On a truly rare day, the Tea Party found itself busy preparing to welcome a guest. This was only the second time it had happened in the nearly nine months since I became Host.
While everyone else was bustling about, Nagisa and I quietly shared tea on the Tea Party's terrace, waiting for our guest to arrive. We had already received word that a Tea Party executive was escorting her from Trinity's airport.
"When she arrives, let her in without delay. We're already acquainted, so there's no need for excessive formalities."
"Understood, Mika-nim."
The first guest, of course, had been Hina. We didn't visit each other's academies all that often, but we still made sure to spend at least one day a week together. During one of those times, I had invited her to the Tea Party, but Nagisa had been away.
And the second time was today. After coordinating our schedules last week, we had arranged for Rio from Millennium to visit in person.
It's not that I disliked getting around; in fact, I quite enjoyed it... but I was starting to think it was a bit strange for me to be the one doing all the traveling.
Truthfully, I should have met with Rio a long time ago, but things kept getting pushed back. Fortunately, the aftermath of the incident at Millennium back then was handled well, and we had managed to lay the groundwork for our business venture via fax a while ago.
"...To be frank, I find that woman unsettling."
"Hm? In what way?"
"Well... I'm not exactly sure why. It's just the feeling I got when I met her at the time..."
"Hmph. Nagi-chan, don't you think groundless aversion is a bit much?"
"Aversion? It's not to that extent. Truly."
Come to think of it, I seemed to recall Nagisa showing a certain reluctance toward other academies' student council presidents in the main story. By now, Makoto was probably on that list too.
As I leisurely sipped my tea and slowly looked over some documents, Nagisa began to play chess by herself at my side. It wasn't that I didn't want to play with her, but with Rio due to arrive at any moment, it didn't feel right to get involved in a game of chess.
It took less than a few minutes for the sound of clicking heels to prove my decision right.
*Click. Clack.*
"...It's been a while, Tea Party Host. And President Kirifuji."
The real-life Rio, whom I had only seen through a hologram during my visit to Millennium, looked even more mature than I remembered.
Her Paradise Pocket... was surprisingly even more magnificent than I recalled. I didn't know it could get any grander.
"Hello, Rio-chan. I'm so happy you could come in person today☆"
I rose from my seat, walked over to Rio, and extended my hand. Rio stared down at it for a moment, but thankfully, she nodded and accepted the handshake.
"Seeing you in person really makes me envious. Phew."
"...Hm. What do you mean by that all of a sudden?"
"Ahaha, your height. Your height."
"Tea Party Host, aren't you above average yourself? I don't understand why you concern yourself with such a trivial matter."
"Whoa... Is this the余裕 of the haves?" (TN: 余裕 (yoyuu) is a Japanese word used in Korean, meaning 'composure' or 'leeway'. Mika is commenting on Rio's relaxed attitude because she's tall.)
She rarely has to look up at anyone, so why would she care? She can talk all she wants about pursuing rationality, but I bet her tune would change if you took about 20 centimeters off her height.
"Here, come and sit! We have a lot to talk about, don't we?"
"...Yes. Alright."
I naturally led Rio to the tea table and pulled out a chair for her. It was just good manners, so it should be narrowly acceptable to Nagisa...
Hm?
"Hey, Nagi-chan?"
"Y-Yes?"
"...Ahaha, it's nothing."
I had seen it. I saw Nagisa's gaze drift toward Rio's paradise and her hand unconsciously rise.
Nagisa, that's like cheating. It's one of those unavoidable things that will only hurt you if you dwell on it. Limited to her appearance, Rio is beyond perfect, an alpha female incarnate.
Come to think of it, while Kisaki's inner self was more mature than her appearance, Rio's was surprisingly more delicate than she let on. Maybe if we transplanted Kisaki's mind into Rio, we'd get a perfect match...?
"Prepared for the second monumental guest of this Tea Party are... Assam tea brewed with Golden Tips, and from Mille-feuille, one of Trinity's top dessert shops, fresh cream scones and tiramisu! Oh, and I can make you milk tea if you'd prefer."
"...No, this is fine. I express my gratitude, Tea Party Host."
"Hmph. It must be a mouthful to call me 'Tea Party Host' every time. Just call me Mika, it's easier. Yes. That's more comfortable for you too, right, Rio-chan?"
Rio nodded at my words, then turned her gaze to Nagisa. Immediately understanding the meaning behind the look, Nagisa shook her head.
"I think it would be best if you continue to address me as you have been, President Tsukatsuki."
"Understood, President Kirifuji."
By the way, I'm glad I told them to get rid of that damn tea table that used to be here. A table needs to be of a reasonable length; sitting at that long thing while receiving guests would have looked ridiculous.
