[Auditions IV]

The next day, the Chairwomen arrived at the inn's parking lot in the morning after receiving an announcement from the staff. 

Immediately afterward, the staff instructed them to change into their gym clothes on the bus. Since shoes were also politely provided, all the idol candidates who were summoned had a hunch that some kind of physical activity would be involved in the screening process. 

The site was the same area they had seen when they first visited the ryokan. 

Except for the buses used for transportation, there were almost no cars parked in the area. 

"I've been staying in an inn for a long time, it's nice to have a change of scenery." 

As soon as she finished changing into her gym clothes, the Chairwoman began stretching. 

True to her word, she was moving her body in a pleasant manner. 

In contrast, Matsuura-san's eyes were dead. 

"It's over. This is really over." 

No matter what anyone says, she is the Princess of the group, who hates exercise. 

She is looking up at the well-sunlit sky and rounding her back. 

There is not the slightest hint of the radiant figure that shined yesterday at the game competition. 

"Why don't you try to be a little more positive?" 

"I already know I can't do it. I don't need to think about it." 

"I've done some research, and I've heard that idol work is very strenuous. They sometimes have to be on the move for more than an hour at a live performance, and they sing on top of that, right? If you can't run five kilometers, it's going to be tough." 

"Shouldn’t we think about that after we debut ?" 

"You usually only think about what happens after your debut......." 

Some distance away from the girls is the Futsumen.  

It is Manager Nishino, who had been watching over the Chairwoman and Matsuura-san since last night without sleeping, as he had so brazenly told them yesterday. After they fell asleep, he stood in the hallway facing the storage room and kept vigil. 

Even so, the way he gazed at the Chairwoman and the others today was seamless. 

He was a virgin, desperate to show something cool to that girl he was interested in. 

After a short time, Tarosuke arrived. 

Today, he is again disguised in a flower-patterned suit, sunglasses, a wig, and a fake beard. 

Upon seeing him, the bustling crowd of idol candidates quieted down. The staff with video equipment also got into position. The Chairwoman and Matsuura-san stopped talking and turned to him, as did the other participants. 

Tarosuke began his morning greeting and then informed the participants that there were only two auditions left, and that the results of the auditions would be announced later this afternoon. 

"Please don't give up and work hard until the end. "

Matsuura-san was complaining.

The Chairwoman pokes me with her elbow, saying, I can hear you. 

"By the way, about the evaluation we're about to do......" 

Following his greeting, Tarosuke raises his voice to explain the details of the evaluation. 

In his pocket, his phone suddenly made a buzzing sound. 

It seemed to be an incoming call. 

"Excuse me." 

He quickly pulls out his phone, connects the line, and holds it to his ear. 

According to the screen, the caller is a member of the management staff. 

What was reported over the phone was that a suspicious man had been caught on the inn's premises. It seems that one of the staff members who was standing guard had detained a person who was neither an staff nor an employee of the ryokan. 

"Yeah, okay. I'll send someone." 

The exchange over the phone takes only a few seconds. 

Immediately afterward, he contacted another staff and asked them to handle the suspicious person. 

Then, he turned once again to the idol candidates in front of him. 

What followed was an explanation of the auditions that were about to take place.

"Yesterday, I told you that idols need to be educated. However, idols cannot serve with a big head. They must travel to venues across the country day after day to perform live on stage. To do that, they need physical strength more than anything else." 

In school, Matsuura-san observed a series of marathon classes in junior high and high school. 

"So today, as originally planned, we will conduct a physical fitness test, in essence, a marathon."

The chase of Alice Kurusugawa was brought up yesterday. Fearing their presence, Tarosuke was thinking of a new method of examination that did not require moving from one place to another, such as push-ups and repeated horizontal jumps, instead of the marathon. However, if the culprits were caught, that would not be the case. 

Thus, the Chairwoman and the others had to run around the vicinity of the ryokan. 

According to Tarosuke's words, the starting point was the parking lot where they were still standing. From there, they would circle a course set up on the grounds of the ryokan and nearby areas and return. The evaluation method was simple and straightforward: points were awarded according to the order in which they reached the finish line. 

Following a sudden change of direction, the film crew scattered to various locations within the ryokan. 

"Come to think of it, she didn't say anything today. " 

"Chairwoman, are you worried about the little bitch?" 

"It doesn't really bother me, but ... " 

The Chairwoman said, identifying a pink head of hair a short distance away. 

