Chapter 2


TL: Akabane


***


I can't taste the tobacco any more than usual. I'm nervous, or rather, I'm floating.


But I had too many ideas about that scene. It was the same three months ago when I went to a concert in Fukuoka, and I was wearing a suit. And the fact that I stopped by a nearby convenience store after the concert.


Above all, the scene in this photo was familiar. I was looking right at this woman. In other words, this man is me.


In love with an idol?　No, no, no way. I've talked to her before, but it was only for a few seconds at a handshake session. I don't even know if I can say that we talked.


And of course, I couldn't ask her anything because the staff was there. I didn't even know her contact information. In fact, I didn't even know that she was Momo-chan.


In order to calm down a little, I decided to take a closer look at the news report.


Although there were allegations of a passionate love affair, there was scant evidence of it. It is not convincing unless they kissed or hugged each other. This is also said on the Internet.


Next, let's talk about the other guy. The article does not mention much about him. It says that he is an ordinary man of medium height and medium build, and that they are getting along well with each other. I'm sorry for being so ordinary.


Well, I guess the article was skipped in the usual way. If I were a third party, I would think so. I would deny it as much as I could. Momo-chan, did you have plans to appear in some kind of drama or movie? I don't really like it, but it's possible that it's a flammable business.


"No, but you've got me stumped. ......"


In any case, it's me who's in trouble. It's not even annoying to involve the general public in such a hoax.


As for me, I don't feel bad about being mistaken for Momo's girlfriend. It is annoying, though. I never thought about being the boyfriend of that girl I admire. ......


The problem is now. What if this gets out? A passionate love affair with an idol will be covered up unless there is something wrong with the relationship. In Momo-chan's case, it would be inevitable that the finger of blame would be pointed at me.


Even though the photos are covered with mosaic, it's not as if they are 100% private. Fans know that Momo likes to wear suits, and if it is written that the concert is over, it could be taken as a sign that she was connected to the fans.


I'd have to consult .......


I don't think anyone has found out so far. That's why it's annoying. Even if you dig your own grave here, what you can do is limited.


"I guess it's a good idea to keep my mouth shut."


That's what I tell myself.


In fact, I felt that was the smartest solution. If I were to be identified and suffer a disadvantage because of this, I would take the publisher to court. Because I am innocent. It would be dishonest as a fan to say that she and I are dating.


In addition, there has been no official announcement from Momo-chan's side. It was obvious to me that the anti-fans would make a fuss, as if to say that silence is a positive thing, although it would be wrong to respond to such a rumor.


I've seen many reports of infatuation in the past, but it was rare for them to clearly deny it. The more noise you make, the more attention you will get from the public. Such a sales method has become the mainstream in today's idol industry. I guess we'll just have to wait for this to go away. ......


I open my SNS account. Momo-chan's fan account has somehow gained followers. I've been invited to many offline meetings, but I pride myself on my rather shy personality. I really don't enjoy participating.


Then, one message arrived.


"That's unusual."


That said, I basically never exchange replies with anyone. We are connected, but that's it. I don't even know who they are. I'm happy to know Momo-chan related news. I am proud to say that this is a wise use of social networking.


The person I'm talking to is an account called "Blue Rose," which I've never been involved with. It was locked. But the name was familiar. He is an old timer who I connected with rather soon after I created this account. But it was neither more nor less than that.


[Sorry for the sudden contact. This is the first time I've sent you a message like this...]


"Too long!"


It was so long that I couldn't help but let out a sigh. I wondered what he was writing for such a long time.


Well, if it's too much trouble, you can just ignore it. That's what social networking is for, isn't it? But that doesn't mean I think it's okay to hurl abusive language at them. Many people don't understand that words can turn into flowers or blades.


I light my second cigarette. As I do so, I drop my gaze to the text. The usual exhilaration escapes my nose, thanks to the fact that I'm more calm than before.


However, it would collapse in dismay.


[--I would like to talk to you about Momoka Aimi's alleged infatuation.]


I coughed as hard as I could. This was just as I was about to stop reading, as he continued to linger on just small talk. It's like all the smoke reaching my lungs is coming back at once. I'm even sobbing. That's how much the shock hit me.


"Heh, why ......?"


It was the most pathetic voice I've ever heard in my 32 years of life. I'm ashamed of myself. It's so messed up. I can't believe I'm an old man.


More importantly, this Blue Rose guy. His writing is strangely polite for a mere threat. That makes me feel even more uncomfortable.


It's not just a threat. I can't deny that he may have sent it to anyone, but it's too pinpoint. If you read it carefully, it also hints at something I've tweeted in the past. This is clearly a text directed at me.


[--I know you are surprised. That's why I contacted you to explain.]


Yes, I knew it. Too polite. Nowadays, anyone who threatens someone on a social networking site has an image of an idiot. In fact, that may be true, but I don't feel that from this Blue Rose account. This is subjective. There is no evidence.


The last sentence of the article ended as follows.


[--We are waiting for you tomorrow at 12:00 noon at the izakaya "Torimaru◯△ Ekimae". Please tell the receptionist, I'm Yamamoto.]


He's so one-sided. I'm laughing beyond fear. An izakaya at 12:00 in the afternoon?　What are you going to do, have lunch? And he politely specified a place in front of a train station. Does that mean he knows where I live?


It's true that I remember tweeting something similar to that at ....... It's too scary that they can be so close to identifying me.


Above all, he knows what I look like. I can assume that he knows my personal information.


"Hmmm ......."


Again, I say again and again, it's not a threat, it's not a threat. They politely said, "I'd like to explain." No, maybe it is a threat if I actually go there.


Before that, tomorrow is a weekday. Even though it's my lunch break, I doubt if I'll be released without a fight.


At any rate, I try to reply.


[I guess it's difficult since I have to work.]


I decided to save this exchange in a screenshot because I thought it might be some kind of evidence. Thinking about it calmly, it's still dangerous. It's harder to tell them to trust me.


The reply came surprisingly quickly.


[I don't mean to threaten you. Please, I need a moment of your time.]


I don't understand. If this keeps up, I'm not going to get any work done tomorrow. No, I might have to live with the possession forever, not just tomorrow.


I was about to smoke my third cigarette. But I was out. I got tired of thinking about it and decided to just go to sleep. I felt that I was involved in something troublesome and even lazy to live.



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