Are You the Same Girl?

Chapter 132: S2 Episode 31 - Are You the Same Girl?

'What did she just ask me?' Keiko thought to herself as she felt her face twitch at this question.

To others, it may have seemed like a simple question that didn't have much meaning to it, but it was definitely something that couldn't be taken light-heartedly.

This was a question that could either make or break her and her team. If she'd decided to choose the wrong answer to the question, it'd be clear that the reporters and public would use it against her. Her careful planning and consideration would've been for naught.

Although Keiko appeared as a courageous and self-assured girl to the public, those watching could see that the graceful smile she once had was taken over by a grievous face that could scare one away.

Only those who watched and could understand the context of this situation noticed the shift in the expression on Michiko Keiko's face. She still appeared as a lovely young girl, but a bright smile now replaced her strong-willed persona. But behind that bright smile this girl had, it was the smile that shot poison daggers at an enemy.

She couldn't correct the reporter live in front of an audience since it would seem that she'd be admitting to the question if she tried to avoid it, so she had no choice but to answer it. Now, everyone's eyes were on her. Her teammates, the opposing team, their families, and millions of others watched as this girl readied her answer.

"No, we are not superior to Team Tennouji, if that's what you're asking. They are our seniors so it is only fair that they are superior to us since they have much more experience than I and my teammates do," Keiko answered carefully yet confidently to get herself out of this predicament. She believed that it was safe enough for the reporter to end it there, but the reporter didn't relent to her surprise.

"Hm… but how would you feel if you were a high schooler going against a middle schooler? That would feel very *strange*, no?" The reporter asked, to which the expression on Keiko's face got even darker in response.

Just what were they trying to ask? Were they trying to get a rise out of her by requesting this in front of the public? Did they want her to say the wrong thing and ruin the reputation they'd built?

For some reason, it seemed like Michiko Keiko was asked tricky and controversial questions than Tennouji Mari, who was asked a question about her dream. Why was this?

Before Keiko could respond, she pondered this thought.

Why was she asked these types of questions?

Glancing at the reporter who held the microphone to her mouth, she noticed a smirk appear on the reporter's face as if it read: "Gotcha!"

The reporter hid the smirk behind the friendly smile she showed her, which only made Keiko's eyebrows furrow. She'd read the expression of the reporter before as being captivated by how she presented herself. Yet, here the reporter was, smirking to herself as she held the microphone, anticipating Keiko to slip up.

When Keiko noticed that, only one answer came to mind when she put the pieces together.

'Could it be?'

Keiko glanced to the side where Tennouji Mari stood. She had the confident face she always had, but a malicious smirk took over that confident face this time. She absolutely couldn't believe it.

"Hah!" Keiko gave out a laugh which only confused the reporter and the people watching her.

'Wow, to do something like this… You may even be crueler than me,' Keiko hid her vicious smile behind her hand to mask her thoughts. She wanted to burst out laughing at that moment but figured that she didn't want to be viewed as an unstable girl.

When she saw the reporter and heard her outrageous questions, it was evident that they were anticipating for Keiko to fall into their trap and play along in their game. But she didn't want to play anymore.

"So, is that what this is?" Keiko spouted, keeping her composure from flying away.

The eyes of the audience and the reporter were glued onto this girl as she spoke. Just what was she saying?

"What do you mean?" The reporter inquired about the girl, who now had a severe expression that could poison someone with a look, yet Keiko masked it despite how contorted her face looked in real life.

"Truly, it is quite funny how you're asking me such preposterous questions. If anything, I'd probably enjoy being asked questions like "what my dream is." I would surely move the audience with my words too, don't you think?" Keiko mocked fearlessly, glowering her eyes at the reporter who gulped in nervousness.

"W-what do you mean, Michiko Keiko? Are you mocking the words of Tennouji Mari?" The reporter asked, trying to gather her courage against this fearless 14-year-old girl. Keiko crossed her arms and presented a chilling glare in her bright blue eyes. It was unlike anyone had ever seen before.

"Not quite, but it does seem like you're mocking me and my teammates. Are you not?" The young girl asked back, which made everyone else more confused.

"How am I mocking you? I'm asking you easy-to-answer questions. Isn't it you that's overreacting?" The reporter raised her eyebrows at the girl, to which everyone awaited her response.

Some had no idea what was happening in this situation, while some could only assume what was happening based on the previous context.

Keiko boldly flipped her long brown hair to the side before responding. No more was she playing nice. This was much worse than she had thought. She never even expected this kind of situation. She'd already played so much in this *little* game.

"Are they *really* easy to answer questions? If those questions are *so easy* to answer, how about I ask you a few myself?" Keiko said sharply, enunciating her words. Her words had spiky thorns on them that could make anyone blunder. Such a strong yet intimidating aura coming out of a 14-year-old girl made it unbelievable.

Was this still the Michiko Keiko that garnered the hearts of the public?