[Auditions V]

On the afternoon of the day of the incident, after dealing with the police, Nishino and the others were in a room at the ryokan. 

In addition to the Futsumen, the members included the Chairwoman, Matsuura-san, Rose, Gabriella,Tarosuke and Alice Kurusugawa. In the monitoring room with its many displays, everyone faced each other around a table set up in the center of the room. 

Rose told them about the behind the scenes audition process. More strictly speaking, the idol business that Nishino started and Tarosuke's work situation. Related to this is the position of her and Gabriella, who decided to cooperate with the latter. 

Incidentally, Suzuki-kun is still lying in one of the rooms of the ryokan. 

This is because Tarosuke contacted Rose and Gabriella in the middle of the conversation. 

"Therefore, this case is completely your fault. The reason why this girl and I were here is because we heard from this man in Roppongi and decided to cooperate with him. I hope you will not misunderstand me. You are the ones who interrupted us."

"..... I understand what you're saying." 

After a round of explanations, the Futsumen nodded his head. 

In terms of mutual positioning, Nishino was seated alone on one side of the table, with Tarosuke and Alice Kurusugawa in front of him. To his right are the Chairwoman and Matsuura-san. And Rose and Gabriella are sitting on the left. 

"I'm sorry for interrupting your work for my own reasons." 

"No, no, that's okay! " 

Tarosuke was surprised to see Nishino, who honestly bowed his head, flustered. 

In the room, he took off his floral suit and also removed his disguise. 

The handsome man immediately continued his words to supplement Rose's statement. 

"You had your own reasons, didn't you? As I explained earlier, it's our fault that our top executives threw the whole thing to us. I'm going to talk to them again and see what I can do. If you want, the two of them can start up another project together......." 

Alice Kurusugawa was left amazed when this happened. 

If it was a surprise that the man in the flowery suit was Tarosuke, it was also shocking that he was bowing to the dull boy in front of her. To her, the handsome man sitting next to her was above the clouds, and at the same time, was like the superiors of his boss. 

Even more so, she wondered who these Lolitas were who were standing side by side with such a person and talking to him in a pompous manner. Their small stature, even smaller than Alice Kurusugawa's, could easily be mistaken for elementary school students. Their hair and skin color, which is not possible for Asians, also arouses her curiosity.

"No, I can't bother you any more." 

"You're not bothering me. You're not bothering me at all." 

"That said, isn't there only one spot available?" 

"In this case, there are many ways to do it without having to convince the higher-ups......." 

Tarosuke is somehow trying to reach a compromise with Nishino. 

On the other hand, the Futsumen seems to have made up his mind even earlier. 

He turns to the Chairwoman and Matsuura-san and opens his mouth with a sorry look. 

"Chairwoman, Matsuura-san, I'm sorry about this matter ... " 

"Um, Alice, want's to join you in the conversation."

Just before Futsumen was about to apologize, Alice Kurusugawa raised her hand. 

Tarosuke was the first to respond. 

"Kurusugawa, I have you in my sights, so please be quiet now......" 

"I know this is out of the blue, but if it weren't for these two, Alice would probably have been stabbed to death by the camera guy. So, I don't think I am in a position to say this, but could you please give them a chance? "

She interrupted the handsome man and continued her words. 

She looked at him seriously, as if she had made up her mind. Her tone of voice was polite, a complete change from her previous stilted mannerisms. Both Chairwoman and Matsuura-san honestly believed that she was able to reply appropriately. 

At the same time, it was an unexpected suggestion. 

After all, they had been on bad terms with each other ever since they first visited the training center. 

It was only natural that they would have some questions. Mainly from Matsuura-san. 

"Is she thinking something crazy again?" 

"Matsuura-san, you are the one who shouted out something that really doesn't make any sense to me!" 

" It's not what you think, but how the people around you perceive you that counts! " 

"...... I was a little happy that you came to save us. " 

Alice Kurusugawa was saved from a close call, which made her a little less aggressive toward the two girls. Having understood Nishino's character, she now seemed to realize that she herself had picked a fight with the girls. 