Matsuura-san, who responded, exchanged a fed up look. 

After some time, the audition management staff explained to the idol candidates about the course and the presence of cameras placed everywhere. Meanwhile, preparations were being made at various locations, and the starting line was drawn in the parking lot. 

Under the straight white line, the idol candidates lined up with serious expressions on their faces. 

When all preparations were in order, the evaluation began. 

"Okay then, go! " 

◇ ◆ ◇

This is a guest room in a ryokan. 

In the middle of the eight-mat Japanese-style room, a person was lying on the floor. Both arms were wrapped in duct tape over his body. Both of his legs were similarly bound, making it difficult for him to stand up, let alone walk by himself. 

The same tape was also attached to his mouth.

Tarosuke was informed about this suspicious person, who was found on the premises. 

And only two other people could be seen in the same place. 

Rose and Gabriella. 

They had been asked to take care of a rough job on behalf of a handsome man who was handling an audition in the parking lot. They were relaxing in the monitoring room when they received instructions over the phone. 

Normally, they would have had to turn him in to the police right away. However, since doing so would have interfered with the audition filming, Tarosuke, who was in charge of the scene, decided to delay the report for about half a day. 

Tarosuke decided to delay the call for about half a day, so the girls were temporarily assigned to watch over the situation. 

The other staff members were dispatched under his direction. 

The person who rolled on the tatami mat was a person whom they knew. 

"You 're in the same class as Nishino-kun, right ? " 

"Mmm! Mmmmmmmmmm?"

Wrapped in duct tape was a male student from Class 2A . 

He was Suzuki-kun, one of the best looking guys in the class. 

When he saw them, his eyes widened in surprise. 

His body, which had been jittery and moving around wildly, stopped moving when he saw the girls. Suzuki-kun was in the midst of confusion, wondering why Rose and Gabriella were here, and also wondering why he was in this situation. 

" ......... "

At this point, it was impossible to have a conversation. 

When Rose looked at her, Gabriella, who was following her, moved. 

With a single breath, the tape attached to her mouth was removed. 

Suzuki-kun screamed from the pain of having his skin pulled off. 

"What are you doing here ? " 

"No, no, it's just that........." 

In response to Rose's question, Suzuki-kun looked away. 

He seems to be holding something embarrassing. 

The words that follow are lost. 

"If this situation continues, you will most certainly be turned over to the police. Naturally, your parents will be contacted. In some cases, the school will be contacted as well. It may have a big or small impact on your life after this." 

"I am just worried about the Chairwoman!" 

However, everything changed when Gabu-chan's words were received. 

Suzuki-kun spoke up and pleaded loudly. 

Because he is planning to go on to a university with a sports recommendation. If the school were to be notified under the circumstances, that path would most certainly be closed to him. He is a sportsman who is not ready to start studying for entrance examinations now. 

"Worried? I wonder what that has to do with the trespassing at the inn." 

"I saw a picture of this place on the Internet. The Chairwoman is at an idol audition, wearing a bath towel and making a confused face, right? And nearby, there's a lascivious woman with her bottom half exposed...you wouldn't leave her alone as a friend, would you?"

"I see what you mean." 

From their point of view, they were impressed that he had come all the way to a distant venue just for that. 

"You must have had a lot of free time on your day off to go here. " 

"As a student, you must have spent a lot of money on transportation, right? " 

"Well, it's for the sake of the Chairwoman" 

Suzuki-kun's gaze is averted again, probably out of shame. 

Rose and Gabriella understood that the person in front of them had a liking for the Chairwoman. They were sure of it, considering the presence of Matsuura-san, who was present at the same scene and yet was not mentioned by name at all. 

Thanks to this, his words began to feel more credible. 

In fact, in addition to that, there was a great deal of opposition to Nishino. It was Suzuki-kun who had come down to the inn with the image of himself dashingly rescuing the Chairwoman from an insolent video shooting site where Futsumen had invited them. It was also significant that Matsuura-san was in the classroom the day before yesterday, talking about porn actresses. 

"I mean, what are you two doing here? " 

Suzuki-kun, not wanting to be interrogated any further, tries to change the subject. 

Then it was Rose and Gabriella's turn to have trouble replying. 

They could not just explain the situation. 

"Shimizu-san asked me to work for her. After all, this is an audition for female idols, right? Apparently, they need a certain amount of female help on set. So, it seems that the girls had heard about it, and they agreed to go with us on a three-day, two-night trip to a hot spring." 

