Chapter 42: I was worried about more than one thing and i realised this by chance

I forced myself to stand, my body heavy with exhaustion. Today had been emotionally draining.

Perhaps because I’d learned about the reincarnation… the classes, Aya’s presence… I’d been acutely aware of her today.

Perhaps because my feelings for her were becoming clearer, more undeniable. But acknowledging those feelings… was still too confusing. I shook my head, sighing softly.

“Let’s go~! To the middle school building~!” Mizuki’s voice startled me, and I quickly packed my bag. We were meeting Kasumi, as planned. Honestly, I was exhausted, but I forced myself to stand, stretching and yawning.

“Ugh…”

“Rina~ you look tired,” Mizuki said, grinning as she massaged my shoulders.

“I am… tired…” It was true. I’d stayed up late, lost in thought, and had overslept.

‘Even though I know it’s reincarnation, I haven’t fully processed the memories of this life…’ The memories of my male self were still stronger. But Rina’s emotions and memories were also becoming more vivid.

I sighed and finished packing my things. We headed out into the hallway, and I, hurrying after them, tripped over the doorframe.

“Ah…!”

Just as naturally, Aya reached out and steadied me.

“Hmm~” Mizuki looked at us knowingly. “You two seem awfully close lately.”

“No, we’re not!”
“…It’s nothing,” Aya and I quickly denied, but Mizuki’s expression said, “I know better.”

“Hee~? Really~?” She leaned closer, whispering in my ear, “I think Aya is planning something for you for the festival.”

“…Huh?” I froze. Aya, planning something for me? That wasn’t like her… or was it?

“Mizuki, what did you just whisper?” Aya asked, her blue eyes narrowed.

Mizuki shrugged, smiling innocently. “Just saying how cute Aya is. Right, Rina?”

I froze.

‘Should I keep Mizuki’s secret, or should I tell Aya…?’

Aya’s gaze was intense. I quickly weighed my options. Better to side with Mizuki. “Ah, u-um… yeah! Aya’s cute!”

Aya’s eyes flickered, then her expression turned neutral. “…”

Mizuki had totally played me!

****

“Kasumi-chan~!”

“Ah, senpai!” Kasumi, in her impeccable uniform, greeted us with a bright smile. Kasumi Reira, with her light blue hair, was even more radiant in the afternoon sun.

She was a true idol, a vision of effortless beauty.

“Right~ about those pictures~”

“It’s an honor to take pictures with the Trinity!”

That word again… Trinity! I inwardly cringed, but the others seemed unfazed. Mizuki, beaming, pulled out her phone.

“Let’s take a picture together!”

“I’m so happy to be with such beautiful senpai!” Kasumi posed for the camera with professional grace, then pulled out her own phone and began directing us. “Senpai, a slight V-sign to the right, and tilt your head a little…!”

She was clearly experienced in this. I smiled awkwardly, trying to follow her instructions. Aya and Mizuki also adopted the poses Kasumi suggested.

Click, click. Several pictures later, Mizuki and Aya went off to discuss social media strategy, leaving me with Kasumi. I sat down on a nearby bench, and she joined me.

“…Phew, that was more nerve-wracking than I expected,” she confessed.

“Huh? But you’re an idol. Why would you be nervous?”

“Well… I’m more comfortable on stage,” she replied, shrugging slightly. And then I saw it, the flicker of something in her eyes.

‘Ah… yesterday’s worries…’ She might be a glamorous idol on stage, but in this moment, she seemed… tired, burdened.

‘Should I… ask her about it?’ I, Kurosawa Rina, was just an ordinary girl from a middle-class family. Did I have the right to offer advice to a top idol, someone from a prestigious family? But if I could ease her worries…

“Are you… having a hard time lately?” I asked cautiously.

Kasumi’s eyes widened slightly, then she quickly put on her bright, professional idol smile and waved her hand.

“Ah, no, I’m fine! I wouldn’t want senpai to worry.”

Her forced cheerfulness made me hesitate. Was I overstepping? But I could sense the true emotions hidden beneath her smile. Channeling Aya’s gentle demeanor, I said softly, “It’s okay to be tired, you know.”

Kasumi’s cheerful facade wavered.

“Sometimes… you just want reassurance, even when everyone says you’re doing great.”

Kasumi was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, pushing her long hair aside.

“…You’re right.” Her voice was much lower than usual, devoid of its usual bright, cheerful tone. It was quiet, almost… somber.

I nodded encouragingly, giving her space to speak.

“Everyone likes me, supports me… but sometimes, I’m not sure if I’m good enough.”

“…That’s normal,” I replied, looking at her gently. “But I think you’re amazing, Kasumi-chan.”

Kasumi’s eyes widened. I continued, “You’re performing at the academy despite your busy schedule, and you were smiling earlier even though you’re tired, right? That’s incredible!”

Kasumi bit her lip, then whispered, “…You understand, senpai…”

I smiled. “I think I do. I worked really hard to get into Takamari…”

The Rina in the middle school photos had always been smiling, hiding her struggles. Gaining admission to Takamari High School as a non-Takamari Middle School student… she’d maintained perfect grades, taken on the student council presidency, aced every exam. I knew, from the perspective of my past life, how much effort that must have taken.

Perhaps she sensed a glimmer of that past struggle in my expression. Kasumi’s usual cheerful facade softened, and she smiled, a genuine, almost shy smile. “Thank you. You’re… warmer than I thought, senpai.”

“I just said what I felt. You should be more confident!”

And in that moment…

“…” I felt a gaze and turned to see Aya watching us quietly, her blue eyes narrowed slightly. She was smiling, but there was something else in her expression, something I couldn’t quite place.

‘Wait…’ My heart skipped a beat.

Was Aya… jealous?

She didn’t say anything, but I knew. She’d seen Kasumi’s smile, the warmth in her eyes as she’d looked at me.

****

Our meeting with Kasumi concluded, and we left the middle school building. Kasumi waved cheerfully. “Thank you, senpai! Good luck with the festival preparations!”

“Good luck with your performance, Kasumi-chan~!” Mizuki called back.

As we watched Kasumi disappear down the hallway, I sighed softly. I needed to say something to Aya. She’d been unusually quiet.

She walked ahead, seemingly unfazed, but I could sense the coldness in her eyes.

‘Is it… because of that?’ The conversation with Kasumi, Aya’s gaze as she’d watched us…

‘No, Aya wouldn’t be jealous… would she…?’ My thoughts were a confused jumble.

Mizuki waved her hand dismissively. “Well, that’s done. Convenience store?”

“Sure,” Aya replied calmly, then, without consulting me, started walking towards the convenience store.

“Wait, you’re just deciding that without asking me?”

“You’ll come anyway~” Mizuki grinned, giving me a playful shove, and I chuckled awkwardly, unable to argue. I glanced at Aya.

‘She seems… a bit scary right now…’

I decided to stay quiet, afraid of making things worse.