An Idol and Her Fan

“Do you want to kill them, Yua-sama?”
How did my sister suddenly ask that kind of question to a person she met for the first time?
“N-no. And can you stop calling me Yua-sama? I’m a bit embarrassed about that.” Yua-san’s face turned a bit red. I didn’t know she was quite a shy person.
“How should I a-address you, Yua-neesan?” asked Mayu.
“I think that’s fine. It feels like I suddenly have a younger sister. Usually, I’m the youngest in my family. This feels new to me.” Yua-san really liked being called neesan.
“But don’t you think that’s a bit unfair, Yua-neesan? You’ve been treated harshly before even though all of that wasn’t true. Believe me, I was always on your side,” said Mayu passionately.
“No need to do that. I already moved on from the past, although it was a bit hard,” replied Yua-san calmly.
“I forgot to ask. Do you want to stay at the house tonight? You also don’t have your house key right now.”
It’d be a bit harsh to ask her to stay at a hotel tonight.
“You can sleep with me, Yua-neesan!”
Mayu, you really love Yua-san.
“I’ll take your offer then. Thank you, Souma-san and Mayu-chan.”
“You’re welcome.”
After that, we ended our conversation and went to sleep. At that time, I still didn’t know what would happen to me in the future.

“How was your sleep, Yua-san?”
I asked as I prepared breakfast for the three of us.
“So comfortable. Your sister is so kind that she even gave me her favorite teddy bear.”
“She’s your big fan. To her, you’re her idol. That’s why she was so happy last night.”
“I’m so happy to know I still have a fan right now. Right, can you give me your number? And do you have something you need help with? I’d feel guilty if I didn’t repay anything after what you’ve done,” said Yua-san.
“Help me? I don’t think— Maybe I have one, but I need to confirm it first.”
There’s a problem I can ask her help with.
“Really?”
“Yes. Don’t worry, I’ll call you later. You can use this key if you want to go out,” I said as I handed her my house key. I should be more cautious with my house key, but I’ll trust her.
Mayu said today she’ll have a part-time job. She said she wants to find another source of income.
She’s still asleep, I think. Yua-san said when she went to bed, Mayu was still on her phone. I hope she’s not late for work.

Today, as usual, I took attendance of my students. Still, Sakura-san hasn’t come to school. During recess, I asked Motoki-san to see me.
“Did you succeed in persuading Sakura-san to come to school again?”
“She doesn’t want to talk to us. She said she doesn’t want to go to school anymore.”
As I thought, this will be difficult.
“How about Takada-sensei go to her house and persuade her directly?” suggested Fujiwara-sensei suddenly.

“Should I?” I’m still questioning that suggestion. Is this still under my responsibility?
“Of course! Her parents are still overseas, and her maid is the one taking care of Sakura-san, from what I heard,” said Motoki-san.

That’s how I ended up here. In front of this big house. I wonder how much money I’d need to afford a house this big.
“Are you sure that I can go with you, Souma-san?” asked Yua-san.
I decided to ask for her help — maybe her presence could make Sakura-san more open.
“Believe me, that’s what I want to say. For now, let’s look at the situation,” I said as I rang the doorbell.
“Hello? Who’s out there?”
I could hear a woman’s voice from the intercom.
“I’m Sakura-san’s homeroom teacher. Can I meet with her? I want to discuss something with her.”
“I’m sorry, but Sakura-san doesn’t want to accept any visitors right now,” replied the woman. I think that voice belongs to her maid.
“Hello, Sakura-chan? Do you know me? I’m Masamura Yua! Do you want to meet with me?”
Yua-san tried to persuade Sakura-san.
“Really?! Kujo-san, please open the gate right now! I want to meet Yua-sama right now!”
Is that Sakura-san’s voice? I never thought she was a fan of Yua-san.

The gate opened.
“Please come in!” said Sakura-san through the intercom.

“Yua-san, don’t you want to live in a house like this?” I’m still in awe of my surroundings.
“My old house was bigger than this. That’s why I don’t feel out of place.”
Her calm response somehow ticked me off. It’s not that weird for a celebrity to have a house this big.

“Both of you, welcome to the Sakura household. I’m a maid here, and you can call me Kujo-san. Now, please wait here while I call Hana-ojou-sama,” said Kujo-san, showing us the sofa in the living room to wait.

A few seconds later, I heard someone’s voice calling Yua-san’s name.
“Yua-sama! Ahhh! I can’t believe she’s in front of me! Takada-sensei, I didn’t know you had money to bring her here!” Sakura-san said while looking at me.
“No! She’s my neigh—”
Yua-san looked sharply at me. I see. She doesn’t want anybody to know about her whereabouts.
“She’s my friend’s friend’s friend’s friend’s cousin’s neighbor! Coincidentally, I’m close with my friend’s friend’s friend’s friend’s cousin’s neighbor!” I hope this is okay.
“Yes! I’m his friend’s friend’s friend’s friend’s cousin’s neighbor! That’s how we met! Hahaha,” she said so naturally. As expected from an actress.
“Really? Takada-sensei, the reason you came here… is it to persuade me to come back to school? Sorry, but I don’t have any motivation to study anymore.”
I wonder why she’s acting like this.
“Why, Sakura-chan? Going to school is fun, you know,” said Yua-san.
“I have my own reason.”
Sakura-san still hasn’t fully opened her heart to us.
“This is just my wild guess… The reason you don’t come to school — is it related to Yua-san?”
“How did Takada-sensei know? Kujo-san, did you tell him earlier?” Sakura-san asked Kujo-san.
“No, Hana-ojou-sama!” replied Kujo-san.
“Wait, Sakura-san! That was just my guess. I didn’t think it was true.”
“Fine. I’ll tell you then. The reason I don’t want to go to school is…”