How can you tell a lie so blatantly, is Gabu-chan's feeling. 

From Rose's point of view, she is getting more and more displeased with the Chairwoman. Why does she always bring trouble with her? 

"So, this audition is ......"

"I don't know what you were thinking, but it was a legitimate audition held by a legitimate agency. One of the idol candidates in the picture was a well-known person, but you didn't know that, did you?"

"Famous cosplayer? I saw some of them, but many of them were very serious. So, it could be that kind of thing, right? There were also a lot of photos taken from low angles, which is a bit creepy." 

"Certainly, I remember searching the internet and seeing that kind of photo. "

"I know, right? I saw the same thing as Gabriella! There are a lot of agencies out there that shoot explicitly erotic junior idol pictures, right? I was wondering if the Chairwoman might have fallen for that kind of thing."

Suzuki-kun's talk was consistent and compelling throughout. 

Still, just to be sure, Rose offers a word of confirmation. 

"You seem to know a lot about this, but you're not after Alice Kurusugawa, are you?"

"No, no, no, of course not. I only found out about it yesterday."

".....I see." 

He didm't seemed to be lying. 

He was a handsome man who could not decide what to say because he was wrapped up in a tatami mat. 

Even so, there was nothing stagnant in the way he looked at Rose and Gabriella. 

"By the way, can you please strip this off? I feel like I'm being mistaken for someone else. I was having a hard time because they didn't listen to me at all. They were yelling at me one way and the other, and I really didn't understand what was going on." 

"Didn't you know that this ryokan is for private use ? " 

"That's what they told me at first, but I was still worried about the Chairwoman. ......" 

"I don't think the fact of trespassing is something that can't be ignored." 

" ...... I don't know what to do about it. I don't want to go to the police. " 

" Okay, okay. We'll go upstairs and explain the situation." 

"Really? That'd be really great, Rose! Gabriella!" 

Personally, Rose would like to hand it over to the police immediately. 

It would be easier and less time-consuming.  

However, it would be a mistake if she offended Nishino's good mood for that reason. Remembering the goodwill he shows his classmates, she honestly promises to help. The fact that the girls are visiting the inn is a secret, but under the circumstances, the possibility of Nishino finding out comes into play. 

"But that would mean that the stalker in question has not been caught."

Gabriella's casual muttering echoed in the quiet room . 

◇ ◆ ◇

Following Tarosuke's signal, the idol candidates began running at once. 

Following the course explained to them in advance, they left the parking lot and ran briskly through the grounds of the inns and related facilities. Staff members stood at key points and used signboards with arrows to help them navigate their way. Cameras also film the girls' efforts in detail. 

Normally, one would have expected to see other visitors in the area, but there were no people to be seen, as if the area had been rented out in its entirety. Moreover, it was early in the morning, and all that could be seen were the idol candidates in their gym uniforms, huffing and puffing. 

In the midst of all this, the Chairwoman was in the first group. 

Alice Kurusugawa can also be seen in the immediate vicinity. 

Incidentally, Matsuura-san dropped out a few hundred meters after the start. 

"Shimizu-san, isn't it getting harder and harder for you? " 

"Are you breathing a little heavy, too?" 

The two are exchanging lively words, out of sight of the staff and the camera. The former is hostile to the latter, perhaps aided by their defeat in the quick-push quiz. This time, they cannot lose, so they call out to each other insistently and get involved. 

The Chairwoman is quite a strong competitor, but Alice Kurusugawa is no slouch either. 

And they seemed to be the fittest among the idol candidates who participated in the audition this time. The lead group, which had been made up of several members, gradually decreased in number as the distance progressed. 

As they passed the turnaround point, two of them began to pull away and take the lead. 

This was an unexpected development for Shimizu. 

Shimizu did not expect the junior high school students to be able to catch her. 

Her pride as an older student also helped, and she gradually increased her pace. 

Even so, Alice Kurusugawa was desperate to hold on. In the latter half, she had no time to get involved with the Chairwoman, and she moved her legs with sweat dripping from her body as if she had forgotten about the existence of the camera. She was diagonally behind Shimizu, within touching distance. 

"........" 

The Chairwoman, who checked behind her, felt something uncanny in the expression she glimpsed on the other party's face. 

Although it would be edited at a later date, it was not the face of an idol who had been promised a debut. Her face was soggy with sweat and snot. She is following her with a face that looks as if she is about to start crying at any moment. 

