“It’s very likely.”
Koharu Miura nodded. “The other party might have already noticed that I’m in contact with you.”
“The fact they could write the name so accurately means they’re at least keeping an eye on me.” Arisa Kiyono let out a cold laugh.
Before Koharu Miura could speak, Arisa Kiyono’s expression darkened.
“Just as I thought… Not only are they spying on my life from the shadows, but now they’re starting to target you too.”
“Miura, you should probably just — “
” — That’s why, Kiyono.”
Koharu Miura interrupted Arisa’s voice, her eyes filled with a firm sense of seriousness. “We need to take the initiative. We can’t just keep waiting for the other party to strike.”
“…”
Seeing that the girl had no intention of backing down, Arisa Kiyono’s pupils trembled slightly. “…Aren’t you afraid?” she asked.
” — That’s not it at all, Kiyono.” Koharu Miura’s words held not a hint of hesitation. “We haven’t done anything wrong, so why should we be afraid of bad people?”
“No matter what, it’s the fault of the person doing bad things. I don’t think someone like that is anything to be afraid of.”
Arisa Kiyono froze for a moment, then her expression relaxed slightly. Her gaze toward Koharu Miura took on a touch of harmless teasing. “Take the initiative?”
“Miura, do you think this is some TV drama?”
“I thought about it for a long time last night.” Koharu Miura was not discouraged by her cold water.
Instead, she continued the conversation that had been interrupted the day before. “Regarding the poster on that forum and the harassment you’ve been facing.”
Arisa Kiyono’s body stiffened ever so slightly.
“Even though the other party hasn’t shown their face directly, they send you strange messages and even know your private number.” Koharu Miura lowered her voice.
“Since that’s the case, do you still have the records of those harassing calls or texts?”
Arisa Kiyono fell silent. She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow over her face and masking the emotions in her gaze.
“If you still have those records, even if it’s just one number or one message…” Koharu Miura’s voice held a gentle, inclusive warmth. “We can go to the police. Even if they can’t give a full punishment because the other party is just a student…”
“At the very least, we can make it so you are no longer harassed or threatened, Kiyono.”
“The police will also have the authority to check the real-name registration information for that number.”
“Once the other party’s identity is confirmed, we’ll have absolute control of the situation. Whether it’s to restore peace for you in class or to prevent the tragedy of the Anniversary, this is the most direct way.”
“Everything will be fine after that.”
The air in the room seemed to freeze in that instant.
Arisa Kiyono remained silent for a long time before suddenly snapping her head up. Her gem-like eyes shimmered with an unusual anger. “The police?”
She repeated the words heavily, her voice sounding somewhat distorted due to her suppressed emotions.
“I’ve had to keep hiding just so my identity wouldn’t be exposed! Under these circumstances, how do you expect me to go to the police?”
“If going to the police was an option, why wouldn’t I have done it before?”
“Koharu Miura, what on earth are you thinking? If this is all you intended to say to me, then I think meeting you was nothing but a waste of time.”
Arisa Kiyono stood up abruptly. Because the movement was so sudden, the table was pushed aside.
“Once I enter a police station and once the police start an investigation, the fact that I, Arisa Kiyono, am ALISA from SugarStarlight will be completely exposed!”
“Do you think those police officers would keep my secret? Do you think the media outlets that track down privacy would let such a big story go?” Her shoulders heaved violently.
“If I can’t hide it at school, I’ll be forced to leave the group.”
“All my hard work over the last few years — everything I’ve done for that group — would vanish in an instant!”
With her face flushed with excitement, Arisa Kiyono’s expression looked almost twisted. “Is this what you call helping??”
Koharu Miura watched the nearly hysterical girl before her, yet she didn’t feel surprised. This reaction was entirely within her expectations.
‘I said those words on purpose.’
While Arisa Kiyono was acting out, Koharu’s eyes were also incessantly and quietly observing the surroundings.
“…”
“I understand…” After a moment, Koharu Miura lowered her head, her tone carrying a sense of deep regret. “I’m sorry. That was an oversight on my part.”
She stood up, her tone becoming quite gentle. Quietly, she leaned in close to Arisa Kiyono’s side.
A whisper was then conveyed to her.
” — !”
Arisa Kiyono’s body stiffened. The gaze she directed toward Koharu Miura was filled with utter disbelief.
Koharu Miura pulled back, returning to her original posture. “I apologize. I just… I didn’t want to see you being tormented by this stuff anymore.”
“Since this method would cause you so much pain, then let’s treat it as a last resort for when we have no other choice. I won’t mention the police again until the very last moment.”
Arisa Kiyono’s reaction, however, didn’t seem like she was listening to those words at all. Her eyes were quite chaotic, and she looked as though she didn’t know how to react.
The two fell into silence once more.
Koharu Miura stood to the side. On the surface, she appeared flustered and full of guilt, but out of the corner of her eye, she was constantly observing the gap in the private room’s door and the pedestrians occasionally passing by on the street outside.
” — Kiyono, it’s almost time.” Koharu Miura glanced at the clock on the wall and reminded Arisa. “You should be heading to practice, right?”
“I’m sorry for saying things that upset you. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Arisa Kiyono continued to stare intently at Koharu Miura.
Koharu Miura gave her a meaningful look. ” — Go on to practice.”
After saying this with clear intent, Koharu Miura bowed her head.
“…Fine.” Only then did Arisa Kiyono agree, following Koharu Miura’s lead.
“All right, Kiyono. Have a safe trip,” Koharu Miura said softly, like a normal girl seeing off a friend.
The sound of wind chimes came from the shop entrance. Koharu Miura stood by the table, looking at the warm drink sitting there.
The timidness and guilt on her face vanished without a trace in an instant, replaced by a serious calm.
Koharu Miura walked to the window and watched Arisa’s heavily bundled figure disappear at the end of the street.
However, Koharu Miura did not leave immediately. She remained on the second floor, her sharp gaze scanning every corner of the street below.
She was looking.
If the other party was still following her even during a private meeting like this, then they would definitely have to show up nearby.