Chapter 3


TL: Akabane


***


The area in front of the station at midday is still crowded. I am not used to this kind of situation, perhaps because I am usually stay inside the company.


It was a precious lunch break. In the end, I decided to go along with it. If something happened, the company would notice, so I prepared a voice recorder just in case. I also had my smartphone ready so that I could call the police immediately.


I left the office a little early, changed in the station restroom, and left my suit in the locker. I had already spent 10 minutes on this task. The hands of my watch were over the top. I was late.


I didn't feel like going that far to change in my work clothes. That was the only reason.


I knew the name of the izakaya called "Trimaru" because it was a national chain. However, I have only been there a few times. The place I was looking for was on the fifth floor of a small building. The atmosphere was somewhat scary. I wonder if I have been playing too many games.


I got off the elevator and was soon connected to the restaurant. The restaurant was busy for lunch. I felt a little relieved.


"Oh, um, this is ...... Yamamoto."


As I was told, I said that name at the reception desk. The female waitress laughed and said, "You're already here." It's a smile that doesn't even know what's about to happen. If I could, I would like to leave just like that.


The counter seats are filled with businessmen on their lunch break. Hoping not to meet my colleagues, I also put on my glasses and mask, which I usually don't wear. I wondered in my mind why I was in disguise.


I was taken to a private room. There seemed to be about 10 rooms in total, but all the doors were closed. I could hear laughter inside, so the place must be quite prosperous.


I pulled the sliding door with my intention.


"..............."


"Sorry I'm late. ......"


There she was, a woman.


She was wearing a black hat and glasses. I quickly apologized, and she gave a small bow.


To be honest, it was a bit of a letdown. I had thought there would be one or two strong, flirtatious men in the image. No, they may be coming out of the woodwork. I remained vigilant and faced her in the dugout.


"Blue Rose ......?"


In this way, the off-line meeting is a moderately funny sight. She looks obviously Japanese, but her name is acrobatic. For the first time in my life, I said it out loud. Blue Rose. No, it is impossible to call this an off-line meeting in the first place.


She nods again at my question.


"You're late. Cheerleader."


That is the name of my account. It's so lame when it's spoken out loud. But for me, who was never interested in the name of my own account in the first place, it's just a name I gave it with that level of thought. At the time, I had no idea that a woman would say it to me.


"I'm a little busy with work."


"No, no. I'm not blaming you."


"Oh, I see. ......"


She didn't seem to be angry. I certainly feel that way when I look at her.


Looking closely, I noticed that her black hair was slicked back, and I couldn't help but be drawn to it.


"Um ...... about yesterday?"


I asked her straightforwardly. In the first place, I had no intention of prolonging the moment. The voice recorder I had tucked into the chest pocket of my polo shirt was also in full operation.


Then this person made a curious face.


"Before that. You're very calm."


"Well, yeah. I'm curious about the story and ......."


"No, that's not what I meant."


Then, what did she mean? I was wondering whether I should ask her or not, and she took off her glasses of her own accord.


"............... Eh?"


I was speechless. A wave of shock washes over me as if to say, "Is this what they called by shock?" Soon it turned into a shudder, a nervousness like a handshake.


The makeup was light, but I definitely recognized her face. It's rare that a pair of glasses can change a person's appearance so much.


A memory comes back to me. The girl I admired was right in front of me, but I was so flustered many times that I spent countless hours even to utter a single word to her.


That girl was right in front of me.


"Mo, mo, Momo-chan ......?　No, no way. That's not true, is it? Yes, it is. This is a new kind of prank!"


I spoke quickly, as is typical of nerds, but I didn't care. It's impossible to believe in this situation. An unrelated account threatens me, and when I come to the site, the person herself is there?　I don't understand it calmly.


"It's not a prank. Therefore, I wanted to explain."


Still, she has a different air about hrr than the Aimi Momoka on stage. Her image of a solid person is still there, but she is somehow more subdued. Is it because of the light makeup? I still think she is cute, yes.


In addition, she is wearing the same outfit she was wearing when she was photographed by a weekly magazine. That means, I handed Momo-chan her wallet at that time. In other words, I touched Momo-chan's purse.


"Kukuku."


"Hmm?"


"Oh, no, sorry."


A ridiculously sickening smile appeared. I hastily tried to act nonchalant, amazed that at 32 I could laugh in such a perverted way.


I cleared my throat once and decided to reset my head. There was no point in thinking about it anyway. She wouldn't harm me, and I could listen to her talk for a bit.


"I have a lot on my mind, but I'll listen to you anyway."


"Thank you for your calm decision. Actually, to tell you the truth, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to talk to you."


"That's right, of course. ......"


I'm the same way when it comes to that. I'll probably never forget the horror of receiving a measured text from an account with which I had no real connection. I'll probably never forget it. But I guess it's the same for her, too.


For now, I'd say it's a relief. I thought it might be a new type of spam, but the appearance of Aimi Momoka herself quickly changed my mind.


I'm just guessing, but it's not common for idols to respond to these kinds of things themselves. Basically, it is through their agency that they react in some way. I have seen this happen many times.


Not so this time. If the idol herself is acting in this way, it is definitely her own decision. If anyone in the office knew, they would definitely stop her. I am facing her like this, but I don't know what she will do to me.


If so, this suspicion is not going to be a simple matter.


"I'm really sorry I got you involved in this news report."


"Oh, no. What can I say, I was able to meet Momo-chan like this, so I guess that's good. ......"


I say that. It's not my real intention, but it's not a lie. I am a fan, or rather, I am just looking good as a man. I'm not so corrupt as to abuse such a pretty girl who is bowing down to me. I have zero desire to do so.


Well, to put it simply, I was told off.


"Can I ask you question?"


"......... Yes."


There is a time factor. I decided that waiting for her explanation would not advance the conversation. When I said so, she thought for a moment and nodded reluctantly. I don't understand. This girl.


"Why are you here alone?　Do you have permission from the office or something?"


She sounds like a daddy's girl. I'm sick of it. Maybe it's because it was rather serious, but she doesn't say anything and is thinking about it. Well, I haven't ordered anything since a while ago. I wonder if she might be suspicious of me.


"It's all my own decision. What happened today and in the press."


As expected. If I go through the office with this, I doubt the significance of the company's existence.


That said, there is no merit for an affiliated talent to do this. What is the point of calling someone on a SNS behind-the-scenes account and acting like they want to talk about the press coverage? That's what I came here to ask.


...... Well, I can tell you one thing. I'm sure it's not a good reason.


"--I want to quit being an idol."


You see. They even try to take away my late youth.



PREV | NEXT