Chapter 46: Reunion
The birthday party was commenced by a short piano performance of our heroine, Hoshiyuki Suiri. Under the gazes of countless eyes from wealthy families, Suiri didn't panic or get nervous when putting her hand on the piano. It was like a natural matter like drinking or eating. Her slender hand began to dance wildly on the black-white note to create a melody while her feet also cooperated with the uppers to tune the sound seamlessly but quickly enough. Because this piece was born to celebrate her sister, it wasn't strange that the rhythm was quite fast and catchy to the ears.
Unfortunately, despite her skillful music and talents, she rejected participating in the international piano championship to compete with other talents from other countries. Just like my teacher Haruto, Suiri wanted to play music, not let the music play her. I meant they hated following the music trending in the market.
"♪♫♬♭~"
The song was cheerful but it slowed down at the end to express its ending. At every party, no matter how much fun we experienced, it had to be ended. However, in her case, a big applause followed up after her performance. I was no exception as my hand moved on its own.
*Clap clap*
My applause was for my appreciation of this girl's continuous creations. Her piece was nowhere to compare to other pieces in her past. As you have expected, not every piece of Suiri ended up as a hit. Every person has their taste. No one can force someone to like something for their pleasure. It was like the legendary battle between vegan people and normal people. You just couldn't force vegan people to taste the delicacy of meat. Vice versa, vegan people couldn't convince normal people to protect animals or wear a moral mask. The same thing applied to Suiri. Due to her uncaring about the trend and demand from her fans, no one could stop this girl from running rampant on the musical market.
Many entertainment companies wanted to suppress her but no use. Because they couldn't grasp her personality and musical talent clearly, they had no choice but to give up their malicious intention. They could only pray that her songs wouldn't end well but what? As time passed, her past songs would be dug out again and become a hit. Just like those musicians in the past, only modern people could enjoy their children when people of the same era thought they didn't matter.
Fortunately, it was a performance at home. Otherwise, she would be demanded to encore to death. I meant her hands would be abused...
Like any other birthday party in the wealthy circle, this occasional event was used for a meeting between bigshots to seek business collaboration or announce some important events like my blind date, or engagement between families. Moreover, this birthday party also announced the existence of the youngest miss of the Hoshiyuki family in the wealthy circle. In short, Rei debuted in this grey circle for the first time.
She was just 3 years old but I could see those ugly expressions gnawing at her...It could be said that they wanted to link with the Hoshiyuki family through marriage. As for Suiri's existence, our meeting and Suiri always accompanying Charlotte had confirmed that Suiri was no longer available for marriage. When the top 1 and the top 2 families united, Rei was the most yearning existence in those greedy eyes of businessmen. I could feel they running out of patience as they couldn't help but want to rush to the Hoshiyuki couple to book the slot of Rei's partner in the future.
As I said about the nature of this party in the wealthy circle...Yes, just as you thought, all former heroines had united in this party. My eyes immediately caught a figure of Mio, and Himeki blending in the crowd. As for Sasaki and Charlotte, both of them stuck to the heroine Suiri as if she were a national treasure. When you fall in love, no one is normal.
Where was the bocchi? My eyes scanned the surroundings to find an arrogant disguise mask that hid a 'Bocchi' inside. In my point of view, Akari was an interesting alpha. I meant the interface outside going opposite the inside. Those who didn't know her well would think that she was an Alpha Goddess. As for who knew, this kind of gap moe would definitely drag you into love; especially, for dominating-type Omega. She was also number two in the candidate list and I could entrust her to take care of Suiri when I was gone. Maturity came first...Akari was over twenty already. She shouldn't be too bad, right?
Sasaki was never on the list of the candidate...How would I say? Her family matter was a little complicated...
Let's see...Pink hair...Although Aka's sibling's family background was not too extraordinary, who cared about that sh*t? As long as their family was decent and polite, it would be enough for the heroine to live happily. After all, Akari had a stable job, and Suiri could earn by herself. There was no shortage of money. If they met financial problems, their family could supply in time. However, that situation was impossible except for Suiri's extravagant spending. Why did I say so? Because I had caught a glimpse of her game's characters while sitting on the sofa beside her.
I didn't know what kind of pleasure she enjoyed when she gave those monsters one-hit strike and finished the game immediately. It was estimated that she had spent millions of yen to get those powerful characters and weapons. Perhaps, her money was used as compensation for her working time when she didn't have the time to level up her account. It couldn't be helped...
Back to the present, I had found Aka's siblings because one short and one tall pink-haired girl was easily spotted on the spot. Among the rainbow hairs, I could pinpoint them without difficulty.
The birthday party went smoothly as the Hoshiyuki couple finished giving the speech and other guests sent their blessing gifts to Rei...Now, it was time for free activity. The true meeting between bigshots...And, it was also time for...
"Good evening..."
