Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 75 Appearance
After strolling around half of Chinatown, Shiratori Seiya, seeing that it was almost time, prepared to take Hojo Suzune back to her hotel.

Along the way, the bell lingered, stopping and starting intermittently.

It took almost half an hour to get there.

"Alright, let's go up now."

Reaching out, Shiratori Seiya patted Rin's shoulder and smiled, saying:
"See you tomorrow."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

Hojo Suzune pouted, her eyes filled with reluctance, and walked towards the door, turning back every few steps.

After watching her go inside, Shiratori Seiya prepared to go back, reaching out to touch the dinner he had just bought for Takahashi Mio.

It's alright, it's warm. Although it's autumn, it's not cold. With the plastic box keeping it warm, it probably won't feel too cold when you get back.

He turned around and used the map navigation to choose the shortest route back.

He had only taken two steps when a black minivan suddenly turned around the flowerbed and drove towards him.

Shiratori Seiya glanced at the car model and felt it was somewhat familiar. After a moment's recollection, he realized that when Hojo Shione came to see him before, the last car she got into seemed to be this one.

Thinking he shouldn't interfere with the other person's performance tomorrow, he quickened his pace.

However, the car suddenly slowed down and stopped ten meters in front of him.

A few seconds later, the car door opened, and Hojo Shione stepped out of the car.

She took off her mask as she walked.

The girl's gentle smile gradually became clearer, and finally stopped in front of Shiratori Seiya.

Hojo Shione raised her face, gazed at his face for a few seconds, and said softly:
"Long time no see, Qingzai."

Seeing that she was in a stable mood, Shiratori Seiya felt much more at ease and replied:
"haven't seen you for a long time."

Hojo Shione nodded, then glanced behind him and asked:
"Lingyin went back?"

"Yes, I just went in."

After a pause, Shiratori Seiya glanced again at his manager and bodyguard who were getting out of the car, and noticed that they were looking in his direction. He then raised his hand to check the time and said:
"It's getting late, you should go home and get some rest too. Good luck tomorrow."

"Ah."

Hojo Shione raised a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, her dark eyes glistening with tears, and said earnestly:

"Kiyoshi, you must keep a close eye on me. I will not let you down."

"..."

For some reason, despite it being a confident statement, Shiratori Seiya felt a strange sense of unease.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Hojo Shione smiled gently at him and walked past him toward Fukada Touna.
-
"So, Kiyoya, you just left your girlfriend in a hotel to go see your ex-girlfriend?"

Inside the hotel, Mio Takahashi ate her Mapo Tofu rice while looking at the boy in the chair, her tone full of unspeakable grievance.

Seeing Mio's resentful expression, Shiratori Seiya frowned and explained:

"You're making it sound like I went to see her on purpose. Didn't I just explain that it was just a coincidence that we ran into each other?"

"Besides, you had just woken up when I came back."

Mio Takahashi pouted and gave a dry "oh," her lips smeared with red oil, making them even more vibrant than when she wore lipstick.

Seeing her still looking so aggrieved, Shiratori Seiya recalled the kiss she had given him a few days ago. He was momentarily unsure whether she was acting or genuinely jealous, and sighed, saying:
"If you feel uncomfortable, get a good rest tonight, and we'll go back tomorrow so you won't miss your class."

"what?"

Hearing him say that, Takahashi Mio's almond-shaped eyes widened instantly, and she quickly put down her chopsticks and said coquettishly:

"I was just kidding, why are you taking it so seriously... If I really didn't want to come, I wouldn't have had to work so hard these past two days."

"Alright, I know you wouldn't lie to me, after all, you didn't even hide the Hasegawa thing from me, I was just kidding."

She paused, then pursed her red lips, rubbed her eyes, and continued:
"Thank you for bringing me the food, Kiyozai, but I feel even sleepier after eating it, and I'm a little dizzy from the carbs..."

He knew that Mio Takahashi couldn't eat much; Japanese women generally have small appetites, with Saori being an exception, of course.

Seeing her yawn, Shiratori Seiya stood up and said:
"Then you should get some rest. If you can't sleep, read the novels and scripts I sent you."

