Volume 13 Chapter 333 Sumeragi Kukuri, Emily-oneechan’s Misplaced Consideration
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Finished with the gravure photoshoot, I left the building that housed the studio, preparing to step into the chauffeured car the staff had arranged for me. Just then, a suspicious woman in a trench coat addressed me.
”Good afternoon, Sumeragi Kukuri.”
Judging by her appearance, she must be a reporter from some media outlet. My internal defenses immediately spiked, considering I’d recently started dating Aqua-sama.
”I’m with this organization.”
I accepted the business card from the woman in the trench coat. Wait, this isn’t a reporter—it’s a ‘Berry-Berry’ staff member! Well, if that’s the case, why didn’t you just say so from the start?! This is far too misleading! Dropping the highly effective guard I’d just thrown up, I narrowed my eyes at the ‘Berry-Berry’ staffer in a classic jito-me stare.
”What business could a ‘Berry-Berry’ staff member possibly have with me?” I demanded, my voice cool.
”Actually, thanks to a suggestion from Yukishiro Emily-san, our Great Teacher Hakuryuu Aiko has devised a brand-new project just for ‘Berry-Berry’!”
What? A new project produced by Hakuryuu-sensei!? While the mention of Emily-oneechan’s suggestion instilled a twinge of anxiety, the phrase ‘produced by Hakuryuu-sensei’ instantly piqued my interest.
”And what kind of project would that be?” I pressed.
”I’m so glad you asked!”
The staff member handed me a flip board. Hmm, so I’m supposed to peel off this sticker myself, I guess? I glanced over at the camera being hoisted onto the shoulder of another staff member who had just emerged from a black van nearby.
”Right, what could it be? Well, here goes.”
I peeled the sticker from the flip board.
[Produced by Great Teacher Shirogane Aiko and Yukishiro Emily: The Love Reality Show is Starting!]
A Love Reality Show?! What on earth is that?! My mouth gaped open, utterly confused.
Seeing my reaction, the woman in the trench coat smirked.
”And so, upon the strong recommendation of Yukishiro Emily-san, Sumeragi Kukuri-san has been chosen as one of the participants! Congratulations!”
Emily-oneechan’s recommendation?! Panicked, I checked my surroundings.
Pedestrians on the street had stopped, watching with curious eyes, clearly interested in the ‘Berry-Berry’ project. What should I do? I haven’t made my relationship with Aqua-sama public yet.
Fortunately, the people in the coffee shop were clearly veteran Bulletin Board users, as I confirmed there were no posts hinting at our meeting there. We’ve just started dating, and I didn’t want a huge fuss, so I’d planned to announce it when we were closer to marriage.
I can’t expose that now! Ugh, if I’d known this, I should have at least told Emily-oneechan we were dating. I regretted the embarrassment that had made me delay the confession.
”Kukuri-sama, apologies! And with that—secured!”
Four or five staff members emerged from the black van, quickly surrounded me, secured me, and forcibly shoved me inside. Hey! This looks exactly like a real kidnapping! What if someone reports it?! The police are going to warn us again to stop doing confusing things!
”Well then, we’ll be borrowing your eyesight until we reach the destination.”
I donned the eyemask handed to me by the staffer. See, this is exactly the kind of thing that gets mistaken and reported! I hissed internally. How long had passed? When we reached the destination, I was unceremoniously tossed out of the car.
”Alright, everyone! On the count of three, take off your eyemasks!”
’Everyone?’ What does she mean? And that voice…
I took off the eyemask and slowly opened my eyes.
”Eh? Kukuri-chan?”
”That voice is… Hisui-chan!?”
Hisui-chan and I clasped hands, overjoyed. It’s truly reassuring to have a friend—or acquaintance, in the context of one of ‘Berry-Berry’s utterly unpredictable schemes—nearby. I looked toward the source of the voice.
”It’s a pleasure to meet all of you! I’m Yukishiro Emily, the director in charge of this project!”
Emily-oneechan sent me a cheeky wink. Because I hadn’t told her about dating Aqua-sama, I felt a knot of awkwardness, causing me to slightly lower my gaze and look off to the side.
”Alright, everyone! Starting with the person on the far right, please introduce yourselves—including your name and, of course, your boob size!”
Holding hands, Hisui-chan and I turned to the far right. Wait, why is Tsukasa-sensei here?! My eyes widened in surprise upon recognizing my comrade from the ‘Lone Wolf’ group, hosted by Kohina Yukari-san.
”I-I’m Sakura Keito, a university student. My size is an F-cup, and, umm… I write novels as a hobby under the name Tsukasa Kei. I came here via the recommendation of Hakuryuu-sensei.”
