Invitation to Listen Pt. 1

A week had passed since my meeting with Manager Na, and weirdly enough, he called me to come back in even though I had already quit. Despite my reluctance, I decided to go along with it for now.

I stopped in front of the YE studio with a heavy sigh. It was only today that I finally got called in. He didn't specify what I was gonna be doing, and that's always the scariest part. I made my way through the studio until I reached Manager Na's office. When I opened his door, however, he wasn't there.

Instead... It was Yoshino. She was sitting on a couch with a water bottle in her hands. It didn't seem like she was doing anything more than that.

Her head tilted over, and there, our eyes locked.

"Ah. Yozora. You're here. Have you been out? I haven't seen you in a while."

"Uh... Y-yeah..." I gulped. "I've been around... here and there."

"Is that so?"

An awkward silence fell between us.

"Well, it was nice seeing you," I said.

"Yozora," she called out much more sternly.

I turned back, but instead of a combative tone like I had expected, she was very calm. She lowered her brows while biting her lips.

"I have something to say to you," she said. "Would you spare me just one minute?"

What? Has Yoshino been waiting here for me this whole time? If so, then for how long? Why is she even bothering herself with someone like me? Why can't she just leave me alone?

Once again, Manager Na screws me over. I knew it was suspicious that he didn't tell me the reason for wanting me to come in today. I should've known better.

"I... I have somewhere to be right now," I mumbled.

Right as I was about to close the door, she stopped me with a single word.

"Sit."

And I sat.

Huh?! What just happened to me? How am I sitting down? Wait, when did I even walk over? And Yoshino... Why is she just sitting there and looking at me like that? Doesn't she have more important things to do?

I took a deep breath and finally broke the silence. "So... What did you wanna say to me?"

"Hm... First, how have you been?" she asked.

It took a while for that one to register. "Eh? I... Hah. Sorry. I wasn't expecting that."

"It's fine. I don't have anything scheduled for another two hours, so take your time."

That was a weird response, but I can't say that it was a surprise coming from someone like her. It's just that I can't really figure out whether or not she's being passive-aggressive.

"I'm doing fine," I finally replied. "And you?"

"Better than before, that's for sure," she scoffed. "Now that I've had some time to... cool off. I'll just get right to it. Yozora..."

Yoshino stood up and bowed. 

"I'm sorry."

"Ah... W-wh... I... What?"

"You were right. I accused you of being a stalker back at the photoshoot even when I had no evidence. You explained to me that Risa went into the men's washroom by mistake, and still, I suspected you. That led up to our argument in the break room. I still pressured and blamed you, even when I had no evidence. For all of that, I'm sorry."

And just when I thought this situation was already crazy enough, now this is happening. I tried to speak, but nothing came out. Even if I could, I don't even know what I would say.

Yoshino Yoko... is apologizing to me? Me—a guy who just happened to bump into them at the wrong place and time. What they said bothered me, and I admit that, but at the same time, I'm not ignorant enough to forget that I said some pretty awful things as well.

She maintained that position for a full minute until she finally decided to speak up.

"You know... You could say something instead of sitting there and watching me."

"Ah! Sorry," I yelped. "I just... don't really know what to say."

She perked right up with her arms crossed as she let out a sigh. "Gosh. It took so much effort just for me to do this, and that's all you can give me?"

"S-sorry..."

"Pft."

That sound caught my attention faster than anything I had ever heard, even music. Her eyes loosened and slanted inwards. She tilted away with her hands covering her mouth, and yet, between the gaps of her fingers, I saw a smile.

"You said 'sorry' three times when I'm the one who's trying to apologize to you," she giggled. "Is this a habit of yours? Or maybe... This, who I'm seeing here, is really who you are. Either way, you're a first, Yozora Noa, and I'm still not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

If I couldn't say anything before, I definitely can't now. It feels like there's something in my throat that's barring me from even breathing.

Yoshino sat down, and there was a new aura surrounding her that wasn't there before. She seems more relaxed and less hostile, as if the tension from everything that happened had disappeared entirely.

"I take it you'll accept my apology?" she asked.

"I... S-sure" I mumbled.

While Yoshino smiled at me, I tried to do my best to make it seem like it wasn't bothering me, but it didn't work. I don't even think she cares.

"Yozora," she said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah?" I replied.

"What do you think of us?"

"Of... you? Like, all of you?"

"Yes. Obviously, if you look up Sunayomi and browse through social media, you'll see all the common ones. They're beautiful, they sing and dance so well, they're... 'queens.' Of course, there are also the classic haters who will find any reason to complain, and then they'll stick with that until their dying breaths. But, you... You're different, which is why I'm curious."

"I already gave you my answer. Do I really need to repeat it?"

"You're right. You did tell us, but it was during less-than-stellar circumstances. Now that we're somewhat neutral, I wonder if anything has changed. Go on. Your honest opinion."

"My honest opinion, huh...? What's there to think about?"

Her eyes shot wide open. "What do you mean?"

"If you're asking me about the baseline stuff, then I agree with everyone. You're all pretty, you sing and dance well, and... I wouldn't go as far as calling you 'queens,' but I get the sentiment. Sort of... Anyway, it's hard for me to say what I really think. After all, I don't know a thing about you."

"...Is that so? Then, would you like to?"

That one question left me speechless. Yoshino crossed her legs and pinched her chin with her hand, a cunning smile slowly growing on her face.

"I-I'm not sure what you mean by that," I stuttered.

"Hah. I'll explain it for you to better understand," she said. "I'm sure you've heard, but our previous assistant got fired recently, and the position is still vacant. As the leader of Sunayomi, I can make it happen. What do you say?"

What the hell...? How am I even supposed to respond to that crazy idea? I get it. Sunayomi is famous. The members are beautiful women who are praised and idolized by many. Millions of people would give up their current life to be their assistant, but not me.

Honestly, I couldn't care less that they're idols, and I sure as hell don't care about them enough to give up my quiet life. Being around people, even a small group like this, is already pushing it. One is none, four is already a crowd, and I don't like crowds.

"I..." Just saying that one word was hard enough. "Respectfully, I... refuse."

Yoshino's expression made me nervous. It wasn't a frown, but it was very close, so close that I couldn't tell whether she was surprised or angry. Probably a little hint of both.

"You refuse," she repeated. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously."

"I was not expecting that. May I ask why?"

"The thing is... Hah... I'm not good with people, and that isn't an exaggeration. When people talk to me, I lose interest in a matter of seconds. No... Maybe my interest was never captured at all. It's even worse when I try to work with them. I...

Dread the thought of being labeled something I'm not or shoulder the blame when things go south. That's why I prefer to work alone rather than taking the risk... but I won't tell her that. That's my own personal issue that I need to get over on my own.

"The point is, I just want to be left alone."

"Even though it's us?"

"Yeah. Even though it's you. I told you before, didn't I? Respectfully, I don't really care that you're idols, so becoming your assistant doesn't sound too appealing to me."

Silence fell between us. Only the ticking of the clock could be heard, along with my unnerving breaths. 

"I see," she finally said, before turning away. "Hey. You all heard that, right?"

Suddenly, the door slammed wide open, followed by a thud and a couple of panicked yelps. I turned around, and my eyes widened.

Suguha and Natsume were on the ground, as if they had been leaning against the door when it opened. Mitsuki was standing behind them, and just like before, she had a look that was oozing with displeasure.

"Erm... H-hey, Yozora," Suguha smiled nervously.