"Uika, did you see? Our first single has surpassed one hundred thousand plays across all platforms, and the number is still rising!"
The moment Misumi Uika sat down at the café, Togawa Sakiko cut straight to the chase with the celebratory news.
"If we just keep polishing new songs at this quality, once we have nine... no, ten original songs, we can release our first album!"
"...That doesn't sound quite so simple."
Although Uika was also happy about the success of their new song, the condition Sakiko mentioned was far more demanding than her casual tone suggested.
"Based on the time and energy you spent writing the first song, it would take at least a year to release another nine, right? You're starting at Filia next spring, and your time for composing will definitely be cut down even further..."
Uika paused in thought for a moment before continuing.
"How about lowering the requirements for the arrangement? For example, four main tracks of the same quality, four slightly simpler full songs, and then add an intro and a purely instrumental track..."
"No. As our debut album, and our stepping stone into the professional scene as a student band, we absolutely must guarantee the overall quality of this album," Sakiko said with a resolute attitude. "As for the time issue, I've naturally already considered it as the composer, so... Uika, of the next nine original songs, I need you to write three of them."
"...Eh?"
Uika was taken aback for a moment, then asked in a slightly doubtful tone, "Are you sure, Sakiko? I can't guarantee I can write songs on the same level as you—"
"Why not? Wasn't the song from the May Live enough to prove your skill?"
"But that song only reached that level because you revised it, didn't it?" Uika analyzed rationally. "If it were just me, I definitely couldn't have achieved that."
"That's not it at all, is it?"
However, Sakiko decisively refuted Uika's seemingly rational self-analysis.
"The reason that song was a success after my revisions was because I forcibly intervened in an arrangement that originally belonged to you. At most, that only proves that our collaboration is seamless. It's impossible to judge our individual skills based on one simple song."
"Huh..."
Faced with Sakiko's argument, Uika was at a loss for how to respond.
Looking back, it was true. She had let Sakiko intervene and lead the arrangement back then to give her a chance to prove her skills. Even on the yet-to-be-released single, the composition credits did indeed list both of their names...
"Besides, don't you want to try, Uika?" Seeing that Uika seemed to be wavering, Sakiko pressed her advantage. "Composing for an idol and composing for a band must be completely different experiences, right? Compared to boring pop electro and dance music, I think gothic and folk metal are much cooler!"
"Ah... you actually said it out loud."
Uika couldn't help but lean back slightly. "Making a comparison like that is an absolute taboo for a composer, you know."
"What does it matter? It's just the two of us here," Sakiko said nonchalantly. "More importantly... please, Uika. I really trust your abilities, and [Ave Mujica] really needs your help right now! So, I'm leaving four of the album's songs to you!"
"Huh? Did you just sneakily add another song..."
"Yuutenji-san is still a beginner, and Umiri and Mutsumi can't compose. You're the only one I can rely on! So, I'm really begging you, Uika!"
"Eh..."
Faced with Sakiko's repeated pleas, Uika found it incredible.
As her long-time friend and a follower who had always quietly admired this genius, Uika was well aware of Sakiko's almost pathological pride and her fiercely independent nature.
If this were the old Sakiko, forget the pleading attitude, she would never have entrusted such an important task as composition to someone else in the first place. But now, not only had she taken the initiative to hand over the work, but she had also sneakily changed the original terms as if to deceive herself. Furthermore, the once serious and cautious girl was now not only smiling while discussing business, but her tone had become much more frivolous...
...
(This... must also be because of Tetsuya-san,) Uika effortlessly arrived at the correct answer.
Just like with Hoshino Ai, Sakiko was exuding a sense of fulfillment, as if she wanted for nothing more...
...
"Doing this will definitely shake your authority in the band, you know," Uika sighed as if accepting her fate. "As the vocalist, composer, and face of the band, my say might become even greater than yours."
"Mhm, I don't mind that at all," Sakiko replied almost without hesitation. "After all, your skills are truly trustworthy, and as the vocalist and composer, you can certainly be called the core of the band."
"...Sigh."
This identical reply completely stripped away any possibility of refusal for Uika, who already found it difficult to say no to her friend.
"I understand. I'll give it a try. But if I can't meet the requirements, you'll have to continue on your own."
"Mhm! Thank you! Uika!"
Upon receiving a positive answer, Sakiko's face bloomed into an incredibly happy smile. "I knew you were the most trustworthy partner!"
"...Then what about Tetsuya-san?" Uika couldn't help but ask, slightly annoyed. "If I'm the most trustworthy partner, what does that make him?"
"Tetsuya-kun... he's definitely in a different category..."
Faced with Uika's slightly passive-aggressive question, Sakiko didn't retaliate. Instead, she even showed a slightly shy expression. "His entire being belongs to me now, after all. So he can't be included in the count."
"..."
Mhm, she probably didn't mishear that. Sakiko did just say that Tetsuya-san had become her "thing."
What a clear picture of the family dynamic...
After roughly guessing the food chain in the Chihaya household, Uika couldn't help but sigh again.
Now, her own identity and position had suddenly become a bit delicate.