Compared to Matsuura-san, she was much more straightforward. 

She was giving an apologetic glance to Shimizu in particular. 

"In any case, the audition will be held as originally planned, right? Also, if you are going to take care of Shimizu-san and Matsuura-san's future, then I don't think there is any need for us to discuss it here."

Just as the topic was about to be sidetracked, Rose confirmed it. 

She is a woman who really doesn't care about the Chairwoman and her colleagues progress. 

She was almost pleading with them to return Nishino-kun to her as soon as possible. 

In this situation, Tarosuke had no choice but to comply. 

"Yeah, you're right. " 

"Um, well, I'll take you two back to ......" 

"We'll take it from here. I won't hold it against you." 

Tarosuke nodded his head in agreement when the other party glared at him slightly. He is a handsome man who has yet to get rid of his dislike for Rose. For Matsuura-san and Alice Kurusugawa, who did not know what was going on, the power relationship between the two was mysterious. 

Immediately afterward, the Futsumen voiced repeated apologies. 

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. Please take care of both of them for me." 

"I'll take care of them." 

With this, Manager Nishino's duties were completed. 

With Tarosuke's approval, the discussion was closed. 

◇ ◆ ◇

That evening, the final audition began in the hall of the inn. 

It was a dance competition with the judges who had also been called for the swimsuit competition. 

The audition was originally scheduled to take place during the day on a stage set up in the open-air bath. However, due to a delay caused by the police, the event was held indoors after dark. The host of the event was Tarosuke, disguised in a flower-patterned suit, who was in charge as before. 

As originally planned, Alice Kurusugawa came out on top in the competition. 

From then on, the audition results were announced in the hall as it was. 

The curtain was drawn back on the event as everyone was informed of her debut. 

The idol candidates were dispersed under the direction of Tarosuke. The idol candidates are now free for a few hours until the bus departs for home. They were free to soak in the hot springs, relax in their rooms, or do as they pleased. 

For the film crew, it was time to shoot the ending video. 

The crowd was beginning to dissipate in the hall. 

The Chairwoman and Matsuura-san stood up together, thinking of taking a bath in the open-air bath like the other idol candidates. Alice Kurusugawa visited them. She steps up to them with a lively patter and speaks their names loudly. 

"Shimizu-san, Matsuura-san, may I have a word?" 

"Wow, here comes another bothersome one, Chairwoman!" 

"Matsuura-san, will you stop talking to me every time you want to talk about something?"

"Huh? Are you two not getting along well?" 

Matsuura-san looked annoyed, while the Chairwoman looked troubled. 

However, the conversation was short-lived. 

"The judges over there would love to talk to you both!"

" ..........!" 

Matsuura-san's expression changed drastically after receiving the news conveyed by Alice Kurusugawa. 

Immediately, she turned her attention to the person she had indicated. 

There was a person waving his hand in the air in front of them. It was the same person who had given Matsuura-san and the Chairwoman high scores in both the swimsuit judging and the dance judging. He was a middle-aged man in his forties who seemed to have a good personality. 

On the other hand, the Chairwoman seemed to be in a state of confusion. 

He looks apologetic and tells Alice Kurusugawa. 

"Kurusugawa-san, may I decline?" 

"Oh, are you sure? It's probably an invitation to make your debut." 

"I'm sorry to say this to you, but I wasn't that enthusiastic. To be honest, I joined the event with Matsuura-san's company. So, could you please try to make it up somehow? I want you to tell him that I'm sorry. "

"I understand. I will tell him politely so that there will be no misunderstanding."

"I'm sorry." 

"But personally, I would have liked to work with Shimizu-san."

If it were Alice Kurusugawa, she would have replied, Then please don't participate from the beginning. However, she smiled and told the Chairwoman in a good mood. 

This made Shimizu wonder. 

"I mean, you've changed so much, haven't you? What's wrong?"

"I understand there was no malice expressed by your manager." 

