> Information
>
> Nagata’s current stress is 110. (High)
> This can always be viewed in the wiki.
>
> You will spend two days at the resort and return home Sunday afternoon.
>
> Time for activities
> Saturday: Late afternoon, evening, night
> Sunday: Morning, early afternoon
>
> Hot spring, sauna, and massages are separated by gender.
>
> Decision (Late Afternoon)
> >1 - Eat snacks (-10 stress)
> >2 - Receive a relaxing massage (Yukimori Kyoden, -30 stress)
> >3 - Play some games in the lobby (-10 stress)
> >4 - Clean yourself and stay in the sauna for a bit (-20 stress)
> >5 - Rinse off your body and head for the hot spring (Chigusa Iki, Enatsu Mari, Kaiba Aoi, Watase Yoko. -30 stress)
> >6 - Set yourself up at the bar (Matsuno Kojiro, Stress reduction based on drinking)
>
> >1 - Ignore the email. It must be a bluff! No negotiating with terrorists!
> >2 - Hand the password to Kaiba and tell her she’s free to date EmikoDesu55. You’re done.
> >3 - Show Kaiba the email. Emiko is a lunatic. Then give her the password and ask her to pretend everything is okay (Acting roll, 1d100+58, DC100)
> >4 - Show Kaiba the email and get ready for damage control. A scandal doesn’t have to be the end.
> >5 - Before doing anything else, try and find this supposed mole. (Write-in)
>
> Winner
> >3 - Rinse off your body and head for the hot spring (Chigusa Iki, Enatsu Mari, Kaiba Aoi, Watase Yoko. -30 stress)
> >3 - Show Kaiba the email. Emiko is a lunatic. Then give her the password and ask her to pretend everything is okay (Acting roll, 1d100+58, DC100)
>
> Roll will be done in a bit.
> I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to post the update today, but I'm gonna start on it at least
Lost in thought, you wander back towards the lobby.
Perhaps it’s time to share the real EmikoDesu55 with Kaiba.
If nothing else, it might cause whatever is going on between them to stop.
When you make it to the lobby, you find it empty.
At the far end of the room a sliding door stands open, revealing a section of the adjoining bar area.
Matsuno Kojiro sits at the bar, gently swirling the hard liquor within his glass.
Unlike many of the other rooms, the bar room isn’t filled with tatami mats, but is instead covered in lacquered oak flooring that’s probably older than any of the people that walk it.
Though you’ve switched to indoors slippers when entering the build, the groan of the floorboards announces your arrival.
Slowly moving his gaze into the direction of the sound, Matsuno Kojiro raises his glass when he spots you.
”They’ve all gone to the hot spring,” he says.
After a quick word of thanks, you turn to leave.
Matsuno voices some complaints about you not joining him for a drink, but you’re not listening.
You need to be with your idols. The hot spring is where they are at their most vulnerable.
It’s hard to say whether or not there’s any truth to EmikoDesu55’s words.
She didn’t know about the destination of the trip so she couldn’t have sent anyone in advance.
Then again, it’s not completely impossible for her to have found out in some way or another.
You noticed during check-in that the elderly owner prefers tangible pen and paper over digital systems.
Taking a quick detour to pass by the reception, you take a peek at the books used for check-in.
Seems like nobody else checked in after your group did.
You hastily make your way towards the hot spring, stuff all your clothing in a locker, quickly rinse off your body and hurry inside.
Every single idol aside from Ichihara Riko is currently enjoying the hot spring.
Chigusa Iki is sitting in a remote corner of the hot spring, eyes closed and trying to enjoy its warmth.
Knowing her she’s probably busy trying to force her skin to absorb as much of the water’s beneficent minerals as she can.
She briefly pops her eyes open to see who entered, but then closes them again.
(Image of censored Chigusa Iku relaxing in the hotspring, looking towards you)
Kaiba has her eyes fixed on the water. She probably doesn’t know where to look.
There’s no denying that’s she’s more … out of shape than the other idols though.
She was a shut-in before, but she has a sedentary lifestyle even now.
Perhaps unexpectedly, Watase Yoko is basically asleep in the pool.
You don’t really know her that well, but considering her image and behaviour thus far you can probably assume where her interests lie.
If she’s relaxing like this despite all these temptations around her, then she wasn’t kidding about being stressed.
Asleep like this she almost seems like somebody you could get along.
When she isn’t sporting her usual angry glare and smug smile, that is.
(Link to a censored Watase Yoko relaxing in the hot spring, eyes closed.)
Enatsu Mari is pouting as she’s being guarded by Matsudaira Haru, the employee that greeted you upon your arrival here and escorted everyone to their rooms.
“It’s a pool, isn’t it?!” shouts Enatsu Mari, arms folded, “Makes no sense!”
“You’re disturbing the other guests!” barks Matsudaira Haru, “All those things you did are a nuisance to the others!”
The girl seems unreasonably angry.
“Hello, Kaiba-san,” you say, slipping into the pool, “Ah, sorry. Old habits. Aoi-chan.”
