[…It’s perfect. I didn’t expect the quality to reach this level.]
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The Maestro clapped and murmured as he observed the six-member group dressed in magical girl-inspired idol outfits. The fact that I was part of that six-member group, and that this crazy idea of an idol group came from me, was utterly dizzying.
“Woohoo—! Maestro, so we’re filming the music video now, right? It’s finally happening!”
[Well, what needs to be recorded is just part of the choreography. According to the concept presented by my muse, videos of everyday clothing must also be included.]
“Um, calling it my concept feels a bit strange.”
Seriously. If someone overheard this, they’d think I wanted to wear magical girl outfits. In reality, the song Maestro proposed was just pure otaku material.
[It’s trivial. More than that, since this is the last joint project of the first half of the year, I expect everyone to do their best.]
“Yeah, yeah. I got it, let’s hurry up and record, you cursed producer. I don’t want to be wandering around in this outfit any longer than necessary.”
Neru was sulking, and Asuna, who looked pretty fed up, glanced at the other kids who seemed indifferent before cautiously looking down at my outfit.
Well… I suppose this is what they mean when they say I’ve dug my own grave.
I know I’m the one who brought this disaster upon myself. I get it, but…
I don’t know. Anyway, it’s pretty cute.
I’ll just close my eyes, film hard, do some stage activities, and watch the videos from afar. It’s basically like getting to see my favorite perform as an idol; how am I supposed to endure this?
Thinking that way, I began filming at the designated shoot spots along with the robot filming staff arranged through Millennium, capturing the video exactly as Maestro required. Naturally, my eyes were drawn to the happenings around me.
When we started filming near Sanctum Tower, I wondered if the Teacher would show up, but thankfully, that didn’t happen.
Now that I think about it, it won’t be long before the Teacher goes to Millennium. Maybe about a week left?
To be honest, there seems to be no room for me to intrude in the Game Development Club, the Teacher, and Aris’s storylines.
If I must consider the need… well, there’s a thought that it might be possible. Above all, persuading Rion is the biggest challenge.
After a while of shooting in our stage outfits, we changed into our prepared casual clothes and continued our work. Eventually, Maestro declared we had secured all the necessary footage, and we decided to disperse.
“Hey, Mika.”
“Yeah, Neru-chan, why call?”
“Let’s go bowling!”
What’s fascinating about Neru is that she often shows her dislike before starting work, but during the project, it’s rare for her to express any complaints. After the work is completed, she flips 180 degrees to regain her cool character.
This cheerful invitation to do something, like bowling, is surprisingly common after weekends.
“Heueng. Bowling?”
“Yeah. Let’s make a bet…”
“I’m not going.”
“Argh, seriously? I can’t even bring up the topic of bets in front of you.”
“Well, I think it’s best if we just don’t mention it at all☆”
It’s been about half a year since I promised myself I wouldn’t bet again in any form. No matter how much my pride is scratched, I won’t do it.
“Tch. Hey, Asuna. Just go play by yourselves.”
“Ah. Sorry, President~! I have a personal request I’ve put off, so I have to take care of that first. Fight hard on your own! I’ll wish you 300 points~☆”
“Ugh…! Seriously, you all are just avoiding me! If that’s the case, I might as well just go back to Millennium.”
“I’m fine as long as it’s not a bet.”
“…Are you kidding me?! You should have said so from the start!”
“But, you could at least ask me once again. It’s all Neru-chan’s fault for not asking, you know. Oh, by the way, what about you guys?”
When I casually asked the other three, excluding Asuna, they all eagerly agreed. But we have five members, so a team versus team match feels a bit awkward…
“Oh, I just checked, and they said the request has already been completed! So~ I’ll go bowling too! Woohoo! Fun bowling time!”
“Eh??? This isn’t a joke…”
Neru sighed and rubbed her forehead. Tough day for you, huh.
*
The bowling results ended with Neru’s team winning.
If someone were to ask me why that was the outcome, I would say without hesitation that Asuna’s luck messed everything up again.
The scores contributed by Haruna, Noah, and Asuna played a key role. While Haruna and Noah did their best, there was no way they could outscore Asuna.
“Ha ha, had fun!”
“Bye everyone—! And Mika, you do your best too!”
Regardless of the results, everyone enjoyed bowling, so we ended on a cheerful note… or so I thought.
“…Hey, you guys. Could you stop staring and at least say something?”
