Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 23 deceived him again.

The truth is always a bit off; it deliberately distorts people's expectations.

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

Hearing Hojo Suzune's cheerful voice on the phone, Shiratori Seiya fell silent for a moment.

"Brother-in-law? Are you listening?"

Seemingly sensing that something was wrong, Hojo Suzune's voice became calm.

"Yes, I'm listening."

"Brother-in-law, do you not want me to go to Tokyo...?"

Hojo Suzune's voice suddenly became aggrieved, and even through the phone, Shiratori Seiya could imagine her on the verge of tears.

However, I've actually become somewhat desensitized to it; I've used this trick countless times before.

Slurping noodles and faking tears is arguably her most proficient skill besides playing the piano.

Having received no response to her words, Hojo Suzune seemed to have thought of something and said again:

"Brother-in-law, do you not believe me? Then let my sister tell you."

As she spoke, she didn't give Shiratori Seiya a chance to respond and handed the phone directly to the girl next to her.

"Hello? Kiyosai."

Hojo Shione's voice, transmitted through the microphone, became exceptionally gentle, constantly caressing Shiratori Seiya's ears.

"Hey."

"I'm sorry to trouble you, but I'll be busy with rehearsals in a few days, and I also have a lot of things to take care of at the agency..."

"I really don't have the time, so I'll have to trouble you to take Suzune to Tokyo for her birthday."

"Well, I see."

Since things had already come to this point, Shiratori Seiya agreed, but a question inevitably arose in his mind.

How could Hojo Shione agree to that?

She knew perfectly well that Rin liked her, and she was even more aware of it.

When they were together before, Hojo Shione was often jealous of her younger sister, and would often snuggle in her arms and complain to her about her sister's bad points.

She wanted Shiratori Seiya to keep a good distance from her, both openly and secretly.

Even though she never loses her temper, she has had several big arguments with her younger sister because Hojo Suzune always clings to her without any sense of boundaries.

She naturally couldn't win an argument with her quick-witted younger sister.

Afterwards, she would still lie in my arms and cry like a wounded kitten, wanting me to soothe and comfort her.

They were so reluctant to leave when they came to see me the day before yesterday, how come they're being so generous now?
He was certain that Xiyin would never agree, which is why he made his request to Lingyin with such confidence, but now he's backfired.

For a moment, Shiratori Seiya couldn't figure out what Hojo Shione was thinking.

Seemingly sensing something from his silence, Hojo Shione thought for a moment and then spoke:

"Kiyoshi, may I ask you a question?"

I may not be able to answer.

"Sigh, you've changed so much. Are all men this cold after a breakup?"

Hojo Shione sighed, feigning sadness, then pursed her lips and said:

"Shall we still be friends?"

"..."

"Actually, I've figured it out. Just like you said, two people who like each other can't necessarily end up together."

Hearing the girl's gentle tone, Shiratori Seiya's lips moved as he spoke:

"No matter what, I hope you're doing well."

"Well, happiness isn't the only purpose of life. Even if we can't be happy, we can still make happy people happy. So I hope that Kiyoya-kun will be happy with his partner in the future."

"However, no matter what, I will never forget the time I spent with Kiyoya in my life. I will carry the expectations you once had for me and keep moving towards my dream."

"So please just watch me from below the stage. That is the happiness I long for. Kiyo."

As Shiratori Seiya listened to Hojo Shione's sincere words, the doubts that had just arisen in his heart gradually dissipated.

"Um……"

Hojo Shione pondered for a moment, then, as if suddenly remembering something, said:

"Oh, right."

"I've already told Ms. Aoki what you asked me to convey last time. However, she told me that there seem to be some copyright issues that you need to handle, and asked me to contact her as soon as possible."

"Copyright issue? Wasn't a contract already signed?"

Shiratori Seizai asked.

"Ms. Aoki didn't tell me the specifics, so I don't know what's going on."

"I understand, I will contact her."

"Okay, that's all for now, goodnight."

'despair. ’

Hojo Shione hung up the phone without waiting for Shiratori Seiya's reply.

"?"

Noticing her sudden movement, Hojo Suzune turned her head sharply, her eyes wide with disbelief as she looked at her older sister.

"Eh?!"

An incredulous sound escaped her lips, followed by her exasperated outburst:

Why did you hang up?!

Hojo Shione pursed her lips, placed her phone on the coffee table, turned around, and looked at her younger sister with a gentle expression, saying:
"I've said everything I needed to say. Didn't Kiyoya already promise to take you around Tokyo?"

But I still have something to say!

"I still have something to say!"

Hojo Suzune frowned, trembling with anger. She had just endured her nausea and listened to her disgusting sweet talk so that she could still exchange a few more words with Shiratori Seiya and talk about where to go in Tokyo.

Unexpectedly, Hojo Shione hung up the phone immediately after enjoying herself.

