When you try to hide in a crowd, but get's the damned unwanted attention.
Chapter. 5
Unwanted Spotlight.
I'll gone back inside the auditorium...
As i walked back inside, all the freshmens gathered around, to discuss about the college festival, and all. But my mind was somewhere else, just what now... I thought,
What does she mean by the unsolved things... I thought quietly.
Not to pretend nothing happened, huh... First time she said that, since we met. Here I thought she was just keep gonna pretends like nothing happened again.
"Use and throw. He Sighed.
The group chat was made, numbers were exchanged. Plans made to have a discussion on Monday at a Local Yakitori restaurant.
And me, still disturbed by the fact, of the words she gave. He Put's his phone at the back pocket of his Jean's, Yui said" So what did Senpai asked you for?
"Nothing he replied.
Yui she didn't asked much either, instead she said" Let's both of us participate in the college festival play as the actors. Huh, I won't have much time for it, he said. Come on... She said.
At this rate you won't be able too make any good college memories either, just like in the highschool days. He kept looking at his watch like waiting for the meeting to end.
Her words lingered, but he barely heard them.
The meeting finally wrapped up. Chairs scraped, voices rose, people began moving in groups again. He stood up a little too fast, like he'd been waiting for that exact moment.
"I've gotta go," he said suddenly.
Yui blinked. "Huh? Now?"
"Yeah. Something came up." he said.
Before she could ask anything else, he was already walking—no, almost kinda rushing towards the exit. His phone was back in his hand now, screen lighting up, messages poping, his tense face.
One unread message, Reze.
Cafe near the station. If you're free.
Free.
That word felt ironic, She really love's to not take me seriously huh. Even after that night.
Evening breeze hit him as he stepped outside, cool and sharp, clearing his head just enough to let the thoughts flood in again.
Unsolved things… "Not pretending nothing happened huh...
He sighed, his grip on the phone tightened and He quickened his pace.
———
The café was quiet in that way only weekday evenings managed—low music, the hiss of the espresso machine, muted conversations blending into background noise. Warm lights reflected off the glass windows, turning the outside world into a blur.
Senkai he arrived first.
He took a seat near the corner, back against the wall—habit. Ordered black coffee he didn't really want. His fingers rested around the cup, but he didn't drink it. He kept replaying her voice in his head.
Let's have a proper talk, Like adults this time.
A bell chimed softly.
He didn't look up at first. He already knew who was there. "Reze stepped inside.
No blazer this time. No stage presence. Just a simple top, hair tied loosely, glasses perched low on her nose. She looked… normal, bit tired. Human.
Her eyes found him immediately.
She walked over and sat across from him without asking.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then she exhaled. "You look worse than I do."
He snorted quietly. "That's impressive."
She signaled the waiter with two fingers. "Coffee. No sugar." Then, softer, "And water."
That small detail again.
It annoyed him more than it should've. "Waiter left.
Reze folded her hands together on the table. No crossed arms. No defenses. That alone told him this wasn't a performance.
See... "I'm not here to trap you," she said. "Or control you. Or pretend this is some… power play."
He watched her closely. "Good. Because that's exactly what it felt like."
She didn't flinch.
"I know." A
The waiter returned quietly, setting the cups down like he was afraid to interrupt something fragile. Steam curled upward between them, blurring the space where their eyes kept meeting.
Reze wrapped both hands around her mug, grounding herself. "What happened that night," she said carefully, "shouldn't have happened the way it did." I'll she said with a pause. we were too drunk.
Senkai let out a slow breath. "But it did."
"Yes." She nodded once. "And pretending it didn't would be dishonest."
He leaned back slightly, studying her—not the senpai, not the president, not the woman who could command a room with a glance. Just Reze. Tired. Thoughtful. A little cracked at the edges.
"You kept pulling me in," he said. "Then pushing me away. I didn't know which part of you I was supposed to listen to." Her fingers tightened around the cup. "That's because I didn't know either."
