Chapter 68: Nozomi and Hojo In The Same Car?!

If there’s anything tormenting in this world, it’s probably being alone with someone you dislike.

"Let’s not. It’s unnecessary, and aren’t those people who were with you just now also inconvenient?"

Nozomi Sakura refused almost without hesitation.

Having Akari Hojo drive her home felt like Hojo was on a mountaintop, and Nozomi could only look up at her from the steps below.

"Miss Kaguya has already left. It’s just the two of us."

Hojo stared into her eyes and said, "Besides, even if you dislike me, you still want to know some things about Alan, don’t you?"

She’s quite self-aware. But if you know I dislike you, shouldn’t you just stay far away?

Nozomi Sakura grumbled internally, but she couldn’t refuse what Hojo said.

It seems she’s quite weak-willed, whenever it concerns Alan, her interest is completely piqued, and she can’t refuse.

Moreover, she had always wanted to know why he and Hojo broke up.

Enduring the discomfort of being overshadowed, Nozomi followed her to the parking lot.

However, when she saw Hojo standing in front of a black sedan, skillfully pressing the car key, the uncomfortable feeling in Nozomi’s heart intensified.

Rain beat on her arms, and her limbs suddenly became cold and weak.

Hojo was about to get in the car when she suddenly noticed the girl standing still with an umbrella, a flicker of doubt in her eyes.

However, noticing Nozomi’s complex gaze at the car emblem, she immediately understood and said with a smile, "Get in. Even with an umbrella, you’ll catch a cold. You don’t want to hear Alan scold you, do you?"

Actually, she wished Nozomi Sakura would get scolded, but then she imagined Alan comforting her after scolding her, and suddenly felt it was unnecessary.

Nozomi snapped back to reality, closed her umbrella, and got into the car.

While Nozomi was fastening her seatbelt, Hojo shifted gears and said with a smile, "Actually, you don’t need to envy me. You’ll have one too. Once you become popular, the speed at which you earn money will be beyond your imagination."

The seatbelt was difficult to adjust and even a bit tight. After adjusting it, Nozomi glanced at her and said with a smile, "You’re so sure I’ll become popular?"

Hearing this, Akari Hojo looked at her, about to speak, then smiled faintly, turned her head, focused on the road, and pressed the accelerator.

Nozomi was stunned for a moment, then her face immediately turned gloomy, and she gritted her teeth.

Although Hojo didn’t explicitly say it, her meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

’I don’t believe in you, I just believe in Alan.’

Nozomi suddenly regretted asking that question.

How was this any different from bringing shame upon herself?

If it had been a month ago, if she could sit in Hojo passenger seat, she would probably have been too happy to sleep for days, or would have woken up excitedly in the morning even if she did sleep.

But now, her heart was completely different from before.

Outside, a light rain was still falling, making soft sounds as it hit the window, barely calming the gloom in her heart.

Seemingly sensing that Nozomi understood what she had meant, Hojo pondered for a moment and then said, "However, at first, you’ll find making money very enjoyable, but gradually you’ll realize that some things are more important than making money..."

Heh heh... Hearing her words, Nozomi couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

How was this any different from a capitalist who spouts ’I don’t like money’ or ’money means nothing to me’?

She really wanted to retort, ’You’ve never taken out a payday loan, what right do you have to say these things?’ But the words died in her throat, feeling both foolish and meaningless.

Not wanting to make the atmosphere too stiff, Nozomi directly asked, "Why exactly did you break up with Alan?"

Hearing this, Hojo eyelids twitched as if a keyword had been triggered, and she unconsciously stepped on the brake.

Both of them lurched forward. Nozomi was stunned for a moment, then a hint of panic appeared in her eyes as she looked at Hojo.

Does this woman even know how to drive?

Fortunately, Hojo quickly adjusted, and the car speed returned to steady. She pursed her lips and asked, "What did he tell you?"

Hearing this, Nozomi turned her head and stared intently at Hojo, saying, "If he had explained it clearly, would I still need to ask you?"

"Heh..."

Hearing her say that, Hojo laughed foolishly and said, "Yes, how could he explain it clearly? But since he can’t explain it, I don’t know how to explain it either."

She paused, and her tone suddenly became complex.

During the red light, she glanced at Nozomi and said, "I really feel like you’re very similar to me now."

"You don’t actually need to prove to me whether Alan truly cares about you."

"Because I know he will absolutely be wholeheartedly devoted to you."

"You don’t need to tell me these things, I already know..."

Hojo eyes grew nostalgic.

"He’ll pay attention every day to whether you’re eating well, take you to the mall to buy pretty clothes in his free time, be most attentive when you’re working, practically accompanying you throughout, training with you, helping you record areas where your performance is lacking and needs improvement during training, and he’ll also show you warmth and concern, making you feel a warmth you’ve never experienced before, and he’ll even indulge you in things that might be a bit excessive..."

The traffic light at the intersection flickered. Hojo’s words stopped. She pursed her lips, and finally said softly, "Because everything you’re experiencing, I’ve experienced too."

Nozomi’s hand on the outside of her thigh unconsciously clenched.

Every time Hojo spoke, her heart ached a little more.

What kind of nonsense is this? Shopping and accompanying training are true, but when has he ever bought her breakfast, lunch, or dinner? And even excessive demands? She didn’t know about that!

She turned her head and glared fiercely at Hojo, saying, "Are you here today just to show off to me?"

"No."

Hojo shook her head and said, "My point is, don’t get too deeply involved, or else breaking up will be unbearable. And even if you leave Alan, you’ll absolutely be fine on your own."

"My concert is next week. I’ll prove it to you—"

However, before she could finish, Nozomi suddenly interrupted, "Stop the car!"

Hojo froze, glancing at her out of the corner of her eye.

Seeing that the other party didn’t react.

Nozomi enunciated clearly again, "I said, PULL! OVER! AND! FUCKING STOP!"

Her tone raised a few notches, and her entire demeanor suddenly intensified.

Hojo sensed her emotional distress, glanced at the roadside, and seeing no no-parking sign, obediently pulled the car over.

Once the car stopped, Nozomi quickly unfastened her seatbelt, turned around, and stared intently into Hojo’s eyes, saying coldly, "You really do like talking to yourself, don’t you?"

"What do you mean ’like me’? What do you mean ’everything I’m experiencing, you’ve experienced’? I haven’t even debuted yet, so please don’t act with that condescending ’senior’ attitude, okay?"

"What do you even know about me? Don’t you know how ridiculous you look right now, like a resentful widow abandoned by a man?"

"You say you’ve long since moved on, but in reality, you just can’t let go, can you?"

"Your hypocritical demeanor is truly repulsive."

"I will definitely go to your concert. You’d better perform in a way that makes me feel like I can never surpass you in this lifetime..."

"No wonder that scoundrel said he’d marry Nino and felt nothing for you. You never even fought for him, just sat here complaining and blaming everyone. It’s truly disgusting."

Having said everything that had been bottled up for so long, Nozomi let out a breath of stale air, feeling much lighter.

Then, without waiting for Akari Hojo’s response, she twisted the car door open and ran into the rain...

’Bang!’

The car door was slammed shut. Hojo stared blankly as Nozomi stood in the rain, hailed a taxi, and left.

After a while, she came back to her senses, her narrow eyes narrowed, and she suddenly let out a soft, faint laugh, saying, "haha... she’s more stubborn than I thought..."