Very few people walk around in the community at noon on weekdays. Office workers have not returned home yet at this time, and the entire residential area is relatively quiet. In such an atmosphere, the notification sound made by the elevator when it reaches its destination is a little abrupt.
I take a deep breath and step out of the elevator, then I stop outside Kana Fujita's door and start to check the things I'm carrying carefully. I even make sure I check all the hidden pockets of the backpack too.
[player]There are no chips, no sweets, and no bottled drinks... Phew... It should be okay.
I have a shriveled backpack, am making a serious expression, and am saying strange things... The weird behavior I am exhibiting today is all related to why I have come to visit Kana today, and everything started one week ago.
Circadas take turns chirping on the side of the road, singing about the hot summer with their lives and making particularly noisy sounds in the bustling city.
The usually bustling commercial strip gradually becomes empty as the temperature rises. Passers-by hurry past on the street, and when the occasional customer appears, they rush into stores with air-conditioning quickly to choose what to buy.
This situation makes the long queue at the milk tea shop at the corner particularly special as people are choosing to endure the hot sun over their heads just to try out this signature cold drink that has become an Internet sensation.
It's the nature of human beings to want to join in the fun, so after mulling over it a few times in my head, I lose to my curiosity and end up joining the end of the queue.
[???]PLAYER, is that you?
Soon after I join the queue, I hear a familiar voice behind me. I turn around and see a girl wearing sunglasses and a curvy mustache with a huge sun umbrella in her hands.
Her iconic pink hair makes it really easy for me to get her identity, while her strange outfit leaves me dumbfounded.
[player]Kana, your outfit... Hahaha, did you get on the bad side of your stylist?
Kana Fujita
[Kana Fujita]Shush! Be quiet! That's not it. My stylist loves me.
[player]Then what are you doing now?
[Kana Fujita]Ahem, as a popular idol, isn't it very normal for me to put on some disguises when I go out? By the way, it looks like we'll need to wait at least 20 minutes before it's our turn to order. Are you sure you don't want to join me under the umbrella?
Kana takes off her sunglasses and winks at me. This scene would be so beautiful if I can ignore the look she is currently sporting.
I can see that Kana is trying her best to change the subject. It probably isn't very enjoyable for an idol to appear in public wearing this outfit.
I move next to Kana like she wants, and the shadow cast by the umbrella swallows both our shadows. A faint sweet fragrance unique to young girls wafts over.
[player]Kana, aren't you usually attending a dance class at your company at this time? I remember you even sent me a message a few days ago, complaining that you wouldn't be free in the afternoon for a while.
[Kana Fujita]First of all, I didn't skip class. Due to certain irresistible circumstances, my manager changed the location of the dance class to some place around this milk tea shop. I've just come out to buy a cup of milk tea during the break.
[player]Certain... irresistible circumstances?
[Kana Fujita]Ahem, it's still confidential right now. But since you're not just anyone, I'll tell you something in advance. In One Han City, I'll soon be... Oh no! I've been discovered!
As if she has seen something terrifying, the girl who was just talking eloquently just now steps back in panic and tries to hide herself completely.
I turn around and see a woman who looks to be around 30 years old. She storms over towards us with her eyes glued tight to Kana.
The woman looks familiar, but I can't quite place her at this time. In consideration of the unique nature of Kana's profession and the threatening comments made by anti-fans on the Internet, I instinctively take a step forward and shield Kana from her because I'm worried that she might do something drastic.
[player]You...
[???]Follow me!
[player]...?
Completely dumbfounded, I freeze in place. Behind me, Kana makes a move before I do. With her head lowered dejectedly, she follows the woman silently to an uncrowded path.
When she walks past me, Kana looks at me with a sad expression while the woman isn't looking.
Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Why is Kana acting like an elementary school student who got caught not doing her homework?
It's just... this is not a good time to ask. Because I'm worried about her, I follow them after a brief moment of hesitation.
The woman looks around her to make sure no one else is around her, then she taps Kana's forehead with her index finger.
[???]KANA FUJITA! How dare you go to buy milk tea!!!
[Kana Fujita]Um... Would you believe me if I said I only walked over there to chat with a friend I happened to see over there?
[???]Haha!
[Kana Fujita]It... looks like you don't believe that.
The thrilling scene I imagined didn't take place. Based on their interaction it is obvious that they know each other and are even very familiar with each other.
With a flash of inspiration, I finally remember the identity of this woman.
[player]You're the star-maker of the entertainment company under Samu Corporation, the manager of W.I.N!
[Kana Fujita]Bingo, that's right. Let me introduce you. Manager, this is PLAYER, who is my friend and fan.
[Manager]So you're PLAYER. It's nice to finally meet you.
[player]You know about me?
[Manager]Of course. Kana talks about you a lot. I can feel that she is very happy when she's with you. I've heard that you're quite good at mahjong, so maybe we can play together if we get the chance.
[player]Haha, no problem. I mistook you for Kana's anti-fan and was about to run away with her.
[Manager]I didn't want to act so fierce either, but I had no choice because a certain idol is always sneaking out to drink milk tea when she's supposed to be controlling her weight.
[player]Controlling her weight?
[Manager]Yes, W.I.N will be performing in a concert at One Han City in three months, so our whole company has started preparing for it.
[Manager]Kana's constitution makes it easy for her to gain weight, so she needs to control her weight before the concert to show her fans her best self. During this time, all milk tea, snacks, and other similar foods are banned.
[Kana Fujita]Ah! I was thinking of giving PLAYER a surprise! How can you just say it like that...
The manager spreads her arms and ignores Kana's protest.
[player]No news about this has been released yet. Am I the first fan to hear about this surprise?!
[Manager]We'll only announce it officially after all the preparations for the concert are complete, so please keep it a secret for now.
[player]No problem! I need to start training to increase my finger speed so that I can get a ticket to the concert.
[Manager]Haha, if only Kana is as serious as you about controlling her weight. We hired a fitness expert to design a series of weight loss plans for her, but she slacks off whenever I take my eyes off her.
[Manager]I need to go with the other members of the group to a commercial performance in a neighboring city next week, so I've been worried about who I can find to watch over Kana.
[Kana Fujita]Ahem, I have an immature suggestion to make!
[Manager]Oh? What is it?
[Kana Fujita]The person you're looking for is right in front of you! You can get PLAYER to watch over me.
[player]Huh... Me?
[Kana Fujita]That's right! You're my friend, so you can watch over me at my place. This way, we can ensure the confidentiality of this matter and the smooth progress of the weight loss plans. You're the best candidate for this!
I'm taken aback after being thrust under the spotlight. On the other hand, the manager rubs her chin while lost in thought, as if she is considering whether this is possible.
[Manager]It sounds like a good idea. PLAYER, will you help us out?
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