"Oh .... " 

The Chairwoman herself took several months to realize this about the Futsumen. 

He is cynical, aggressive, and always speaks from a superior perspective. 

It is extremely difficult to realize that there is not the slightest malice behind it. 

"Kurusugawa-san, I see I'm going to the judges first!"

Matsuura-san runs to the judges at once, her boobs rising and falling violently as she intends to do so. She has the biggest smile on her face since her visit to this ryokan. Her heart was boiling with determination to seize this opportunity at any cost. 

Alice Kurusugawa patterly chases after her. 

"Ah, please wait a minute!" 

"........"

After watching the lively pair, the Chairwoman left the hall alone. 

Since she could be alone, she decided to take a relaxing soak in the hot spring. 

By the way, Nishino, who was also visiting the hall, had noticed Matsuura-san's behavior. A classmate of his happily ran to the judges. Having confirmed the sight, his feet went to Tarosuke. 

Standing right next to the him, he kept his eyes on the judges and asked blithely. 

"Is it safe to trust that person?" 

"Yes, that person is fine. I'll talk to him later." 

"...... I'm sorry. I'll repay you for this. " 

"What? It's not that big of a deal." 

Tarosuke looks very happy as he responds. 

He is probably pleased to have more contact with Nishino. He is thinking that he should also thank Rose and Gabriella for this opportunity. The uneasiness in his stomach seems to have been eradicated. 

Some time later, Alice Kurusugawa came to the two of them. 

She seemed to have finished introducing Matsuura-san to the male judge. 

Her attention went not to him in the flowery suit, but to the Futsumen next to him. 

"Nishino-san, would you mind if I hang out with you for a bit?"

"Oh, hey, Kurusugawa-kun! ......" 

"I don't mind. " 

"Really? Thank you very much!" 

In contrast, Nishino responded with a nonchalant nod. 

"I don't know about here, but I was wondering if you'd like to come with me." 

"Okay, I'll go with you anywhere. " 

"Wow, that's a really lame way of saying it. " 

"Really ?" 

"Yeah." 

"Hey , Kurusugawa-kun ! " 

"Sorry, but I'll borrow your idol " 

" ... Oh, hey. " 

Nishino leaves the hall with Alice Kurusugawa. 

Tarosuke looked anxiously at the two of them as they walked off into the hallway. 

◇ ◆ ◇

After parting from Matsuura-san in the hall, the Chairwoman decided to head for the open-air baths. 

She decided to spend the rest of the day taking a long bath and relaxing. 

It's not bad to play with a massage chair, or something. 

As she turned the corner of the corridor, she was approached by a familiar face. 

"Chairwoman !" 

It's Suzuki-kun, a handsome guy in the same class. 

Rose and Gabriella can also be seen by his side. 

It was the handsome man who finally got out of the bamboo screen by the two who remembered his presence. Through Tarosuke, the situation was explained to the employees of the inn and the staff on site. With his official identification card around his neck, he could walk freely around the inn. 

It was shortly after leaving the guest room where he had spent so much time. 

The Chairwoman cannot hide her surprise at the presence of a classmate she unexpectedly encountered. She wonders why he is here. Naturally, her gaze drifted past him to Rose and Gabriella, with whom she would have been working. 

"Um, why Suzuki-kun?........." 

"I think Suzuki-kun and Shimizu-san make a perfect couple, don't you?" 

" ... What do you mean ?" 

Rose, who was pushing Suzuki-kun here and there, was desperate to keep the ladies away from Nishino's surroundings as much as possible. She was in the middle of searching around the building for the Chairwoman when she received a request from him to talk to her. 

The three of them approached the Chairwoman at a quick pace. 

Suzuki-kun immediately spoke out of concern for her. 

"Chairwoman, are you, uh, are you okay?" 

"Why is Suzuki-kun here ?" 

For Shimizu, the very existence on the other side is questionable. 

In Tokyo, it would be a different story, but this is a ryokan in Atami. 

