A Very Popular Idol Classmate Has Taken a Liking to Me, A Person Who Doesn't Want to Work for My Whole Life
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.Daininki Idol na Classmate ni Natsukareta, Isshou Hatarakitakunai Ore
Src: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2496gr/117/
Act 4 - The Past of The Shidou Family
31-3
"Ah... Rintaro-kun. Where's Rei?" (Mia)
"Ah, I brought her along." (Rintaro)
Returning to my room, I enter the living room with Rei, where Mia and Kanon are waiting.
Standing in front of the two, Rei wears an apologetic expression and bows her head toward them.
"Sorry, I made you worry." (Rei)
"It's fine? I wasn't that worried... but you're okay, right? You two?" (Kanon)
"Yeah. We're fine now." (Rei)
"Good. Then that's a relief." (Kanon)
Kanon, who had probably been worried in her own way, turns her face away upon hearing Rei's response. Although her words didn't fully convey her feelings, her attitude made it clear instantly.
Anyway, we can gather like this, the four of us.
"Well then, let's discuss things. About our future." (Mia)
"...When you put it that way, it makes it feel like a weighty topic, you know?" (Rintaro)
"What are you talking about, Rintaro-kun? This is a crisis in our relationship, okay? Of course, it's going to be a heavy topic." (Mia)
"Well... you're right about it." (Rintaro)
I thought the discussion would be about the distance between Rei and me, but... wait a minute.
In any case, the conclusion we'll eventually reach will likely be the same.
Setting aside the finer details for now, I urge the conversation to continue.
"First of all, the problem is that a girl of the same age, Tenguuji Yuzuka, is after Rintaro-kun." (Mia)
""...""
The moment Mia says that, the atmosphere in the room suddenly feels tense for some reason.
Why was that?
Even though we are supposed to be discussing the same theme, I feel there's a strange sense of miscommunication.
"This is a serious situation. On top of that, this Tenguuji Yuzuka-san might try to use our weaknesses to get Rintaro-kun. If this continues, both Rintaro-kun and we will end up in an unfortunate situation." (Mia)
"Sounds like a troublesome opponent... And, The Tenguuji, huh? That's a well-known big company, even we know that." (Kanon)
"Yeah. Our strength as idols is our ability to spread information and our popularity. But on their side, they have not only that, but they can also mobilize a lot of people. If Rintaro-kun ends up being watched all the time, we won't be able to go on dates with him anymore." (Mia)
What on earth are they talking about――――.
"That would be a problem." (Rei)
"I feel the same. Even though our disguise skills have been improving, if we're suspected from the start, I don't have confidence that we can pull it off. You two feel the same, right?" (Mia)
At Mia's question, the two nod.
"Even if Rintaro-kun says he wants to keep his distance from us for a while, if that goes on indefinitely, it would be a problem for us. What we need to think about is how to meet under the assumption that someone is watching us. Or――――how to deal with Tenguuji Yuzuka herself." (Mia)
"A way to deal with Tenguuji Yuzuka... You don't mean, kidnapping?" (Rei)
"Rei, you shouldn't say such reckless things. That's a last resort." (Mia)
Even if it's a last resort, don't do it.
I make sure to convey that to them.
"Well, let’s set aside the whole kidnapping idea as a joke. What we really need to do is make it clear to Tenguuji Yuzuka that Rintaro-kun is not going to be hers. Like, for example, by saying he already has a girlfriend." (Mia)
"…Do you think that'll make her give up? She’s after a company-level relationship, right?" (Kanon)
"From my perspective, what’s needed is patience. If an ordinary girl asserts her position as Rintaro's girlfriend, even the Tenguuji Group won't be able to hold any leverage and will have to keep negotiating. There might be times when they're extremely busy with work, and eventually, they might start looking for other means to win over Rintaro-kun." (Mia)
"Well, that does seem to make some sense." (Kanon)
I agree with Kanon’s reaction.
I understand that the Tenguuji Group is eager to get close to the Shidou Group.
The quickest way to fulfill that wish is the engagement between Tenguuji Yuzuka and me, Shidou Rintaro.
However, this is merely the quickest method and not the only one.
If they feel this method is inefficient, they will quickly shift their focus to approaching the company directly.
I believe they would do something like that.
But if that happens, it would actually work in my favor.
If I can avoid being used for the company’s sake, I wouldn’t mind being somewhat neglected.
"Then I'll play the role of his girlfriend." (Rei)
"…Do you even understand what we're discussing? If any of us play the role of Rintaro's girlfriend, we’ll end up being the ones with the weakness!" (Kanon)
"Ah… You're right." (Rei)
"Seriously, stop jumping ahead like that… Geez." (Kanon)
Leaving aside Rei and Kanon's exchange, the tricky part of this discussion really boils down to how to handle the role of the girlfriend.
