On the large board, it read:
[Autograph: 1000 Yen]
[Gachapon: 2000 Yen]
[Special Feature: 3000 Yen]
[Photos: 5000 Yen]
...Hiko saw that everything listed were activities even underground Idols could do.
"What's in the Gachapon? Why is it so expensive?" Ai also looked at the price list. She recognized all the items, but she couldn't understand what was inside the Gachapon machine that made one pull so costly.
"If I'm not mistaken, the Gachapon machine contains number tags, and the corresponding numbers match the prizes displayed in the room," Hiko speculated. "If I'm right... the Gachapon likely contains clothing from the three-member group."
"Clothing from the three-member group?" Ai repeated in a puzzled tone, then asked, "Why would that be the prize?"
"Who knows?" Hiko replied. "Probably for fetishists, something like the 'original flavor' or whatever."
"Original flavor?" Ai echoed, her head full of question marks. "What's that?"
"'Original flavor' refers to intimate clothing worn by someone, unwashed," Hiko explained. "Do you get it now?"
"How... perverted..." Ai was shocked by his explanation.
She found it hard to understand and asked again, "Are all underground Idols like them? Singing suggestive songs... selling 'original flavor'... Isn't that almost the same as a prostitution?"
"No, that's just the developmental path they chose. Not all underground Idols are like this," Hiko said, watching the men interact with the three-member group, taking photos and getting autographs. "An Idol's path is like a career choice. There are many routes: pure style, inspiring style, dark style, and then styles like theirs."
"So you don't have to worry that Ichigo-Pro will make you do this. My uncle has dreams; he wouldn't choose such a self-destructive path."
Hiko noticed that Ai seemed worried her future Idol career might become as undignified as what she was seeing. But he knew Ichigo would never let B-Komachi take such a route.
A provocative style might make quick money, but it wasn't respectable. Ichigo had dignity—and he wouldn't compromise that.
Hiko comforted her, saying, "If he really forces you into that kind of choice, I'll pay your breach-of-contract fee and terminate your contract with the agency myself."
"Thank you," Ai said softly, feeling relieved by his assurance. But new doubts arose in her heart.
Ever since meeting Hiko, he had constantly looked after her.
She couldn't understand why he was so dedicated.
She wanted to ask, "Hiko-kun, why are you so good to me?"
But recalling their previous conversation, she suppressed the urge.
She was afraid of repeating the past, ruining a pleasant atmosphere by asking for proof or explanations.
Ai pondered quietly, her eyes drifting back to the fans and the three-member group.
The fans paid money, while the Idols smiled professionally, shaking hands and taking photos with them.
At that moment, Ai suddenly felt grateful that the agency she'd joined was legitimate.
'If the President had only treated me as a tool for making money and operated like this... I think I'd feel despair,' she thought.
After Ai thanked him, Hiko noticed her fall silent and couldn't tell what she was thinking.
He guessed she was overthinking, so he leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "We're just here to observe their performance, not to imitate their style. Don't forget your original goal. Besides, the main reason they do this is to raise funds for their next concert and cover their living expenses. That's why they go all out like this. So, what you're worried about won't happen."
"And you saw their performance, mediocre at best, right? Your level is already much higher than theirs."
"Not only are your skills better, but your looks are also top-tier. You'll definitely be able to perform soon!" Hiko used the topic to steer Ai's thoughts away from the other group's operations.
Ai listened to his flattery. She knew she'd only been practicing for a month and still felt like a beginner.
How could she really be much better than them?
"You shouldn't exaggerate; my level is still really low," she said, though she couldn't help but feel pleased by the compliment.
A faint smile curved her lips.
Hiko, standing close to her, noticed the moment she smiled, knowing her mood had lifted.
She no longer dwelled on the other group's methods.
"Do you still have anything you want to ask them? If not, let's head to the next stop," Hiko said, seizing the opportunity while her mood was good.
Ai thought of the last time she'd paid 1000 yen to ask Rika a question, only for the girl to get irritated before she could ask much.
It had left her feeling that the money wasn't worth it.
And based on what Hiko had told her before, if she wanted to ask something again, she'd have to buy one of the items on the price list first.
Compared to the minor questions she had, she decided it wasn't worth the frustration.
So she shook her head and said, "Let's not bother."
Hiko sensed a bit of disappointment in her tone and said, "If you have any questions, just tell me, I'll ask for you."
"No... no need!" Ai quickly refused. "Don't give them money!"
So she was still bothered by the fact that she'd paid before but hadn't been able to ask properly, Hiko realized from her reaction.
"Alright, as you wish," he said lightly.
Since Ai had made her decision, Hiko took her hand and led her out of the merchandise room.
Ai didn't resist being led by Saito Hiko's hand. She just asked, "Where are we going?"
"Watching the performance was tiring. Let's go rest for a bit," Hiko said, planning to take Ai to a well-reviewed café in Shibuya.
"I'm not tired from watching the performance..." Ai replied, genuinely not feeling tired.
Hiko figured that if he didn't say something, Ai might make him continue looking for more venues, so he said, "You're not tired, but I am. Just think of it as me resting."
"Your stamina is so poor, you really need to exercise more," Ai complained, but she implicitly agreed to Hiko's decision to take a break.
"I don't need to exercise," Hiko replied immediately.
He wasn't actually tired; he was just using that excuse to take her out for food and drinks.