Tokyo Yandere Girlfriend

Chapter 37

"What exactly do you think you're doing?"

In the passenger seat, Hojo Suzune fought the dizziness swirling in her head and clamped her fingers around her older sister's arm. Eyes blood-shot, she glared.

Hojo Shione eased off her mask and cap, unruffled. "Calm down first."

Suzune's grip only tightened. "Why did you have to tell Seiya?!"

Shione's delicate brows drew together. She sighed. "You're too impatient, Suzune."

"Do you even know what kind of person Takahashi is? If she shows those texts to Seiya later, what will he think of you?"

"He used to be your boyfriend and I'm your older sister—of course you could act cute and brush everything aside. But do you still have the right to do that now?"

"You can't celebrate your birthday every day, and Seiya won't indulge you forever. If you want to stay with him later, at least don't make him dislike you."

There was tenderness in Shione's eyes—pity, almost. "You're my little sister. If you like Seiya, of course I'll help you..."

Suzune's fingers loosened at last. She slumped against the seat-back, eyes shut, tears sliding down.

She drew a long breath, as though trying to expel every bit of resentment.

After a moment her voice steadied. Staring out the window, she asked quietly, "But even after what you did today, can you promise she won't tell Seiya?"

"Do you really think a few words from you can stop her? You're being naïve—"

A memory flashed—Mio handing over her phone. Suzune's eyes snapped open. "Don't tell me you—"

A soft laugh. Shione slipped the gearshift into place, pressed the accelerator, eyes fixed on the intersection ahead.

Cleaning up the mess for her sister was only a small part of the plan. More important: meet Takahashi Mio face to face, find out what made the girl special enough to attend her concert...

Everything else—pressure tactics, Seiya—was just a bonus.

Still, Shiratori Seiya's attitude toward her today had surprised her. Shione's gaze chilled. She floored the gas.

I don't believe you can be that heartless.

Late night, Takahashi residence.

"You're saying Hojo Shione and her sister set you up on purpose?"

Haruno Reika stared in disbelief as Takahashi Mio finished recounting the day's events.

Mio gave a dazed giggle. She sat on the tatami, downed the sake in her cup at a gulp. She was clearly drunk; her oval face glowed pink. She lifted a languid finger at Reika.

"Reika, you know what? Today was my first real two-person scene..."

Hiccup.

Mio set the empty cup down, picked at a bite of food. Sake sloshed onto the table. She stared at the blurred reflection in the puddle.

"For a second I thought maybe she's more cut out for acting than I am..."

Her voice stretched, dreamy.

"She's a singer, right? So how could she act that well—pretend not to care, pretend none of it matters... when really she's crazy about him..."

Reika frowned at the nonsense and slid the sake bottle out of reach. "You're drunk."

Mio glanced at her, words slurred. "Wish I were. Wish none of today had happened."

Reika rubbed her temple, patient. "I still don't get it. You're saying Shione still likes Shiratori Seiya?"

"Mm."

Mio swayed like a wobble-doll, chin bobbing.

"So why'd they break up?"

Mio's watery eyes lifted. With a silly grin she countered, "Yeah, why did they? I don't get it either."

"You know what her little sister told me?"

Without waiting she answered herself, "She said I'm not good enough for Shiratori Seiya. I was furious... Okay, still am. What's so great about that jerk besides money?"

Reika exhaled smoke from a freshly lit Seven Stars. "So now you like Shiratori Seiya? That fast? You sure it's not just his money you like?"

Reika couldn't believe Mio could fall for a guy in two weeks—Seiya or anyone. Seemed less likely than the Hojo sisters deliberately messing with her.

Mio tilted her head. "Like him? No way..."

She narrowed her eyes, thumb and forefinger forming a tiny gap. "Well, maybe about this much. Nothing compared to them."

"They hate me so much, love him so much—yet can act like they don't care, walk away just like that."

Reika took a drag. "So you want payback because they pissed you off?"

"Payback?" Mio repeated, then brightened, finger stabbing at Reika. "Yes! Payback. Perfect word."

"When she asked for my phone, I knew what she was after." Mio laughed at herself. "Knew exactly. Couldn't say no..."

"I really am outclassed."

Reika studied her friend's manic glee, blew out smoke, and said coolly, "Get a grip. Remember what you wanted at the start. They only embarrassed you—didn't ruin you."

"Think of it like a boss's nephew being a jerk at your old convenience-store job. You earn way more now. Don't wreck your life over a tantrum."

"Wreck my life?" Mio burst out laughing. "Come on, Reika. You think I'll go full anime heroine, grab a knife and stab them? This is real life."

Reika relaxed a fraction, but still couldn't read Mio. "So what are you going to do?"

Mio said nothing. She leaned back on her hands, staring at the empty wall where Shione's poster used to hang.

Eyes closed, she let memories flood in.

"I see potential in you. Want to be a star?"

"Hell no! Not till I'm dead!"

"Honestly, that actress's style isn't as good as yours—you'd suit the role better."

"You have no idea how bright you could shine. When you finally step on stage, everyone will cheer, drawn to your light..."

"So trust me, just like I trusted you."

"You really think you're good enough for him? Better than Hojo Shione? You think he actually likes you?"

"Fans like you are why I've come this far..."

Pain. Jealousy. Rage.

Takahashi Mio felt her pride trampled into pieces.

What does "good enough" even mean?

Who says I'm not as good as her?

I don't care if he really likes her or not.

I'm his girlfriend right now.

You want me gone? Too bad—I'm staying.

Keep loving Shiratori Seiya if you want. Sit there and watch him revolve around me.

Keep loving him... forever.

All these emotions tangled into a knot inside her. Mio opened her eyes, voice steady:

"I want to be famous."

For the first time, she'd said aloud what she'd buried deep inside.