And so, in the first week of high school, just when I thought things couldn't get more problematic than they previously were, on a perfectly normal Friday, here she was, the former star-idol, Mizuki Shinobu, transferred to my class just for me.
Sounds like a pretty nice dream, right?
Just wait until I turn my head towards Akane and Kaguya.
And…bingo. It was almost as if they were saying, "Go die, stupid womanizer."
I sit down and accept my defeat. The teacher goes on.
"Present yourself, Mizuki-san."
"Sure thing! My name is Mizuki Shinobu, I transferred from the Koyonahama Girls School in hopes of being reunited with my friend, Kaito! As you may know, I'm a former star idol, but I don't need polite words. Talk to me like I'm your friend. That's all, happy to meet each and every one of you guys!"
The boys in class look all in love with her, just what you'd expect from a national-level idol who knows how to steal the spotlight in just a few seconds.
"You may sit in front of Kaito, there's a free seat there."
Huh? Really? Can this get any worse?
"Thank you! Looking forward to working with you, Kaito-kun!"
I'm a bit flustered, yet I respond cool and composed.
"Sure, looking forward to it."
She casually sits in the desk in front of me, happy and cheerful as always. She then turns back to me.
"What do you think of this?"
I was trying to keep my facial expression neutral.
"Uh…yeah, I have mixed feelings."
"Come on…don't be mean."
"I'm sorry. Let's work together in the next few years."
Her face lit up like a lantern.
"That's more like it! Sure, looking forward to it!"
I lay my head on the desk. Why did she transfer here? Is she wanting to work with me that badly, that she needs to pursue me at my school?!
I run my fingers through my hair as I'm thinking.
I guess I will do it, for her. Or at least try to…since she did something like this…
As soon as the first break started – Mizuki turned her head towards me. "Kaito-kun, want to go home together after school?"
Silence. Pure silence. Such levels have not been recorded in the history of mankind.
The whole class was looking at me. Especially the boys.
The group of geeks in the other corner of the classroom was the most offended.
"You damn playboy! How many other girls are you going to keep for yourself?! You already have Akane and Mai!"
I reply emotionless.
"It's not like I intend to keep her for myself."
But cheerfully, Mizuki responded quickly.
"But I will keep myself just for you."
"What are you saying?! Stop teasing me."
The group of boys was even more offended.
"Okay…but let's go home together after school!"
"No can do."
"You're such a fool!"
"I'm very aware of that."
Akane landed me a punch. Kaguya delivered a second blow (with her cool look, smiling).
The rest of the classes go without further trouble.
It's finally time to leave the school, when Mizuki comes to me.
"Come on. We have to talk about something."
"I told you already I'm not going with you towards home. Let it be."
"It's about the voice acting industry."
"What about it?"
"I asked Director Hagayama to have dinner with us. He wants to talk to you."
Director Hagayama was the last person I worked with before that incident. He was one of the most popular directors in Japan. Some of his works include 2 of the top 10 movies of the 21st century in the Japanese Film Industry.
"That Hagayama? Uhh…"
"We already have a reservation. Let's go. No buts."
She grabs my hand as we stagger down to the central station. It was a fine dining restaurant in a 30-floor skyscraper. The ambience felt really nice.
"I don't really have a saying in this, do I?"
"No, you don't. It makes me happy to get you back on track."
Her happy face told me everything. I let my guard down, and just accept the situation. I smile and go along with her.
"Okay. I already thought about coming back just for your sake."
Mizuki turns around and faces me. She was flustered.
"Oh, really…thanks! Means a lot to me."
After 20 minutes, we reach the place.
We see Hagayama-san at our reserved table and go on to meet him.
"Good evening, Hagayama-san! Long time no see."
"Oh, Kaito-kun. I'm very glad to see that you're doing good. Let's settle down and talk a bit, shall we?"
We have a bit of chatter about what we have been up to in the past years, and then his face turns slightly serious.
"Now then, let's talk business. If you turn it down, I won't bug you anymore, I know your reasons for not wanting to be a part of the voicing industry anymore."
"What plans do you have in mind?"
"You know the recent popular manga series? 'Fight, Kyano!' ?"
"I've heard of it."
"We'd like you to feature along Mizuki-chan. She's the voice actress of the main heroine in the anime adaptation. We'd like you to be the main character's voice. The pay is really good too."
"It's not about the money, I have plenty. I'm uncertain as to whether go back in the industry or not. I kind of lost my purpose in it. I lost my ambition, my driving motivation."
"I see. You can't really force someone to return that suddenly in the industry."
"I didn't say no. I'm just thinking about it."
Mizuki intervened.
"Come on Kaito! Let's have some fun there! I promise it's going to be really awesome! If we pair our strength, we will take that anime to the number 1 on national charts. And I won't tease you anymore at school."
"I'm going to think about it."
The director seems happy about it.
"Well, can you give me an answer in about 2 weeks?"
"Yes. I will make up my mind until then and will inform you. Try to search for a backup option anyways."
The rest of the dinner went well, we had some great steak with pommes frites and then we go home.
On the way, Mizuki is interested about my motives of quitting the industry.
"Kaito, what's all that about quitting suddenly?"
"I'd rather not remember it. Last time it took me one whole year to recover from that."