This makes Shimizu think about a lot of things. 

Above all, she herself is not that attached to her idol business. 

The Chairwoman, who had some energy left over for the last spurt, thought that she should give the spot to Alice Kurusugawa, and gradually slowed down her running momentum. She also made no effort to look painful for the camera, which could be anywhere in the vicinity. 

"A, Alice wins ...! " 

Alice Kurusugawa, perhaps seeing this as her chance to win, went into a last spurt.

The Chairwoman switches places in the lead as if looking off her back. 

I'm sorry for pushing you too hard, she said. 

Immediately after that, something strange appeared in Shimizu's vision. 

A man approaches from between the inn facilities, approaching the parking lot where the goal is located. 

On top of that, she wondered what was going on. 

If I am not mistaken, he is holding a knife in his hand. 

It is a large knife with a long blade. 

Around his neck is a camera. From the neck up, covered by sunglasses, a mask, and a knit cap, he looks exactly like the man we saw at the game center in the inn just yesterday. His shirt and pants also looked vaguely familiar. 

And the other person was staring at Alice Kurusugawa. He paid no attention to anything else. He was single-mindedly staring only at her. There was no hesitation in the force with which he kicked the ground. The weapon held at his waist pointed at her without hesitation. 

At this rate, even in the next instant, it would be an idol candidate audition murder case. 

"Hey ... " 

The Chairwoman's mouth dropped open in surprise as the scene unfolded in front of her. 

The girl who leaped to the front of the pack was so intent on running that she could not see her surroundings at all. She is salivating from the mouth, but she is running hard toward a bright future. She is just barely staying ahead of Shimizu, even if it is just one step. 

Furthermore, there are no staff members around, as if he was aiming for them. 

The only one who recognized the man's approach was Shimizu. 

The realization of this fact ignites a sense of justice within the Chairwoman. 

"Whooooooo." 

The healthy legs, once relaxed, were immediately put to full use. 

The stamina that had been conserved for the spurt was mobilized for a rapid acceleration. 

The runner's high-speed, which had warmed up nicely, combined with her natural sense of justice, was a breakthrough. The mind that might normally have withdrawn from fear swung into the red zone at this very moment, just like a motorcycle with the gas pedal fully opened. 

Facing the man approaching Alice Kurusugawa, she closes the distance at once. 

And just as the man's blade was about to touch the target. 

She sets her sights on the target. 

Kicking the ground with all her might, she then delivered a full-fledged flying knee kick. 

"Huh !?" 

The Chairwoman's knee caught the opponent's hand precisely.  

The knife was released from the man's hand by a hard blow to the back of the hand. The knife flew away with great force and eventually fell to the ground, making a clanking sound as it skidded along the ground. It stopped a few meters away from the two of them, at the side of a building set up along the street. 

The Chairwoman, on the other hand, collided her body with the man and had to roll on the ground. 

While the former fell to the ground, the latter lost her balance significantly but was able to stand her ground and avoid falling. In addition to the heavy weight factor between the two, the jumping kick after running around for a long distance was a heavy burden for Shimizu. 

Following a series of signs, Alice Kurusugawa's attention also turned to the two. 

"Huh ...? " 

Looking back, she is startled wide-eyed by the presence of the camera man. 

The Chairwoman is lying on the ground right beside him, and a knife on the ground a short distance away. 

After yesterday's events, she quickly realized the situation she was in. 

"Shimizu-san!?" 

Alice Kurusugawa stopped in front of the man, and he made a move. 

He began rummaging through the bag he was carrying and, apart from flying into the street, he took out a knife. It seemed that he had a spare. It was a large knife, with a blade nearly 20 cm long, which he pulled out of the bag. 

Alice Kurusugawa took a step toward the fallen Chairwoman. 

Her body froze from fear. 

She was so tired and breathless that she wanted to crouch down. 

Fear so strong that she forgets even that, and her whole body is overcome with fear. It was clear from the bloodshot eyes of the other party what they were looking for. Yesterday, Alice Kurusugawa and the staff had taken them by surprise and left the room, leaving him to hide in the ryokan. Today, the opportunity of the marathon screening had presented itself. He had been hiding in the attic of the ryokan for a whole night. 

If Suzuki-kun had not visited the site, things might have been different at this moment. 

"It's your fault, it's your fault. You abandoned me......." 

"Wait a minute! What did Alice do?" 

