Looking up at the sky, I saw a small bird flying toward the trees about fifteen meters away from me.
I think I'm getting too distracted —wouldn't it have been better to rest for a while?
Anyway, my sleepiness has already gone.
When I looked back at the direction the little bird had taken, I suddenly remembered the old, run-down restroom.
About four months ago, new bathrooms were installed near the park entrance because the old ones were no longer maintained.
Besides, there was no path or sign indicating their existence, and they were quite far away.
In retrospect, it seemed like the perfect place to play hide-and-seek.
Could it be possible to find an idol in such a dirty bathroom?
I don't know, but I have nothing to lose by going in.
Once I arrived, I entered the men's restroom, which no longer differed from the women's, since the sign had fallen off.
I heard two light footsteps that sounded strange —I thought someone might be there.
I looked at the worn-out wall that desperately needed a redesign and the pipes that still seemed functional.
Turning to the toilet stalls, I saw one that was closed.
I leaned down and looked under the door from a distance, seeing no visible feet.
I thought someone might be hiding, and it seemed I heard two soft steps upon entering —which would make sense if someone had climbed onto the toilet to hide…
I've been playing too many visual novels —maybe it's just my imagination.
– It's strange to see a closed door, I wonder why, well I guess it must have closed by accident at some point… Is someone in there?! —I raised my voice just in case someone responded.
No one answered, so I approached and knocked on the door twice, thinking I might have to climb in and open it if nobody replied.
◇ Occupied!
I heard a voice pretending to be a nervous man's.
But it was only pretending —it sounded like a girl doing her best to sound like a man.
It reminded me of a scene from a visual novel I had played.
In it, one of the heroines fakes a man's voice to trick the protagonist in a comedic way.
It was like a fleeting thought that turned into a mischievous plan on my part to make whoever was inside come out.
– Occupied, huh?... But sir, why aren't your feet on the ground, why are you standing on the toilet? —I tried questioning their behavior to have a reason for action later.
◇ …
– By the way, sir, have you seen anyone resembling Eris Karuizawa? Surely you've heard the name; she's the idol of the moment after all —I tried to bring up a topic to test my suspicions.
◇ …
– I heard she hid somewhere in this park, but no one knows where. Sir? Are you alright? —After my attempt at persuasion, I tried pushing the limits.
Creating a story with the intention of cornering the person inside, I said, voice raised:
– Sir, answer me!
◇ …
– I'm going to break the door down!
◇ Wait-, don't do it-!, um-, e-… —An agitated and nervous high-pitched female voice came from inside.
Nervously, without time to further disguise her voice, she responded, revealing her lie.
– Come on, come out —I said calmly, realizing I had discovered her.
Slowly, the door opened, revealing the most famous idol of all.
She looked at me with anger and embarrassment for being discovered.
I think she assumed I was playing a joke on her, but I just wanted to be playful —I never imagined meeting the real Eris.
It was different from what I remembered from TV. Sure, she was just as beautiful, but her expression was unlike anything I had seen before —I didn't think an angel could look so indignant.
– Looks like I found you, Eris-chan —I said teasingly, a smile of the same nature spreading across my face.
I never thought I'd meet the real Eris in person —you can't blame my ego for swelling a bit.
◇ Damn, how dare you mock the future greatest idol of all time! That should be a crime for such audacity!
– I'm sorry. I truly didn't mean to mock you. I didn't expect someone as important as you to actually be in the men's restroom, I just got carried away —Trying to calm her, I replied, attempting to avoid making her angry.
As I spoke the truth, I unconsciously scratched the back of my neck.
I didn't intend to make her uncomfortable at all —it just seemed funny to play a prank.
◇ That doesn't matter anymore, sigh, now I need to get out of here before anyone finds me
With a thoughtful look, Eris began to consider a way to escape without being seen, so reflexively, I tried to help her.
– It's 10:30 right now, if you want to escape, you should hurry, because soon the park will get more crowded, and if even one person sees you, rumors will spread, making it impossible to leave unnoticed
◇ Mhhh, I understand… But there's something I'm worried about. You won't tell anyone you met me, right? —She said hesitantly.
She started looking at me distrustfully.
It was difficult for me to tell her that I couldn't do something so cruel to someone as famous as her —surely, if I did, the news would reach many people in the park.
And considering that, it would take her team a long time to manage the crowd without preparation.
Besides, her team can't search freely.
If they did, they could raise suspicions among the people if Eris had been seen, confirming her identity. In other words, her team can't act efficiently until her location is confirmed.
Everything would be solved if Eris simply told them where she was so they could escort her discreetly. But I think she already knows —for some reason, she doesn't want to.
More importantly, I can't let her continue to distrust me.
