14 An answer too late

"I still don't understand. Why did he choose to leave me after all we had been through? Two years, yet..."

"Is it that I'm not good enough for him? Or that I had done anything wrong? Why, why so sudden? He didn't even gave me an answer, just a single message saying that we are breaking up..."

"Sniff, why, why..."

"At least tell me what's wrong with me..."

"I just want us to be together..."

With water in her eyes, Miko tries to hold back the tears from leaking out, even though it has been a week ever since.

Some wounds don't recover as easily.

"I see, it's alright, you will be alright." Anemachi meanwhile has already silently moved beside Miko, lending a shoulder for her to lean on. "It's not your fault, I know that."

"Yeah, yeah...Thanks, Anemachi-san." Miko thus leans on to Anemachi, long hair tickling Anemachi and making her feel funny.

"Glad that you are my manager now, truly."

It's a weird feeling for Miko, exposing herself to someone that she hasn't known for long, telling Anemachi about her feelings and doubts. Perhaps she really is lost now, desperate for any warmth that she can grab onto now.

She really is alone, after he left her.

"Don't worry about it, you kinda remind me of my Imouto actually, when she is still gentle of course." Hand going through Miko's hair, it feels softer when compared to Suisei.

For some reason, Anemachi always unconsciously does this to other females, perhaps a habit from having Suisei as her Imouto. Well she is a female so it's fine.

She will be called a pervert and slapped if she does this in her previous life towards female acquaintances.

"Let's eat something first before we continue." And with Miko calming down from her emotion, Anemachi carefully guides the topic towards another direction, not wanting to dig too deep in yet.

There will be a time for that, but now yet.

"So Miko-san, since I'm here, would you want to plan your monthly schedule now? There are minor things that had been rescheduled due to the recent chaos at cover corp, so sorry in advance." Taking up some paper in her bag, Anemachi put it on the tables for Miko to see.

"Hmm, monthly schedule? Are there such things before this?" Miko however is quite dumbfounded by the mention of a schedule.

"There is now. This is one of the reasons why Cover has been in such chaos before." Remembering A-chan's awkward look after she requested a look at their schedule, Anemachi wonders how this company manages to even stay functional this long.

It seems like they just had all the arrangements in their heads, which has resulted in crashing of agenda again and again, causing the need for rescheduling and even cancelation of events at worst.

But as much as you are someone who hates schedules, you can't deny that without them, nothing will go smoothly as planned.

"So here are some things that are already scheduled, Miko-san mind looking at it? If it crashes with anything personal just let me know." With a pen in hand, Anemachi pointed towards some of the dates that were already booked. "I'm discussing with A-chan to make this into some kind of admin system, so your cooperation will be appreciated."

"Ah...Alright then, let me take a look. Hmm, this date I have an appointment with the doctor though so-" Miko-san after taking in the information with a nod approve of Anemachi's action, knowing that a schedule certainly is better than not having one.

Pen moving over the paper, some of the dates are cross off while some others are remark with words. Anemachi although clumsy at life are attentive during work, taking note of every small detail that Miko has mentioned.

"Alright, so that will be all for now. I will let you know again after I confirm with A-chan for the reschedule. And you have one more stream scheduled on Thursday right?" Gaining a nod from Miko, Anemachi continues.

"Sora-san has also planned something that day, so I'm thinking you two would perhaps have a collab together. Last time I heard she is also looking for someone to collab with, maybe you can contact her for it."

"I check your stream archive and find out that you didn't do any collabs for the past 4 months you are here, I will encourage you to do more of that to establish a more permanent presence in the community." Explaining to her, Anemachi is sharp at the advantages of doing more collab, which will allow Miko to expand her viewership circle.

"Collab can expose yourself to a wider viewer, and creates interesting interaction that is entertaining. So you should definitely consider that."

It is these qualities that she has learned through both her life that allow her to thrive at her old office work, supporting her family finance when they are at their weakest.

"Bu-but...Collab...I wanted to do it too but-"

And just as Anemachi was expecting some type of serious reason, Miko blurts out a sentence that leaves her wondering if this girl is just a child who just barely grew up.

"I don't really know them though...They just greeted me when I joined this group and that's all."

"...You're saying that you haven't got to know the other talents despite joining for four months?"

"I know A-chan!"

"..."

Someone please tell me how she survived till now.

"Ahemm, anyway. I will contact Sora-san regarding it, but you will have to discuss with her yourself for the details."

"Oh, oh, thanks for it." Face blushing from the embarrassment, Miko thanks Anemachi for her help. "I appreciate your help."

"But do you think...She will accept it? I don't think I will be an interesting person to collab with." But the anxiety from the breakup has taken up a heavy toll on her self confidence, making her question herself about her own worth. "What if I mess up? What if the stream ended up becoming boring-"

"Boink." And with a quick response, Miko's head is hit with Anemachi's hand.

"EHHH!" Miko receives damage of 100hp, Miko is weakened significantly.

"Don't get so negative so quickly, Sora-san will be fine with it, just that you had to ask her out first." Headaches kicking in, Anemachi hoped that this girl could pick herself up sooner. "You are a wonderful person, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"Al-alright..." Obediently responding back, Miko looks back at Anemachi with a pitiful face. "Hueh, don't hit me like that."

"I will get going then, the office still needs me. Let me know about the collab after you talk with Sora-san." Ignoring Miko's complaint, Anemachi looks at the clock and thinks that she has spent enough time here.

"Oh, one last thing before I leave." Just before she forgets, Anemachi with a sudden move pulls Miko into her hug.

"Don't belittle yourself too much alright? You are a wonderful girl, so it's a shame to see you hitting on yourself for everything that is happening to you." Patting Miko's back gently, Anemachi while eyes closing continues. "I won't forgive you if you continue to act like this, so have confidence in yourself."

"Let me know if you need any help, I will gladly be by your side when the time has come."

And with the door close and footsteps leaving the room, Miko who is still staying idle try to process what has happened, and after a few seconds cheek begins to turn red.

Her body is covered with Anemachi's unique body smell, light, yet alluring.

'B-baka...Don't suddenly do things like that."

'Especially when I'm still in such a weak state...Or I may not be able to control myself again.'

Heart beating fast, the girl continues to stay idle for minutes.

.

.

.

"Dumping your significant others huh...Hehe." Laying on the bed, Anemachi looked towards the ceiling of her, head heavy from what she heard earlier.

"Such a terrible person right? Yeah, you have every right to be mad, Miko-san."

"Hit him, ignore him, throw him away like the trash he is."

"So why, why...Why didn't you get angry at him? Not even a single hatred in your heart... Why did you end up hurting yourself, beautiful soul?"

"Why, why would you do this to yourself..."

Already tearing up, Anemachi unknowingly clenches her fist, nails deep into her palm and leaves scratches behind.

She is a sinner, one that has tried to reach for happiness despite knowing that she doesn't deserve it.

And a year ago, God himself reminded her of her sin that could not be redeemed.

She wishes that she could have done things differently, that she had done anything but that.

So many possibilities, yet she chose the worst one possible.

"Sorry, Yukino."

It's all my fault.