Before going to bed, I looked up Kiraboshi Ayane on the internet.
—A vanished genius
—A national treasure–class beauty idol representing the Reiwa era
—Genesistars General Election, 1st place for two consecutive years
The more I searched about Sasaki—no, Kiraboshi—the more unbelievable titles showed up.
I understood now that she lived in a world far beyond anything I ever imagined.
“Hm? What’s this?”
A live concert video of Genesistars from two years ago was posted on a video site.
“Everyone—! Smile more! Mooore!”
“““Wooooooo!!!”””
On the sparkling stage inside the dome, Kiraboshi Ayane shone brighter than anyone, wearing a lovely outfit and smiling radiantly.
Her high-pitched voice and bright smile were so different that she didn’t even seem like the same person as Sasaki.
The comment section was full of people mourning Kiraboshi’s retirement.
Well, she *was* a former national idol—of course she was loved by so many.
I… seriously got close to someone incredible, didn’t I?
“Argh, damn it! I want to focus on soccer, but I keep thinking about Sasaki!”
Anyway! The next match is against Komagome Sensho University’s B team.
I shouldn’t be watching idol videos—I need to study soccer!
“…Yeah, I’ll put Sasaki aside for now.”
Even after deciding that, I kept watching Kiraboshi’s videos until I fell asleep.
—The next morning.
The morning sunlight shined on my face.
Ah crap, I forgot to close the curtains—
“…hah! Crap!”
When I woke up, it was already past 7 a.m.
Morning practice was off today, but I still had a 1st-period lecture, so I needed to wake up at 6 to do my morning run.
“Damn! I gotta get ready!”
I also needed to copy the lecture materials, so if I didn’t leave now, I’d miss first period.
I shoved a sweet bun from the fridge down with water, force-fixed my bedhead with wax, threw on my soccer jacket, and rushed out of my apartment.
“Crap—key, key!”
Yes, I locked the door properly.
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I dashed toward the classroom on the 3rd floor of Building 6.
Since it was a first-period class, there weren’t many people around. Being late would make me stand out.
I ran up the stairs and managed to slip into the classroom right as the chime rang. I sat in the back row.
I—I made it…!
As I sighed in relief, the professor entered and wrote a number for the attendance cards on the blackboard.
“Today we’ll be using video materials while I explain. Okay, take out your handout.”
Pri…nt?
Right. I had forgotten something important.
I forgot to copy the handout…
“This is bad…”
At that moment, three sheets of paper were placed in front of me from the next seat.
“Morning.”
Medium-short hair, black mask, glasses… and that perfume scent—
“Sasaki? That you?”
“Hey hey, forgetting already? After such a dramatic first meeting? You seriously forget in nine hours? Are you a chicken?”
“…………”
“Say something!”
Maybe because I watched all those videos of her shining like a star yesterday—having Kiraboshi Ayane sitting beside me made me unbelievably nervous.
Sasaki sat down naturally next to me and pushed the prints closer.
“Here, take them. You were in trouble, right?”
“H-how did you know?”
“If you’re the only one who took out just a pencil case, anyone would guess. Ahaha.”
Sasaki doubled over laughing.
“S-stop laughing.”
“Sorry, sorry. I’ll manage with my tablet anyway.”
She took out a tablet and stylus from her tote bag and placed them on the desk.
“But these are yours—”
“Don’t hold back! Helping each other is normal, right? Yesterday you helped me escape, so today it’s my turn to help you. Three sheets of paper aren’t a big deal.”
“…O-okay. Thanks. Seriously.”
“Kirabo—”
“Sasaki.”
“Sa—Sasaki.”
From behind her glasses, Sasaki shot me a sharp glare.
As the lecture went on, she poked my shoulder with her stylus.
“Do you have soccer practice after this class?”
“Practice is in the afternoon.”
“Hmm, then—”
“But I’m planning to go do personal training right after this.”
“…Oh. I-I see…”
“……”
“……”
“Hey, didn’t you want to ask something?”
“W-wait a sec.”
Sasaki started frantically typing on her phone.
“Don’t tell me… you already made a reservation somewhere without asking me first—”
“I DIDN’T! Wh-what are you imagining, idiot! Idiot!!”
“You’re like a kid.”
“Shut up! I’m older than you!”
“…You two are noisy.”
Both of us froze.
Th-the professor…
“Show me your student IDs.”
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