– Well, I suppose I could keep quiet if you do me a small favor —I proposed a deal to ease her suspicions.
◇ What kind of favor?
– I… —I thought about what I could ask her.
◇ You?…
– I'd like to take a photo with you! —I said, tilting my head.
I couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed and unconsciously scratched my cheek.
Honestly, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity —the future biggest star of all was in front of me, and I gathered my courage to ask.
◇ Ahh, is that all you want? Then there's no problem. By the way, what's your name?
– It's Shido, Kurosaki Shido! I can't believe it! I actually thought you'd refuse!
Involuntarily, I grabbed my hair with my eyes closed, trying to calm my disbelief.
◇ Of course I wouldn't refuse a request for a photo with a fan!
She stood by my side as I immediately pulled out my phone to take the picture.
– Here goescamera sound
The photo was taken, and I went to check it immediately —but it wasn't what I expected.
– Hey —a bit awkwardly, I called her.
◇ Yes?
– I didn't want a photo of that you, I wanted a photo of your true self
The photo she had posed for with a simple smile showed a beautiful girl exuding love and tenderness.
With a charming smile, she made a peace sign against her cheek in a very cute way, showing off her exceptional beauty that earned her the nickname "angel."
To me, all of that seemed somewhat fake.
◇ You want a photo of my true self? Mhh, I guess I can… But why do you prefer a photo that's not as good as the one you took?
– I'd like to take a photo that shows how you really are, not one where you're pretending. Photos are taken for different reasons, but I want to capture the essence of things, which is why I'd like to see a more natural expression —if possible, of course.
◇ No problem
This time, she approached more slowly, keeping a little distance from my side.
The photo was taken while I showed a slight, simple smile; she looked embarrassed and unsure how to pose, staring at the camera without any gesture.
– Alright! That's it!
◇ I'm glad that's over
– By the way, do you want me to help you get out without being seen?
◇ Would you really help me?
– Of course, I have nothing better to do anyway
After a brief pause, Eris seemed inclined to say yes.
◇ Then I gladly accept your help
She looked shy and slightly flushed —I think she struggles to express gratitude.
Let's see. We have an advantage being in a quiet, little-known place, but we still can't let our guard down. First, let's check the tools at our disposal.
– Eris-san—
◇ Just call me Eris
Eris, just her first name? She doesn't seem bothered by honorifics —maybe it's because her mother is German?
– Alright, Eris… Mhh, what do you have in that bag?
The first step in planning a strategy is to see what tools we have at our disposal.
◇ Pepper spray, a teaser, combs, hair ties, my phone, ribbons, a notebook with a pen, my glasses, and a beret
With the following items in our inventory, I now had to plan an attack strategy to get out of this situation.
Maybe I'm overdoing it as if I'm a player, but I'll stick with it.
Eris is extremely cute and easily recognizable. Even if she changes her attitude, as she did with me, showing her true personality, she could blend in.
She really seemed like a different person, but that wouldn't be enough to go unnoticed.
We need to change her hairstyle, way of speaking, walking style, and behavior.
Everything must be done naturally to avoid attracting attention as some eccentricity; then, considering her height, appearance, and features…
After a few moments, the pieces of this puzzle came together in my mind… That's it… Eris should be an… Imouto!
– I-I got it!!
◇ Wh-what, did you come up with a good idea?
– Yes, exactly. I thought you could pretend to be my little sister
She's a genius in acting —I once read in her biography that she appeared in several award-winning films.
◇ Your little sister?
– Yes, think about it, we're in a public park, it's not strange to see an older brother walking with his little sister! Also, if you add two pigtails to your look you'll pass as a little sister who goes unnoticed
◇ I guess that makes sense
Somewhat doubtful at first, she then began fixing her hair, tying it into two long, silky pigtails reaching her chest.
Then she moved her upper body as if bowing, struck poses with her hips slightly angled left or right, and walked in various ways —like a small child, hopping on one foot, taking small jumps.
Could this be what they call… getting into character?
After just over a minute, she stood in front of me.
◇ Ahem. Onii-chan, could you buy me an ice cream, please?
After getting my attention, she looked at me with cat-like eyes, her hands under her jaw, elbows out, where I could clearly see the size of her chest.
Wasn't that a B-cup?! Anyway, it would be impossible for any Onii-chan to refuse that request, right?
– Eh!? Wh-what are you d-doing? —I could barely handle the critical damage I'd just taken, in a comedic way.
◇ What did you think of my performance as Eris, "the perfect little sister"? —With a bright smile and confident gaze, she looked at me boldly.
– I guess that will do —I said, slightly calmer.
◇ Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!
She seemed excited; we left the bathroom and headed into the park to test my master plan.
For some reason, I felt like I was going to get exhausted quickly.