Chapter Two | The Former Idol Girl Wants to Go Out

♢♢♢

The professor confiscated our student IDs and jotted down our student numbers, glaring at us sharply for the entire lecture.

After class, Sasaki and I leave the classroom with heavy sighs.

“Hey! Thanks to you, Makijima, they wrote down our student numbers!”

“…”

“What’s wrong, Makijima? C’mon, you’re way too down about this.”

“…I got into this university on a sports scholarship, but even with tuition cut in half, it’s insanely expensive, and I’m technically a scholarship student. If that incident earlier tanks my grades and ends up affecting my eligibility, I won’t be able to face my parents…”

“S-Sorry, sorry! I was in the wrong, so don’t get that depressed!”

“Ugh…”

Sasaki pats my hunched-over back, trying to cheer me up.

“C’mon, even if you drop one or two credits, it’s no big deal! You can make up for your grades by working hard in other classes!”

Easier said than done…

For a dumb guy like me, every single credit is a lifeline for making it to next year.

Plus, Koto University is one of Japan’s top private schools. The lectures are ridiculously tough, and they say they flunk sports scholarship students without mercy… Man, the future’s looking rough.

“Hey, I’ve got an idea!”

Sasaki suddenly stops in her tracks, looking like she’s thought of something.

“Hey, Makijima? Wanna hit up a café I booked to lift your spirits?”

“…A café?”

“All this gloom’s gonna mess with your practice. You need some rest too! So, skip solo training for now, and let’s go eat some pancakes—”

“No way…!”

I couldn’t help it—my voice came out sharper than I meant.

“Huh…?”

Sasaki looks at me, her brows furrowed with concern.

“I have to do solo practice. I’m not even a starter yet, and last match, my bad trap cost us the game… If I don’t do something, I’m gonna end up a total failure.”

“…O-Oh, I see.”

I turn on my heel and start heading toward the field.

Why am I so worked up?

Taking it out on Sasaki, who’s got nothing to do with soccer, isn’t gonna solve anything…!

She’s probably pissed, right?

Just as I’m about to glance back, I hear a steady clack, clack of footsteps following me.

Is that… the sound of Sasaki’s short boots?

When I stop, the footsteps stop too.

“…”

She followed me. Even after I snapped at her and stormed off, Sasaki’s been trailing behind me this whole time.

“…”

“…”

The silence between us drags on until I finally break it.

“S-Sasaki.”

“What?”

I turn around and bow my head.

“Sorry about earlier! I got all snappy outta nowhere. That must’ve freaked you out, huh?”

When I apologize, Sasaki puffs out her cheeks and lets out a “pfft” right in front of me.

“Hahaha! What’s that about? Why’s Makijima apologizing?”

“‘Cause, when you think about it, I forgot the handouts, which started this whole mess. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have talked to me, and—”

“Oh, c’mon, that’s not it. I gave you the handouts, I booked the café on my own, I snapped at you, and I got us in trouble with the professor. You didn’t do anything wrong. And, honestly… I’m the one who should be sorry for blaming it all on you.”

Sasaki pulls down her mask just to apologize, giving a shy, embarrassed smile.

I’d assumed a former top idol would be all pride and ego, but she’s surprisingly down-to-earth.

“Hm? What’s with you staring at my face?”

“…You’re kinda honest, huh, Sasaki?”

“‘Kinda’ is unnecessary! I’m a year older than you, so of course I’m mature!”

“Yesterday you were all ‘treat me like an equal,’ and now you’re pulling the older-sister card when it suits you, huh?”

“What’d you say? Depending on that, my fist might come flying!”

Where’d all that chill from earlier go…?

For now, I’ll just dodge the question.

“Uh, I mean, I said I’m skipping solo practice today.”

“Huh? So, that means…!”

Sasaki’s eyes widen, her hand covering her mouth over her mask.

“Yeah. I’ll go with you to that place you wanted to check out. You already made the reservation, right?”

“Yup, but… are you sure about skipping practice?”

Sasaki furrows her brow, asking with concern.

Might as well tell her the whole story.

