Main Story - Chapter 4

───── dormitory ─────
Takao
That's the last box. That was faster than I thought.
Haruma
That's because you helped me~
Takao
It wasn't much, Happy to help whenever~
Haruma
Listen, Takao.
Takao
Hm? Did we forget something after all?
Haruma
No, that’s not what I meant. What do you think of the others?
Takao
Ah... Well, I’m not sure right off the bat. Futami-san seems reliable...
Haruma
I agree, even though she looks tired, her eyes are kind. I think she’ll take good care of us.
Takao
As for Akabane-san, let's see... He gives off a cool, mature vibe, and he did great at the shoot today. I think we’ll just have to see him in action and find out.
Haruma
Hmm, I see... I noticed that he and Futami-san get along quite well, as if they’ve known each other for a long time.
Takao
He did say he trained at a subsidiary agency, maybe that’s where she met him?
Haruma
I suppose so. You’re probably right~ I just need to get used to new people.
Takao
It's not just about getting used to them, but about becoming friends.
Haruma
Well, not all at once.
Takao
You're right.
Haruma
Then, what about Hayashi-san?
Takao
What about him?
Haruma
You’ve met before, haven't you? What do you think of him?
Takao
Hmm... To me, he’s someone to look up to, so you could say I’m a fan... to some extent.
Haruma
Seriously? Never would've guessed that people like that inspire you.
Takao
Haha, you could say that—
Haruma
He seems unapproachable. I wonder, is he always like that?
Takao
We haven't talked much, but whenever we did, he was polite, even if he wasn't very talkative—well, much like he is now. Except...
Haruma
Except?
Takao
Maybe it was just out of respect for all the members, but...
Before... what happened last spring, he treated us both nicely...
Haruma
Oh, talking about that again.
...
It's been so long, and Takao is still hung up on that jerk... ugh, so annoying!
Takao
But I'm not sure if Hayashi-san knows what happened... I hope he doesn't bring it up.
He's not always as cold as he seems, really.
Haruma
I see~ Just what you'd expect from an idol of his caliber. A true professional~
Oh! Sounds like someone's back, let's go see.
Takao
That's right, Emi-san said they were going to the store.
Emi
We're back~ How are you guys doing, are you finished with your luggage?
Haruma
Yeah, pretty much~ It was easy to unpack together, we finished in no time~
Takao
Only a few small things left. How did your shopping go?
Kanae
Here's what you've asked for.
Do they really need a whole bag of sweets? I was thinking about tossing it in the trash on the way and saying I forgot.
Takao
Thanks, Hayashi-san~
Norita
Emi-san, could you help me put these groceries in the fridge? I’ll get everything else out on the table.
Chicken… Sauce… Spices… Vegetables… Pudding… And what’s this box?...
Haruma
Oh, I left some of my things on the table…
Norita
AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!?!?! WH-WH-WH-WHAT IS THAT THING ON THE TABLE?!?!??!? WHERE DID THAT VERMIN COME FROM!?!?
Emi
A- Akabane-kun got so scared that even his Osaka accent slipped out!
I’d already forgotten… Akabane-kun is…
Takao
!!!
Kanae
?!
That’s one loud voice...
Haruma
Whoa!! My ears are ringing!
Norita
Em-mi-sa-a-an!!!... Why are there bedbugs in a b-box here?!...
Haruma
There's no bedbugs!! That’s my pet beetle, his name is Yamamoto-san!
Emi
Akabane-kun is... terrified of bugs, you know.
Norita
A PET?!!? THAT MONSTER?!
Haruma
What?! You’re the monster! Yamamoto-san is the sweetest creature!! An angel!!!
Norita
AN ANGEL?! THAT’S A DEMON INCARNATE, LOOK, HE EVEN HAS HORNS!
Haruma
Apologize to him!! Or maybe I really should sic the bedbugs on you?
Norita
Emi-san! Who let this lunatic in here?!
Emi
A-hahaha… Akabane-san, don’t worry, Iwaki-kun’s pet will stay in his room, it won’t bother you.
Norita
How can anyone live in peace knowing that a creature like that is in the house?
Haruma
Hmph. Well, that’s how it is. You’ll have to get used to it.
Kanae
Is that a real beetle?
Takao
Uh-huh! He’s actually harmless and very sweet! I’ve held him in my hands quite a few times~ Wanna try too?
Kanae
…Maybe some other time.
Haruma
Anytime! Yamamoto-san is very friendly to those who don’t call him a “monster”!
Kanae
Mm…
By the way, didn’t know Akabane-san was from Osaka. I’ve had to perform there a few times. It’s beautiful there…
Norita
Hah, I know. I’ve been to all your concerts in Osaka after all. Damn it! Even my accent slipped out because of this stupid beetle!!!
Yeah. It would be great to go there and perform together once we debut~
Kanae
Agreed~
Norita
?!!?!?!? Did he just smile for a sec?!
