The destination for this trip was a high-end hotel that had partnerships with several entertainment agencies. Its strict security and complex check-in process were all proof of its confidentiality and safety.
However, the manager was clearly an old hand at this. She made a phone call, had a brief discussion with the front desk, and then received two key cards from the staff—
"This is for Chihaya-san, and this is for you two."
Naturally, the manager had prepared separate rooms for them.
When Hoshino Ai saw the key card in Tetsuya's hand, her eyes darted for a moment, then she quietly lowered her head again, just as before.
"You can all go back to your rooms and rest for an hour. I'll take you to greet the stage manager at [K-Arena] later."
The manager meticulously instructed everyone according to her set schedule.
"Chihaya-san, I will have all of their costumes for the day sent to your room. Please help me by inspecting them."
"Understood."
Tetsuya readily agreed, then specifically asked the manager:
"About the rehearsal time—"
"The rehearsal starts at eight tomorrow morning. I'll pick you up directly from the hotel, just like today."
The manager replied.
"Until then, please get some rest here, Chihaya-san. Also, to avoid leaks as much as possible, if you can... I hope you can stay in your hotel room the entire time."
"Yes."
Tetsuya, who had no reason to go out anyway, had no objections to this, especially since the manager's proposal was meant to protect Ai and Uika.
"I'll stay obediently in my room."
"Mhm, thank you for your cooperation. Well then... I have to go see the president now. Please excuse me."
With that, the manager turned to leave.
However, before she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and beckoned to Ai—
"Ai, come here for a moment."
"???"
Suddenly being called, Ai walked over with a look of confusion. The manager then led her to the doorway, apparently planning to speak with her privately, leaving Tetsuya and Uika to look at each other, nonplussed.
"...Speaking of which, Tetsuya-san, have you ever stayed at a hotel before this?"
Realizing the other two wouldn't finish their conversation anytime soon, Uika took the initiative to start a conversation with him.
Tetsuya shook his head.
"No... I basically never travel far. The one time I did was with the Director for a fashion show within Tokyo, and we were able to go home the same day."
"That makes sense."
Uika wasn't surprised at all.
The more she got to know Tetsuya, the more she realized that his life experience in many areas was basically at the level of a middle schooler, or even an elementary school student.
Although she knew a large part of it was because he had grown up in an orphanage, even so, he had experienced far too little in the seven years since leaving it.
If there's a chance in the future... I should really take him out more.
Not on a business trip like this, but simply to go out and have fun together.
"Is there anywhere you'd like to go, Tetsuya-san? Like an amusement park, or the beach."
"Mmm..."
Hearing the question, Tetsuya thought for a moment before answering.
"Right now, probably the joint exhibition for [APHRO] in the second half of the year. If possible, I'd also like to see Tokyo Fashion Week up close from the audience... Hm? What's wrong, Uika? You look a little disappointed."
"It's nothing... I'm just once again getting a real sense of your workaholic nature."
"Huh? I'm not lying, you know! I'm really interested in those things!"
"Yes, yes, I know. And I don't think being passionate about work is a bad thing."
Uika sighed.
"Anyway, just pretend I never asked. It's probably better if I discuss this kind of thing with Sakiko and Nagasaki-san."
"Oh."
For some reason, his answer didn't seem to satisfy her...
As for the places she mentioned, like amusement parks, he was certainly interested, but he really had no particular opportunity or reason to go...
Just as this topic was about to end, Ai finished her discussion with the manager and returned to their side.
"Alright, let's head back to our rooms to rest. Tetsuya-san, let me see your key card."
Considering Tetsuya had never been to a place like this, Uika decided to help him find his room first.
When she saw the number on his key card, she nodded, just as she'd expected.
"...Mhm, as expected, it's the room next door. Let's go together then."
At this, Uika suddenly turned her head to look at Ai.
"Let me be clear. We have to go to work in an hour, so you're not allowed to sneak into Tetsuya-san's room."
"..."
However, in response to Uika's warning, Ai seemed not to have heard a thing, merely staring blankly at the floor...
"Ai? Did you hear what I said?"
"Eh? Ah..."
Only when Uika called her name a second time did she look up, as if waking from a dream.
"What's wrong, Uika? Did you say something just now?"
"...It's nothing. Anyway, just come back to the room with me obediently until the manager comes to get us."
Faced with Ai's slow reaction, a look of incomprehensible confusion appeared on Uika's face.
"Could she be tired from the car ride? That's impossible. With her energy and stamina, that shouldn't be it..."
"..."
Faced with Uika's question, Ai still chose to remain silent.
The reason for her strange reaction was, of course, the conversation she'd just had with their manager—
...
"You must be happy, right? About me specifically inviting Chihaya-san on this business trip with us."
"Yes! Very happy!"
Ai nodded frankly in response to her manager's question.
"So happy I can't even think about the work ahead!"
"That won't do. The president and I brought him here to enhance the live performance. If it makes your condition worse, we'd be putting the cart before the horse."
As she spoke, the manager took another key card from her pocket.
"I specifically got this from the front desk. It's the spare key card for Chihaya-san's room."
As Ai's eyes went wide, the manager held up three fingers.
"Now then, as long as you agree to three conditions, I can give it to you."
"...Eh?"