My Childhood Friend, who became a National Idol, moved next door to my Run-down Apartment [Dropped]

It took about 30 minutes for us to reach the next location from the nearest train station.

I had heard about a place recommended by Mitsuki where we could rent a piano and a studio, but I wondered if such a convenient offer could really be true…

“Kazu-kun, let’s meet at this location on Saturday!”

Mitsuki had already sent me the location via LIME yesterday.

As I made my way there, using map search in an unfamiliar area, a huge, splendid building that looked nothing like my shabby apartment came into view.

And the characters engraved on the front of the building were the name of a company that everyone in Japan now knows.

“Ehh?! ‘Star Planet Music’? Wait, isn’t this the office of ‘TRUE MIRAGE…”

But I didn’t really know that the place would actually turn out to be Mitsuki’s headquarters.

Along with the rise of ‘TRUE MIRAGE’, Star Planet Music, which is now known as one of Japan’s top music agencies, has also gained fame. It is renowned for being a small and elite agency, currently managing only three groups, including “TRUE MIRAGE.”

Despite the small number of groups, all three of them are regulars on the Oricon rankings, and their concert tickets are so popular that they become difficult to obtain, even for dome-level venues.

This outstanding ability to produce artists has certainly contributed to Star Planet Music’s fame.

“Come to think of it, Mitsuki really is a popular idol…”

Although she moved in next to me with mysterious energy and we continue to have ordinary conversations like we used to, being in a place like this reminds me that Mitsuki is indeed one of Japan’s top idols.

Or rather, I feel completely out of place here…!

Passersby were also looking at me with suspicion.

Mitsuki… Please come soon and relieve me from this situation…

Being in this unfamiliar world, I was constantly nervous.

“Excuse me, are you from the media? We haven’t received any reservation for an interview today from any media.”

Suddenly, I heard a slightly disgruntled voice from behind.

Indeed, it’s only natural for people to be wary of someone running around in front of a talent agency.

“S-Sorry, I’m not from the entertainment industry. I’m just here to meet a friend! Well, I’ll go somewhere else right away—”

“…Really?”

I turned around, and the woman who asked me the question was now staring intently at my whole body.

Reflexively, though a bit rude, I found myself gazing at her in return.

With her neat, straight black hair that reached her neckline, crimson glasses, and a cool black suit, she exuded a refreshing aura.

Her name tag hanging around her neck read “Star Planet Music – Kumiko Shirai.” I assume that’s her name and that she works at this office.

“Umm, are you the infamous… ‘Kazu-kun’?”

Huh…?! How does she know that name?

Yes, this was indeed the same nickname which my childhood friend used to call me with.

Mumbling something like a soliloquy, the woman glanced around the building in a fluster.

And there, walking briskly and with an intense and composed expression, Mitsuki was heading towards me.

You could tell from her sharp and cool gaze and her tightly sealed lips that she was in a serious mood.

It was Mitsuki Toujou, the cool beauty idol from the group “TRUE MIRAGE” that I often saw on TV.

“Excuse me! I’ll explain the situation later, so hide with me!”

The woman tightly grabbed my arm and pulled me to hide together in a flowerbed near the building.

“What’s…. Happening here?!”

“I can’t let Mitsuki-san show that expression outside for too long…!”

“Well, um…”

Though I didn’t fully understand, it was clear the woman was quite anxious.

As we hid, I noticed a man approaching Mitsuki and speaking to her.

Eavesdropping on their conversation, it seemed like he was someone related to the office.

“Hello, Mitsuki-san. It’s rare to see you at the office on a day off.”

“Yes, I have plans to meet with an acquaintance. I might use a part of the studio, so I’ll submit an application. Thank you in advance.”

Mitsuki smoothly conversed with a composed expression, and it was quite cool to watch.

“Understood. The leader of ‘TRUE MIRAGE’ is always so reliable. See you later then.”

As the man entered the office, Mitsuki saw him off with a polite bow and a business smile. Then she took out her smartphone and began operating it.

—Ting!

Suddenly… A notification arrived on my phone.

“Kazu-kun, where are you? I’ve arrived at our meeting spot!”

It was a message from Mitsuki on LIME.

Mitsuki, standing in front of the door, seemed a bit fidgety.

The woman next to me also seemed astonished, muttering, “C-Contact details…!”

However, if this woman hid me, she must have some purpose in mind.

I showed her the LIME screen in silence, and she explained, “Please go inside the office for now, and pretend to go there with the person in charge. And then, don’t step outside at all, and be ready…”

“Understood.”

She emphasized it quite a lot.

“I’ve asked someone from the office to find you. Wait inside for the person in charge, and they’ll come to you right away.”

As I replied as instructed, the woman sighed in relief and kept an eye on Mitsuki from behind.

“My apologies. I am Kumiko Shirai. It’s a bit awkward in a place like this, but…”

Saying that, she handed me her business card.

“Star Planet Music – ‘TRUE MIRAGE’ – Mitsuki Toujou’s Exclusive Manager.”

So, this woman was Mitsuki’s manager?!

“There is a certain face of Mitsuki Toujou, an artist under our agency, that must never be seen by the public.”

As she said that, she pointed towards Mitsuki.

Mitsuki, still with a cool expression, was absorbed in her smartphone.

Yeah, she looked like the usual and stylish Mitsuki I saw on TV.

And then, it happened.

“Wow, I got a reply! It’s from Kazu-kun! Fufu~ he never disappoints me.”

Suddenly, Mitsuki underwent a complete transformation.

Her cool expression crumbled down to that of a joyful child and she entered back into the building while humming a song and skipping steps.

Once she entered inside, her personality and demeanor took a 180 degree turn as she resumed her stylish self, walking with confidence.

Wh-What was that earlier…?

Her personality change is way too fast! Is my childhood friend perhaps a robot in disguise?

Even I didn’t know there was such a side to her…!

In awe of my childhood friend’s swift change, Shirai-san explained, “Now you understand. Mitsuki Toujou, the cool and beautiful idol. Whenever she’s with ‘Kazu-kun,’ she reverts to that innocent, childlike demeanor, completely opposite to her public image.”

On that day, I caught a glimpse of a new side of my childhood friend.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : Zenon#4120