Stealing Spree

The director's words undoubtedly alerted my girls. Even Kaoru had her eyes widen a bit as she quickly made a move, attempting to stop the director.

Unfortunately, she was a second too late since the woman was already convinced of my identity.

Avid fan or not, my existence was special to those in the know. If it went public, it could either be a boon or a curse for Yue's career.

In any case, with the hint of fanaticism present in the woman's eyes, I doubt she'd be someone who'd maliciously spread that knowledge.

And so, my response was a small smile, conveying my acknowledgement.

"Director, you're sharp as ever."

Yue said as she put herself between us. For sure, her first instinct was to protect me from being interrogated and the next was to also acknowledge the director's correct guess.

Noticing that I wasn't against admitting to it, her deep desire to tell other people about us has been granted.

Although it's just the director who she probably worked closely with like Kaoru-san, she's still someone else outside of our relationship.

This was what she was hoping for when she confessed to me back then. To make our relationship official. Although it would still be contained, it's enough for Yue's current satisfaction level.

"Oh my. Anyone not deluded about the truthfulness of your confession can easily link him to your source of inspiration." The director replied as she dropped her attempt to close in further to me.

Her curiosity reminds me of Otsuka-senpai but I guess hers is more subdued.

"You're flattering me, director. It is Yue's hard work that brought her current fame. I actually feel bad that I might ruin it for her."

"Perceptive. I like that. But you know what? This girl has already honed her craft in keeping it subtle while pushing everyone to the edge of their seat. Her constant mention of her source of inspiration brought her more fame than disgrace. Her fans tripled within the past month and following with the release of her new song, her avid supporters also grew."

Wait. That's what happened? Even though Yue always updated me on what's happening around, I never expected her fanbase to triple let alone gather more avid fans. Because anyone with a right head would immediately understand that Yue was showing the characteristics of a maiden deep in love.

On top of that, with most of the songs just a poetic retelling of her experiences with me, it wouldn't take long for them to craft a theory about our story.

"I'm glad to hear that. That's why I decided not to hide in obscurity anymore and show my support here... Still, director, I hope we can be more discreet. Today, treat me the same as everyone, a mere spectator to her resplendent figure."

"I think I'm not the one you should talk to about that... Asahi-chan, don't hug him so tightly, I won't steal him from you."

With her gaze lowering down to Yue who already wrapped her arms around me, the director ended that with a coy laugh before putting both of her hands on her coat pockets.

"By the way, I haven't heard of your name yet."

"Onoda Ruki. Please take care of Yue for me, director." I swiftly answered.

I patted Yue's head before reciprocating her embrace.

The director meaningfully nodded before turning around to return to where the others were standing, giving us the space.

Well, nothing out of the ordinary happened after that.

We sat down on the couches while the director briefed the girls about the recording.

Yue and Kaoru-san helped Akane and Miho convey some of their requests which the director approved upon deliberating for a while.

As for Yua and me, we just watched in silence while the girl sneakily closed in on me, taking the chance that their attention wasn't on us.

Around fifteen minutes later, the director wrapped up the small meeting and prepared to leave the room. She's going to the recording room first and task the staff to set up what Yue and the others would need.

In the meantime, the three would use this room to rehearse. I mean, we're in a rehearsal room. On one side of the room, a live booth was already set up along with instruments, microphone stands, and other related devices such as amplifiers and speakers.

Although no control panel could assist them, we could sit or stand outside that booth and listen to them perform.

But well, they didn't do it right away.

When Kaoru-san excused herself to get us some refreshments and maybe to check about what happened to that guy earlier, the girls didn't waste a second to cuddle with me -- making the excuse that they were nervous and they wanted to regenerate Hiyori's so-called Ruki Energy.

Yue was particularly more aggressive than the other three since she couldn't do a lot in the Nagamine's noodle shop. And Yua stepped back after getting a kiss since she knew she would get more chances with me when the recording started.

Although we couldn't do something overly indecent, I got pinned by them on the couch as they all got a turn to ride on my lap.

Anyway, apart from a short steamy session with them, we also talked about the matter at hand.

Miho requested to play the song live and only use minimal accompaniment or enhancement.

Akane, on the other hand, requested to share the same microphone with Yue. Since the lyrics they wrote were like two individual stories weaved into one, they're going for the effect of Akane's voice received by the left ear and Yue, the right ear.

Actually, they already sang it to me last night, and even though it was over the phone and only Akane was with me, it was such a surreal experience.

I felt like I returned to those times when their story took place and assumed the character to whom the lyrics were dedicated.

Uh. Technically, it's their love song for me so... that's probably why I vividly experienced it like that.

As for whether it would create the same effect after the recording and heard by countless ears, I had no idea. But I am optimistic that it's once again going to be a hit.

Not only that, Akane's identity which would remain anonymous would become a hot topic for days to come after release. Of course, Miho whose music could be hailed as ethereal and would also sing a bit as a backup might get the same treatment.

And in the near future, Yua who would play in the music video was also going to explode in popularity.

Alright. That's enough daydreaming...

Once the girls became satisfied, the three of them started practicing as we waited for the director's call.

When Kaoru-san returned, she didn't disturb the girls but informed me about what she picked up outside.

"Onoda-kun. We're in trouble."

That's what she started with after handing us a bottle of tea.

"I think someone other than the director has spread the word about you. I was stopped by an acquaintance asking me about your identity. At this moment a lot of people are staking outside to see you."

I see. Word spreads fast. We underestimated Yue's popularity. She's the hot topic these days so it should be a no-brainer to think that any guy appearing around her would always be suspected as the one she mentioned in those interviews.

I understand Kaoru-san's concern and she might even be criticizing herself again. But the situation isn't really that dire and impossible to escape from.

If we managed to keep up the illusion that there's nothing going on with us in school, we could also use the same method here.

Or hopefully, we can. We'll see.