"understood."

Mio Takahashi responded and watched the other person leave the room. As the door closed, she couldn't help but narrow her eyes.

Going back is out of the question. The other side has already issued a challenge last time. If I go back now, it would make it seem like I'm afraid.

Hojo Shione, you'd better perform in a way that makes me feel like I can never surpass you in this lifetime. Mio Takahashi narrowed her eyes and glanced out the window towards the concert venue.

…………

The next afternoon.

Mio Takahashi woke up at noon, and after eating, she spent a long time fiddling with herself at the dressing table.

Even though this is Hojo Shione's home turf, they can't just give up completely and offer no resistance.

At least in terms of looks, I can't be worse than her.

Well, right now, all I seem to have to offer her is my figure and face.

However, even though she had the courage to make a tough decision before setting off, once she arrived at the venue, Mio Takahashi truly realized how big the gap was between herself and Shione Hojo.

Huge posters and banners outside the venue, various stalls selling merchandise and albums, and long queues waiting to enter...

As she entered the venue and looked down the steps, she saw thousands of people waving glow sticks simultaneously. The noise was almost deafening, and the music video for Hojo Shione was playing on the big screen…

Mio Takahashi was stunned for a moment.

She had previously supported Hojo Shione at an offline tournament, but...

Compared to the current situation, that kind of scene was just a small-scale affair, not even in the same league.

My hands clenched unconsciously, my fingertips pressing hard against my palms.

"gone."

She heard Shiratori Seiya's voice in her ear, and then she felt her wrist being grabbed.

Mio Takahashi snapped out of her daze, her hand unconsciously loosening its grip. She turned her head and gave Seiya Shiratori a stiff smile, then was practically dragged by him to sit in the VIP area.

However, as soon as she sat down, she suddenly saw a familiar figure sitting next to Shiratori Seiya.

The lights had gone completely dark by now. She leaned forward and turned her head to try and see the other person clearly.

However, the other person seemed to have noticed her gaze and glared at her fiercely.

Seeing the arrogant expression on the girl's face, Takahashi Mio immediately remembered who she was.

Little bitch.

Mio Takahashi bit her lip, then, as if in a show of defiance, she took Seiya Shiratori's arm.

She thought he would pull her hand away like last time, but this time he just frowned and didn't do anything else.

Mio Takahashi's eyes lit up, and the corners of her lips turned up slightly, a hint of smugness creeping into her heart.

So what if we knew each other early on? So what if we shone brightly on stage? Right now, the person standing next to Shiratori Seiya is himself.

Even if you like it a lot, there's nothing you can do. At least in terms of status, you've won.

Mio Takahashi's mood improved considerably, and she even began watching the music video on the big screen with great interest...

About ten minutes later.

The lights in the entire venue suddenly dimmed, and as if receiving some kind of signal, the noisy commotion of the audience vanished instantly.

The spotlight on the stage flickered with the rhythm, followed by a soothing and melodious sound.

The next second, a gentle and melodious female voice rose from the venue like waves:
「のびた人悒に和べ」 (Two elongated figures lined up on the asphalt road)
"Wandering in the twilight with you"

"Hand kin いでいつまでもずっと" (I want to hold hands with you forever)

"そばにいれたなら" (Always by your side)

Upon hearing this melody and lyrics she had never heard before, Mio Takahashi's pupils constricted sharply, and her mouth involuntarily opened wide.

Could this be a new song?
Snow Flower?
Before she could recover from her shock, as the second line of the song ended, the spotlight on the stage seemed to receive a signal and simultaneously shone on the very center of the stage.

A hazy, slender figure slowly emerged under the light.

As the song progressed, the girl's appearance gradually became clearer. Dressed in a pure white gown and wearing light gold high heels, she gracefully walked to the front of the stage.

'oh!!'

The moment Hojo Shione was seen, the entire venue erupted in cheers, with glow sticks waving like waves.

Simple, elegant, bright...

Her face, as pure and beautiful as an angel, and her voice, as clear and pure as snow, accompanied by cheers from the audience, continuously touched Mio Takahashi's heart.

……
-
(End of this chapter)