"Touka, I'm rooting for you! Go for it!"
"Wait! I was asking for your opinion! I haven't even decided what to do yet..."
Today, Touka Kirishima had gone to visit her close friend Yoriko Kosaka's home. She'd shared some of what was on her mind—specifically, matters concerning Byakuya.
When Touka mentioned the idea of just... going ahead and making things happen, this was Yoriko's response...
"You need my opinion? I'm absolutely, one hundred percent in favor."
Yoriko continued, "So just go for it! If you take the initiative, no guy can refuse!"
"..."
Touka had wanted to discuss this properly with Yoriko, but Yoriko's answer was so direct there was nothing left to discuss.
"Speaking of which, the guy you like has become the CCG Bureau Director now, right? There must be lots of pretty girls at CCG. If you don't hurry, it might be too late."
Yoriko reminded her.
"I know that, but... I'm still not mentally prepared..."
Touka's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Being shy is totally normal—you don't need to be mentally prepared. Just charge forward with everything you've got!"
Yoriko encouraged her.
Despite her embarrassment, Touka nodded seriously. "Mm... I'll find the right moment!"
"You've got this!"
Yoriko beamed.
Her joy was purely happiness for her good friend.
...
Café :re.
Touka came for her usual shift.
"Irimi-san, did Byakuya come by today?"
Not seeing Byakuya in the shop, Touka asked Irimi.
"Mm, I haven't seen him lately. He probably just became CCG Bureau Director and is too busy."
Irimi nodded.
"I see..."
Touka felt a twinge of disappointment.
"Is there something you need him for, Touka-chan? Tell me, and I'll pass it along when he shows up."
Irimi asked. "Or is it... you haven't seen Byakuya in days and you're lonely?"
"That's not it."
Touka's cheeks colored slightly as she denied this. "I'd rather tell him directly when he comes to the shop. I don't want to trouble you, Irimi-san."
"Alright then."
Irimi didn't press further.
"Good luck, Touka-chan."
She added some encouragement.
"Mm, thank you."
Touka smiled.
...
When their shift change came, Touka and Irimi headed upstairs to the break room to rest.
Without thinking, Irimi switched on the TV. The random channel happened to be broadcasting the press conference live.
"Touka, look! Isn't that Byakuya and Eto-san?"
Noticing the screen, Irimi immediately pointed it out.
"It really is."
Touka's eyes widened in surprise.
She hadn't expected to suddenly see Byakuya and Eto on television.
And then came the reporters' questions.
When she heard the topics of romance and marriage, Touka couldn't help paying close attention.
Byakuya had told them before that his relationship with Eto was just an act—a publicity stunt, nothing more.
But her instincts made her feel threatened—especially when it came to Eto...
Touka felt this even more keenly now, watching Eto openly express her love for Byakuya in front of all those reporters and countless viewers.
Even if Byakuya truly saw it as nothing but an act, that was completely separate from Eto's genuine feelings.
As long as Eto's feelings were real, this wasn't something to be taken lightly.
"My my, Byakuya and Eto-san showing off their love at a press conference—I can barely tell what's real and what's fake anymore."
Irimi commented with amusement.
"Maybe... Eto-san's feelings are genuine..."
Touka murmured.
"That wouldn't be surprising. Byakuya basically changed her whole life. Developing feelings for one's benefactor isn't exactly unusual."
Irimi said.
"Yeah..."
Touka was silent for a moment. "Irimi-san, have you ever... done that sort of thing?"
Given the delicate nature of the topic, her phrasing was rather euphemistic.
"What..."
It took Irimi a moment to register what Touka was asking.
"I know what you're asking now. I'm surprised you'd bring up such a topic, Touka-chan..."
A faint blush crept across Irimi's cheeks.
"Because... I don't really know about that kind of thing. I thought maybe you'd have experience, Irimi-san, so..."
Touka's voice dropped shyly.
"Then I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but I have absolutely no experience in that area..."
Irimi gave an awkward smile.
"Oh, I'm sorry—it was rude of me to ask..."
Touka immediately apologized.
At the same time, she was genuinely surprised that Irimi had no experience either.
In her eyes, Irimi was a mature, gentle older sister figure—and beautiful too.
She must have had plenty of admirers. Having some experience would have been perfectly normal.
"Not at all. We're both women here. If some random man came asking me that, that would be sexual harassment."
Irimi smiled. "I suppose that surprised you, Touka-chan? Here I am, an old spinster at my age."
She suddenly became self-deprecating.
"That's not true! Irimi-san is still young—nothing like an old spinster."
Touka protested.
"I'm not young anymore—pushing thirty."
Irimi sighed. "Actually, when I first met the Manager, I was your age, Touka-chan. These past dozen years feel like they flew by in the blink of an eye..."
"Then..."
Touka asked, "Up until now, haven't you met any man you liked, Irimi-san?"
"No..."
Irimi shook her head. "I've never really thought about such things. I'm quite content with how things are. Though there is a young man I consider rather exceptional—but saying who it is might make you unhappy, Touka-chan..."
Hearing this, Touka froze, her gaze growing incredulous...
...
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