I left the shop with MIZUKI.
The outside world was already swallowed by darkness, and I squinted against the glare of headlights from the cars passing along the main road.
MIZUKI wore a top that exposed her shoulders, layered with a soft, fuzzy jacket. Her skinny jeans emphasized just how slender her legs were, making her whole figure look even sleeker.
Seeing her again like this… her proportions were insane.
She didn’t talk much and had this cool, distant aura—completely opposite of Sasaki. It made me nervous just trying to start a conversation.
…But walking around aimlessly would be a waste of time.
As soon as we turned off the busy street and onto a quieter road, I finally spoke up.
"MIZUKI-san, I want to ask—"
"Call me Tsukino."
"U-using your first name is a bit… If it’s okay, can I keep calling you Satou-san like before?"
"Satou was a fake name."
"F-fake? You lied about your last name when we introduced ourselves?"
"Yes… My real surname is Mizuki, written with the characters for ‘water’ and ‘castle.’ Mizuki Mizuki."
"O-ohh."
Ah, so her stage name MIZUKI came from her actual surname… Usually, stage names come from the first name, not the last—that’s what I thought, anyway.
"Hey… you’ve been looking uneasy. What’s wrong? Don’t tell me—"
She leaned in from my left, peeking into my face.
"…Do you want my autograph?"
No, absolutely not. This woman’s been terrible at reading the room ever since we met in the restroom.
"If pencil is okay, I can sign something."
"S-saying no would be rude, so… can I get one?"
I tore off a corner of a memo Azaki had stuffed into my jacket and handed it to her. She pulled out a pencil from somewhere and scribbled her signature.
"Here. Don’t resell it."
"No one’s gonna think an autograph on a ripped memo corner is legit."
"…But it *is* real."
"Then would *you* buy it, Mizuki-san?"
"Of course not. Would you go to a bank and pay money to buy coins?"
"Well, no."
"Exactly."
I still didn’t really get what she meant, but she sounded smart enough. Definitely not like Sasaki, who would just yell “Pancakes!” instead of forming a coherent sentence.
I tucked the autograph into my wallet and got back to the main topic.
"So why did you come to that group date?"
"…"
"Isn’t attending something like that basically asking for trouble when you're famous?"
"…"
When I kept pushing with questions, Mizuki abruptly turned her head toward me.
"…You really are strange."
She stopped walking and stared at me through her sunglasses.
"Not a single person from my agency or any TV staff member has ever been able to speak openly with me. I’m bad at talking, so after they say the bare minimum, they all run away. But you—despite meeting me for the first time—you’ve been unusually talkative."
Mizuki removed her sunglasses and mask, then grabbed my collar gently and pulled her face close.
"This is just a guess… but do you have a celebrity in your family?"
…Of course not.
I was born into a fruit-farming family in Yamanashi. No connection to the entertainment world whatsoever.
But—I *do* have a former idol very close by.
Maybe I’d gotten too used to Sasaki…? And that’s why I ended up talking to MIZUKI with the same casual attitude.
"Can’t answer?"
I really couldn’t tell if this woman was sharp or clueless.
I averted my eyes, thinking of Sasaki. Then Mizuki finally let go of my collar.
"…If you’re used to celebrities, that actually works out better for me. It’d be a problem if you couldn’t even talk normally during our date."
"D-date?"
"Don’t tell me you forgot the favor you owe me?"
Oh. She meant that “be my boyfriend” thing?
"So you wanted me to be your boyfriend just to go on a date with you?"
"Exactly. I want you to be my boyfriend for one day and go on a date with me. It’s necessary for my songwriting, so your cooperation would help."
So that’s why. She needed a date experience for her music work. Now her earlier explanation finally made sense.
But still, going to a random group date for that reason…?
Does she have no opportunities to meet people at her女子大?
"Then tomorrow at 10. Meet me in front of Hachikō."
"H-hold on! Don’t decide things on your own! I never said I’d go!"
If I went on a date with MIZUKI and got dragged into a scandal, I’d be screwed. Worst case—kicked off the soccer team, career over…
Cold sweat wouldn’t stop. I had to find a way to refuse.
"…Do you have a girlfriend?"
A girlfriend…
Right. This was the perfect excuse.
"Y-yes! I do! I have a girlfriend!"
I’d never told a lie this bold in my entire life. The guilt was crushing.
"…I see."
Her suspicious expression softened immediately.
"Then it wouldn’t be fair to her. Let’s pretend this never happened."
Thank god she was reasonable. And honestly, going on a date with MIZUKI would be unfair to Sasaki too. This was the right choice.
"In that case… can I change the favor, then?"
"C-change it?"
"Would it be alright if I observe a date between you and your girlfriend? For reference—songs and all."
"Huh…?"
"That will be your repayment for the help earlier."
Since I claimed I had a girlfriend, I had no way to refuse anymore.
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