Silence settled—not awkward, just heavy with things finally being said.
See, "I'm used to being in control," she continued. "People rely on me. Look to me. Follow my lead. And when I lose that—" she stopped, searching for the right word, "—it scares me more than I like to admit."
Senkai's voice was quiet. "You didn't lose control with me did you?"
She looked up.
"You gave it me, " he finished. "Just for a moment." That landed deeper than anything else he'd said.
Reze laughed softly, without humor. "That's worse."
"Maybe." He shrugged. "But it was real."
Her gaze didn't waver this time. "Real things have consequences."
"I know." consequences and responsibility.
Another pause. This one stretched longer.
Outside, a bike passed. Somewhere nearby, someone laughed. Life, world kept going, uncaring.
"I can't cross that line again," Reze said finally.
"Not like before. Not while I'm your senior. Not while I'm responsible for you in that club."
He nodded. "I wasn't asking you to."
She blinked. "You weren't? "No." He met her eyes steadily. "I just wanted to know if you meant it when you told me to stay."
Her breath hitched—just barely.
"…I did," she admitted. "In that moment."
"That's enough," he said. "I'm not chasing a promise. Just the truth."
Reze leaned back in her chair, eyes closing for a second as if weighing something she couldn't put down. When she opened them again, her voice was steadier.
"Then here's the truth," she said. "I'm not someone you should get attached to. I don't do half-measures. And if I fall, I fall completely—or not at all."
Senkai smiled faintly. "You really think I didn't notice?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"You don't hover unless you care," he said. "You don't protect people you're indifferent to. And you don't apologize unless it matters." for the first time since she'd walked in, Reze looked genuinely caught off guard.
"…You're dangerous you know," she murmured.
"Only if you keep pretending you don't see".
Café lights flickered slightly as the evening deepened. Reze stood, slipping her coat back on.
"This conversation doesn't change the rules," she said. "nor in public. or In the club. You're still my junior."
"And in private?" he asked, not pushing—just asking.
She paused at the table, fingers brushing the back of his chair as she passed. Close enough for him to catch the faint scent of coffee and something softer beneath it.
"In private," she said quietly, you can call me Reze. "we're two adults who know exactly what we're risking."
Then she straightened, composure fully back in place.
"Walk me to the station," Reze added, already turning toward the door. "It's late."
It wasn't a request. I knew that.
Senkai He stood and followed her.
Outside, the night swallowed them whole—no witnesses, no labels, just two people walking side by side, not touching, not distant either.
Not crossing the line.
Not stepping away from it.
Till Yet.
They walked side by side.
Not touching.
Not far enough to be strangers either.
Senkai kept his hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed but mind alert. Reze walked half a step ahead at first—habit, maybe. Leading instinct, Then, gradually, she matched his pace.
"You're unusually quiet," she said.
"You told me we're two adults in private," he replied. "Adults don't ramble around."
A faint smirk tugged at her lips. But "Adults overthink."
"That too." he replied.
They reached a traffic light. Red. They stopped.
Across the street, a group of freshmen from another department were laughing loudly, taking selfies under a festival banner already being hung for next month's event.
Senkai watched them as he mumbled,
"Yui wants me to audition," he said suddenly.
"For the play?" Reze asked.
"Yeah." he said.
The light turned green. They crossed.
"And?" she asked.
"I don't have time for it." to be honest
"That's not what I asked." He glanced at her. She wasn't looking at him—just ahead, calm. But she was listening carefully.
"I don't like being looked at," he admitted. In attention "Crowds looking at me. Expectations. Spotlights."
Reze hummed softly. "You say that. But you handle the pressure pretty well. "That's different. Pressure isn't attention." he said.
She stopped walking.
He took two steps ahead before realizing and turned back.
Reze looked at him—really looked at him for a moment.
"You think I enjoy it?" she asked quietly. "The attention. The stage. The responsibility."
No one does, But "You're good at it."
