With Hoshino Ai's overloaded schedule of activities, Minami Uika's main task was reduced to just composing a new song for the May live.
However, for this incredibly talented girl who loved music dearly, this particular composition was filling her with conflict and hesitation.
"If Ai's plan isn't stopped... this live show will probably be [Summer Zodiac]'s last."
With this thought in mind, Minami Uika found it impossible to approach the creation of the new song with her usual mindset.
"...I should go out for a walk."
Although it was already getting late, if she couldn't sort out her feelings, wasting time here would lead to no progress.
Thinking this, she stood up, grabbed her coat, and subconsciously prepared to leave. However, just as she was about to step out the door, the baseball cap she had specifically placed on the coat rack by the entrance reminded her of something very important—
"Ah, the hat and mask..."
This was the first "gift" she and Ai had received from the agency after their idol debut, and it was also the first training lesson they received—self-protection.
In the early days of her debut, she would often forget these things. However, with the popularity of their first music video and Ai's activities, she was now a super-popular new idol. If she went out alone at this time, she could easily be recognized and cause unnecessary trouble.
As for the other one... in order to hide Ai's highly recognizable eyes, the agency had even prepared a pair of very old-fashioned sunglasses especially for her. Although that kind of getup was also quite conspicuous in a way, it did a great job of concealing her divinely blessed face.
"...If she could just focus on her idol career, she would definitely create an idol legend that's completely unprecedented."
Minami Uika couldn't help but mutter to herself.
"Although the outside world's evaluation of her is mostly focused on her looks... Ai's strengths are far from that simple."
For example, the observational skills she gained from her time at the orphanage, and the acting ability honed in that harsh environment.
And the most direct manifestation of these two points was her performance at work.
When facing younger or less experienced colleagues, she would proactively act "clumsy" or "careless" to ease their tension, while also leaving them with the impression of being "simple" and "innocent."
And when facing older or more serious people, she would adopt a serious attitude. Even if her professional skills still had much room for improvement, at the very least, she wouldn't leave a bad impression of having a "poor attitude."
This flawlessly flexible adaptability had won her the favor and admiration of almost all staff members. Although it sometimes provoked jealousy or gossip from others, compared to the recognition she had earned, those voices were not even background noise.
Among all the people Minami Uika had ever met, perhaps only Sakiko's intelligence could compare to hers.
"But... for such a smart girl to give up her entire future for a romance."
Minami Uika felt quite emotional about this.
"Just how deep must her obsession be... to make her choose this?"
However, besides her, Minami Uika hadn't forgotten the scene she had witnessed at the [KaZoKu] studio.
Tetsuya's focus, pouring his entire heart and soul into the clothes, was enough to get a glimpse of the feelings he held for Ai.
Perhaps their feelings and thoughts had not aligned, but at the very least, their choice to burn themselves for each other was proof enough of a bond and longing that had not diminished in the slightest, even after seven years.
...
So, on the day the two of them meet, how will Chihaya-san respond to Ai?
Although according to Sakiko... Chihaya-san had already decided to reject Ai's feelings.
But... depending on the method of rejection, Ai would surely take different countermeasures.
If the way Chihaya-san chose to reject her was too direct or firm, then... Ai would surely retaliate with even more extreme and forceful measures.
At that point, they probably wouldn't even have to wait for the live in mid-May. Ai might just start her plan ahead of schedule and end everything.
"...Sigh."
Thinking of this, Minami Uika's mood became even more complicated.
In order to dispel these distracting thoughts as quickly as possible, Minami Uika pushed open the door, hoping a walk could scatter the heavy, lingering worries in her heart.
...
Minami Uika had loved the starry sky since she was a child.
On the small island where she grew up, whenever night fell, the clear and deep night sky would be lit up by countless brilliant stars.
She enjoyed the sense of weightlessness and floating, as if she were in space, when she looked up at the stars. It made her feel as if the worries and pressures in her heart would also become insignificant.
Unfortunately, the sky in Tokyo was filled with too many mixed and dazzling lights.
Even though the streets were now free of the distracting clamor, she still couldn't find what she needed most among the scattered starlight.
After wandering aimlessly on the streets like a lost child for a while, she suddenly remembered something that had come up during a chat with Togawa Sakiko—
"Right... I remember Sakiko saying that, under Chihaya-san's influence, she also came to like riding the train at night."
According to her, the slight swaying, and the noise that carried a bit of wind and the sound of the tracks rubbing, seemed to make it easy for a person to relax.
As for the neon lights she considered pollution, from another perspective... perhaps they could also become a different kind of scenery worth appreciating.
With a bit of curiosity and the helplessness of having nowhere else to go, Minami Uika set off for the train station.
...
Come to think of it, what are my feelings for Hoshino Ai?
First, gratitude.
Without Hoshino Ai, she would never have gained such great popularity and attention as an idol and singer in such a short amount of time.
Second... should be envy.
An instinctive envy for that face, an appreciation for that sharp intellect... and a longing for the bond between her and Chihaya Tetsuya. Even though that stage outfit held many unresolved misunderstandings and gaps between them, that passionate and devoted feeling was undeniable.
As for the last, it should be resentment for her abandoning [Summer Zodiac] without hesitation and rushing headlong into her foolish endeavor on her own terms.
However, this was, at most, just a slight complaint.
She had no right to deny Hoshino Ai's feelings, nor did she have the authority to interfere with her choices.
She simply wished that Hoshino Ai could choose a more appropriate, gentler way that wouldn't hurt anyone to convey her feelings to Chihaya Tetsuya.
But now, it seemed the conditions to achieve this outcome no longer lay with Hoshino Ai.
If they truly wanted the story to reach a perfect ending where no one gets hurt, the only hope could be placed in that person—
"...Eh?"
"...Ah."
The man right in front of her, who was currently leaning his forehead against the train window.