After Hoshino Ai left, Chihaya Tetsuya walked Takamatsu Tomori to the train station.
Just before entering the station, Tomori hesitated for a moment, then suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Chihaya-san."
"Hm?"
"This May live... you have to be there in person."
Tomori said with great seriousness.
"And you'd better not stand in the back like you did at [RiNG]. If possible, please choose the most conspicuous spot, a place where Hoshino-san can find you in an instant!"
"Huh..."
Hearing this request, Tetsuya looked utterly bewildered.
"Putting aside whether I can even get a ticket for a spot like that... why do I have to choose that specific kind of location?"
"Well..."
A brief hesitation flashed across Tomori's face before she said, in an uncertain tone:
"Because this live, for Hoshino-san... will likely be... a metamorphosis. And for her to complete this process smoothly, your presence is essential."
"..."
Although the description was a bit abstract, Tetsuya surprisingly understood what Tomori was trying to say.
"In your opinion, she's already starting to change her mind?"
"Yes."
Tomori nodded.
"I don't know what happened, but the feeling I get from Hoshino-san now... is completely different from how she was at [RiNG]."
She recalled the first time she saw Ai that day as she described her.
"Back then, she was incredibly tense, and she seemed to be full of intense hostility towards everyone. But now... both her aggressiveness and her dangerousness have weakened a lot."
"..."
For Tetsuya, who had only ever felt intense love from Ai, he couldn't quite understand what Tomori meant by "aggressiveness," but he was well aware of the fact that she was different from before.
Like today, for example. He had lifted her off his lap with almost no effort. If it had been the Ai from that other day, she would have definitely continued to resist, binding herself firmly to him.
And... although she still did things like press her lips against his neck, that was as far as it went.
She didn't take it any further, nor did she continue to coerce him.
Perhaps her attitude was still intimate, but the desperate madness of that night was certainly gone.
If that was the case, then for the May live... perhaps he really could look forward to her possibly making a different choice—
"B-But, you still can't let your guard down!"
Seeing that Tetsuya's expression seemed to have relaxed a little, Tomori quickly added:
"Her thinking may have changed, but if she finds an opportunity where she can still 'eat' you, Chihaya-san, she will definitely act without hesitation!"
Or rather, even if she had decided to give up on the idea of eloping, her desire to "eat" Chihaya Tetsuya would probably never change, no matter how much time passed.
"It's alright. Regarding that... I have no intention of letting my guard down."
Tetsuya's response was very reassuring.
Although he certainly lacked a lot of modern common sense, and although his own masculine desires were gradually awakening, he was very clear about major issues concerning the future.
Until he was capable of taking responsibility for himself, for Ai... and for the future of everyone around him, he would absolutely not do anything so reckless.
...
Then again, if they were to take protective measures, and it was merely out of affection and love... could he really refuse Ai as righteously as he was doing now?
Once Ai truly completed the metamorphosis he hoped for, becoming more mature and more greedy, understanding how to launch her offensive without crossing his bottom line, would he still be able to resist her then?
At this thought, Tetsuya felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead.
Just a moment ago, for instance. Although he had controlled his tone and expression perfectly, the instant Ai sat on his lap, he had immediately leaned forward, trying to hide a certain unavoidable physiological reaction.
It seemed that no matter the outcome of the live in May, it wouldn't be an abrupt end, but rather the beginning of something new and even more dangerous.
"Hah..."
Under Tomori's somewhat puzzled gaze, Tetsuya let out a deep sigh.
...
"...Looks like the matter with the lyrics over there has been resolved."
Having received a message from Tomori, Sakiko put down her phone.
"All that's left is the costume and our song."
"It's fine, we're almost done on our end too."
Uika, her bangs tied up, said with a weary look.
"Hah... after we finish this song, I'm definitely taking a few days off. I've seriously never felt this tired writing a song before..."
"Me neither."
Although she didn't look as haggard as Uika, a hint of weariness could be seen on Sakiko's face.
"But, to achieve the effect I envision for that live, we must ensure the song is perfectly complete."
A catchy melody, a rich arrangement, a high concentration of information, and a rhythm that even a layman could get lost in.
Sakiko's goal was just that: an ambitious work that perfectly suited the current climate and was powerful enough to top the music charts.
"Honestly... Saki. I really think you should reconsider the music side of things."
Uika said.
"I know Mr. Tetsuya is important to you, and you've decided to support him by his side, but... to give up your musical talent for that would be too much of a waste... Oh, right!"
At this, something suddenly occurred to her.
"Come to think of it, a lot of musicians have other jobs besides their bands. Once your work as a designer is on track, you could totally form another band!"
"...Let's talk about such unrealistic fantasies later."
Sakiko shook her head.
"Right now, I'm still lacking in many ways, both as a designer and as a musician. Rather than fantasizing about the future, I prefer to focus on finishing the task at hand."
"That's true..."
Uika nodded, then sat up straight again and looked at the last, unfinished part.
"We've rested enough. Let's get back to it."
"Mhm."
Burying the seed that had yet to sprout deep within her again, Sakiko continued her work on the arrangement.