Empty Promises

|5| Hard Work Always Pays Off

A/N: Recommend reading: Up to chapter 50

"Oh Hanami! There you are!" A girl from my former drama club came running towards me.

I watched her get closer to me, rather confused by what was going on. I had always seen her trailing behind Fuyuko even though said girl didn't give her the time of day. And for a stranger reason, she still idolized her. So, since Fuyuko despised me, Emica did too. So, why was she suddenly being nice to me?

"What do you want?" I growled, my eyebrows narrowing in suspicion.

"Ah! Are you in a bad mood today?" She tilted her head though her question was sincere and there was no sign of mockery or hostility.

"I'm fine," I simply replied, still not letting my guard down. "What do you want?"

"Oh I was just wondering if you'll be attending the school play next week," she smiled innocently.

"Why do you care?" I frowned.

"Because you used to work in it, so I supposed you'd like to see how it all came together," she chuckled. "I could even get you backstage!"

'Why would I even want to go?' I thought bitterly.

Why would I even want to see that play? Just to be reminded of the role I didn't get? Just so that Fuyuko can rub it in my face? Thank you, but I'll pass.

"No, I'm not going," I finally replied. "I quit."

"Wait, really?" She arched her eyebrows in surprise.

"Yes," I frowned, not liking this supposedly 'innocent' attitude of hers.

"That's such a pity," she pouted. "You were so good."

"Tell that to Mrs Fujikama," I growled under my breath as I began to walk away.

"I think she already knows that," she simply said, her words grabbing my attention and making me halt abruptly.

"I doubt it." I turned around. "If she did, she would've chosen me, not that wretched Fuyuko."

"Oh, and she did."

I frowned. What?

"Explain. Now," I growled.

"Fuyuko didn't audition for the role," she said in one go, quite taken aback by my aggressiveness. "She used her family's influence to bribe Mrs Fujikawa. You were going to get the role so she obviously wasn't going to allow it."

Honestly, I wasn't really expecting Emica to actually listen to me. She always did whatever Fuyuko ordered and never even spared a glance at me.

I pursed my lips, my eyes narrowing in suspicion. Was she telling the truth? I had no idea. She could easily be playing with me. But... her words did make sense... Fuyuko came from a very rich family with a lot of influence so it would explain why she easily got all the roles she wanted.

A very rich family... Hmmm... Just like Rui...

Without saying anything else, I turned around and headed to class.

Once the day was over, I made my way to the school gates, ready to get back home. As always, Rui walked me home.

"(L/N)," I called, my eyebrows knitting together the longer I thought about Emica's words.

"What?"

"Fuyuko," I clicked my tongue. "Do you know her?"

"You'll have to be a bit more specific," he said as he continued walking.

"That girl that was hara-... you know who I'm talking about," I frowned.

"What about her?" His eyebrows furrowed in disgust, as if he was just now remembering who she was.