25 Chapter 25: Earthquake (1/2)

I chased after Koujou. I couldn't let her be on her own after hearing what she said. I saw her several feet in front me and then noticed she entered a high end apartment building. As I was about to enter, a woman stopped me.

”We meet again, Takaiyama-san.” The woman was in business attire. ”I'm Kei-chan's manager Megumi Tachibana. I don't know if you remember me from last time.” She smiled at me.

”Um, I need to talk to Koujou right now. Can I please go inside?”

”I don't plan to blame you on anything that has happened, Takaiyama-san. I just request that you let her be alone for tonight, at least.”

”Then can you at least tell me what happened?” I need to know.

”Well, seeing as it concerns you, I suppose I can.” After pondering for a while where to start, she started speaking. ”When Kei-chan was absent from school for a week, she was actually in an audition to join a large concert that will showcase the top idols in the country. The Idol Girls Festival was supposed to be our company's way to increase its reputation by having Kei-chan participate and show the country how we groom our talents.”

”I see. So, why was Koujou suddenly talking about retiring when she came back?”

”She didn't pass the audition. She told me that it was because she couldn't focus.”

”Why was that?”

”You really are dense, like what Kei-chan told me.” She had a smile in her face as Koujou's description of me matches that of reality.

”Sorry about that.”

”Kei-chan told me that you rejected her and chose the other girl.” Her tone was that of disbelief, if anything else. ”On top of that, it was the same girl who was Kei-chan's childhood friend. You know what happened between them, right?”

”She just told me earlier before we got here…”

”I see. Anyway, she didn't pass the audition because of that. Even though we said she did her best and that she doesn't have to worry, she's still insisting on retiring to atone for it.”

”I feel like I'm to blame, as well.”

”No, you're not. You can't help it if you don't like her.” She let out a weak laugh. ”It's just I understand where she's coming from. She went to all the trouble of convincing our company to let her study in your school, just to look for you. Then, she got rejected in the end. I guess it was too much to handle for her during that short span of time.”

”I'm sorry…” I feel guilty for all of this. It's not only Hiroisora that I'm hiding things from, but I've caused Koujou and her company trouble.

”I told you, I don't plan to blame you. Let's just give her space for now.”

”Ok. Thanks for telling me all of this. I don't know if I can help her in anyway but I'll try.”

”I can see why she fell in love instantly. Well, goodnight Takaiyama-san.” She bowed at me and went inside the apartment building.

---

The next morning, I waited in front of Koujou's apartment for her. When I saw her walk outside, I called out to her.

”Koujou!”

”Takaiyama-san…? What are you doing here so early?” She was surprised to see me there.

”I just wanted to talk about what happened…”

”Megumi-san did tell me she talked to you last night.” She looked like she felt better now. ”Have you eaten anything yet? There's a family restaurant nearby, we can eat breakfast if you want.”

”Oh crap, I forgot my wallet at home.”

”Don't worry, I'll pay for it.”

”You better pay for it. Or I'd have to tell others about your address.” Since the mood was lighter now, I felt a joke was necessary.

”You're blackmailing me, right? For money? What next?” She covered her chest area with her arms. ”Don't tell me you'll ask for my body next?” Maybe I shouldn't joke too much around her.

---

We went to the family restaurant that was nearby. She was already a regular there and has her special seat where other people won't be able to see her easily.

”This place is good when I'm feeling down and want to run away from people. Everyone here is so friendly.” She was really happy when talking about this place.

”Thanks for bringing me here. I guess we can talk here privately.”

”I couldn't possibly have taken you to my apartment. I mean, we'll be all alone and who knows what you'd do to me...”

”Stop talking about me like I'm some pervert.” Her imagination is astounding.

After eating our food, we continued our conversation.

”So, about what happened in your audition, I'm really sorry…” I wanted to get that out.

”No, it wasn't your fault. Not at all…” She looked down as she was avoiding looking at me. ”I was the one who forced myself into your life. I wasn't fully prepared to accept whatever consequence that would happen. And after being rejected by you then failing the audition, I wanted to run away. That's why I wanted to retire from being an Idol… I wanted to blame everyone else, instead of blaming myself and taking responsibility…”

”I still feel somewhat responsible…”

”Maybe you are.” She laughed. ”Have I told you why I wanted to be an Idol?”

”No, not yet.”

”It's because I never wanted to lose to Hiroisora again, so I decided to be popular.” She was smiling when she said that. ”The ironic thing is that it's her again that gave me a reason to continue being an Idol.”

”Wait, does that mean you won't retire anymore?”

”Yeah. When we performed yesterday, I just realized I love doing what I do. I just have to focus and try harder next time. Everyone at the company supports me, and I don't want to let them down. I just hope they forgive my selfishness for wanting to retire…”

”That's great!”

”Why does it feel like you're relieved to get rid of me? I'll still be doing the play, you know.” She started to pout for some reason.