Stealing Spree

Upon returning home, I was met with the warm welcome of Akane and Miwa-nee. We ate dinner together and cuddled on the couch, watching a show where Yue made a guest appearance.

It's always a treat to see her on the screen, drawing the audience's cheers even though she had already informed me weeks before when they taped that appearance. We were on a video call when that was playing and the girl couldn't help but criticize herself. For example, she nitpicked her outfit, saying the color didn't match. She pointed out some of her flat notes that only those truly meticulous in that department would notice. And lastly, she ranted about the host and the other guests, telling me how different they were off-camera.

Gossip they may be, but they're pretty useful. The other girls now have the knowledge of who's genuine and who's not among the celebrities or TV personalities Yue had encountered.

Ah. Right. Ahead of the release of her new song, it appears that her agency received an offer to cast her as an actress for a TV series with a school setting. They wanted her to be the main heroine, pairing her with a rising actor.

Obviously, she declined it right away, she's more into singing, after all. And if I'm not her partner, she'd rather take a supporting role or not act at all.

And that's where we were at the moment.

"So, Ruki won't you be my leading man?" With a hopeful smile over the phone screen, Yue's voice echoed in my ear as we discussed the TV series offer. Akane, Miwa-nee and the other girls who were also in the video call all stared at me with the same eager expression.

"If they will take me, then I will." I jokingly answered. As if it was that easy to land a role in acting, especially a main character. Furthermore, it's clearly a project specifically made for the actor in the leading role. He was fixed there, and no other audition would take place for the role.

Nevertheless, the idea of Yue and I acting together in a school setting... It's not entirely bad.

"You're no fun, Ruki!" Yue exclaimed with a dramatic pout, causing everyone on the call to laugh. "You'll be a model soon. You'll gain popularity. And with Chisato-nee being a producer, she will pick you up and give you a lot of privilege."

That... I could see that happening. But then again, I don't think it will all be that easy. Still, if there's an opportunity to make my girl happy through it, then I will as long as it's not going to clash with any of my other engagements.

"Mhm. Chisato-nee-san will surely do that but let's not get ahead of ourselves, Yue. Besides, I know you'll get more opportunities there that won't involve being paired with someone. And your specialty is singing, not acting." I replied while ruffling Akane's hair who was sitting next to me on the couch.

Yue pouted more, "But it could be fun, right?"

"Mhm. It will. So, why don't you visit our upcoming Festival instead? You heard about it, right? We're working on an interactive story booth. Of course, you have to hide your identity, or everyone will flock to us." I suggested with a wink.

"I'll open up my schedule right away!" Yue said with a grin, her eyes lighting up at the idea of a surprise visit. "But you know, if I go there, I'll definitely want to sing for everyone."

"Oh... A surprise live performance by you, huh?" I mused, stroking my chin. "That's definitely going to be a big hit. Talk to Kaoru-san first, she might not approve of it, after all. On our end, I'll talk to Shizu."

Yep. If Yue performed. Our school's Cultural Festival would become more chaotic and festive at the same time. Imagine the gymnasium filled with people. Even if Yue only performed one song, the other students who would be performing next would get a boost in audience numbers regardless of most of them exiting after her performance.

Of course, since it's gonna be a surprise if approved, we couldn't announce it. At most, we could spread a rumor on the internet or the underground school forums. Even if it turned out to be false, many would still come and add to the headcount.

Wait. Why am I thinking as if I'm part of the Festival Committee? I shouldn't give more work to my girls, right? Especially to Shizu and Haruko who'd be busy handling all issues from here on out.

"Oh. We can perform that song, Yue. Let's get Miho too. It'll be before the release of the single, right? It could be marketed as a promotion for you. The day after the Festival, we can release clips of it." Akane suggested with a grin.

Their new song had already been teased to the public, if it was truly performed at a school's cultural festival like that, it would garner not just a lot of attention to Yue but also the whole school.

Yue's manager, Kaoru-san, would likely have a heart attack if she heard about this. But if Yue pushed for it, I knew it wouldn't be impossible to accomplish. I just have to make sure it'll also be smoothed out in the end. In this case, telling Hayashi-sensei, the Director of the school, about it might be a good start.

Somehow, our topic evolved from Yue just mentioning an acting offer to a full-blown plan for a surprise performance and marketing of her new song.

Looking at the girls' expressions, they also couldn't believe what they were hearing.

"You and your antics, Ruki." Miwa-nee couldn't help but comment on the side while holding the now-asleep Minoru. The boy got serenaded by Yue's voice from the TV.

"Well, if it'll make you all happy then nothing's impossible. You know what, Miwa-nee? Yue will probably also perform at your future cafe if you ask for it."

Sure enough, the girl immediately followed up, "That's right, Miwa-nee! What's the use of my popularity if I can't help promoting your café?!"

Yeah. That's unrealistic, no? Only Yue would be insane enough to say that. Most public figures would ensure that their private life wouldn't be disturbed by their work. And yet here she was, wanting to get closer and closer to us.

And the reason for it was simply because she wanted to have an excuse to visit me.

I couldn't help but chuckle, "Alright, that's enough teasing. The cafe wasn't even being built yet."

After this, we talked more about some mundane things like the haircut I received. All of my girls noticed the difference even though Yayoi-san only cut a little bit. Ririka came out and talked about another costume she's making for me and then they brought up the social media account they created to post photos of me in those costumes.

Ever since they told me what to do with it, I started sending a message once or twice a day there for 'little updates' that the followers were eating up. And before we knew it, the number of followers was already close to five digits.

Apart from those speculating about my identity, many were just waiting for a new set of cosplay photos.

Really, with that account, if I soon appeared as a model from one of the magazines, especially the one where Juri submitted for the contest, I might truly become a celebrity at this point.

Won't it be bad if I start getting recognized? Imagine the scandals that will ensue if the public keeps seeing me with different girls.

Uh... Alright. That's enough overthinking. As if it was that easy to become famous.

Once the girls' started getting drowsy from sleep, we ended the video call and we soon moved to our bedroom after drinking the miraculous tea.

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