CH 28

We started shooting a documentary film starring Hiyori and myself as a half-joking project. Well, it went rather smoothly.

But why is it that the better the shooting went, the more my hit points got whittled away?

(T/N: HP= health in games)

“…I’m sure I just exposed myself to a lifetime’s worth of embarrassment”

During the break between shoots, I was groggy. By the way, we were shooting in a peaceful park right now.

“Hidetsugu-san”

I looked up suddenly at the voice.

“Here’s your tea.”

“Thank you, Hiyori.”

Hiyori smiled as I accepted the tea.

“May I sit next to you?”

“Of course.”

Then me and Hiyori sat next to each other on the bench.

“Mmm! This is another chance to shoot!”

Ebina, the super director, glanced at us with sparkling eyes.

“Ebina, give me a break!”

I said in a frustrated voice.

“Tsk~, I get it~!”

She looked displeased but she obediently listened to what I said.

“Then, everyone take a break~”

“”Yes~!””

At Ebina’s instruction, everyone took a break. They were usually a lively bunch, but today they were lazy. I finally got comfortable and my eyes started to close,

“Hidetsugu-san”

“Ah, sorry.”

“It’s okay, you can sleep for a while. I’ll wake you up when the time comes.”

“Sorry, I’ll take up on it then”

“Yes”

Seeing Hiyori’s gentle smile put me at ease. Soon, my consciousness faded away.

******

Being alone with Hidetsugu-san, I was a bit nervous. It had been difficult for us to spend time alone together recently because of the filming of the movie.

We were even filming in our apartment. But I thought it was fun, too.

Hidetsugu-san also seemed to enjoy working with all of his friends, even though he looked uncomfortable. Everyone else was chatting at a distance from us.

I glanced over to see Hidetsugu-san dozing off next to me. It’s not the first time I’ve seen his sleepy face. It’s embarrassing because we always sleep in the same futon…

Whenever I look at him, I’m stunned at how dignified his profile is, but now that he’s asleep, he’s a little more open than usual.

That’s so cute… So embarrassing.

W-What should I do?

Staring at him….I feel like kissing him.

I looked at the other members of the group. They had been following us for some time, but they didn’t seem to be paying any attention to us right now. This might be a good chance for me.

I may not be able to kiss on the mouth, but at least on the cheeks. …

My heart skipped a beat. I glanced around to see what everyone else was doing.

Okay, they are not looking at me.

Hidetsugu-san is still sleeping.

T-This is my chance.

I can finally kiss my beloved…Hidetsugu-san’s sleeping face. I’m usually timid but I mustered up all my courage to do it.

I was way too excited to kiss him, I may be overreacting, but I made up my mind and gently placed my lips on his cheek.

If possible, I’d like to take my time enjoying the feeling, but I don’t have the guts to do so.

Chiyu~

It was only a momentary touch on my cheek. Even so, I was so nervous that steam came out of my face.

I-I did it.

Kissing his sleeping face…Kyaa, So embarrassing.

The first thing that comes over me is overwhelming embarrassment. It causes my body temperature to rise so quickly that I feel like my head is going to explode.

But soon, I felt something that warmed me from the core of my heart.

I was suddenly at peace.

Hidetsugu-san was still sleeping. I kept staring at his profile. That alone was enough to make me happy.

A moment later, I heard an electronic beeping sound.

“Hyah~!”

I was startled,

“Hmm?”

Hidetsugu-san opened his eyes.

“Ah, my bad. It’s me.”

Saying that, he pulled out his phone from his pocket.

“Yes, hello… Oh, Hikaru?”

His voice was cheerful.

“Huh? Now? Uh ….”

Hidetsugu-san glanced at me and stood up from the bench.

“Huh? College festival? No, you don’t have to come.”

Friend… maybe?

I certainly don’t know.

“Huh, wife… please stop.”

What?

“… Huh? Ah, well… I really care about you… It’s kinda creepy.”

What is this conversation?

“Well, I’ve got club activities to do, so I’m hanging up. … What? It’s a movie. Well, there’s a lot going on. … No, that’s why I don’t want you to come.”

Then Hidetsugu-san exchanged a few words with the caller

“Yeah, see you later.”

After hanging up the phone, he returned.

“Well, I guess my break is almost over.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Let’s go, Hiyori.”

Hidetsugu-san smiled and extended his hand to me. I smiled a little awkwardly and gently squeezed his hand back.

*****

The room was white and fashionable. But at the center of it, black emotions were swirling.

“Marina, you’ve been in a bad mood lately. What’s wrong?”

“Huh?”

Said Anju, a fellow model.

“Not really. …”

“No, no, no, it’s obviously not nothing.”

I lightly clicked my tongue when Anju said.

“…there’s this annoying guy out there.”

“What, are you being stalked by a guy who’s a fan? And what about the ex-boyfriend you broke up with?”

“Neither one of them.”

“Then who is it? Who is this annoying guy?”

The question made me feel like I was chewing on a bitter bug.

“…. my sister’s boyfriend.”

“What?  Marina,  you have a sister? I thought you only had a little brother.”

“No, there’s this annoying insect that came around….”

“Annoying insect.. there are many.”

“Anyway, the girl herself is annoying, but her boyfriend is even more so.”

“Did you get in a fight?”

“I did. And Kenya lost.”

“Ah, your cronies?”

“They’re all so useless.”

I crossed my arms and let out a sigh.

“Do you ever attend college festivals, Marina?”

“What?”

“A college festival, I thought I’d go myself there for a bit.”

“Gross, going out at such a silly festival…”

I stopped talking for a moment.

“Marina?”

Before Anju, who looked dubious.

“…… Fufu. I just thought of a good idea.”

“Hey, Marina. You look like a bad girl. Don’t do that in public. It reveals your bad character.”

“Don’t worry, they already know.”

“Well, that’s for sure~.”

I suppressed the urge to slap Anju on the head as she nodded carefree, and picked up my phone.