Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 19: Out of Reach
"What do you mean?"

Mio Takahashi was processing the inexplicable emotions in her heart when she heard Reika Haruno say this, and she raised her questioning eyes.

"Don't you understand?"

Seeing Mio's gaze out of the corner of her eye, Haruno Reika took a deep drag on her cigarette, then curled her red lips, a thin wisp of smoke dissipating under the light.

Didn't I tell you this before?

"If Hojo Shione really is his ex-girlfriend, then it means that he probably doesn't have any bad intentions towards you, or at least the probability of it being a trap is very low."

Watching the cars coming and going under the neon lights, Haruno Reika thought about what Takahashi Mio had told her before, and suddenly smiled and said:
"Maybe he really wants to groom you into a star."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Mio Takahashi, who was sitting by the roadside, crossed her arms in front of her, cupped her knees, and looked confused as she murmured to herself:

"I know all this..."

"But why?"

It was as if Shiratori Seiya had said those words to me:
'You know what, you're different from other people...'

'You just don't realize it yet.'

"The moment you finally step onto the stage, everyone will cheer for you, captivated by your radiance."

'If you're willing to trust me, nothing will be a problem...'

Am I different?

Mio Takahashi unconsciously pictured herself singing on stage.

Despite being watched by countless people, she can still confidently and gently smile, radiating light.

Hojo Shione...

A sudden feeling of inferiority arose in Takahashi Mio's heart.

Immediately afterwards, a thought flashed through my mind.

Can I shine as brightly as her?

Mio Takahashi was startled by her own inexplicable thought, and her expression froze.

Then, a helpless, self-deprecating smile appeared on her pretty face.

How can it be……

Mio, you're such a fool.
-
Thursday marked two days since the incident where Hojo Shione's 'boyfriend' was secretly photographed.

In the corner of an empty classroom at H University.

Mio Takahashi rested her chin on her hand, her gaze intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over Seiya Shiratori, subtly sizing him up.

My gaze traveled down from his eyebrows, carefully examining his facial features.

A moment later, Mio Takahashi frowned.

Although he looks quite pleasing to the eye when he's serious, he doesn't have that kind of striking handsomeness that makes you instantly fall in love.

Why did Hojo Shione start dating him?
After a night and a day of processing it, she finally managed to convince herself that the two of them had dated.

"What are you thinking?"

After drawing the class schedule, Shiratori Seiya looked up and saw Takahashi Mio frowning and biting her lip, looking conflicted. He couldn't help but ask her a question.

"what……"

Just as she was internally complaining, her voice suddenly rang in her ears, and Takahashi Mio shrank back, instantly snapping back to reality.

Her expression instantly changed, revealing a gentle smile as she said, "No."

When her eyes met Shiratori Seiya's, she guiltily looked away, her gaze falling on the timetable he handed her.

She took it casually, and looking at her section of lessons marked with red circles, she asked in confusion, "What does this mean?"

"It means that you are guaranteed to get an A or higher in these courses when you take the final exam."

"what?"

Mio Takahashi parted her red lips slightly, staring blankly at the boy in front of her, her gaze conveying an expression of 'Are you kidding me?'

However, Shiratori Seiya seemed not to understand her meaning and asked in return:
"What, what's the problem?"

There's a problem, a huge problem.

With a slight twitch of her lips, Takahashi Mio quickly took a closer look at what this bastard had circled.

She only glanced at it and didn't see clearly, but she roughly estimated there were eight or nine courses.

Introduction to Cultural Studies, Cultural Psychology, Introduction to Aesthetics...

Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of disorganized classes, Mio Takahashi couldn't help but complain:
"So many..."

"It's alright, is it difficult?"

"..."

Mio Takahashi was silent for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "Difficult."

Psychology, Aesthetics...

She would fall asleep just hearing the names of these classes; she had absolutely no resistance to academic subjects.

"Then let me set a goal for you. Like I said last time, if you achieve it, I'll give you an extra million."

"?!"

Upon hearing this, Takahashi Mio's eyes immediately lit up. She swallowed hard and couldn't help but confirm:
"Really?"

"I never lie."

Shiratori Seiya gave her a trusting look.

"okay, I get it."