Upon mention of her name, Kaiba looks up, gets an eyeful of your body, and quickly looks back at the water, “M-manager-san,” says Kaiba, “Hello…”
“Say you know what happened with Mari-chan and the employee girl?” you ask as try to find a rock to sit on.
“Ah, well,” says Kaiba, “Mari-chan basically dove headfirst into the pool, splashing water everywhere, and was being rowdy. It took the girl a long while to get Mari-chan to sit quietly.”
Still doesn’t explain why she’s so angry though.
Remembering what you saw earlier in the hallway, your best guess is that the girl must’ve missed Watase Yoko entering the pool and now the murky waters of the hot spring are hiding everything.
It’s a disturbing thought, honestly, that there are wolves among the sheep.
You sigh and return your attention to Kaiba, only to catch her stealing glances at your chest.
Comparing breasts isn’t out of ordinary, but her hastily looking away implies that wasn’t the reason.
Hopefully this weird relationship with EmikoDesu55 hasn’t done any lasting damage to Kaiba.
It would be bad if any of all that attempted grooming actually stuck.
(Link to a censored, flustered looking Kaiba Aoi)
“Say Aoi…” you say.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Kaiba jolts in place, ripples spreading outwards from her in the water, “Y-yes?”
“Emiko-chan, contacted me,” you say, “By sending an email to my work account.”
“Eh?” says Kaiba, embarrassment forgotten, “What did she say?”
You take a deep breath, “A lot of things, I’ll show you the full email later,” you say, “But the gist is that she’s trying to threaten end blackmail the company. She says she wants to full permission to date you.”
Kaiba tries to suppress it, but a shaky smile wins out, “I know that’s bad,” she says, hiding the lower part of her face with her hands, “But that makes me … kinda happy? That’d she would go so far for me?”
Does she not realise how serious this is?
“She isn’t doing it for you,” you say, face stern, “But for herself. She said that if I don’t give you access to the chat account before this evening then she’ll get somebody to take nude photos of all the idols in the hot spring.”
“Eh?” shouts Kaiba, standing and covering herself using her hands, “Shouldn’t we get out and cover up?”
“Kaiba-san, sit down”, you say, looking around to gauge the reaction of the others, “She said she would take pictures if you weren’t able to wish her goodnight and do 'pillow talk'.”
Kaiba blushes and then tries to hide it by dipping under the water.
“Ah! Why can Aoi-chan go underwater!” shouts the distant voice of Enatsu Mari.
“Because I’m forced to keep watching you!” shouts the employee, “Now sit still or you’ll be asked to leave!”
You can’t have her making a scene.
If the others find out what’s going on and share it with HQ then it’ll be trouble.
Knowingly putting everybody’s career at risk? One way trip to the poor house.
Furthermore, there’s no reason somebody like EmikoDesu55 would stick to her word.
You might as well assume that if that mole is actually real then those images have already been taken.
She also mentioned that she would try to have the mole take pictures of the sleeping idols.
Even if you were to stay up all night, there’s no way you could keep an eye on every room at once.
You left the hardest-hitting bit for last.
“She also said that if I shared all this with you then she’ll try to destroy your career…” you say.
Kaiba’s eyes go wide, “Emiko-chan would never do that,” she says, “She’s been trying to help me al this time…it doesn’t make sense…”
“Aoi-chan,” you say, “Can you please just trust me? Haven’t you noticed how she’s always trying to get you to do things for her? Like taking pictures of the new idols?”
Kaiba doesn’t respond, seemingly refusing to believe it.
It didn’t make sense at first glance, but after thinking over the weird exchange between EmikoDesu55 and this other person it quickly became obvious.
They weren’t talking about college, but about their “blackmail” projects.
“It seems like she’s part of some kind of group that try to blackmail idols for profit,” you say, “She probably only wanted to meet up to get more evidence against you. Enough to force a big scandal. Afterwards they send it to the idol or their manager and ask for a big bribe to keep it all quiet.”
Considering that EmikoDesu55 said that she has done this before, but they haven’t been caught probably means the pay-out amount isn’t overly large.
An amount that would be small enough that “making the problem go away” would be preferable to getting the police involved and risking an idol’s reputation.
A group of people that feeds on the idol industry like mosquitos.
“But,” begins Kaiba, “Then why did she want to talk to me again?”
Because she likes Kaiba.
Somehow this recluse, gloomy girl has managed to charm this manipulative witch.
There’s no doubt in your mind that it’s largely because Kaiba-san is so eager to please.
Willing to go above and beyond for Emiko-chan.
Obviously, you’re not about to tell Kaiba that.
“Probably to gather more and more evidence against you,” you say, “Don’t you understand Aoi-chan. Unless you cut her off this will never end. Every call, message, and image would add to her leverage.”
She would be nothing more than a death row inmate sharpening the executioner’s axe.
The moment Kaiba acts out or EmikoDesu55 tires of her – game over.
“You’d be a prisoner in that relationship,” you say.