Tsukasa-sensei completely flubbed her ending, her face flushing crimson. She has a cool, professional appearance, but when you actually talk to her, she’s anything but.
Noticing me, Tsukasa-sensei’s expression brightened—she must have been incredibly anxious being alone. As a veteran ‘Lone Wolf’ myself, I completely understood that relief; I made the exact same face when I spotted Emily-oneechan and clung to the wall at parties as a kid. That said, Tsukasa-sensei, your novels are far beyond the realm of a mere ‘hobby.’
”Ah, I’m next! Inori Hisui, high school student. Do I have to say my size too? I’m an E-cup. My hobby—well, it’s not really a hobby, but I love being an idol! I don’t really get what this is about, but President Atori recommended me! I guess the agency wants to market me!” Hisui blurted.
The staff members who were filming couldn’t help but burst out laughing at her final comment. Hisui-chan, you shouldn’t say things like that out loud! Just like Aqua-sama, Hisui-chan is sometimes impossible to predict. The camera swung from Hisui-chan to me. My turn.
”Sumeragi Kukuri, high school student. My bust size…? I’m not saying it, of course. I’m a member of the idol group Milk Dipper. I was recommended by my senior at the agency, Yukishiro Emily-san, but I have no intention of dating anyone, no matter who the male lead is.”
I gazed into the camera with a perfectly cool, frozen expression. As someone who has pledged my loyalty to Aqua-sama, dating another man is completely out of the question.
However, since the cameras were rolling, I couldn’t just stop the shoot. I had to reject the idea of romance outright, but in a way that wouldn’t halt the production flow. After careful consideration, I decided this was the correct strategic move.
”Huh? This is a dating project? T-That’s a problem. I don’t really know much about boys…” Hisui-chan’s face was beet red. She truly hadn’t heard anything.
Even so, it’s really not okay to get into a black van just because an acquaintance recommended you, even if you don’t know the project details. I worried deeply about my friend Hisui-chan, whose lack of a sense of danger rivaled even Aqua-sama’s.
”Kuga Reira, F-cup, actress! I’m a novice at romance, but since I’m the oldest, I’ll work hard! I came here on the recommendation of the show’s advisor, Kohina Yukari! I’m so excited about the chance to date Aqua-kun!” Reira declared enthusiastically.
I bet Kuga Rihito would be crying tears of joy seeing this. He always lamented at parties that his sister, Reira, was pretty and cheerful but too active, which intimidated men and made it seem unlikely she’d ever get married.
Tsukasa-sensei, Hisui-chan, me, and Kuga Reira—is that everyone? Just as I thought that, a familiar figure peeked out from behind Reira.
”Hermie Stars Goshenite, middle school student. My bust size is…”
Haa-chan covered her chest with both hands, her face slightly pink.
”I’m too embarrassed, it’s a secret. I’m a member of the idol group Milk Dipper and was recommended by Fuji Ranko-san, the TV station owner. Please take care of me.” Haa-chan bowed respectfully.
The ‘Berry-Berry’ staff members, who had been grinning earlier, immediately began bowing and scraping as soon as they heard she was recommended by Fuji Ranko, their superior’s superior. You people are so transparently susceptible to power, it’s almost sickening.
”And with that, these five lovely ladies are our initial members for the project! A round of applause!” Emily-oneechan clapped her hands, and we all joined in with a scattering of applause.
”So, Emily-kun. What exactly is this project, then?” Reira inquired.
”Kuga Reira-san, that’s a fantastic question! I’ll explain everything now! Everyone, please look behind you!”
Behind us? We all turned at once. Standing there was a large, detached house.
”Alright, everyone. From this moment on, you will all be living together in this share house for one week with just one male.”
Living together with a man?! That’s completely out of the question! I hugged myself tightly. Only Aqua-sama is allowed to touch this body of mine. No, it’s not just me.
I don’t know about the other three, but Haa-chan, who clearly has feelings for Aqua-sama, must feel the same way. Not just me, but the other selected members also showed signs of confusion at the mention of communal living.
”You’re probably thinking it’s impossible to live and start a romance in a share house with a man you barely know, right? Don’t worry! Let me introduce you all! The gentleman you’ll be dating is this person! Please come out!”
”Huh? What? Where did I get dropped off? And hey, ladies, you’re definitely from ‘Berry-Berry’! I know a scheme when I see one!” Aqua-sama, who clearly had no idea what was going on, emerged from the black van wearing a headset and a blindfold.
Ah, right… of course. Since it’s a ‘Berry-Berry’ program, logically, there’s only one man who could be the love interest: Aqua-sama. Not just me, but everyone present visibly sighed in relief.
