Chapter 167
After hearing her daughter's response, Minami Hiyoko opened the door and stepped into the room.
Hiyoko froze for a moment when she saw her daughter sitting perched on the head of the bed.
"Kotori, what's the matter?"
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"No... it's nothing... Mother... why are you suddenly asking me that?"
Feeling her mother's gaze fixed upon her, Kotori averted her eyes, a sense of guilt washing over her.
"I saw that your face was very red, so I thought you might be coming down with the flu!"
Hiyoko offered an elegant smile, then walked closer and sat down beside Kotori.
"I've been so busy with work lately that I haven't been able to check on your dance practice."
"How is it... is everything going smoothly... eh..."
Hiyoko had originally intended to ask if Kotori's dance practice was going well, but she suddenly spotted something truly extraordinary!
On her daughter's skirt, there was actually a strand of hair?
Short, black hair!? Could it be...
For a split second, Hiyoko's mind associated the find with a certain possibility, but outwardly, she pretended to notice nothing at all.
"I only stopped by to ask if your practice has been going well lately."
"Mother... we've been practicing very hard, it's just that we don't know how many people will actually show up at the venue to support us tomorrow."
Hearing her daughter's words, Hiyoko smiled gently and said:
"It doesn't matter how many people come to support you. What matters most is that you've given it your absolute best effort."
"Leave the rest to time. Believe that God will grant you rewards equal to your hard work."
"I actually wanted to go and cheer for you, but the Department of Education is holding a meeting tomorrow afternoon that I'm required to attend, so I came early to offer my apologies."
"It's okay, Mother. Work is more important. You can come and cheer for us when we perform on another stage next time."
"Kotori, you really are such a gentle and considerate girl. Whoever marries you in the future will surely be very happy."
Upon hearing her mother's words, Kotori's thoughts suddenly wavered. She immediately looked away, her voice sounding panicked and tense:
"Mother, why... why are you suddenly talking about that?"
"I... I'm still young, I'm still just a high school student."
"Marriage... and things like that, are still a long way off."
"It may seem far away now, but a girl will face that day sooner or later. Let's not discuss this anymore. I have to go to the office to process some documents. I've already prepared the bathwater, so if you're free, Kotori, you should go take a bath now."
"Thank you, Mother. If... if that's the case, I'll go bathe first."
Minami Kotori got off the bed, and that single strand of hair clinging to her body fell to the floor.
Watching her daughter grab some clothes and walk toward the bathroom, Hiyoko leaned over and picked up the hair.
"My daughter... really has grown up, it seems."
Looking at the strand of hair in her hand, an unreadable smile played on Hiyoko's face.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the next day arrived. Today was the important day when Minami Kotori and her friends would hold their first official performance in the school auditorium.
When the afternoon bell signaled the end of school, Takamine Mineo arrived at the main gate exactly on time.
Seeing a handsome man suddenly appear at the school gate, the female students who were just heading home immediately cast curious glances his way.
"Hey, hey, look over there! There's a really handsome guy."
"Why did he come to our school gate? Could he be here to pick up his girlfriend?"
"That guy has such a great aura. Should we go ask for his number?"
"Maybe he's just here to pick up his younger sister, right?"
Just as Mineo was enjoying the view of the students heading home, a soft but slightly teasing voice sounded from beside him.
"Are they that beautiful to look at?"
"Or should I call everyone over here so Mineo-kun can enjoy the beautiful scenery from up close?"
Mineo turned his head, looking at Tojo Nozomi with a slightly awkward expression.
"Nozomi-chan, why are you here?"
"I feel like Mineo-kun is asking a very strange question. This is the school where I study, so isn't it perfectly normal for me to be here?"
Nozomi looked at Mineo with a bright smile.
"Does Mineo-kun feel like my presence here is interfering with your enjoyment of looking at the pretty girls in our school?"
"If you feel like I'm in the way, I can always step aside for a moment."
Hearing Nozomi's words, Mineo smiled helplessly and said:
"I'm not looking at the students at all. I'm clearly waiting for Kotori and the others."
"Even though I have the entry pass in my hand, I still have to wait for them to come out and get me so I can enter the school."
"It seems Mineo-kun won't be able to wait for Minami-san and the others."
Nozomi walked up to Mineo and said with a smile:
"I happened to run into them on the way."
"I knew they were coming to get you, so I told them to go straight to the auditorium backstage to prepare for the show. As for the task of welcoming Mineo-kun, just leave it to me."
"Would Mineo-kun like to come inside with me?"
Hearing Nozomi's words, Mineo couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Of course I have to go in. If I don't, am I supposed to just stand out here and whistle in the wind?"
Nozomi smiled gently, then walked toward the guard post. After greeting the security guard on duty, she waved her hand at Mineo.
"It's all set. Mineo-kun, come in with me!"
"Alright, I'm coming!"
Mineo stepped into the school grounds. After seeing the handsome youth walk off with the student council vice president, Nozomi-senpai, many girls standing at the gate felt as if they were being forced to experience a breakup.
"Is Tojo-senpai that guy's girlfriend?"
"That can't be right, can it? I just started falling in love, am I heartbroken already?"
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