Mio Takahashi carefully put the class schedule into her bag. Although it was difficult, if there was money to be made, then it seemed that no matter how difficult it was, it was not impossible.

only……

She blinked, her movements slowing as she closed her bag, and couldn't help but ask again:
"You won't lie to me, will you?"

Shiratori Seiya didn't say anything this time, just rolled his eyes at her, packed his bag, and prepared to leave. He still had two song copyright contracts to sign that afternoon.

"Hey, wait."

Just as Shiratori Seiya was about to leave, Takahashi Mio quickly called out to him and grabbed his arm.

"What else?"

"Um, actually, there's something else I wanted to tell you..."

Seeing him turn around, Takahashi Mio released her grip, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, sat up straight, and smiled gently on her pretty face:

"Um...can I gossip with you a bit, as your current girlfriend?"

Current girlfriend.

They'd been dating for a week, and this was the first time he'd heard her say that.

But if it were really his girlfriend, he wouldn't be so polite.

Seemingly worried that he would refuse, Mio Takahashi looked at him with pleading eyes, just like a wife who had been kicked out of her home begging her husband not to abandon her.

However, the deep gaze she practiced for a long time, both at home and outside, in front of the mirror, had no effect whatsoever.

Shiratori Seiya sat down next to her without hesitation.

"You probably have a lot of questions on your mind right now, right? Just ask whatever you want."

"Uh……"

Hearing him speak so directly, Mio Takahashi couldn't help but wonder in her heart how he grew up, and how anyone could tolerate his bad temper.

But she still looked at Shiratori Seiya with a gentle and shy expression and asked softly:

"Um, was that person who came to see you the day before yesterday really Hojo Shione?"

"Ah."

"Why did she come to see you?"

"do not know."

Shiratori Seiya answered truthfully, but Takahashi Mio bit her lip, not believing him at all. "When did you two start dating?"

"high school."

After finishing his sentence, Shiratori Seiya glanced at her and remarked:
"This doesn't sound like gossip about your girlfriend; it sounds more like a TV interview."

"Hehe, I'm just a little curious..."

Mio Takahashi gave a dry laugh, then swallowed hard.

"last question."

Why are you dating her? Is it because...like me?

Translating it as 'Why did she start dating you? Was it just because of the money?' would be more straightforward.

She phrased it rather vaguely, but Shiratori Seiya knew exactly what she wanted to ask.

He paused for a moment and then said:
"She won't overspend or take out online loans."

"..."

Mio Takahashi's smile froze. Normally, she would have cursed Seiya Shiratori dozens of times in her mind, but at this moment, she couldn't help but feel inferior.

Is she really better than me...?

Before she could figure out how to respond, Shiratori Seiya said again:
"What you should be asking is, why did she fall for me?"

Mio Takahashi quickly smiled and waved her hand, saying:
"Hehe, that's not what I meant..."

Shiratori Seiya didn't give her a chance to explain, his deep black eyes fixed intently on hers as he said seriously:
"People will always have thoughts about whether they are worthy or not, but in fact, it all stems from their own lack of ability."

As he spoke, he pointed to the blue sundress that Mio Takahashi was wearing.

"Take this outfit you're wearing, for example."

When Shiratori Seiya suddenly stared at her, Takahashi Mio was stunned for a moment, her cheeks flushed, and she felt a burning sensation in her collarbone.

She bought this dress herself in private. It wasn't expensive compared to the clothes that Shiratori Seiya bought for her. She usually wouldn't wear it out because she was shy. She would just admire herself in front of the mirror at home for a bit and then put it in the closet to collect dust.

But when she went out and saw Shiratori Seiya today, she couldn't help but think of Hojo Shione. With the thought that as her current girlfriend, her looks shouldn't be too much worse than Shiratori's, so that he would take a second look at her, she changed into this outfit without thinking.

As a result, Shiratori Seiya hadn't mentioned it much since they met, and hadn't even glanced at it twice, which made her somewhat disappointed.

But now that he brought it up, a secret joy welled up inside me.

At least he's not blind.

Shiratori Seiya said earnestly:
"If you are good-looking and you are sure of this, you can wear this dress without any worries, and you won't care about any other rumors or gossip. You might even think that they are ignorant and don't know how to dress."

