Ichigo's enigmatic nod sends Rina and Haruka into high alert. The subtle competition for my attention transforms into a full-blown, albeit silent, strategic battle. Their new, shared objective: intercept Ichigo during his meet-and-greet session, assess his intentions regarding me, and neutralize any potential threat (or, more likely, just satisfy their own burning curiosity and jealousy).
Their plan, concocted in a series of frantic, whispered exchanges while pretending to adjust Rina's wings, is typically overcomplicated and doomed to fail.
Phase 1: Kenji creates a diversion. (Kenji's diversions usually involve spontaneous breakdancing or yelling about obscure anime, so this is already a high-risk phase). Phase 2: While Ichigo is distracted, Rina and Haruka will "casually" approach his booth from opposite directions, flanking him. Phase 3: Engage Ichigo in seemingly innocent conversation, subtly probing for information about his connection to Rui Hinamata, while simultaneously projecting an aura of overwhelming coolness and unavailability (directed at Ichigo) and possessiveness (directed at each other, and implicitly, at me). Phase 4: Report findings back to Miki for analysis and further action.
My role in this operation? Stay put. Be visible. Act as unwitting bait, apparently. Aiwa, meanwhile, is politely excused from this particular mission, ostensibly because her LUNA persona is too "intimidating" for subtle espionage, but really because Rina and Haruka do not trust her anywhere near me or their target. Miki and Hana are assigned to "crowd control" (managing Kenji) and "damage assessment."
Ichigo's meet-and-greet begins. The line is enormous, stretching halfway across the convention hall. He is seated at a simple table, still in his flawless Zero cosplay, signing autographs and exchanging brief, charming words with ecstatic fans. He looks completely relaxed, effortlessly cool.
"Okay, Kenji," Rina whispers into a tiny, hidden communicator (where did she even get that?!). "Operation: Distraction is a go! Initiate phase one!"
Kenji takes a deep breath, adjusts his (now confiscated and returned) "Future Best Friends" t-shirt, and marches towards the front of Ichigo's line. He bypasses the bewildered security guards, climbs onto a nearby platform originally intended for displaying a giant inflatable mascot, and strikes a dramatic pose.
"ATTENTION, CITIZENS OF COMICON!" he bellows, his voice echoing through the hall. "BEHOLD! A SPONTANEOUS INTERPRETIVE DANCE DEDICATED TO THE GLORY OF ICHIGO-SAMA'S LEFT EYEBROW!"
He then proceeds to launch into a truly bizarre, flailing performance that seems to involve mimicking various anime fight sequences while simultaneously attempting the moonwalk. It is less a distraction and more a public cry for help.
The crowd stares, utterly bewildered. Ichigo looks up from the autograph he is signing, raising a masked eyebrow in amusement. The security guards start moving towards Kenji with weary resignation.
"Perfect!" Rina whispers. "Phase two! Move in!"
Rina approaches Ichigo's table from the left, her Ectiqa smile dazzling but her eyes sharp. Haruka approaches from the right, her Hime-Hime persona radiating cool, analytical confidence. They converge on Ichigo just as the security guards are gently but firmly escorting a protesting Kenji off the inflatable mascot platform.
"Ichigo-sama," Rina begins, her voice full of professional admiration. "Ectiqa. Your performance was truly inspiring."
"Indeed," Haruka adds smoothly, positioning herself slightly closer to Ichigo. "Hime-Hime. Your technical execution was flawless."
Ichigo looks up, first at Rina, then at Haruka. His charming smile widens slightly. He seems completely unfazed by their sudden, coordinated appearance. "Ah, the reigning queens," he says, his voice like smooth velvet. "An honor. Thank you for gracing my humble station with your presence." He is laying the charm on thick.
"We were just curious," Rina continues, trying to sound casual. "We noticed you seemed to… recognize someone in the crowd earlier? During your stage presentation?"
"Oh?" Ichigo asks innocently, leaning back slightly in his chair. "Did I? This mask makes it terribly difficult to see clearly. So many bright lights, so many adoring faces." He is expertly deflecting.
"A specific face, perhaps?" Haruka presses coolly. "Someone… average-looking? Hoodie-wearing? Perhaps accompanied by a chaotic whirlwind of female attention?"
Ichigo lets out a soft chuckle. "You mean young Rui-kun?" he asks, confirming their suspicions without actually confirming anything. "A dedicated handler. Hard to miss his… unique entourage." He looks past them, his gaze scanning the crowd until it finds me, standing awkwardly near Ectiqa's booth. He gives me another one of those small, infuriatingly knowing smiles.
Rina and Haruka both stiffen. He is toying with them.
"So you do know him?" Rina asks, her voice tight.
"I know of him," Ichigo corrects smoothly. "Anyone who follows the scene knows Ectiqa's handler. He is becoming almost as famous as you are." He leans forward slightly, his voice dropping. "Tell me, is he as efficient as he seems? Finding good help is so difficult these days."
He is deliberately provoking them, subtly inquiring about my availability, right under their noses. It is a masterful display of psychological warfare disguised as polite conversation.
Rina looks ready to explode. Haruka's cool facade is cracking. Operation: Intercept Ichigo is rapidly devolving into Operation: Get Played By Ichigo.
Before they can launch a counter-attack (or possibly just start throwing things), Miki intervenes, appearing seemingly out of nowhere like a ninja accountant. "Ectiqa-sama, Hime-Hime-sama," she says firmly. "Your scheduled break is over. Fans are waiting." She effectively pulls them away, rescuing them (and possibly Ichigo) from further conflict.
As they are being led away, Ichigo calls out, just loud enough for me to hear across the distance, "Rui-kun! Still thinking about that dinner offer?" He winks again, then turns back to his adoring fans, leaving behind a trail of chaos, confusion, and three extremely suspicious, extremely motivated women who are now more convinced than ever that Ichigo's interest in me is far from innocent. My life just keeps getting better and better.