All Talk, No Walk

It didn't take long for word to travel that Mitsuki Mira of Sunayomi was here in this plaza. Every second, people rushed by while Yoshino and I were sitting at a table in front of a cafe.

"Will she be alright?" I asked.

"Don't worry," Yoshino said. "This has happened more times than I can count. We're used to it by now. It's fine."

"Just because it's happened many times doesn't make it fine. You're human too. It's not fair to you."

"Fans will be fans. If they happen to see their favorite celebrity in public, they'll do whatever they can to get their attention. We can't do anything to change that."

"It just sucks..."

"Hm? What does?"

I learned something today. Although I'm Sunayomi's assistant, there's very little I can do when something like this happens. The only thing I could do was watch as Mitsuki was swarmed. Yoshino said that it's fine, so I trust her. Still... I wish I could've...

"Ah..." I gulped.

Wait. Why do I even care about that? All of this... It's her problem. She should be the one to handle it... so why can't I shake off this feeling that I should've done more?

"Yozora?" Yoshino called out for me. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," I sighed as I stood up. "I'm gonna buy a drink. You want anything?"

"What do they even have here?"

"I don't know, but I saw bubble tea. I'm getting that."

"Hm... Get me the Oolong Tea."

"Got it."

I entered the cafe and ordered the drinks. One Oolong Tea for Yoshino, and a Thai Tea for me.

Just now, the realization hit me that I'm not in the best financial spot to be buying something like this, but what's done is done. It's not like I can just walk back on my word offering a drink to Yoshino.

The cashier called out my name once the drinks were ready. I grabbed them and made my way back outside. However, I stopped when I noticed a respectably dressed man standing next to Yoshino.

"I was just complimenting a beautiful woman such as yourself," the man smiled.

"Hm... Not many are bold enough to approach a lady with that kind of confidence," Yoshino giggled. "Where do you get that energy? I wonder."

"Confidence is the key to everything, no? Confidence in my status, my wealth, and my ability to make you the happiest woman in the world. What do you say? Shall I buy you a drink?"

It seems like he doesn't know that Yoshino is actually an idol in disguise, so I don't blame him for his attempt to flirt. Nae said it best. Sunayomi aside, she's still a beautiful woman who exudes an air of coolness. Anyone would find her attractive.

My eyes trailed down to the Oolong Tea in one of my hands.

I probably shouldn't step in now. She'll be embarrassed to be next to someone like me, but I can't help but think...

"What a waste." I whispered to myself.

As little as it might seem, this money could've gone to rent or something for Nae. I don't wanna drink it, and I also don't wanna throw it away. Maybe I'll just save it and give it to Suguha. She seems to like bubble tea. Enough to steal it from Natsume, at least.

The moment I was about to step away, Yoshino spoke again.

"Sorry. I know what your goal is, but I'm unfortunately not interested. Besides, someone is already fetching me a drink. In fact..."

She turned to me with a soft smile.

"There he is now."

The man looked at me, and immediately, his face morphed to an expression of disgust. As reluctant as I was to join them, Yoshino made a finger gesture for me to come over.

With a subtle breath, I walked forward and rested her bubble tea in front of her.

"Thank you, Yozora," she said.

"...Sure."

Yoshino turned to face the man once again. "Now, as you can see, I am currently preoccupied. I appreciate the offer, though. Maybe next time."

"Oh, come on," the man muttered. "You don't seriously expect me to believe that this... shabby guy is your boyfriend, do you?"

"Hm?"

She dropped her cup on the table and turned in her seat, resting her arm on the back so that her body was facing the man.

"Well, he is my boyfriend," she declared, and I nearly spat my tea out. "Tell me. What about him do you find shabby?"

"Are you kidding me?" he scoffed. "Look at him. From the way he presents himself to the way he dresses. It's clear that he doesn't have anything to his name, let alone money. I, on the other hand, have everything. If you would only take my hand, then I'll show you exactly what that means."

"Hah. I've only spoken to you for a few minutes, and it feels like I already know everything about you. All you care about is money. All you have to your name is money. Well, I have money too. A lot. I guess my point is... there's nothing you have that I want, so why don't you move along now, hm?"

At that moment, the man began to visibly panic. "H-hold on, there's no need for that. Give me another chance. I was just—"

"You can stop right there," Yoshino interrupted with a stern tone. "I'll put this way. Your personality sucks. The way you don't respect my choices is even worse. You shot your shot, and I'm not interested, so... Leave. Now."

His expression turned sour, and for some reason, it was directed towards me.

The hell? What did I do? I was just sitting here, minding my own business. Whatever Yoshino is saying has nothing to do with be, but it's not like he knows that. Though, I don't see how that's my problem.

When he finally left, Yoshino turned back around with a sigh of fulfillment.

"Phew! That's one way to spice up a bland day," she sighed contentedly. "I feel much better now. Thanks for backing me up, Yozora."

"I didn't even do anything."

"That's not true. You came back at just the right time for me to embarrass him. But... How come you were just standing there? I was surprised."

"Ah... I just thought that I shouldn't have interfered. I didn't know whether or not you were actually interested in the guy, so I stayed back to avoid any misunderstandings."

"Hah. How low is your opinion of me for you to think that I would actually be interested in a snobby rich kid like him?"

"It's not my opinion of you that's low. But... Saying that I was your boyfriend was a bit too much. Now that guy's gonna have the wrong idea."

"Hm~?"

Yoshino propped her elbows on the table with her head resting on her hands. A smile was stretching ear to ear, and I could only imagine the way she was looking at me beneath those sunglasses.

"Is the idea of being my boyfriend that bad?" she asked.

"Huh?! That's not it, and you know it..."

"I'm not sure if I do, but here's the honest truth. I find someone like you much more interesting than a snobby rich kid like him who only knows how to hype himself up while putting others down."

"Eh? I... U-um..."

How do I even respond to that? Someone of her status is calling me interesting, and I'm sitting here with my head in my ass, unable to say a word. The way she's just staring at me with amusement isn't helping at all.

"Cute," Yoshino giggled.

"W-what... Stop saying things like that," I mumbled. "It's weird."

"Hehe. Sorry. Slip of the tongue. Anyway, let's go. Manager Na just called us all to return to the van. We shouldn't keep the others waiting."

She stood up and left while I was still sitting there, flabbergasted and trying to make sense of her words. But, no matter how much I thought about it, it still didn't make sense.

"Yozora!" Yoshino called out. "Do you want to get left behind?"

"Coming..."