“The thing is, ever since I joined the team, I’ve been overtraining. The coach actually told me to cut back on solo practice.”

“Overtraining, like practicing too much, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And you were still trying to practice more?”

“Y-Yeah.”

Since my first day on the team, I’ve been freaking out.

The Koto University soccer team is stacked. Some upperclassmen who didn’t push hard as freshmen ended up stuck on the second string for all four years…

Knowing that reality, I’ve been showing up at the field every chance I get, kicking the ball around, staying late for extra practice without fail.

“I know my anxiety’s dragging me down… but if you don’t put in the effort, you don’t get results, right? So I’ve been working harder than anyone else, but things just aren’t clicking.”

I let out a self-deprecating laugh, and Sasaki’s lips curl into a slight smile.

“You kinda remind me of the old me.”

She murmurs, her eyes distant.

Me, like Sasaki…?

“Everyone gets anxious when things aren’t going well. Back when I was an idol… especially before I became the center, I was constantly freaking out. So I totally get how you feel, Makijima, and I understand why you can’t relax without practicing… But practice doesn’t always equal results. That’s one thing I can say for sure.”

Sasaki declares it with unwavering confidence.

When a former top idol like Ayane Kiraboshi, who’s been at the front of the pack, says something like that, what else can you do but take it to heart…?

“You’ve gotta keep going at your own pace.”

“My… pace.”

Sasaki picks up my shoe bag, says, “I’ll carry it,” and starts walking ahead with light steps.

We’ve only known each other for a day, but man, she’s got a knack for getting under your skin, in a good way.

“How long are you gonna stand there spacing out?”

“Alright, I’m coming.”

Spurred by Sasaki, I start walking.

“So, where’s this café we’re heading to?”

When I ask, Sasaki excitedly thrusts her phone toward me.

“My favorite café!”

“Oh, your go-to spot?”

“They’ve got this super Instagrammable, fluffy soufflé pancake that you can only order as a couple!”

“…”

While Sasaki’s all hyped up, I shoot her a cold, skeptical look.

This girl… no way.

“What’s up, Makijima?”

“Don’t tell me… that was your plan all along.”

“N-No way, it’s not like that~!”

Sasaki’s eyes dart around nervously.

Total liar.

I snatch my shoe bag back from her and turn toward the field.

“On second thought, I’m going to solo practice.”

“Wait, hold up, Makijima!”

☆☆

In the end, I got roped into going to Sasaki’s favorite café.

I can’t shake the feeling that she’s playing me like a fiddle, but her whole “resting is important too” argument was so reasonable that I lost any drive to go to solo practice.

According to Sasaki, her go-to café is three stops from the station near the university. We hopped on a train just as the morning rush was dying down, leaving it mostly empty.

Right as we boarded, a seat opened up in front of us. I gestured for Sasaki to take it and grabbed the strap above her.

Sasaki gave a slight nod and sat down without a word.

Now that I think about it, it’s kinda wild how nobody seems to recognize her as Ayane Kiraboshi.

If you really looked at her hair or eyes, you’d probably figure it out in a second… but her hair’s a darker brown now compared to her idol days, and with her mask covering her mouth, maybe people just think, “She kinda looks like her”?

As I’m staring at Sasaki, lost in thought, she blinks rapidly and glares back at me.

I wasn’t trying to start anything, honest.

We rode the train in silence for a while, no conversation. I fiddled with my phone while Sasaki just kept staring at me.

I figured she’s staying quiet to avoid being recognized… but staring at me like that, does she have something to say?

I opened the Lime app, pulled up our chat, and sent: “If talking’s risky, wanna chat on Lime instead?”

She replied almost instantly: “Why were you staring at me earlier?”

So that’s why she’s been eyeing me this whole time.

Alright, how do I respond?

If I’m honest and say something like, “I was just thinking it’s crazy how nobody recognizes you,” it’d sound like I’m saying Ayane Kiraboshi’s fame is forgettable, which could come off as an insult… Wait, got it.

“I just noticed you didn’t curl your hair today, that’s all.”

