Sumita Mana had won five consecutive championships in national singing competitions. Although Hoshino Miru sometimes questioned their significance, she was extremely proud of this achievement.
Last year, she formed a duo idol group with a girl named Misumu Uika, naming it SUMIMI and officially becoming active in the entertainment industry as an idol.
With her superior singing skills and professional business attitude, SUMIMI received an enthusiastic market welcome right after their debut - they became an instant hit.
The media at that time often praised Sumita Mana as the national idol of the new century, with SUMIMI having the potential to become the next nationwide phenomenon-level idol group in Japan.
Whether it was the Budokan or Tokyo Dome, SUMIMI with Sumita Mana basically never missed any major venues.
With these accolades backing her, Sumita Mana was indeed one of today's hottest idols, with her songs playing throughout the streets. No wonder Toyokawa Sakiko was so surprised.
However, the reason Hoshino Miru knew Sumita Mana really wasn't complicated.
They were students at the same middle school. When Sumita Mana enrolled, she made quite a commotion - even upperclassman Hoshino Miru had heard about the five-time champion's story.
Being a five-time champion, Hoshino Miru was naturally curious enough to take a look, and then he got caught by a talent scout.
More precisely, the five-time champion's manager took notice of Hoshino Miru. She thought he had good looks and would make good actor material even if he couldn't become an idol.
Naturally, Hoshino Miru politely declined with caution.
With his system, rather than working hard for others, he preferred being a ruthless boss himself - preferably one who could ruthlessly... harvest little idols' intimacy points.
Getting back to the point, Hoshino Miru's acquaintance with Sumita Mana wasn't because he approached her, but because she approached him first.
This girl was also naturally sociable. When she learned her manager had taken notice of a boy, she immediately ran over to join the excitement.
As they chatted, their relationship gradually improved. Later, Hoshino Miru often visited her company or rehearsal sites, while Sumita Mana frequently shared her recent experiences with him at school, sometimes even stealing bites of his bento.
Through all this back and forth, Hoshino Miru felt they should now be considered good friends.
This was why Toyokawa Sakiko had earlier felt the interaction between Hoshino Miru and Sumita Mana seemed somewhat intimate.
...
The piano music gradually stopped. Toyokawa Sakiko lowered her hands and took a deep breath.
She had just improvised Schubert's "Fantasy in F minor for Piano," and the level she displayed was actually better than usual.
"Wow, you played so beautifully! I don't think you're any worse than my previous teacher!" Sumita Mana clenched her small fists against her chest, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Toyokawa Sakiko. "Saki-chan, how long have you been learning piano?"
Toyokawa Sakiko wasn't quite used to Sumita Mana's familiarity, and recalled: "I've been learning for a long time, probably seven or eight years."
As she spoke, her eyes flashed with some sadness - the person who used to praise her was no longer here.
"Eh, doesn't that mean Saki-chan started learning piano when she was very young?" As if finding a common topic, Sumita Mana giggled. "Mana used to learn piano too, but ehehe... I guess I don't have talent for piano, so I went to participate in singing competitions instead."
Actually, the piano at home had been gathering dust for a long time. If she hadn't suddenly remembered it recently, it would probably continue serving as living room decoration.
Of course, Sumita Mana's sudden remembrance of having a piano at home wasn't on a whim - their recent new song required piano accompaniment.
According to her plan, she would secretly learn some piano, then use it as a secret weapon to surprise her good partner.
During the official performance, she would play piano while singing, gazing affectionately at her good partner, displaying elegance and perfect coordination to electrify the entire audience.
It was precisely because of this idea that Hoshino Miru had evaluated her as having a three-minute attention span.
Unaware of the inside story, Toyokawa Sakiko had just finished playing piano. She now felt both confident and somewhat hesitant, until she saw Hoshino Miru nearby and finally made up her mind.
"What do you think, Miss Sumita?" Toyokawa Sakiko took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, turning to look at Sumita Mana.