Moreover, since yesterday, the ryokan has been in a no trespassing mode, with no one but authorized personnel allowed inside. 

"I mean, are you okay?" 

"I'm, you know, I'm worried about the Chairwoman, I'm really worried..." 

" ...... "

I don't understand, just explain the situation. 

The Chairwoman gave Rose a questioning look. 

At this, she began to speak pleasantly. 

"You know those photos from the swimsuit competition that were circulating on the Internet? I was worried about you that I came all the way to Atami to see you."

" ...... "

After receiving the explanation, the Chairwoman understood the intent of Suzuki-kun's statement. 

It was something that he would have no reason to deny, even if he nodded his head. Even though he was not as handsome as Takeuchi, he was one of the best looking guys in Class 2A, and he had come a long way for her, a distance that was not even close to her. 

It is a situation that would make the average female student's heart pound. 

It would not be surprising if she fell in love with him because of this incident. 

However, for some reason, his words did not resonate with Shimizu today. 

On the contrary, she felt a bit uncomfortable. 

Understanding this fact, she even began to ask herself why. 

"Thanks. But I'm totally fine, don't worry about it." 

"Yeah, I heard about you from Rose and the others when I got here, too." 

" Is that so ? " 

"I'm so sorry for the misunderstanding and all the trouble I caused." 

"No, that's okay......." 

Suzuki-kun continues to apologize in front of the Chairwoman. 

However, the humiliation of being treated as a pervert and being rolled around for a long time in a bamboo mat without saying whether or not is not something that can be healed. Naturally, he turned to the root of all evil, the Futsumen. 

"But then again, Nishino should have explained it to me properly. If he had been firm, this would not have happened, and not only me, but everyone in the class would not have been worried."

He speaks loudly, expanding his subject matter from himself to the entire class. Since Nishino remains out of place in the classroom, it is easy to gain consent. At the very least, if the scene had been in Class 2A, there would have been an immediate exchange of opinions. 

In fact, the Chairwoman has repeatedly nodded her head to such conversations in the past. 

If anything, he has taken the lead in making fun of Futsumen. 

"Don't you think so, Chairwoman? Everyone in the class was worried about Chairwoman, too." 

However, only at this moment, she was unable to nod her head in agreement. 

Suzuki-kun, who was talking so vigorously, and Shimizu muttered to him in a whisper. 

"...... Can you stop saying bad things about Nishino-kun unilaterally?" 

"Eh ...? " 

"I don't know about before, but he didn't do anything wrong this time." 

Suzuki-kun's eyes darted to the floor when he heard the Chairwoman's complaint. 

Because he did not expect her to defend Nishino. 

Incidentally, Matsuura-san's existence was not taken into consideration at all. The conversation proceeds as if her existence was completely absent. From the perspective of Gabu-chan, who was watching from the sidelines, it was like, It's all so neat and tidy, isn't it? 

However, being able to read the air, she refrained from going into it. 

Instead, it was Rose who could not remain silent. 

"Shimizu-san, is it unusual for you to defend him?" 

Just get along with this man and go away. 

That's exactly the attitude she was trying to convey. 

"I'm not defending him. I'm just telling the truth." 

The Chairwoman understands what she has said and instantly begins to panic. 

Her face turns a little red and she is completely tsundere. 

This makes Rose feel uneasy. 

She must have found Nishino-kun attractive,  she thought to herself. 

As she was doing so, a familiar figure appeared in Gabriella's field of vision. 

It was Gokyou Nishino, the very person who is being talked about right now. 

"Sister, may I have a word?" 

"Not good, I'm talking to this girl right now..." 

"I can see him over there. It seems that the cosplay girl is with him." 

Gabu-chan pointed out and Rose's gaze shifted from the Chairwoman to somewhere else. 

Immediately after, her eyes widened with a quirk. 

" .... !" 

This is because the Futsumen she witnessed was being pulled by the arm of Alice Kurusugawa. Although they are not holding hands, the latter's hand is holding the cuff of the former's suit tightly. They are walking as if leading the former. 

