Whispers of a Secret

After a while, Mitsuki stood up for a stretch.

"Hm... I need to leave soon," she said. "The others might catch on that I'm gone. Besides, someone might recognize me, and that'll become an issue if they see me standing next to you."

"Jeez, am I that unappealing?"

"No, that's not it."

My body froze. I was expecting a half-assed answer laced with sarcasm, but instead, I got something completely different. She sounded... sad, and I couldn't help but think that it was unlike her.

"Aren't you gonna ask me?" she said.

"Ask you what?"

"You're a good observer, Yozora. You listen, you watch, and you're much more attentive than anyone I've ever met. That's the one thing I've learned about you this past month. So I'm asking... Aren't you curious why I didn't immediately clap back?"

I let out a scoff. Mitsuki had read me like a book, and I knew she would. Out of all the girls, she's been the one to pay the most attention to me, even though she doesn't like me.

Of course I'm curious. How could I not be? This is the first time she's being honest with me, showing a genuine side of herself. Naturally, I want to know why, but I'm not the intrusive type.

"If you wanted to tell me, you would've told me already," I said. "You probably have your reasons, so I won't pry."

"Tch... You could still ask, you know."

I glanced over and caught her downhearted expression. Her eyes were lowered, and her mouth was curling into a frown—a look that seemed out of place on someone like her.

At first, I was ready to come back with some kind of playful retort, like I always do. But this time, I couldn’t. There was something in her eyes that made it clear she wanted me to take this seriously. I was never good at handling situations like this, but... I'll try.

"Alright," I said. "Tell me. How come you didn't immediate smack me like you always do?"

"What?" she grumbled. "I don't smack you."

"Yes, you do."

"Tch..."

She raised her fist to threaten me again. I know she never means to hit me, but I still can't help but flinch with my arms up.

"Hm... I don't even know if I should tell you, to be honest," she muttered, her voice tinged with hesitation. "It makes me cringe, and... it’s also one of my... no. It’s my biggest regret ever."

"That sounds a little too heavy for a simple assistant like me."

"Maybe it is, but now I'm asking myself... Why would I even want to tell you? Is it because of how you act? Or is it because I'm... Ugh, I don’t even know. What makes it worse is that I’ve only known you for almost two months. Does that even make sense?"

"...Yeah."

What Mitsuki meant just then was that despite the short time we’ve known each other, she’s actually considered telling me about her biggest regret. Not just once, it seems.

It’s no secret that Mitsuki and I don’t have the smoothest relationship, especially compared to the others. Deep down, I’ve always known we were never truly at odds since ever since I became their assistant. Sure, we mess around, throwing jabs and acting like we hate each other’s guts, but somehow it just became our way of communicating.

"Yozora," she said. "By chance, have you... ever heard of the scandal incident that involved me?"

"Scandal... incident...?"

I may have worked for Sunayomi for over a year, but that doesn't mean I keep up with all the news surrounding them. Though, it is kind of embarrassing, because I feel like I should know about something like this.

"I don't recall," I replied. "I think I vaguely remember Yoshino mentioning it a while ago."

"Seriously? It was pretty big news for a while."

"I'm not the type to look at the news."

"Haha. No. I guess you aren't."

Although she laughed, it sounded anything but how it was supposed to sound—joyful and happy. She pulled out her phone and showed me a screenshot of an article's headline.

I felt my heart drop the moment I finished it.

"Sunayomi's Mitsuki Mira Caught in Controversy: Leaked Romance Scandal with Mystery Boy Nearly Shatters the Famous Idol Group's Reputation."

Mitsuki took a deep breath. "About two years ago, I met a boy. Much like you, he worked for Yori Entertainment behind the curtains. I was young at the time. Not too young, but relatively young and inexperienced in the flow of media circuit. I... I was infatuated with him."

There was a certain tone in her voice that made me shrink. Resentment, anger, and above all else... regret. If I hadn't known any better, it would've been hard for me to believe that this person was Mitsuki.

