She watched as he pulled out his phone to answer a call.
Isn't he way too calm? Or maybe it is just her being overly self-conscious.
"Huh, Sano? You're at the venue?"
Wait what?
"Me, well, I'm also here but helping around backstage."
Stupid Hino don't say that; what if he comes over here? It hasn't even been a day yet; she can't see him this soon.
"Sumire? She isn't here."
Oh?
"Maybe she is running late or sitting elsewhere. I mean, she doesn't have to go on until the dance segment."
After a few more words, Hino ended the call. "Hey, did you think I would rat you out?"
"Well, normally, you would have."
"Indeed, but as I said, I am starting to understand the thing you have going on with Sano now. It would ruin your plans if you met again so soon, right?"
"Yeah." Sumire pointed to the bracelet on her wrist. "But I did wear this."
"Is that the famous bracelet?"
"Famous huh, people talked about it."
"You have to understand; it is rare for Sano to do something like that. He is a member of the high elite and must act a certain way in front of the public."
"If he cared for that, why would he sleep around so much?"
"For somebody who claims not to have feelings for him, sometimes you act like a jealous girlfriend."
Sumire sighed deeply. "It's just a bad habit; I don't feel anything for him."
"You need to settle your feelings on that one. Well, the time limit is before your marriage."
So in a few months, that won't be easy. But she can see why Hino is suggesting that time limit. Marriage is a sacred thing; she can't fool around and mess with people or cause misfortunes.
"Oh, we have a winner!"
Sumire turned back to the stage and saw the announcer raise Atsuro's opponent's arm. It seemed like this was the last game. Atsuro and this other person were competing.
It was a tall man with black hair wearing a pure black mask with silver linings. Huh? Somehow this person looks familiar.
"Congratulations! Before we start the dance. Let's ask our winner a few questions. Are you looking forward to dancing with our mysterious lady?"
"Yes, that's why I worked so hard."
The audience burst into laughter. Whenever male idols speak so frankly like this, nobody judges them. But if a female artist said it, they would receive such nasty comments.
"Rumors say that Miss Hori Fuuko was supposed to be the guest today. Are you disappointed?"
At that comment, her gaze dimmed, and Hino clicked his tongue annoyed. "Damn, they bribed the announcer. I should have kept a better eye on them."
"That Hori Fuuko?"
"Eh, why was she switched out?"
"Isn't it obvious the new female guest pulled some dirty tricks?"
"That's unfair to Fuuko-sama."
"Let Fuuko-sama go on!"
At that time, Hori Fuuko coincidentally made her presence known. She was looking down at her feet like somebody had just bullied her. The audience gave her pitying glances, and soon the audience started a chant.
'If Hori-san danced instead, people would be happy, right?'
She isn't wearing a mask, so people will know it is her right away. There are mixed feelings about her presence in the entertainment industry. Sumire felt her confidence vanish.
'I just want to escape and hide somewhere. I don't want people looking at me. Why is it always like this? No matter how hard I work, it ends up this way. The more I desire something, the more likely it is to slip away from my fingers.'
This is her chance to make things right, but things will not go her way once again. Why would it? She was the one who ran away and escaped her career. She was the one who let everything go.
Did she truly think people would forgive her?
Sumire knew Hino was calling her name, but her mind went blank. She felt her entire body tremble and her face break out into sweat.
'I can't. I still can't go on stage.' People do not want her there. Those disgusted and disapproving gazes, she doesn't want to see them.
A person like her never deserved to stand on stage.
Her thoughts break off when she hears a familiar voice. "Let me introduce our lovely lady guest for tonight. My dear wife, Ibuki Sumire."
At those words, Sumire turned to the stage and spotted Yuhi. He had removed his mask and wore a bright smile on his face.
Sumire stared at him dumbfounded. 'This idiot! No wonder he acted so calm when I said I would dance with another man.'
Aaah, if she knew he would participate too, she wouldn't have had to worry. This fool, he truly is foolish.
The crowd turned silent, and everybody was looking at the backstage area. Sumire took a deep breath and felt Hino pat her shoulder.
"You can do this."
"Mm, I won't let anybody else dance with my dear."
Sumire walked down the aisle with confidence, and she eventually arrived at the stage. She stood a few steps away from Yuhi. The audience immediately burst into chatter.
"Whoa, the guest is Ibuki?"
"Seriously, seriously?"
"Wait, she went on stage! Is she fine now?"
There were mixed reactions. Some were observing her just in case she backed down. Her legs trembled, and her entire body shook, but Yuhi is here. Yuhi is right there. She took a few more steps forward before taking his hand.
The MC seemed stunned, but he quickly regained his composure. "It seems the lucky lady is Ibuki Sumire, and the person who just won is Terashima Yuhi! What a fated match indeed."
Sumire rolled her eyes. What an eyesore. Isn't he changing sides too quickly? But then again, this is already something that isn't new.
The music immediately changes to a song more suited for a waltz. The MC announces the start of the dance.
"Yuhi-san, I'm bad at formal dancing."
"Right, that's why I had to win. I had to save people from you stepping on their feet."
Sumire sighed deeply. "You could have told me."
"If I did, it wouldn't be fun. Besides, do you truly think I will let anybody dance with you?"
Indeed, although he doesn't openly display his jealousy, he does get jealous. Sometimes he acts like a giant lion about it. Sumire followed Yuhi's lead. It was surprisingly easy to follow his movements even though they have never danced together.
Yuhi leaned forward slightly, and Sumire felt her heartbeat increase; he laughed at her reaction.
"Relax, my wife, not even I will be bold enough to attack you on stage."
If he is saying, that doesn't that mean he definitely thought about it? She truly can't win against this person. But she feels more relaxed now. So many people are watching her, and she is on stage again. However, unlike a few minutes ago, she felt calmer.
She has nothing to fear if her dearest is here.
But, 'I don't think I would have been able to get on stage if he weren't here. Just now, I almost backed away.' She needs to find the confidence to stand on stage even without Yuhi-san. Right now, she can allow him to spoil her, but it won't be easy in the future.