"I bought you a special lens, I helped you shoot your photo book, I've done so much for you. I've done so much for you, and now that you're famous, I'm not going to see you anymore. Do you have any idea how much I've done for you?" 

"I would have given you back the money for the lens at the regular price right away! I was really surprised that you bought it! And for the photo book and the photo shoot, I paid you a portion of the royalties in return!"

Alice Kurusugawa, hands in her lap, huffing and puffing, breathing heavily. 

She seems to be having a hard time even standing up. 

Still, she tries her best to continue talking to the man. 

"Not only that, I even offered you a car to take us around! "

"I paid for your cab fare!"

"But I have worked so hard and spent so much time for you!" 

Alice Kurusugawa and the man with the camera are exchanging words in a lively manner. 

Even from what little I could overhear, the exchange seemed to be somewhat familiar. The Chairwoman, who was lying nearby, could easily guess the situation since she had already checked the latter's account on social media yesterday. 

By the way, a few meters from the two arguing. 

There was a person hiding in the shadows, watching the whole series of events. 

It was Matsuura-san.  

"......Seriously ?" 

She had decided that she could not possibly complete the five-kilometer course that was scheduled for the physical fitness test, so she quickly turned off to a side road and hid in the shadows. She was planning to join the returning group at the appropriate moment and take a short cut. 

What started in front of her was a fight with a knife. 

Immediately afterwards, a knife flew into the immediate vicinity, which was a surprise. 

"......." 

On the asphalt, the sword blade shines brightly reflecting the sunlight. 

It is hard to believe that it is a fake. 

Even if it was a staged recording, it is too bad taste. 

That is probably why Matsuura-san thought, as she looked at it.

Perhaps this was an opportunity. 

She was well aware that this audition was a race to win Alice Kurusugawa. Even so, Matsuura-san has been working hard on her dancing and other activities, aiming to catch someone's eye and be picked up by them. 

To do so, it was important for her to stand out from everyone else. 

In other words, she thought it would be a good time to go out. 

Fortunately, she was only a few meters away from the man. Alice Kurusugawa was already nearby, and the Chairwoman was also there. Even if the man gets rough, Alice Kurusugawa will be the first to be touched, followed by the Chairwoman, and in the meantime, he can escape from the scene of the crime. 

That's such a sick idea. 

There is no such risk if he just raises his voice with a knife in his hand as a check. On the other hand, if things were resolved successfully, the other side would owe me a great deal. Matsuura-san quickly moved into action. 

She jumped out of the shadows and picked up a knife that flew from the man's hand. 

Then, holding the tip out in front of her, she said in a loud voice.

"Old man, enough of this!" 

The action was performed by deliberately shaking her hand and pretending to be frightened. This behavior is the opposite of that of the Chairwoman, who lunged headlong into the scene without a care in the world. Her waist, which is drawn back even to the casual observer, is ready to turn on her heel and run away at a moment's notice. 

"Matsuura-san, why are you here...... " 

A reasonable question leaked out of the Chairwoman's mouth. 

Alice Kurusugawa also gave a shocked look. 

"What the hell? A complete stranger is interrupting me?" 

The camera man's attention also shifted to Matsuura-san. 

After confirming that everyone's eyes were on her, she continued her speech. 

"Kurusugawa-san is an important friend of ours!" 

She took this opportunity to shout out some mindlessly beautiful things in a loud voice. 

What you are saying is different from what you said yesterday, said the Chairwoman in an inaudible rush. I don't think she meant what she said. I couldn't help but look around for the presence of cameras and staff. 

"...... That's right!" 

Then, in response to her statement, the man began to fish through his backpack. 

His gaze was off her for only a few seconds of time. 

What was taken out was a crossbow. 

The folded crossbow was unfolded with a click. Its distinctive silhouette was obvious to everyone. It seemed that he had practiced well in advance, and there was no hesitation in his work, from the assembly to the insertion of the bolt. This would indicate a certain level of skill.

The target was quickly set on her with a separate hand from the one that held the knife. 

"Wai..... " 

Wait a minute, I haven't asked for that. 

Matsuura-san's expression froze in an instant. 

Not only the Chairwoman, but her life was in danger before Alice Kurusugawa. 

"Kurusugawa-san is something for you, isn't it? Tell me." 

".........."

It was Matsuura-san who lost the game. 

Not even a word came out of her mouth. 

She was unable to move even with her knife held in her hand. 

The Chairwoman, who was watching the scene, had nothing to say about this. 

