My Tokyo Celebrity Girlfriend Is Love-Struck, What Should I Do? - Chapter 26

You’re Indeed a Fan of Asuka-Chan Too

The rented lecture room was scheduled for use after three in the afternoon the next day.

As soon as it struck twelve, members of the film crew started arriving at the photography club’s activity room.

The five members of the photography team had already packed their equipment and prepared a small trailer, ready to depart at any moment.

In addition to them, there were more than twenty extras participating in the shoot this afternoon.

After all, it wasn’t a formal commercial shoot, so there weren’t any elaborate opening ceremonies or similar activities.

The activity room was filled with the bustling sound of many voices.

The five members of the photography team stood directly at the entrance of the activity room, eagerly anticipating.

Kimura stood outside the activity room, glancing at the five impatient individuals behind him.

“They’re coming soon; why block the entrance?”

“Kimura-senpai, what if Asuka-senpai got lost? Should I go and pick her up?”

“She won’t.”

Kimura ruthlessly shattered Koike Koichi’s hopeful thoughts.

However, it had been a long time since Asuka had returned to school.

She might not know how to find this place.

Kimura walked to the side and took out his phone from his pocket.

He sent a message to Asuka on Line.

Kimura Hayata: “Asuka, where are you guys?”

Asuka: “Look downstairs.”

Kimura turned his head to look downstairs, seeing two petite figures appearing in front of the building.

Both of them were wearing masks.

Asuka waved her hand towards Kimura on the second floor.

Then, the two figures walked upstairs.

……

Koike Koichi lowered his head, looking at the equipment at his feet, feeling a bit uneasy.

“How about checking again while Asuka-senpai hasn’t arrived yet?”

“Captain… I’ve checked three times… there won’t be any problems.”

Iwatani Sousuke said weakly.

Koike Koichi scratched his head, reached into his pocket, and pulled out the pen and paper he had prepared.

Hm.

The prepared items were still there.

“Hello, everyone.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed at the entrance of the activity room.

In an instant, it felt like an invisible force pressed down.

The previously somewhat noisy activity room fell silent in an instant.

Koike Koichi’s body suddenly shook, looking up.

Dozens of gazes converged at this moment.

Then, Kimura walked into the activity room with two people.

“Eh?!”

“What?”

“…”

Not sure who initiated it, everyone in the room stood frozen in place.

Even the five members of the photography team, who knew in advance that Asuka would be coming, widened their eyes and looked shocked at the front.

There, Asuka walked slowly into the activity room while holding Amemiya Nao’s hand.

Both of them wore infectious smiles on their faces, greeting people while bending over, following Kimura to the front of the activity room.

For a moment, the sound in the activity room seemed to disappear for a few seconds.

“Is that Asuka-senpai? Is it her?”

“Eh? I didn’t see it wrong! That’s Nao-chan!”

“Asuka-chan! Asuka-chan! I actually saw Asuka-chan in person!”

“Paper, paper, paper, forget it, who has a pen! I want Asuka-chan to sign her name on me!”

“…”

Like boiling hot water, the activity room erupted in a chorus of joyful shouts.

Koike Koichi forcefully swallowed, his gaze jumping back and forth between Asuka and Amemiya.

Suddenly, his eyes turned red as he looked at Kimura.

No wonder Kimura-senpai said ‘more than that’ yesterday…

Asuka-chan and Nao-chan are both here! This means two autographs!

Kimura-senpai must be the deity sent to fulfill my wish!

Excited, Koike Koichi reached for paper and a pen from his pocket.

But…

Before he could take out the paper and pen, he was already pushed forward by the people behind him.

Without standing firmly, he tripped and fell to the ground.

Thud.

The activity room fell into silence, and the crowd around Koike Koichi suddenly cleared a space.

“Ugh, that hurts…”

Koike Koichi struggled to lift his head.

“Are you okay?”

A concerned voice came from the front.

Koike Koichi looked up, and Amemiya’s face came into view.

Boing.

As if he were bounced off the ground by a spring, Koike Koichi straightened his body.

He waved his arms nonchalantly.

“Yeah~ I’m fine… Well, a little scratch, nothing serious…”

Koike Koichi had a distorted smile on his face as he reached into his pocket, took out a signature pen, and handed it to Amemiya.

“Um…”

“Yes!”

“Nao-chan, can you give me an autograph? I’m a big fan of yours.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’ve been following you since your debut, Nao-chan.”

“Sign on that piece of paper?”

“No, no… not on paper. Could you sign my clothes?”

Koike Koichi extended his white shirt toward her.

At this moment, the people behind, who were initially stunned, also came back to their senses.

“Captain is so sly, unexpectedly being the first one to ask for an autograph.”

“I want Nao-chan’s autograph too.”

“…”

In no time, the people in the activity room had formed neat lines.

One by one, they approached, hoping to have a few words with Asuka and Amemiya and get their autographs.

Kimura didn’t stop them.

Many of the student extras volunteered to help without asking for or with low pay.

Just having a few words with their idols was compensation enough for them.

And even before Asuka and Amemiya arrived, they anticipated such a scenario.

Kimura watched Asuka responding warmly to the fans’ words.

A bright and lovely smile adorned Asuka’s face, a smile different from her usual demeanor.

He knew that Asuka had always enjoyed her work as an entertainer.

This was also why Asuka chose the Performing Arts Department at Kiyomi Art University.

Sometimes…

Watching Asuka happily engaged in her work.

Kimura always wondered what emotions Asuka carried that night when she came to him with news of leaving the agency…

The golden sunlight streamed in from the window.

Clear beams of light poured down, creating a halo around Asuka.

As if a layer of misty gauze enveloped her, her fair and delicate skin shone like jade in the light, and her long eyelashes trembled gently.

On her face was that sincere, infectiously smiling expression.

Just like… her smile in front of the camera.

……

“Ah~ yabai yabai, Kimura-senpai must have planned this in advance!” (1)

Koike Koichi, who had already collected autographs from both Asuka and Amemiya, walked up to Kimura and lightly nudged him with his elbow.

Kimura looked at the two cute signatures on Koike Koichi’s clothes.

“Hmm?”

“Earlier, when Kimura-senpai asked me about Nao-chan, did you already know she would be in the cast?”

“I didn’t know… but I had a hunch,” replied Kimura.

Upon hearing this response, Koike Koichi blinked in confusion.

But more than that…

“Actually, Kimura-senpai also likes Asuka-senpai, right?”

“Eh?”

“Just now, Kimura-senpai’s gaze was always on Asuka-senpai, without moving even once,” Koike Koichi said with a smile.

“Yes, I do,” Kimura nodded without hiding anything.

“Kimura-senpai!”

Koike Koichi’s eyes widened as if he had discovered something extraordinary.

“You’re indeed a fan of Asuka-chan too!!”

“…”

TL Notes:

1. “Yabai yabai” is a Japanese expression that is often used to convey a sense of excitement, enthusiasm, or admiration.