If I explain the situation, Nikaido might cooperate, but asking the girl who had just started dating Kakihara would be too cruel.
It wouldn’t be fair to Kakihara either.
I feel like there’s a slim chance with Nogi, but she’s also getting close to Doumoto.
I don’t want to interfere with their situation for my own convenience.
Thinking about it this way, I realize I really have very few female acquaintances.
Well, considering I have connections with the three of MilleSta, I think that’s already a win.
"…By the way, is there even a point in assigning a girlfriend role? I think it’s more about me making sure I’m not caught off guard. Isn’t that enough?" (Rintaro)
"*Sigh*, you really don’t get it, do you? You’re incredibly dense." (Kanon)
"W-What do you mean...?" (Rintaro)
"...If you really don’t get it, then just stay that way. You’ll probably only end up feeling down about it." (Kanon)
"...?" (Rintaro)
I truly don’t understand Kanon’s words.
The other two seem to get it, and I'm the only one left with a question mark floating above my head.
I feel a strange sense of alienation, but the discussion keeps moving forward.
"Anyway, finding someone to play a girlfriend role is important, Rintaro-kun. And not just anyone, but someone who can faithfully play that role outside." (Mia)
"A-ah… I get it." (Rintaro)
"Yeah. And I want to find that person somehow, but it’s quite difficult to get. We might even have to consider people from our school as a last resort." (Mia)
According to them, the person should be someone close to me.
Well, that makes sense.
The Tenguuji Group might dig into my social circle, and if I claim to be in a relationship with someone completely unrelated, it’ll seem off.
If they start doubting the relationship from the start, there’s no way we’ll be able to fake it convincingly.
So, it’s best to find someone who "won’t be out of place" as a girlfriend.
I get it, but that’s definitely the hardest part.
If I’d known this would happen, I would have been hanging around with girls more.
Of course, there was no way I could do that.
"On top of that, there’s one more important thing." (
"Huh?"
"If that person is going to be Rintaro-kun’s fake girlfriend, make sure she's someone who won't actually fall for him. This is probably the most crucial point." (Mia)
"..." (Rintaro)
Is that really the case?
I feel like this isn’t the time to be picky.
In fact, I think most of the girls wouldn’t end up like that anyway――――.
"I agree with that. It would only create more trouble." (Kanon)
"I feel the same way." (Rei)
However, it seems that this is not an element that the three of them can ignore.
"Rintaro-kun." (Mia)
"…What is it?" (Rintaro)
"As far as I can tell, this Tenguuji Yuzuka doesn't seem like the type to act on instinct. Am I wrong?" (Mia)
"Well… I'm not sure, but that impression matches what I thought." (Rintaro)
"I see, then it doesn't seem like we're off base." (Mia)
"What does that personality matter?" (Rintaro)
"It means we can figure out whether she tries to obtain information about you by force from the start… just knowing that will determine how much time we have to find a fake girlfriend, right?" (Mia)
"…I see." (Rintaro)
Setting aside the part about finding a fake girlfriend, understanding the time we have until we take action is important.
They would want to avoid committing something illegal that is hard to explain away.
For example, setting up listening devices or surveillance cameras.
These actions are considered almost entirely "black" activities and are undoubtedly illegal.
I suspect that with the power of the Tenguuji Group, they could manage some degree of cover-up or deception, but those would likely be last resort.
From my perspective, Tenguuji Yuzuka is certainly not a fool.
It's safe to assume she won't resort to extreme measures right from the beginning.
Whether it takes a month or two, I should be prepared for her to execute such tightrope acts after trying various means.
――――Here’s a self-deprecating thought.
It may not be for me to say, but even if the company connections are important to them, I don’t believe I’m worth enough for them to go so far as to commit illegals.
Still, what bothers me is Tenguuji Yuzuka's somewhat anxious demeanor.
Perhaps the Tenguuji Group is facing an unseen crisis.
If this is true, then whatever means they use will align with their motives.
I wonder if I can maneuver well against a large corporation with a clear sense of purpose…
(...No, I have no choice but to do it.)
If it were me before meeting Rei, I might have already given up.
However, now I know.
The joy of spending time with them.
And their kindness and warmth.
I will protect these girls who have given me a place to belong.
As for things like the company and my father, they can wait for now.
A strong sense of purpose.
I feel like that will be the weapon I need when I’m faced with big decisions――――or at least, I hope so.
~"(This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~)"~
[End of Chapter]
Cya~!
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