Character Story 4: A Flameless Conflagration
Scene: A street in Landsol.
On her day off, Nozomi is going on a walk with Yuuki.
Nozomi
It's been so long since my last day off! I can finally relax.
Nozomi
I'm going to play with all my might today! If it's with you, then it'll definitely be the best day off!
Nozomi
Ah, but I can't get too carried away. If I get spotted by fans, then there goes my holiday.
Nozomi
Huh? What is it? Over there...
A light shines.
Nozomi
What, what's this light!? It's bright... Ahhh!
Scene: A dream. A street in Japan.
Nozomi
Hey, over here! Hurry!
Nozomi
Sorry for calling you out here so suddenly! One of my gigs was suddenly cancelled...
Nozomi
So I have some precious free time now. I thought, why don't we do something fun before my next gig? That's why I called you!
Nozomi
We don't have too much time, but let's have as much fun as we can! Where should we go?
Pedestrian 1
Ah! Look! On that street TV display -- it's Nozomi!
Nozomi
Huh? What's that? Is it a compilation of past TV performances? Or a movie trailer?
TV Program
"Have we discovered popular idol Sakurai Nozomi's boyfriend!?" This article was published in today's weekly magazines...
Nozomi
This program... is broadcasting rumors about my love life!? Gross!
Nozomi
This is a bunch of nonsense! I was just doing a photo shoot with someone else.
Nozomi
Even though there are only the two of us in the photos, there were a lot of staff around. People should figure out that it was just a misunderstanding soon enough.
Nozomi
You shouldn't listen to romance rumors like this. They're totally unfounded, and they're just there to trick people.
Nozomi
Like, if someone were to take a picture of you and me right now, they'd definitely write something like "Uncovered: A passionate love with a common person!"
Yuuki
1. "I'd be happy if they did that."
2. "I'd be bothered if they did that."
Option 1.
Nozomi
Is, is that right...? Ahaha, this is kind of embarrassing.
Option 2.
Nozomi
... Bothered, huh? I get your feeling, but you don't need to put it so strongly...
End of branches.
Nozomi
Well, anyway, this is just talk -- a photo like that isn't going to be taken...
Fan 1
Hey, isn't that Nozomi!?
Fan 2
Ah! It really is! I'm a big fan!
Nozomi
Ah, darn! I was spotted!?
Nozomi
W-What should I do...!? More and more people are gathering around!?
Fan 1
Hey, who's that with her? It doesn't look like he's her manager!
Fan 2
Could it be... her boyfriend!?
Fan 1
What!? Nozomi has a boyfriend! I'm so jealous... I can't let this go!
Nozomi
Hurry, let's run! At this point, nothing we can say will help!
Nozomi
Here, we can go this way! Take my hand!
Scene: A mall in Japan.
Nozomi
Pant, pant... I don't think they'll chase us this far.
Nozomi
Ah, sorry. I've been grabbing your hand this whole time... And pulling you along pretty forcefully, too.
Nozomi
But there was nothing else I could do. We really had to get away from there.
Nozomi
If a story like that had gotten out, then I might not have been able to see you anymore... I wouldn't have wanted that.
Nozomi
Ah! No! It's time for my next gig! In the end, we couldn't have any fun at all!
Nozomi
Sorry, I'll definitely call you again! So come hang out with me again!
End of dream.
Ames
All right, good work.
Ames
What you just saw was something like a dream. You'll forget about it soon after you wake up, so don't worry too much about it now.
Ames
Speaking of that, Nozomi really has it tough... People who are that famous can't go outside normally anymore.
Ames
On "that side" as well as on "this side", Nozomi seems to be everyone's idol, so you'd better be careful.
Ames
Take special care not to do anything strange and cause trouble for Nozomi's idol activities.
Ames
Then, I won't keep you any longer. See you later!
End of Ames conversation.
Nozomi
Ahhh... Huh? Where is this...? Did I fall asleep?
Nozomi
I had a really weird dream... What was it?
Nozomi
I was with you, and the fans thought that you were my boyfriend...
Nozomi
Eh? You had the same dream? How strange. Could it be some kind of special dream, like maybe, a dream that comes true...
Fan 1
Ah! It's Nozomi!
Fan 2
Hey! There's another boy with her! Could it be her boyfriend!?
Nozomi
Huh!? It really did come true! Run away!
Holding hands, the two of them scurried away.