Stealing Spree

In essence, the meeting with her manager turned out to be smoother than we expected. I expected an adamant Miss Manager considering she could even ping Yue’s phone just to keep track of her location.

Furthermore, just the fact that she didn’t inform her parents – the people that should be more concerned over Yue’s life – it somehow hinted to me that she’s still trying to understand Yue’s choice.

The talk and everything that happened afterward, not counting how she was tamed by my mother, allowed her to understand that it would be more detrimental for Yue if she prohibited her from maintaining her relationship with me.

Besides, there’s that one detail that was more impactful than the rest. Yue is willing to return to Tokyo and my promise to let her go or escort her here.

Well, she revealed that while we were eating.

Perhaps it’s because she found what I prepared delightful which turned her mood from 0 to 100 real quick. Or maybe, it was just her whimsical nature again. It’s hard to determine it by now.

In any case, she’s still looking at me with hostility. But Yue turned that into something to tease her about. Saying things like, ‘You’ll get wrinkles if you keep creasing your forehead’ or ‘I get that my Ruki is handsome, Sister Kaoru. Careful not to fall for him, okay? He’ll never let you go as well.’

Well, the first one turned into a burst of laughter between them but the second was overreaching and it turned into another reminder that I abandoned Yue once.

I doubt she’d fall for me anyway. She’s unperturbed with my ‘boosted’ appearance. Furthermore, I’m an enemy in her eyes. An enemy she had to watch closely for Yue’s sake.

On the same note, I couldn’t find any charming points about her. Not that I’m trying to find one, alright? I just always tend to properly observe someone in front of me.

Even those who were trying to block my way became subjects to observer skills.

After finishing the dinner, I prepared my piece.

With Yue changing seats to snuggle close to me, I once again faced Miss Manager, this time, my seemingly nonchalant, cold, or indifferent expression was replaced with a sharp one. I looked at her intently and aimed to get her full attention.

When I deemed that she was ready to listen, I opened my mouth.

“Miss Manager, I understand that it will be hard for me to meet Yue. Given her busy schedule plus her need to attend school or finish her educational modules, I won’t be demanding to meet her. For this, you have my word.”

That’s first. Yue seconded me since she was not going to trust me, it was Yue who had her trust. If Yue vouched for my words, then she’s going to hold onto it.

“Good. I’m about to tell you that myself.”

“Next, I also understand the extreme risk of ruining her career through a scandal. However, I wanted to maintain contact with her at least. Through her the internet, phone calls or messages. Anything that could make me see her. I believe Yue will love to clear this up. We’re going to have a long-distance relationship starting tomorrow but we both desire to close that distance in any convenient way possible.”

“You can’t just call her any time. That’s not possible. Even messages are no good. There could be someone nearby who could spy your name popping up on her phone’s screen. You have to wait until she contacts you first or you can ask me if it’s possible to contact her. I will not shortchange you on that.”

As expected, it would be like this. She just had to be very careful. But then again, Yue is still a hot topic and her fans ranged from young boys and girls to adults. It’s enough to say that she’s popular with a wide range of audiences. Although there could be some that might support her had she revealed her relationship status, she’d be criticized a lot.

Even at the moment, her answer to the talk show was still being talked about in different forums and spaces. Some even started speculating that she was meeting with the one who inspired her – which is true – but their imaginations were wild. Who knows where they would go with their speculations if she revealed that she’s already taken?

But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t reveal it in the future… There would come a time when her position in that industry would be properly stabilized so that even with the issues thrown at her, she’d be able to stand firm without faltering. And I would be there supporting her at that time. Perhaps the other girls too.

“Uh… I understand. But what about her friends?” If I can’t contact her normally then I can ask for the other girls’ help. Also, they renamed their group chat in consideration of Yue.

“Friends? Does she have one?”

This… Now that I think about it, she looks like a loner… Does she stay that way for more than a year? She should have some acquaintance in the same industry, right? Uh… I haven’t asked her about it.

I looked at the girl and saw her making an exaggerated hurt expression.

“Ouch… Sister Kaoru, I have friends! Also, I made some when I’m here.”

“Huh? How did you make some when you’re imprisoned here?”

For her to blatantly say imprisoned, this manager is really something else. I wonder how she is normally?

“There’s the internet! I reconnected with the friends I have in middle school. Look!”

And there… she showed the picture she took with Akane…

But this girl… That’s a photo they took in our bedroom! Although they’re not naked, they’re both dressed lightly.

I cautiously peeked at Miss Manager’s reaction and fortunately, she didn’t find anything strange about it.

“Who’s that girl? She’s beautiful.”

Ah... Even if I’m not Akane, I felt a little proud hearing someone praise her like that.

“My friend, of course! Also… I have three new songs in the making. One is already almost finished. Wanna hear it?”

“Three?! You said before coming here that you’re out of ideas!”

“Look, look. Who is beside me, Sister Kaoru?”

“… Your inspiration?” Wide-eyed and a little doubtful, Miss Manager stared at me. I returned that with a small smile which made her a little flustered.

“Correct!” Yue proudly beamed at her manager. With this, the conversation was somehow stirred in a different direction.

Nonetheless, I let the girl direct the conversation to it. I mean, my questions and everything I wanted to say was more or less answered already. And if there’s a need to clarify something, there’s still time later or tomorrow.

With Yue’s reveal of her new songs, she now had lost the card of thinking that reconnecting with me would bring more negative than positive.

While the two talked about Music and other topics concerning the world they live in, I somehow started failing to keep up. There was some jargon that I had to use on the internet to search for its meaning. So, I stopped when I deemed it impossible and just started cleaning the table. Like a proper househusband.

By the time I returned to Yue’s side, Miss Manager was still speechless. She’s wearing earphones, listening to the song she made.

The one that was inspired by our reunion. Coincidence.

“… I… I will send it to the President right away! I’m sure this will be approved instantly! Also, this can be used as a springboard for your fame to return to how it was before that disastrous talk show. No, you’ll even reach higher!”

Miss Manager promptly stood up as soon as she finished listening to the song. And this time, she acted in haste as though a fish she’s trying to reel in was about to escape.

“Heh… Look at her go, Ruki. I knew she was going to react like that. We should’ve let her hear it first.” Yue smugly said at my side.

Well, we could’ve done that but I doubt she’d react this way. In a sense, she rode a roller coaster of emotions before finding the exhilarating thrill at the end. That’s why her reaction was more pronounced.

Anyway, I am also proud and in love with that song by Yue… I even asked her to record it clearly for me. And I always listened to it whenever I got the chance.

Surely, the other girls would soon hear it as well… Her fans within the group would be more than thrilled. But since it’s telling a story, they’d also be more informed of what happened between us through Yue’s perspective.