Toyokawa Sakiko knew she had no way back - this was the best opportunity.
"Saki-chan is being too formal! Just call me Mana!" Sumita Mana first expressed dissatisfaction, then felt embarrassed. "But Mana needs to discuss this for a bit. Don't worry though - I'll give you an answer soon!"
Toyokawa Sakiko thought she needed to discuss with family, but instead saw her pull Hoshino Miru's sleeve and lead him to the balcony.
"Miru, how long have you known her?" Sumita Mana lowered her voice, whispering to Hoshino Miru.
"Just met yesterday. Saw she was looking for work, so I thought of you." Hoshino Miru also whispered, though he had to lower his head slightly or he couldn't hear Sumita Mana's voice.
"I don't want that kind of 'thought of me.'" Sumita Mana pouted, but quickly recovered. "Her piano playing is indeed quite good - probably professional level."
Perhaps because they were whispering secrets, not wanting Toyokawa Sakiko to hear, the girl was very close. Hoshino Miru could smell her maiden fragrance, and his gaze easily fell on her fair collarbone and the full, soft little rabbits that were obviously more developed than girls her age.
Such loose guard was really too careless. Hoshino Miru reluctantly looked away.
Sumita Mana was completely unaware, still seriously discussing with Hoshino Miru.
"Mm, Mana can hire her, but you know Mana has a three-minute attention span. I might give up learning piano next month, and I'm usually busy with work, so I don't have much time to learn piano."
So you do have self-awareness!
But this was also true. Sumita Mana's current desire to learn piano was just a momentary enthusiasm that would eventually end in disappointment. Moreover, there were various troublesome idol work commitments - sometimes she couldn't even attend school.
If today weren't a rest day, Hoshino Miru wouldn't have seen her here. Many people needed appointments to find her - a little idol's schedule was completely packed.
Her enthusiasm for learning piano would probably only last a month or two.
Hoshino Miru turned back to look. At some point, Toyokawa Sakiko had moved to stand beside the grand piano, hands folded in front, fingers unconsciously fidgeting, eyes downcast, somewhat reserved and quietly waiting for his and Sumita Mana's discussion.
"How about I owe you a favor this time?" Hoshino Miru looked away and said softly.
"A favor or something feels kind of annoying." Sumita Mana sighed. "Do you really have to help her?"
"Her piano playing sounds quite nice." Hoshino Miru said quietly.
"Mana's singing also sounds good, and I'm cute too." Sumita Mana smiled as she stared at Hoshino Miru.
"I mean her level completely meets your requirements." Hoshino Miru immediately felt great pressure. "Anyway, you only want to learn for a while. If you seriously look for a piano teacher, you might not have the time. Why not pick someone..."
"That reason won't work. Don't try to brush off Mana." Sumita Mana extended her index finger and gently poked Hoshino Miru's cheek. "Tell Mana the truth. Even if you say you've taken a liking to her, Mana wouldn't mind."
Hoshino Miru was somewhat tempted, then felt the girl's poking force increase.
"Initially, I saw her getting soaked in the rain and felt sorry for her, so I thought I'd help her out." Hoshino Miru finally told the truth. "If possible, I'd also like to become friends with her."
Sumita Mana withdrew her finger and showed a brilliant smile: "Oh, so it's about making friends! In that case, Mana won't mind. After all, Miru has always been this type of person - wanting to greet everyone you see. It's really worrying."
Hoshino Miru's face darkened. What was wrong with greeting people? Whenever he greeted strangers, he might encounter system targets and get free rewards - it was obviously very meaningful!
However, since she didn't continue asking, Hoshino Miru wouldn't argue with her about it.
"But you know, Mana will accept this favor, so you better think of a good way to repay Mana in the future, okay?"
Sumita Mana smiled somewhat coyly, winking at Hoshino Miru while faintly showing two cute dimples.
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