> Decision

> >1 - Let him leave. Him and his delusions.

> >2 - Say he’s mistaken and ask if there’s anything you can do for him to prove it (Offer favour)

> >3 - Reveal that you’re dealing with a scandal and it’s been breaking you apart. Watase just happened to be the only woman here you could drink with.

> >4 - Apologize, but what he says isn’t true. Say you’ll distance yourself from Watase if it makes him feel better.

> >5 - Write-in

>

> Winner

> >1 - Let him leave. Him and his delusions.

> >5 - Write-in: Go check up on Chigusa (x4)

There’s no point in talking to him when he’s like this.

Hopefully he can find a way to relax during the rest of the day and doesn’t bring this attitude to the office tomorrow.

Hands in his pockets as he stalks away, Matsuno fades from sight as he goes back inside.

You sigh, yet another person you need to keep in mind or otherwise deal with.

However, there’s more important stuff for you to do right now.

Glancing left and right, you eventually find what you’re looking for: a large scoop net.

Its primary use is to retrieve sick or injured Koi from the pond, but you’re fishing for something else.

After some effort, you manage to fish Kaiba’s phone from the pond using the net.

It doesn’t seem to turn on, but perhaps this is one of those phones that can remain underwater for a while and the battery is just dead.

Considering that Kaiba threw it in there because she couldn’t stop herself from doom scrolling her way into an anxiety attack, you decide to give it back to her right before you all head for the bus.

A wind howls through the forest surrounding the resort, you shiver and hold your skirt down.

You turn to leave, stop in your tracks, sigh, and return to pick up all the cigarette butts that Matsuno left around the koi pond.

It feels bad to clean up after Matsuno after he just tore into you, but it’s the right thing to do and you don’t want the owner to think poorly of the idol agency you all represent.

Though a lot of Matsuno’s comments bordered on paranoia, there were a few things that struck home.

You got so caught up in trying to deal with outside threats like Watase and EmikoDesu55 that things may have been crumbling from within.

Although you verbally welcomed your new idols during the dinner, you might not have actually made them feel that way.

A quick check with the resort’s staff confirms that Enatsu Mari is in the hot spring and that Chigusa Iki is sitting in the lobby, patiently waiting for the bus home to arrive.

As Matsuno specifically mentioned how Chigusa was isolating herself, you decide to check in with her first.

Arriving in the lobby, you see both Yukimori and Chigusa sitting around a table.

Much to your surprise and relief, they are chatting.

Though knowing Yukimori is probably more like an interrogation.

Still, he cared enough to even shut the lid of his laptop.

Not wanting to interrupt, but simultaneously curious – you listen in.

“…and you’re confident in your skills?” asks Yukimori, steepled fingers resting on the table.

“I am,” replies Chigusa, posture perfect, “I’ve been practicing the violin for over a decade, though I’m not aware of any idols using classical instruments in their songs and performances.”

Yukimori nods, “They are a rarity, that much is true,” he says, “Typically, one would associate idols with pop songs, but that needn’t be the case. There are idols that have made other genres work. It’s something you could consider when deciding upon your idol image and persona later on.”

From her seated position, Chigusa bows, “Thank you for your guidance,” she says, “I will be sure to keep this in mind.”

She raises her head, “When are an idol’s image and persona decided upon?”

Yukimori takes a sip from his tea, then speaks, “Before their announcement, but image and persona changes may also happen later on if it turns out what was previously established doesn’t work.”

He places his cup down with a soft thud, “Your manager will aid you every step of the way.”

“I see,” replies Chigusa, looking disappointed, but then looks up again, “Would you mind if I came to you for questions during office hours?”

Hold on. That’s your cue.

You may have shown off some questionable behaviour with the drinking and disregarded Chigusa somewhat, but you didn’t think her confidence in you had fallen that far.

Even though she demands perfection for herself, she can’t expect that from everybody else.

You adjust your wind-swept clothing, the---

“I’m afraid not,” says Yukimori, looking displeased, “There’s a hierarchy. One that you need to respect. Violating this hierarchy will bring drama, gossip, and problems. All things I’m not fond of. Any questions you have should be directed at your manager and others under her guidance.”

Chigusa is silent for a moment, her eyes pressed shut, “I apologize,” she says, “I wasn’t aware and overstepped.”

