A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

In order to avoid the "sympathy" of his companions, Fengchuan chose "hostility".

In order to escape the "disappointment" in love, he chose to perform a self-paralyzing "farewell"...

"Although I did accept you as my apprentice because we had similar experiences, I never expected that we would be so similar in our shortcomings."

Chihaya Tetsuya asked with a wry smile:

"I'm sorry, Fengchuan, for reminding you of bad things."

"I was the one who said a lot of rude things to Chihaya-nii in a self-righteous manner."

Toyokawa Shoko shook her head.

"But compared to me, I think... Chihaya-nii doesn't need to be as pessimistic as me."

"...? Why do you say that?"

"It's just groundless speculation... I simply believe that the person you cherish so much might also cherish you. Even if she made a choice you can't understand, perhaps the reason isn't what you imagine."

Toyokawa Shoko said:

"After all, you two were once dependent on each other. How could you let go of those memories so easily?"

"...If that's the case, I don't think you, Toyokawa, need to force yourself to play the villain."

In response to Toyokawa Shoko's speculation, Chihaya Tetsu also expressed his own opinion:

"Since you experienced unforgettable happiness during that brief period of band activities, your companions might have felt the same way... Even if you told them the truth, their reaction might not be 'sympathy', but rather they would stand with you and help you through the difficult times."

"…………"

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko fell silent. It was not until the carriage shook again that she could not help but shook her head in confusion.

"It's really strange. I myself don't believe this possibility at all, but when Chihaya-nii says it, it sounds so convincing."

"Me too. After listening to what Fengchuan just said, I suddenly want to believe in that possibility."

After saying that, the two of them looked at each other strangely at first, and then they couldn't help but reveal an inexplicable smile.

"Fengchuan, shall we... make a bet?"

"What are you gambling?"

"If we really meet the person we are avoiding... then we might as well try to trust each other for once."

Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"If the other party really responds to us as we expect, then that would naturally be the best outcome for us."

After hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko's eyes lit up slightly, but soon she asked with a little hesitation:

"So...what if things develop in the direction we fear the most?"

"When the time comes, we can comfort each other."

Chihaya Tetsuya said:

"After all, as the 'Escaper Alliance', we will always be the most understanding companions, right?"

“…Ahh, that’s true.”

Hearing such a strange alliance name, a smile suddenly appeared on Toyokawa Shoko's face.

"We two are probably the most understanding companions..."

"...By the way, Toyokawa."

"kindness?"

"President Watanabe seems to have intended to pay for your last performance costumes at a high-end standard. As a thank you, I will pay you a bonus of one million."

"...Huh? Are you sure you want to talk to me about money at this time?!"

Faced with this unexpected topic of money, Shoko Toyokawa was a little dumbfounded.

"Let's not talk about whether I should accept this much money. This topic is really ruining the atmosphere—"

"From now on, please continue to give me guidance."

As if he didn't hear what Toyokawa Shoko said, Chihaya Tetsu just kept talking to himself.

"Whether as my assistant or as my companion."

After hearing this last sentence which was the key point, Shoko Toyokawa immediately swallowed all the excuses and dissatisfaction in her mouth and revealed a helpless smile.

"This method of using sincere words to silence others is too cunning..."

However, Chihaya Tetsuya's straightforward and unpretentious style of doing things was exactly what she liked.

"Huh... Come to think of it, I finally spoke out something that I've never told anyone before, and now I feel much better."

"You mean about the band?"

"Yeah... The evening tram is a really nice place to relax. I'm starting to like it."

"……right?"

Chihaya Tetsuya's tone also added a hint of inexplicable pride.

"I knew that if it was Fengchuan, he would definitely understand my preferences."

"...Ah, if that's the case, I'll also recommend something I like to Chihaya-nii."

As Shoko Toyokawa spoke, she reached into her pocket and took out her cell phone and wired headphones.

"Let me recommend another song to Chihaya-san."

"Hmm? What song?"

“【To Know You】is a song by a band I really like.”

As Toyokawa Shoko spoke, she handed one of the earphones to Chihaya Tetsuya.

"Would you like to listen to it together?"

"OK."

Chihaya Tetsuya nodded, then took the earphones and put them on.

……

…………

"How's it going? Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I like it."

"Yeah? I knew it."