Emi
That's true, Akabane-san, but you'll all have to work really hard for it~
Norita
Obviously.
Haruma
Can a tough guy who's afraid of bugs even debut? Blehhh!~
Norita
Get that thing away from me, or I'm throwing it into your soup!
Haruma
Huh?! Futami-san, did you hear that?!
Takao
Come on, come on, Haruma-kun, he's just joking~
Kanae
Looks like those two have already hit it off.
Norita
I wouldn't be joking if I didn't absolutely hate the idea of touching that thing. Ugh!
Emi
Are you five years old or something?...
Kanae
They're just like kids.
I'm going to my room to unpack, call me if you need anything.
Norita
Heh, I wonder if Kanae will like my cooking?~
Emi
Alright, Hayashi-san! We'll take care of everything here.
───── later ─────
Emi
Akabane-san, would you mind setting the table while I go call the others?
Norita
Yes, please. I don't even want to go near their room.
Emi
What am I gonna do with you.
Emi
Iwai-kun, Iwaki-kun, dinner is ready, come down to the living room.
Takao
Haruma
Coming!~
Emi
Hayashi-san, you too. We’re finished in the kitchen.
Kanae
Alright, thank you.
Emi
Oh, right… Akabane-kun isn’t going to be happy about this…
But there’s not much I can do. Hayashi-kun signed the contract on his own terms; he knows what he’s doing, and I have no right to interfere.
Emi
Come on, sit down before food gets cold.
Takao
Whoa, can’t believe you two made this?! Are you guys professional chefs or something?
Haruma
Hmm, smells yummy.
Norita
Heh! Well, of course! I was the one cooking the meat, and got the perfect sauce for it too~
Kanae
Hmm… It looks straight out of a cooking magazine. Those two are good… But… the spices are making my nose itch. Ugh, I just need to make sure I don’t sneeze… Hope the manager left my food in the fridge…
Norita
Ah! There’s Kanae… I wonder if he’ll like the mea-... Huh? Where is he going? To the fridge? What are those food containers?
Kanae
You did a great job; the food looks like it's straight from a high-end restaurant. Don't mind me, go ahead and start. I'll join you in five.
Norita
Huh?...
Takao
Hm? Hayashi-san, aren't you going to eat with us?
Kanae
I will, of course, but fried, fatty foods don't fit my diet, so I'll get my own dinner myself.
Norita
What?… A diet?... When I went all out to cook such delicious food with Emi-chan?! I can't believe he's just going to refuse! Tsk.
Kanae
Actually, I would advise you all to start watching your diet from this moment on. High-calorie foods, sweets, and the like have a huge impact on your figure and appearance. But since our manager decided to throw a welcome party, I'll let it slide today—go ahead and enjoy yourselves.
Emi
Aaaah, with all due respect, Hayashi-kun, you're going to scare them off!! On the very first day! And you have a five-year contract…
Haruma
Ugh~ You're being way too serious~
Don't worry, Hayashi-san, I personally never gain weight, even if I eat lots of sweets~
Takao
I knew idols followed diets, of course, but I didn't realize it was this strict for you.
Kanae
Something like that.
Emi
Unfortunately, it's true. I've been on diets myself back in the day, but not with this level of discipline. Hayashi-kun's case is borderline extreme.
Norita
Doesn't he get tired of eating like this?… What is that?… Salad with boiled chicken? Ugh…
Norita
What a shame…
Norita
Fine, but at least Emi-chan will appreciate it, right?! Emi-chan! Say something...
Emi
Is it just me, or is Akabane-kun staring at me a bit too openly?!
Norita
Emi-cha-a-a-an, don't girls usually talk ten times before eating about how delicious it looks and how they need to take a photo for social media?! Especially when such a cool guy helped with the cooking~
Emi
He… What… Uh… Seriously?… Although, come to think of it… I used to praise his every move just because the director told me not to let such an important person slip away.
Emi
Akabane-san.
Norita
Hmm? What is it, Emi-san?
Emi
It’s written all over his face…
Emi
Thanks for the help in the kitchen today~ Where did you learn to cook so well? That chicken was finger-licking good!~
Norita
HEH!!!
Oh, come on, it's nothing~ Just, you know, sometimes I’d get bored at home~
Emi
He has such a huge grin on his face. I can practically see him wagging an imaginary tail.
Haruma
Yeah, our manager and that dude are definitely getting along well…
Takao
Haruma, calling him "that dude" is a bit rude, we're in the same group after all…
Haruma
So what? He didn't have any trouble being rude to Yamamoto-san.
Takao
That might have been a bit much, but if he's just that terrified of insects, I can see where he's coming from.
Haruma
Ugh~ Takao, you're too nice, even to those who don't deserve your kindness~
And then, if you're not careful, it could come back to bite you.
Takao
Not at all.
