"...What did you say?"
After listening to Sumita Mana's report, the manager couldn't help but wear an expression of disbelief.
"Just because you two chatted a bit about the [TGC]... he decided to make you the main model?"
"It's the absolute truth!"
Mana nodded repeatedly.
"I really just chatted with Chihaya-san a little about my views on the [TGC] and advised him not to take the competition so seriously, and then he decided he wanted me to be the main model! And because he used the same arguments I had used to persuade him, I really didn't know how to refuse..."
At this, she glanced timidly at the manager. Seeing the deep frown on her face, she asked in an incredibly guilty tone.
"As I thought... a rookie like me probably isn't qualified to accept this kind of job, right?"
"...It has nothing to do with that."
In response to Mana's self-doubt, the manager gently shook her head in denial.
"Since the agency agreed to let you join [Summer Zodiac], it means your abilities and looks are in no way inferior to your two groupmates. Any job they can do, you can definitely do as well."
"Uu..."
Hearing a line so similar to what Tetsuya had said, Mana couldn't help but shrink back.
However, when she looked again at the manager's still-worried face, she pressed on.
"But your expression doesn't look like there's 'no problem' at all..."
"Because I'm worried about something else right now."
The manager rubbed her temples with a conflicted expression.
"You haven't told Ai and Uika about this sudden change, have you?"
"Not yet."
Mana answered truthfully.
"The agency hasn't officially approved it yet, after all. As a rookie, I can't just make decisions on my own..."
"Mhm, it's a good thing you're aware of that."
Recalling those other two, who did as they pleased and always sided with an outsider, the manager couldn't help but sigh with a sense of relief.
But relief aside, the manager hadn't forgotten the "major issue" she had just been contemplating.
"Then please remember this, Mana. From now on, you are absolutely not to bring this up with those two on your own initiative! Understand?"
"Huh?"
A look of utter confusion appeared on Mana's face.
"Wh-why? Aren't both senpais directly involved? Even if I don't say anything, won't they find out sooner or later—"
"That's right, but even so, you absolutely cannot be the one to bring it up."
The manager warned her with the utmost seriousness.
"As for the specific reason... it's not convenient for me to explain in detail, but in short, it's directly related to your future career and even your personal safety."
"Personal safety?!"
Mana couldn't help but cry out in alarm.
"Eh? Th-that's terrifying! What's going on? Does this joint exhibition have some dangerous secret I don't know about?! Like, the person who becomes the main model gets targeted by some mysterious assassin!"
"It's not that bad. Our agency's work isn't that dangerous."
The manager shook her head.
"And for you, this incident will actually help you integrate with those two more quickly. It's just that... the process will be a little turbulent."
"???"
Mana, who had been completely out of the loop from the start, was still in a state of utter confusion.
The manager had no intention of explaining further. Instead, she took out her phone and dialed the number of the willful instigator of this whole affair.
...
"Hm? I have to explain it to Ai and Uika myself?"
Hearing the manager's request, Tetsuya nodded without a second thought.
"That's not a problem... Ah, so that means the agency doesn't object to my proposal, right?"
[At events like exhibitions and fashion shows, the designer's opinion always takes top priority. What's more, you're making this change to better showcase your design philosophy, so we have even less reason to object.]
The manager said.
[Of course, business is business. While we can accept this change in plans, in return, you must be the one to explain all the reasons to those two yourself, so that your philosophy can be conveyed more effectively.]
"Mhm, no problem."
Tetsuya agreed readily.
"As it happens, another person who's helping me with online promotion is coming to meet me this weekend. I can take the opportunity to gather everyone and explain the situation."
[...]
Hearing this, the manager was silent for a good ten seconds. After a long pause, she couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.
[Chihaya-san.]
"Yes?"
[While being direct and simple are not negative traits, they can sometimes bring about misfortune.]
The manager said in a solemn, heartfelt tone.
[Even if it's just for your own safety, the next time you encounter a situation related to the girls around you, I hope you will give it a little more thought.]
"Eh? Ah, yes..."
Tetsuya nodded, only half-understanding.
"I'll do my best... if I can."
...
"Anyway, I've pushed the main responsibility onto him."
The manager put down her phone after finishing the call.
"As for the aftershocks, those are unavoidable."
At this, she looked up again at the girl before her, who was looking uneasy and was completely oblivious to her own situation.
"I don't know if this is lucky or unlucky for you. This job is a very precious opportunity. That boy, Chihaya Tetsuya, might be less mature than a high schooler in some ways, but his clothes are absolutely trustworthy. Coupled with the scale of this event, being his main model is an excellent chance for you to get exposure. After this, the other fans will surely recognize the skill and quality of this 'transfer student.' It's just that this opportunity... will also force you to get caught up in their 'disputes'."
"Just remember what I told you before. If anything happens that you can't handle on your own, call that number immediately and ask for Chihaya Tetsuya's help. Understood?"
"Ah... Yes."
Mana nodded with an anxious look on her face.
"I'll keep it in mind!"
As expected, this super-popular idol group... has secrets she knows nothing about.
And according to the manager, it's a secret that could even affect her personal safety!
(Uuuu, please, Chihaya-san... when the time comes, you have to protect me!)
Mana prayed in her heart, on the verge of tears.