I Was Falsely Confessed to and Exposed in Front of Everyone, so I Jumped off the Roof - Chapter 25

My daily life changed. Kagiroi-san had moved out of her apartment and completely moved into my place. My parents even contacted me, but they just said, “Take care of her,” which left me a bit confused.

“Let’s start a company. We’ll need to manage taxes properly. We should rent an office and work there.”

“Isn’t that unnecessary? We can just work here.”

“No. We’ll eventually need to hire people. We shouldn’t bring outsiders here.”

In the end, Kagiroi-san won, and we rented an office in Ikebukuro. We set up new equipment and got our development system running. The company kept the same name as our circle. I wondered if it was really okay for the company to have my name, but thinking up a new name felt like too much work. I became the president, and Kagiroi-san became an employee. She suggested maybe she should be a shareholder, but she told me I should own all the shares, so that’s how it ended up. She also arranged contracts with a lawyer and an accounting firm, making the company proper and legitimate.

“Let’s skip full-time hires for now. We can hire engineers through SES.”

Thanks to her, engineers were ready, and I was freed from coding, focusing fully on planning. We hired professional writers for the scenario, designers for illustrations, and the quality quickly improved. Our user numbers grew, and our revenue from in-app purchases started pouring in.

“I’m thinking of using that algorithm to make another app. Is that okay?”

“That’s alright. I can help with the design.”

“Thank you. Let’s make more services, then.”

Kagiroi started rolling out various services. She jumped on the rising demand for drones, and it made a big profit. She added AI for household management, launched new job sites, and stuffed them full of AI to rake in huge money. We even pushed big competitors out of the market.

“I actually want to do something with machines.”

Before I knew it, we had become a successful IT startup. Work was busy, but we strictly kept office hours: 9 to 6 on weekdays with a one-hour break. No more lazy weekends and holidays spent coding like before. Those days were now for going out with Kagiroi-san. Her style changed, too. At home, her outfits were rather revealing, but outside, she dressed elegantly. At night, her mischievous and seductive side came out. I felt fulfilled. I held hope that in this life, surrounded by this routine, I could finally leave the past behind.

♢ ♢ ♢

My work was going well. Despite my feelings, my performance kept improving. I even started going on tours to China and other Asian countries. I had plans to go to America too. My appearances in dramas, 2.5D plays, and musicals were increasing. There was never a break from TV shows.

“You’ve had huge success, yet your expression stays so serious. And still, you just keep getting better.”

Manwa-san always saw right through me.

“The more you get hurt, the more the diamonds inside you are cut, polishing your charm.”

I started to think maybe I was some kind of extreme masochist. At the same time, I was hopelessly perverted. I kept thinking only about Jose and Kagiroi-san. I imagined them being intimate, and instead of feeling dry, I got wet.

“Can you schedule a live show for me?”

“No solo shows yet. The dome is booked with the group’s schedule. Honestly, I’d like to make an exception, but we have obligations to other companies, so it’s impossible.”

“I understand. Then I have one request.”

“Anything.”

“I want to work with the director. I’ve made a concept for a gravure series.”

I handed Manwa-san a letter-size folder.

“Well, you’re organized. You really can handle normal work, too. Was leaving school really a waste?”

“I never liked studying. I didn’t think I could do it. It doesn’t matter now.”

Since becoming an idol, I realized I was actually good at studying. I could read English, Chinese, Portuguese, and even original works by philosophers. I learned a lot to handle different kinds of talk shows, and even managed to beat a University of Tokyo student in a quiz show math problem. I finally understood that I hadn’t really known myself.

“Hmm. Your plan looks perfect. I’ll give you the budget. Go ahead and do it. First, make it a success with you, Sumire, and Sazanka. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Thank you. I’ll get to work.”

I left the room and headed straight to the director’s office with my manager.

“Interesting, indeed. But I have one request.”

“What is it?”

“May I write Ruika’s story myself?”

“Is my story not good enough?”

“It’s not bad. But seeing your current expression, I got an idea.”

“…If it will help, it will become a hit.”

“Your original story could be a hit. But I want to capture your current heart.”

“My current heart?”

“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll make the best gravure shot for you.”

I felt confident. With this person, it would be fine. All I had to do was trust him. That was enough. That had to be enough.

♢

The director said we’d start shooting once his story was finished. But before that, Sazanka-san and Sumire had already finished their shoot.

“It was hard, but I did my best!!”

