Chapter 58: Sweet and Dangerous Boundary
Translator: Soafp
Miyabi and Aoi left Hajime’s hospital room and returned home for a brief moment.
After receiving permission from their parents, the two of them, prepared, were to be taken by Hajime’s editor, Misaki Hizaki, to the production company where the anime director awaited.
“We want to hear about the two of you, who were models for the childhood friends in the sensei’s work, as we adapt it into an anime.”
At Misaki’s explanation, Miyabi and Aoi readily agreed. If it could help Hajime in any way, they were happy to assist.
Upon arriving at the production company, they passed through reception and confirmed their appointment. They were led into a calm and serene meeting room.
“I’ll talk to the director for a bit. Please wait here.”
Misaki said, leaving them in the room as she and the director headed to a separate space.
As Miyabi and Aoi waited quietly, the door opened, and a tall man walked in with leisurely steps.
“Excuse me, I heard this room was booked for something… huh?”
The man stopped, his gaze shifting to Miyabi and Aoi.
With a refined face and neatly styled blonde hair, he exuded an air of sophistication. He was someone Miyabi and Aoi had seen before.
“…Well, this is a surprise. I didn’t expect to run into such beautiful girls here.”
He said with a calm voice, smiling gently.
Miyabi, a bit taken aback, stared at the man. “You are…?”
“Subaru Koda. I’m an actor.”
Aoi’s eyes widened in surprise and curiosity.
“I’ve seen you on TV! Wow… you’re the real deal…”
Koda smiled modestly, nodding in a relaxed manner.
“That’s an honor. It’s the first time we're meeting like this, but how do I seem? Different from on-screen?”
Aoi laughed, a bit shyly.
“Well, you’re a bit… calmer than I expected.”
Miyabi observed their exchange coolly and then answered succinctly.
“We were also called by the director.”
“Ah… so you’re involved in the production?”
“No, not exactly”
Miyabi replied.
“We’re… acquaintances of Hajime-Sensei”Aoi added.
Koda’s smile momentarily faltered.
“Hajime-Sensei…?”
Miyabi noticed the subtle change in his expression.
“I see, you're acquainted with him. Are you close?”
“…Well, somewhat,”
Miyabi answered briefly.
“We've been childhood friends since we were small.”
Aoi added, and Koda’s eyes narrowed with interest.
“Childhood friends, huh…”
His gaze sharpened slightly, assessing something, but he quickly returned to his pleasant smile.
Miyabi’s gaze turned sharp. But Koda, seemingly oblivious, changed the subject lightly.
“By the way, one of the childhood friends in Sensei’s work, wasn’t she the ace of the basketball team?”
“…Yes, that’s right”
Miyabi answered briefly.
“Could it be… you?”
Koda looked directly at Aoi.
“Well… something like that”
Aoi replied.
“Interesting…”
Koda’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Aoi's reaction.
Aoi's cheeks flushed slightly, and Koda became certain.
—If I’m targeting someone, it's definitely her.
“You must be strong in basketball, right? It was mentioned in the novel too. Hajime-Sensei has such impressive people around him.”
“…I'm the ace, so…”
Aoi hesitated.
“But…?” Koda prodded.
Aoi hesitated before continuing.
“…Well, everyone around Sensei is so beautiful and cute… I feel like I’m the only one who doesn’t quite fit in, just being good at basketball.”
Koda thoughtfully rested his hand on his chin, pretending to consider her words, then slowly shifted his gaze back to Aoi.
“You don't have to worry about that at all”
Aoi’s eyes widened in surprise at his unexpected words.
“I think you're more than enough just as you are.”
His voice was calm, almost as if it was meant only for her.
“I’ve been acting for a long time too, but when you’re in such a glamorous world, you get compared to others a lot. Honestly, the pressure can be overwhelming. But if there’s just one person who believes in you, it makes all the difference.”
His words hit Aoi’s heart directly.
“You have your own charm. Someone who understands that will definitely come around.”
Aoi felt a warm sensation spreading through her chest, her heart lightened by the words of affirmation.
“Ah… Thank you…”
she said, her voice slightly trembling.
Miyabi watched Aoi from the side, narrowing her brow as she silently studied Koda's expression.
Koda maintained his smile, but when Aoi’s gaze lingered on him, there was a calculating glint in his eyes.
Miyabi’s fingers subtly stiffened. A sense of unease spread inside her, warning her quietly.
She was reminded of the suffocating anxiety she had once felt—anxiety that had no clear end, like being lost in a maze.
It was the same unsettling feeling she once experienced, a sense of being trapped and unable to escape.
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1 Comment
Wow, that was quick, one of the traitor CFs is already getting ready to betray again. They're just so awesome and it was definitely worth reconciling with them, for sure.