Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 11: Delusions Often Become Reality
"Wait, what did you say?"

"I mean, I'm a little tempted."

"No, you mean Hojo Shione is his girlfriend?"

"What nonsense! Aren't I his girlfriend?"

Mio Takahashi suddenly opened her eyes, her delicate brows furrowed, and her tone was somewhat displeased.

"Oh, so that's his ex-girlfriend. His ex-girlfriend is Hojo Shione?"

"Hmm...that's what he said..."

Mio Takahashi responded with a sound of agreement, then instinctively retorted:
"How could that be?"

“How could Hojo Shione possibly have any connection with him? I bet he’s just like those hardcore otaku who love to fantasize, you don’t know…”

He told Haruno Reika about how Shiratori Seiya had hidden someone's promotional poster in his car and mistaken it for a photograph.

Mio Takahashi argued her case forcefully, giving a long speech, the core of which was that it was impossible.

However, after hearing what had happened, Haruno Reika pondered for a moment and said:
"Hard to say."

"..."

Mio Takahashi's eyelids twitched, and she sat up abruptly.

I feel a little irritated.

Why is it hard to say?

Although she knew that Reika was rather conservative, she couldn't bring herself to speak up these past few days when it came to Shiratori Seiya's affairs...

She pursed her lips and patiently asked:

"What do you think?"

"He's so rich, he'll treat Hojo Shione the same way he treats you. Besides, aren't there always rumors online that she has a wealthy backer? Otherwise, she wouldn't have risen to prominence so quickly..."

"Oh……"

Upon hearing this, Mio Takahashi's lips moved slightly, and her agitation dissipated considerably.

His body slid down the wall again.

"If that's what you're saying, then it's not impossible."

"Ok?"

Hearing Takahashi Mio's response, Haruno Reika asked with some confusion on the other end of the phone:

"Mio, I remember you didn't like hearing bad things said about Hojo Shione, did you?"

Mio Takahashi is obsessed with Shione.

Ever since I saw her on TV during a talent competition for young singers, I've been completely captivated by her confident demeanor on stage and her beautiful singing.

Not only do I listen to her songs every day, but I also request them every time I go to a karaoke party.

You could say he's a loyal fan.

Once someone becomes famous, all sorts of conflicting opinions will arise.

Whenever her friends talk about Hojo Shione and spread rumors, Takahashi Mio laughs and argues, "I don't know anything about that. Maybe the media is just making things up. But her songs are really good..."

However, if she sees rumors online, she immediately transforms into a top-tier troll, questioning whether the other person's family members' memorial tablets were buried in Fukushima.

Haruno Reika had long realized that she was being manipulated, so she avoided talking about it when the rumors were at their peak.

There have been fewer of those messy rumors lately, and she hasn't been engaging in as much intense online debate.

Upon hearing Reika's question, Takahashi Mio's expression stiffened, and she hesitated for a moment before finally saying:

"I'm just going along with what you said, and theoretically speaking, this is possible..."

Regardless, she was actually somewhat unwilling to accept that the two of them had once been in a relationship.

Although their charm is comparable to her own, she still feels inferior to them.

I'm really annoyed.
And just in case.

If Hojo Shione really is Shiratori Seiya's girlfriend.

Mio Takahashi would rather accept that she only agreed to date Seiya Shiratori out of necessity due to reality.

If that's the case, then there's a sense of relief that 'I'm in the same situation as a popular singer.' "Oh, so what are your thoughts? Do you really want to become an actor?"

"No."

Mio Takahashi answered immediately.

"I only said I was a little tempted, I didn't say I was actually going to become an actress. Even if what Shiratori said was true, if my dad knew I was going to become an actress, he'd probably break my legs..."

Upon hearing this, Haruno Reika fell silent.

She and Mio had known each other since high school. When they were shopping together, Mio was spotted by a talent scout.

She knew Takahashi Mio's personality well; she was the type who liked to be the center of attention.

This is true in school clubs, and it's also true in private groups. Although she doesn't deliberately say anything strange, she always uses small details to make herself the center of attention.

The jewelry, bags, and clothes that Mio wore were not appropriate for her status; they were all deliberately designed to attract attention.

Rika thought that even if Mio didn't agree on the spot, she would at least happily go home and discuss it with her family. To her surprise, Mio refused on the spot.

Later, she learned from Mio that her father was an old man who embodied the spirit of the Showa era to the core.

They were quite conservative, believing that girls should aim to become housewives and raise children.

Let alone being an actress, during high school, Mio Takahashi could only wear school uniforms most of the time, and the only pretty clothes she could go out in were yukatas and less conspicuous casual wear.

Haruno Reika has been speculating these past few days that Mio University dared to buy so many luxury goods and overspend to the point of owing more than two million yen, probably because she was previously under too much pressure.

"I was just momentarily tempted..."

"After all, if I can't be a star, it's fine to just be alone, isn't it? Besides, I'm not the right age for that, am I? Those famous actors all started as child stars from a young age, and their connections and acting skills are far superior to mine..."

"That's only a part of it. Many people only start formally studying in college, and it takes them two or three years after graduation before they can officially participate in a drama. Where are you inferior to them now?"

Haruno Reika retorted, and then, without waiting for Mio's reply, she offered some advice:
"Mio, why don't you give it a try first? You're already out here, so you can study secretly and participate in one or two small dramas. I doubt your family will know, right? By the time you graduate, your father probably won't be able to control you anymore..."

"..."

There was a moment of silence on the phone.

A moment later, Mio Takahashi suddenly laughed:

"Forget it, I don't really want to be an actress that much. It's exhausting, and there are all sorts of messy rumors. Besides, people online always say that it's hard to make it in the entertainment industry, right? One minute this person is being sexually harassed, the next they're being framed..."

"Besides, who knows if that guy is lying to me? What if he tricks me into signing a contract and then makes an adult film? I might as well be dead."

"All right……"

"Okay, that's enough for today, Lixiang. I'm tired. Let's talk about the details when we meet later."

Haruno Reika wanted to say something more, but after hearing the girl's tired voice say goodnight, she hung up the phone.

"..."

The phone was tossed aside, and the dimly lit, cramped rented room fell silent.

Mio Takahashi stared at the ceiling in silence.

Suddenly, a beam of cool moonlight pierced through the window, illuminating the wall where a poster of Hojo Shione hung.

My gaze was drawn to the light.

She couldn't help but slowly raise her hand, peering through her fingers at the girl's face on the poster.

For a moment, Mio Takahashi felt as if the person on the poster on the wall was herself.

The words of Shiratori Seiya unconsciously echoed in my mind:

Have you ever imagined that one day you would stand on a stage and appear on a screen?

"Don't say discouraging things like 'How can I do this?' You'll never know how amazing you are if you don't try."

Suddenly, clouds drifted past the window, and the full moon disappeared into them, plunging the entire room into darkness.

Mio Takahashi snapped back to reality.

She paused for a moment, a self-deprecating smile appearing on her face, then grabbed the blanket and crawled inside.

"Whimsical."

……
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(End of this chapter)