I send the message, glancing at Sasaki as I recall something I noticed.

She frowns, typing back: “I overslept, so I forgot to curl it.”

Come to think of it, she did get to class later than me… She’s surprisingly bad with mornings, huh?

I let out a chuckle, and Sasaki, catching it, fires off: “Don’t laugh, idiot! You overslept too!” Her text is clearly annoyed… wait a sec.

“How’d you know I overslept when you got there after me?”

I shoot back on Lime, and Sasaki, sitting right in front of me, quickly covers her mouth with her hand.

She’s texting on Lime but still making those gestures?

Just then, we reached our station. Sasaki stuffed her phone into her bag, stood up, and we got off the train together.

“So, how’d you know?”

As soon as we stepped off, I asked her directly. Sasaki made an awkward face.

“W-Well… you always sit in the front row for that lecture, but today you were in the back, which was weird.”

“Y-You…”

I was about to say, “That’s some detective-level insight,” but for some reason, Sasaki smacked me on the back.

“No, it’s not like that! It’s not like I’ve been watching you or anything!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“Hmph!”

Pouting, Sasaki stormed through the ticket gate and started walking off.

Man, this girl’s got a seriously high-maintenance personality.

That’s probably why she clashed with her group members back in her idol days.

I chased after her through the gate.

“Sasaki, c’mon, chill out.”

“I’m not even mad!”

“…Then why’re your cheeks all puffed up?”

Even through her mask, I could tell she was pouting hard.

When I poked her puffed-out cheek with my finger, Sasaki let out a pathetic “Pweh!”

“Haha, what was that sound?!”

“Ugh, stop it!”

“If you keep sulking, even the pancakes’ll taste bad, you know.”

“Mrr…”

Her cheeks puffed up again, so I poked them like before, and she let out another “Pweh!”

“Makijima, you’re pretty smooth, huh?”

“Smooth?”

“With girls. You were chatting up those other girls at the mixer yesterday like it was nothing.”

Back then, I was just desperate for those new cleats and focused on getting through the moment.

“I’ve never really thought about ‘handling girls.’ I went to an all-boys school, so I’m just talking the same way I always have.”

“Oh, like Seiji—”

“Hm?”

“N-Nothing! Anyway, my favorite café’s just up ahead!”

A small wooden café sits along the main street, about three minutes’ walk from the station.

A chalkboard out front reads, “Couples Only! Giant Fluffy Soufflé Pancake Set!” Sasaki’s eyes light up as she spots it.

“Makijima! Let’s go in! Hurry!”

“You get way hyped up when it comes to pancakes, huh?”

“Obviously! Even when I was an idol, I had my own show called ‘Ayane Kiraboshi’s Pancake Journey’!”

“Whoa, really?”

“Pancakes are all fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth—”

Sasaki’s so passionate about pancakes that her glasses start fogging up.

I’m not exactly hooked on the topic, so I ignore her and head into the café.

As soon as we step inside, a female server greets us with a cheerful, “Welcome!”

“Table for two,” I say.

“Sure thing!”

“Hey, Makijima! Why’d you just barge in—?”

Sasaki, who’d been chanting her pancake love like a spell outside, chases after me into the café.

“Oh my? So you’re Ayane-chan’s boyfriend?”

B-Boyfriend…?

“I’m not her—”

Before I can deny it, Sasaki cuts in between me and the server.

“Yup, that’s right! He’s my boyfriend! I saw the couples-only soufflé pancake set on SNS and just had to bring him!”

“Ohh, I see… So this is the guy.”

The server gives me a slow, appraising look.

“Not bad, just as the rumors said—a real looker.”

“R-Right?” Sasaki beams.

The two of them chat like old friends.

They seem close… but does the server know Sasaki is Kiraboshi?

She leads us to a round table, and we sit across from each other.

“Ayane-chan, just the couples-only set for you?”

“A sandwich too, please. I haven’t eaten anything since this morning.”

“Got it! And for your boyfriend?”

“I’m good,” I say.

After taking our order, the server leaves with a sly, “Heh,” and a mischievous grin.