”Whoa! Emily? And everyone else! What is all this?!”
Aqua-sama, after removing the blindfold and headset, looked at our faces and his mouth dropped open. He really was brought here without being told anything… Isn’t this practically a crime?
”Shirogane Aqua-san. You will now spend one week living in this share house with these five women. During that time, you’ll complete various Events with them and nurture a romance. At the end of this communal living period, you will choose one person you’ve developed feelings for and confess to her.”
”EEEEEEEEEEH!? Is that… really okay?!” Aqua-sama looked at us again, and when his eyes met mine, he made an awkward, apologetic face. Yes, Aqua-sama, I feel the exact same way. It would be easier to just say we’re dating, but since the program has already started, we have no choice but to complete the project while hiding our relationship.
”Alright, everyone, please introduce yourselves again.”
After Aqua-sama introduced himself, we followed suit. Of course, I kept the fact that I’m a B-cup a secret. After the introductions concluded, Emily-oneechan, the project director, took the microphone again.
”This project is being monitored in real-time by a team of four MCs in the studio, separate from me, who is supporting you on-site! Those MCs are Shirogane Kanon-san, Kohina Yukari-san, Nekoyama Toa-san, and Hakuryuu Aiko-sensei! Now, everyone, look at the card in my hand.”
Emily-oneechan showed us a blank white card with the words, “Shoulder Rub.”
”This card contains one of the ultimate romance Events prepared by Hakuryuu Aiko-sensei. The MCs in the studio are observing the situation in real-time and can use these cards to forcibly trigger an Event, thereby appropriately supporting your blossoming romance. Therefore, ladies, when the MCs nominate you, please follow the instructions obediently. Oh, and don’t worry, since this is a national TV broadcast, there are no dangerous Event cards; I personally confirmed the contents.”
Emily-oneechan struck a serious pose. I don’t know if I believe that. Didn’t she maybe slip in some weird cards when she was checking them? I gave her a jito-me look, and Emily-oneechan noticed my gaze and started sweating profusely. Suspicious! Is this what Kanon-san often calls ‘getting what you deserve’?
”Also, I know those of you new to romance are feeling anxious about first love! If you feel that way, please reach out to me or the program producer. The MCs in the studio will provide you with accurate advice for your love troubles! Of course, if I’m nearby, you can consult with me. However! While there are no basic rules, repeatedly asking for advice is forbidden! You must struggle with and face your love honestly yourself!”
We all nodded at Emily-oneechan’s words. Emily-oneechan… why didn’t you do this project just a little sooner? Then I could have dated Aqua-sama within the show! I felt like clutching my head in despair over the utterly terrible timing of this project.
”Umm, what should I do if I want to ask for advice?” Aqua-sama asked.
”Ah, Shirogane Aqua-san, there is a dedicated public phone over there, available 24/7, that connects directly to the Kohina Yukari Advice Window. When Kohina Yukari-san in the studio is unavailable (e.g., bathroom break), Nekoyama Toa-san or the others should pick up instead.”
Aqua-sama clasped his hands together and repeatedly prayed, “Please let Toa pick up.” Kohina Yukari-san… she’s not a bad person for love advice, but for Aqua-sama, she’s more like an older sister or even a mother figure, so maybe he’s a bit embarrassed?
”Alright everyone! With this, our Love Reality Show, produced by myself, Yukishiro Emily, and the Great, Great, Great Teacher Hakuryuu Aiko—’I’ve Always Loved You’—is starting!”
At Emily-oneechan’s shout, the filming momentarily stopped. Seizing the chance, I opened my phone app and sent a direct message to Aqua-sama.
[Aqua-sama, I need to talk to you about this project…]
[Sorry, Kukuri-chan. I didn’t know about this project either.]
See? Aqua-sama was truly clueless, too.
[Aqua-sama, I’m not ready to reveal we’re dating right now. So, for the time being, let’s just see this project through.]
[Are you sure about that, Kukuri-chan? We could tell Emily, and she might be able to figure something out…]
[No. If the filming is canceled now, it would be hard to find a replacement for me, and I want to avoid the schedule being dropped or extended, especially since it’s a project produced by Hakuryuu-sensei. So, for this first week, let’s both pretend we don’t know each other. I’ll explain things to Emily-oneechan later, so please, Aqua-sama, don’t worry about me and just enjoy the romance with the others!]
[Understood. But if anything happens, tell me right away. I’ll do whatever I can.]
That sentiment alone was enough. I pulled my gaze from the phone screen and smiled at Aqua-sama as our eyes met. What a rush. It felt like we were secretly dating right under everyone’s noses, and the danger of it made my heart race. I put my phone back in my bag and followed everyone into the share house.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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