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Sazuki’s jaw clenches.
“Marge will never believe this. Can we take a picture?”
Sazuki holds up a hand. “Excuse me. I would not like to take a picture now.”
“Why not?” The man turns red in the cheeks.
I grit my teeth at their pushiness. “Didn’t you hear him? He doesn’t want to take a picture. Get out of his face.”
Sazuki holds a hand in front of my torso and gives me a pointed look.Be calm.
I scowl in return.How can I?
“Is this your girlfriend?” The old man surveys me curiously. Then his eyes jump to Niko. “Are you two…” The old man points. “Is this your…”
I step in front of Niko. Since Sazuki doesn’t want me to go off on these pushy fans, then the only other option is retreat. Because if I don’t leave, someone’s going to get seriously hurt.
And it won’t be me.
“Excuse me, Mr. Sazuki. We’ll wait for you outside.” I shade Niko with my body, making sure they can’t gawk at her like she’s some kind of exhibit.
Sazuki dips his head gratefully.
I gesture to Yaya. “Let’s go.”
She takes Niko’s other side and, together, we fast-walk away from the fans.
Outside the bowling alley, a strong wind blows. Barely any stars poke through the dark, velvet sky.
I look down at Niko. “Are you okay?”
“I’m used to it.” She shrugs and signs, “Dad doesn’t want me to get photographed. He says it’s safer that way.”
“It is,” Yaya signs. “There are some crazy people out here.”
Niko bounces her balloon, seeming unconcerned. Since she grew up with Akira watching over her every minute of the day, she’s probably used to being protected and yanked out of sketchy situations.
Although I don’t think signing autographs is anything scary, I know Sazuki enough to say he wouldn’t want Niko getting too much public attention.
“Does that happen often?” Yaya signs to me.
“What?”
“Sazuki getting mobbed by fans.”
I think about that day he came to my school. “It’s not that bad. It usually only happens around music students. The rest of the world doesn’t know enough about him to attack.”
She purses her lips the same way I do when I’m thinking. “I didn’t realize he was so famous.”
“You haven’t seen famous yet,” I sign. “You should stick around when he’s on campus. They treat him like a god.”
She studies me. “You’re protective of him.”
“It’s not about him. I get annoyed when I see people acting entitled. He doesn’t owe them a signature. He doesn’t owe them a conversation. And he doesn’t owe them access to his family.”
I glance down, expecting to see Niko by my side.
All I see is a crack in the sidewalk.