I’m pretty sure she knows we’re not actually dating.

But she took the order anyway, which feels… ominous. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

☆☆

“I’m so excited for the pancakes~!”

While waiting for the pancakes, Sasaki’s in high spirits the whole time.

She’s even taken off her usual black mask and glasses disguise… Talk about being too carefree.

Sasaki flips through the menu, her eyes sparkling.

It was nighttime when we ditched the mixer, so this is my first time seeing her face in a bright place.

Without anything covering it, Sasaki’s face is way smaller than it looks in videos, with perfectly balanced features that scream “this is what a beautiful girl looks like.”

Her nose, usually hidden by the mask, is sharp and defined, and her lips look almost unreal, glossy and full.

No wonder she had a ton of fans—she’s this cute.

Staring at her, my heart starts to feel all warm and fuzzy… Is this the aura of a so-called national-treasure-level beauty?

With natural looks like these, she could’ve easily become an actress or model after quitting as an idol… So why’d she retire from showbiz?

“What’s up, Makijima?”

“Hm? If you want to order something else, I think we can add to it.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“Why not?!”

I take a sip of water to clear my throat and look at Sasaki.

“I was just thinking you should at least keep your glasses on. If other customers show up, they’ll figure out who you are in a second.”

“Oh, no worries, no worries. This place never gets crowded, and if someone comes in, I’ll put my disguise back on right away.”

“Huh? If it doesn’t get crowded, why’d you need to make a reservation?”

“Well, in my case, I have to reserve.”

“Your case?”

Just then, the server brings over our drinks.

“Ayane-chan’s a celebrity, so we ask her to let us know when she’s coming.”

So that’s why this server’s so chummy—she does know about Sasaki’s situation.

“Here’re your drinks.”

Wait, she was listening to our conversation while making drinks? What kinda superhuman hearing is that…?

“Huh?”

The server set down the drink like it was no big deal… but what is this drink?

A Blue Hawaii soda poured into a deep, oversized glass that looks like something a tycoon would sip.

“Two people, one drink…? And what’s with this straw?”

The straw splits into two like a Y-shaped socket, with a heart right in the middle—!

Wait, is this…?

“A-A-Ahh!”

Even the national-treasure-level idol is clearly freaking out.

The server, who’d stepped back to the kitchen, returns holding a DSLR camera.

“Um, miss, don’t you have normal straws or something?” I ask.

“Oh, come on, you’re a couple! It’s fine. Look, I’ll even take a picture for you—with the DSLR, of course.”

“No way we can do this! Change it to two drinks and swap the straw, now!” Sasaki protests.

“Hm? But you two are dating, right?”

“Uh…”

Got it. That sly grin she had when taking our order… she was planning this.

We’ve been totally played.

“Oh, could it be… you two aren’t actually a couple?”

“Sasaki, let’s do this.”

“W-Wait, Makijima?!”

“C’mon, just lean in already.”

I gave up solo practice to come eat some ridiculous couples-only pancake.

Compared to the time and train fare I’ve already spent, this is nothing.

I take one side of the straw in my mouth, and Sasaki, glaring at the server, reluctantly takes the other.

“Alright, look this way~!” the server calls, waving us toward the camera.

I can feel Sasaki’s lips trembling through the straw, the vibrations reaching me.

For someone who loves to play the “older sister” card, she’s way too shy about this stuff.

“Oh, one sec! Since we’re here, why don’t you both make a heart with your hands~?”

“What?! No way we’re doing—” I start.

“Sasaki, let’s do it.”

“Makijima?!”

I make half a heart with my right hand, and Sasaki, with a shaky left hand, completes it.

“Say cheese!”

♡♡♡

While waiting for the soufflé pancakes, Sasaki—her face bright red from embarrassment—disappeared to the bathroom and hasn’t come back.

Left alone, I stare out the window, slowly sipping the Blue Hawaii soda, which is so big it’s making my stomach slosh.

“I-I’m back.”

After a while, Sasaki returns, wiping her hands with a handkerchief.

