The day after Atsuro visited her, where she received word from the school that she ought to talk about what she will do after graduating. Indeed it was already December; in just a few months, she would be graduating high school.
But going into school for a career talk was something she had never done before. After all this entire time, she worked hard to enter the entertainment industry, to be able to sing and make that her living. It was already a silently, acknowledged thing among her past teachers; that was why they never bothered with it.
The situation now is different. Nobody understands whether she wants to return to the entertainment industry for good. Sure she has been helping M5 out and composing songs for them. But she has yet to step onto the stage and sing. She even backs out on talk shows.
Sumire sighed as she slumped on the wall. Sanos office was in sight, but already she felt the strain on her legs. Maybe she ought to keep on using the crutches or wheelchair. It seems walking on her own two feet is still difficult.
The external wounds seem to have healed, but the internal ones haven’t, so she still struggles with basic walking. However, Sumire couldn’t help but think it was a blessing.
It is a good thing that only her legs got severely hurt. While she did have a head injury, and her arms did not go unaffected, they were less severe. She could still write/compose music. It was one of the first things she checked when she woke up, the state of her hands.
Even if it is hard for her to return to the stage, she doesn’t want anything to take away her ability to make music. These emotions that she has suppressed in her heart this entire time.
Her thoughts broke off when somebody extended their hand out. “Are you feeling okay?”
It was a woman with red hair, the same one she saw that time two months ago. But unlike the first time they met, there was something gentle about her appearance.
“I’m just taking a break.”
Penelope looked at her legs and nodded. The girl didn’t go away and leaned on the wall beside her. “Are you going to see Sano?”
“Mmm.”
“I see.”
This is awkward. After what happened, then Sumire did a bit of digging around and learned more about this woman. It seems she had a violent temper when it came to the women around Sano, but she was a kind person other than that. This woman could do what she couldn’t when she was dating Sano. She expresses her feelings vocally regarding her feelings about other women.
“About before, I apologize. I just heard a disturbing rumor about you that day, so when you showed up.”
Sumire shook her head. “You don’t have to explain. Your fiance openly shows he likes another woman, not just any woman but his ex. It is natural for you to feel uncomfortable.”
She had a hard time understanding this mindset until she thought of Yuhi. There was another ex she hadn’t met yet, Miyazawa Makino. It seems like, unlike Touko, Yuhi cared for her to a certain degree. Whenever she thought of it, it would make her mad, let alone see it in person.
“Girls can turn into a monster when it comes to the one they like. What you did then was display your emotions like a human; nobody can judge you for that.”
At those words, Penelope blinked before she burst into laughter. “I didn’t think you would say that.”
“I didn’t say those words for you to laugh.”
“Sorry, sorry. But I see; indeed, you are interesting.” The girl extended her hand out. “Although it is awkward, I would like to be your friend.”
Sumire stared at the girl’s hand before she decided. “No.”
“Uh.”
“I mean, look at it this way, if we became friends, the media would say something like I am getting close to you so I can break off your relationship with Sano. If that happens, something more troublesome will happen.” She sighed at the thought.
If something troublesome happens, her dearest will end up troubled again. She doesn’t want to continue causing issues for him, especially when it concerns his romantic rivals.
Penelope shrugged. “Ibuki-san, you care for the media too much. With your status, you could crush them like a fly.”
Sumire knew what was she was implying. This girl isn’t talking about her status in the entertainment industry but the underworld.
“Before you ask, I have seen you around. My grandfather works in those circles too. He brought me a few times.”
“Your grandfather?”
“In those circles, he calls himself Feng.”
Recognition flashed through her eyes after she heard Penelope say those words. So that old man that helped her and ru before was Penlopes grandfather?
“The world works in twisted ways,” Sumire commented. “I thought you were another stupid heiress.”
Penelope’s sweat fell. “Ibuki-san, you are harsh.”
“I would apologize, but that would mean lying.”
“To be honest, I guess there was a time I was like that.” Penelope chose her words carefully. “There was a time where I was your typical heiress who didn’t care about anything but money, fame, and status. A time where I thought the world belonged to me, and I could get anything I wanted just because I was rich.”
“But something changed?”
Penelope nodded. “It was Sano who changed me.”
Sumire raised her eyebrows. “Sano, change you.” She repeated. She looked at the woman with a questioning gaze, and Penelope’s sweat fell.
“Ibuki-san, you should know since you dated him, but he has his good points.”
“He does, but it is hard for me to accept that he changed another person, especially with that enlarged ego of his.”
Sumire was about to say something else when somebody lifted her off her feet. It was the man she was bad-mouthing just a few seconds ago. He seemed disturbed by her words but placed his hand on her forehead.
“You still have a bit of a fever; you can rest in my office before you go to school.”
“Mmm, you knew?”
“They contacted me.” He shrugged off his doctor’s coat and draped it across her shoulders. “Why are you wearing so little? You’re going to catch a cold.”
“It was hard to change.”
“I will find you something suitable to wear when you go out.”
Sumire had an indescribable look in her eyes when she heard those words. He is the typical gentleman type, the complete opposite of Yuhi, a hooligan. But even then, her heart doesn’t beat around him.
