Umiri Yahata and Nyamu Yūtenji

...

Hellooo~

Oh, Umiko, you're here. What are you doing?

Studying for a quiz. I have one tomorrow.

Huh~ Sounds rough.

It is part of being a student. It cannot be helped.

Please do not mind me. I would like to finish this while I can.

Good luck~

Here.

...

...

...

Wait... Have you made any progress at all?

That is a coincidence.

But your pen has not moved this whole time.

No. I'm just stuck on this one problem...

Lemme see your textbook for a sec~

Whoa, math. Are you bad at it, Umiko? That's kind of surprising.

No, I'm good at math. This problem's just taking me a little longer... I mean, please don't just look at my work without asking.

Huh~ So this is where your school's at right now. It's pretty hard.

What about your school, Yūtenji-san?

Mine~? I guess it is going okay...

But compared to a regular school, we get graded on assignments and reports too, not just tests.

That is helpful for people like us, who are busy with things outside of school.

Seriously.

A lot of people at my school are doing all kinds of activities, you know? So it really helps that they make it easier for us to keep up.

You are in the Theater Department, right? Do you have special classes?

Yeah. We have acting lessons, classroom stuff on how to analyze plays... And sometimes we have to go see a play and write a report on it.

I see. It really is different from a regular high school.

But we still have to be graded properly, so you need actual skill in your own way~

Every school has its difficulties.

Yeah, I guess that's true.

May I have that back now...?

Oh, sorry!

...

(Oh, now she's writing like it's nothing. So she really was just stuck on that one problem.)

(Maybe I should at least do some prep too...)

...

Huh? Umiko?

Yūtenji-san. What a coincidence.

Wait... Were you trying to come over to my place again?

No. I had work around here. I just finished a little while ago.

And you, Yūtenji-san... Those sunglasses are quite the look. Enjoying your day off, I take it?

No. I'm just trying not to get recognized.

Actually, shouldn't you at least disguise yourself too? People might figure out you're Timoris.

I do not mind being recognized. I have no reason to run or hide.

Right... Okay.

Anyway. See you.

Since we ran into each other here, it must be fate. I will join you.

Huh? You really do not have to.

How cold.

That's not what I mean... I'm just going to the supermarket.

The supermarket.

Yeah. I'm out of stuff in the fridge, so I need groceries.

You wear sunglasses to go to the supermarket...?

What? Got a problem with that?

Of course not.

That aside... I didn't know you were the type to cook for yourself, Yūtenji-san.

I assumed influencers mostly ate fancy, photogenic meals out.

No way. Only a tiny handful of people can eat like that all the time.

People are always like, "Can't you just write it off?" but it's not like you get all the money back.

I see. A behind-the-scenes struggle.

Anyway, what about you, Umiko? Do you cook or anything?

Simple things, yes. I make sure I get enough nutrients.

Huh. Kind of surprising.

If I want to perform at my best, it makes sense.

True. That counts as beauty care too. Makes calories easier to track.

When it comes down to it, self-management pays off.

But when you're busy, even that gets hard~

Wait, I don't have time to stand around chatting. I said I need to go to the supermarket.

Yes. That is why I said I would join you.

Huh?

I happen to be running low on a few things myself. I will do my shopping here too.

Seriously?

Is there a problem?

No... not really... But once we're inside, we split up. Being seen with you could give me away too.

That is true. Understood.

Then I will see you later.

...

You took a while.

(I tried to lose her by coming out later...)

That is quite a large bag. What did you buy?

Hey...! Don't look without asking!

Eggs, tofu, king oyster mushrooms... A very homey lineup.

They're for quick recipes. They're good for beauty too. Anyway, what did you buy...

Huh? What is all this?

Just what it looks like. Protein powder and nutritional supplements.

No, where are the ingredients? You said you cook.

I do. I make protein shakes.

That makes it a quick, beauty-friendly recipe too.

If that puts me on the same page as you, Yūtenji-san, I suppose my instincts were not bad.

Yeah... Sure. Let's go with that.

...

*Sigh*...

Oh, Yūtenji-san. Good morning.

Oh, Umiko. Hey, you have to hear this~!

I am working right now. I will give you attention later.

So, you know how I had the morning off today?

Hm.

I've been super busy lately, so I figured I might as well treat myself and went to get a hand treatment.

It was a pretty popular place, and I got a reservation right away, so I was like, "lucky me♪"

That is good to hear.

But then... The person doing my treatment was one of Nyamuchi's followers!!

I see.

I was like, seriouslyyy?! I mean, of course I am happy when fans get excited, and I am grateful for the support, but...

But still, I just couldn't relax, you know? I couldn't say anything weird in front of a fan, so I was being super careful the whole time~

I see.

It honestly just made me more tired... I went there to relax, so it totally defeated the purpose.

Hmm...

Could you not have told her? That you would rather not talk much. You can make requests like that at hair salons too, right?

No, that would make me look bad.

What about switching to a different salon...?

After I was already there? And saying, "I'm canceling because you're a fan," would be way too rude.

Then perhaps you could ask who you will be assigned to when you book...

"Hello? I just wanted to ask, are any of your staff Nyamuchi's followers?" Like that...? What is that supposed to be, a flex?

...

Then we are at a dead end. I cannot think of a solution.

I wasn't asking you for a solution, though.

Weren't you?

Nope. I just wanted to vent a little.

Hm.

It's hard to complain about stuff like this to just anyone, you know?

You are venting to me right now.

You're different. You're one of us.

Hmm...

That is not a bad feeling.

If we are close enough to complain to each other, that means we are trusted teammates.

Huh?

In that case, it would be rude if I did not share a complaint too. Let's see. My recent complaint would be...

(Ugh, here she goes...)

Oh! I just remembered I have something to do! I'm heading out now~

Come on. Don't be like that. Let's talk some more.

Come on, get back to work, Umiko~!