[The Next Day, Early Morning]
Stepping to the crisp sound of the preparatory bell, Kaito stepped into the classroom.
It was still the familiar window-side seat, still the familiar desk.
And, the desk compartment filled to the brim with love letters.
Kaito had long since gotten used to this kind of scene, but there was one thing he couldn't quite understand.
Clearly, he had never opened a single love letter, always tidied them up and threw them into the trash can, yet the classmates around him never get tired of it.
It was as if they treated this matter like a punch-in task for skilled hands, thunderously unshakable, exuding a kind of grand demeanor like "you throw as you please, if I skip a day, I lose" and "sending you love letters, what does it have to do with you."
"Good morning, Kaito-kun~", A lively girl's voice interrupted his thoughts.
After two days of not seeing her, Chihaya-san was still so energetic.
Kaito gave a soft "hm" and nodded toward her, "Good morning."
At first glance his attitude seemed a bit distant, but Chihaya Anon knew his personality. Socially awkward, not that he had any problem with her, so she didn't mind at all. Instead, she excitedly raised her phone, "Hey hey, did you hear? This morning sumimi's official account suddenly posted an update! Announced they'll resume activities soon, and also strongly clarified the previous rumors, denying all talk of internal conflict and suppression. It's like a dream!"
Kaito was a bit surprised.
But it wasn't surprise at sumimi's miraculous return, it was surprise that Togawa Sadaharu moved so quickly.
From the moment he brought up sumimi yesterday until now, it hadn't even been a full twenty-four hours.
No wonder the old man could keep control of the massive Togawa group for decades, just this level of efficiency spoke volumes.
He didn't care about Togawa Sadaharu's inner thoughts; as long as the other side handled things according to his request, it was enough. Sumimi wouldn't disband, that Miss Sumita could continue partnering with the "Uika" she spoke of, and Chihaya-san wouldn't have to be heartbroken over her favorite idol group retiring.
This was already the best ending he could give them.
———
'Could it be… a passing deity really heard my prayer?'
Inside the spacious and bright office, Sumita Mana sat on the sofa, watching the endlessly chattering manager across from her, her cute, pure face still a bit dazed.
The turn of events had come very suddenly.
This morning she had planned to proactively find her manager and clearly express her stance to the company: no matter what, she would not give up on Uika's solo career.
To speak honestly, this was a risky move. Even though she was a currently popular girl idol, idols didn't hold high status in Japan to begin with, and her own rank wasn't nearly enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the agency. Doing this would most likely mean being shelved along with Uika.
But some things can't be left undone just because they're dangerous. Mana wasn't religious, but before leaving, she still instinctively prayed to an all-powerful deity, hoping to bring good luck for herself and Uika.
However… even if gods really did exist in this world, they wouldn't bless someone like her, who only thought of burning incense when trouble came, right?
With this thought, Mana and Uika arrived at the company.
And then, a miracle really happened.
The manager, who had previously tried to persuade her again and again to cut ties with Uika due to pressure from the Togawa conglomerate, suddenly changed his attitude. Instead of nagging, he patted his chest and said that sumimi would soon resume normal activities, and didn't mention dropping Uika anymore. He just fawned over her and said strange things, basically summing up to "don't forget me when you get rich."
Sumita Mana: "???"
Clearly, every syllable the manager uttered was standard Japanese, but once strung together, Mana couldn't understand them anymore.
Instinctively, she looked toward the third person in the office. A blonde girl with shoulder-length hair, delicate features, and a kind of valiant aura.
Misumi Uika, the other member of sumimi, also served as the guitarist and songwriter.
Unlike Mana's sweet, soft, marshmallow-like personality, Uika was more mature and steady, the reliable one in the group.
But now, looking at her, she seemed a bit dazed.
No one knew better than Uika the reason sumimi was being suppressed, it was a warning from the Togawa family.
Actually, she had already prepared herself for this. In front of that old man, her every move was like a drop of ink on white paper, painfully conspicuous, impossible to hide.
Being able to stay in Tokyo this long, even establishing a career and realizing her childhood dream of becoming an idol, she was already very satisfied.
'Yes, she should be satisfied.'
'But… why do I still feel so unwilling?'
'I haven't yet… seen Sakiko…'
Misumi Uika was born on a remote island, in a family that lived by fishing.
She had always been a lonely child, out of place with the other kids on the island.
Until one summer, a warm and cheerful girl like a little sun came to the island.
Later, Uika unintentionally became friends with her and learned her name: Togawa Sakiko.
They became very good friends, playing in the water, catching beetles, lying on the grass watching stars on summer nights.
It was truly a time so beautiful even the gods would envy it, carefree and joyful.
Perhaps it was because of those memories that Uika had never been able to forget Sakiko, never been able to let go.
In middle school, her father died at sea during a fishing trip. After the funeral, Uika accidentally overheard a shocking truth from her mother.
It turned out she was not her father's biological daughter, but the illegitimate child of her mother and a powerful, influential man.
—And that man was Sakiko's grandfather.
Her childhood best friend suddenly became… her niece.
Misumi Uika didn't feel joy, she couldn't accept the truth. She left the island and boarded a fishing boat to Tokyo by herself.
She wanted to see Sakiko one more time, even if it was just to say one more sentence.
But this small wish had never come true.
It wasn't that someone was stopping her; she simply didn't have the courage.
She was afraid that suddenly appearing would disturb Sakiko's life, make her unhappy, or even… hate her.
She was like an abandoned golden retriever. No matter how much she wanted to rush into her master's arms, she only dared to squat in place and wag her tail, waiting for the master's call.
Uika waited and waited, but Sakiko's call never came. Instead, she was met with pressure from Togawa Sadaharu, her biological father.
She understood what the old man meant. She also understood that, by herself, she couldn't resist Togawa Sadaharu's decisions.
She was still able to remain in Tokyo not because she was strong, but because he hadn't used harsher means.
Perhaps this was the only kindness he had left for his illegitimate daughter.
'But now… what made that old man change his mind and voluntarily lift the suppression on sumimi?'
Uika couldn't figure it out. But Mana, after recovering from the initial confusion, seemed to realize something. She picked up her phone and found a special starred contact pinned at the top.
[Kaito-kun…]
The brown-haired girl's eyelashes trembled slightly. Her slender fingertips unconsciously rubbed the screen.
'The one who saved me and Uika—'
'Is it you?'
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