Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

Back In Action

The days had passed ever since and there was no longer a sign whatsoever of Kimiko, much to everyone's relief. And thus the days were able to pass on, summer itself being over sooner than expected. There was so much in the end Izumi got to explore, especially once summer vacation hit for Ann and she was a bit more free than she usually would be. Of course it would not last for eternity, he was aware of that, and soon enough he had to prepare himself to get back into the dorms. Just when he had gotten used to the small living space it was time to say goodbye to it. Idol activities had to resume one way or another, the others could not handle everything on their own for eternity. Though as for what he wanted to make of himself exactly... The answer was still unclear. He wished to have been further than he was at this very moment, possibly even having an answer to this question as a whole. However, he had made several steps forward so the hiatus was not a total waste of time. He felt like he was in a clearer headspace than before and things seemed easier than before. Not too easy of course but things have come a long way, too much to count. A lot can happen in a short amount of time after all. But alas, his head was in the clear and he felt more than confident to continue with his idol activities. If it was with his friends, he would happily continue until he truly found out where his life was headed. Even if it takes years in the end, those things take time. He learnt that one way or another. This was one of those things.

"So, back to idol work huh?" At this moment however, Izumi had decided to pay Ann a proper visit yet again. It had been days since he continued working and there was a lot to catch up on. Kasa–Kun briefed him on anything necessary for those days and the interviews were a lot to keep up with. He could hardly catch a break. Not to mention that he soon needed to return to Florenz for a little while to resume his model work. Granted, with the recent events it might not be the most ideal job at the moment but he was stuck with it. He put some work into it already, he may as well keep going. Besides, in the industry he was walking in, he could decide to change paths maybe. It helps if he made a name for himself. Not as Sena Kimiko's 'son', but as Sena Izumi. He was more than determined to show that he can be better than that witch in any way. He doesn't need her guidance or whatever, he can do it himself! And he has the support he needs right here with him! It just took him a bit too long to realize that...

"What? Are you going to blame me for that now? It can't exactly be helped, you know." He sighed, not sure what to make of Ann's tone. Was she disappointed or something? Or was she unfazed? It was hard to tell with her sometimes. Though she would give him an answer soon enough by turning to him instead of facing the screen.

"Ah— I know! Not a problem! Just... Uhm..." She started to stutter. Something is going on in her mind, isn't it?

"Just what exactly?" He repeated, wondering what she was heading at while trying to put her on the spot.

"If you return as an idol... That might have to mean... Ahem... No dating!" She explained, at first hesitant yet the last part of her sentence shot out right of her mouth.

Izumi only looked at her, a little confused, before suddenly having a grin on his face, then laughing her concern off rather easily.

"Hah!? What's funny!?" She asked, shocked at his reaction perhaps? Maybe~

"Seriously? You should've thought about that months ago!" He countered, the laughter not really disappearing. "Does it look like I care now?"

"W... Well... You should..."

"Listen, it's not going to be a problem if no one outside of Knights finds out."

"Outside of Knights!? Do the others—"

"Yeah. Naru–Chan was bothering me with questions left and right once I came back. That woman had five pages of questions ready."

"F... Five!? How—"

"Anyway, don't worry about them. They'll keep their mouths shut one way or another. I'd be more surprised if they didn't."

Ann only looked at him in disbelief yet had to accept it as fact. Or so her sigh suggested. "If you say so..."

"And if they don't, I'll make sure they shut up. It's that simple~" Izumi added, however, a rather sinister grin on his face for a moment which made her flinch once seeing it.

"Wha— How—"

"I have my ways if necessary~" He continued, though his grin would soon fade, replaced with his usual expression in the end. "But it won't ever have to come to that. So don't worry your pretty little head about it."

She only nodded at first, seeming to be about to go back to her work yet there was something else he wanted to point out, something which had caught his eye for a short while now.

"Oh, by the way, what happened to your fake glasses?"

"Eh? Those?"

"Yeah. Did you sit on them by accident or something? At least keep your stuff away from the floor, will—"

"No, nothing of that kind!" Ann responded quickly, shaking her head. "I... Uhm... Don't want to wear them."

Izumi looked at her, a bit surprised to hear that. "You don't?"

"No, not anymore. I never have needed... Well, those. It's annoying."

"That's a first. Whenever I snatched them you would just get all embarrassed." He teased with a sly smirk.

"Ah— Getting used to it!" She responded, slightly pouting. "So too bad!"

"Hey hey, I'm not complaining. I thought they looked pretty stupid on you anyway."

"Hah!? What!? You saying that—"

"No putting words in my mouth. I said you look stupid with glasses, not without. Keep them off, it suits you better."

Hearing that made Ann suddenly turn red, beet red even. Ah yes, tomato Ann, always an amusing sight. This girl was so easy to embarrass sometimes. You just needed to hit the right nerve. It was super effective when she started stuttering like crazy, unable to form a proper sentence, let alone a word. Ah, this was something Izumi just never got tired of.

However, just when he had started to really enjoy himself he heard a voice calling out for him. "Sena–Senpai! We are about to head out for today! Could you hurry this up!?" It was Kasa–Kun's voice, him even peeking inside the office. "Pardon the intrusion but it is time we get going."

"Right right! I'll be there in a sec!" Izumi responded, looking over to Kasa–Kun before turning right back to Ann, reaching his hand out to her head to pat it. "You behave yourself, got it? Or it might not end pretty for you if I find out."

"Ah— Right back at you!" She responded with a light pout, having to endure the pats for a short moment though he soon moved his hand away from her head, as difficult as it was.

"Secchan... Hurry... I want to drop Nyeli off..." Another voice echoed into the office and a quick turn around revealed Kuma–Kun with Patch in his arms, both having peaked in all the same. But it was not just him in the end...

"Hey you two! Give them their space! It's rude to interrupt love birds!" Naru–Chan warned, peaking in just as much as the rest of the lot.

"Wahaha! I should watch this more often! They're giving me more song ideas! Oh oh! I can think of one now! How a—"

"You all know this is an invasion of privacy, right?" Izumi interrupted before Leo could even start, sighing. The one in her seat however was just staring and being utterly embarrassed it seemed.

"Nye!" Patch tried to play the one who agreed and even imitated his brothnya's expression yet he also got a light glare.

"Don't pretend to be innocent either." He warned the kitty, this one feeling called out and nodded soon enough, then pouting.

"Anyway, I'll be off now. I'll see you later Ann?"

She nodded, smiling brightly once she did. "Yeah, see you later Izumi. Have a nice day at work~!"

Yeah, those were the days now... And he was going to look forward to more of them.