Rebuilding Sakamichi in a chaotic worldline

"Let's not talk about that now. How's work? Is it tough? Is there anything I can help you with?"

After all, the next selection wouldn't be until at least the end of the year. Rito shook his head, not thinking much of it, and casually changed the subject.

"Fortunately, everyone has been very kind to me."

The president glanced at him, wanting to talk to him about some of the concerns he had noticed, but after thinking about it, he didn't say anything. After all, the other person had spent much more time with the members than he had, and he was sure that the other person had seen many things as well as he had seen them. He figured there was no need for him to say anything.

"That's good."

Rito nodded, looking at the girl's short hair, which was edged with gold by the streetlights. He recalled the first time he saw her at the airport; she was wearing a white shirt and cargo pants, dragging her suitcase and standing in the crowd, like a solitary white camellia in full bloom. In just one month, it felt as if they had known each other for a long time.

"You can't stay in Tokyo for much longer, can you? Before you go back to Fukuoka, let's go to Disneyland one more time," he said. "Last time was so embarrassing, at least let me redeem myself this time."

Yumiko chuckled, swinging her left hand in front of her chest as she said casually, "Don't try to be brave about something like this. It's not shameful for your semicircular canals to be impaired."

"I already told you it was because I stayed up all night last time. How could a mere Disneyland be a challenge for me? I've tried much more thrilling things before." Rito smiled and held up her little finger. "It's a deal. If you don't come with me, I won't let you go back to Fukuoka."

"Fine, I'll give you a chance then." The girl hooked her little finger tightly around his, her fingertip slightly cool, her smile as bright as the summer sun.

The two chatted for a few more minutes about the details of the second single's promotion, and before they knew it, it was completely dark. Rito touched the goosebumps on his arm from the night wind and gestured for Yumiko to hurry up.

The streets of Tokyo were brightly lit and bustling with traffic at night. After crossing several intersections, the two finally arrived at the hotel where the chairman was staying. Rito escorted her to the door and then waved goodbye.

-----------------

Three days later, Rito was in his office studying the arrangement of the second single on his computer when Yoshio Konno suddenly pushed open the door and walked in with an indescribable strange expression on his face.

"Kubo-san, there's something I need to report to you."

"What's up? Did you finalize the new CM deal?" Rito asked without looking up, her fingers still typing on the keyboard.

"Not yet, it's not about CM." Konno cleared his throat, subtly observing Rito's expression. "It's Nishino Nanase's mother, she just called the company."

Rihito paused in his actions: "Her mother? Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing major, just asking if our company has any clear regulations regarding idols' love lives." Konno touched his nose, looking a little embarrassed. "Although they didn't say it explicitly, I suspect there might be something going on with Nishino Nanase. However, I asked the teacher who's always with her, and they didn't find anything amiss. Kubo-san, didn't you go to see her last week? Did you notice anything?"

Upon hearing this, Rito's expression suddenly froze. He shook his head, both amused and exasperated, recalling the scene of the two of them standing in the rain chatting under a small umbrella in front of Nana Sai's house that rainy night. He figured that was probably when her mother saw them.

Just as Nana Sai said, her mother spoiled her a bit too much. She stayed up late at night, playing surveillance games on the windowsill.

"I understand." Rito pouted, trying to look serious. "Tell Nishino's mother that the company doesn't have a dating ban in principle, but due to the special nature of the idol profession, the members will have to bear the consequences themselves. Just tell her that."

"Okay, I understand." Konno nodded, turned around to leave, but couldn't help turning back at the door, lowering his voice to add, "Kubo-san, there are some things you could have told me beforehand, so I would be aware of them."

Rito: "...Get lost!"

After chasing away the old thief who couldn't help but laugh out loud, Rito shook his head speechlessly and dialed Nana Sai's number.

As soon as the call connected, the girl's cheerful voice came through: "Don't blame me, how could Nana say such a thing? You should go and explain to my mom."

"You!" Rito leaned back on the sofa, rolling her eyes several times. "Did your mom recognize me?"

"No, otherwise she would have already stormed into Tokyo by now. Don't worry, I won't give anything away. Just think about how to deal with my mom."

Nana covered her mouth and chuckled.

"Okay, just say you're classmates who have feelings for each other. That night you went to cut ties with him and focus on your idol. I'll have someone help you with that."

Rito knew her mother hadn't seen who it was, so she didn't take it to heart and made up a reason to cover it up. Then, she couldn't help but scold her:

"Can't you handle this yourself? How could you let your mother call the company? It was such a small matter, but you've made such a big fuss about it. It's such a bad influence."

"What, someone found out?"

Although Nana Sai is a bit mischievous, at this age she knows the importance and urgency of things. Hearing him say this, she immediately asked nervously.

"Have you forgotten that your teacher was sent by the company? She knows perfectly well who you've been in contact with during this time."

He muttered something irritatingly, but Rito didn't really mean to frighten her, and continued:

"Don't worry, only Konno-san might have guessed a little. He's not the kind of person who would talk nonsense. But Nishino Nanase, you better watch your step from now on. If there's a next time, you can forget about being my idol and just go study in France."

"Hey hey~" Nana stuck out her tongue. "I know, it's because Mom knows me too well this time. She'll definitely see through my lies. I'll be more careful in the future."

"Okay, I'm hanging up now. Practice hard, I'll be waiting for you to come back."

July arrived in the blink of an eye, and Tokyo's summer was enveloped by the incessant chirping of cicadas and scorching heat. The results of Nogizaka46's second single selection were officially announced on a sweltering afternoon.

The usually bustling studio was now deathly silent. The air conditioning blew cold air, but it couldn't dispel the tension in the air. The eighteen first-generation members sat in their seats, looking at the seating chart displayed on the small TV. The only thing they could be thankful for was that the management had told them that all singles would be auditions for all members until the second-generation members arrived. However, no one knew when the second-generation members would arrive.

"Number 13, Inoue Sayuri."

Starting from the 18th, Shitara announced the candidates one by one. As the dust settled on the 13th, a girl in the crowd who looked remarkably like a Hong Kong star looked up in astonishment, her eyes full of surprise and confusion.

"How could it be me?"

Lily's eyes widened, and the words she blurted out caused the surrounding members to frown and look at her with complicated expressions.

Lily is one of the few women I feel haven't been written about by ugly characters; she's truly beautiful.