Yukimori sighs, then folds his arms, “Don’t lie,” he says, “I’ve gained plenty of experience with liars recently and advice against it. I think you were very much aware but tried regardless.”

Posture still perfect, Chigusa shivers, “It is as you say,” she says, “I have no excuse.”

It’s getting harder by the minute to just casually drop in.

“Your manager, Nagata-san, has been employed by Matsuno Inc. for a number of years now and has shown exemplary performance, “ says Yukimori, “In fact, she is also the only one among the new idol managers that received glowing marks in her performance review.”

Is Yukimori standing up for you? He seems to be.

Well, you did point out what Ichihara Riko was doing a while ago.

Perhaps this is him trying to return the favour.

“I see,” says Chigusa, bowing, “Perhaps I was hasty in my judgement. I haven’t received much opportunity to speak with her and what happened this morning made me question her ability. I’m sorry.”

“Understandable,” replies Yukimori, a grave look on his face, “I wasn’t present at the time, but I heard what happened. It wasn’t a good look for her or Watase Yoko and I don’t support their behaviour.”

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

Geh. This was to be expected.

“Nevertheless,” continues Yukimori, “You’ll find, as I did, that being an idol manager requires a certain set of soft skills that Nagata-san excels at.”

Ehehe~ You’re getting praised behind your back.

Now it’s even more awkward to drop it.

You’ll just have to trust in Yukimori for now.

“If you’ll forgive the comparison,” concludes Yukimori, “We are alike in ways. More confident in raw ability than interpersonal skills. Nagata-san compliments you formidably. Making up for the skills you might be lacking in. You are lucky to have her as your manager.”

“Thank you,” says Chigusa, bobbing her head, “It seems like the world of idols is far more complicated than I had anticipated. Simply practicing the associated skills might not be enough.”

Yukimori nods, “Far more complicated, indeed.”

Their conversation gradually drifts away to lighter topics, then slowly dies down.

Afterwards they simply sit in silence, with the occasional short exchange.

When Yukimori reaches for his laptop to work, Chigusa stops trying for conversation.

You decide this is as good a timing as any and stroll into the room.

“Good afternoon,” you announce, trying to appear nonchalant, “Have you both finished packing your things?”

“Good afternoon,” says Chigusa, turning to face you, “I finished packing this morning.”

Yukimori briefly looks up from his laptop to greet you, mentioning he also packed his things.

Seeing as Yukimori is typing away on his laptop, you ask if you can borrow Chigusa for a bit.

After the both of them agree, you lead Chigusa into an adjoining room and close the sliding door.

“What did you want to talk about, Manager-san?” asks Chigusa.

Ah. Where to begin?

A part of you wants to apologize for leaving her unattended during the weekend, but she might think you weak for doing so.

Well, she can think you weak then.

Shipping off a young girl to a strange location and then ignoring her for days wasn’t your intention and you feel bad for doing this to her.

“I came to apologize,” you say, “I should’ve spent more time with both you and Enatsu during the weekend.”

Chigusa bobs her head, “I’m sure you had your reasons.”

That you did, but you can’t quite share them with her.

Darn it. Why is this girl so hard to read?

You can’t tell by her expression if this past weekend truly bothered her or not.

Seeing as she turned to Yukimori for conversation and questions, you’ll just have to assume it did.

“I did,” you say, “But that doesn’t make it alright. Did you at least manage to enjoy yourself?”

“I think so,” says Chigusa, “I had resolved myself to reach out to the other girls a bit more, but in the end, I decided I didn’t want to bother them. It seemed like they were having fun and I didn’t want to ruin that.”

She looks towards the side, gazing out a window, “Still, I enjoyed it here. The hot spring was very relaxing. I hope to bring my grandparents here someday. I think they’ll like it.”

“You come from a remote town, right?” you ask, “They don’t have a hotspring there?”

Chigusa shakes her head, “There’s a public bathhouse, but that’s it. My grandparents are quite old, as are most of the residents in the town, and they don’t really go anywhere. It doesn’t even have a school.”

That sort of thing is becoming all too common these days.

Remote towns filled with nothing but elderly.

Places with little to do, nothing to see, and nobody your age to meet.

“Eh?” you say, “No school? How did you attend classes?”

Elementary and middle school are compulsory.

Furthermore, home schooling is extremely rare.