However, if one's own abilities are not strong enough, even without others saying so, one will have thoughts of being 'completely unsuitable' or 'not good enough'.

"In fact, I have never felt inferior because of my relationship with Hojo Shione."

"..."

Realizing he was probably talking about her, Mio Takahashi's smile vanished, and her emotions became complicated.

He clenched his fist and couldn't help but ask:

"Then why did you... date me? Was telling me about making me a star a way of comparing me to her?"

Mio Takahashi's voice carried a hint of irritation, as if she wanted to vent the emotions that had been draining her over the past two days.

Shiratori Seiya wasn't surprised by her revealing her true nature; instead, he asked in confusion, "Compare? Why compare?"

Meeting the boy's gaze, Mio Takahashi felt her throat go dry and couldn't speak.

Shiratori Seiya stared at her for a while, seemingly understanding her thoughts.

"Actually, it's like I said before, you have no idea how much potential you have."

"I just feel that I'm completely incapable of being a star, so I can only attribute the reason to the stupid idea that 'I'm doing this to compare you with Hojo Shione.'"

He called her an idiot, and Takahashi Mio blushed, biting her lip, her peach blossom eyes filled with resentment.

"...Forget it, it's no use saying it again if you don't believe it yourself."

"If you feel you can't do it, then don't think about it at all."

"?"

Upon hearing this, Takahashi Mio blinked and couldn't help but ask:

What does it mean to not think about anything?

"People always lose confidence when their goals seem unattainable, so it's better not to set a goal like becoming a star from the start."

As he spoke, Shiratori Seiya extended his index finger and pointed it at Takahashi Mio's forehead.

"Don't think about whether you can do it or not. Just do what I tell you to do and give it your all."

"Until one day, you will realize that you are actually only one step away from your dream."

"So just trust me, just like I chose you without hesitation."

When her gaze met the light in the boy's eyes, Mio Takahashi felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and an inexplicable emotion welled up within her.

………………

After driving Mio Takahashi home, Seiya Shiratori sat alone in the car, pondering his next steps.

Through his conversation with her just now, he had some idea of ​​what was wrong with Mio.

He previously thought that Mio Takahashi was a silly girl who liked to show off, liked to be the center of attention, and had no plans for the future.

But I never expected that she actually harbored an inferiority complex deep down.

When I was talking to her just now, her inferiority complex was almost showing in her eyes.

Logically speaking, a girl as beautiful as her should have been the center of attention wherever she went from childhood to adulthood. She should have no rivals and it would be impossible for her to feel inferior...

Shiratori Seiya frowned, trying to understand Takahashi Mio's thoughts. After pondering for a moment, he sighed.

So it really is because of Hojo Shione?

This trigger brought out the root cause of her illness.

I can't help but feel a bit awkward. I estimate that she will be at a disadvantage until her fame is comparable to Hojo Shione's.

However, this is not without a solution, and if handled properly, it could even inspire her fighting spirit.

The prerequisite is that she first needs to realize her own talent.

It seems the acting training course should be scheduled as soon as possible...

'Buzzing.'

As Shiratori Seiya was thinking, his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket. He opened it and took a look.

Caller ID: [Hojo Suzune]

He had a bad feeling, and after hesitating for a moment, he pressed the answer button.

"Hello? What's wrong, Rin?"

"Hello? Brother-in-law~"

The girl's voice, drawn out and sweet enough to make your teeth ache, made Shiratori Seiya twist his neck to get rid of the goosebumps, and he asked again:
"what happened?"

"I have some really great news to tell you!"

"..."

Upon hearing what Hojo Suzune said, Shiratori Seiya immediately sensed something was wrong and even considered hanging up the phone.

Not hearing his response, Hojo Suzune chuckled and then spoke to herself:

"Brother-in-law, my sister has agreed to let me visit you on my birthday!"

"what?"

Upon hearing her words, Shiratori Seiya sat bolt upright, his brows furrowed, and asked:

"She agreed?"

"Yes, my sister said it's dangerous for me to go alone, so she'll take me with her when she goes back to school in a couple of days..."

"But brother-in-law, don't worry. My sister said she knows you don't want to see her, so she's just taking me there."

"..."
-
　There's one more chapter, but it'll probably be after midnight, so don't wait up. This chapter has 4,000 words.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)