"I didn't expect it either."
Kaoru looked completely convinced. "I thought Kaho was already in her first year of high school. I didn't expect she was held back in middle school."
"Held back? Ichinose Honami recalled her previous experience of taking a leave of absence from school, her expression turning somewhat unusual.
"I'm a bit worried about whether Kaho might get exposed."
Kaoru glanced toward the group of chatting girls, "After all, she's a minor idol, someone might recognize her."
"It's fine, I'll keep an eye on her."
Speaking of this, Ichinose Honami grew curious, "Is it really okay for her to enroll here?"
Koudo Ikusei is a fully enclosed school, Komiya Kaho would definitely have to suspend her idol activities, which seemed like a losing proposition.
Kaoru remained silent for a long time, his gaze extremely complicated.
He knew, and of course they knew too.
But compared to suspending their activities, they wanted to tell Kaoru more.
As long as the producer didn't return, they would rather suspend them for a lifetime.
...
"The producer looks so young now!"
On their way downstairs, Komiya Kaho gave Kaoru an embarrassed smile.
"You should call me brother or senpai now."
"I want to call you onii-chan!"
Komiya Kaho giggled, "It's unbelievable that I'm actually at onii-chan's school, and as your junior!"
Kaoru touched his face and asked, "Aren't you scared seeing me like this, Kaho?"
"You're even more handsome!"
Komiya Kaho's eyes sparkled, "Before you were a reliable uncle, now you're a reliable brother!"
Kaoru felt her compliment skills had improved significantly. Every time he saw her starry-eyed, worshipful gaze, he couldn't help but feel inflated.
"By the way, before taking you back to the dorm, let me take you shopping."
Anyway, Komiya Kaho was now his sister, so Ichinose Honami had asked him to escort Kaho back to the first-year dormitory.
Kaoru thought that since Kaho had just arrived, she probably didn't have daily necessities, so he decided to take her out shopping.
"Great!"
Komiya Kaho happily wrapped her arms around Kaoru's, her full chest rubbing against him.
Kaoru tried his best to ignore the sensation she created as he led her toward the convenience store.
It was afternoon, and they could see many freshmen shopping.
Some were examining the free daily necessities provided by the convenience store, reminding Kaoru of his own experience back then.
Komiya Kaho didn't overthink it.
Wanting to appear mature in front of Kaoru, she claimed she could handle the shopping alone.
Watching her carry the shopping basket, Kaoru wondered if he should buy a few belts for her.
"You're the Student Council president, right?"
Someone suddenly greeted him.
Kaoru turned to see a girl standing before him with a lollipop in her mouth.
Though she appeared expressionless, her eyes carried a hint of scrutiny.
Ichika Amasawa nodded, her face impassive as she said, "I heard you seized a senpai's position and just took office."
"Freshman?"
Kaoru looked at the shopping basket in her hand, apparently she was also buying daily necessities.
It was only the first day of the new semester, so it was somewhat surprising that she had managed to gather information about Kaoru Mitoma so quickly.
Although rumors about Kaoru were already flying everywhere.
However, Kaoru merely thought for a moment before politely declining, "I don't usually give autographs."
His words left Ichika Amasawa stunned, as if she had choked on her lollipop.
Her previously expressionless face now showed a trace of disdain.
While it wasn't as intense as Horikita Suzune's gaze that made one feel like trash, this kind of expressionless contempt had its own unique flavor.
"I just wanted to ask you, senpai," Ichika Amasawa said, "In your grade, is there anyone who left a strong impression on you?"
It was strange for a freshman to suddenly ask such a question.
"Yes, there's a male student," Kaoru frowned, "Although I haven't seen him in action, my intuition tells me he's very strong."
Ichika Amasawa's eyes flickered with interest.
If she could cooperate with this man who called himself the Apex, perhaps she could make someone experience the taste of defeat.
"May I ask for his name?"
"Of course, but he's always immersed in women's embrace. I doubt he'd have any intention to take action."
"Women?" Ichika Amasawa suppressed her emotions.
