"By the way, Five, who was that tall, stunningly beautiful woman next to you?"
This happened inside the car on the way to the music video shoot.
Just when it seemed like everything had been settled, the mood shifted again.
Asuka slowly leaned toward me.
(Her face is so close! Her eyes are huge! Her nose is so perfect!)
Normally I would be thrilled to be this near to Asuka.
(It's kind of scary right now!!)
"Um, she's a friend from school. Yeah, just a friend!"
"Friends, huh…? Who would have thought that just yesterday you'd become friends with someone that beautiful…?"
Hiii!
I felt an intense pressure radiating from Asuka today.
"Umm… well, that's…"
Even though no one asked, I found myself vaguely explaining my relationship with Himeji-san, almost like I was making excuses.
(Why am I even making excuses?)
○ ●
"Hmm, I see…"
After listening, Asuka seemed lost in thought.
Talking about Himeji-san reminded me that I had promised to go shopping for makeup tools with her today.
I ended up breaking that promise.
She looked a little upset earlier, so she must have really wanted to buy some things.
I'll have to apologize properly tomorrow…
"What's that? Of course I'd fall for someone like that. Five doesn't even realize it, but he's surrounded by strong rivals… If there are more girls like her, then I'll…"
"Asuka-san, what's wrong?"
I had been lost in my own thoughts and hadn't caught what she was saying.
"No! It's nothing! But you were thinking about another girl right in front of me, weren't you?"
"Eh! Th-that's…"
"Hmm, you've got some nerve. From now on, I'm going to make sure you can only think about me, so prepare yourself, okay?"
Asuka said this with a wink, sparkling like a star.
◯ ●
"We've arrived. Today we're shooting the music video for our new song in this studio. And, Go, you'll be in charge of makeup for all the members."
"I'm doing makeup for everyone?!"
"You can do it, right? You used to handle makeup for Prism Prison."
Prism Prison is the girl-crush idol group that Mutsuki belongs to.
We sometimes performed together with Asterisk at festivals and joint events. I guess Asuka must have seen me working back then.
"That's true, but… is it really okay for me to do it?"
"It's not that you're 'good enough,' it's that you're good. I know you need money, but don't worry, I didn't choose you out of pity. I don't slack off when it comes to work."
Asuka spoke with a serious expression.
The perfect idol known as Asuka would never be careless about something this important.
"Okay. I'll do my best too."
If she believes in me that much, then I have to respond seriously.
"Well, I need to greet the other members first. Let's head to the dressing room."
"Yes, but before that, can I say hello to the staff on site?"
"Hmm? That's a good attitude. I'll come with you. Let's go together."
"Thank you!"
◯ ●
"Hehe, I'm really looking forward to today's shoot."
"It took a while. Is that okay?"
After greeting the staff, we headed to the dressing room to meet the other Asterisk members.
"It's fine. They'll change into costumes while we wait."
We chatted a little as we walked.
Knock knock knock. Asuka rapped on the door.
"Come in!"
"Asuka? Come on in!"
When the door opened, I saw the Asterisk members in the middle of changing.
Many beautiful girls were casually showing off their figures.
The scene looked like a field of blooming flowers.
(Hmm… did I just open the door to paradise…?)
"…"
"…"
After a brief silence, one of the members noticed me standing behind Asuka and let out a scream.
"Aaaah!!"
Asuka immediately slammed the door shut.
"Did you see?"
"I didn't see anything."
No, I saw everything perfectly.
"Really?"
"That's right."
That was a lie.
(But I have to say it!)
"I don't like liars, you know?"
"Sorry… I could see."
"Then I forgive you."
"No, that's not good!"
The door slid open again, and a friendly-looking girl poked her head out.
"You don't need to say anything. Just get changed first."
"But… you'd better remember this after we're done changing!"
After pointing at me, she disappeared back inside.
○ ●
"I'm so sorry!!"
Once Asuka confirmed everyone had finished changing, I entered the dressing room, immediately bowed deeply, and apologized for what happened earlier.
"It's okay, Five. It's not your fault everyone was so slow getting ready."
"No, Asuka! You didn't tell us you were bringing a man!"
The one shouting loudly in Kansai dialect was Suzukaze, the red member and the group's straight-man.
"Oh, I didn't mention it. So it's not Go's fault, or anyone else's. It's mine. I'm sorry."
Asuka honestly admitted her mistake and bowed to everyone.
"Asuka-san, please raise your head! If Asuka-san apologizes… then I have no choice but to forgive you!"
The youngest member, the blue one with a mature appearance, said this gently.
Kuon.
"Aren't you being too soft on Asuka? He saw us in our underwear."
The one disagreeing with Kuon was Kuromi, the black member, admired by girls but known for her landmine personality.
"Underwear is fine, Kuromi. It's not like I was in a swimsuit or anything."
Shino, the purple member, spoke calmly. She had recently become a hot topic after her mysterious comments were clipped and went viral.
"That's right, Shino-chan. Honestly, I'd prefer if he looked more."
The green member, Midorigaoka Mitsutori, smiled seductively with her finger over her lips. She was a popular gravure model.
"No, Mitsutori-san! No matter how weird you are… even if you're an exhibitionist, you still need boundaries!"
The orange member, Uchidekozuchi Kozue, was energetic and always brightened the mood.
"You're repeating yourself, but the meaning is the same, right?"
Suzuka suddenly interjected.
Wow… what an incredible scene.
I couldn't believe I was witnessing members of the massively popular idol group Asterisk having a casual conversation right in front of me.
"Well, it can't be helped this time. We really were slow getting changed. And this guy apologized right away when he realized, so let's call it even."
"I'm glad you forgive me. Thank you."
Phew, I'm saved.
I think Asuka had anticipated something like this might happen and took the lead in apologizing to settle everything quickly.
"By the way, who is this guy? Could he be Asuka's…?"
Suzuka grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
The gesture felt very old-school…
"Bah! W-what are you talking about! That's not it!"
Asuka's face turned bright red.
She quickly looked away.
"What? You're kidding. Is that reaction for real?"
"This is the first time I've seen Asuka like that."
"What does the thumb mean? Is this guy Asuka's boyfriend?"
"You don't need to know yet, Kozue-chan. But still… wow, this guy…"
"Hey! What are you doing here? Tell me your name!"
Kuon glared at me fiercely, looking ready to hit me.
(Oh no…)
"Kuon-chan, I know you love Asuka, but hold on. Asuka's useless right now, so could you explain it?"
Suzuka asked while holding Kuon back.
"Y-Yes! I'm Sakasegawa Atsumu, introduced by Asuka-san. I'm here to do your makeup today! I hope I can do a good job!"
To clear up the misunderstanding, I answered loudly.
"Asuka-san, this new song, 'Kimi no Hitomi no 1 Inch,' is the one you wrote the lyrics for. It's incredibly important to all of us. You know how crucial the music video is, right? Are you really sure about leaving it to a guy like this?"
"Yes. Kuon, I understand that better than anyone. That's exactly why I chose Go. His skills are the real deal, so everyone can relax."
When it came to work, Asuka was completely serious.
The air grew tense with an unspoken pressure.
Asuka believed in me.
I wanted to live up to that trust.
"A guy Asuka vouches for this much sounds interesting."
"Hmm, let's see what you can do."
"What techniques are you going to use to please me?"
"I'm looking forward to it!"
"Thank you."
"I won't accept this kind of man!"
The atmosphere wasn't exactly welcoming, but that didn't matter.
This was work.
"Five, then I'm counting on you."
"Yes!"
At this point, all I could do was focus on the job.