"That's not the same thing." A breeze lifted a few strands of her hair loose from the tie. She didn't fix them.
"I learned how to stand in the spotlight because no one else would," she continued. "If I didn't step forward, things will fell apart. So I did."
Senkai's expression softened slightly. "And now?" he asked.
"Now I'm tired," she said, almost too honest. But if I step back, someone else has to carry it."
He let out a breath, "Maybe someone should."
Their eyes met for a moment.
Something unspoken passed between them.
You could.
She didn't say it.
But he heard it anyway.
They resumed walking. "Are you planning something?" he asked lightly.
Hm... Always."
"That's not comforting."
She smiled faintly. "Relax. It has nothing to do with us."
Us.
Maybe The word lingered longer than it should have. They reached the station entrance. Trains coming and going. People weaving through ticket gates. Announcements echoing overhead.
This was where lines usually drew themselves.
Reze turned to face him.
"This is far enough."
He nodded.
Neither of them moved.
"You should give the audition," she said finally.
He blinked. "You just told me the attention isn't enjoyable."
"It isn't," she agreed. "But sometimes the attention, the spotlight finds you whether you like it or not."
He laughed quietly. "That sounds like a threat."
"It's advice."
She stepped closer—not intimate, not inappropriate. Just enough that her voice didn't have to compete with the station noise.
"You try so hard to blend in the wallpaper," she said. "But people notice you anyway. You don't chase attention. That's exactly why it follows you."
His jaw tightened slightly, "I don't want to become someone everyone wants something from, expects things from."
Reze's gaze softened.
"Too late for it I guess".
A beat of silence.
Then—
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen. Her expression shifted—not dramatic, just subtle
His eyes linger at her phone for second, who is it?
Mother, she said, "see responsibility never sleeps." She is waiting at my apartment, it's annoying sometimes.
You should go and meet her than, it's a family, not a responsibility you know.
It can sometimes be annoying, but making time for your love ones, I guess it be worth it.
A train announcement echoed.
I should take my leave than...
She turned toward the gates, then paused.
"Senkai."
He'd looked up.
"If you get chosen as one of the actors…" she said, voice steady, "…don't run from it."
His brows furrowed. "You sound confident."
"I've seen how the others and freshmens look at you."
"That's paranoia."
"That's observation."
She stepped through the ticket gate. The barrier closed between them with a soft mechanical click.
For a moment, they were separated by nothing more than glass and rules.
Reze faced him from the other side.
"Goodnight," she said.
"Goodnight… Reze."
The faintest shift in her expression at hearing her name like that.
Then she turned and disappeared into the crowd descending toward the platforms.
While walking she whispered to herself, Reze when I'm sweet and kind, Senpai whenever I try to draw the line. hum...
Senkai stood there for a few seconds longer than necessary.
Then his phone buzzed.
Yui:
Emergency meeting Monday. The festival committee moved up auditions. roles will be decided this week.
He stared at the message.
Another one popped up.
Unknown Number.
You're coming to audition, right?
—Nana.
He looked toward the platform stairs where she'd vanished.
A slow exhale.
"Unwanted spotlight, huh…"
He slipped his phone back into his pocket.
For someone who hated attention—
He had a feeling it was already waiting for him.
And this time,
He wasn't sure if it was going to be the stage…
Or her.
———
Monday, came quick than expected.
The campus buzzed with a different kind of tension—posters half-hung, scripts being printed, voices arguing over casting lists.
Auditions were now only days away. The spotlight wasn't just metaphorical anymore.
But inside the clubroom on the third floor, the door was shut.
Only two people inside.
Reze stood near the window, arms folded loosely, watching the courtyard below where freshmen were already practicing lines dramatically under a tree..
Behind her, sprawled lazily across two chairs, was Rya.
Rya tilted her head. "So."
Reze didn't turn. "So?"
Rya's eyes narrowed playfully. "What's the deal with you and Senkai?"
Silence.