───── later ─────
Norita
Don’t worry, Emi-san, I’ll take care of the rest~ You should hurry home and get some rest~
Emi
Yes, yes, just behave yourselves, alright? And if you need anything, call me. See you tomorrow!
For some reason, I’m scared to leave them alone in the same space… Hope they don’t end up fighting on the very first night. Right...?
Norita
Okaaay~ Dishes are in the dishwasher, table's clean, and the food is in the fridge. Kids went back to their room, perfect. And it looks like Kanae went to the bathroom.
Norita
Oh my god! Does this mean we’ll be using the same bathroom now?! And smelling like the same body wash?!
Pffft-hahaha, this is too much. I need to lie down… Let's go back to the room. I wonder how Kanae set up his side…
Norita
...
Looks a bit plain… Though the furniture here is far from impressive either...
Norita
Aaaaah~ That was a long day.
*flop*
Norita
Still can't believe that from today on, I'll be sharing a room with Hayashi Kanae… Just the TWO of us! Damn, I need to lie down, even though I'm already lying down!...
What am I even supposed to talk to him about?... It’s usually so much easier to strike up a conversation with girls, and they’re always happy to find a topic just to keep the night going.
This situation is much more complicated. Besides, Kanae doesn't seem very talkative, ugh. So coooool~
Norita
But more importantly… I can't let him find out I'm a fan under any circumstances. That wouldn't be cool… -1000 aura loss. We are no longer fan and idol…
───── flashback ─────
I think it all started with that concert…
Girl
Norita, I've got two tickets to a concert! Do you want to go with me?
Norita
What's this all about, Fumiko? Didn't you wanna go with Aya? Or do you prefer my company after all?~
Fumiko
Yeah, but she got sick. Norita, come with me, you'll love it!
Norita
Hmm, Hayashi Kanae… No idea who that is. But since Fumiko wants to go together, I shouldn't say no~ It’ll be better than sitting around listening to my nagging sister all weekend anyway.
Great! Let's go. This Saturday, right? I'll meet you at the station, just don't be late~
───── concert day ─────
Fumiko
Norita! Sorry, have you been waiting long?
Norita
Not at all. You're right on time. Let me carry your bag~
I wonder, did you wear this dress because you're meeting me, or because we're going to see your idol, Kanae?
It’s a good thing I at least remembered his name. He seems to be popular, though: there are tons of girls here, and they’re all heading to the concert. It’s like I’m the only guy here...
Norita
Look, they’re selling merch over there.
Fumiko
Right! I need to buy this~
Norita
A lightstick? Don't you already have one?
Fumiko
No, this is for you~ As a thanks for coming with me! You’re really going to love it~
Norita
Haha... Just because you say so.
Norita
The concert is about to start. Everyone is buzzing with anticipation, and it looks like I’m the only one here who doesn't know this guy~ Sorry, Aya, you would have been a much more appreciative audience member. But at least Fumiko is having fun.
It’s starting. Just as I thought, everyone is singing along except for me. Oh well, no big deal: at the end of the day, I’m just here for Fumiko. On the other hand, we have pretty good seats close to the stage, so I should enjoy the concert while I have the chance.
That evening was the first time I saw him in person. Kanae really was quite handsome and refined; it’s no wonder the girls were crazy about him. I couldn't wrap my head around how such a fragile-looking guy could dance so beautifully and sing with such confidence. Not to mention that his piercing gaze seemed to burn right through everyone in the crowd, captivating them with his song and his beauty.
Norita
...
In that moment, it felt like he looked right at me, and I felt the smile fade from my face. No, it wasn't because the concert was bad... It was as if there wasn't a drop of fear or doubt in his eyes. It was a very strange feeling. I wanted to look at Fumiko again to check if she was enjoying the concert, but I couldn't tear my gaze away, even when the idol turned to face another part of the stage. Perhaps... that was the beginning of my strange love for Hayashi Kanae.
───── Norita and Kanae's room ─────
*door creaks*
Norita
!
DAMN IT, DAMN IT, DAMN IT!!! I WAS SO LOST IN THOUGHT I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE KANAE HAD COME BACK! HE’S ALREADY CHANGED INTO HIS PAJAMAS! It's pretty simple too, BUT HE LOOKS SO GOOD IN THEM!- Oh no. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ACT?! SHOULD I TALK TO HIM?! WHAT DO I EVEN SAY?!
Kanae
...
Akabane-san, just so you know, the bathroom is free for now. You should hurry, or you’ll have to wait in line.
Norita
Hmm? Oh… Alright, I’ll go now, thanks.
I’M ACTING LIKE MY USUAL SELF, RIGHT?!
Kanae
No problem.
His behavior today was definitely strange and irresponsible. But at least he’s acting calm now.
Only managed to get into an argument with the kid. Is he really that afraid of bugs?
It’s hard to say how they’ll get along, but the main thing is that it doesn’t interfere with the group’s work. 
Norita
I need to hurry!
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