"Good evening..."
The adults raised their wine glasses and walked to find their business partners. As for the children, Rei was surrounded by all kinds of kids whether they were male or female. After all, the true gender was truly awakened when they reached 12 years old. For now, they would be considered genderless. My observation time should stop for now. I wanted to find the heroine, Suiri...
I had declared that I had helplessly fallen in love with her. Therefore, I couldn't act out of my already set-up persona.
Whenever Suiri went, I had to see her face...
Charlotte, as expected...
However, there were some new faces there.
"Marvelous as always, Suiri-san"
A pink-haired loli praised. Her small face excluded admiration and her shining eyes locked at Suiri's figure. Although she was a loli, the small wrinkle on her face had told others her actual age...So, this girl was my sister's former bandmate and she was the one who lured Suiri to perform Rock & Roll through these years.
"Nothing...Sensei, I earned money by these jobs after all"
Suiri casually said.
"Fu~, your humbleness made your sensei sad"
Her teacher teased.
"That's right, Sui-san...At your age, I can't shine like you..."
The voice got smaller and smaller. Heh~, Bocchi entered her negative side again...She was adorable but this girl had a major flaw. Akari had a self-inferior complex. In the game, she had feelings toward Suiri but never dared to let it out, let alone a simple confession. She had thought of it but hid it deep inside her heart throughout the whole process of cohabitation.
"All right, Akari, stop your pathetic state"
Akane scolded her sister.
"Sorry, I shouldn't be born..."
"Aww!"
Akari hugged her head after receiving the beating from her omega sister. It was hurt...I didn't know what she just said because it got as small as mosquito noise. I guessed it should be her negative speech.
"You idiot!"
"..."
From nowhere, Suiri's hand held a popcorn pack and ate it amusingly while her expression didn't change much. Again, she finally noticed my presence. She handed out her popcorn to me and Charlotte.
"You two, wanna share?"
"???"
Suiri acted as if it were normal while my head buzzed in confusion. I remembered correctly that this birthday party shouldn't have popcorn in the first place. How did she pull it out of nowhere?
"Thank you, Sui-chan"
Charlotte hurriedly picked up and ate herself, then I wouldn't be so polite.
"Thank you, Hoshiyuki-san"
I also took out some to satisfy my mouth.
"Eh, so the rumor is true?"
Akane looked at me and turned to Suiri.
"What's a rumor, sensei?"
Suiri asked again.
"What!? I mean, you, you, and you had 'it'...I meant blind date but 3 people"
"1 Alphas, 1 F*tanari, and 1 Omega!?"
Her finger pointed at me, Suiri, and Charlotte.
"It's outrageous!"
Akane hugged her head and exploded.
"Sensei, don't overreact..."
Charlotte spoke.
"Hah~fuu~, Sorry, but haven't you guys considered the impact on school?"
Akane-sensei said and shrugged her shoulders.
"Suiri, you're the problem!"
Akane-sensei locked her gaze on Suiri. Yeah, I knew what she meant. Looking at outsiders' POV, Suiri was a public figure. When they knew Suiri's private life, they would find many means to bring her down. In the wealthy circle, no one knew about our cohabitation. They just knew that Suiri had arranged to meet two blind date partners simultaneously. However, no one knew the result but could only guess by observing our actions.
"Eh?"
Suiri tilted her head.
"Don't 'eh' with me...Wait a minute, I just have a moment of Dejavu"
Akane stopped halfway and sighed again. I guessed it must not be the first time...
"Yes, it's nostalgic when you said the same thing in the teacher's office"
Suiri pondered as her mind went back to the past. Perhaps, a certain event had pushed Akane-sensei to change the direction of Suiri's fate. From what I had observed, Akane didn't seem to be the reincarnated person. She just simply acted out of the teacher's responsibility.
Finally, I could sigh a relief when knowing that.
"Then, Suiri, who is your fiancee this time?"
Akane raised her question.
"..."
"..."
Seeing us silent, Akane's brows knitted together.
"I knew it..."
"Geez~"
"I have lived almost 30 years, this is the first time I've let my nose into my student's affair deeply, even other teachers think that you're my long lost daughter or something..."
"Now, I want to sneak into your business, Suiri"
Akane-sensei displeasingly complained.
"Okay, Aka-mama"
"..."
"..."
*Puff*
Charlotte held back her smile. Unknowingly, no one notice the red face of Bocchi over there. Suiri was insensitive, wasn't she? She didn't notice and even flirted unconsciously. Aka not only applied for your long-term homeroom teacher but also her sister. She must have forgotten about that.
Suiri joked with her cool face and didn't even change her expression at the slightest point.
I could see Akane's facial features darkening and distorting in anger.
"It's not time to joke around, Suiri!!!"
Akane stomped her feet and her face turned redder and redder.