"You're imagining things," Reze replied.
Rya snorted. "Please. I watched you during the meeting. You don't stare at juniors like that."
Reze finally looked over her shoulder. "Like what?"
"Like you're calculating something you shouldn't want."
That made Reze turn fully.
W–we made the mistake together, she continued, I know i'm pretending like nothing ever happened, but making an excuse that i don't want to remain awkward with a junior of mine...
She thought "But i can't fool myself"
My body wants something else...
Damn, what am I thinking you, perverted girl.
"I'm interested in him," she said plainly okay.
Rya blinked once. "…Interested how?"
Reze didn't hesitate.
"Not love," she said. "Don't misunderstand it."
Rya narrowed her eyes than?".
"I want him," Reze continued calmly. "But I'm not trying to build a future. I don't do that anymore."
Rya say's "You said that last time too."
Reze's expression didn't change—but something tightened in her. "That was different."
Rya "Because that was Lemon?" she said.
The room went quiet.
Reze's jaw clenched slightly at the name.
Lemon.
Not a nickname everyone knew. Not a story everyone was allowed to ask about.
Rya's voice softened. "You loved him."
Reze didn't answer immediately.
But she didn't deny it either.
"I fell for him," she said finally. "Completely."
Her voice was steady. Too steady.
Rya watched her carefully, "You were different back then," Rya continued. "You weren't calculating, You weren't detached, You were—"
"—Stupid," Reze cut in. "No," Rya said firmly. "You were honest."
Reze looked away.
"He left," she said flatly. "Just like that. No warning. No explanation I could accept. I gave him everything. Emotionally. Physically. All of it."
Her fingers curled slightly against her arms.
"And when he walked away, I realized something." Rya stayed silent.
"Love makes you negotiable," Reze said quietly. "It makes you weak in ways you can't control."
Rya's expression softened. "He didn't leave because you were weak."
"He left," Reze repeated. "That's what matters."
A pause, "And Senkai?" Rya asked gently.
Reze's eyes sharpened again, "He's not Lemon."
"That's not what I asked."
Reze exhaled slowly, "I'm drawn to him," she admitted. "But I won't romanticize it. I won't repeat history. If I keep it physical, it's simple. No expectations. No promises."
Rya studied her.
"You already crossed the line once," she said quietly. Reze's silence confirmed it, "And?" Rya pressed.
Reze's gaze flickered for a split second.
"I lost control," she admitted. "For a moment."
"You?" Rya almost laughed in disbelief. "You built your entire identity around power and control after Lemon."
"I know."
Rya stepped closer.
"So what was different?"
Reze hesitated. "…He didn't look at me like Lemon did, how everyone else does."
Rya frowned slightly. "Explain."
"Lemon once looked at me like I was his world," Reze said. "Like I was something precious."
Her voice lowered, "Senkai looks at me like I'm human."
The word sounded almost foreign coming from her. "And that's dangerous?" That hit differently even to Rya.
She continued "With flaws. With cracks. Without putting me on a pedestal. With the care."
Rya's expression shifted.
"And that scares you more than love?"
"Yes." Reze replied.
Silence filled the room again.
Rya sighed. "You're playing with fire."
"I'm managing it."
"That's what you said before."
Reze's eyes hardened slightly. "I am not Lemon."
"I know you're not," Rya replied softly. "But you loved him. And when he left, it changed you."
Reze didn't deny it, "I won't fall like that again," she said firmly.
Rya searched her face.
"And if you already are?"
That question lingered longer than either of them liked.
Reze straightened, mask sliding back into place.
"I'm not in love with Senkai," she said calmly. "I'm interested. There's a difference."
Rya didn't look convinced, "Just don't break him because you're scared to feel something," she said quietly.
That one landed.
A knock interrupted them.
"President the forms are ready!"
Reze's posture shifted instantly—authority back, expression neutral.
She walked to the door, hand on the handle.
Rya spoke one last time.