“Growing up my grandmother brought me to elementary school in the next town over,” says Chigusa, “My grandfather needed the car for work and left early, so she brought me by bicycle.”

It seems like Chigusa lost her parents at a very young age if her grandparents were already caring for her in elementary school.

Probably not the time or place to ask about it though.

She did mention that her grandparents were bringing her to things like vocal and dance practice as she growing up, was that all by bike, too?

“Eventually I got big enough to ride to school myself,” continues Chigusa, “I did that up until I had to attend middle school. The middle school I went to was quite far, so I only had to bike to the nearest train station and ride the train instead.”

Some people are forced to grow up and become independent at a very early age.

Living in a place so far away from school will socially cripple you.

There’ll be no time for clubs or to socialize after school, else you’ll risk missing the train home.

“How about now?” you ask.

“I go to Tokyo Jogakkan,” says Chigusa, “It was too far to travel, so I live by myself in a one-room apartment here in Tokyo.”

It isn’t uncommon for junior and senior high school to be combined into one place, but you guess that the middle school (junior high school) that Chigusa attended was only for the compulsory parts of high school education.

A lot of the children attending such places will inevitably forgo higher education as it isn't easily available and end up working in their parents' stores or in local shops.

There’s also the question of how she can afford such an apartment as even things like studio apartments can get quite expensive in Tokyo.

Perhaps there’s government subsidies or the high school itself has some connections with large apartment complexes.

In any case, if Chigusa can cut it as an idol at Matsuno Inc. then she’ll have nothing to worry about.

Independant, underground, or idols working at small agencies might have to struggle and scrape by, but Matsuno Inc. is a pretty big name in the entertainment and idol industry.

Though it may not have raised any nationally known idols, it has consistently supplied the country with pretty girls to star in commercials and advertisements.

It can afford to pay their idols a generous wage.

“I see,” you say, “That must be hard at times.”

Cooking, cleaning, practice, school, study, and now being an idol on top of that.

“It isn’t so bad,” says Chigusa, “The alternative would’ve been spending several hours in public transport each day.”

You take a breath, “But to get back to the point at hand. Even if I seem busy, know that you can always approach me for any questions. Okay? Even if you just want to talk, that’s fine too.”

Chigusa nods, “Thank you,” she says, “I considered at first, but I was afraid I might seem a nuisance. I haven’t proven myself yet.”

Proven herself? What?

Does this girl think you’ll throw her out if she takes up a bit of your time?

Was she turning to Yukimori with questions because she was afraid of coming to you?

“Don’t worry about things like that,” you say, “Just come to me at any time.”

Sporting a thin smile, Chigusa nods, “Thank you, manager-san.”

You chat for a little while longer before parting ways.

The bus will arrive soon, so you spend some time gathering everyone.

As expected, Matsuno Kojiro is nowhere to be seen.

When asked, you simply say that he had something he had to attend to and that he left early.

As you go to pick up Enatsu Mari, you find both her and Matsudaira Haru (the girl you spotted in the hallway with Watase) sitting on their knees in the locker room as they are reprimanded by a different staff member.

Apparently, Enatsu had somehow convinced Matsudaira Haru to race each other in the hot spring.

It was only yesterday that Matsudaira Haru was the one stopping Enatsu from swimming in the pool, yet here they both are -- getting scolded.

You apologize to the older staff member on Enatsu's behalf and mention that it's time for you all to leave.

Enatsu Mari rushes off in a panic, shouting about how she hasn’t packed yet.

After you follow to help her, you peek into her room.

It’s like a bomb went off here. It’s a giant mess.

She has only been here one day and managed to get the room to look like this.

You utter a silent prayer for Enatsu’s family, it must be hard living like with somebody like that.

Kaiba-san is still vast asleep. Huddled away in her futon.

Well, she did mention she was awake for most of the night.

As you nudge her shoulder a bit, she rolls over, props herself up on an elbow, and rubs her eyes.

Looking past her, you heart aches. There are tear stains on her pillow.

You pretend not to notice and tell her that the bus will arrive soon.

Placing down the phone you fished out of the koi pond, you leave.

Everybody else already has their bags packed and is waiting in the lobby.

You enjoy some idle chatter until the bus eventually pulls up.

All the staff of the resort come out to see your group off.

After a short exchange of thanks and pleasantries, your group boards the bus.

It’s time to go back to Tokyo.