And… as expected, an awkward silence hangs in the air.

We came here pretending to be a couple, but after getting roped into that embarrassing lovey-dovey photo, there’s no way we can just chat like normal.

We both stay quiet, passing the time by flipping through the menu or fiddling with our phones. But then Sasaki closes her menu, looks up, and mumbles, “M-Makijima…”

“Sorry! For getting us into this mess!”

I didn’t expect an apology.

I figured Sasaki would be mad, like, “Why’d you go along with that?!”

“It’s not like you need to apologize,” I say.

“But—!”

“We get to eat pancakes, so it all worked out, right?”

“Y-Yeah…”

Sasaki looks down, her eyes red like a kid who got caught pulling a prank and scolded by their parents.

Wait, was she crying in the bathroom?

I mean, it makes sense. Getting forced to do something like that with a guy she doesn’t even like must’ve sucked…

“That stuff we did probably felt gross, huh? I got stubborn about not wasting time and dragged you into it. My bad.”

“N-No, it wasn’t gross—! I-I mean, yeah, it was gross! Why’d I have to do that with you?!”

“Right, right, my bad, my bad.”

Sasaki snatches the Blue Hawaii soda glass from me and starts drinking from the other straw.

“Uh, I was just drinking from that—”

“The straws are separate, so it’s fine, right?”

“Y-Yeah, but—”

“Getting hung up on stuff like this? You’re such an idiot, Makijima.”

Sasaki flashes a mischievous, devilish grin and sips through the straw.

“Yeah, I’m an idiot. My overall academic score’s, like, a 40.”

“F-Forty? Even with a sports scholarship, there’s no way you’d get into our university with that…”

“Don’t worry, I aced Japanese history with a 75.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?! N-No way, even that wouldn’t get you in!”

As Sasaki and I banter, the server brings over the soufflé pancakes.

“Here’s your exclusive giant soufflé pancake set, and… the lovey-dovey photo we took earlier!”

“We don’t need the photo!” Sasaki snaps.

“Oh, c’mon, Ayane-chan. You say that, but you totally want it~!” the server teases.

“I said I don’t need it!”

Sasaki practically shoves the photo back at the server.

“Hehe, alright, I’ll send you the digital file later. Enjoy~!”

“…Ugh!”

Man, that server’s like a super chill older sister. It’s kind of amazing how she can handle someone like Ayane Kiraboshi so casually. If it were me, I’d probably be a nervous wreck.

“Wow, soufflé pancakes! So fluffy and melty~!”

The moment Sasaki sees the pancakes, she grabs her knife and fork and dives right in.

 

 

☆☆

“Makijima, want some?”

“I’m not big on sweets, so I don’t need—”

“Here, say ‘ahh’!”

A fluffy soufflé pancake, practically oozing with sauce.

Sasaki skillfully scoops a piece with her fork and spoon, holding it toward me.

The pancakes are here, so we don’t need to keep up the couple act…

Fine, I’ll eat it.

As I lean in to take a bite, she yanks the pancake back like a rewind, popping it into her own mouth.

“Mmm, so good~!”

“…”

“Gotcha, Makijima! What, thought I’d feed you? Pfft, haha!”

“…”

“What? You’re all stone-faced ‘cause you’re mad?”

“Hey, Sasaki. I kept this a secret, but…”

“What? What?”

I grab my Blue Hawaii glass, pinching the straw.

“While you were in the bathroom, I flipped the straw and drank from it.”

“W-What?!”

She yells so loud it shatters the café’s calm vibe.

“S-So! You drank from my straw, and then I drank from yours… so, that’s, like, an indirect kiss!”

“It’s all a lie.”

The second I say it, she smacks my cheek, pissed.

☆☆

“I’m the first guy Kiraboshi Ayane’s ever slapped, right?”

“Obviously! It’s my first time slapping anyone!”

“…Unless you do it all the time.”

“I don’t!”

Sasaki pouts, lips pursed, and dives back into her pancakes.

She’s all over the place—angry, embarrassed, laughing.

Bored of watching her eat, I glance at the server, who’s dozing off at the register.