Her expression seems to be exuberant. 

"Eh, why is Nishino-kun with Kurusugawa-san ...... " 

To this the Chairwoman responded. 

Although they were by no means acquainted with each other, she did not dare to be alone with him, at least she thought so. Moreover, there were many other idol candidates in the building. Photographing a man of her age would be a risky move for her. 

"Shimizu-san, I'm sorry, but you'll have to excuse me." 

"Oh, wait, I'll go with you." 

Rose walked ahead of her, not caring about the conversation with the Chairwoman. 

Gabriella soon followed. 

Shimizu could not leave her alone. 

"Hey, wait a minute !" 

" Ah, Chairwoman ..." 

Following Rose and Gabriella, even the Chairwoman chases after Nishino . 

This fact is nothing but karma for Suzuki-kun. 

However, not wanting to miss her at this moment, he decided to follow the Futsumen's back with them. Suzuki-kun has been frustrated and suspicious ever since his visit here, including the reactions of Rose and Gabriella. 

◇ ◆ ◇

Accompanied by Alice Kurusugawa, Nishino was invited to the large outdoor porch on the side of the lobby of the ryokan. 

It is a quiet space located in a secluded part of the inn. 

The idol candidates, who make up the majority of the guests, were busy appealing to the filming staff until the very end. They were chasing cameras around elsewhere, without their voices reaching the surrounding area, which was a little further away. 

In such a place, they were facing each other. 

"What's the deal with coming all the way to this place?" 

"Oh, you never stop talking like that, do you?"

"I'm sorry, but it's in my nature." 

"...... Whoa. I'm getting goosebumps!"

The Futsumen chose to remain silent in response to the frank and toothless remark. 

In contrast, Alice Kurusugawa threw words at him in rapid succession. 

"Nishino-san, are you and Taro-san good friends?" 

"Not really. We just have a little business relationship." 

"Have you known each other for quite a long time?" 

"It has been less than a year. We've known each other since the weather started getting cooler." 

"Is your work in the entertainment industry?"

"...... Well, something similar." 

Alice Kurusugawa is staring at Futsumen with her eyes upward, a distance that could easily be touched by reaching out her hand. Bending forward, she positions herself so that the collar of her shirt is exposed to her partner. If you lower your gaze a little, you can catch a glimpse of her cleavage. 

Nishino is trying her best to keep her eyes high in the air so that he does not have to look in that direction.  

" It's nice of you to respond honestly to what Alice says. " 

" You've helped the Chairwoman and Matsuura-san so much." 

"Hehe." 

The smile on Alice Kurusugawa's face never ceases to amaze me as I wonder what she is enjoying. 

Nishino, on the other hand, was unable to grasp the other party's intentions. 

And the same is true for those who are watching them from a distance. In the lobby facing the broad porch, there were people hiding behind the pillars and walls of the building, eavesdropping on the exchange between Nishino and Alice Kurusugawa. They were Rose and Gabriella, as well as the Chairwoman and Suzuki-kun. 

They were the ones who had been following the pair since they spotted them walking down the hallway. 

"I don't think there was any connection between the two of them." 

"Please be quiet. It's hard for me to hear them." 

"Hey, hey, it's not nice to sneak up on people!"

"Why don't you go back there by yourself? I don't need your company." 

"You are right. Also, you are very loud, so please be quiet." 

"Uh ... that's ..." 

They are whispering to each other and watching Nishino from afar. 

As for Suzuki-kun, this was another annoying scene. 

Even though it turned out to be a misunderstanding, the fact that he had rushed all the way there for the Chairwoman's pinch did not earn him any points, but on the other hand, the Futsumen were getting attention from a lot of the opposite sex. And without a single exception, they were all beautiful girls. 

From a handsome guy's point of view, it was an unbearable situation. 

Even so, the presence of the Chairwoman helped, and he spent the rest of the day quietly watching the situation. 

"Is that all you want to ask? I'm curious to see how the Chairwoman and the others are doing...... " 

"Nooop, I'm just getting to the point!" 

