Two-Point Seven Percent (Two-Point Seven Percent 1)

Chapter Six

June 19th, 2028

'Which one of these girls is evil? PHANTOMS — the groundbreaking new drama!'

Arisa smiled as she read the review on her phone. She looked up at Hiroe, who sat across the table from her. "Mama, can I go to school tomorrow? I'm only filming two days this week, and today was one of them. My next film day is Friday."

"Is everything all right with your tutor, Arisa-chan?" Hiroe asked her.

"Senpai is incredible," Arisa reassured her. "But I was thinking of hanging out with some of my friends tomorrow at school."

Hiro shook her head sadly at Arisa. "I'm sorry sweetheart, but Kouchou-sensei told Patei-san and I that we need to give more than twenty-four hour notice if you're going to be coming to school. So if we were to contact Kouchou-sensei now the earliest you would be able to go would be Wednesday. But then you'd have to leave school straight away to get to the filming location."

"Aw, that's true," Arisa sighed, wincing a little. "Being a celebrity is tough."

Hiroe chuckled softly. "You sound like your father."

Arisa brightened and quickly looked up when she heard that. "Really?"

"Ah, yes." But Hiroe looked a little pained, as though realizing what she had said. "Arisa-chan, please put your phone down and eat dinner."

"Okay, Mama."

Arisa set her phone down, but the moment she picked up her chopsticks a familiar ringtone filled the dining room. "Patei-san!" she exclaimed, snatching her phone.

"I-Is this about your album?!" Hiroe also exclaimed, jumping out of her chair. She hurried over to Arisa's side as Arisa answered the phone and set it to speaker. "Yes, I-I'm here Patei-san!"

"Arisa-chan, I just met with Shachō," Fusami began, but Arisa heard the smile in her voice. She started jumping in her seat with excitement. "He's very impressed with the finished album and has given the green light for its debut."

"YATTA!" Arisa cheered, pumping her fists. Hiroe also cheered and laughed with delight as she hugged her daughter.

"What this means however is that you'll need to cancel your tutoring session tomorrow because we'll be giving a press conference to announce the release of your album."

"Awww," Arisa complained, lowering her hands. "This means that I couldn't have gone to school tomorrow no matter what!"

"You wanted to go to school tomorrow, Arisa-chan?" Fusami asked her.

"Ah, I explained to her what Kouchou-sensei told us the last time she did an in-person class," Hiroe added.

"I see," Fusami said. She sounded a little uncomfortable. "I'm so sorry Arisa-chan, but in between filming episodes and promoting your album, your schedule is going to be very full for the summer."

"Oh no, I completely understand," Arisa quickly said. "This is what I want, Patei-san. This is what I've always wanted. I'm sorry if it sounded like I was complaining."