Seiya had heard about Kana Arima's current situation. She was known as a "has-been child star" and hadn't had much work since her fame plummeted. As her friend, and because she had helped him in the past, he saw this as a perfect opportunity to return the favor.
While Kana wasn't as popular as Marielle and was "lacking" in body shape compared to Minami, a team-up between Seiya and Kana would be a great selling point. They were childhood friends who both started as child stars. The show was a dating reality show, and a childhood friends-to-lovers story was always a fan favorite. This would not only bring attention to the show but would also boost Kana's popularity. It was a win-win situation.
Thinking of this, Seiya didn't hesitate. After he got home, he immediately called the number he had just saved.
Meanwhile, Kana had just finished showering and was sitting on her bed wrapped in a towel. She looked at her phone, her expression full of indecision. She was wondering if she should text Seiya to explain why she had avoided him two years ago. In the past 10 years, she had learned a lot about the world and had become more flexible and cooperative. But it was too late. Her glorious days were gone, and her mother, who used to be proud of her, had moved back to their hometown.
Kana had thought Seiya would become distant like everyone else. He was a different person now, and she felt like a useless duckling compared to his beautiful swan. But after two years, Seiya showed her that he hadn't changed at all. She was touched that he still remembered her and considered her a friend. Her own mother had given up on her, but her childhood friend hadn't and still treated her the same.
Kana didn't know if Seiya was still mad about what happened two years ago, so she had been hesitating to text him. She was worried he was busy with work or already asleep. After all, he was a popular actor, and his schedule was probably very busy, unlike hers.
"Maybe I'll just send one text? Maybe he's free?"
Riiiiing!
Just as she made up her mind and was about to send the message, her phone rang. When she saw the contact name and picture, she was startled. She bounced off the bed, and her towel fell off. Since she was in her own room and alone, she didn't mind. She was nervous and excited as she pressed the answer button.
"Hello, Seiya? What's up? It's kind of late."
Kana's voice was calm, but inside, she was ecstatic. She couldn't believe she was hesitating to text him, but he had already called her!
"Um... Kana, I need a favor. Can you be my girlfriend..."
Kana's mind went blank. Is this really happening? Is this really how he's going to confess? Her face was as red as a tomato, and steam was coming out of her head.
Hearing the silence on the other end, Seiya realized he might have said something wrong. Just as he was about to explain, a loud bang echoed from his door. Yuko had just kicked it open.
Yuko: "No! I don't approve of this relationship!"
Ako: "That's right! You're too young to be in a relationship, Seiya. Trust me, you can't handle it."
Seiya was stunned when Yuko and Ako came in. On the other end of the line, Kana was about to give her answer when she heard a bang from Seiya's end. Then, she heard his voice. "Kana, something came up. I'll call you back later..."
Beep... beep...
Kana was speechless. First, Seiya's sudden confession, and then just as she was about to answer, he hung up.
In Seiya's room, he crossed his arms and looked at his two foster mothers with a serious face. "What are you two doing?! And how did you get in? I locked the door, didn't I? So that's why some of my collections have been disappearing. Yuko-san, do you have an explanation for this?"
Yuko knew they had been caught. They were so desperate that they had used the spare key. But it wasn't their fault! Seiya was confessing to a girl! Who could handle that?!
"They were all 'evil' genres, so they had to be destroyed. Lolis and sister-complexes are no good. And you know I'm a doujinshi artist. I took them for... reference. Yes, for reference!"
Even though she was caught red-handed, Yuko was still stubborn. Ako, on the other hand, was more pragmatic. She wheeled her chair to Seiya's side and said, "Yes, Yuko, how could you do that? I know you have a spare key to clean Seiya's room, but you shouldn't throw his things away."
Yuko: "Big Sis, I didn't know you were so good at being a tea master!"
Ako: "Sorry, Yuko, but it's better for you to die alone than for both of us to die!"