Chapter 39
If he wanted success as quickly as possible, relying on the system and Takahashi Mio's effort alone was far from enough.
He still had to devour every acting textbook he could find and, just as carefully, reread the psychology handbooks again and again. Only by anticipating every obstacle Mio might et on her road forward could he adjust the plan in ti—better to fix the roof before it started raining.
When he'd guided Saori, he'd picked up kendo along the way and had even grown to love it. He wasn't a master, but he could hold his own in the upper bracket. He couldn't mow down ten opponents at once like Saori—yet he was still one of the best. All of it ca from sheer effort.
When he'd trained Hojo Shione, he'd thrown himself into music theory with the sa abandon. Unfortunately, he'd plateaued at the theoretical stage; his pitch-deaf ear made anything beyond the books impossible.
Besides mastering these specialties, he also had to keep an eye on the industry itself—what kind of works caught fire in the current market...
He had to chart the fastest, most rational promotion route for each girl. He'd done it for Hasegawa Saori, and he'd done it for Hojo Shione. Experience piled on experience.
Turning soone into a star was far more complicated than anyone imagined; it demanded every ounce of his energy and passion.
"If I don't read all this, how can I walk forward with you?"
The boy's voice brushed her ear. Takahashi Mio froze, heart twisting, then quickly looked away; she couldn't et Shiratori Seiya's eyes.
So that's why they all adore you.
Back then, you must have said the sa thing to them.
Her hands clenched on her lap, nails digging into her palms.
Damn it.
I'm supposed to be conquering him—so how did I...
end up moved by him instead?
She lifted her cup, swallowed a mouthful of coffee to push down the turmoil, and asked the question she'd rehearsed before coming:
"By the way... what exactly do you usually do?"
"Hm? Why the sudden curiosity?"
"I just realized I barely know you. I don't even know your hobbies or habits. When friends ask about you, the best I can say is 'first-year, business major, hates green peppers and scallions...'"
Mio sighed, worrying her lower lip. "It feels like I'm in a fake relationship."
"......"
Seiya considered for a mont. "My everyday life's nothing special."
"That's only how it looks to you. I might find it fascinating." She tilted her head. "I heard you're in the kendo club?"
"Yeah."
He nodded, about to elaborate, when the phone on the table buzzed.
Bzzzt.
The screen lit up, drawing both their gazes.
[Kendo Club President]
Caller ID flashed the title. Mio's eyes sparkled.
Seiya frowned—why would the president call him now?
He tapped the answer key. A gravelly voice burst out:
"Shiratori-kun, you didn't co to practice today?"
"Sothing ca up last minute."
"Uh." Apparently not expecting that, Fujimoto Takao hesitated. "Is it super, super, super important?"
The triple emphasis made Seiya's brow pinch. "What's wrong?"
"Today C University's kendo club is here for a coaching session. The exhibition match lot drew your na..."
"Huh? I'm not even there—how could they draw ?"
Fujimoto scratched his head, face scrunching in distress.
"Even if you ask , I've no idea. Your na wasn't on any slip. By rights you shouldn't have been picked..."
"......"
Listening to the nonsense, Seiya couldn't help asking, "You're joking, right, President? Just redraw the lot."
"Why would I joke about sothing like this!"
Fujimoto's voice snapped serious, then he sighed.
"We redrew. Your na ca up again..."
He paused, puzzled.
"Shiratori-kun, is there soone in C University's club who knows you? Soone claims they saw you here. Where are you now?"
Seiya glanced at Mio. "At a café on a date."
"Forget the date for now. I'll take you out later—coffee or even so canned oolong, whatever you want..."
Who said anything about dating you?
Before Seiya could retort, Fujimoto pressed on:
"Which café? Still in Tokyo, right? Please—I'll hop on my bike and co get you!"
"No need for the bike. I'm at the one on campus."
Fujimoto brightened. "Perfect! I'll slot you last in the lineup—just hurry!"
He hung up, not giving Seiya a chance to refuse.
Mio, who'd been leaning in shalessly to eavesdrop, straightened and probed, "Club stuff?"
Seiya nodded. "Yeah. They drew for today's coaching match. Feels weird."
"Are you going?"
Mio pursed her lips. "I've been watching a drama lately—the heroine does kendo. Could I tag along and take a look?"
–––––––––––––––––
From C University to H University, even with traffic, the bus ride was barely thirty minutes.
Yet every second felt like a year. Hasegawa Saori pressed her face to the window, pulse racing at the thought of seeing him again.
Even facing a possible n strike hadn't ever thrilled her like this.
Her heart felt caged, pounding against invisible bars, until a faint blush dusted her pale cheeks.
She stayed glued to the glass, nose almost flattening against it.
Screech—
The bus lurched to a stop inside H University. Saori jolted forward. About to bolt out, she found the aisle cramd with bodies.
A quick idea flashed. She slid the window open, grabbed her bamboo sword, and jumped.
"Wha—?!"
"Captain! Soone bailed out the window!"
"Huh?!"
Yokoyama Miyu froze halfway through unpacking gear, mouth agape.
We're parked—why jump like we're storming a castle?
Hearing the chaotic gasps behind her, Miyu sprinted down the steps to check for injuries.
But the figure standing on the pavent was Hasegawa Saori. Miyu exhaled in relief and marched up, scolding:
"Saori, why'd you jump?"
Then she noticed the pink on Saori's cheeks and stared.
"Saori, your face is red. You're that excited?"
"Excited...?" Saori tilted her head. Sothing flickered in her clear eyes. She pressed a hand to her chest and whispered to herself:
"So that's why it's so loud..."
Thirty-seven days.
That's how long it had been since she last saw him.
But it had been a hundred and seventy-eight days since he last saw her.
So, in truth, they had been apart for two hundred and fifteen days.
Being a couple like this—whether it's or Seiya—we're both just pathetic.
I'm an assassin, not a vampire, but after two hundred days without sunlight, the energy I've stored up is completely depleted. Even my chest has gone flat...
Hasegawa Saori rubbed her chest, unconsciously thinking of Hojo Shione, regret flashing through her eyes.
It's all her fault.
She stole the energy that was rightfully mine from Seiya.
Thief!
If Seiya and I hadn't broken up, as an assassin I would've had no choice but to eliminate her...
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