CH 28

Leaving the coffee shop, I look back for a moment. The words "Coffee Shop Sweet" were scratched out on the deserted signboard. The atmosphere inside the store was just as nice as the modern exterior. 

The cold air of winter was stimulating my body. Even though I was wearing a coat, it was hard to stand still. I stopped thinking about the sign and started walking. 

There are many businessmen in suits. To think that he is one of them, it's no exaggeration to say that this world is supported by them. 

"Oh my, what a coincidence." 

I was approached by a woman walking in front of me. She was wearing a black leather coat and a black cap, and she looked very distinctive. Yes, just like that day. 

"Kanako. What a coincidence." 

"Are you shopping?" 

"I was just walking around town, and I thought I'd head home." 

"Yeah." 

Kanako Miya. She is a cool woman with a short blonde hair cut that suits her well. She is the president of Gold Coin, an entertainment agency. And above all, she is the one who scouted me. 

She has an atmosphere and looks that would look good even if she were walking down a fashionable street. Like the master, she must have been popular in the past. 

"What are you going to do now, Kanako?" 

"A little work for you." 

"Me?" 

"Yeah." 

To begin with, Kanako's face was familiar. It was the same when we were shooting the poster, and she had been onsite as our stylist several times since our days at Sakura Romance. 

So I was really surprised when she told me she was the president of an entertainment agency. To be honest, I suspected it was a lie. But when I looked it up on the IRS website, it came up correctly, so my fears were unfounded. 

"Can you come to my office tomorrow?　Don't forget to bring your payroll account and your bank seal. We'll officially finalize the contract and everything there." 

"Okay." 

Having worked with her a few times, I think I can trust her. If I only look at her, I really can't help but be suspicious that she is indeed a stinker. But there is nothing in it for Kanako to gain by deceiving me. 

She has her head screwed on straight when she tries to market such an accident as an idol once again. I'm sorry to seem like I'm disrespecting her kindness, but that's what I've done. 

"Ow!" 

Her slender finger taps my forehead. It didn't hurt, but the word leaked out as a reflex. 

"It's on your face." 

"I'm sorry." 

"Pfft. No, don't be sorry. Don't apologize." 

She didn't even ask what I was thinking. I wondered what I looked like when Kanako said that to me. 

Because there were so many people coming and going, we unconsciously moved closer to the side of the building to talk. I wanted to go to a restaurant somewhere and talk slowly, but Kanako was working, so that was difficult. 

"Hey, Miina." 

I was doing my eyes on the people passing by when I heard my name called. 

"Did you see that guy?" 

It was said too abstractly. But I know exactly what she meant. By "that guy," she was definitely referring to him. 

I don't know what kind of connection there is between the two of them, but at least Kanako understood that the man in the weekly magazine was Araki. It's not surprising that someone in the industry would have that much information suppressed. 

"Why is that?" 

I dare neither deny nor affirm. I thought that if I came to that conclusion here, I would not be able to decipher her true feelings. But this answer was like saying, "I met him". 

"Nah. Oh. Somehow. He looked the same as he did then." 

"Hm?" 

"Oh. Don't you remember?" 

It wasn't the only time I met him, so I have to go back to my memory. I couldn't think of anything, so I just nodded my head. Then Kanako giggled, unable to contain her overflowing emotions. 

"Miina is a girl who easily shows her emotions. Sometimes it's important to have a poker face." 

"Haha......" 

I can understand her fears. For an idol, allegations of infatuation are a deadly scandal. I only used him for that. 

Who would have thought that the person responsible for this would give me the chance to return to being an idol? This distorted relationship is too bombastic. So it was obvious to me that if I didn't let this go once and for all, it would cause great harm. 

But - he is also a benefactor. 

I used him unilaterally, and he forgave me for it, and also gave me a foothold in my life now. I can't just cut him loose like that. 

"......Can I really make it as an idol?" 

"Oh my, I thought I had blown my troubles out of the water." 

I thought I was over them. But when I think about it a little, it becomes a weak sound and a word. Just by having someone who listens to me like this, the burden on my heart becomes much lighter. 

"What did he say?" 

I think back. Retrace my memory. 

Many answers came up. That's how many kind words he had said to me. Among them, I pick up that end of the year. 

"--At least, I'm palpitation." 

"Heh." 

I was startled by Kanako's grinning voice. By the time I realized I had been duped, it was too late. No matter whether I covered my mouth with my hand or thought of an excuse, I knew I couldn't get away with it. 

"Hey, this is that......." 

"Oh, God. He's got a way with words, doesn't he?" 

Although she said so, Kanako's voice sounded as if she were making fun of him in a dumbfounded way. 

It's not like we're in a relationship, so there's no harm in the two of us seeing each other.

"Well, he's not wrong. In that sense, Araki, he's a good judge of character." 

Kanako also buys me a great deal. I remember she said the same thing to me as she did on that rainy day when I was scouted. 

Because on that rainy night when I was sad and almost wet to the core, she made my heart clear with her own hands. 

"Well, I'm off then." 

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was at work." 

"That's okay. I learned one more thing about you, Miina." 

I thought she was making fun of me, but I said nothing more. I knew it was going to be a weasel word, so I swallowed down the urge to argue with her here. 

"Yes, yes." 

Just as I was about to get into the crowd. Kanako turned around and looked at me. She looked as if she was remembering something. 

"The smell of cigarettes is surprisingly persistent." 

"Eh?" 

"You have to deodorize carefully. Or wear something that you don't mind the smell of. If you're going to be in a place like that." 

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, as she was swept away by the crowd. I couldn't help but sniff the coat she was wearing because she said that. 

It certainly gives the impression of burnt smell rather than detergent. I am a non-smoker, but I didn't mind at all. If you are going to be an idol, you have to be aware of it. It's a profession where image is important. 

Well, it's not for me to say. 

"......It's so cold. Let's go home." 

But first, I have to buy dinner. I don't want to leave the house today. I think I'll make a hot pot. Alone. Yes, alone. 

Perhaps it's because I've been talking under the cold weather, but my instinct to feel warmth whispers to me. I want to feel warmth so much that it makes me sweat. 

Oh, that's right. I need to buy deodorant spray. I think I just ran out. Well, it's good enough to leave at home, so yeah. I'll buy some. 

But if I do that, will this burnt smell go away? Will the smell of his cigarette, even the taste of it on my lips, be gone tomorrow morning? 

Let's go again. Then surely this heartbeat will calm down. This flush only looks that way because of the peach-colored blush I've put on. 

You will make fun of it, won't you? 

Let's go home early so you won't say that.