After the meeting ended, Misumi Uika and Hoshino Ai stayed behind at Tetsuya's house to discuss matters related to the [TGC]. Sumita Mana and Yuutenji Nyamu, however, left a step ahead.
After walking out of the apartment building, Nyamu took the initiative to strike up a conversation with the new member of [Summer Zodiac].
"Speaking of which, it seems [Summer Zodiac]'s official account hasn't announced your debut yet, Sumita-san?"
"Ah, that's right!"
Mana nodded in response.
"It was originally supposed to be officially announced after the promotional photos were taken, but considering Chihaya-san invited me to the joint exhibition, the manager seems to be planning to use the hype from this event to announce my debut."
"I see~"
Nyamu nodded in a moment of realization.
"As expected of [Summer Zodiac], they really know what they're doing... Oh, by the way, as future work partners, let's exchange contact information!"
"Mhm! Okay!"
Mana agreed to the proposal with almost no hesitation.
In her eyes, compared to her two senpais and the highly respected Chihaya-san, this Yuutenji-san, who was a newcomer just like her, was clearly much easier to get along with.
Moreover, she had a lot on her mind that she wanted to discuss with her fellow rookie.
"Yuutenji-san, don't you feel like there's... a really complicated relationship between Chihaya-san and my two senpais?"
"Oh?"
Hearing Mana's question, Nyamu raised an eyebrow with interest.
"So you think so too?"
"Yeah. I mean, the reason the two senpais were angry, and the way they negotiated with Chihaya-san afterwards, it all felt strange to me."
Mana said in an uncertain tone.
"If it were a normal work or friend relationship, they probably wouldn't go that far, right?"
"Tell me about it..."
In Nyamu's view, the moment she saw the two of them interrogating Tetsuya with such an accusatory attitude, she had already detected the jealousy in their expressions and tones. This was especially true when she saw Ai's sullen expression, which lasted until the very end. She was now even more convinced that there was a connection that transcended friendship between her amazingly resourceful but surprisingly gullible BOSS and these two top idols.
On top of that, this BOSS also seemed to have innumerable ties to the daughter of that Mori Minami, as well as the leader of her own band, Togawa Sakiko. Nyamu, who was obsessed with hype and traffic, was dying to dig into the truth and secrets behind it all.
But... considering that her own future and development were tied up in this secret, she knew she couldn't be too rash. No matter how curious she was, it was best to get closer to them and slowly extract the information she wanted, all while making sure not to reveal it to any outsiders.
With that thought, she glanced at Mana, who looked like she had something to say, and then spoke.
"I suggest you don't go around spreading this, Sumita-san."
Nyamu couldn't help but offer a word of caution to this seemingly guileless, naive girl.
"You are all members of the same group, [Summer Zodiac]. If anything happens to those two, you'll definitely be dragged down with them. So, no matter how unwilling you are, you have to protect the relationship the three of them have now."
"Mmm..."
Hearing Nyamu's warning, an extremely conflicted expression appeared on Mana's face.
"But, are we really going to let the three of them continue like this? Won't the problem just get worse and worse if this goes on?"
"Who knows? But from the looks of it now, their relationship is still somewhat balanced."
Nyamu shrugged.
"As newcomers and outsiders, we really have no reason or right to say anything."
"Ugh... I know you're right, but..."
Mana still looked like she was having a hard time accepting it.
Nyamu continued to try and persuade her.
"I know that for a kind-hearted girl like you, this kind of relationship is too unconventional. But you have to remember, your two senpais are the hottest idols right now, and if all goes well, Chihaya-san will become the new darling of the fashion industry after this [TGC]. The relationships between big shots like them are beyond what ordinary people can imagine."
"Big shots..."
Hearing this term, not only did Mana not accept the explanation, she actually frowned.
Just as Nyamu thought this proper and frank girl was about to object from the standpoint of public morals, her next words left her completely stunned.
"No matter how amazing my two senpais are, I don't think they should be allowed to just bully people!"
"...What?"
For a long moment, Nyamu couldn't believe her ears.
"Bully people? What are you talking about?"
"Hoshino-senpai and Uika-senpai just now... they were totally bullying Chihaya-san, weren't they?"
Mana said indignantly.
"Even though Chihaya-san had already explained his reasoning so clearly and thoroughly, they were still making things difficult for him... forcing him to agree to more conditions!"
Recalling the scene of Tetsuya repeatedly backing down under their joint pressure, Mana stated her opinion.
"No wonder the manager told me to go to Chihaya-san if those two ever got into a fight I couldn't mediate... It's because Chihaya-san has always been the one my senpais use to vent their stress, isn't it?"
"?????"
Nyamu was completely dumbfounded. She could never have imagined that this silly girl, who she thought was on the same page as her, could have come up with such a ridiculous misunderstanding.
However, Mana's delusional misunderstanding showed no signs of stopping.
"In the first place, the way they interrogated Chihaya-san was weird! That attitude, as if they knew for a fact he would yield to them... It's because they're already used to it, right?!"
With that, she suddenly stopped and turned to look at Nyamu.
"And then there's the 'personal safety' issue the manager warned me about before... Yuutenji-san, do you think... the reason they stayed behind at Chihaya-san's house is to 'bully' him while no one else is around? I've read those kinds of stories, about the special hobbies that celebrities have behind closed doors!"
"...I suggest you read less of that weird stuff from now on."
Nyamu said as she forcibly linked arms with this silly girl who was about to turn back.
I thought she was a comrade who shared my position and thoughts, but it turns out she's just a naive girl who hasn't figured things out yet, but has been deeply influenced by all sorts of media...
To prevent her from interfering with the three people upstairs, Nyamu had to try another way to persuade her.
"Don't worry, Sumita-san. While the relationship between them isn't simple, it's definitely not what you're thinking."
"But—"
"No buts. Ah, right, to celebrate both of us getting the main model jobs, how about I treat you to dinner!"
"Umm..."
Although Mana still looked conflicted, under Nyamu's enthusiastic invitation, she ultimately didn't turn back.
Right now, she was just a rookie. She wasn't in a position to meddle in their affairs.
When she became stronger in the future... if she ever encountered a situation like today's again, she would definitely find a way to stand up for him!
(I want to save Chihaya-san!)
The rookie idol, Sumita Mana, thought with firm resolve.