Katakura's glare deepened. "With all due respect, do you have any idea what kind of artist she is?"
"Oh? How can you know what kind of artist she is?"
"I was her manager for several years. I know her better than anybody."
"Three months, it only took three months before the praises turned to venom. In those three months, you already found somebody to replace her. You had your eyes set on Hori Fuuko, but because of her poor background, you didn't want to risk losing the potential money-making tree." Hino dismissed her words.
Sumire's eyes widened when she heard Hino's words. 'I have to admit that I am impressed. I didn't think he would have this side to him. Then again, there were many rumors regarding how cold Hino was regarding those who approached Yuhi with bad intentions. To think he is now doing the same thing for me.'
Fuuko interjected. "I will apologize for offending you in advance. But sometimes, people are not what they seem. I know you are biased towards her because of her relationship with Yuhi-san, but-"𝙛𝑟𝘦ℯ𝘄e𝙗nov𝙚𝑙. 𝐜𝑜𝗺
"Who gave you the right to use Yuhi's first name?" Sumire, who had kept quiet this entire time, suddenly felt irritated.
"Of course he did; we were in a relationship-" Sumire harshly cut her off with a glare.
"In the past, yes, but not now. Moreover, he doesn't even acknowledge that you were his girlfriend. He referred to you as somebody the company arranged; you're not even a mistress or passing fling." Sumire pointed out.
Fuuko remained calm. "No matter what you say, the reality is we had that relationship before." She suddenly collapsed on the ground dramatically. "Isn't this a bit too cruel? You already stole Yuhi from me, and now you're even after my opportunities."
Stole Yuhi from her? Her eyes twitched, annoyed. 'I was going to leave her be and just let Hino-san handle her, but it seems she wants to court death so badly.'
"I know your upset because the company chose me over you. But that was only because you kept running away."
Fuuko's words implied that she had this escaping habit before the accident and has always been that way. Indeed the others were looking at her with a mixed expression.
Sumire took a deep breath before she walked over until she stood opposite the girl.
"The words of my senior, I will keep in my heart. So, why don't you get out of my sight now?" Sumire didn't want to waste any more time on this. She wanted to return to looking at the schedule Hino thought of her on such short notice.
He most likely didn't get any sleep and made the arrangements overnight.
"Ibuki, don't be so vicious! You don't own this station. Fuuko can be here whenever she wants."
"It seems Miss Katakura thinks I am saying this to bully her artiste."
"Of course you are. Why else-"
A dark aura surrounded her. No, it was a black aura wrapped in red flames emitting from her body. Her violet-colored eyes turned a bright shade of red as she walked towards Fuuko.
"Do you remember what you said to be the last time we met?"
"The--the last time." Fuuko seems very different now. She genuinely seemed frightened.
Sumire wondered how many people could see the black aura and the flames? It seems Fuuko could see it since her entire face color had turned pale.
"It seems you forgot, so let me remind you. 'It is a real shame that unfortunate accidents follow you. It is because you are this way that your entire household suffered.'"
"Ibuki, you can't just accuse-" Katakura paused. Sumire only briefly turned to glare at her, but already the woman had collapsed on her knees.
"How many times did you remind me of my upbringing and the accident that only just took place that year? Did you truly think you could mask your words and real nature by smiling? Sometimes smiles reveal the true nature of a person. You may have been smiling, but it was so vicious and frightening." Sumire touched the woman's cheek, and a large cut appeared.
Fuuko screamed, and the onlookers were looking puzzled. Nobody else could see the cut or the aura she was letting out. To a bystander, they were only exchanging a few words. So it looked like she was overreacting.
"It was so frightening; you were so scary. While enjoying all my privileges, didn't you have to beg for me to stay in the company? You knew it would be difficult for you to remain in the industry. Indeed over the past few years, you maintained a top position, but you could never go beyond that. You remain stuck in the same position as when you first took my place."
Sumire did her research. She knew she would eventually have to confront this woman, which is why she looked into her career. It seems after she left, this woman had a hard time trying to obtain any awards and getting into good programs. They even had to cook up a fake rumor like her being Takashi Yumi's successor.
Despite the fake rumor, people naturally flocked over. After all, no normal person would make something like that up. Hori Fuuko started to receive attention as a potential successor, but the reality was the woman was a poor imitation of Yumi-senpai. The funny thing is, she doubts that the two have even met before.
"I--you really are--"
Sumire wouldn't let her speak anymore. "Now you're even trying to drag Hino-san and Yuhi into your poisonous words." Her gaze darkened, and the black aura surrounding her increased. "You can step all over me all you want, but the moment you hurt people precious to me is the moment your courting death."
She felt nothing but pure resentment for this woman. 'Initially, I intend to leave her be. When I told Ru about it before, he said that there is no use getting revenge.'
Sumire realized that he only said that because he didn't want her to dirty her hands with this matter.
It seems Ru planned to stain his hands dealing with these people so she wouldn't have to. This entire time so many people have been protecting her, but what has she given them in return? A part of her is still afraid, but she no longer wants to disappoint people.
'I want to sing. I want to stand on stage again—no matter what shape or form it takes. I want to stand in the general public's eye. I will no longer run away from this.'
She has already made her mind up; her gaze fell on Fuuko with a disgusted look on her face. Times have changed already; she will not allow this woman to suppress her like in the past.
Back then, there was so much happening, and she had a hard time coping. But the situation has changed now. Even though she still has those problems, at the very least, she is no longer alone. Yet this woman is trying to drag in those precious to her into this petty dispute.
Before Sumire could do anything else, she felt a familiar pair of arms hug her from the back. The dangerous aura surrounding her seemed to leave her body the moment she felt his warmth and his voice calling softly.
"Sumire."