Vol. 1 Chapter 19 – The Childhood Friend Idol

Sunday, the next day, was set aside for reading through the script, with practice for the exam—or rather, Nagisa’s acting coaching for me—to begin on Monday.

I read through the script, further solidifying my image of the actual performance. That Sunday passed without any particular incidents, and the Monday that followed was also normal until the after-school acting coaching…

Or so it should have been.

Souma, who had sharp ears, had naturally gotten wind of my participation in the exam first thing in the morning, and the number of stares I received had clearly increased since last week.

Well, I had braced myself for a certain amount of attention, and I wasn’t about to withdraw now because of it, but the most surprising thing was receiving words of encouragement from a female classmate I’d never even spoken to.

Though the encouragement was just something like, “I’m rooting for you…!”

Having finished the unfamiliar morning like that, still feeling more stares than usual, Akari, Murai-san, and I were having lunch together.

“Why ‘idn’t ‘oo ‘ell me ‘efoh?!” (Akari)

Akari, stuffing her lunch bread into her cheeks like a hamster, was complaining about something with a dissatisfied look in her eyes.

“Just swallow first…” (Yuuto)

“Munch munch… That’s why! Why didn’t you tell me beforehand, Yuuto!?” (Akari)

After diligently emptying her mouth, she loudly voiced her complaint. I thought we might be mistaken for fighting and attract attention, but Akari’s voice became just another part of the lively lunchtime chatter of the students.

“I thought you’d heard from Nagisa.” (Yuuto)

“Geez! You didn’t check! This is the kind of thing you’re supposed to report to your childhood friend first~!” (Akari)

“What rule is that? You found out today, so it’s fine, right?” (Yuuto)

“I wanted to know sooner! You won’t be popular with the girls until you understand that!” (Akari)

Having said her piece, she huffed and once again stuffed bread into her cheeks. Murai-san, who had been placating the disgruntled Akari, also looked at me with a slightly dissatisfied gaze.

“I won’t complain as much as Akari-chan, but I also wanted to know sooner… After talking at Aoi-kun’s house the other day, I really thought Nagisa-san was a good person… I wanted to feel relieved sooner…” (Hinata)

It might have indeed been better to inform Murai-san, who had been concerned about Nagisa’s exam partners since last week. Nagisa probably didn’t know about her worries, and Murai-san might have been on edge all weekend.

“Sorry about that. I definitely should have told you.” (Yuuto)

“Honestly! As long as you understand, it’s fine!” (Akari)

That apology was directed at Murai-san, but for some reason, I received forgiveness from my childhood friend next to her. Well, Murai-san seemed to understand, so I didn’t particularly deny anything towards Akari.

“Still, Aoi-kun, you were causing quite a stir in the Entertainment Course this morning.” (Hinata)

“Well, that’s to be expected. If the partner of the current high school actress Minase Nagisa, the biggest focus of this exam, is a male student from the Advanced Course whose name no one’s ever heard, it’s bound to become a topic.” (Yuuto)

“More importantly, did something happen with you, Yuuto?” (Akari)

Akari, who had been munching away, looked up at me with a curious expression.

“Normally, or rather, the Yuuto up until now would never do something like this, right?” (Akari)

Indeed, for the me of a little while ago, participating in the exam together would have been an option I absolutely wouldn’t have taken. If asked for the reason, I couldn’t give a clear answer.

“Well, maybe it just means I’ve changed? Call it growth.” (Yuuto)

“I see. A high school debut, huh.” (Akari)

“It’s a bit late for a debut, and please don’t devalue the word ‘growth’ so easily.” (Yuuto)

Even for a high school debut, unlike just changing one’s appearance, I think changing one’s personality is considerably difficult.

“But I’d hate it if the exam was a success.” (Akari)

“Why’s that?” (Yuuto)

Other than success, the only option was for me to fail and embarrass myself in front of the audience.

“Because then Yuuto might get popular, right? Then I can’t tease you for being unpopular anymore, can I?” (Akari)

“There’s no way I’d get popular from that, and stop that teasing in the first place. It actually stings.” (Yuuto)

“Eh~? You never know. You might unexpectedly get a ton of fans.” (Akari)

“No way…” (Yuuto)

As the words of denial started to come out, the face of the classmate who had spoken to me this morning floated into my mind.

“No, it might actually happen. A classmate cheered me on this morning too.” (Yuuto)

“Eh? A girl?” (Akari)

When I nodded in affirmation, Akari whispered something into the ear of Murai-san, who was eating beside her while listening to our conversation. I didn’t know the content, but Murai-san, after Akari whispered to her, made an affirmative statement: “Ah~… That actually seems plausible.”

Hearing Murai-san’s words, Akari clasped her hands like an executive in a boardroom, placed her elbows on the table, and put on a serious expression.

“Yuuto, that’s a fake fan.” (Akari)

“…Huh?” (Yuuto)

“That girl was probably interested in Yuuto before. So she used this opportunity to work up the courage to talk to you…” (Akari)

“What’s that about? There’s nothing to be interested in, in the first place.” (Yuuto)

My childhood friend had started spouting nonsense with a serious expression again.

“No, there is. Your personality is gloomy, but at least your face is good.” (Akari)

“…It feels weird saying this myself, but I think that first part is pretty fatal, for me.” (Yuuto)

“Well, it just means there are people in this world who would describe Yuuto’s personality as mysterious.” (Akari)

“Haa…” (Yuuto)

As usual, I half-listened to my weird childhood friend’s talk with exasperation.

“Good for you, Yuuto, you got a girlfriend.” (Akari)

“I don’t want one, and you’re mistaken.” (Yuuto)

“You should just ask her. If it’s a misunderstanding, then Yuuto will immediately lose a fan, which would be interesting.” (Akari)

“You little…” (Yuuto)

Apparently, the only thing in this girl’s head was teasing me.

After lunch, the usual routine was to walk with Akari and Murai-san to the front of their classroom and part ways there. We parted at the classroom as usual, but Akari immediately called me back.

“I was being considerate because Hinata-chan was there, but are you sure? Really. You’ll be performing in front of Hokujou Yuuya, you know?” (Akari)

“I know. I’ve already talked it over with Mom, and I just felt like it would be better this way. Communicating with a father I’ve never met through acting… it doesn’t sound too bad.” (Yuuto)

Dad didn’t seem like such a bad person, from what I’d gathered.

“I see. If you say so, Yuuto, I’ll believe you. …But.” (Akari)

Akari rose slightly on her tiptoes, placed her hand on my head, and smiled shyly.

“If anything happens, you tell your big sis properly!” (Akari)

I couldn’t help but smile at my cute childhood friend saying such things. I placed my hand on Akari’s head in return and ruffled her hair, careful not to mess it up too much.

“I’m older than you, you know.” (Yuuto)

“So you are!” (Akari)

At our usual exchange, Akari giggled, “Ehehe.” Not even a few seconds later, we both let go of our hands, and the flow naturally led to us parting ways.

“You’re kind, Akari.” (Yuuto)

I called out to her back as she walked towards the classroom.

“Because I’m your childhood friend!” (Akari)

The girl who turned around beautifully and smiled as she said that was, indeed, my childhood friend and an idol.