Oshi no Ko X Tensura

Chapter 14 - Rising Star II

Ruby looked at me with a hint of nervousness. She looked back and forth at me and Shiranui. What is she so fidgety about? 

"So, uhm, how did you and Shiranui-san meet, sis? She mentioned something about taking you away..."

Her curious gaze seemed to resemble a huge fan's. No, she is a huge fan of Shiranui-san, that much I can tell. Oh well, it wouldn't hurt to explain.

"You see, Aqua and I were attending a celebration party for "Sweet Today". One thing led to another, and she invited me out to dinner. I talked with her for a while, and guess what?"

Ruby looked at me anxiously, "What?"

"I got a role to act with Shiranui-san for a promotional video! Isn't that cool of me?"

I suddenly felt the urge to brag. This sudden unfounded sense of confidence is sticking around like a bad habit. Ruby's been silent for a while, and I don't know what she's thinking. I bet she's excited to hear that I'm going to be acting with her favorite Actor.

"I see... that's great."

Eh? Her expression isn't what I expected. She's smiling, but it's not the excited kind of smile. It's the look of someone who's just seen her idol's biggest secret. 

"U-uhm, Ruby? You okay?"

"Ah— yes! I'm okay. I was just so surprised." 

Ruby's body jerked a bit when I tried to call her. She's back to being all nervous now. The way her eyes were fidgeting around made her suspicious, but I digress, she has her tastes...

Words could not explain how badly Rimuru misunderstood Ruby's expression.

***

"Aqua, we're back— Why do you look so drained?!"

Aqua was sitting on a bench with Shiranui and had turned all white. Shiranui had been asking Aqua all kinds of questions, to Aqua's surprise. She was unexpectedly talkative and quite extroverted. She asked all kinds of questions, ranging from "How do you handle being siblings with two gorgeous beauties?" and many more.

Thus, Aqua was reduced to a dehydrated mess.

"I-I never knew you could be so talkative, Shiranui-san." 

"Oh, was I being too nosy? I'm sorry. I couldn't help it."

Aqua gave a rather polite retort to the aloof Shiranui. Rimuru wanted to burst out laughing, but she tried to hold it in. The willpower Rimuru was currently displaying to hold in her laughter rivaled a warrior's.

"Aqua, I hope you didn't get too excited talking to a beauty like Shiranui-san too much."

But it was merely for a fleeting moment. 

"You bastard..."

Aqua's cold gaze didn't faze Rimuru. Rimuru needed to toughen up since she let her own mouth slip up. It resorted to who would cave in first. Seeing this, Shiranui-san asked another question. 

"You guys sure are close, what's it like being triplets?"

Aqua seemed to fade away. You already asked that question, Shiranui-san.

"Oh, I think I already asked that question, I'm sorry. Excuse me, my phone is ringing, I'll answer it real quick."

She quickly apologized and moved away for a bit to answer her phone call. Aqua had the look of enlightenment for a split second before glaring back at Rimuru. Rimuru glared back, not wanting to back down, Ruby just observed the silliness. Shiranui returned a few minutes later.