“I see.”

“You sound like the director when you talk.”

“Maybe it rubbed off on me.”

“The beach and the café were so much fun!”

“That’s good. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

If it sells well, Manwa-san said she’d do this project with the whole group. If it becomes a strong piece of content, that would be ideal.

“But first, let’s check today’s work.”

“Right. It’s a talk show with young female talents, right? We’ll talk about hobbies and what’s been happening recently.”

“They’re leaving it mostly unscripted, letting the talents just talk. It’s live, though, so watch your words. No editing.”

“Got it! I tend to say harsh things when I’m gaming, but other than that, it should be fine.”

“Young women mostly talk about clothes, cafés, makeup, trips, or love.”

“Isn’t that a bit of a stereotype?”

Maybe. Being in the entertainment industry, I’ve seen the differences between men and women up close. Sazanka-san likes being with successful men and shows her femininity clearly. Satsukui seems fine with any woman. It’s kind of frustrating.

“Just be careful with love talk.”

“Hmm… I don’t have much experience, so I don’t really have anything to say.”

“That’s probably safest. Just talk about the kind of love you’d like to have.”

“Alright then.”

I found myself curious about Sumire’s romantic desires, which surprised me a little. I felt like clicking my tongue in frustration. It was all because of the things Kagiroi-san had said earlier. Annoying. And then, it was time for the recording.

[Unicorn] Thread Watching Over Ruika 2783 [Ranch]

: Looks like she’s going on a talk show with other girls today.

: I don’t like the idea of her talking to those model-type bitches!

: Don’t worry! Ruika is way prettier than any of those models! In every way!

: I want to lick Sumire-chan (´ω｀)

: Can Sumire-chan ride a unicorn?

: …Maybe, if Ruika’s right there with her?

: I heard she often spends time with Ruika in private.

: I’m looking forward to it!

: You guys can go be horse meat for all I care. Seriously.

♢

The show started. The conversation was lively, talking about fashion and networking in the industry. The only idols were me and Sumire. The rest were actors, model-type girls, some unique personalities, and female comedians.

“My regular clothes are tight. My chest.”

A gravure idol said. The topic started to get a little risqué from there.

“The entertainment world is small! My boyfriend’s ex is sitting right next to me!!”

A model-type girl said that, and the tall fashion model beside her gave a wry smile.

“Having a boyfriend in the industry is tough. I also dated that comedian but…”

A female comedian joined in. The mood was getting uncomfortable.

“But?”

“I ended up in the dressing room with my ex, his ex, and a former fling. It was so awkward!”

“No way!! What!? That’s impossible!! Haha!”

Then the ex muttered, “How’s Elephant-san doing?”

The studio burst into laughter. Sumire laughed too. I couldn’t hide my feelings anymore. On the monitor that viewers couldn’t see, my face had gone completely pale.

“How do you even find a boyfriend?”

Sumire jumped into the conversation. I almost told her to stop.

“Just meet them during work, exchange contacts, that’s normal.”

“Really!? That’s how relationships start. Whoa!”

“Making a boyfriend must be easy if you’re an idol, right?”

“Hm… How does love even start? I’ve never had any experience, so I don’t really know. Will I ever get a boyfriend?”

♢

: Sumire is Ruika’s friend!

: I love Sumire!

: I saved Sumire’s gravure pics; victory is mine.

: The sperm I spent on Sumire wasn’t wasted! (｀･ω･´)ゞ

“Finding a boyfriend is easy! I can take you to a group date sometime.”

“A group date?! Eek! That’s so… normal-life-ish!”

“It’s fun! Let’s swap LINE later!”

“No. You can’t swap.”

I said before Sumire could reply, my voice sharp and cold.

“Eh? Ah… well, if she’s an idol, I guess it’s fine?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

: Is Ruika getting mad?

: Protecting Sumire?

: Oh, this is getting interesting!

♢ ♢ ♢

I thought I was just having a normal conversation. I figured this much was safe. I’m an idol, so I’d never go to a group date anyway, and I assumed the other person knew that too. So I was genuinely surprised when Ruika suddenly jumped in with such a serious tone.

“That’s impossible. Really, no way.”

“No, this is normal.”

Well, maybe it is normal. If I hadn’t become an idol, maybe I’d have gone to one or two group dates by now myself.

“No, it’s not. How can people even have sex? That’s just… no. Totally impossible.”

“Huh? Eh?”

