impression he left was crashing fast.
Haruki glanced at Misaki, sitting beside Yuzuki.
Great. Should've seen this coming.
If Misaki was back, it was likely her classmates might tag along.
He looked over at the second girl Miyu.
Coach Takahara at the driving school he guy who'd yelled at him daily was her dad. Hard to forget.
So much for keeping a low profile.
"Haruki," Yuzuki started again, "you never answered my question. Why are you—"
Then she stopped herself, eyes narrowing.
She remembered what they'd said earlier. Mizushiro's real name was Haruki.
Ryuko's boyfriend was Haruki.
This Haruki had just walked in, and Ryuko had stood up to greet him.
Yuzuki turned to Miyu, who looked equally stunned.
"Wait… are you telling me," Miyu whispered, "you're that Haruki? The one everyone online calls Mizushiro?"
The room went dead quiet.
Everyone was staring.
Haruki scratched the back of his neck, silently debating how to answer.
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-atreon.com/Alioth23 for 60+ advanced chapters)