Oshi no Ko: The Maestro

Chapter 12: Whispers of Deception and Desire

The school library buzzed with the sound of hushed whispers and pages turning. Students sat at various tables, engrossed in their studies or buried deep in the world of literature. In one secluded corner, tucked away amidst the rows of bookshelves, a girl sat, her attention focused on a book open in front of her. This was where Frill sought solace from the noise and chaos of the outside world.

As Frill continued to read, a shadow fell across the pages of her book. She looked up to find a mischievous grin on the face of Hiroshi, the guy who often came there to spend time with her. She blinked, momentarily taken aback by his sudden appearance.

"Hey there, Shiranui-san," Hiroshi greeted, plopping himself down in the empty seat opposite her.
"Fancy running into you in this secret haven of yours."

Frill's eyebrows arched in surprise, not quite sure how to respond to Hiroshi's unexpected arrival. "Shirotaka-san, what brings you here today?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and scepticism.

"Ah, well, you see," Hiroshi leaned back in his chair. "You know I like to come to the library to relax and paying you a visit is a must."

Frill's surprise melted away, replaced by a warm smile that reached her eyes. She closed her book gently, placing it on the table before speaking.
"Well, I must say, Shirotaka-san, I'm glad to be someone you find solace with," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Your company is nice."

Hiroshi chuckled softly, his mischievous grin widening. "I'm honoured to be your companion, Shiranui-san."

As their conversation continued, Frill couldn't help but recall a piece of news she had heard recently. Leaning in slightly, she said,
"By the way, congratulations on becoming a new member of the Lala Lie theatrical company. I heard about it from one of our classmates. That's quite an accomplishment, Shirotaka-san."

Hiroshi's eyes sparkled with excitement as he leaned forward. "You heard about that? Yes, it's true! I auditioned a while ago, and they accepted me."

Frill nodded, her smile growing. "That's wonderful, Shirotaka-san. I do not doubt that you'll excel in your acting endeavours. You've always had a flair for it, and joining Lala Lie is a brilliant choice to further develop your talent. They have a great reputation and produce incredible performances."

Hiroshi's grin turned into a mixture of gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Shiranui-san. Your belief in me means a lot. "

Frill leaned in closer, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"So, Shirotaka-san, I couldn't help but wonder if you have a role in the upcoming drama play I heard about. Is that something you can reveal, or will it be a surprise for later?"

Hiroshi chuckled playfully, tapping his finger against his chin as if deep in thought.
"Well, Shiranui-san, I could tell you, but where's the fun in that? I think it would be much more exciting to keep you guessing."

Frill arched an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Oh, is that so? Trying to keep me on the edge of my seat, are you?"

Hiroshi's grin widened, and he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms casually.
"Of course, Shiranui-san. After all, is a famous girl of your calibre showing interest in me? I might just have to work even harder now."

Frill couldn't help but chuckle at Hiroshi's teasing words. "Smooth talker, aren't you? But I'm afraid I can't give in so easily. You'll have to work a little harder than that, Shirotaka-san."

Hiroshi chuckled softly. He looked at Frill as he leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"So, Shiranui-san, what have you been up to these days?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.