"Then you can tell me. I thought I should at least thank you for your help."

"Really ?"  

"Yes, it's true." 

"Then I'll tell you !" 

Futsumen, in a casual manner, urges Alice Kurusugawa to continue. 

She responded by straightening up her posture. 

She continued with a question in a slightly more reverential tone. 

"Nishino-san, will you go out with Alice?" 

She made her confession with an adorable smile on her face. 

She was making an invitation to the show, drawing on all the skills she had cultivated as a cosplayer. What angle and what expression would make her look the cutest to the other person? She had calculated everything before posing. She was a junior high school student, and she looked very pretty. 

But Futsumen does not even crack the slightest. 

"There is another woman I'm interested in. Sorry, I can't respond to you on this." 

"What? ...... Is that a quick answer? Such a cute girl confessed her feelings for you." 

"If I had been asked out a little earlier, perhaps I wouldn't say no." 

He is a virgin who feels comfortable and enriched by the presence of the Chairwoman. 

He never breaks down at the slightest hint of a flirtation.  

Only his love for the Chairwoman is increasing day by day. 

Alice Kurusugawa's arms were covered with goose bumps. But even so, she did not avert her gaze from the person in front of her. She just stared into his eyes and waited for his next words without saying anything. 

That was probably the reason. Nishino had no choice but to ask her. 

"By the way, why me ? " 

"You have connections to some of the biggest names in the industry, and you have the mental fortitude to stand up to anyone with a blade or crossbow in their hands without hesitation. Of course, your face is a bit of a mess, but that can be fixed with a little plastic surgery."

"...... I see." 

"I think you're out of luck if you are bald. But fortunately, I can see volume in the hair on your head. Nishino-san, do you know what an old guy with a hump is? Alice, think people's appearance is just like that. I think it's just a matter of fixing what's wrong with them, that's all."

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

What is given one way or the other is a gracious critique of Nishino. 

It is hard to decide whether it is a compliment or a demeaning, in Futsumen's view. If Marquis or Francisca were the other party, he would have immediately responded with a flippant remark. However, Nishino was at a loss to make a proper response because the person in front of him was a younger woman whom he had only just met. 

"Alice will never throw you away, so will you compromise with me and aim for the top ten with me? I know I get a lot of flack on the Internet, but I'm the type of person who will devote myself to you. Wouldn't you be attracted to a submissive younger girlfriend?" 

"A bold statement for someone who hasn't even made her debut yet. " 

"Alice Kurusugawa is an ambitious person." 

"I see. I don't mind that kind of strength." 

"Is it possible that Alice resembles someone you're interested in?" 

"Well, I wonder." 

Hearing Alice's confession, the viewers also changed. 

Among them, Rose was the one who showed the most remarkable reaction. 

"What is she talking about? I mean, what does it mean that Nishino-kun likes someone else, too? I don't think he ever said anything like that before." 

"You didn't know, sister?" 

"Wait a minute. How did you know?"

"I heard it myself, just as she did." 

"Wha... "

And this was no exception for the Chairwoman. 

She became surprised and looked back and forth between the two of them and Nishino. She had never shown any attachment to a particular person. At the cram school, she had been struggling to get a chance to talk to anyone she could find.

Perhaps that is why her mouth naturally leaked out a few words about the Futsumen. 

"Nishino-kun, you are always explaining things to the people around you in a way that is either inadequate or not proper, or you say or do things that make people misunderstand you in various ways, aren't you? I wonder if there's anyone you're really interested in right now."

When he hears what she said, Suzuki-kun has no choice but to rush in. 

Chairwoman, aren't you saying something different from before?. 

Shimizu, repulsed by the Futsumen, has just said something bad about him. 

However, Shimizu is unaware of it. 

"Hey, who's the person he likes? I wish I knew." 

"I'm afraid I haven't been able to confirm that much." 

" ...I see. " 

A shadow fell over Rose's expression as she overheard Gabriella's statement. 

