Chapter 69: The Secret Handed Over

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Translator: Soafp

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[Marin PoV]

I woke up to the soft light coming through the gap in the curtains.

Today is a holiday. I was supposed to be able to sleep a little later than usual, and I thought I would feel more relaxed.

But as soon as I woke up, a restlessness stirred in my chest. I knew the reason.

Today, I was supposed to spend time with Hajime and Kagura, just the three of us.

When I saw the name on my phone screen in the morning, I took a small breath.

Tono Shiho.

She was the one who inspired me to pursue my dream of becoming an actress. She's someone I admire and respect deeply, almost like a second mother.

It was the first time I received a call from her so early on a holiday. In a polite tone, but with a hint of nervousness in her voice, she said, “I need to talk to you alone, Marin-chan.”

I didn't know the reason or the content of the conversation, but there was no reason for me to refuse, so I quickly agreed to meet her.

That was this morning.

Right after that, I called Kagura.

“Kagura, sorry, but I won't be able to make it today.”

Kagura, still sounding like she had just woken up, grumbled, “Eh, why?”

“Shiho-san called me. She wants to talk to me alone first thing in the morning.”

“Really? That's amazing!”

I could talk to Kagura about anything, but I couldn't yet tell her what Shiho-san had said. However, I think Kagura sensed that there was something important going on.

“I see… Well, it can't be helped then.”

“I'm sorry, but let's hang out together another time.”

After I apologized, Kagura's voice brightened slightly.

“Well, I might confess to Hajime today.”

“…I see.”

I was surprisingly calm. I think it was because I had already realized Kagura liked Hajime. I had that feeling.

“But, you know, I'm not going to give up on Hajime.”

“Fufu, same here. If it were you, Marin, I might forgive you. Maybe there's even a future where both of us love Hajime?”

“…Eh?”

I couldn't help but make a weird sound.

A future where both of us love Hajime… I had never thought about such a thing. But somehow, Kagura's words, spoken with a smile, felt so natural and settled in my heart.

Maybe such a future really is possible.

“Two of us… Fufu, that might actually be nice.”

I said it while feeling a little warmth spread in my chest.

It was something Kagura could say, and I appreciated it.

“I might just drag him to a hotel if I'm impulsive.”

“That's up to Hajime. I won't lose either.”

We ended the phone call with our usual playful banter.

But in the depths of my heart, a quiet determination began to form.

I would face Hajime my own way.

With that thought, I started getting ready.

I chose a more composed outfit than usual and carefully styled my hair.

Straightening my posture slightly, I headed toward the luxury hotel where Shiho-san was waiting.

As I gazed out the car window, my feelings slowly shifted. What would she say? What was waiting for me? Excitement and anxiety alternated in my chest.

When I arrived at the café terrace in the hotel lobby, Shiho-san was already seated by the window.

There was a coffee cup on the table, and Shiho-san was quietly gazing outside. Her beautiful profile, which I had always seen on screen, seemed to carry a subtle air of sadness that was different from the usual calm and confidence she exuded.

After exchanging greetings, I sat across from her, and Shiho-san gave a faint smile, saying,

“Sorry to bother you on such a busy day.”

I replied, saying it was no problem, but an unfamiliar unease spread through my chest.

She offered me a drink, but I politely declined. I might have unconsciously shown my eagerness to hear what she had to say before any words could even leave my mouth.

Then, in a quiet voice, she began to speak of something that felt like an unbearably heavy reality. Shiho-san, with her gaze slightly lowered, chose her words carefully before speaking.

“I was caught by the weekly magazine…”

Her voice was gentle, but there was a faint tremor in it.

“The person involved… is Director Mishima.”

Yohei Mishima, the director. The one who had elevated Shiho’s name, pushing her to the level of an Academy Award nominee. It was said that she had been in an affair with him.

It was unbelievable, but Shiho-san calmly spoke only the facts.

“The article… it wasn't our agency, but Starface that moved and suppressed it. However, as a condition… Koda-san wants to talk slowly with the two of you—Kagura Shinomiya and Marin Kousaka.”

The words that followed took my breath away.

It wasn’t our agency that suppressed the story.

Starface.

The moment I heard that name, I felt a cold shiver down my spine, as if an icy blade had traced my back.

Subaru Koda was involved.

“I'm really sorry… that I ended up telling you this, Marin-chan…”

Shiho-san looked down and tightly clenched her hands in her lap.

“I didn't know what to do… I was prepared to carry all of it on my own, even if it caused trouble for the agency. But, I thought if I kept it hidden, it would eventually come out, so I decided I should tell you properly… Even so, the fact that I've dragged you into this is something I can never apologize enough for.”

“I'm sorry… I'm really sorry…”

With a strained voice, Shiho-san bowed her head several times.

“But… I just don't know what to do anymore…”

Even so, she tried to smile softly.

“I'm sorry to bother you on a holiday like this… Thank you for listening to me today.”

After taking a small breath, Shiho-san pushed back her chair and quietly stood up.

Her posture, straight as she walked away, was exactly like the great actress I had always seen on screen.

“See you again, Marin-chan.”

Left behind, I sat there dumbfounded in my chair.

The quiet background music, the coffee cup left half-drunk, the faint sound of ice shifting in the glass.

It all felt so real, yet at the same time, like a lie.

What is happening?

My mind was in chaos, unable to process what I had just heard.

But, I wasn’t strong enough to carry all of this alone.

Kagura…

Before I knew it, I had picked up my phone.

My fingers trembled. I kept almost pressing the wrong buttons. But when I finally found Kagura's name, I felt just a little bit of relief.

“Please… pick up.”

I whispered quietly and pressed the call button.

The ringing sound echoed softly in my ears.

I just waited, hoping to hear Kagura's voice.