chapter 12

“And now, to close out the event, we have a special present from Shion-san!”

In the end, Rinka didn’t come back even as the surprise event was about to end.

She must’ve been searching for me this entire time…

Even if she had to miss Shion…

Since I told Rinka I also liked Shion, she probably wants me to see Shion with her too.

Rinka is just that kind of a person.

“Here’s how it’ll work. Shion will throw a ball, and whoever manages to catch the ball will get an autograph from him!”

The director is preparing to cover his ears.

Sure enough, when everyone heard what the present would be, they erupted in a mob-like, near-deafening cheer once again.

Looks like my autograph is quite valuable since everyone seems to really want it.

“Okay, Shion-san. Here’s the ball!”

“Got it. Hmm, I wonder where should I throw it~”

Rinka would definitely jump for joy if she got Shion’s autograph.

I pretended to be thinking hard to buy some time.

I can’t do this for too long since the movie will start soon.

“Alright, I’ll be throwing the ball!”

I was ready to throw the ball now since Rinka wasn’t in sight.

“Hey, Shion-kun! Is it okay if I catch the ball?”

“Ah, you’re not allowed to take it, director!”

“Ahaha, maybe if I get on your good side, you’ll consider working with me on my next project.”

The audience was excited to hear me joking around since I rarely ever make jokes.

I looked offstage, and I saw Suzuki holding a cue card.

“We’re running out of time, you have to throw the ball soon.”

Rinka, are you still looking for me outside…?

“Suzuki-san, don’t just stand around there! Come here and sing a song for us!”

“H-hey, Shion! Don’t call me out like that!”

The hall got excited once again after hearing that Suzuki might come up on stage and sing.

Since Suzuki had sung during our last live performance, she seems to have gained some popularity.

Looks like I can’t buy any more time for Rinka.

But, just in the nick of time, the door to the venue silently opened.

Rinka entered, looking disappointed and sad.

I immediately shouted as loud as I could.

“Since we’re running out of time, I’ll be throwing the ball now!”

I wonder what would’ve happened if Rinka was still sitting down in her seat.

I’d have to try and carefully aim at that one specific seat.

I wouldn’t be able to do something that difficult.

What’s more is that the people around her might try to reach out and take the ball from her.

But, what if she was in a completely different location, far away from anyone else?

“Ooh, Shion-san has thrown the ball! Did the ball slip from his hands!? It looks like it’s headed towards the entrance of the venue!”

“…Huh?”

Please, let Rinka catch the ball…

This is for all the trouble I’ve caused you today.

Even though Shion was having a surprise appearance, you still chose to look for me instead. This is for the Rinka who’s kind to a person like me.

This is the least I could do for you.

“Uwawawa!”

I threw the ball towards Rinka’s chest.

It bounced and was caught by Rinka.

Her chest was just the right size for the ball, not too big and not too small.

“Congratulations! I’m sorry to ask this of you, but since we’re running out of time, could you please run to the stage?”

“Heh? U-umm, okay!”

Rinka did as she was instructed and went up to the stage, while everyone could only stare at her bitterly.

The person in question must be really confused right now.

“Sorry but, what am I supposed to do here…?”

“Okay, Shion-san! Please go ahead and give her your autograph!”

“Huh?! An autograph?! No way…”

I quickly wrote my autograph on a colored piece of paper.

“Sorry, I can’t take this… I wasn’t at the event the entire time, so it’d be very rude of me to take this…”

Rinka muttered quietly, being the sincere person she is.

Suzuki managed to quickly handle her complaint.

“Sorry, but we don’t have any more time to redo it. Please, just accept the autograph.”

Thanks to Suzuki’s help, I quickly gave Rinka my autograph.

“Since the movie is about to start, we’ll end this surprise event here. I hope everyone enjoys the movie, 『Scramble Edge』!”

As soon as Shiraishi-san ended the event, I quickly left the stage along with the director and manager.

～～～～～～～～～～

“I’m really sorry! Please let me make it up to you in the future!”

While I was changing out of my clothes, I apologized to my superiors.

“What are you saying? Everyone was really excited! Isn’t this a huge success?”

“That’s right. We did have to cancel the closing remarks from the director, but that was just to kill any time we had left. The movie was able to start as planned, so there’s no problem.”

“In fact, since Shion rarely makes jokes, today’s joke got you covered on the news, and it has the added effect of publicity! Fan service from a top-notch artist really hits differently.”

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s morning news. Shion-kun, you’re probably going to get even more famous.”

“Don’t spoil Shion too much… As Shion’s manager, I would like to sincerely apologize to everyone for Shion’s earlier actions.”

Leaving the aftermath to Suzuki, I quickly changed back into my female appearance.

I’m really sorry, Suzuki…

“Since you’re wearing women’s clothes… m-maybe I should lend you my underwear?”

“I don’t need women’s underwear!”

The other staff started joking around my appearance, so I had to brush them off.

I washed up my hair and styled it to how I usually do.

Then, I put on my blonde wig.

I started heading towards the seat where Rinka would be awaiting me.