kscans

Chapter 160 - I Saw the Stars

(The whole culture of enjoying idols...)

Isn't it something people get too worked up about? If you go all the way back to the root word, icon, then it might be a serious discussion, but that's not it, is it. Well, I guess the Love★Pan crew are pretty deeply involved with that original meaning of idol. But on the surface, they're just normal idols, right?

"You just buy their music on CD or through streaming, listen to it, and check out the shows they appear on. That's all there is to it."

I'm pretty sure they have an official channel, so checking that out is an option too. Other than that, you just go to their concerts, buy merch... That's what being a fan is all about, right? It's not like it's something that really needs to be taught.

"That's the part!!" they both shouted.

What part!?

"Even what you call the obvious... is a high hurdle for us."

"Why? If you started liking them, you must have seen them on TV or something, right?"

"...Yes, on a music show that just happened to be on."

"...For me, it was a variety show."

According to them, that sparked their interest, but they were too embarrassed to look them up or buy their music. Seriously? Why? That was my honest reaction.

"Getting absorbed in a show with idols on it while my wife is around... that's, well, embarrassing, isn't it?"

"You could just watch it in your private room. Even without a TV, you can watch television on your smartphone or PC."

"Yes, but what if my wife were to come into the room?"

"The same goes for my smartphone. I have a lock on my work phone, but not my personal one."

"Indeed. Mine is locked, but I've told my wife the password to show I have nothing to hide."

"It would be a disaster if she happened to peek at it."

"Are you guys teenage boys hiding adult videos from your parents...?"

Wait a second. Were these two old guys really this shy? That's ridiculous. I've been to places with pretty ladies with both of them individually.

"That was work related. My time with you... well, it's closer to a private matter."

"Still, maintaining a good relationship with a subordinate is also related to work."

"But this time is different. This is entirely personal. Work is not involved in any way."

"...When it comes to that, I suddenly feel guilty."

What a couple of workaholics...

"At this rate, I'm going to have to keep helping you forever."

"We don't intend to trouble you that much."

"...It's the first step, that first single step, that's difficult."

"That's why we want you to hold our hand."

"If we could be so bold, we'd like you to stick with us until we can stand on our own two feet."

The two of them placed their hands on the desk and bowed their heads, pleading with me. ...Refusing them after they've gone this far wouldn't be very manly of me.

"Alright. I'll do what little I can to help you both enjoy being fans without any hang ups."

"Satou-kun...!!" they exclaimed.

"Well, it wouldn't feel right to do it for free, so as a matter of principle, you guys will cover any expenses."

"Of course! You've been a huge help, truly!!" they both said.

"You're exaggerating. Anyway, you two, do you have any plans for tonight?"

"Nothing in particular," they replied in unison.

"Then why don't you come over to my place? We can watch videos, listen to some music, and all that stuff there."

The first thing to tackle is removing their psychological resistance. Their excessive concern about what others think probably stems from a problem with their own perception. If I can get rid of that, I think they'll be able to enjoy being fans normally. To do that, I'll need to get them used to a few things.

"Understood. However, doesn't your relative's child live with you?"

"It's fine. We'll be in my room, and it's well soundproofed."

It shouldn't disturb Saku-chan while she's studying.

"Alright. In that case, we'll take you up on your kind offer."

"We'll be in your care."

And so it was decided. I spent the rest of my lunch break listening to them talk, then went back to work.

"Well then, shall we go?"

"Yes," they both said.

And so, after work, I met up with them at a station away from the office and we got on the train. We could have just walked out of the company together... they're truly hardcore. We got off at the station near my house, bought dinner at a bento shop, and headed to my place. It would be weird for me to be the only one eating a meal made by Saku-chan, so I had contacted her beforehand. I could have asked her to make enough for them too, but while Saku-chan wouldn't mind, they would.

"Welcome home. Hero Uncle, and you are?"

"Ah. This is Saijou-san and Higashi-san."

"My name is Ayase Sakuya."

When I bowed my head and said that Sakuya was always a great help to her uncle, the two men looked at me as if they were seeing something unbelievable.

"...What is it?"

"Well, you see... we heard she was your relative, so..."

Are you tired of that reaction yet?

"We thought she must be a good kid, but... you know?"

"Yes. We heard she was a high school student, so regardless of her personality, we imagined her appearance would be more, well, delinquent?"

"How rude. You two. Apologize to Saku-chan."

"Ah, you're right. We said something rude. We're very sorry."

"No, please don't worry about it. Well then, Hero Uncle, I'll be in my room. Let me know if you need anything."

"Sorry about this."

With that, Saku-chan disappeared into her room.

"Alright, let's head to my room."

"Yes. But my goodness. This is my first time visiting a subordinate's home like this."

"It's my first time inviting anyone over like this too."

When we got to my room, a low table and some tea were sitting in the center, likely prepared by Saku-chan. I didn't even ask her to... seriously, she's such a thoughtful kid. Impressed, I started up my PC and accessed the official Love★Pan website.

"Looks like you can listen to a few songs for free, so how about we eat while we listen to those?"

When I suggested it, they accepted, though they seemed a bit restless.

"But my, you bought three bentos. Can you really eat all that?"

"And they're all large portions..."

"The rumor is that Satou-kun is in a growth spurt."

Tonight's dinner was a large beef yakiniku bento, a large pork shogayaki bento, and a large fried chicken bento. An invincible formation featuring three kinds of meat. My satisfaction was guaranteed before I even took a bite. By the way, the two of them were having high class makunouchi bento with pork miso soup. Such a fitting choice, it made me laugh. But the fact that they chose pork miso soup over regular miso soup hinted at their excitement.

"Let's eat."

The three of us put our hands together and began our meal. I was just digging into my bento, muttering about how good it was, but...

(These two seem like their minds are elsewhere.)

They must be preoccupied with the music. They were distracted, their chopsticks moving slowly. They really are hooked...

"By the way, what was it about Love★Pan that you two liked?"

"..."

The two of them looked at each other and nodded. It seemed their reasons were similar. I'd had a feeling, but when work isn't involved, don't these two get along surprisingly well?

"It made me remember the stars."

"The stars...?"

Looking a little embarrassed, Saijou-san began to talk about his childhood.

"One night, my father suddenly said we were going for a drive. As a child, I didn't even think about where we were going. I was just excited to be going out with my father. We ended up at a plateau about two hours from our house. And there, I saw the stars."

His father prompted him to look up, and young Saijou-san was captivated by the countless stars glittering in the night sky. He stared at their sparkling light, completely losing track of time.

"Higashi-san, you too?"

"Yes. In my case, however, it was a starry sky I saw alone."

For him, it was on his way home from cram school. As he was dragging his exhausted body down the dark street, he happened to look up at the night sky. He said it was so beautiful that he found himself crying before he knew it.

"A beautiful memory, isn't it? But you see, both Saijou and I had completely forgotten about it."

"Watching those girls singing and dancing their hearts out on the other side of the screen made me remember."

They both smiled shyly, saying they were captivated by a brilliance that reminded them of the starry sky they had looked up at that time. What a nice story... a really nice story... But because it's such a nice story, it's like... you know? For me, who knows their true identities...

(...My chest really hurts for some reason.)