"If you're only chasing lust, fine. Just don't lie to yourself about it."
Reze paused—but didn't turn.
"I don't lie to myself," she said.
Then she opened the door.
———
Somewhere else at the Cafe L'Amour,
The café was louder than usual.
Not chaotic—just alive. Scripts scattered across tables. Highlighters uncapped. Half-finished drinks sweating onto wooden surfaces. The festival committee had taken over the back section like it was a battlefield headquarters.
Nana stood near the counter, clapping her hands.
"Okay! Quiet down! We're finalizing casting tonight!"
Groans. Nervous laughter. Someone dropped a pen.
Senkai sat near the far end of the long table, posture straight, expression unreadable. He hadn't planned to care. He definitely hadn't planned to audition seriously.
But he did.
And now—He waited.
Across from him, Yui bounced her leg anxiously. "If I get tree number three again, I'm quitting," she whispered dramatically.
"You were a convincing tree," Senkai replied dryly. She kicked him under the table.
Nana cleared her throat and held up the printed sheet.
"For the historical drama 'Crimson Oath'…"
The room quieted instantly.
"For the female lead—Senna—"
A pause for suspense.
"Yuigahama Yui."
Yui froze.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
The café erupted into applause and teasing
whistles. Yui covered her mouth, eyes wide.
Senkai allowed himself a small smile.
Then Nana continued.
"For the male lead—Ron Takahashi…"
A longer pause this time.
"…Yoshimura Senkai ."
Silence.
Half a second.
Then noise exploded.
"NO WAY—" "THE QUIET GUY?!" "Newbie, the Freshman, huh?"
Yui grabbed his arm so hard that it almost hurt. "YOU'RE THE LEAD?!"
Senkai blinked once.
"…You're joking." right?
Nana shook her head, grinning. "Highest audition score. Best chemistry read. Don't look so betrayed."
Murmurs spread across the room.
Senkai he felt it.
That shift.
Eyes turning.
Whispers forming.
And the Unwanted Spotlight.
His fingers tightened slightly around the script in his lap.
Across the café, near the doorway—Later, as the meeting wrapped up— Reze approached the table.
"Make sure rehearsals don't overlap with club activities," she said calmly. "I don't want complaints."
"Of course,"President," Nana replied politely.
Too politely.
Senkai closed the script and stood. "We'll manage."
Reze's gaze flicked briefly between him and Senna."Good."
Then she walked away.
Senna watched her go, then quietly asked,
"Does she always… feel like that?"
"Like what?" Senkai asked.
"Like she's ten steps ahead of everyone."
He didn't answer.
Because she always was.
———
Outside the café, after everyone had left—
Nana remained seated alone, lights dimmed. Staff wiped down counters. Soft music played in the background.
She opened her tablet again, Not the script.
A different folder, photos, Old festival records.
Archived performance footage, And one specific document.
Amano Reze — Former Lead Actress.
Multiple awards.
Multiple standing ovations.
Multiple headlines.
Nana's fingers tightened slightly around the device."Perfect director, President and the senior," she murmured quietly.
Then she opened another tab.
Festival Committee Override Authority.
As head coordinator, Nana held final say over stage direction, promotional focus, and press coverage.
She didn't need to remove Reze. "No, that would be obvious, She just needed to redirect the spotlight. "Away from her.
Toward Senkai and Senna.
Build new stars.
Dim the old one.
And when the applause shifts—
So does the power.
Nana smiled faintly to herself.
"Let's see how long you will shine," she whispered under her breath.
Inside the café door, unnoticed—
Reze stood still.
She hadn't left.
She had returned for her forgotten file.
And she had heard enough.
Not everything.
But enough.
Her expression didn't change, But her eyes darkened slightly, So that's how it is Nana, She said.
Quiet wars were her specialty.
And Nana had just declared one.
Without even realizing it—
little did she knew, She wasn't the only one who knew how to plot behind someone's back.
——————————————————————————