Being Popular Is Not The Best

“The reason I don’t want to go to school is because I don’t want to study anymore,” Sakura-san replied calmly.

“Why, Sakura-san? You excel in your studies, and next year you’ll start your middle school life. Why do you suddenly not like studying?”

It looked strange to me—her sudden change in behavior.

“I want to be an idol! I want to be like Yua-sama!” she said, looking at Yua-san.

“I’m happy to hear that, but you also need to focus on your studies,” said Yua-san softly.

“No! I don’t want to study! My parents hate my dream. They said I should become a businesswoman like them, but I hate it. They said my dream is just a waste of time and has no benefit. Why? I thought parents should support their children’s dreams!” Sakura-san’s eyes turned red, as if she might cry at any moment.

Then, Yua-san stood up and walked toward Sakura-san. While hugging her, she said softly, “Sakura-chan, what your parents said is true. There’s no benefit in joining this industry. While you’re still young, you should focus on better things.”

“B-but I want to become like you, Y-Yua-sama! You shine so bright to me. I want to be a star like you. Is it too impossible?” said Sakura-san, holding back her tears.

“I never said I don’t want you to become like me. You can—but for now, studying is number one. Without that, you won’t survive. Like I said earlier, there’s no benefit in joining this industry unless you’ve prepared yourself enough. Most importantly, you need your parents’ approval. At least then, they can recognize your effort.”

Her explanation made Sakura-san’s face slowly brighten.

“Can I really become like you, Yua-sama?” asked Sakura-san.

“Of course! But you need to stop putting ‘-sama’ after my name. You can call me Yua-neechan,” said Yua-san.

“Okay, Yua-neechan!”

Finally, this visit was a success.

As we left Sakura-san’s house, Kujo-san said to us, “Thank you for coming here to persuade Sakura-ojou-sama to come to school again. But I’d appreciate it if Masamura-sama would distance herself from Sakura-ojou-sama.”

“Why does Yua-san need to distance herself from Sakura-san?”

It felt too strange for Yua-san to be forbidden from meeting her fan.

“Don’t you know? Masamura-sama here was involved in a displeasing affair a few months ago. I don’t want Sakura-ojou-sama to be influenced by Masamura-sama’s dirty behavior,” said Kujo-san.

How dare she say that like she knows everything? Dirty? I felt like I couldn’t let that remark pass. I glared at Kujo-san, ready to say something, but Yua-san held my hand and looked at me.

I knew what she meant. I sighed slowly and reminded myself—I’m a teacher.

“I understand, Kujo-san. Don’t worry, you won’t see me around here,” said Yua-san, gently pushing my back.

“Do you really think this is fine, Yua-san? Don’t you want to clear up all the misunderstandings?”

“For now, it’s better to leave it like this.”

That was what she wanted. I should respect that. I needed to calm myself first.

As I looked at the sky, it was already red. I glanced beside me—it had been a long time since I’d walked home with someone else. The conversation earlier reminded me of my own nostalgia. To avoid awkward silence on our way back to the apartment, I asked Yua-san if she had finally gotten her house key.

“I already got my house key. He was too shocked knowing I’ll live in that apartment,” said Yua-san.

“No one would expect someone like you to stay in that kind of apartment. By the way, that was a nice motivational speech you gave to Sakura-san back there,” I said, complimenting her.

“That was nothing. It’s true that this industry is harsh. Without special ability or uniqueness, you’ll sink into a world where nobody knows you,” said Yua-san.

“If you think so, why didn’t you stop her? You’re her idol—maybe she’d understand the true colors of the world she wants to enter.”

“How could I? After seeing her face, it felt like taking candy from a child. I believe she can do it—but not now. How about you? As a teacher, don’t you want to stop her?”

“As a teacher, my responsibility is to prepare my students as best as I can so they can face their own future. In other words, I can prepare the map for them—the rest, they create their own journey. If they’re happy with their life in the end, that’s all that matters to me.”

“I feel like I’m in a classroom right now,” said Yua-san, smiling.

“Were you a good student in school?” I asked.

“I don’t really remember. Maybe I just don’t want to. How about you? Why did you want to become a teacher, Souma-san?” she asked.

“For me, I just wanted to be a teacher. Actually, I felt obliged to. I made a promise with him, and that’s what shaped my future,” I said, recalling old memories.

When we arrived at the apartment, there was someone suspicious, looking for something—or someone.

“Sorry, but what are you doing just now? Are you looking for someone?” I asked.

“You!” I heard a female voice shout.

“Me?”

Why was she looking for me?

“Who is she, Souma-san?” asked Yua-san.

“I don’t know.”

It was my first time meeting her. The action she took a few seconds later confirmed everything.

“Have a nice pose! Finally, a big scoop for me this month!” said the woman.

I could tell—this was bad.

“Please stop! Don’t you know what you’re doing right now is illegal?” asked Yua-san while covering her face.

“Fine. But some journalists already know about your love story, Yua-san. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Kanzaki Mana! I aspire to become a successful journalist,” explained the woman.

“Love story? With who?” asked Yua-san.

“That man, right?” Kanzaki-san asked innocently.

“Wait, Kanzaki-san. That’s a misunderstanding. She just—”

Suddenly, I remembered what happened at Sakura-san’s house earlier. She didn’t want anybody to know where she lived.

“Look! He is my teacher, and I am his student. I was on my way to his house for a lesson. There’s nothing between us. Right, Takada-sensei?”

How could she come up with that scenario so easily?

“Y-yes! She’s my student,” I said, trying to play along.

“That’s useless. I’ve already done my research and interviewed some of the residents here. Masamura Yua and Takada Souma—you’re neighbors, right?” asked Kanzaki-san confidently.

Who told her that? Then, my eyes caught someone smiling while looking at us. Ah, now I knew who the culprit was.

“Did the owner’s niece tell you about this, Kanzaki-san?”

“Yes! He told me everything—including that Yua-san slept in your house last night, Takada-san,” Kanzaki-san said with a smirk.

“I thought I told the owner not to tell anybody—no, I didn’t tell his niece earlier about the promise I made with the owner. I made a mistake!” Yua-san said, realizing her error.

“Tell me everything, or I’ll spread the pictures of both of you to everyone.”

I felt hopeless.