Malice.
The moment her eyes met the girl standing before her, Takahashi Mio felt a wave of complex emotions crash into her. There was so much packed into that gaze—resentment, jealousy, contempt, pain—all of it directed squarely at her. She froze, momentarily bewildered about why this stranger harbored such intense animosity.
Did I personally cause her to be this short and flat-chested?
She couldn't help but wonder.
But that dismissive tone in the girl's voice instinctively grated on her nerves. Takahashi Mio frowned.
"Who are you?"
Hojo Suzune had originally intended to answer directly: Of course, I'm Shiratori Seiya's future, genuine wife. But after a moment's thought, she realized that given Takahashi Mio's current status, saying something like that might only invite ridicule. So she pursed her small lips instead.
"Obviously, I'm the person closest to Seiya."
"The closest person?"
Takahashi Mio blinked, her brows knitting together. She studied the girl's petite frame, doubt creeping into her expression. After a brief hesitation, she asked, "Little sister, you're still in middle school, aren't you? I haven't heard Seiya mention having a younger sister, though."
The air temperature around them seemed to plummet.
Hojo Suzune's expression froze solid. It was still October in Tokyo, but frost might as well have been forming on her skin. Her beautiful eyes flew wide open, her palms clenched at her sides, and her entire small frame trembled with indignation.
"You're the middle schooler!" she burst out. "If you don't want your eyes, you can donate them to someone who actually needs them! This is why they say big breasts mean no brains—you're proof!"
"Uh…"
Takahashi Mio had not expected such an explosive reaction. She flinched at the sudden increase in volume, glancing nervously around as passing students began to turn their way.
"Keep your voice down." She rubbed her ear, looking at the other girl with a mixture of exasperation and helplessness. "So who exactly are you? Do you really think I'm going to believe whatever you say?"
"Heh heh."
A cold laugh escaped Hojo Suzune.
Without a word, she pulled out her phone and shoved the photo from yesterday—herself with Shiratori Seiya—directly in front of Takahashi Mio's face.
Takahashi Mio instinctively reached out, zooming in on the image. Her frown deepened.
Hojo Suzune waited patiently, a triumphant smile spreading across her face as she watched Takahashi Mio study the photo. When the phone was finally lowered, she tilted her chin up.
"Believe me now?"
Takahashi Mio stared at the photo for a long moment, her lips pressed together. Finally, she said flatly, "So what? It's just a group photo. What does that prove? If you want to see, I have some too. And they're a lot more intimate than yours."
More intimate.
The words hit Hojo Suzune like a hammer to the skull. Blood rushed to her head, and she could feel her vision swimming. She stared at Takahashi Mio with venomous eyes, her voice dropping to a frigid whisper.
"Do you really think you're worthy of him? Do you think you're more outstanding than Hojo Shione? Do you honestly believe he truly likes you?"
Hojo Shione again.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Takahashi Mio's face at the name. "What's with this 'worthy' nonsense? He was the one who pursued me."
"Heh. Keep dreaming."
Hojo Suzune didn't believe it for a second. Her eyes bore into Takahashi Mio's, unblinking. "You can lie to yourself about him chasing you, but you know who Hojo Shione is, don't you? Do you really think you're prettier than her? More talented? Have a better personality?"
Her voice sharpened. "Someone who's experienced something good will only pursue something better. Shiratori Seiya actively pursuing you? Don't make me laugh."
Takahashi Mio's face darkened completely. She bit her lip, forcing down the anger rising in her chest. "Are you finished? What exactly are you here for?"
Seeing her stop making excuses, Hojo Suzune smiled with satisfaction. She clasped her hands in front of her chest, looking every bit the victor.
"Now that you understand you're not worthy, just go break up with Seiya quietly. Spare yourself the embarrassment."
"Break up?"
Takahashi Mio's anger subsided somewhat, replaced by genuine surprise. Her eyes narrowed as she studied the girl before her—the meager figure, the pretty face that was somehow both childish and alluring.
"So that's what this is about." A slow smile spread across her face before Suzune could respond. "You came all this way just to make me break up with him?"
She let her gaze drift deliberately over the other girl's lack of curves before continuing, her tone almost sweet. "But you know, even if he's not as fond of me as you say—even if we did break up—he wouldn't possibly go for your type, would he?"
"Leaving personality aside, both Hojo Shione and I are taller than you, aren't we? Our figures are better too, right?"
She watched the color drain from Suzune's face with growing satisfaction.
"If Shiratori Seiya actually liked your type, why wouldn't he have chosen you already?"
She delivered the final blow with a smug smile. "No matter what, he wouldn't pick a flat-chested loli. Do you really think Shiratori Seiya is a lolicon?"
Breaking up wasn't an option. Even if Shiratori Seiya didn't truly have feelings for her—as the girl claimed—she couldn't break up with him now. Before, it was about the money. But now there was something even more important fueling her resistance.
Pride.
Why was she constantly being compared to Hojo Shione? Yes, she was beautiful, but so what? She wasn't lacking. Being told over and over that she was inferior was infuriating.
The only reason Hojo Shione had succeeded was luck. She had A-sensei writing songs for her. Without that, how could she have become famous? They had already broken up, and yet people still insisted on comparing her to that woman. It was disgusting.
But as Takahashi Mio's words sank in, Hojo Suzune's body began to tremble uncontrollably. Her small fists clenched so tightly her knuckles went white.
Flat-chested loli.
She couldn't hold back anymore. Humiliation flooded her entire being, drowning out all reason. She lunged forward.
"I'll kill you!"
Takahashi Mio froze, completely unprepared for such an intense physical reaction.
"What do you two think you're doing?"
The familiar voice cut through the air like a blade.
Hojo Suzune stiffened mid-lunge as if struck by lightning. Her earlier fury evaporated in an instant, replaced by pure, primal terror. Her first instinct was to run.
But in her moment of hesitation, Shiratori Seiya was already drawing closer.
There was no escape. Even if she ran, he would find out eventually. And even if he somehow didn't, Takahashi Mio would certainly tell him everything, wouldn't she?
That scheming woman… I should never have said such harsh things.
What now? What now? What now?
Anxiety and regret flooded her chest. Hojo Suzune hung her head, her palms clenched so tightly they ached. She felt like a lamb being led to slaughter.
A desperate thought flashed through her mind: Maybe I should just faint…