"Thank you for saving me back there, Uika."
The first thing Hoshino Ai said after leaving the stage was to thank Misumi Uika for her timely appearance.
"Without you, the atmosphere of the show would have been completely cut short."
"...Are you serious?"
In contrast to Ai's sincerity, Uika, the one being thanked, wore an expression as if she had just seen a ghost.
"I thought for sure the first thing you'd do when you came back here was get even with me..."
"Why?"
"Because I announced the contract with Tetsuya-san before you could."
Uika said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Aren't you the one who hates it most when others interfere in your relationship with him?"
"My hosting skills aren't as good as yours, so it was most appropriate for you to make the announcement. Besides, the reason you did it, aside from stalling for time while the equipment was being adjusted, was largely to counter [NozAK!]'s attempt to piggyback on our hype, right?"
Ai shook her head.
"Even putting all that aside, in that atmosphere, if I had been the one to make the announcement, Tetsu and his brand would have definitely been flamed by my extreme fans who were in a state of euphoria."
"Huh..."
Uika's expression became even more shocked than before.
This calm and farsighted statement was completely at odds with her image of Ai as a "runaway love train."
"Wait, I'm actually a little freaked out. Are... are you really Ai? Or were you possessed by something strange during the blackout?!"
"Don't look down on me. I've always been well aware of the various situations my actions could cause! It's just that I never cared about them before."
Faced with Uika's reaction, Ai huffed lightly.
"As for now, since Tetsu needs my influence and popularity as an idol, taking care of the fans' feelings is, of course, a job I have to do."
"So in the end, it's still for Tetsuya-san."
Hearing this reason, Uika let out a small sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness. You're still the Hoshino Ai I know."
Just as Uika was patting her chest, relieved that nothing had changed, Ai's next words made her expression go slack-jawed once again:
"And... after this live show, I really do understand their feelings better than before."
Ai looked back towards the stage and said:
"What they're watching isn't actually me, but the lie I carefully crafted for Tetsu, plus this outfit he made for me with his own hands... How should I put it? It might sound a bit strange, but it feels like our combined efforts have been acknowledged by everyone. Since that's the case, then I don't mind using this facade to maintain their hopes and dreams."
She paused for a moment, then suddenly looked as if she had thought of something.
"Huh? Wait, a work we created together... that means if we have a child in the future, I'd probably have a similar mindset... Wow, just thinking about our child being praised by everyone gives me such a sense of accomplishment! Mhm, it's decided! I really do want to have Tetsu's baby—"
"Eh, eh, eh..."
While marveling that she was, indeed, still the same old Ai, Uika couldn't help but turn pale with fright at this explosive declaration.
"Wait a minute, Ai! You just said Tetsuya-san needs you as an idol, didn't you? Don't forget your own words so quickly!"
"But having a baby doesn't take that long, does it? I can work as usual for the first few months, and then when my belly gets big, I can just use the excuse of recovering from an illness to take a few months off, right?"
"You're making having a baby sound way too simple! And for an idol, suspending activities is a taboo that leads to a drop in popularity!"
"Eh... is that so?"
"It is!"
Uika grabbed Ai's arm in terror.
"Listen, Ai, your performance in this live show was perfect! If you just keep this momentum going, both [Starry Sky] and Tetsuya-san will become more and more inseparable from you, so please don't rush things! As for a baby... well, I'm not going to advise you to wait until you're officially dating him, but at least wait until you've decided to graduate from being an idol!"
"Mhm, that's right."
The next second, the manager's voice came from behind them.
"If you really want to do more for Chihaya Tetsuya, then you should make good use of your time as a popular idol to promote him. As for having a child, leave it until after you graduate. Not only will you have more time to take care of the child then, but you can also use that 'responsibility' that he can't refuse to completely solidify your relationship."
"..."
Ai tilted her head and thought for a moment before speaking.
"That makes sense. Well then... Uika."
"Mhm?"
"You've also decided to 'help' Tetsu in the same way I am, haven't you?"
"...Mhm."
Faced with Ai's pointed question, Uika nodded.
"He's the one who made me a true partner to the person I've always admired, and he's the one who truly made me one of the 'starry sky' on stage. I want to repay that kindness, and at the same time, just like you and Sakiko, I want to form a more lasting bond with him."
"Is that so? I thought as much."
Faced with Uika's statement, which was like a "declaration of war," Ai was not surprised in the slightest.
"I already foresaw this day coming the first time you tried to stop me from seeing Tetsu. Anyway, Tetsu already has several pursuers, so one more of you doesn't make a difference. So, let's do our best together from now on..."
With that, she started walking towards the dressing room ahead—
"In the name of [Summer Zodiac]."
And with that, she entered the dressing room ahead of her.
Uika, on the other hand, couldn't help but say to the manager:
"Is it my imagination? I feel like a more mature Ai is even more dangerous than before."
"That's how it should be. Compared to the terrorist who acted without considering the consequences, an ambitionist who possesses both a sharp mind and madness is the most terrifying."
The manager said with a deadpan expression.
"However, from the agency's point of view, her current state of going all out for a man is indeed a rare and ideal situation."
"..."
Uika gave the manager a strange look before speaking.
"So, that advice just now... about having a baby after graduation, that was based on your personal experience, wasn't it?"
"The stage equipment will be ready in about five minutes. you can go prepare for the next segment."
"...Alright."
Since the most important part of the show was a complete success, then next... it's time to play the second card for Sakiko's plan.
"It's almost time for you all to go on, everyone from [MyGO!!!!!]."
Uika said.
"Next, use the 'weapon' you're best at to bring this live show to its official close."