just an act ~ shizuairi

06 : tangled truths

"what to say after coming back from a long hiatus" i search up as i rise from the dead
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greetings 😛
[airi POV]

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Everything should go fine. Right?

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As we push open the front doors of the company building simultaneously, Shizuku and I instantly get bombarded with flashes of light.

Without giving it a second thought, I push past the crowd, ignoring everyone's questions and comments, and drag Shizuku towards the parking lot. But, before we can make it, several reporters and their cameramen block our way, microphones and cameras in hand.

The first pair push their way to the front, right in front of us. "Ms. Momoi, Ms. Hinomori, tell us, are you two really in love? Or is it all an excuse?"

Then the second. "Ms. Momoi, Ms. Hinomori, how did the two of you start dating? Was it all set up?"

Then the third. "Ms. Momoi, Ms. Hinomori, Japan is a very conservative country, highly against the matter of LGBTQ+. How will you deal with the reality of your country?"

Then the fourth, and the fifth, and the sixth, and so on. I feel Shizuku tense next to me and I know I need to get away.

I push the microphones jabbing at our faces away. "...I'm sorry, we're really in a rush. Schedules incredibly packed. You'll have to excuse us," I say, putting on a fake smile while trying to find a way through to the parking lot. But still, no one moved. So, I try again. "I can ask my manager to schedule a Q&A so all of your questions can be answered. But, right now, we really need to be going. Please, excuse us." But still, nothing.

I've always had a problem of not being able to contain my emotions, always lashing out at people, and then regretting it later. But, right now, I can't. I need to keep myself together. If anything happens, I could not only ruin my career, but also the career of Shizuku.

I take a deep breath, trying to regulate the emotions bubbling inside of me, trying to get out. Taking a quick glance at Shizuku, I notice her taking her right hand and wrapping it around my hand, the hand holding her left. With my right hand now incased with both of her hands, I feel my face start to flush, wondering what the hell she's doing. But then, I realize. She's trying to help. Not only by distracting me from the emotions building up inside, but also by distracting the reporters and the cameramen with the sudden "romantic" action. We hear a few cameras go off before Shizuku finally says something.

"As Airi has been trying to say, we have somewhere to be right now, and I apologize, but you all are currently preventing us from getting there," she tells them, putting on a considerate face. "Simply put, the two of us are dating, but the rest of your 'more in depth' questions will have to be answered another time. I hope you understand..."

"...Right, we apologize... Have a nice evening," we hear a few of them say, beginning to depart once they finally understand they won't be getting any information out of us.

"S-sorry," others mumble, following shortly after those who left first. Shizuku is always able to charm people, no matter who they are.

Once the pests are all gone, Shizuku turns to face me, giving me the same smile she gave them, just actually sincere this time. And no wonder they instantly gave in, I feel as though I'm about to melt into the ground the longer she stares at me. But before that actually happens, I hear a car honk from the distance, realizing that it's probably our driver.

"FUCK. Shizuku we forgot about the driver!" I yell, dragging her towards the noise. Once we finally reach the car, I tap on the passenger side window to alert the driver. And, shortly after, the window begins to roll down, revealing none other than Ena.