Her two eyes caught Nishino with a glint in them. 

Rose's eyes were glistening as she looked at Nishino. The two of them had been taking a cooperative line recently and were relatively close. She was completely caught off guard by what she heard. 

She could not stay quiet. 

Her irritation naturally grew louder, and Rose's emotions surged. 

To those who knew her true nature, it was quite a frightening sight. 

"......." 

As the Chairwoman, she never expected to find herself in the middle of it.

She shuddered as she recalled a time in Nishino's past when she unexpectedly had to share a bed with Nishino on a trip, and how Rose had almost killed her. But her eyes still followed the figure of the Futsumen.

It was the season of withering winds, and the clear night was getting closer and closer. 

The harsh winter has passed ahead of them, and spring is about to arrive to Nishino.

◇ ◆ ◇

The idol auditions, which were held at a hot spring inn in Atami, ended without a hitch. On the final night, the participants were to withdraw from the ryokan, the venue of the event, as originally planned. Just as on the way out, they boarded a bus for the return trip home. 

Rose and Gabriella were also on the bus for the return trip. 

The Futsumen were now aware of their presence. So there was no need to hide anymore, and they boarded the bus together with Nishino and the others. Naturally, the idol candidates in the bus naturally took notice of them. However, they had no complaints about the self-appointed manager getting on the bus without their permission. Although the subject of whispering came up, no one raised their voices to his face. 

Fortunately, there was plenty of room. 

Finally, the two of them took advantage of the opportunity and settled down right next to the Futsumen. 

"If I had known this, I wish I had been seated in the back." 

"I'm across the aisle, within arm's reach, so I'm not complaining." 

"We'll switch seats at the next stop. Is that okay?" 

"I don't want to." 

"Then tomorrow, I won't be preparing your meals." 

"Sister, I think that's childish, even for you." 

"You who took the seat by force of violence, are you saying that?" 

The two seats are side by side, located on opposite sides of an aisle extending down the center of the bus. Due to the power relationship between Rose and Gabriella, the latter is seated on the aisle side near Nishino, and the former, who could not move out of this position, is seated by the window. 

However, even so, the girls' expressions were not good.

Because there was another woman in the spot closest to the person they were interested in. 

"You are so kind, Nishino-san, to give Alice a window seat!" 

"I think there is no such thing as kindness when it comes to a bus seat." 

"No, no, I'm just a little girl, and I'm the type of person who is easily moved by such a small act of kindness. You know, there have been many manga stories about this for a long time. You know, the kind of girl who falls in love with a delinquent who is kind to girl."

"If that's the case, you should look at reality a little more closely."

Alice Kurusugawa is sitting by the window and Nishino is by the aisle. 

Rose and Gabriella were one step behind. The bus has four rows of seats, and there are no auxiliary seats to be found, so there is no room to squeeze in. 

For Nishino, this was not a bad situation. Until last week, he would have enjoyed talking with the girl to the fullest. However, these days, Futsumen cannot be so happy about the current situation.

Because one seat in front of him sits someone he can't stop worrying about. 

Yes, the Chairwoman. 

Matsuura-san is by the window and Shimizu-san is by the aisle. 

He cannot make out with another woman in front of her. The Futsumen thought to himself. 

Nishino, who calls himself a manager, settled down in the seat behind her like a stalker, and Alice Kurusugawa followed him. 

At first, the Chairwoman was more or less thrilled by this fact, but since the bus started running, she has been thinking that Nishino-kun seems to be having more fun than when she is talking to her, which is a big deal. 

"How kind of the Chairwoman to give me the window seat!"

"Matsuura-san, that really irritates me from the bottom of my heart, so could you please stop it? " 

"What? Then, you want to switch places?"

"I wasn't talking about my seat!" 

On the other hand, Matsuura-san is enjoying the joys of spring in this world. 

Although she was not selected for the audition, she is in a better mood than ever because she has made friends with people in the industry. She is teasing the Chairwoman happily with a big smile on her face, as if she is receiving some kind of concrete offer. 