Once C&C left, the atmosphere became unexpectedly awkward. I think I could understand why Asuna told me to keep fighting after noticing my situation.
At that moment, someone hugged me from behind and slowly breathed into my neck.
“I always feel this way, but Mika-san has such a sweet scent…”
“Um, Haruna-chan…? People will stare if you do this in public.”
“I think it’s fine. More than that, about Mika-chan’s stage outfit… are you okay with it?”
Noah responded on behalf of Haruna, who seemed captivated. She then asked about a concern that had been on her mind.
“I won’t lie; I’m a bit embarrassed… but I’ll do my best to handle it.”
“Um… I was actually worried about Nagisa-san’s reaction.”
“…Ah?”
Is it… okay? It should be okay, right?
“The video has already been filmed, so even if Nagisa-chan says she won’t do it now, nothing will change… I need to find a way to persuade her.”
If all else fails, I’ll use that insane magical girl costume as a weapon to convince Nagisa. Maybe if I stick close to her while wearing it, even her firm ‘No’ will turn into a ‘Yes’ in the end?
“Mika-san. Is it okay for you to stay out tonight?”
A voice full of expectation reached my ears. Haruna tightened the arm she had wrapped around my waist.
“Um… that’s possible.”
I might need to soothe Nagisa’s whining tomorrow, but it’s certainly possible.
“That’s great… Noah-san, what will you do?”
“I’d probably cancel any plans I had to stay. Today’s Mika-chan is pure yet enchanting… it’s like a pitfall that I know I can’t escape from, but I’m stepping into anyway. Fufu.”
“Then, let’s have a cozy time with the three of us… oh my.”
Haruna, looking slightly surprised, wore a small smile a bit late.
The source of this was the third girl who naturally intertwined her hand with mine, Sorasaki Hina.
“The Student Council President can probably only be made this cute by you. Fufu.”
“…Be quiet, Haruna.”
“Yes, as you command, Hina-san.”
With that, Haruna released her hold on my waist and stepped back. Honestly, I wished she’d stayed a bit longer.
“Noah-san, do you remember where the nearest hotel is?”
“Of course. It’ll take about 25 minutes from here.”
“Let’s have dinner at the hotel restaurant. The room should be a double, I think…”
Considering these girls’ objective, the bed is a pretty big concern. Since love hotels are generally off-limits to students, our options were bound to be limited. However, at least it’s a relief that the lodging expenses won’t be much of an issue.
[…Do as you please. It’s not the first time.]
While reporting the permission I got from Nagisa as if it were an announcement, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Just then, Haruna was about to bring up something I never expected.
“Nagisa-san, next time…”
[Okay, let’s not. I’m hanging up now. See you tomorrow, my love.]
But before Haruna could finish her sentence, Nagisa swiftly hung up after answering sharply.
“Heh. My love… so you both are usually like that?”
“No, that’s just… how do I put it? It’s something I say occasionally.”
“Nagisa-san is really adorable too♪ I think I’m starting to understand why Mika-chan is so smitten.”
While Noah and Haruna gushed over Nagisa’s cute side, Hina was casting a gaze at me, as if she wanted something from me. I pulled her, who was fidgeting with our interlocked hands, into my embrace. Then bent down slightly to bring my lips close to Hina’s ear while gently brushing her hair.
“Hina-chan, you’re already a wonderfully lovely person just as you are. So, I hope you’ll gain a little more confidence. Okay, sweetheart?”
“…”
Hina nodded silently. After confirming my affection for the other kids, Hina sometimes acts like this to seek attention. If we were alone, she would probably show a cuter and more lovable side.
But judging by Haruna and Noah, that seemed to be more than enough to be considered adorable.
Once you become addicted to Hina’s cuteness, there’s no going back… Those two are probably too late already.
After that, we followed Noah’s lead to the hotel, had our meal, and finally stepped into our room. Luckily, the bed turned out to be a king size.
Since we had been out and about for quite a while, we decided to split up into pairs to wash up first.
“Nothing lewd. It’s forbidden, forbidden!”
I shouted that toward Haruna and Noah as they went in ahead.
Then, as if teasing me, Haruna blew me a kiss. Noah, watching from the side, wore an expression that screamed joy.
“Perhaps you should be careful not to be eaten while we take our showers, Mika-chan♪”
Just before the door closed, Noah playfully warned me. And, contrary to that warning, Hina pulled me onto the bed.
“…This is a secret from those two.”
Ah… a secret. I see.
Is this even okay, Hina?