"Why don't you tell me? You're all talk after all, aren't you?"

The finger extended to the trigger of the crossbow is squeezed. 

The sight is unwaveringly aimed at her forehead. 

Matsuura-san, you are doomed. 

Regret fills my heart as I realize that I should have stayed quiet and watched. If she dies, there is no such thing as an idol. The most important thing to remember is that you can't just use a knife against a crossbow. 

However, she is a woman with a lot of bad luck. 

"Will you stop messing with my idols?" 

Just before the bolt was fired, a voice was heard. 

The man keeps his finger on the trigger of his crossbow, and in a great hurry, he turns his attention in the direction from which the voice came. The same goes for Alice Kurusugawa, Chairwoman, and Matsuura-san. The latter two, in particular, were clearly familiar with the tone of the voice. 

It was Manager Nishino. 

"What am I supposed to do if my precious idols get scratched?" 

Ahead of everyone's eyes, a Futsumen appears from behind a building. 

He is wearing a suit and sunglasses as he did yesterday. Unlike the other times, he does not have his hair styled, nor is he wearing makeup, and he looks very unattractive. No matter how you look at it, it looks like a junior high school student trying to look good. 

The man walks slowly and straight toward the Chairwoman and the others. 

The man immediately takes up a crossbow, but shows no sign of timidity. 

"Stop ! " 

"What if I say no ? " 

"........" 

The Chairwoman's attention assisted the Futsumen, who were dressed to the nines for the occasion. 

Naturally, his hands are in the pockets of his trousers. 

He approached slowly and steadily. 

From the camera man's point of view, it was an irritating sight. Perhaps that's why his fingertips were so tense. The next moment, a bolt is fired, and the tip of the bolt comes close to the Futsumen's body. 

"N -Nishino-kun !" 

A scream came from the Chairwoman's mouth. 

However, despite her concern, the bolt snatched Futsumen's cheek and flew straight behind him. It was Nishino who was not afraid to wield his power openly in public by no means. Normally, he would have kept it stationary in mid-air, but he shifted its trajectory by a few centimeters to avoid the deadly bolt. 

The bolt would normally have been a direct hit to the eyeball, but instead it only slightly scratched the skin. 

The bolt, having lost its target, fell directly to the ground and made a dry sound. 

"What's up? You might want to get a better shot. " 

"......." 

Nishino speaks by tapping his fingertips on the area between the eyebrows. 

He attempted to turn the other man's attention to himself, and it was very effective. The man began to load the next round into his crossbow in a panic from the anger that erupted. He begins busily stretching the strings of the crossbow with both hands. 

Seeing this, Matsuura-san thought to herself, 

Isn't this a good idea? 

She knew the distance between herself and her opponent, the knife in her hand, and her opponent's attention. 

After grasping the various factors, the brain gave the go-ahead. 

At least in the game I played yesterday, I would have gone for the kill for sure. In fact, my instincts are telling me that if I don't go for the kill now, when should I go for it? If you don't get the kill here, the next moment you might be killed yourself. 

The most recent shot was fired at Futsumen. 

However, there is no guarantee that the next shot will not be directed at him. 

The possibility of being taken hostage is quite conceivable. 

Thinking of this, her decision was instantaneous. 

" .... " 

I found that my feet had started moving on their own. 

The distance of a few meters would be zero as soon as she ran out. 

If she had been as open-minded about Nishino's private life as the Chairwoman was, she might have had the option of believing in his existence and waiting for him to come to her. However, to her, the Futsumen is nothing more than a timid virgin who wants to have sex with her, but is unable to take the first step. 

She must protect herself with her own hands, and with a strong sense of survival, she takes up a knife. 

A precise blow aimed at the heart comes close to taking the life of the camera man. 

Even to the casual observer, the approach was so powerful that it seemed as if he had taken it. 

Manager Nishino had no choice but to panic. 

Over-defense was inevitable. 

A classmate had a criminal record, and there was no waiting around. 

The Futsumen, who wielded his power in a panic, slightly modified the tip of his knife. 

Matsuura-san's knife, which had been carefully laid on its side, had her palm against the butt of the handle, and would normally have crossed the ribs and reached the heart. 

This deflected somewhat to the side, avoiding contact with the organ group. 

The wound is not fatal, but only a shallow penetration of the flesh. 

"Huh... ?"

Still, the pain he feels is commensurate. 

The camera man's whole body goes limp. 