"Your reputation is good but there is still bad news, you know"
"Your company has cleared the mess of your so-called 'abusing power' to tame Gyaru..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
I glanced at Suiri's eyes. It seemed that it wasn't pleasant. Her eyes rolled to somewhere and she took a deep breath again. Akane wasn't bothered by her reaction and continued to speak.
"And then, the rumor that you're on two boats. Not only did you hang Charlotte around, but you also intend to add this girl over there to your relationship"
"You must make clear immediately. Otherwise, trouble will find you sooner or later..."
Akane finished her talk. I was on her same side. It was also one of the plot holes of the game. From a real-life perspective, if a girl hangs around her suitors like that, other people will distort the truth and bend it to the negative side. The same genders would be jealous, who knew what they would do to relieve their hatred and inferiority? Framing, betraying, acting, etc...All were to bring the girl down.
I knew it from my experience. If you don't like someone, just making it clear to others will smoothen your life. That was why I always kept my straightforwardness, not afraid of offending anyone. In my opinion, speaking out the truth wouldn't cause unnecessary misunderstanding. If someone confessed, I would reply immediately yes or no to clear our relationship in the future.
However, the setting of the game made Suiri a Kuudere, who didn't understand a single thing about love. She was clueless about her heart as she tried to find its definition through the game. Therefore, our protagonist's job was to help her through the process of love. It was also the reason you couldn't get all the girls into your harem. If you choose Suiri's route, you will have to give up the other 4 and vice versa.
Not to mention, speaking of Charlotte, she had a huge fandom in both situations, whether it was game or novel. Moreover, in the game, she also had countless suitors but ignored them for Suiri's sake. A M simp devoted herself to our heroine. Returning to Akane's point, if you liked someone but he or she was chasing another through almost 5 years without result, I wouldn't need to mention it, would I? I, myself, was also put in that situation so I knew...Instead of blaming the person you loved, you subconsciously blamed the other party because they didn't return their love to him or her. I hated Erika but I was right to hate her. As long as she met a stumble, she would find another way to escape and stand by the advantage side instead of accompanying my Haruto to overcome it.
"Thanks for caring for me, Akane-sensei"
"But it's a matter of my lifelong happiness so I want to have no regret..."
Suiri replied.
"Well said"
"But you're still too young, Suiri"
"Date is a thing but marriage is another thing. How can you guarantee that you've chosen the right person?"
Akane explained. As expected of an adult, they would see the farthest future.
*Cough cough*
"Sensei, do you insult me!?"
Charlotte got triggered by Akane's question. I decided to step in too. Otherwise, my persona would be collapsed.
"Shimori-sensei, I believe that it will be no problem..."
I spoke, attracting all the attention from them. I have kept quiet so they gradually forgot about me.
"Oh you, sorry for the late introduction. I don't know if you remember me. My name is Shimori Akane, your future teacher if we have fate, Sakura"
"Hehe~It has been a long time. You have grown up so fast. How has your sister been recently?"
She regained herself and quickly arranged the question, causing Suiri and Charlotte to be surprised. They must haven't expected that I was one of those old acquaintances of their teacher.
"Yes, I'm still remembering you, Shimori-nee. I meant Shimori-sensei"
"Momoko-nee is still like that. Carefree, joking around, doing whatever she likes"
I retold my impression of my sister. She didn't change at all. If something made her sad, it would be the day her promising band disappeared.
"It sounds like her"
"By the way, you're into that 'pit'"
"..."
Akane-sensei directed her gaze at Suiri. I knew what she meant but I nodded my head to agree with her speculation.
"Oh, why did you say that?"
I asked.
"Actually...I don't know if that girl is stupid or not. The whole school knew the feelings of a half-French girl dedicating herself to her but she didn't even realize them throughout the whole time"
Akane-sensei gave her small mouth to my ears and whispered. My mouth twitched in a funny way. Yeah, even a blind could see it. An alpha is always stuck to you, an omega. If you can't think of their love, your brain should be displayed on the shelves. Yet, who made the Heroine Suiri have low EQ?
"I knew, the whole club knew, even the principal could see that at a glance"
"I don't know if she will regret it when Charlotte gets rid of her"
Akane-sensei added.
"Don't worry, Shimori-sen..."
"Just call Akanee as you called me in the past"
She interrupted.
"Akanee, actually, we will live together under the same roof through the next 3 years so we have a lot of time to understand our feelings"
I repeated the dialogue of the original Sakura when meeting Akanee in chapter 1 of the game.
"Hoh, is that so? It's good to have plenty of time to know each other. When living together, your ugly side will exposed to others. If you can accept them, it will consolidate your relationship..."
"Good, good, good~"
"..."
And then, Akane's brain.exe had been stopped working.
"Did I hear something wrong?"
"..."
Her face showed a smile but frozen curling lips.
"No, Akanee"
"..."
"Hah~~???????????????!!"