The sharp screech of metal rails grew closer.
An old-fashioned green iron tram, carrying a glow from another world, was already within reach.
The girl wearing a white baseball cap went completely blank in the head and instinctively closed her eyes, but after waiting for a long time, the imagined pain still didn't arrive.
Her leaning body suddenly stopped, someone had grabbed her wrist. The intense sense of weightlessness was like a silver fish darting up her spine, accompanied by a spinning sensation. The white baseball cap drew a clear arc through the air, while her unbound brown long hair spread out like blooming petals. Then, she fell into a warm embrace.
"Be careful," A crisp voice came from beside her ear, like a soda chilled in the afternoon, mixed with a faint, pleasant mint scent. The platform repeatedly broadcast the tram's arrival announcement, and a familiar white baseball cap was being held by a boy's slender fingers by the brim, handed to her.
"Your thing," The dazed girl still hadn't come back to her senses, merely reached out on instinct to take back her baseball cap, but the moment their fingertips touched, she jolted as if shocked by electricity, the tips of her ears blushing with the color of a sunset.
"T-thank you very much…", She hurriedly put the baseball cap back on, her fair fingertips seeming to still carry the warmth of the other party. As she raised her head, just about to say a few more words of gratitude, the moment she met those light chestnut-colored eyes, she lost the ability to speak. The cold sweat of fear still clung to her back, and her amazement transformed into a gentle breeze that rippled her calm heart.
"Are you okay?", This sudden incident also shocked Anon beside her. Once she recovered, the warm-hearted little sunshine immediately leaned over, full of concern as she asked.
"I-I'm fine," Thanks to her appearance, the girl with the white baseball cap finally regained her voice. She took off her sunglasses and face mask, revealing a face that could only be described as "pure" and sweet in appearance. Then she bowed deeply to Kaito.
"My name is Sumita Mana. Thank you very much for your help. If it weren't for you…", She didn't finish the next words, but it was clear what she meant. Faced with an oncoming tram, relying solely on human flesh and blood, there was obviously no reason to expect survival.
"Eh, eh, eh? M-M-Ma…"
Before Kaito could react, Anon had already instinctively exclaimed, but she quickly remembered something and hurriedly lowered her voice. Even so, the excitement and joy in it were still apparent, "Mana? As in, the Mana from sumimi?"
"If there isn't another Mana in sumimi, then it should be me," Sumita Mana blinked, her charming girlish aura natural and effortless.
What kind of experience is it to suddenly see your idol, whom you normally can only see on screen, appear right in front of you?
Anon held her hands to her chest, her grey eyes practically sparkling, "Mana Mana, you're my fan… no, wait, I'm your idol… no, that's not right either!"
"Anyway, I really love sumimi. I've been following you guys since your debut, and I've watched every one of your performances!"
"Ah… right, I'm Chihaya Anon. Just call me Anon!"
As a currently very popular girl idol, Sumita Mana had clearly experienced this sort of thing plenty of times. She maintained her sweet smile as she skillfully handled the enthusiasm of a little fan, without seeming perfunctory.
While they were talking, the tram had already opened its doors.
Continuing to chat here would clearly obstruct other passengers from boarding.
So after learning that Anon and Kaito were going for afternoon tea together and that it wasn't anything urgent, Sumita Mana proactively asked to join the two of them, hoping to express her gratitude by treating them.
Kaito didn't mind either way, but since he was invited by Chihaya Anon, as a guest he followed the host's lead. Whether or not to accept Sumita Mana's request still depended on the latter's willingness.
One was her crush, the other was her beloved idol.
Anon didn't hesitate at all and happily agreed to this three-person outing, "Sure! But no need to treat us, I'll pay."
Sumita Mana shyly glanced at Kaito from the corner of her eye, her sweet and lovely face slightly red, then quietly said, "I must. After all… thanks to you, I'm still standing here safe and sound."
Compared to a life-saving favor, a single meal wasn't nearly enough to express her gratitude.
There were plenty of empty seats on the tram, and the group found a secluded corner to sit down. Mana also put her mask back on, revealing only a pair of clear and bright eyes, gentle like those of a young deer.
"Speaking of which, for such a famous idol like Mana, is it really okay to take the tram alone like this?", As soon as they sat down, Anon curiously asked.
Normally, wouldn't she have a dedicated assistant for going out?
"Little Chi, you're exaggerating me too much~", Sumita Mana tucked some hair behind her ear, her cherry lips forming a pretty crescent under the mask, "After all, putting aside those external identities, I'm just an ordinary person too. Wanting to go out and relax during my free time is pretty normal, right?"
"L-Little Chi, huh…", Even someone like Chihaya Anon, who had maxed out social skills and a natural extrovert's aura, felt a little shy when faced with her idol's affectionate nickname.
"Is it not okay to call you that?", Sumita Mana pressed her hands together, a little apologetic as she said, "Because I always call Misumi 'Nyamu-chan,' so… sorry, if you don't like it, I'll just call you Anon."
"No, no!", Anon waved her hands quickly, "If Mana can call me that, I'm happy, okay? And hearing how close you sumimi members are, it really puts me at ease~"
When the name "sumimi" was mentioned, a flash of sadness seemed to quickly pass through Sumita Mana's eyes, vanishing in an instant.
But she soon showed a sunny and sweet smile again and couldn't help looking at Kaito beside her, "Speaking of which, I still don't know your name…"
"Kaito."
"So it's Kaito-kun," The brown-haired idol bit her lip under the mask, seemingly a little shy, "About what happened earlier, thank you very much."
"It was just a small favor," Kaito shook his head, "If it had been anyone else standing there, they wouldn't have stood by and done nothing."
"No matter what, the fact is you saved me," Sumita Mana insisted, shaking her phone, "If it's convenient, could we exchange contact info? If something ever comes up that I can help with, anything at all, I will!"
"You're too polite, Miss Sumita," Seeing that she was determined, Kaito thought for a moment, then didn't refuse again. Instead, he looked toward Anon.
"If you really want to repay this favor, why not add Chihaya-san as a friend? After all, she really likes you."
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y