Just like that, amidst the modern synthesizer sounds and the warmth that is so close at hand, this tram carrying two "fugitives" with no destination slowly drove into the depths of the urban neon and gradually dissolved into the colorful night.

Chapter 23.5: Almost Feeling the Heat of the Lava

"Before we officially leave for the filming location, please try on the costumes you'll be using."

In the practice room of [Watanabe Agency], [Summer Zodiac] manager Higuchi said to the two idols who had just finished their work for the day:

"It would be troublesome if I discovered my clothes didn't fit after arriving at the shoot... If there's any problem, please let me know immediately. I'll wait outside."

"Yes!"*2

Hoshino Ai and Mikado Hatsuka nodded, then took their clothes from their agents.

Since he had seen these clothes in the studio beforehand, Sanjiao Chuhua did not have any special reaction.

"Oh! It's the one Higuchi-san mentioned earlier!"

And Hoshino Ai, as usual, opened the cloth bag in her arms with a cheerful smile.

"I remember they hired a designer specifically for us this time. I wonder what it looks like~"

However, when Hoshino Ai took out the two pieces of clothing that belonged to her from the bag, her expression immediately froze on her face——

"...Huh? This pattern... is?"

As expected, Hoshino Ai noticed the six-pointed star on the cuff of her pajamas almost immediately.

Not only that, the moment she took the pajamas out of the bag, the texture of the fabric in her hands intensified the excitement in her heart again.

"Wait... that's a lie, right?"

She hugged the pajamas in her hands with a dazed look on her face, and quickly walked to the seat beside her to pick up the faded old towel.

“It’s the same…it’s the same!”

Same material, same pattern...

Are there really such coincidences in this world?

"…………"

On the other side, seeing Hoshino Aina staring blankly at her pajamas and towel, Sankaku Hatsuka couldn't help but reveal a rather conflicted expression.

As expected, it was not only Chihaya-san, but Ai also remembered him. But for some reason, Chihaya-san didn't seem to think so, and even stubbornly hoped that he could conceal his existence during the filming.

(So ​​what’s going on here, you two!)

While Mikado Hatsuka was still struggling with the incomprehensible relationship between the two, Hoshino Ai buried her face in her pajamas, muttering a name...

“Zhe…”

"Woooa ...

What someone's name? Isn't this Chihaya-san's name? And it's such a unique nickname!

So, now that it's become so obvious, does she really have to continue hiding the matter of Chihaya-san?!

……

"That... love?"

After hesitating for a long time, Sanjiao Chuhua tentatively started a conversation with her.

"are you OK?"

"me……"

Hoshino Ai, who is usually smart and cheerful, now opens and closes her mouth dully and lifelessly like a fish out of water.

But soon, she suddenly remembered something very important.

"Hatsuka... I remember Higuchi-san asked you to get some clothes, right?"

As if she had grabbed a life-saving straw, Hoshino Ai quickly walked in front of Sankaku Hatsuka and firmly grasped her shoulders:

"Did you see the person who made this dress?"

"…………"

This was the first time that Sanjiao Chuhua saw Hoshino Ai lose her composure like this.

Although she occasionally gets confused and makes some cute little mistakes during practice or in life, she always maintains her cute and sunny idol image.

And now… let alone her idol temperament, her undisguised eagerness, her eyes filled with obsession and madness, and her behavior, which could be described as inappropriate, have almost reached the point of madness…

So, why on earth does Chihaya-san think that love will make him forget?! Isn't this kid already missing him so much that he's almost going crazy!

Sanjiao Chuhua, whose shoulders were already painful from being pinched, was now in a dilemma.

If possible, Sanjiao Hatsuka really wanted to tell the truth as soon as possible and help Hoshino Ai find the person who made her miss him so much that she was almost going crazy.

However, considering that the other person was Xiangzi's benefactor... and the scene that she saw in the studio that day that was like a "religious painting", and Chihaya Tetsuya's obvious resistance when saying goodbye, she couldn't make up her mind to open her mouth no matter what...

……

"The person who gave me the clothes that day was the director of that studio, not the designer who designed the clothes for you."

After careful consideration, Sanjiao Chuhua decided to adopt a relatively compromising solution.

"However, the designer did leave a message..."

"What is it!"

Hoshino Ai immediately couldn't wait to ask:

"Tell me quickly!"