Unfortunately, faking a faint was out of the question. It would be far too foolish, and besides, it wouldn't actually solve anything.
For a moment, a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts raced through Hojo Suzune's mind. Amidst the panic, a strange realization surfaced: when she'd gotten out of the car, the GPS had shown he wasn't anywhere near this building yet. So why was he suddenly appearing here now? What were the odds of such a coincidence?
This is all my sister's fault!
If Hojo Shione hadn't made that reckless prediction, she wouldn't have gotten caught in this situation.
Panic threatened to swallow her whole. Hojo Suzune felt like the world was ending—surely nothing could be worse than this. She'd met his current girlfriend without his permission. He was going to be disgusted with her, wasn't he?
Even though she'd told her sister she was here to "vet" her, the excuse didn't hold any real weight. She and Seiya didn't have that kind of bond. She lacked a legitimate reason for being here. And there were too many things she couldn't explain to him.
Why had she come to H University? Why did she meet Takahashi Mio? How did she have her contact information?
If he started asking questions—if he discovered the truth—he might never speak to her again.
Was he going to hate her?
Sadness and pain welled up behind her eyes, threatening to spill over as tears. Hojo Suzune lowered her head, biting her lip, staying utterly silent.
If nothing else worked, she'd have to beg for forgiveness. Then quietly disappear for a while. At least until Seiya stopped caring about this incident, until he'd cooled down enough that she could come back and apologize properly…
Takahashi Mio watched the transformation with barely concealed amusement. If Shiratori Seiya hadn't been approaching, she might have burst out laughing right there.
What was all that about a moment ago? The girl had been so arrogant, practically lunging at her like she was about to tear her apart. And then Shiratori Seiya showed up, and suddenly she turned into this.
It was absolutely hilarious.
Takahashi Mio stood her ground, ready to see what other act this child might put on—and more importantly, to figure out what her actual relationship with Shiratori Seiya was. She had no intention of telling him about the insults she'd just endured. If she ever had to interact with this girl again, that information might come in handy.
As she was thinking this over, Shiratori Seiya stepped between them. His gaze first fell on her.
"Why are you here?"
Takahashi Mio opened her mouth, but before she could answer, Hojo Suzune cut in.
"Ah, Seiya! I happened to run into Miss Takahashi here."
Her heart pounded as she forced a stiff smile onto her face. She absolutely couldn't let Seiya find out the truth.
Having made that decision, she bit her lip, swallowed down the injustice rising in her chest, and raised her eyes to cast a pleading look at Takahashi Mio.
Takahashi Mio caught the look and was genuinely surprised. This girl? The one who was so arrogant moments ago? Now she's begging me with her eyes? Is she serious, or is this some kind of act?
Shiratori Seiya shifted his gaze to Suzune. He noticed the cold sweat on her forehead, the flush still coloring her pretty face, and narrowed his eyes.
"Did your fever break?"
He reached out and pressed his palm against her forehead. Still warm. It seemed she hadn't fully recovered.
"Suzune, you're still sick. Why did you insist on coming all the way here to deliver tickets?"
Suzune?
Takahashi Mio's ears perked up at the name. Her gaze sharpened as she studied the petite girl in front of her, pieces clicking into place in her mind. Shiratori Seiya had mentioned earlier that he was going to celebrate Hojo Shione's sister's birthday.
This is her?
Her slender eyebrows lifted, surprise flickering across her face as she glanced at Shiratori Seiya. Could it be that both sisters actually liked him?
"Eh?"
Hojo Suzune looked up, confusion written across her features. Tickets? What tickets?
Shiratori Seiya's gaze swept between Suzune and Takahashi Mio. His voice carried an edge of urgency. "Your sister asked you to bring me the tickets. I'll take you back now."
Though she didn't fully understand what was happening, Suzune's mind—sharp despite her fever—raced to catch up.
"Oh! Right, the tickets."
At least this was better than being exposed and having him hate her.
She pretended to reach into her pocket.
Her fingers found nothing but empty fabric. No tickets. Her heart plummeted. She felt like someone who'd fallen off a cliff, grabbed a branch thinking she was saved, only to have it snap in her hands.
What tickets? She hadn't brought any. Her sister hadn't mentioned anything about tickets.
"What's wrong?"
Her head was still foggy, but she forced her remaining wits into action. She lowered her head, letting her voice sound small and wronged. "I… I think I left them in the car…"
"Then let's go. I'll take you back."
Shiratori Seiya's expression was unreadable. Without waiting to explain anything to Takahashi Mio, he reached for Suzune's arm.
But after two steps, he stopped.
A familiar figure had entered his line of sight.
Huff… huff…
The girl—masked and wearing a baseball cap—had run all the way. She stopped in front of the three of them, bending over with her hands on her knees, catching her breath.
"Honestly…"
Before her breathing had even steadied, Hojo Shione's voice cut through the air, tinged with exasperation.
The moment Shiratori Seiya registered who it was, Takahashi Mio's pupils contracted sharply. Even with the mask and cap, as a devoted fan of Hojo Shione, she recognized her instantly.
"Suzune, I know you wanted to see Seiya one last time… but you were in such a hurry you left the tickets in the car."
Hojo Shione exhaled deeply, straightened up, and extended her hand to offer Shiratori Seiya the tickets.
Shiratori Seiya looked at her, frowning. He didn't take the tickets. Instead, he met her eyes and asked, "Why did you come?"
"Eh?"
Hojo Shione seemed caught off guard by his reaction. She paused, then a smile appeared in her eyes, and her voice came through the mask with forced lightness.
"Seiya, are you worried about me? It's fine. I'm wearing a mask. No one will recognize me, right?"
She turned to glance around, her gaze eventually landing on Takahashi Mio.
"You see? If someone had recognized me, there'd probably be a crowd following me by now."
She wasn't wrong. There was no one behind her. But Shiratori Seiya hadn't forgotten the photo incident from last time. He took the tickets from her hand and said flatly, "Fine. Tickets delivered. Now go back. Suzune is still sick, and you let her come. Some sister you are."
"I'll take her to the hospital right away."
Hojo Shione nodded, but her gaze didn't leave Takahashi Mio. Her eyes narrowed slightly behind the mask.
"So this is your current girlfriend, Seiya?"
Takahashi Mio opened her mouth, but no words came.
Some people, with just a single glance, made you acutely aware of the gap between you.
Even with a mask and a cap obscuring half her face, Hojo Shione's presence radiated something that made Takahashi Mio's chest tighten. A wave of inferiority surged up from somewhere deep inside, catching in her throat and stealing whatever words she'd been about to say.
"She's very beautiful, Seiya. You have excellent taste."
Hojo Shione extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Hojo Shione—his ex-girlfriend."
Takahashi Mio stared at the offered hand. Her gaze lingered there for a long, weighty moment before she finally reached out and shook it, her voice carrying a complex edge.
"I know who you are. I'm your fan."
"Eh? Is that right?"
Hojo Shione blinked, genuine surprise flickering in her eyes before a soft laugh escaped her. "Then I'm very lucky. Did you come here with Seiya today?"
Takahashi Mio studied her face for a long moment, then slowly shook her head. "No. We ran into each other by chance."
"What a coincidence."
Hojo Shione sighed lightly, then winked behind her mask. "Then you absolutely have to come to my concert with Seiya when it happens, alright? I'd be so happy if you came."
Takahashi Mio said nothing.
Shiratori Seiya could feel the strange tension crackling between the two of them. People nearby were starting to stare. His expression hardened.
"Is this how you act as an older sister?" His voice came out cold. "Would you be happy if you got photographed by paparazzi running around like this?"