Tokyo Yandere Girlfriend

Chapter 36

"Finished talking?" Shiratori Seiya's voice was flat. "Then take Suzune to the hospital—now."

The chill in his tone froze Shione. Her rose-pink lips parted, eyes glistening with shock. After a breath she seemed to surface, disappointment flicking across her gaze. "I know you're worried about Suzune. I'll get her out of your hair."

Yet Shione didn't move. She turned to Takahashi Mio, hesitating. "Um—could we add each other? Having a fan as pretty as you would be an honor. Could we... get to know each other?"

Her voice melted into something impossibly soft; refusal felt impossible.

Seiya's brows drew together, but before he could speak, Mio's answer jumped ahead. "May I?"

"Of course! Fans like you are why I'm still here... though I left my phone at home. Could you add me instead?"

Mio looked into those sincere eyes and felt something shift inside. After a moment she offered her phone.

"Thanks~" Shione chirped.

She worked fast—barely ten seconds—and handed the phone back. Then, before Seiya could prod her again, she spoke quickly, "Sorry Suzune caused trouble. We're going."

She caught her sister's wrist and steered her away, glancing sideways. "Honestly, insisting on seeing Seiya when you're sick. Told you he'd be mad."

Mio's ring finger twitched; she bit the tip of her tongue until the sisters vanished around the corner.

Then she looked at Seiya. "Aren't you supposed to chase after them? That's how every drama ends."

Seiya shot her a dry look. "This is real life, not TV. Why would I chase them—and what are you doing here, anyway?"

Mio blinked, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Like I said, total coincidence. Shione thinks so too."

Seiya studied her, suspicion still furrowed between his brows. "What did Suzune say to you?"

Mio tilted her head, gauging his expression as she turned. "What do you think she'd say?"

Knowing Suzune, nothing pleasant.

Before Seiya could answer, Mio's face fell. "First she asked if I was really your girlfriend. Then she wanted to know what witchcraft I'd used to make you dump her sister..."

She laughed at herself, a small, hollow sound, and looked at him with a glint of reproach. "So Hojo Shione really was your girlfriend? I thought you were joking. And her little sister likes you too?"

Jealousy dripped from every syllable; tears shimmered. "How does it feel to be adored by both sisters? She clung to you in front of your current girlfriend—must be every guy's dream, right?"

Seiya frowned at the sudden storm. He drew a slow breath. "Keep talking like that and I'll dock fifty percent of your bonus."

Mio blinked. The wounded-lover mask froze, then vanished.

"Eh?!"

"Don't—please!"

The awkward tension evaporated. Seiya rolled his eyes. "Done performing?"

Mio pressed her palms together, eyes pleading. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Seiya met her gaze, voice steady. "Shione and I broke up. I'm not involved with her sister either. If you need a label, we're barely friends. Clear?"

He paused. "And about you adding Shione—"

Mio cut in. "Am I not allowed?"

"For an idol, having a fan add you is a blessing, right? Deducting money for that would be cruel."

Seiya said nothing. Ex-girlfriend swapping contact info with current contract partner—odd, but maybe useful.

Seeing him quiet, Mio pouted. "Besides, I was only acting. No need to threaten my paycheck. That's terrifying."

"Acting has a time and place."

"Fine. Thought you liked that sort of thing."

"No one enjoys a love triangle, especially when the third corner is an ex."

"So how was my acting? I've been studying scripts..."

"Passable. Barely."

"Eh? I thought it was pretty good. How'd you see through it?"

Seiya shook his head. "Too forced. Doesn't add up." He'd hand-picked Mio; she'd never dated in high school. Two weeks together wouldn't make her fall for him—he wasn't that charming.

Still, her skill impressed him. If he hadn't known better, the performance might've rattled him.

S-class Acting Talent, indeed. He'd have to buy another Appraisal Device soon to check how close she was to Level Two. At this rate she'd hit Level Three within six months.

Pleased, he said, "In a few days I'll take you to train with a professional coach. You'll improve faster."

"Mm..." Mio nodded, then glanced at the two tickets in his hand. "Next month is Hojo Shione's concert, right? Will training clash?"

"You want to go that badly?" Seiya pocketed the tickets. "Her concert's more important than your two million yen?"

Mio lifted an eyebrow. "Not a chance."

Then, hesitating, she looked at him. "Could you give me the tickets anyway?"

"What for?"

"If I can't go, I'll sell them to someone who can—maximize value."

Seiya had no reply. The sight of her single-minded devotion to money was oddly reassuring.