There’s a long moment of quiet as Kaiba thinks over your words.
You sigh, “I’m sorry your first…relationship had to be such a twisted one,” you say, “It’s not fair.”
Even if it should’ve never been a thing to begin with, you sympathize with what it is likely Kaiba’s first love turning out this way.
“It’s okay,” says Kaiba, a sad smile on her face, “I should’ve known…”
A part of you wishes she’d be more angry. Shouting in rage.
But that’s just the kind of girl Kaiba Aoi is.
When hit by misfortune, she’ll readily accept it as a given.
Like she didn’t deserve any happiness to begin with.
Kaiba sighs and gently moves her hand through the warm water, ripples coasting outwards.
”So,” she says, “What now?”
“You talk to Emiko-chan,” you say.
“Eh?” replies Kaiba, confusion plain to see.
“If you don’t respond then Emiko-chan will send a message to this accomplice of hers – if that accomplice is actually real,” you say, “And then the others will be at risk as well.”
”However,” you add, “Emiko-chan CANNOT figure out that you know. You need to act like you’re completely unaware until we leave the resort tomorrow afternoon. Or else she’ll share everything you’ve told her.”
If the mole is real, then EmikoDesu55 knows where you are and she could easily tip some fans or press about your location.
Whatever ends up happening, this’ll all be over once the weekend ends.
“Thats…” says Kaiba, sliding further down into the pool, “No pressure at all… a-ha…”
Kaiba’s eyes roll up into her skull, slides down, and she disappears under the water’s surface.
”Kaiba-san?” you say, then shout, “Help, I need some help!”
Perhaps you should’ve had this conversation in the locker room.
You place your hands under Kaiba’s arms and hoist her above the water’s surface, but that’s as far as you go.
Without the water to aid you, Kaiba is far too heavy for somebody like you.
The employee immediately dashes for the emergency button that was mentioned to you when you first approached the hot spring.
An alarm will ring at the reception and the entrance of the hot spring.
Free of her guard, Enatsu Mari rapidly closes in with a front crawl, “What happened?” she shouts.
You readjust your grip on Kaiba, “I think she, uh, stayed in too long,” you say, “She suddenly passed out, I don’t know!”
Water dripping from her body as she exits the pool, Watase Yoko races over towards you before leaning over the rocky edge of the pool.
She grips Kaiba around her arms and bodily hoists her from the water with a grunt of effort.
Staff arrive and check Kaiba’s health.
Even Chigusa Iki looked scared for a moment, but it seems like Kaiba is fine.
Together you move Kaiba towards the locker room where you wait until she wakes up.
A few minutes pass before Kaiba wakes and relieved staff and idols make some minor comments before slowly dispersing to give Kaiba some room.
Nobody really feels like going back into the hot spring now and instead decide to get ready for dinner.
Both you and Kaiba are wrapped in a towel.
“Are you okay?” you ask once the others have left, “What happened?”
Kaiba uses her elbows to prop herself up a bit, “I’m not sure,” she says, frowning, “Just… light-headed…. How did I?”
“Watase Yoko-san and some of the staff carried you here,” you say.
Kaiba rolls over and hides her face behind her hands, “Nooo…”
The idea of a bunch of mostly strangers moving your naked body would embarrass anyone.
A few minutes later Kaiba-san has largely recovered.
She gets dressed and gathers her things from her locker.
Seeing as the both of you are the only people here, you resume the discussion you had back in the pool.
Kaiba-san obviously didn’t take the sudden pressure very well, but you simply don’t have time.
It’s already late in the afternoon, with a group dinner coming up shortly.
By the time that ends and Kaiba has the time and space to chat with Emiko-chan without risking anyone glancing at her screen it’ll be evening.
As Kaiba finishes getting dressed, she’s struggling with her hair a bit.
After exiting the pool, her hair, which she still seems to curl daily, is giving her all kinds of trouble.
“I noticed you still curl your hair,” you say to ease the tension somewhat.
“I…” she says, stopping herself from trying to untangle her hair, then continues, “…just like it this way.”
“As long as you do it because you want to,” you reply, “Not because you feel like you have to.”
Kaiba nods and resumes untangling her hair.
You wait until she’s done before you speak again.
“Aoi-chan,” you say, “Take out your phone. I’ll share the password for the app with you.”
Kaiba nods severely, but does as instructed.
A few button presses later, she’s logged in.
“What do I even say, manager-san?” she says as her fingers tremble above her phone.
“Just say something like how I suddenly came up in a panic and gave you permission to talk with Emiko-chan again,” you say.
“But you didn’t seem scared at all?” asks Kaiba.
But you are. You’re just trying very hard not to show it.
How can you not be? However, There's no reason for that fear to spread.
“I know, but if I understand EmikDesu55’s personality correctly then she’ll really like hearing that and will be more likely to believe it,” you say, “It’ll make her feel like she won.”
”Other than that, just act normal, we just need to stall as much time as possible,” you say.
Kaiba swallows, takes a deep breath, and prepares to act out one of the most important roles she’s played so far.