Just a few weeks back, Itou and I called it quits. Funny thing, before I could even update my relationship status, Maki slid into my life, spilling her guts about how she's got this thing for me. And while I've been quick to shut down other girls, with Maki it was different. I said yes to her, not for her looks or her charm, and definitely not because she's some high school hotshot. Nah, it's 'cause she's Horie Mio's little sister—and Horie-san, she's someone you can't just ignore.
Now, don't get me wrong, I wasn't exactly on the Mio bandwagon back in the day. While every other guy my age was practically drooling over her, I just knew her through the grapevine and those endless streams of media plastering her face everywhere. She started young, you know? Modelling, acting, singing—the works. Her face was all over the TV and those giant billboards, not to mention her angelic voice that, frankly, I got tired of real quick.
But then why am I dragging myself into this mess just 'cause Maki's her sister? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it?
"Tetsurou-kun, did you hear me?" Maki's voice snaps me back.
"Hm?"
I look up from my phone, catching her eyes, framed by that long fringe of hers, scanning my face.
"Are you coming to the Miyamoto Festival this weekend?" she repeats, probably 'cause I missed it the first time.
But a date, again? Man, we just had one last weekend. Give me a break… I've got monsters to slay and points to rack up. But you see, playing the part of the perfect boyfriend everyone thinks I am, I force a smile.
"Sounds fun. I'll come pick you up."
"Eh? No— I was just asking," she giggles, her laughter throwing me off. "Everyone's talking about it, but I'm too booked to go."
Oh… so, that's my golden ticket to a weekend glued to my bed, isn't it? Just me and the console, mashing buttons like a madman to take down hordes of those pesky beasts in the latest gaming craze, you know, The Hunter II that was released two weeks ago. Sweet!
"Ha-ha, right— I didn't notice that," I laugh, playing along while she sips her tea.
"You were so into your phone. What were you looking at, Tetsurou-kun?"
I was nose-deep in the saga of your late sister. Really, if you'd just spill the beans, I wouldn't have to play detective. But laying my cards out on the table isn't exactly my style, is it? So, there I am, grinning like a fool, eyes darting around for any excuse to cover up my real play.
"Oh, just scouting out a coffee shop in Meguro you might like," I bluff, and her intrigued expression tells me my diversion worked like a charm.
Let's amp this up a notch. I whip out my phone and do a quick search for that coffee shop where Furuta hangs out, just to watch his favourite gloomy tea-guy work his magic. Smooth as silk, I slide the phone across the table where our dinner's laid out in this cozy joint, and tilt the screen towards Maki.
"This spot," I say, pointing at the image glowing back at Maki's face. "It's a bit outta the way from school, but worth a visit, don't you think?"
I'm thinking I've nailed it with my diversion, but then Maki's expression shifts—her brows pinch together, and suddenly I'm hooked. What's got her so off-kilter about a place that's right up her alley, especially one that's a goldmine for her social feeds? Hmm… interesting, very interesting…
"I know this place, but uhm… I don't think I'm interested in going there, Tetsurou-kun…," Maki drops the line, just like I figured she would, but now I'm on edge, waiting for her spin. "It feels more like a host club, and that's not really my scene. You know… I'm not into eyeing guys."
Smooth, real smooth. Maki's got her excuses down pat. Colour me impressed. But then, I've done my homework, scrolled through her social feeds where it's all snapshots with sharp-dressed dudes from her modeling gigs and hardly a gal in sight. Not that I'm green-eyed or anything. It's just, if she's so not into eyeing guys, why parade them on her page? Unless, of course, she's playing the game, angling for the envy of other girls.
But hey, I'm not gonna pry any deeper into that mess. As long as I skate by without getting nabbed for digging around her sister's past, I'm golden.
"Oh, about the Miyamoto Festival…" Maki pipes up, her voice laced with a hint of hesitation that hooks my attention. "Are you still gonna go if I can't make it?"
Hm? Now, what's she getting at with that? The way she's phrasing it, sounds almost like she's worried I might head there with someone else while she's tied up with her modelling gigs. But this is Maki we're talking about—since when did she start sounding like some anxious girlfriend fretting that her guy might get scooped up by another chick?