"Oh…so it's deep. Then I won't ask anymore. But you can always talk to me. If there's strain on your heart, I'm going to help you overcome it."
I look at her childish, happy face surprised.
"Thanks, Mizuki."
I was a bit shocked. It was the first time I heard those words, with such power. Is she just nice to me? Or deep down does she really care about me…
I arrive home, wave Mizuki goodbye and go change up. I was already tired but I had one more thing to do.
I grab my smartphone and search up Mizuki's name on the web. Her name was related to all sorts of subjects. She seemed like a genuinely nice person, a true kind soul, so I decided not to pry into her life too much. I put the phone in its charger and went to sleep.
The next day, I hear my front door exploding downstairs. I jump from my bed. A burglar? Police? Or even worse..
But then I hear that voice.
"Kaitoo! Come on, you're going to be late!"
It was Mai.
She rushed up to my bedroom and started explaining the situation.
"Come on! Akane is waiting for us downstairs! We're going to the mall, it's Saturday after all!"
"Uh…what a pain. Let me sleep."
She then calls Akane upstairs and she comes through like a tornado.
"GET YOUR ASS UP FROM THE BED KAITO!"
"Y-yes Madam!"
"Hmph. Such a child."
She's back to the cold tone. Whatever.
"Get out of my room, Mai. I want to get dressed."
"No! I'm picking your clothes today! Look at your wardrobe, such a small selection…okay, we're going shopping!"
"I can pick my own clothes, thank you."
I pick her up and leave her just outside my door, locking it. She bangs on the door but no use.
I dress up slowly. After I was done, I opened the door, and there she was, on the verge of crying.
"Why are you being so mean to me? We used to do this all the time…"
"Mai…we're not kids anymore."
"But I'm still your best friend. Don't leave me all alone again…please."
Mai had a sad childhood. Her mother passed away when she was about 5 years old. She didn't have that many friends back then, just me and Akane. Our parents were childhood friends after all.
After her mother's death, her dad started working twice as much in Osaka, coming back home just once a year. The solitude was unbearable for Mai, yet she was always cheerful. She used to eat alone if neither Akane nor I came by her place. To help her overcome it we would always go to her house and spend time with her; it was always fun.
But as we grew up, we didn't have that much time to hangout anymore. Especially last year, when we were preparing for the high school exams. She must have felt abandoned and alone. And now, she wants us to spend as much time together as possible. She has sleepovers with Akane every now and then (and Mizuki now that she lives with Mai), but I always turn them down. She reinvented herself to become a star student and quite the looker. I always liked her just as she is. She's my precious best friend after all. But I can't let myself be too close to her. Not after that incident.
I hug her tightly.
"Mai, I swore to you 6 years ago that I will never leave you alone. Sorry for being so mean to you."
Her eyes widen. She starts crying, hard.
"Kaitoo…thank you. I really don't want to be all alone again."
"I will never leave your side. I will be here for you."
Akane overheard us. She also comes and hugs Mai tightly.
"Mai, I will always be here for you! You're my closest friend! Let me know when you feel alone and I will instantly come by your place!"
"Guys…thank you so much."
We then head to the mall. Mai starts dragging us through the nicest clothing shops. Akane particularly loved it since she was a gyaru.
"Wow! Such nice clothes!" said Akane cheerfully.
"Kaito, you aren't getting anything?"
"I'm not really into fashion."
Akane knew this was an opportunity for her.
"Kaito, I need an opinion for this outfit. Help me."
"Okay…"
I wait outside of the cabin while she changes up.
Akane dresses in one of the most daring outfits. A white tank top and shorts. "This will definitely get him!"
She puts up a model pose and asks me.
"So? What do you think?"
I'm astonished.
"Looks great!"
She's flustered.
"They look very cool on you! Just what you'd expect from our class's Gyaru!"
"Haha…I guess."
Akane's mind was a mess. "W-what?! He said it sounds cool…why does my heart keep beating so fast?! It's not like I care or anything…but…it makes me happy!"
She dresses back to her usual clothes and decides to buy that outfit. Then, Mai snaps.
"Let's shop for Kaito too! Let's choose clothes for him!"
"Great idea! Let's go!"
"Wait…you two, I can pick my own clothes."
But before I said another word, they started searching for gold in the shop. They picked about 10 different outfits and bought them for me.
"You didn't need to do that. But thanks. Appreciate it."
"No problem! Your wardrobe was dry, that's all. In exchange, for the money, I have a request to make."
"Sure, what's it?"
"Well…you know what I said about me being alone?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"I decided I will live with you! I'm getting Mizuki along with me!"
Akane and I freeze.
"W-WHAAAAT?!"
Then she snaps.
"If you're going to live together with him, I'm coming too! I'm not letting him be alone with 2 cute girls in his house!"
I was trying to process it. It seemed straight out of a comedy show.
"Akane, what are you saying?!"
"It's already been decided! Just accept it!"
"EEEHHHH?!"
I accept my defeat. In the end it was not all that bad, since the house was so quiet without Mai…but, is it really ok to live together with them? Won't that bond us…too close?
Mai looked smug. "Yes, one step closer to him!"
Akane was demolished. Embarassed to her core. "What did I just say?! I mean since I love him I'd like to live together, but…isn't that too soon?!"