Chapter 33: 033, Encountering Little Fatty Cai Again

Chapter 33: 033, Meeting Little Fatty Akina Again~

Washing away their fatigue and changing into new clothes, after resting for over an hour, Tsuruko and Konyu were once again brimming with vitality, impatient to go see the cherry blossoms.

After taking a taxi to Meguro River, the two young girls, dressed in their newly purchased beautiful clothes, rushed excitedly toward the cherry blossoms.

April is the season when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the blossoms along the Meguro River were at their peak. Along both banks of the river, the trees were laden with snow-white and pink petals, forming a continuous sea of pink cherry blossoms. What were originally fresh and elegant blossoms had, when gathered together, become a brilliant sea of flowers.

As a gentle breeze blew, petals fell into the river, becoming tiny boats made of blossoms; they landed on the budding new branches, turning into pink ornaments; and they fell into people's eyes, transforming into misty dreams.

Unfortunately, this era did not yet have landscape lighting or light shows; otherwise, the night cherry blossoms of Meguro River could be called the absolute best.

Naoki Nagayama strolled along the cherry blossom path, admiring this rare beauty, and at Tsuruko's request, took photos from time to time.

Even he was pulled aside to have a few photos taken.

They were still holding souvenirs and small toys bought from roadside stalls, waving them around with the joy of elementary school students.

Along this Meguro River, which is less than 4 kilometers long, there are observation bridges at regular intervals. Many tourists enjoy standing on the bridges to watch the cherry blossoms fall like snow, and the two young girls were no exception.

Tsuruko and Konyu held hands and poked their heads out, admiring the scenery while calling for Naoki Nagayama to take their pictures.

While posing for photos, they inevitably blocked the path of pedestrians crossing the bridge. Naoki Nagayama quickly snapped a few shots and then apologized to those being obstructed.

He bowed slightly toward the waiting crowd: "Sumimasen, I've blocked your way, please go ahead~"

Then, he felt a pair of sulky eyes?

Was there killing intent?

After the first few people passed, four somewhat familiar faces remained—two older sisters and two younger ones. One of them, with a round little face, seemed to be angry?

Walking closer to look, was this... Nakomori "Little Fatty" Akina?

More than three months had passed since their encounter before the New Year, and the memory of their brief meeting had faded somewhat, so he didn't recognize her at first glance.

If not for his memories from his previous life, he might not even have recognized Akina Nakomori.

"Ah, isn't this Akina-san?" Naoki Nagayama greeted her with a smile. "And the Nakomori sisters, long time no see!"

"Oh? You still remember us~ Naoki-san has a very good memory~" the eldest sister, Akie Nakomori, also greeted him with a smile.

In contrast to Naoki Nagayama's blurred memory, the four Nakomori sisters had a very deep impression of him. Aside from Akina's designation of him as a "fan," his continuous appearances in advertisements had repeatedly deepened the sisters' impression of him.

As for "playboy" types who were unfaithful, they might talk about them within the family, but when meeting them in public, they would still greet them politely.

"What a coincidence~ Akie-san is out cherry blossom viewing with her sisters~" Seeing Akina Nakomori, he added, "Is Akina-sensei doing well?"

"Hmph~"

He had been snubbed, hadn't he?

Naoki Nagayama was a bit confused. Had he offended this "Little Fatty" at some point?

But he introduced them to the approaching Tsuruko and Konyu

"Tsuruko-chan, Konyu-chan, these are friends of the Nakomori family: Akie Nakomori, Akiko Nakomori, Akina Nakomori, and Akiho Nakomori..."

Then he turned to the Nakomori side

"These are my sister, Tsuruko Nagayama, and her little friend, Konyu Tsubuki~"

"Nice to meet you~" x6

Since they had run into each other while viewing the blossoms, they could naturally walk together for a while.

Due to their age, Akiho, Tsuruko, and Konyu quickly became friends, chatting incessantly. Akina seemed a bit shy around strangers, only speaking occasionally.

Naoki Nagayama began chatting with Akie and Akiko Nakomori.

"Naoki-san has been quite popular lately~ I've seen you on TV many times; you've become quite a famous person~" Akie said.

Akiko, standing nearby, chimed in, "Even your image has changed a lot; you're very fashionable and handsome now~"

"Hahaha, Akie-san, Akiko-san, if you keep saying that, I'll get embarrassed. It was just a coincidence that I filmed two commercials; it's all thanks to the stylists on the crew who gave me a lot of guidance~"

"That's still quite an achievement~ By the way, what kind of stylist guidance can make someone look brand new?"

Eh? Was she asking for advice too?

"Haha, it's mainly because I have a good foundation~" Naoki Nagayama said shamelessly.

"Tch~" This was the Little Fatty; she actually wasn't with the other girls~

"Eh~ Akina-san, do you think what I said is wrong?"

"How thick-skinned~" Akina Nakomori felt sulky, and then ran off to join the three little girls again~

"Akie-san, did I offend Akina somehow?" Naoki Nagayama was puzzled. Ever since he saw her just now, she had been acting a bit moody~

"Hahaha, who told you to deceive young girls~" Akie laughed.

"Deceive young girls? When? I didn't, it's impossible, don't slander me!" Naoki Nagayama immediately went through a triple denial; he couldn't take the blame for this.

"Didn't you say before that you were Akina's fan?"

"Uh, well... that... is... of course so." It was just something said casually to avoid awkwardness during a chance encounter; did she really believe it? Even if he was a fan, he was a fan of that future legendary diva~

Akiko Nakomori interjected, "Naoki-san was actually the first fan to recognize and meet Akina in person. She took it quite seriously back then~"

"The first? Had she not seen other fans? After all, I've appeared on *STAR! Birth* twice now; my popularity must be quite high~" Naoki Nagayama was surprised.

Akie Nakomori found it a bit strange: "Naoki-san should be an industry person by now. Aren't the fans on those shows just hired by the TV station? Even if there are some real fans after the broadcast, they wouldn't be recognizable in daily life."

True. Unless someone was paying special attention, who would recognize contestants who didn't make the cut in a talent show?

For example, who still remembers the contestants who didn't win in *Super Girl*, *Burn Boy*, *Go! Girls*, or *Idol Producer*? Could you recognize them on the street?

"Soga (I see), then how did I deceive Akina-san?" Naoki Nagayama asked. This was only their second meeting, and he had recognized her immediately.

"A while ago, didn't Naoki-san appear on the TV program *Night Hit*?"

"Yes, why?"

"Didn't you say on the program that you were a die-hard fan of Seiko Matsuda? And that you even wrote a hit song for your idol?" Akie helped him recall step by step.

"I see!" Naoki Nagayama understood. So this was where Akina felt deceived. While it's normal for one person to be a fan of many idols, the significance is different when you are labeled as the "first fan."

The two older sisters were quite perceptive, but a teenage girl's heart is sensitive, and this kind of sulkiness is hard to shake off.

"Onii-san, what are you doing? Hurry up and help us take photos!" Tsuruko and the others were waving, wanting photos.

Knowing the reason, Naoki Nagayama couldn't do much to soothe the girl's mood for the moment, so he could only set it aside: "Akie-san, Akiko-san, let's go take photos together. I'll take some for you too~"

The four Nakomori sisters were all very happy to hear this. After all, renting a camera was quite expensive, and they hadn't originally planned to take commemorative photos.

With six girls taking photos together, the sounds of their laughter and playfulness echoed among the cherry blossom trees along the banks of the Meguro River.

It just meant Naoki Nagayama's workload suddenly tripled.

(End of Chapter)