'I know of Shin's feelings for , and Tsurumi must know that too, and yet the girl confined in regardless.'
To have another person trust her like this. It was an unusual feeling. But she doesn't want to lose it. Even if nothing ever happens between Tsurumi and Shin. At the very least, she can't make the girl misunderstand or feel uncomfortable.
Even so, this back, huh? Quite so ti has passed since she last saw it. Sohow, it's comforting.
When she and Shin are outside in the courtyard, he imdiately lets go of her wrist.
"Sorry."
"Hm?"
"Atsuro just found out this morning, and I didn't get a chance to tell you." Shin apologized.
Sumire laughed, seeing his troubled expression. "You don't have to worry about it too much. It caught off guard, but recently it seems like my past is returning to haunt . Instead of running away, I want to face everything coming to ."
She no longer wants to run and hide. She is still afraid. But, bit by bit, she is gaining courage again.
Shin sighed deeply. "I suppose that is like you." He trailed off. "Are you coming to the concert tonight? Atsuro wants to use it as an opportunity to introduce you to everyone."
Suumire nodded. "Mmm, I binge-watched so of your concert footage and TV programs to get a general knowledge of your group's image. But, actually eting everyone in person will be very different."
"Don't push yourself. I know you're not very comfortable with the idea of writing music for a third group."
Sumire raised her eyebrows at that. "The only one making this arrangent uncomfortable is Atsuro."
"You know what he is like when it cos to you."
At those words, Sumire sighed deeply. "That troubles . and Atsuro are not a couple. He doesn't have to act so defensive about everything I do."
"But your okay allowing Nagawa Sano's behavior?"
"San's case is different."
She actually ought to check on him since it's been a while. It will do nobody any good if he loses control of his newfound abilities.
Moreover, she has already seen with his own eyes how far he will go to protect what he believes is his. In this case, it would be her.
Shin rolled his eyes. "I'm sure the first boyfriend is more favored."
"Why are you so irritated?" Sumire snapped.
"Isn't it obvious why?"
Sumire shook her head, and Shin suddenly stood directly in front of her. "Maybe I'm bitter because you haven't spent much ti with recently."
Neither of them said a word for a few seconds, but then she saw Shin's expression. He looked slightly uncomfortable, and she burst into laughter.
Shin rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, and he pulled away. "I am never trying that again. How does Yuhi do that and get away with it?"
Sumire giggled. "My dear's handsoness."
"So, am I not good-looking to you?"
Uh, Sumire laughed awkwardly. "If I said that, I would be lying. You are obviously good-looking."
"Obviously, huh."
Sumire looked at him for a few minutes. Shin seed genuinely troubled by this. So, she knew she couldn't joke about it any longer.
She extended her hands out and patted his hair.
"I'm sorry for neglecting you. I have been quite busy. But you know how much I value our friendship, right?" Sumire emphasized the word 'friendship,' and she briefly saw Shin cringe.
Had this been Atsuro, he would have grumbled about that remark and not let it go. But Shin being Shin nodded.
"Sorry about that. The leader has been fussing recently. I guess I have caught his stress."
Sumire sighed. "You can't let him overwork you." She trailed off, spotting sothing rare sticking out from his bag. "Is that a magazine?"
"Yeah, I was checking the rankings."
_______________________________________
TOP MALE IDOL RANKING
_______________________________________
1: Terashima Yuhi
2: Ahoji Francis
3: Tachibana Masaru
4: Maon Kou
5: Matsumoto Atsu
As expected of her dearest! Seeing his na in that number-one spot just looks so perfect! Sumire made a ntal note to grab a ntal note of this magazine too. She wants to cut out the part with Yuhi's na and fra it.
Despite Shin's insistence that he was checking the male rankings, Sumire found a post-it note on the other page showing the female rankings.
_______________________________________
TOP FEMALE IDOL RANKING
________________________________________
1: Takahashi Yumi
2: Shimazaki Annya
3: Shika Suzu
4: Maizono Ai
5: Ibuki Sumire (NEW) ( 45)
Sumire stared blankly at her na. Huh?
"You jumped from the bottom to the top five, in just a month or so. Narasaki really does work miracles."
"Huh? H--how?" Sumire exclaid.
"Narasaki probably failed to ntion to you that the jobs he signed you up for include points that contribute towards your ranking."
Sumire looked at him in disbelief, she had no idea. Is that why he has been working her like a spartan manager recently? She looks at the rankings with a troubled expression.
"When did this magazine co out?"
"That is an advanced copy. You have at least a few days before the dia bombard your doorstep."
"Thankfully, I am living sowhere else for the an ti. So, I won't have to experience that."
"About where your living-"
Sumire bit her lip before nodding. "It's with Toh."
A knowing ah escaped his lips. "Thought it was weird that Narasaki suddenly stopped showing up to his own house. He must have temporarily moved so he could be closer to you."
Sumire sighed. "I don't understand why. If he truly doesn't trust Toh, why does he allow this arrangent?"
"He probably thinks it's better than Nagawa."
Recalling what Toh told her, she sighed again. "I wonder if that reasoning is enough."
"Also, he probably wants to keep an eye out on Mashima's movents."
At Shin's words, that had a hint of suspicion, she frowned. "Toh is on my side. He won't betray ."
"That may be the case. But, like you said, he is on your side. He won't hurt you. However, will that stop him from hurting others?"
"Shin-"
Shin extended his hand out and lightly patted her hair. "It is understandable that you want to trust him. But until we have enough evidence. Our allies will treat him as an enemy. I hope you understand that."
"I do." Sumire mumbled.
Despite her insistence that Toh is a good person. Sumire has only ever heard him say that he is on her side. Shin is right. There is no guarantee that he will protect their friends if they were ever in danger. Or help them when they are in need.
'I have to find out. To what extent will he go to betray Lucifer?'
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