As a result, it is Suzuki-kun who has become outcast. 

" ...... " 

He was seated one seat in front of the Chairwoman. 

He was the one who was turned away by the driver when he tried to follow the others onto the bus, thinking that if Nishino could do it, then he could do it too. The reason he was still allowed to board the bus was due to the support of Tarosuke, who was also present at the scene. 

From Suzuki-kun's point of view, the situation was beyond frustrating. 

Suzuki's reaction was, Nishino, just because you have a few celebrity connections, you can do whatever you want. 

In fact, he was right, so Futsumen did whatever he wanted. 

The good-looking guys could not just sit back and watch. 

Suzuki-kun looked at the right moment, turned around from the aisle and called out to the Chairwoman. 

"Chairwoman, may I have a word? " 

"Uh, What is it?"

Shimizu's shoulders trembled as she was suddenly spoken to. 

Suzuki-kun, regardless of this, spoke in a loud voice to take control of the conversation. 

"I know this is a bit sudden, Chairwoman, but what are you going to do with the group for the school trip?" 

"Huh?"

"Didn't you form a group with those three for the free activities there?"

The topic of discussion was the upcoming school trip. 

It was the details of the grouping of the students who will be spending the day together. 

This has been a frequent topic of conversation in the classroom for some time. It was to be a mixed group of boys and girls, and the students were to decide as they pleased. Naturally, the Chairwoman was teamed up with a group of three female students who were close friends of hers, and Suzuki-kun was aware of this fact. 

"My former group, most likely cannot work this time." 

However, that premise has been made by the recent turmoil. 

As Suzuki-kun pointed out, the three girls who had made up the Chairwoman's friendship group had not shown up at school even once since the uproar over Risa-chan's coming out. At this rate, it seemed unlikely that they would be able to participate in the school trip. 

"If you don't mind, I could leave my current group." 

"Thanks, Suzuki-kun. But I'm going to be joining Lisa and the others, so..." 

"Oh, you've already decided? Of course you have. Sorry for asking such a weird question." 

For all intents and purposes, it was Suzuki-kun who thought to shorten the distance between them on the school trip. 

However, it was Shimizu who had already been gotten by Risa-chan, who was concerned about the Chairwoman's position. With a sense of guilt that she had caused trouble for her, she was approached by the welcoming party immediately after the commotion. 

The exchange between the two then spilled over to the other people in the bus. 

"I too am unhappy about the grouping of students on school trips. Why can't we cross classes? It's a trip and we are going to the same place, don't you think the student's independence should be respected?" 

" I don't know if I'm the right person to answer such a question." 

"Sister, I have an idea. How about organizing a trip apart from school events?" 

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but we've already done that. " 

"Oh, really?" 

"By the way, you were part of it, too... " 

"What do you mean? I have no idea what you are talking about." 

Rose responds nonchalantly to Gabu-chan.

The Chairwoman, stuck in a conversation with Suzuki-kun, speaks to Matsuura-san, who sits next to her. 

"I mean, is Matsuura-san going to be okay?" 

"I'm fine, I'm resting at the hotel where we're staying during the group activities." 

"I don't think I'd call that okay....... " 

"If that's the case, can you put me in a group with the Chairwoman?" 

"I don't think that's a good idea. I don't want to get Risa in trouble." 

"Wow, that's the worst thing anyone's ever said to me......." 

The students were starting to make a lot of noise about the upcoming school event. 

The idol candidates who boarded the same bus were all about the same age, and they began to talk about their own personal situations. The bus was filled with a cheerful atmosphere, just like a school trip. 

By the way, there was a man who was listening to the lively atmosphere without saying anything. 

" I love school trips! Nishino-san, where are you going?" 

" ......... " 

When asked by Alice Kurusugawa, his expression is not good. 

The school trip was just around the corner. 

Even so, Futsumen had not yet been able to join a group for the activities. 

As it is, he has no choice but to work with his homeroom teacher, and he is in the lowest caste of the 2A class.