Was he really enjoying his life like an ordinary high school student?
Impossible.
She wanted to make him experience firsthand the pain that should have been inflicted upon him.
"Yeah, Koenji-kun often lives off women," Kaoru said matter-of-factly.
Before him, Ichika Amasawa seemed to freeze as a question mark practically appearing above her head.
"Koenji?"
"That's right, he's in the same grade as me. They say he's the heir to the Koenji conglomerate. How enviable."
"..."
Ichika Amasawa finally realized - this guy was toying with her!
She wanted to say something, but she couldn't refute him.
After all, she was the one who had approached Kaoru, so she couldn't show any dissatisfaction.
"Thank you... for answering me, senpai." Ichika Amasawa said through slightly gritted teeth, feeling like her lollipop had lost its sweetness.
Kaoru Mitoma smiled faintly, "You're welcome, but why did you ask about this?"
The initiative in the conversation had returned to him, but Ichika Amasawa seemed to have expected this.
So she said lazily, "Because senpai is very impressive, so I'm somewhat interested in you. Is that strange?"
As she spoke, she played with her lollipop, the color of her tongue flashing briefly, reminding Kaoru of Sakayanagi Arisu's service.
"Who are you talking to, onii-chan?"
Komiya Kaho suddenly appeared, hugging Kaoru Mitoma while staring at Ichika Amasawa.
"It seems I'm interrupting," Ichika Amasawa said, sucking on her lollipop as she walked away on her own.
Komiya Kaho was very wary.
She had only left for a short while, and already another woman had approached him.
"Onii-chan, do you know her?"
"No, I don't."
Kaoru's expression remained blank.
Until she left, Ichika Amasawa hadn't even introduced herself.
Freshmen these days were really arrogant.
Komiya Kaho breathed a sigh of relief.
'It seemed to be just a stranger.'
"Did you buy everything you needed?"
"Yes, I'm done!"
"Let me help you carry them back."
When it came time to settle the bill, Kaoru naturally paid and then helped carry her things, escorting her back to the first-year dormitory.
Considering Komiya Kaho lived in the girls' dormitory, Kaoru didn't venture upstairs recklessly, only accompanying her to the elevator downstairs.
"See you tomorrow, Onii-chan!"
Komiya Kaho seemed somewhat reluctant to part, yet she still waved goodbye to Kaoru with a smile.
Even after Kaoru had left, the young girl remained standing in place, murmuring softly.
"One, two, three, four... Producer-san has gotten involved with too many girls this time, doesn't he worry at all?"
Komiya Kaho was no longer a child, she clearly understood that her producer had fallen back into his old bad habits.
Although he was an incredible hero, he was too much of a womanizer.
Everyone felt the producer was too greedy—having one would have been enough, yet he insisted on so many, resulting in strained relationships among everyone.
That's how it was, yet the scene from earlier gave Komiya Kaho a strong sense of dissonance.
But—
"Producer-san has a girlfriend now... I wonder if Juri-chan and Rinse will be surprised... and Amaha-nee, she must be really upset..."
A feeling of emptiness slowly wrapped around Komiya Kaho's heart.
Each whispered word caused a faint twinge of pain in her lower abdomen.
The producer's departure filled her with an indescribable fear.
It was as if she was seeing that black-and-white funeral all over again, her heart aching so sharply in that moment it felt like dying.
"Don't be like this... Producer-san has returned... I should be happier..."
Komiya Kaho felt her eyes grow warm, and she touched her cheeks.
"Arere, arere... I'm crying again... I mustn't cry... Producer-san has come back... I need to cheer up... If I keep crying... I'll leave a bad impression on Producer-san... I can't let Producer-san dislike me..."
She sniffled, wiping away her tears herself.
As if trying to recall what kind of smile she used to wear, she clumsily yet earnestly forced a bright smile back onto her face. She knew the producer loved her smile the most.
There was no helping it—she was already one of the quickest at the agency to recover.
Everyone else had developed severe PTSD from the producer's absence.
Her age, her personality, her energy and optimism were precisely why everyone at the agency had chosen her.