Chapter 35

Fainting wasn't an option—too ridiculous, and it wouldn't solve anything anyway.

A storm of thoughts whirled through Suzune's head.

She'd checked the app just minutes ago and Seiya hadn't been anywhere near this building. How could he show up now? What rotten luck.

All because Older Sister couldn't keep her big mouth shut. If she hadn't jinxed it, Suzune wouldn't be trapped like this.

Panic swallowed her whole; the world might as well have ended. She'd met his new girlfriend without permission—of course he'd be furious. All that talk about "checking things out" for him sounded hollow now. They weren't close enough anymore for her to have any right... and too many details didn't add up.

Why was she at H University? Why had she contacted Takahashi Mio? If Seiya dug even a little, he might never speak to her again.

Would he hate her? Tears stung her eyes. She bit her lip and stared at the ground.

Fine—beg for mercy and vanish for a while. Once he'd cooled off, she'd apologize.

Suzune's shifting expression made Mio's lips curl. Had Seiya not been walking over, she would've burst out laughing.

One minute the kid had been ready to claw her eyes out; the next she looked like a cornered rabbit. Priceless.

Mio folded her arms, curious to see what fresh drama the girl would spin—and how Seiya would react. She had no intention of tattling about the earlier insults; keeping them in reserve might prove useful.

Seiya stepped between them, glanced at Mio, and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Mio opened her mouth, but Suzune cut in.

"Ah, Seiya! I—I just ran into Miss Takahashi by coincidence."

Suzune's heart pounded; her smile felt glued on. Whatever happened, Seiya mustn't find out.

Mio raised an eyebrow. Just a moment ago the girl had been fierce; now this? Was it an act?

Seiya shifted his gaze. Sweat dotted Suzune's forehead, her cheeks flushed. He narrowed his eyes. "Your fever's back?"

He reached out—still hot. "You're not well. Why dash over to deliver tickets?"

Tickets? Suzune blinked.

Seiya looked from one girl to the other. "Hand them over. I'll take you home."

"Right, the tickets!" she chirped, fumbling in her pocket. Nothing—just empty fabric.

Her stomach dropped like a cliff-hanging branch snapping.

"What's wrong?" Seiya asked.

Think, think. She hung her head. "I—I think I left them in the car..."

"Then let's go—" Seiya's hand moved toward her arm.

He froze. Another figure barreled into view, breathing hard behind a mask and baseball cap. Bent double, wheezing, she waved an envelope.

"Honestly, Suzune, you sprint off to see Seiya one last time and forget the tickets..." Shione straightened and held them out.

Mio's eyes widened. Even with the disguise, she recognized the voice—Hojo Shione, the idol she'd idolized for years.

Seiya frowned, not taking the tickets. "Why are you here?"

Shione blinked, then smiled behind her mask. "Worried about me? I'm incognito—no one will notice." She glanced around, then at Mio. "See? No crowd."

Seiya remembered the leaked photo and snatched the envelope. "Tickets delivered. Now leave. Suzune's still sick—you're a lousy older sister for dragging her out."

"I'll take her straight to the hospital," Shione replied, eyes fixed on Mio. "So this is your new girlfriend?"

Mio swallowed. The gap between them felt vast; even masked, Shione radiated star power. Shame crept up her throat.

"I... I'm a huge fan," she managed.

Shione's eyes crinkled. "Really?" She offered her hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Hojo Shione—his ex."

"Guess I'm pretty lucky. Did you and Seiya come together today?"

Takahashi Mio gave her a complicated look, hesitated a moment, then shook her head. "No, we just bumped into each other."

"That's quite the coincidence."

Hojo Shione sighed in amazement, then offered Mio a playful wink.

"Then you absolutely have to come to my concert with Seiya, okay? If you show up, I'll be thrilled."

"......"

Takahashi Mio stayed silent.

Shiratori Seiya caught the uneasy undercurrent between them. Noticing the curious glances from passers-by, he didn't want any more trouble. His expression darkened, and he cut in coolly, "Are we done here? If so, get Suzune to the hospital—now."

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