I Was Falsely Confessed to and Exposed in Front of Everyone, so I Jumped off the Roof - Chapter 10

Kagiroi-san has been coming over to my place lately. I heard she rented an apartment nearby.

“I uploaded it to git, so check it out.”

“Got it. I’ll take a look.”

We’d been working together online, but meeting face-to-face really is more efficient. We set up a whiteboard in the living room and put in a big work desk. It feels a bit like a startup. And it’s kind of fun. Yeah, doing this makes things fun.

“What’s wrong? You look clouded.”

Kagiroi-san looked at me with concern. I shook my head.

“I’m not fully myself yet. But it’s okay. I’ll be okay.”

The flashbacks are under control thanks to the ssri. Still, some moments shake me completely, and I’m scared to show that to her.

“Next news. It has been announced that a famous entertainer has been found dead at home. A note was found, indicating suicide…”

My fingers froze as the news played on the TV.

“Don’t tell me!”

Kagiroi-san immediately turned off the TV and came over to me.

“This isn’t about you. You’re okay. Really, you’re okay.”

She stroked my back and hugged my head. The soft touch pushed my fear away a little. But still…

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“It’s fine! It’s okay!”

I’m still not okay. I can’t go back to normal. That crushes me inside. Am I going to stay like this forever? Keep showing this pitiful and embarrassing side of myself? If that’s the case… maybe it would be better if…

“It’s fine. It’s okay. Just being here is enough.”

Kagiroi-san was crying. I couldn’t cry. I was too caught up in myself, and that made me feel weak. What should I do? What can I do?

♢ ♢ ♢

I was immediately thrown into training. I had one-on-one lessons over and over. Different teachers taught me dance, singing, acting, and speaking skills. Every kind of technique I could imagine. I’d quit high school, so I had all the time in the world. I worked on my skills relentlessly, just for myself. Then, I was officially assigned to the idol group “Banna φ.”

“I’m Ruika. Nice to meet you.”

I bowed loudly to the seniors. I could feel their eyes on me. They were judging and curious, or maybe even hostile. But I didn’t care. This place was just a stepping stone for me.

“Oh, so your name’s Ruika. Can you do anything interesting?”

One of the seniors immediately threw me a challenge. They probably already knew I was Manwa-san’s favorite.

“Ehh?! A sudden test, senpai♡ I’m still learning, so I’d love it if you could show me how to be interesting♡”

Thanks to training, I had learned how to fake any expression or emotion. I knew people could do anything if they tried. Maybe if I’d worked harder at studying back then, things wouldn’t have gone the way they did.

“Ah, I see. So that’s your character. Well, alright then.”

I got off the hook for the challenge. But I thought, girls’ groups are such a hassle. I know, because I’m a girl too. Everyone’s just trying to pull each other down.

“Then you’ll be at the very back.”

“Alright♡ Leave it to me☆”

I couldn’t believe the cheerful and bouncy voice that came out of me. I used to talk so lazily before.

“Yes. 1, 2. 1, 2.”

Just like the choreographer said, we danced together in the lesson room as a whole group. For the next regular performance, I’d be debuting at the very edge. There wouldn’t apparently be any self-introductions or merchandise, Manwa-san had told me. After the lesson, I changed into my casual clothes and was about to leave when…

“Good work today☆”

“What, you’re leaving already? Newcomers have to clean first.”

The senior who had tested me earlier, Sazanka-san, tossed a rag at me. It landed at my feet.

“Make sure you clean the floor properly. Lift your butt up like a little kid.”

“Yes♡ Got it☆”

I obediently picked up the rag and started wiping the floor from the corner like a little elementary school kid. My skirt was short today.

“Hehe, your underwear is completely visible.”

“Kya♡ Don’t look///”

I didn’t honestly really mind if someone peeked. But these girls wouldn’t be satisfied unless they humiliated me a little. Otherwise, they’d never leave, and that was a problem. Manwa-san had a special lesson planned for later, and I couldn’t be late.

“All right, good luck with that.”

“Got it☆ Thank you for today♡”

The seniors were satisfied, so they finally left. After making sure they were gone, I quickly put the rag away.

“Ruika-chan! You haven’t finished cleaning the floor yet!”

A pink-haired girl, who had also been left behind, scolded me. Her face was very pretty, and her figure was great, but she looked kind of timid.

“They won’t even check. Plus, the cleaning crew comes later, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Eh? Really?!”

“You’re being bullied. Well, me too, actually.”

When I said that, the pink-haired girl looked disappointed. She was probably fed up with being made to do pointless tasks all this time.

“What’s your name?”

“Huh? Mine?”

“You should say it first in situations like this. If you wait to be asked, you lose the advantage in conversation.”

I’d learned that kind of talking skill from the instructors. It felt a little weird to honestly tell this to her, but she seemed weak, so it should be okay.

“I’m Sumire. My real name is Hanakage Sumire.”

“Yeah. Then I’ll call you Sumire-chan from tomorrow. But Sumire… stop mopping the floor right now.”

“But they told me to do it.”

“Do you really have to do something just because someone told you? Listen. Stop mopping. It’s pointless and annoying.”

She jumped a little at my words.

“Stop. It’s meaningless. You’ll get way more out of practicing instead.”

“Hey. Aren’t you acting differently from before?”

“I’m an idol. You act differently in front of everyone and alone, right?”

“I-I see.”

But even after all that, Sumire was still holding the rag. I took it from her and tossed it into the supply closet.

“We don’t have time for useless things. Practice. Alright, see you.”

I said only that and headed to the next lesson. I didn’t even know why I bothered with such a pointless thing.