SUMIRE
Moreover, she can't be too careful. There was that case with Asahi getting kidnapped not too long ago. Masaru getting injured, Masato getting beat up too- though Luna claimed to be the mastermind for Masaru and Masato's attacks. Sumire felt that there was something amiss with the girl's explanation.
'I should ask her again when I get the chance.'
Asuka patted her shoulder. "No, you will be taking a break today. You have been working too much. Besides Hyou4 received the order."
"I understand." Sumire said reluctantly. "But update me later?"
Her friend nodded and quickly rushed off. The moment Asuka left, there was an awkward silence between Ran and her. She has been doing her best avoiding him. But, she knew that eventually that Ran would loose his patience and come to her.
"T-t-thanks," Sumire said breaking the silence. For just now."
"It's only right," Ran trailed off and frowned. "But, what was with those girl?"
He made it sound like he didn't want a reply to his question. But Sumire knew he was just leaving it to her to say something. She takes a deep breath before adding.
"They became my friends when I first joined the company. At least until the company decided to focus on me, and the guy Maki likes confessed to me." Sumire sighed.
Just thinking about it, bothered her greatly. It's not like she asked the company to focus on her. It's not like she asked that guy whose name she didn't even know to confess.
"Afterwards well I am sure you can guess what happened. No girls in the company befriended me after that. The guys in the company thought I was an easy and loose woman and only wanted to sleep with me."
"But you got through that didn't you?"
Sumire nodded. "Thanks to Futaba and the others." She trailed off and sighed. "But I have to admit, I still get triggered if they appear before me." She walks back to her table and takes her seat.
The minute she sat down, Ran slid onto the seat opposite her.
"That's Mikaze-kun's seat-"
"He isn't coming back. I saw him on the way here, and told him to give us some privacy."
"You had no right-" Sumire trailed off when she saw Ran's frustrated expression.
"I have been pretending for your sake. But, I know you remember. I know that you know who I am, who I was before we saw each other in the park and again at school."
That's right. She briefly encountered Iwa Ran during her childhood.
Sumire bit her lip and she averts her gaze. "There wasn't any reason for me to say anything. We are both avoiding the elite circle."
"Yeah." Ran nodded. "I would have continued to play along, but then those rumors started. If you just come out and say that we knew each other before I was famous. Then, it would shut their mouths."
"There is no need. Even if it isn't this rumor, they will find something else to bad mouth me about."
"I see."
For the next few minutes neither of them said anything. It was only when she caught a glimpse of the time on her phone, that she looked at him in disbelief.
"Don't you have basketball practice?"
"I skipped out today," he says simply.
Ran never skips practice. Ran looks away when she gives him a stunned look.
"What?" he grumbles. "I can't do that once in a while?"
"No you can but you have never-"
"I've been worried about you. I didn't make a good first impression seeing you again after so long. It's taken me a while since I knew I frightened you. But I wanted to apologize."
Sumire continues staring at him stunned.
It takes her a few moments but eventually her lips curve to a smile. "If you really want to make it up to me, will you treat me?" She pointed to the menu.
Ran sighed. "I forgot how much of a glutton you were."
Sumire pouted. "Didn't Futaba ever tell you that calling a girl fat is rude?"
"I didn't say you're fat. You have curves, good ones."
"Pervert." Sumire noticed that his gaze was on her chest.
Ran flushed red. "Damn it."
Sumire continued to laugh and Ran grabbed the menu from her and started ordering some dishes. It was only a brief encounter in the past. But, it seemed Ran recalled what kind of foods that she liked.
"By the way, has Kou talked to you yet?"
"Oh, your center?"
Ran nodded. "I thought he would have asked you by now. You know-"
"About being your composer." Sumire trailed off. "We are both part of the same company. So, the president has mentioned it before. Composing for another group outside Nanairo feather."
"Have you never thought of it before it was suggested to you?"
Sumire paused and shook her head. "I havent. I still think my encounter with the other guys was a miracle. For a long time, I couldn't think about creating music for anybody else but them."
"What about now?"
"Quatro lights performances interest me." Sumire paused. "I'll give it some thought properly. But, I think I need to get to know the other three more."
"Well I am sure Kou will approach you properly soon, and you've been watching Jun's performance. So eventually he will confront you about it." Ran paused. "Tetsuo is part of the elite circle. Have you ever encountered him before?"
"I think I saw him from a distance at one or two gatherings in the past. But we have never met."
"Your best bet with him is actually attending one of those parties and approaching him." Ran sighed. "If you'd like I could go with you-"
"I'll go with my boyfriend." Sumire interjected.
Ran's eyes twitched annoyed. "When I heard that you were going out with Mashima Toh, I wasn't sure at first. But, is it real?"
Sumire nodded. "We are lovey-dovey."
Her words seemed to further trouble Ran. But she wanted to make it clear to him. They may be on speaking terms now, but she will only continue associating with him as friends.
Directly rejecting him before he confesses her feelings won't be right. But saying this is similar to a rejection. She is drawing a line between them.