The crisp night air of Mishima Station was shattered by the arrival of the final Shinkansen from Tokyo. As the doors hissed open, a small army of legendary idols, weary but resolute mothers, and sleepy children stepped onto the platform.
Waiting just outside the station entrance was a sleek, black SUV with tinted windows. A man in a sharp suit and dark sunglasses stepped forward, his posture rigid. He spotted Eli Ayase—who naturally took the lead of the group—and gave a respectful, disciplined nod.
"Eli-san," the man said, his voice low and professional. "We are the Ohara security detail. Mari-sama has instructed us to coordinate your arrival."
"Is everything in place?" Eli asked, her eyes scanning the surroundings while she adjusted her grip on her travel bag.
"Yes. We have dispatched a second SUV to Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport," the man confirmed, checking his tactical watch.
"They will intercept Lanzhu-sama and her daughter the moment they clear customs and bring them directly to the destination. We are on a strict timeline."
Umi and Maki stepped up behind Eli, their children huddled close to their legs, rubbing sleepy eyes.
"And the destination?" Umi asked, her voice steady but carrying a hidden edge of anticipation.
"Takami Ryokan," the guard replied. "The members of Aqours have already converged there. The target is in Room 4. Mari-sama and Dia-sama are currently on-site, ensuring he does not attempt to manifest a departure."
"Target?" Nico whispered with a sharp, dangerous grin as she hoisted a diaper bag over her shoulder. "I like the sound of that. He's cornered."
"Let's move," Eli commanded, her voice cutting through the late-night quiet of the station. "The kids are exhausted, and I want to be in that room before the sun comes up. We have a lot of years to catch up on, and I'm not letting him sleep through a second of it."
The group piled into the spacious SUV, the engine purring to life as they sped off toward Uchiura. Behind them, the silence of the station returned, but ahead, the Takami Ryokan was transforming from a peaceful inn into the stage for the largest, most complicated family reunion in the history of the school idol world.
The "Panda" in Room 4 was still dreaming, completely unaware that his private "redemption tour" was about to become a full-scale international summit.