chapter 11

“Hey, who’s that cute girl there director? Which agency is she from?”

Hey, Suzuki.

You are my manager, right? You should know it’s me, right?

I’ll make you sing on stage if you don’t.

“Hahaha! She’s the actress for my next movie! She’ll be trending in no time!”

Huh? Director?

I just refused your offer, you know…

“Don’t mess around, we have to start preparing now. What do you want me to do?”

“Eeeh?! That voice… Shion?! No way!”

“I’m gonna give you a real earful later. Excuse me, can I get my makeup and clothes for Shion?”

“Eeh~ But you look so good! Such a waste…”

“Don’t worry. After I’m done, I’m gonna go back to looking like this.”

I brushed off my manager’s silly words and quickly changed my clothes.

The atmosphere is a little awkward, probably because I came here in these clothes.

At the very least, I have to make sure the event takes place on time.

I put the disguise over my eyes, then I checked myself one more time in the mirror.

After finishing my makeup and wearing the proper clothing as Shion, I head over to the director.

“Let me make sure I’m on the right track. So, this is where I’ll be greeting everyone on stage…”

“Ooh~ You’re so serious, Shion-kun~. I guess I can leave everything to you~”

“Don’t say that to me when you’re the one who’s always more serious and hardworking than anyone else.”

“Hey, hey, an artist as famous as you doesn’t have to flatter someone like me, you know?”

“That’s why you shocked me earlier. How could you so easily make me star in a movie when I’m just an artist?”

“No, I’m serious you know? I’d really like to have ‘Shion-chan’ in a movie.”

“That’s rude to the other actors who are actually trying their best, you know? Leave your dreams for when you’re asleep.”

Feeling a little sullen, I talked to the female announcer who’d be hosting the event.

“After the talk on stage is over, is it okay if I leave right away?”

“A-ah, S-Shion-san. U-umm…”

The announcer looked bewildered at the sight of me.

It looks like she’s getting nervous.

She looks really young, so maybe she’s a newbie?

“Hey, Shion. Your face is a bit too close to her.”

Suzuki interrupted me, apparently chiding my behavior.

She usually messes up a lot, but her advice is always straight on point.

I gave the announcer a glass of water and slowly backed away.

“Sorry, I’m also feeling a little nervous… I shouldn’t have leaned forward like that…”

“N-no… It’s nothing! E-even through your mask, I kinda felt this aura or atmosphere… I-I might’ve been affected by that!”

“O-ok…”

She was in a somewhat chaotic state.

I couldn’t really understand what she was trying to say.

She drank some water from the glass I’d given her.

Putting her hands on her chest, she took a deep breath and calmed herself down.

“Well, there’s one thing I haven’t told you about yet. There’s something I’d like for you to do at the end.”

“Yes, and what might that be?”

“I-I’d like you to throw this ball-shaped capsule to someone in the audience!”

“What’s this supposed to do?”

“I’d like you to give the person who catches this ball an autograph.”

“A present, huh? Leave it to me.”

After confirming how the event will go, we went to the venue.

I remembered how I left Rinka waiting at her seat alone and ended up feeling guilty before the performance.

～～～～～～～～～～

“Without further ado, please welcome our surprise guest to the stage!”

The announcer, Shiraishi-san, grandly called me out.

Thank goodness, it looks like she isn’t nervous anymore.

I walked up to the stage with Director Sakaki amidst the cheers of the crowd.

The director covered his ears, laughing, because of the near-deafening volume of the people’s cheers.

On the other hand, I just silently bowed.

Then, I turned my attention to the seat where Rinka was sitting.

Rinka had a look of surprise, but that expression quickly turned to pure happiness.

Since Rinka talked a lot about Shion on the way to the theatres, it should be very obvious.

Rinka really loves Shion.

This surprise event must’ve made Rinka really happy.

…But, Rinka suddenly left her seat and quickly left the venue.

Damn it… That Rinka… She must’ve gone to look for me…

I’m sure she also wanted me to see Shion.

But, even if she looks outside the venue or at the toilet, I won’t be there.

I hope she gives up and comes back here quickly…

And just like that, the surprise event started without Rinka.