You're addicted to eating alone, aren't you?!
However, compared to her excitement, Hojo Shione stared calmly at her younger sister, carefully examining her from head to toe.

Although Hojo Suzune is not tall, only 1.55 meters, she has perfectly inherited the beauty of the Hojo family.

She had an oval face and cherry lips, and her eyes and brows exuded a seductive charm. Although her breasts were much smaller than hers, they were still just right.

Hmm... it should be large enough for Kiyoya to hold in one hand.

However, none of that matters. Hojo Shione feels that the most attractive thing about her younger sister to boys is her legs.

Straight and slender.

Under the light, it was so white it looked greasy; if you looked closely, you could even see the pale blue veins hidden under the skin.

In particular, her petite stature is very appealing and can easily evoke a man's protective instincts.

Is this what guys mean by "fair-skinned, thin, and young"?

Hojo Shione nodded in satisfaction.

Being scrutinized like that by her, Hojo Suzune felt as if ants were crawling all over her body. She squeezed her legs together and couldn't help but ask:
"What are you looking at?"

Upon hearing this, Hojo Shione raised her eyes, stared into her younger sister's watery eyes, and said softly:

"We can talk all we want when we meet."

"However, Suzune, you have to promise your sister something."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken you to Tokyo."

"?"

Hojo Suzune's eyelids twitched upon hearing this, she clicked her tongue, and frowned as she asked:

"Is your mouth located on your butt?"
-
'Beep beep...'

After ending his call with Hojo Shione, Shiratori Seiya locked his car, went upstairs, and after tidying everything up, he called Aoki Yayoi.

"Hello? This is Yayoi Aoki. Who is this?"

A slightly tired female voice came from the phone.

"Hello, Miss Aoki, I am Shiratori Seiya."

There was a two-second silence on the phone, followed by Aoki Yayoi's joyful voice, but she quickly regained her composure and confirmed again:

"Teacher A?"

Because he was going to be in the public eye, Shiratori Seiya used the pseudonym "Friend A" when he first released his songs.

Aoki Yayoi naturally knew his name, but out of professional respect, she always called him Friend A-sensei.

However, Shiratori Seiya felt it sounded a bit awkward, so he told her to just call him Teacher A.

"Well, it's me."

Shiratori Seiya responded and went straight to the point:

"I heard from Hojo Shione that you still have unresolved copyright contracts concerning me from before?"

"Eh?"

The expected affirmative answer from Shiratori Seiya did not come. Aoki Yayoi asked in confusion and then explained:
"No, Teacher A, there was no problem with your previous contract. The main reason for contacting you this time is to discuss the copyright of your two newly released songs."

"A new song?"

Shiratori Seiya narrowed his eyes and asked, but he already had something in mind.

"Ah, it's those two poems, 'Riding on the Back of a Silver Dragon' and 'Snow Flower'..."

Yayoi Aoki offered an explanation, then asked with some confusion:
"Um, didn't Ms. Hojo tell you?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Shiratori Seiya fell silent.

These two songs were sent to Hojo Shione along with the breakup letter after I broke up with her.

Out of guilt and a desire to make amends, he made it clear in his letter that Hojo Shione had full rights to the lyrics and music.

However, it seems that she doesn't appreciate it now.

But if they weren't going to appreciate it, why did they ask me to contact Aoki?
After pondering for a moment, Shiratori Seiya asked:
"What did Hojo Shione tell you? Did she say she wanted to sing these two songs?"

His words startled Aoki Yayoi, who instinctively asked in return:
"Aren't your songs only for Ms. Hojo?"

"Um... I mean, what did she say when she showed you the song?"

Aoki Yayoi felt that Shiratori Seiya was acting really strange today, as if he hadn't communicated with Hojo Shione at all.

However, out of professional ethics, she carefully recalled the situation at the time and explained:
"What did they say? Uh... it was something like, 'I can sing these two songs at the concert, as long as the agency owns the copyright,' or something like that."

"Okay, I get it now."

"Teacher A, what about the contract?"

"Let's discuss this in detail in your office tomorrow morning."

"Okay, by the way, there's one more thing, Teacher A. I heard from Ms. Hojo that you're not planning to continue writing songs anymore, is that right?"

"more or less."

"Oh……"

Aoki Yayoi drawled out the word, as if she was thinking about something.

After a long pause, she spoke:

"Would it be convenient for you to help us with this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Ms. Hojo is going to have a concert soon, right? Ms. Hojo has always sung your songs. If we add the gimmick of your 'retirement', the buzz might be even greater. I think this wouldn't be a bad thing for either of you..."

……
-
　I had a fever this afternoon, which made writing very slow. I'm really sorry to have kept everyone waiting.

　　I'm too anxious during the new book period. I'll write some more, but I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)