After greeting the stage manager, although the other party suggested they have dinner together, their manager decisively refused the invitation—
"I'm sorry, we've specially invited a costume designer to inspect the outfits for us tonight, so we must return to the hotel early."
The manager declined, citing work as the reason.
"As an apology, after the live has concluded successfully, our president will treat you to a drink."
"Haha, then I shall look forward to it."
Hearing this reply, the stage manager, who already had a good relationship with the agency, did not insist.
"But speaking of which, I heard that your agency's Ms. Hoshino received an invitation from [TGC] this year. It seems that after their stunning debut in the first half of the year, the second half will see the idol industry continue to be dominated by [Summer Zodiac]."
"About that... who knows."
The manager deliberately glanced back at the two girls behind her.
"Perhaps we won't be participating in this year's [TGC], or perhaps there will be more than one person participating."
"?"
"It's nothing. In any case, we'll be in your care for tomorrow's rehearsal."
The manager gave a slight bow to the man before her.
"I hope we can work together to create a live performance that will shake the entire idol industry."
...
"It will certainly be a live that shakes the industry... in more ways than one."
On the way back to the hotel, Misumi Uika couldn't help but remark dryly.
"After all, no matter which path Ai chooses, it will have a profound impact on the industry."
"..."
Hoshino Ai didn't reply, simply continuing to dazedly stroke the box she had brought from the hotel through her pocket.
Meanwhile, the manager's expression remained perfectly calm as she said:
"You don't need to worry. No matter what Ai plans to do next, she must ensure the success of this live... Isn't that right, Ai?"
"...Mhm."
Ai nodded, a little sluggishly.
"I'll do my best for this live."
...
After arriving at the hotel, Ai forgot to even say goodbye to their manager before immediately walking towards the elevator with unsteady steps.
Uika, on the other hand, didn't hurry to follow. She couldn't stop herself from complaining to the manager, who was also watching Ai's departing back:
"Higuchi-san, look what you've done... Never mind the rehearsal, her mind is probably so full of doing that with Tetsuya-san that she can't hear anything else."
"That's why I said this is a trial for her and Chihaya Tetsuya. If there's no challenge, then there's no point in me testing them."
"But why are you so calm about this, Higuchi-san?!"
As Ai's figure completely disappeared into the elevator, Uika couldn't help but ask.
"It's true our agency doesn't have an explicit rule against idols dating, but you can't be encouraging them like this, can you?"
"Rather than encouragement, I'm just using this method to further 'clarify' her motivation for being an idol. Besides, for little girls at your stage in life, wanting to learn about or try that sort of thing is perfectly normal from the perspective of someone my age."
Even though she had also noticed Ai's strange state tonight, the manager remained as calm as ever.
"It might be a little unfair to you, though. It seems you'd rather the two of them didn't actually end up in that kind of relationship."
"Wh-?! Ah... yes, that's true."
Although Uika was a little flustered at first, she quickly regained her composure.
"I'm personally very much looking forward to Tetsuya-san successfully launching his own brand. Plus, I have a friend who also likes him very much, so of course I don't want them to actually become a couple."
"...Hmph."
Hearing Uika's answer, the manager first let out a soft chuckle, then waved her hand.
"Well then, let's leave the time to the two of them. If anything unexpected happens, you can contact me anytime."
"...What if I take it upon myself to stop them?"
"Do as you please. While I may be the one pulling the strings, I have no intention of playing God and controlling all of your choices."
"Observe, interfere, or even join in—it's up to you. Just make sure you don't do anything you'll regret."
With that, the manager immediately turned and left, with no intention of waiting for a reply.
Uika, however, stood frozen in place for a long time after hearing those words—
"Observe and interfere, fine, but wh-what does she mean by 'join in'?!"
A rare blush of embarrassment and anger crept onto Uika's face.
"I would never be as shameless as Ai!"
And if she were being honest, while she didn't have much faith in Ai's self-control, she had absolute faith in Chihaya Tetsuya's rationality.
If it's him, he can definitely resist Ai's temptation!
So...
"Please, I'm begging you, stay true to yourself, Tetsuya-san!"
...
In his room, Tetsuya was, as instructed, carefully inspecting the performance outfits for Ai and Uika that the bellhop had delivered.
However, despite it being an "inspection," the quality of the costumes already met the requirements for the stage. They didn't need any further modifications from him. In fact, some of the outfits even gave him inspiration he could use in the future.
"...The agency really cares a lot about them."
From the various preparations for this live, to the quality of the costumes used, and even this meticulous, hands-on manager, it was all enough to make Tetsuya feel how much the agency valued [Summer Zodiac].
Especially the manager. Ai wasn't the type to obediently listen to others, yet when facing this manager, she almost never defied her instructions. Not only that, but the manager's attitude toward her wasn't that of a simple working relationship. More than a manager and her artist, their dynamic truly felt like sisters with a large age gap.
And that was probably one of the reasons why Ai was so determined to see the May live through to the end.
"The person she's repaying isn't just Uika, but this agency as well."
Thinking about it now, if the timing of his reunion with Ai had been a little later, would she have changed her impulsive ideas?
Or... would the prolonged period of endurance have made her teetering heart even more fragile?
Tetsuya had no way of knowing.
But at least for now, he hoped that through his efforts and the efforts of Uika and the others, they could make Ai properly realize everything she currently possessed.
With this thought, Tetsuya focused his attention once more on the rack hung with a full row of costumes. And just at that moment, the door to his room, which should not have been opened, was pushed open silently—