“I mean, seriously. Dating someone just for fun and then having sex. What’s the point? And then showing off like that? You think that makes you special? It’s annoying!”

Ruika was clearly worked up. Suddenly, I realized it was because of that woman from before. That woman had bragged about sleeping with people while acting violently. Ruika had taken it seriously, and now she was genuinely upset.

“And breaking up so easily? What’s with ex-boyfriends and current girlfriends? One person should be enough. Why are people never satisfied? Love is about sharing feelings, right? It’s about caring for someone. And yet, if it doesn’t go well, they just move on to the next guy? Gross.”

“Ruika-chan! Hey, calm down!”

“Shut up! Sumire! This trend of dating casually is awful! Finding out your crush had someone before you! That’s disgusting! Really disgusting!!”

I had no idea what exactly Ruika-chan was complaining about, but I knew it wasn’t about anyone here.

“B-but love can be fun.”

“Fun?! So it’s okay to hurt people if it’s fun?! What?! How?! What is that?! You sluts! What’s wrong with being a virgin?! You think you’re special if you sleep with a guy?! Huh! Sleeping with lots of people doesn’t make you better! You’re just a woman who didn’t get along with others! You’re dirty!! Don’t show your pussy just because a guy went in there! It’s annoying!! Everyone calls me a slut, yet I haven’t done anything with anyone! Don’t mock me for being a virgin! You filthy sluts! Don’t brag about being horny! Don’t call my name with a mouth that’s touched a dick! Don’t mock me with that mouth! Don’t touch me with those hands! Don’t touch me!!”

What was I supposed to do?! If I let her keep talking, it would be a disaster. I quickly hugged Ruika-chan and covered her mouth.

“I love 2D guys!! So I really want to see Elephant-san! But why is it censored?! I’m against censoring 2D dicks!! Everyone! Let’s talk about your favorite 2D guys!!”

Everyone looked panicked. This is a broadcast disaster!!

“I like Aslan Zala from Gundam SEED!!! You all have favorite characters, too, right? Right?!”

“Huh? Yes! I like Char from Gundam!”

“I like Gihren.”

“Charla Bull is good.”

“““Totally!”””

The conversation shifted to Charla Bull! I took this chance to pull Ruika-chan off-screen. She was crying hard.

“Waaah. Why am I still a virgin?! That futon is mine!!”

“I don’t even understand what you’re saying! But you’re a pro, so stop getting angry over silly things!! Don’t ruin the show!!”

Ruika-chan pressed her lips together and trembled. I couldn’t believe she’d gotten like this. The producer came over.

“Hmm. Please step off the set for now.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“But Sumire, you should go back. The internet is freaking out, but your popularity is high, so it’s fine.”

“Ah… okay. I understand. Ruika-chan! You’d better reflect on this!! Stay there and watch! I’ll do my best till the end!”

I went back to the show. Somehow, I managed to keep up with the conversation. And in the end, the live broadcast finished safely.

: This is definitely a scandal (・ω・)

: So Ruika was really a pure-virgin fan girl, huh lol

: But somehow, it feels refreshing (*‘ω‘ *)

: I thought she was just doing the virgin thing for business, but the real darkness came out lol

: Well, being a bit clean-freakish for her age isn’t surprising, right?

: Anyway, Sumire is MVP. That threesome gravure is gonna be even more useful now!!

: I misunderstood Sumire. I thought she was a quiet, unnoticed girl. She’s hardworking and really cares about her friends… so much came out.

: I’m just glad this is all in the Unicorn thread. Feels safe.

♢ ♢ ♢

Manwa-san scolded me for the first time.

“But I guess everything was just too perfect until now. Let’s stop doing live broadcasts from now on.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Actually, that scandal brought in more fans. If it makes money, no complaints here.”

“Manwa-san. Love is a normal thing, right?”

“Not the answer you wanted, but in modern times, it’s common. Still, it’s fundamentally a raw act that can hurt someone. That’s why idols are needed. Women who can talk about ideal love like goddesses. You have the potential, and you’ve proven it. Be proud. Rest for today. You can start fresh tomorrow.”

“Yes. Thank you. Excuse me.”

I went home. Lying in bed, I looked at a photo of me and Jose. A picture of the two of us together. Isn’t this love? I imagined it, touched myself while thinking. But then a naked Kagiroi-san appeared while straddling Jose. And it kept fading away. I was alone, going at it quietly.