As Hoshino Ai's partner in the same group, while there was a certain rivalry between them, they also trusted each other.
As Togawa Sakiko's childhood friend and best friend, the trust between them and her admiration for Sakiko went without saying.
But beyond that, although she had never mentioned it as openly as the other two, she also harbored rather impure thoughts and intentions toward Chihaya Tetsuya.
Of course, she was happy that Hoshino Ai and Togawa Sakiko had gotten their wish and found happiness, but she had no intention of giving up either.
So, what exactly was her position now? A love rival trusted by both of them? Or a comrade who could betray them at any moment?
Uika herself wasn't quite sure.
Faced with the simultaneous trust of Hoshino Ai and Togawa Sakiko, Uika had no intention of refusing. After all, even if they said nothing, she would continue to practice her modeling skills and work hard as a composer...
But she felt... a little awkward.
Even though Ai had long known she had designs on Tetsuya-san, and Sakiko had once placed her as a crucial part of the "Harem Plan," now that they had succeeded, it was as if everything was over, and they paid her no mind at all...
Could it be that they were so confident... that Tetsuya-san would never cheat on them with anyone? Or was it that in their eyes, she posed no threat worth guarding against?
Uika was very confused.
And as if to intensify her wavering, Sakiko, having finished with business, smoothly moved on to a new topic.
"By the way, Uika, do the exercises models do really improve your figure?"
"Huh..."
Pulled from her thoughts by the question, Uika stared blankly for a moment before nodding woodenly.
"They are helpful... Maintaining one's figure is the most basic requirement for a fashion model. So even at home, we do all sorts of exercises to stay toned and well-proportioned..."
"Oh... so that's why."
Sakiko nodded in understanding.
"Even when she comes over to Tetsuya-kun's place to do... I mean, to play, Hoshino Ai always sets aside time for stretching and flexibility exercises. And the strength in her hips does seem to be stronger than the rest of us! I see. I should start exercising more like her in the future."
"..."
Although Sakiko had symbolically corrected that completely NG word, the subsequent statement made Uika instantly understand its true meaning.
Not only had they already done it, but they were continuing to do it without restraint.
If that was the case, then not only Sakiko, but all the changes in Hoshino Ai now had a reasonable explanation.
Why the coordination and flexibility of her hips were suddenly inferior to her own, why her demeanor had changed so drastically, why she was in such a hurry to leave after class...
Feeling her face begin to flush, Uika realized she couldn't let her imagination run wild any longer. However, Sakiko, sitting opposite her, had no intention of letting her precious confidant go just yet.
And so, the two of them went from talking about flexibility exercises to the style of lingerie on a certain women's outfit they saw at the joint exhibition, and then to the size of beds and the material of blankets.
Every topic was full of suggestive undertones!
Every topic seemed to conjure up a vivid image!
Every topic confirmed what Uika had been thinking!
Putting aside the ever-greedy and desire-driven Ai, even the originally serious and reserved Sakiko had now become an ordinary girl completely dominated by lust and love...
No, judging by the adult images conjured from her girlish topics, the undisguised nuggets of an experienced person's knowledge in her words, and the increasingly radiant smile on her face, this girl had completely surpassed the ordinary level and reached the point of obsession!
So doing that kind of thing... can really change a person's personality and even their way of doing things so drastically...
Uika was utterly shocked, and at the same time, a little curious about the happiness that was quietly seeping into her own heart.
However, just as she was about to proactively ask Sakiko for some details, a notification sounded from Sakiko's phone.
"Looks like we'll have to end it here for today."
Sakiko put her phone back in her pocket, looking a little unsatisfied.
"I said I was going to have dinner at Tetsuya-kun's place tonight. I need to stop by the convenience store before I go home."
"Ah... mhm, I see."
In the past, Uika wouldn't have thought anything of Sakiko going to the convenience store before heading home. But after their conversation, she knew exactly what Sakiko was going to buy...
"Well then, be careful on your way."
"You too. Be safe on your way back."
Even though her mind was filled with girlish pink, Sakiko's essential nature hadn't changed. "It was my oversight this time. Next time, I'll ask Tetsuya-kun to pick us up and drop us off in advance."
"Eh... you don't have to trouble him that much, do you?"
"It's fine. If he were here, he would definitely do the same," Sakiko said with a smile, her tone full of confidence and certainty. "It was fun talking today. Let's hang out again next time."
"Mhm, see you next time."
Faced with Sakiko's completely open and unclouded smile, Uika smiled back.
Although her friend had become an adult with the boy she was interested in before she did, thinking about the grievances Sakiko had suffered and the happiness she now had, Uika was genuinely happy for her.
She wondered if she, too, could one day be as happy as her...
Ding-dong—
Just as Uika was sighing at Sakiko's retreating back, her own phone buzzed.
"Who could it be this time?"
Her work for the day was done, and she had just finished talking with Sakiko... she really couldn't think of anyone who would contact her at this hour.
Then, when she saw the sender and the message content, she froze on the spot.
Chihaya Tetsuya: [Please save me... Uika!]