Pride and Prejudice

“It’s morning. If you don’t get up, I’m going to leave you alone and go to class, okay? Really, pull yourself together…”

“Good afternoon. Do you want to take a nap after lunch? I can lend you my lap this time.”

“Good night… I was very happy today too, and I hope to be with you forever and ever in the future…”

After recording the alarm clock requests for the first fan, Kazakami Ritsu felt her face burning a little.

‘Recording this kind of content in public really does feel a bit embarrassing.’

However, seeing the happy expression on that girl’s face, Kazakami Ritsu felt slightly better in her heart.

“Mm, absolutely will be together forever and ever.”

Teraoin Hane, who finished recording for the other fan, suddenly leaned over and added a sentence seriously.

‘Wait! Teraoin-san? Is that a line you’re saying?’

Kazakami Ritsu leaned back slightly, feeling she couldn’t quite grasp the girl’s thoughts recently.

“Thank you! We will always support you two, and look forward to your future works!”

The two little fans, having successfully met their idols, waved goodbye to Kazakami Ritsu and Teraoin Hane contentedly.

Watching the fans leave, Kazakami Ritsu breathed a sigh of relief, the fake smile appearing on her face again.

“Next, what do you want to play, Teraoin-san?”

However, after Kazakami Ritsu asked this, Teraoin Hane lowered her head.

Teraoin Hane let go of the hand she had been holding tightly just now, the one she hadn’t wanted to let go of even while experiencing the entertainment rides.

“Kazakami… Kazakami-san, do you hate me that much?”

“Eh…? Teraoin-san?”

Hearing Teraoin Hane’s lowered voice, Kazakami Ritsu froze on the spot.

Teraoin Hane, with her head lowered, took a deep breath and clenched her fists tightly.

“Liar… Clearly not happy at all, yet always pretending to be very happy.”

“Clearly don’t like doing something, yet accommodating because of others’ preferences. Kazakami-san, no, Kazakami, you are a complete and utter big liar!”

Teraoin Hane no longer deliberately controlled her emotions; she really hated Kazakami Ritsu’s current way of doing things.

This feeling was like being fooled like a child.

‘But why? Clearly, I didn’t do anything wrong…’

Listening to Teraoin Hane’s sudden accusation, Kazakami Ritsu realized that her approach was indeed somewhat ill-considered.

“Sorry… Teraoin-san.”

But in this situation, it seemed only “sorry” could be said.

She seemed to have been influenced by the habits developed when she was a corporate s*ave in her previous life, and the social convenience brought by such habits.

Always thinking of facing everyone seen in life and work with various fake emotions.

Hearing Kazakami Ritsu’s apology, the grievance in Teraoin Hane’s heart became even stronger.

“Why apologize? Clearly didn’t do anything wrong. Isn’t this… making me sadder?”

Listening to Teraoin Hane’s voice on the verge of tears, Kazakami Ritsu pursed her lips.

‘Truly weak, Kazakami Ritsu.’

‘Face reality. You are still a guy cloaked as a social butterfly who actually just craves warmth.’

“No, I apologize because I shouldn’t have treated you this way.”

“Eh? What do you mean…”

“Whether you believe it or not, Teraoin-san, I really consider you a good friend, so…”

Kazakami Ritsu didn’t continue the second half of the sentence but extended her hand to Teraoin Hane again.

Rather than shrinking back in fear of being hurt by others and thus hurting others…

It was better to shed those useless disguises and show her truest self in front of specific people.

“Let’s go, Teraoin-san. You can’t leave me alone in the amusement park, right?”

Teraoin Hane looked up, staring blankly at Kazakami Ritsu reaching out to her.

‘Different… it seems really different.’

If the previous Kazakami-san only emitted a ray of light inadvertently…

Then the current her seemed to be reborn, making it hard to look away.

“Okay… but Kazakami-san, what if I accidentally choose a project you’re not good at again?”

Teraoin Hane held Kazakami Ritsu’s hand again, her apprehensive heart feeling reassured by the temperature from her palm.

Hearing her words, Kazakami Ritsu revealed an awkward smile and answered honestly.

“Ahaha… I’m a bit bad at handling projects like drop towers and pirate ships. Other projects should be fine.”

Hearing Kazakami Ritsu’s answer, Teraoin Hane nodded thoughtfully.

‘Hmm… all high-altitude scare projects. Looks like Kazakami-san is a bit afraid of heights.’

‘Then regarding the segment of going to the Ferris wheel together after the amusement park lights up in the evening today, should I change it?’

Thinking this, Teraoin Hane decided to find a place to spend some time discussing the afternoon schedule.

“Then… let’s go eat first? Let’s discuss what projects to play later by the way.”

Regarding this proposal, Kazakami Ritsu naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Since she had met fans, wouldn’t it be good to take this opportunity to operate (post on social media) a bit?

Thinking this, Kazakami Ritsu took out her phone and logged into her social account.

Very good. Since the live broadcast aired, her fan count had achieved a leap.

From a transparent little rookie with single digits before, she was now a small-fry voice actor with five digits approaching six digits of fans.

Picking up her phone, she took a photo of the roller coaster in the distance, edited a paragraph of text, and sent it.

[Dragged to the amusement park by @Teraoin Hane today. The first project experienced was the roller coaster [Image.jpg]. But met two fans afterward, so very happy.]

Not long after sending this status, several comments popped up underneath instantly.

[World’s Number One Female Lead: So nice. You should remember that official recording is starting soon, right?]

[Divine Punishment!: Who are you people? Actually taking photos and operating. Where did you hide God?]

[Crying Cat Head: Looks like… it’s Yomiuriland. The roller coaster there is quite scary.]

Looking at the hundreds of comments instantly appearing under the status, Kazakami Ritsu finally felt like she had made it.

However, before she could be happy for long, Teraoin Hane beside her, who seemed to have a bit of a naturally black-bellied attribute…

With just one sentence, froze the smile on Kazakami Ritsu’s face.

“Eh, Kazakami-san, you actually posted a status? I thought you would only post work-related statuses like work promotions, radio dramas, and live broadcasts.”

‘What are you talking about! I’m not a workaholic who only knows how to work!’

‘Besides, aren’t statuses meant to record interesting things for sharing?’

‘My life before was boring, so isn’t it normal to have nothing to share?’

“Teraoin-san, I think you have a deep prejudice against me. I feel it is necessary to communicate deeply with you.”