Although he didn't quite understand what was going on, Chihaya Tetsuya decided to hold a meeting regarding [Starry Sky] over the weekend.
The attendees were, as previously mentioned, Ai, Uika, Sumita Mana, and Yuutenji Nyamu from [Ave Mujica]. As for the location, to avoid being spotted by fans in a public place and to make it easier to show them the design sketches, Tetsuya decided to hold the meeting at his own home.
Regarding this decision, Nagasaki Soyo, who was in charge of notifications, had this to say:
"[MyGO!!!!!] has to rehearse our new song that day, so Anon and I won't be back... Oh, right, we're taking Mutsumi with us too."
Soyo said this in an incredibly resolute tone.
"You all just need to have your meeting at home in peace!"
"Mhm, thank you, Soyo."
Tetsuya completely failed to detect the deliberate avoidance in her voice and simply thanked her frankly.
"Are you planning to be back before dinner?"
"That... well, in any case, we'll definitely wait until after your meeting is over to come back."
Soyo shook her head.
"Please rest assured, I will properly store all the sharp objects and knives in my room."
"Hm? Why would you do that?"
"It's nothing. Just a precaution."
Soyo's lips twitched into a strained smile.
"You'll understand when the day comes."
...
"Hmm, a meeting at Chihaya-san's house this weekend..."
Since she had already been there once before, Sumita Mana felt no particular anxiety or concern about it.
However, considering her two senpais would also be there, she naturally took the initiative to invite them.
"Hoshino-senpai, Uika-senpai, shall we go to Chihaya-san's house together this weekend... Eek?!"
Halfway through her sentence, two gazes sharp enough to pierce right through her made her let out an involuntary, terrified cry.
"Go together... what a very nice suggestion, Sumita-san."
A very strange smile appeared on Hoshino Ai's face.
"Are you planning to use this opportunity to explain to us how you won the main model position?"
"E-eh?! No, that's not it! I was just thinking that since we're all gathering at Chihaya-san's house anyway, we might as well go together or something..."
Mana frantically denied it.
"And besides, the main model thing was supposed to be discussed today anyway, right?"
"Oh? Is that so? Then it seems I misunderstood."
Ai raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you wanted to use this chance to share your recipe for success with us, Sumita-san—"
"Ai, stop it."
Misumi Uika shook her head.
"Soyo said this was all Tetsuya-san's decision, based on his own design philosophy. It has nothing to do with Mana."
"..."
Ai didn't answer. She just turned her head to the side, her averted gaze flashing with obvious displeasure.
Uika had no intention of persuading her further. She turned back to Mana.
"Sorry about that, Mana. Ai has been in a bad mood since yesterday. As for the meeting this weekend..."
"Uu..."
Sensing the rapidly worsening atmosphere, a trembling Mana said.
"R-right, I just remembered, that day... I might... probably... have other things to do... Maybe I shouldn't go to the meeting—"
Before she could finish, Ai immediately cut in with a cold expression.
"...No. This joint exhibition is very important to Tetsu. You are not allowed to be absent."
"E-eh... but..."
"I know you're just an innocent victim who got dragged into this because of Tetsu's whim. Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."
Ai said, her face expressionless.
"I will make things clear with Tetsu myself."
...
"I know you're pissed off right now... but you didn't have to be that harsh with her, did you?"
After Mana fled the office, Uika couldn't help but sigh.
"When you think about it, Mana is a victim in this too."
"...And what about you?"
In response to Uika's words, Ai looked up and retorted.
"Aren't you frustrated? Having the main model position snatched away so easily by a rookie."
"Do you even need to ask?"
Hearing Ai's question, Uika's expression also darkened.
"Of course I'm not happy about it. But this is a critically important exhibition for Tetsuya-san. If his reason can convince me, then I will naturally accept it. But if that reason isn't good enough... I think I might get just a little tiny bit angry."
"So... we wait for Tetsu's explanation?"
After hearing Uika's reply, Ai also fell into thought.
The reason she had been working so hard recently, aside from her shyness after what happened that night, was mainly to become a better exclusive model and to give a better performance at the [TGC].
But in the time she had been deliberately avoiding Tetsuya, not only had that Togawa Sakiko made progress by using the excuse of being drunk, but now even her job as the main model had been taken away...
If Tetsuya really did this to make the exhibition a success, she could probably grit her teeth and bear it. But if his reason was something she couldn't accept...
"And it's at Tetsu's house, too... If I get the same chance as that night, I definitely won't miss again."
Ai muttered under her breath.
"So you'd better have a reason that can convince me and Uika... Tetsu."
...
"Hmm, the meeting place is the BOSS's house..."
Ever since she had taken the initiative to call Chihaya Tetsuya that day, she had mentally settled on the title "BOSS" for him.
And in order to make a good first impression on this mysterious BOSS, Yuutenji Nyamu was currently in front of her full-length mirror, carefully selecting an outfit for the day.
"He's a fashion designer. If my outfit isn't well-thought-out, he'll definitely dislike it."
Nyamu said to herself.
"This is a big deal for my future. Yuutenji Nyamu, you absolutely have to put together your best, most fashionable look!"
In order to win Chihaya Tetsuya's trust and favor, Nyamu was currently brimming with motivation.