"Well then... before we get to the main topic, shall we talk about what happened two months ago?"
"Hmph. The Veritas matter?"
"...Yes. I imagine Himari didn't leave out her badmouthing of me. I heard you were able to replace some of Veritas's equipment thanks to that request. I express my gratitude for that."
"...Hm? Gratitude?"
Rio, who wouldn't even give Veritas a budget, was expressing gratitude for that? Not finding fault with me for associating with Himari?
"As you're already aware from borrowing their power yourself, they are among the most competent in Millennium. As the student council president of Millennium, the replacement of Veritas's equipment with the latest models is a welcome development."
"Somehow, it doesn't sound like that's the end of it...?"
"You're right. While it is a welcome development, I am not pleased that power has been given to the uncontrollable Veritas, especially Himari. However, I have no intention of taking that out on you, so you can rest assured."
"...Because that would be rational?"
"Correct."
Hmm. The moment the topic of Veritas came up, I was busy running through pre-planned scenarios on how to respond. For her to just let it go so easily felt anticlimactic.
"Then I guess it's time for the real main topic."
"Mm."
The members from Millennium involved in this project are Noa, Asuna, and Neru. Asuna has been very positive from the moment this was planned, and Noa is fine with it as long as Haruna and I are included. Only Neru is apparently still against it.
"The goal is an idol group that is perfect in every aspect. With me and Hina-chan included, we're guaranteed to draw attention, and the other girls each have their own outstanding charms. As long as we perfect their skills, we can easily dominate the current pathetic idol scene. Um, what was the projected profit Yuuka-chan calculated before?"
"Mika, based on the data you sent... the theoretical maximum revenue for one year is equivalent to Millennium's entire annual budget."
"...?"
"Pardon?"
No, what on earth is that supposed to mean?
There's no way Yuuka would have done the calculations carelessly.
"Isn't that a huge exaggeration?"
"That's the maximum, nothing more. Realistically, it would be best to expect about half of that."
"That's still an absurd amount... Um, well. Considering my and Hina's stakes, it seems like more than enough compensation, almost excessive, even."
"Half of the annual budget of an academy the size of Millennium... Just how successful would that idol venture have to be to achieve such a figure?"
"That includes everything that can be profitable: music sales, concerts, merchandise, and so on. Even after accounting for the dividends paid to the three members other than Mika and the two from Gehenna, it's a figure that vastly exceeds initial expectations. Even if it achieves less than half of that success, it is sufficient as compensation for what happened back then. So I'll admit it. Your proposal, Mika, has its insane aspects, but it was certainly rational."
"Ahaha, then all that's left is—"
"However, one problem remains. And it's a part that's directly related to you."
"...Ah."
You'd have to be an idiot not to know what problem Rio was about to point out. She was referring to my relationship with Hina.
Wow, this idol has a scandal before she even debuts. *And people like that are trying to become idols.*
But why does it have to be me?
"That part is certainly problematic. Yes, I'll admit that."
There are few things as heavily impacted by scandals as being an idol. That's because, fundamentally, an idol's position includes serving as a sort of pseudo-lover for their fans.
And in the midst of that, for the relationship between two of the members to be an established fact before their debut... considering the general attitude here in Kivotos, this would be on the level of a co-ed group debuting with a male and female member openly in a romantic relationship.
The very concept of a co-ed group was shelved due to dating problems, so to form one while embracing that very issue is just absurd. Normally, this project should have been scrapped the moment this problem arose.
But it's only *similar* to a co-ed group, not an actual one, so I believe it won't be that difficult to overcome as long as we manage the direction of our activities well.
"Isn't that an overly optimistic way of thinking? If the project falls through because of your personal life, it will ultimately be a matter for Gehenna and Trinity to compensate for."
Upon hearing my thoughts, Rio immediately reacted negatively. Which was, to be fair, a natural reaction.
"Well, the incident back then wasn't my fault to begin with, so I guess it doesn't really matter, does it? Thanks to the summer festival's massive success... we could just drop the business venture and pay back the compensation."
"..."
I could see Rio deliberating, weighing the compensation Gehenna and Trinity had deferred against the return from a successful idol project. Now that a return value vastly exceeding her initial expectations had been presented, there was no way she would reach for the smaller pie.
"So in that sense, let's at least give it a try, Rio-chan. If it fails, we'll of course pay the compensation Millennium was supposed to receive."
"...Yes, that is a proposal with no downside for us. There are concerns, but no reason to refuse."
"It's fine, it's fine! I'll prove it with results☆"
I wasn't just saying that.
With this face, if I smile and sing a single verse, everyone will fall head over heels for me anyway. What's a little personal life scandal? It's not for nothing that even the Sisterhood has its eye on me.
Therefore...
The calm before the storm. The results will prove I was right.
***