Is this café okay?

“…Oh, right.”

“What’s up, Makijima?” she says.

“Gonna step out for a sec.”

“Where to?”

“Bathroom.”

I return from the restroom to find Sasaki done with her pancakes, tapping away at her phone.

“Don’t stare at your phone so close—you’ll ruin your eyes.”

“Shut up.”

“Geez, what are you, a rebellious kid?”

“You’re the one acting like my mom with all the nagging!”

As I sit, she puts her glasses and mask back on, slings her tote bag over her shoulder, and gets ready to leave.

“Huh? Wasn’t the bill here?”

She searches for the check that was on the table.

“I paid it before hitting the restroom. The server looked bored, and I figured it’s better to settle up before it gets busy.”

“What? But the money—”

“It’s fine, it’s nothing.”

“No way! I ate most of it!”

She pulls three Noguchi bills from her wallet, shoving them at me.

“I said it’s fine.”

“No, it’s not!”

“God, you’re stubborn. I said it’s fine.”

“Ugh! Oh, wait.”

She suddenly crouches, yanking my long wallet from my pocket.

“Hey!”

“You won’t take it, so I’ll put it in for you!”

“Come on, think about how a guy feels in moments like this.”

“A guy’s feelings?”

Maybe she’s just being proper, but with that cute face, how’s she not used to being treated?

While I’m dumbfounded, she starts trembling.

“What’s wrong, Sasaki?”

“H-Hey… th-this…”

Her voice cracks as she points.

I take my wallet from her and check inside… and there it is—the thing.

Oh, crap.

I flash back to last night.

After practice, heading to the mixer, I found that rubber thing in Azaki’s jacket pocket and slipped it into my wallet—

Stupid! Why’d I put it in there?

“Sasaki, it’s a misunderstanding! Let’s get out of here, and I’ll explain!”

Outside, I explain how I borrowed Azaki’s jacket, found the condom, and meant to return it, pleading my case.

“Got it?”

“Yeah, you’re a guy, Makijima. Even without a girlfriend… you’d do that kind of thing, right?”

“You didn’t get it! Listen to me!”

Her face is so red you’d think she’s got a fever.

My cheeks burn too as I desperately explain, but she’s not listening.

“So, yesterday… after the mixer, you were planning to do something naughty?”

“Huh?”

“After we left… you were thinking of doing naughty stuff with me?”

She looks away, embarrassed.

Me, with Kiraboshi Ayane?

I picture her on a bed lit by pink lights, a towel barely covering her, beckoning me.

I’m drawn in, and—

“No, no, no!”

I snap out of the sketchy fantasy, facing her.

“I wouldn’t! I told you, I put it in my wallet to give back to Azaki. I’ve never… done that kind of thing.”

“…Really?”

“What do I gain by lying? I’m not some sleazy playboy like Azaki. I’m… stoic.”

“Hmm.”

“So, that was a misunderstanding—”

She grabs my tracksuit, finally meeting my eyes.

I hope she gets it, but her response is out of left field.

“Me too! I… haven’t done it either.”

Blushing, she says it with a shy look.

Haven’t done it… huh?

“So… we’re the same, right, Makijima?”

“Y-Yeah, the same.”

“…”

“…”

Why’d she confess that?!

Now it’s even more awkward!

“You didn’t need to say that!”

“B-But! I felt bad letting you admit that alone!”

“Don’t pity me!”

Still, in half a day, I’m starting to get her.

She’s kind but sneaky, her emotions all over her face like a kid… and obsessed with pancakes.

When I learned she was Kiraboshi Ayane, I thought she’d be pure charisma, but she’s betrayed that expectation—in a good and bad way.

“Eating pancakes was more exhausting than extra practice.”

Not physical exhaustion—mental.

“Hey, Makijima? What’s next?”

I check the time on my phone.

“It’s already 1 p.m. I’m heading back to campus. You?”

“Hmm, guess I’ll go back too. Gotta find references for a report in the library.”

“Cool. Wanna head back together?”

We hop on a train back to the university.