The Top Idol Next Door Can't Help But Crave My Guilty Pleasure Meals-Chapter 4Volume 1 .3 - I Wish You Wouldnt Come

ROUND 4 – I Wish You Wouldn’t Come 3

The third floor of the school building, resource room.

Peering through the glass of the sliding door, I see the space of about ten tatami mats lined with metal shelves packed with files.

It was my first visit to this room in my second year of high school life.

It seems that the resource room is currently being used as a storage space for student council documents.

I remember about a year ago after the entrance ceremony had ended and we returned to the classroom, the teacher gave us a general explanation about the special rooms.

Regarding the resource room, I think he joked about it, ‘You might not even enter it once before you graduate.’

It’s so rarely frequented by people that there are even rumors of boys and girls doing dirty things in this room from time to time.

When I knock on the door twice, a low ‘Come in’ comes from inside.

It’s Yuzuki.

『May I take your order?』

The sudden question came flying at me.

Without a moment’s delay, I answered with a determined face.

“A pork bowl with extra toppings. Egg on top.”

『Entry permitted.』

Having breached the security, I slowly opened the door. The lights in the room were off.

Against the backdrop of a gloomy overcast sky, Yuzuki is leaning against the window at the back of the room.

The room was dimly lit, so I couldn’t make out her expression.

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“…Sorry about earlier. You must be surprised that I suddenly barged into your classroom. I was just trying to stop my friend’s rampage…”

It seems that she deliberately called me out on school because she wanted to set things straight early.

Yuzuki passed by my side and locked the door.

Then she immediately returned to her original position.

“It’s not that I’m angry about it. I was surprised because I never imagined that Suzufumi would be a student at Ori High. I just wanted to tell you early on.”

It didn’t seem like she wanted to vent anger or complaints.

If I had to describe Yuzuki’s current emotions in one word, it would probably be ‘confusion.’

“Here’s a question for you, Suzufumi. What is my profession?”

“You’re an idol.”

“Question two. What’s taboo for an idol?”

“Romantic scandals, I guess?”

“Fifty points. The correct answer was, ‘Acting friendly with a same-age member of the opposite sex.’ “

Yuzuki frowns and smiles wryly.

I don’t think our relationship will be exposed just by meeting each other.

But in the unlikely event that it gets out, how many people would actually believe it even if we explain that ‘it just so happens our homes are next to each other.’?

Approaching Yuzuki at school was a mistake from the start.

“In front of a crowd of high school students who are keen on rumors and gossip, how do you think it would look if Suzufumi and I gave off the impression that we’ve known each other from the start?”

“…There might be people who misunderstand.”

“Exactly. Regardless of what our actual relationship is, the truth may not always be perceived correctly.”

I want to become lovers with Yuzuki someday.

However, in a way she doesn’t wish for, I don’t want the groundwork to be laid without her consent.

“That’s why I want you to pretend to be a stranger at school.”

Honestly, I had anticipated she would say something like this.

“I don’t intend to make male friends at school. In case some strange information spreads on social media, I want to be able to firmly deny it. That’s why, I wish you wouldn’t come Classroom 1-B either.”

It would be a lie to say that I don’t feel lonely not being able to talk with Yuzuki at school.

That being said, it’s clear what should take priority considering her job.

I let out a shallow breath and agreed to her request.

“…Alright, I understand. It’s a shame that the plan to deliver homemade bento every day is canceled.”

“…don’t ever do that.”

Tsk-, Yuzuki said so while bringing her face close to mine.

“Well then, I guess I should leave quickly. If someone were to see us together—”

——The door creaked.

Yuzuki shifted her gaze toward the door. I hesitantly turn around as well.

“What, Arisu Yuzuki?”

At the entrance of the reference room, a male student stood. Judging by the color of his indoor shoes, he might be a third-year.

Encountering a famous idol, the Senpai’s eyes were wide open.

A look of panic appeared in Yuzuki’s eyes.

“I thought I had closed it properly…?”

“Ah, right. The student council also has a key to the reference room. We’re planning to refer to old materials for next month’s event…”

An unexpected visitor in the special room reputed to be rarely frequented by anyone.

“…but why is Arisu Yuzuki here? And you are? A second-year student? She said it was closed, what exactly are you doing here…”

There was a brief pause, and then Senpai realized his mistake.

This misunderstanding could be a problem.

Some students perceive this resource room as a secret hideout for dubious activities.

An idol and a male student in a dimly lit private room——It’s somewhat natural for anyone to jump to ‘that’ conclusion.

I recalled this morning’s entertainment news.

A popular idol’s romantic scandal. Interviews with fans. Every single letter of their resentful words came to mind, sending a chill down my spine.

Yuzuki’s face was pale. Not a trace of the soft smile she had when I saw her in class 2-B.

“S-sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll leave and come back later. I won’t tell anyone…”

It’s impossible to believe him when he says that in such a strained voice.

The moment he returns to the student council room, the smoldering embers will undoubtedly transform into a raging flame.

I shouted loudly enough for the senior who was quickly walking away from the document room to hear.

“Now…what’s your answer!”

I turned back towards Yuzuki and asked.

As I watched the window behind her, I could see the reflection of the Senpai’s indoor shoes hidden behind the door.

It was proof that he was secretly eavesdropping.

“Yuzuki, give me a clear answer!”

“A-answer?”

To the bewildered Yuzuki, I pressed on.

“The answer to my confession. I won’t let this end ambiguously!”

I signal with my eyes, and Yuzuki, realizing my strategy, nods slightly.

In the next moment, the atmosphere around Yuzuki changes completely.

“——I’m sorry. I can’t date you, Mamori-senpai.”

Looking down and lips pressed together, Yuzuki looks genuinely apologetic from the bottom of her heart.

She switches from the new student Sasaki Yuzuki to the idol Arisu Yuzuki.

“Why not?! You said you liked me at the handshake event!”

“I mean that as a fan, as a man, that’s a little…”

A smile that’s like evading the topic, awkward and strained.

The gesture of constantly fiddling with her hair is typical of what someone unconsciously do when they feel uncomfortable.

“Really, there’s no chance for me? Not even a millimeter?”

” … “

A silent affirmation. The faint sigh that escaped hinted at a firm resolve.

“…I understand. But please let me go to your live concert once in a while. I genuinely like the idol Yuzuki too…”

“…of course, thank you…”

Yuzuki bit her lower lip and clenched her hands tightly at her chest.

I wiped away tears with my arm and dash of the resource room.

I passed by the senior who was lurking behind the door, turned the corner, and headed down to the sophomore floor below.

There were no students in the hallway.

I could finally breathe a sigh of relief now that I had made it this far.

“Wow…”

It’s only after I’m alone that the realization starts to hit me.

Even if it was just an act, getting rejected is seriously depressing!

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