Othello

After she spoke with Masaru-senpai on the hill, Sumire was not in the mood to return to class. Her attendance record is already quite bad, so she doubts this will make a difference. She wandered around outside for a few minutes before she decided to head to the library.

She knew she wouldn't be able to handle morning lessons due to feeling drowsy. Being an idol is hard work; after all, no, let's rephrase that. No being a newbie idol on the verge of debuting is difficult.

Since it involves self-promotion, she has to accept whatever job, no matter how difficult or not rewarding the work is, just to get her name out there.

Moreover, the president is such a slave driver. Why is he giving her so many important events? 'I did manage to reject most of the offers, but-' She is an unusual case and has no manager, so she ought to put in more effort.

Her career is first, and then everything else. However, she is indebted to Aki. Right now, the situation with the underworld society is not stable; she has to help him out. It seems like Ru still hasn't returned; maybe she can stall time here until he comes back. She has something to discuss regarding that fight she stopped yesterday.

The conversation she had with Masaru remained firmly in her mind. Even if nobody mentions Yuhi, she will end up doing so. Her thoughts always lead back to that person.

Sumire slumped on the desk, her book still in front of her. She was well aware that as a specialty school when students go to the library. It usually means brushing up on your skills and stuff; that's the norm here. Yet Sumire knew that she liked this better, sitting in the library and reading.

Moreover, the atmosphere in the classroom feels more suffocating than before. Is it due to the news of her debut? It's normal for her peers to feel a wall between herself and them, but many people have debuted in their class.

She can't even count the number of people in the entertainment industry with her fingertips in this school. The reason they are so hostile is probably 'That girl is debuting? Why somebody like her?'

Ru's fangirls have increased, too; she is having even more of a hard time. That guy probably has no idea since he is always rushing off. If Ru finds out, he will most likely do whatever he can and defend her. But, she does not want to continue burdening him with her problems.

Sumire shook her head; no, no, this won't do.

The last time she saw Ru, he looked really worn out. He's probably going through more than she is; she has to pull through.

Something else occurred during the training camp rather than Daiki's confession. She argued with Ru regarding Sei-kun.

Even though she had fixed things up with Ru, sometimes there are occasions when it becomes difficult to talk to him.

The topic concerning Sei-kun. Ru was very angry then; it was the first time she saw that look in his eyes, even if it may end up being rude and wrong.

Sumire knew that the next time she saw Sei, she would have to excuse herself. She understood why he was being cautious to a degree and why he was getting angry. However, Sei-kun isn't a bad person.

Even with his split personality, she accepted both sides long ago. After all, no matter what Sei-kun is Sei-kun. But Rus warning aside, there was that stranger's warning too.

Her thoughts broke off when she felt somebody place a book on her head.

"Deeply sighing while reading a book, I see."

Sumire turned around to spot blonde and spiky hair, "Sei-kun?"

This person is Kudou Sei; he is a member of Nanairo feather, the group she composes for.

She finds herself backing away slightly. Uh oh, what does she do? If Mamoru sees them alone again, he will get angry for sure.

"Uhh, erm, sorry. I just remembered that I needed to turn in this one English assignment. So I need to go back to the classroom now".

Sei suddenly pouts. "Eh, what's this Neko-chan? Do you hate me? Did I do something bad?"

Sei-kun, his personality is unbelievably amazing. He's calling her by that old nickname too.

Sumire shook her head. "No, it's not that I hate you. It's just that I'm a bit scared."

"Scared?"

"Actually, I met somebody in the park not too long ago. They said a lot of stuff about you. Oh, I'm not judging you based on that-" Sumire rambled.

This wasn't a lie, but it is not the complete truth either. But she does not want to mention it and strain their friendship.

Sei took a seat opposite her. "Hmm, you do make a point. What are you reading?"

Her face color drained completely then. What does she do? He took a seat. Although she does not believe in that mysterious man's words, she believes in superstition. The guy said she ought to stay away from Sei-kun for at least ninety days.

Including when she last saw him in the training camp, only sixty days had passed. She thought as long as he remained in star class, they would not have to meet, but this is-

"Hehe, he Shakespeare? Out of all his works. Othello is my favorite."

"Do you like tragedies?" Sumire said, surprised. It is hard to imagine Sei-kun as a tragedy fan.

Then again, who would have thought that the kind Sei-kun would have a split personality?

"Yeah, whenever I read stories like this, it feels real. In this one, a man is consumed by envy, suspects the woman he loves, and in the end, it all falls apart."

Sumire stopped herself from saying, 'What a beautiful tragedy.'

"Anyway, is there a reason you are fidgeting so much?" Sei commented.

Since when did Sei-kun become this sharp? Then again, in the first place, out of all the others. She never really truly did get to know him properly before.

"You're like Desdemona after all, aren't ya? You are paranoid that her Othello might come to the scene."

Most people would usually be confused by that sort of context. However, she had read the book and understood what he was implying.

But even so, how can he say that about her and Mamoru?

"We are different from those two."

That's right, she and Ru are not a couple; they just happen to be close. The first time they actually met is a blur to her, but he was always by her side before she knew it.

"Othello's jealous, no? And the cause behind this jealousy is an obsession."

She shook her head. "That doesn't make us like them."

Sei leaned on his hand as he looked over at her. "Hmm, whenever Othello sees you with me. He gets raged with envy. That's probably because your boyfriend has no faith in you, right?"

At that, those words, her cheeks immediately colored. "Boyfriend?"

W-what? This is not the first time she hears somebody misunderstand her relationship with Ru. But, she suddenly felt self-conscious.

Sei's eyes widened when he saw her reaction. "Eh? He isn't. I seriously thought with the way you guys are close enough that he was."

"Uh, I really wouldn't consider him my boyfriend."