Teitan High, next day.
Kogoro entered to fangirl swarm, escorting him hallward.
He basked—grin ear-to-ear.
"Poor Ruri, crushing on him," Eri shook head.
"Yep," Shuichi agreed. "Kogoro's heartless."
"You're no better!" Eri shot her childhood friend a glare.
"Talking Kogoro—why me?" Shuichi sighed.
Into building: Yukiko waited at his locker, self-appointed.
"Your maid awaits!" Eri shoved him, irked, swapping shoes solo.
"Early today?" Shuichi changed, puzzled.
"Dad's news last night," Yukiko beamed. "Nihon TV interview—plus auditions!"
"Congrats," Shuichi smiled. "Star path starts now."
"Hee," Yukiko preened, then tugged arm unsure. "Shuichi—accept or pass?"
"Why ask?" Shuichi blinked. "Stardom's your dream."
"But parents fought," Yukiko sighed. "Dad: too young—focus school, post-grad entry. Mom: once-in-lifetime shot."
"Split views—I'm torn. Whose side?"
"Neither," Shuichi said flat. "Your call."
"Mine?" Yukiko paused.
"Their words shape your life—your choice," Shuichi said. "Only you."
"That's no help!" Yukiko pouted, miffed. "Acting means less school, no izakaya shifts... You okay with me gone?"
"What's to miss?" Shuichi chuckled. "Fame pulls business our way."
"Hmph—done talking!" Yukiko stomped classroom-bound.
...
Morning: Yukiko brooded future, ignoring Shuichi.
Lunch bento down, Shuichi fled noisy room to nurse's office.
Two beds; doc out. Alarm set, inner bed—curtain drawn for nap.
Door chatter: "What? Love letter to Hayashi Shuichi—reply?!"
"Yeah!" Glee. "Thought junior high repeat—no response."
"Open—contents!"
"Hall's crowded—wait..."
"Nurse's empty midday."
In they came—no scan. "Show the reply!"
Pocket-heart paper unfolded.
"Heart-shaped—success!" Envy.
"Maybe—Eri and Yukiko orbit him," girl said, scanning—face fell. "Damn Shuichi! Reject fine—no need trash me! Shallow? No self-respect?!"
"What'd he say?" Friend baffled.
"See!" Thrust letter.
Friend read: "...Love's sacred—can't confess just 'cause I'm hot. Too shallow. Girls: self-respect..."
"Uh—what?" Friend puzzled. "Mix-up? Not his?"
"No way!" Girl fumed. "Morning locker—his name on envelope!"
"Knew he was like this—no letter!"
"Right—narcissist jerk!"
Curtain-side Shuichi: baffled.
When'd I reply?
Junior high: Eri-handled. High? Last week's to Yukiko—she'd said "reply."
Her 'reply'?
Girls ranted, left.
Shuichi flung curtain—classroom hunt for Yukiko.
...
Class 1-A:
Yukiko desk-slumped, choice-stuck.
Yuka toyed signed star pic, eyeroll: "Hesitate why? Star dream—seize it."
"But Dad nixes," Yukiko hair-rake. "Acting: no normal school, no izakaya."
"Izakaya pay beats stardom?" Yuka teased. "Not school/work—it's Shuichi you're clinging to."
"Shut up!" Yukiko flushed. "Who clings? Jerk's narcissistic, bully—I-I..."
"You what?" Yuka smug-know. "Worried: act, Eri snags him—hesitation fuel..."
(End of Chapter)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.