"He seemed so mysterious and cool, unlike anyone I had ever met. Usually, fans would make it obvious that they were fans by screaming and shouting my name. He didn't do any of that. He treated me as if I was a normal person, and that was new to me. Was I interested in him only because of that? To this day, I still don't know."

I have so many questions, but I allowed nothing to leave my mouth. For now, I'm just the listener, and she's taking a huge leap by telling me this. I'll keep my mouth shut until after.

"I won't sugarcoat it. I wasn't just infatuated with him. I genuinely liked him... until I found out that he never felt the same way. All of those honeyed words of affection he told me, all of those sweet praises he showered me with... It was never genuine. No... He just wanted to get in bed with his favorite idol. When I found out, I immediately tried to bury him. Of course, he didn't let that slide. He leaked all of our messages to the media, and boom. Scandal. In a way... I saw him in you."

Suddenly, everything fell into place. It was as if the scattered puzzle pieces in my head had snapped together, creating the full picture that gave the reason to everything. It all made sense.

"You thought I was like him," I said. "That's why you've been so abrasive and cautious around me."

She shut her eyes and let out another sigh. "Yeah. That's right. I thought you were like him, Yozora. Do you... hate me for that?"

Mitsuki maintained eye contact, but I found it hard to do the same.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly disappointed, but... You had your reasons. I've always known that, but I never knew specifically what. Now that I do, it's much more understandable. You had every right to be the way you were. You were scared, and that makes sense to me. So, no—I don't hate you. If anything, I'm glad you told me. Now I know what not to do."

"...Is that implying that you would've done it had I not told you?"

"Who knows?"

She quickly reached over and jabbed me in the hips, forcing me to flinch and stumble back. Physical contact is something I'll always be uncomfortable with, and yet, I found myself laughing while keeping her away.

"Okay, okay!" I chuckled. "I was just joking!"

"Won't change the fact that you said what you said," she grumbled.

"Haha. I won't, nor have I ever thought about it."

"You're lying..."

"I wasn't, so relax."

Even though she had stopped, she still had that disgruntled look. What is this? Why am I feeling this way? She just dropped some heavy news on me, and yet... That react and face, and her attempts to strike at me... I found it surprisingly pleasant.

"Hmph. Whatever," she mumbled, her frown morphing back into a smile. "But... Thanks for hearing me out, Yozora."

"It's my job, isn't it?" I scoffed.

We both turned to see Nae sprinting toward us as she yelled, "I'm back!"

"Just in time, Little Nae," Mitsuki slipped on a smile and said. "I have to go now."

"Aw, already?"

"Yes. You see, I'm not supposed to be here right now. I may have snuck out, but don't tell anyone, okay?"

"Don't worry! I'm good at keeping secrets."

"I'm sure you are." Mitsuki stood back up and faced me. "And you... Don't give your little sister too much trouble, hm?"

"Obviously," I replied.

"Hehe... Then, see you tomorrow, Yozora. And goodbye Little Nae!"

"Bye bye~!" she exclaimed.

With that, she was finally gone. Nae seemed sad and happy at the same time, but that's to be expected. After all, she just met one of her favorite celebrities in person.

Suddenly, Nae turned to me with a wide smile. "You seemed happy."

"...What?"

"Before I came back, I thought I'd hide for a bit and see how you two acted when alone, and oh... my... gosh. You! My big brother! You were smiling and laughing!"

"You're mistaken."

"No, I'm not! I saw Miss Mitsuki trying to tickle you! And you were jumping away while she was chasing after you. And, Big Brother! The way she looked at you at the very end there... It was like you were... y-you were... a couple! Eee~!"

"I'm leaving. Keep up, or you'll be sleeping here tonight."

"Eh?! W-wait up!"

Nae continued her endless chatters, but I tried my best to ignore her. Mitsuki and me, a couple... Yeah, there's no way in the world that would ever happen. I don't want that, and I'm sure she doesn't either.

Mitsuki Mira... There's a lot more to her than meets the eye. I'm glad she was able to get all of that off her chest.