An inarticulate scream emanates from his mouth. 

"AHHHHHHH!!!"

Immediately afterward, he fell on his ass and rolled onto his back, holding the wound. 

The person who had stabbed him with the knife felt a slight discomfort in her hand, but she was not that bothered by it, helped by her emotional state. Matsuura-san, then, swung the knife up in a wide arc, aiming at the neck of his opponent, in order to make a follow-up attack. She was ready to take it, and even had a smile on her face. 

Immediately after, the man's foot, sensing the danger, kicked her squarely in the abdomen. 

"Hmph..." 

Matsuura-san was kicked in the stomach, which sent her flying backward. 

Normally, it would not be surprising if her ribs were cracked by the blow. 

However, this was greatly reduced by the manager's power. 

Furthermore, by taking a larger flying distance, he keeps Matsuura-san away from the man. 

After confirming that she has fallen, the man abandons his crossbow attack against Nishino. Instead, he seeks out Alice Kurusugawa. She was still shaking on her knees not far from him. 

The camera man stood up vigorously, though bleeding from his side. 

Then, with a great swing of his knife, he rushed out under her. 

"......" 

The sight of him coming at her, covered in blood, showed extraordinary tenacity. 

Alice Kurusugawa's face was stained with despair. 

Then, before she knew it, the Futsumen had closed the distance. 

He rushed to step in between the two and grabbed the wrist of the man who was holding the knife. Using his wonder power to contain his opponent's body, he grabs the head with his other hand and forces his opponent down onto the ground. 

" Aaaaaaaaaa ! " 

A scream came from the camera man's mouth as his joints were locked. 

A knife falls from his hand. 

If one didn't know what was going on, it would look like something out of an action movie. 

"No, no way... " 

Shortly after shaking with fear, Alice Kurusugawa gives an astonished voice. 

This is no exception for Matsuura-san. 

With her butt on the ground, she is amazed at Nishino's success. 

The Futsumen is gradually gaining muscle through his daily breakdance practice. But you can't tell that from the clothes on his back. With the help of his childish face, his appearance is far from being rough and tumble. 

The only exception would be the Chairwoman. 

Two sighs of relief as the camera man is restrained by her. 

"Let me go!" 

"You move too much, you'll dislocate your shoulder. I suggest you stay calm."

Another dramatic line comes out of Futsumen's mouth. 

Thanks to this, Alice Kurusugawa realized her past mistakes. 

She understood by witnessing a series of exchanges. 

She realized that this person was really like this. 

" .... " 

When she met him, she thought only that she had been made a fool of by Nishino. 

She did not think that the boy in front of the day was a chuunibyo of 100 percent purity. 

In the meantime, hearing the cries of the man and Matsuura-san, the audition management staff and the employees of the ryokan rushed to the scene. Also, the idol candidates who had been running the marathon course behind the Chairwoman and the others gathered at the scene one by one. 

Rose and Gabriella, who had probably been informed by Tarosuke, also arrived. The girls thought it was impossible to stop Suzuki-kun from talking, so they prioritized dealing with the situation at the scene. They seemed to think that if Nishino was going to find out anyway, it would be better to be reasonable. 

They couldn't do anything in front of him. 

If they did so, the trust they had built up over the past few weeks would easily be lost. 

"Eh, why Rose-san and Gabu-chan ... " 

As Chairwoman, the presence of the two men was questionable and unintentional. 

In response, Nishino prioritized dealing with the camera man. 

He continued his appeal to Shimizu, while holding the man down in a cool pose. 

Upon seeing the knives and crossbows scattered around the scene, as well as the bloodied camera man being tightened up by the Futsumen, everyone immediately understood the situation. The blood spatter on the ground made for quite an exciting scene. 

Voices began to be heard everywhere, and the scene became lively. 

Someone stood up and took the opportunity to speak. 

Matsuura-san. 

Understanding that her safety was assured, she raised her hips from the ground. Then she takes a step toward the camera man. The woman who is the most dangerous on the scene approaches, and the other party's attention turns to her. While staring squarely back into his eyes, she took a few steps closer. 

Following Matsuura-san's behavior, everyone present turned their attention to the two of them. 

After confirming that the gazes of everyone involved were focused on them, she opened her mouth. 

It was the same statement that had been uttered just a few moments before. 

"I'll say it again and again, Kurusugawa-san is one of our most important friends!" 

Not a single word of this heartless scream echoed across them.