"Ms. Akane, based on the current examination results, you have a primary thrombus in your brain, and there is a high risk of it breaking loose. You must begin treatment immediately."
"..."
Looking at the test results and the doctor's stern advice, Akane Kosaka fell silent.
There really was something wrong with her body. Over the years, Akane had been buried in her work. Even when she did undergo physical exams, they were just routine check-ups. She had always felt healthy; she never imagined she had a condition like this.
But...
"No, I have two major projects in progress right now. I can't be hospitalized for treatment yet."
"This isn't a matter of whether you want to or not; it's a necessity. A single fall or a spike in blood pressure from stress could cause the clot to dislodge, endangering your life."
No matter how much the doctor pleaded, Akane refused to be hospitalized. Finally, the doctor turned his gaze toward Rin, hoping the man who brought her in could talk some sense into her.
Rin knew her work was vital. If a national-level IP game were delayed because its visionary leader fell ill, it would be a disaster. This was the downside of a company led by a single genius; everything required the boss's personal oversight. In a normal company... things might actually run more efficiently without the boss breathing down everyone's neck.
Rin could only try to persuade her.
They weren't family or even lovers. Warning her about her health was already doing her a massive favor. If she insisted on seeking an early grave, he couldn't stop her.
Rin stood up and led Akane out of the consultation room to the waiting area.
Akane sat down on a plastic chair, running a hand through her wine-red hair. "If you're going to try and persuade me, don't bother. I won't walk away from my projects."
Rin sat beside her. Instead of lecturing her on health, he brought up her company.
"I know your work is important. But I've heard your company scouts talent so aggressively it's practically cutthroat. Is that right?"
"It is. Are you scared?"
"What do I have to be scared of? I just feel sorry for you." Rin smirked and shrugged. Akane was a genius, and geniuses have pride, but they also have arrogance. "You've gathered all that talent, yet you're so useless that you can't even afford the time to be sick. What do you think will happen to your company when you truly collapse?"
"..." Akane knew he was intentionally provoking her. While she didn't micromanage everything, she felt she had to personally supervise the most critical stages.
"This project won't end overnight. We're still in the early stages, right? What if you collapse when things get truly critical later on? This isn't a common cold; it could kill you. If you're lucky, you'll just be paralyzed. If you're not, you're dead. What happens to your projects then?"
Rin leaned closer. "For example, your manga... people might take them and adapt them however they want. You've worked so hard; why not take this time to rest? Calm down and look at all those works you've wanted to read but never had the time for."
Akane had started her own business specifically because her works had been butchered by bad anime adaptations. To her, her creations were like her daughters. Watching them be defiled by "ugly bastards" in the industry was the one thing she couldn't tolerate.
Rin's words hit home. If she didn't treat it now, collapsing at a crucial milestone would be the real catastrophe.
"Mmm... I'm still not quite at ease," Akane said, glancing at Rin. "If you watched over the project for me, I'd feel much better."
"...Get treated or don't. I don't care."
Rin didn't believe for a second that she'd trust him to watch her project. She was just trying to drag him into her orbit. Once he was involved, she'd find excuses to involve Mashiro, and eventually, she'd try to swallow them both into her company.
Seeing her trick had failed, Akane didn't push further. They returned to the doctor, and she agreed to take medication to stabilize her condition. She promised to arrange her work tomorrow before returning for treatment. Whether she actually meant it or was just paying him lip service was none of Rin's business.
After helping her get her medicine and seeing her to her car, Rin left. She offered him a ride, but he declined, not wanting her to know that Mashiro was living with him.
Rin wasn't a selfless saint. He'd help those close to him, but he'd only met Akane three times. Warning her was enough. If she wanted to flirt with death, he wouldn't waste his breath.
By Wednesday afternoon, Rin received a photo from Akane of her in a hospital bed, along with a stack of manga magazines on her nightstand.
Akane: [You said I should catch up on some interesting works. Perfect timing.] Rin: [....]
Rin sent a string of ellipses. He noticed the magazines were from Crab Publishing—the same company he submitted his own work to.
Rin: [Be careful. Watching smut in a hospital might spike your blood pressure and pop a vessel.] Akane: [If your doujinshi makes my vessels burst, you'll have to take responsibility~] Rin: [Get lost.]
Rin checked the time as he messaged her. Today was Wednesday—the day Miku and the others were set to "confess" to Ichika.
"We're heading back first. Bye-bye!"
After school, the five Nakano sisters parted ways at the gates as usual. Before leaving, Miku and Ichika exchanged a knowing look.
"Um... I have a date with a friend today. You guys go on home," Miku said casually.
"You have friends? That's a first..." Nino teased with a raised eyebrow. "Well, we're leaving then. Should we wait for you for dinner?"
"No need. Ichika, we're going the same way. Let's walk together."
"Sure~"
Nino turned and left with Yotsuba and Itsuki, while Miku and Ichika headed off.
Over the past few days, Miku had coordinated a plan with her sisters on how to "confess" to Ichika. Simultaneously, she had a separate plan with Ichika.
Miku was playing a game of information asymmetry.
In the eyes of Nino and the others, Miku was preparing the "confession." In Ichika's eyes, Miku was preparing for today's "Netori play."
Once they were out of sight, Nino, Yotsuba, and Itsuki didn't head home. They hailed a cab straight back to the apartment to prepare. Meanwhile, Miku and Ichika hurried to the hotel owned by Karen's family.
Rin had already given Miku the key card. She took Ichika to the room and opened the spacious closet where Kaede and Suzu had hidden before. It had been modified by Karen specifically for "cuckold plays," featuring extra space and a silent ventilation system so it wouldn't get too hot.
"Ichika, wait here for a moment. I'll go get him... Hide in the closet when I message you."
"Okay~ Hurry up, I can hardly wait~" Ichika winked, playing the part of the excited voyeur. In reality, just as Miku was keeping secrets from her, Ichika was keeping secrets from Miku. She hadn't mentioned that Kaede would also be in that closet. If Miku knew, she might get cold feet.
Hmph... I'm going to make sure she sees exactly how close Miku and Rin are!
Back at the Nakano apartment, the three sisters were frantically applying makeup.
According to Miku's plan, they were all to dress up as Ichika. When things got intimate with Rin, Miku would arrange for the real Ichika to "catch" them. This way, they could claim Rin only "sinned" because he thought they were her.
Ichika, Miku, Nino, Yotsuba, and Itsuki. The five sisters were now divided into three factions.
Ichika didn't know about Nino, Yotsuba, and Itsuki's involvement.
Miku didn't know that Kaede was participating.
Nino, Yotsuba, and Itsuki didn't know Miku was planning a "Netori play."
Every side was hiding something. Every side had its own goal. Every side had its own plan.
At the hotel, after Miku left, Ichika immediately messaged Kaede the room number.
Ichika: [Where are you?] Kaede: [Almost there. Got held up with Student Council stuff.] Ichika: [Hurry! I don't know when Miku will be back.] Kaede: [Coming~]
Outside the hotel, Kaede smirked at her phone. Rin had already told her about Miku's plan. Even if she were slow, Rin would stall for her. She had nothing to worry about.
The five sisters each had pieces of the puzzle missing. But Kaede... Kaede knew everything.
Heh heh heh... Being the only one who knows the truth makes me the ultimate winner!