Kayako looked at the girl who had appeared before her.
She seemed to be about the same age as Kayako, with her hair arranged in an elegant princess-style cut. The beauty mark beneath the corner of her eye made her look even more alluring and confident.
The girl who had suddenly appeared not only had a perfect figure and exquisite features, but also an extremely stylish sense of fashion.
Especially striking were the beautiful legs wrapped in black stockings beneath her skirt. Even Kayako subconsciously glanced at those long, slender legs, let alone an ordinary man.
At that moment, a feeling of inferiority rose in Kayako's heart.
Compared to the exquisitely dressed and fashionable girl in front of her, her own bulky and unfashionable appearance made her look like a country girl standing beside a refined young lady from the city.
Tomie noticed the inferiority in Kayako's eyes.
The corner of her mouth curved upward, revealing an expression of complete confidence.
That's right. This is exactly how it should be. The woman in front of me is no different from any other woman.
Women who see me only ever react in one of two ways. They either feel inferior or become jealous.
Compared to women who envied her, Tomie preferred those who felt inferior. At least that meant the other person did not harbor any malice toward her.
Hmm, as expected of the woman Fujiwara-kun likes. Her heart isn't as twisted as those idiots at school.
"You're Kayako Kawamata?"
Tomie's question brought Kayako back to her senses. Surprise appeared in her eyes as she asked nervously, "You, you know me?"
"Then it seems I wasn't mistaken. You really are Kayako Kawamata."
Tomie looked Kayako up and down.
She's fairly pretty, but nowhere near as beautiful as me.
Her fashion sense is terrible. She's clearly a girl who knows nothing about beauty and doesn't even wear makeup.
That frail and pitiful appearance would certainly make ordinary men feel sorry for her. Could this be the type Fujiwara-kun likes?
Then why didn't he react when I acted pitiful and helpless before?
That's right. Maybe my performance wasn't convincing enough. My acting still needs work. I should pay more attention next time and learn some proper acting techniques.
"Excuse me, but who are you? How do you know me?"
Kayako asked cautiously. She was a little frightened by the beautiful girl in front of her, who seemed extremely assertive.
"I know about you through Fujiwara-kun."
"Toru-kun?"
The moment Kayako heard Toru's name from Tomie's mouth, the small amount of caution in her heart immediately disappeared.
Anyone who knows Toru-kun must be a good person!
"Toru-kun?"
Tomie frowned.
She actually calls Fujiwara-kun by his first name. She really is very close to him.
For some reason, a powerful sense of jealousy rose in Tomie's heart.
There had never been anyone like this.
No, at least not since she awakened her ability. There had never been a man who could see her and still fall in love with another woman.
I'm obviously more beautiful. Men are obviously willing to do anything for me. So why? Why can Fujiwara-kun reject me?
Tomie took a deep breath, looked at Kayako with a challenging gaze, and asked proudly, "You're Fujiwara-kun's girlfriend, aren't you?"
Kayako froze.
She had never imagined that she would hear someone describe her as Toru's girlfriend.
At that moment, Kayako could not help smiling. Her heart filled with both excitement and shyness.
But in Tomie's eyes, that smile was one of happiness and sweetness. Worse still, it looked like mockery!
Damn it. Are you mocking me because I'm so beautiful, yet I still can't make Fujiwara-kun like me?
If that's what you think, then you'd better be careful. You'll definitely regret it!
Kayako lowered her head and said shyly, "Please, please don't say that. I'm not Toru-kun's girlfriend. It wouldn't be good if someone overheard, and it might cause trouble for Toru-kun."
"Cause trouble? How would it cause trouble for him?"
Tomie was puzzled.
It was only a girlfriend. That was hardly a big deal in Japan.
Even if they had already been intimate, so what? In Japan, if someone remained a virgin past a certain age, people might even laugh at them for lacking charm.
However, after thinking about it again, Tomie seemed to understand.
That's right. Fujiwara-kun is the heir to the Fujiwara family, the most powerful political family in Japan.
And look at Kayako. She lives in such a dilapidated house, so her family is clearly poor. Her relationship with Fujiwara-kun would never receive his family's blessing.
Is this woman afraid that her existence will displease the Fujiwara family and create problems for Fujiwara-kun?
That must be why she refuses to acknowledge their relationship. She might even be willing to remain without any official status.
After all, she could never marry Fujiwara-kun. The Fujiwara family would never allow it.
No wonder Fujiwara-kun likes her. She's actually so considerate. An ordinary man really would feel protective of her.
Does that also mean Fujiwara-kun is a responsible man rather than some heartless playboy?
Countless thoughts flashed through Tomie's mind. She imagined an entire story and firmly believed that everything she had imagined was correct.
That was Tomie's confidence!
Considerate? I, I can do that too.
I understand now. I should also act more considerate and treat Fujiwara-kun better. Then he'll definitely see me differently.
At worst, at worst, I'll learn from Kayako and stop asking for an official status...
No! You're Tomie! How can you possibly accept having no status? You can use your ability to gain a position equal to Fujiwara-kun's!
"Excuse me, is something wrong?"
Kayako watched Tomie's expression change repeatedly and asked cautiously.
Tomie returned to her senses.
She gave Kayako a charming smile, intending to use her ability to captivate her and make her completely submit.
Then Tomie could order Kayako to leave Fujiwara-kun's side.
But Tomie soon realized something was wrong.
Why isn't this woman reacting at all? I smiled at her like this. Shouldn't she be staring at me in fascination, unable to look away?
Tomie discovered that Kayako had no reaction to her smile.
That gave Tomie a powerful sense of frustration and made her begin to wonder whether her ability had failed.
What in the world is happening? Why is everyone around Fujiwara-kun so strange?
"Achoo!"
The irritated Tomie sneezed.
She sniffled through her red, frozen nose, but clear mucus still ran from her nostrils.
Tomie felt deeply embarrassed.
For a beautiful girl like me to have a runny nose, and in front of my romantic rival too. This is far too humiliating.
Kayako said with concern, "It's too cold outside. Why don't you come inside and warm up for a while?"
Hmm? This woman is inviting me inside?
Could she be like those men, planning to lure me into the house and secretly kill me?
Tomie immediately grew nervous.
However, after examining Kayako carefully, Tomie decided that the girl was so thin she probably could not beat her in a fight.
Tomie still intended to refuse. She would never accept kindness from a romantic rival!
"Achoo!"
Tomie's nose completely betrayed her.
She sneezed again, spraying out a thick stream of mucus.
Tomie's face turned red. She lowered her head, gritted her teeth, and said, "Then, then I'll come inside and warm up."
She hurried past Kayako.
After thinking for a moment, Tomie softly added, "My name is Tomie. Tomie Kawakami."
(To be continued.)