93: Members

Ibara: By the way. Anticipating that His Eminence Eichi would make such a selection, I chose as my adjunct someone who will support me as calmly and dispassionately as possible.

As well as one who should not provoke any of the other agencies. Though it seems they’re running a bit late.

Yuzuru: Hm. So the representative of CosPro is Ibara, and the adjunct is still unknown.

For NewDi, the representative is the young master Suou, and his adjunct is Aoba-sama. This, at least, has become quite the customary lineup.

Tsukasa: Yes. Though I believe it would be more appropriate for Aoba-senpai to be the representative, in terms of both rank and seniority.

Tsumugi: No, I’ve had enough of taking the lead, thank you. I tend to be a pushover, so people look down on me. Being an assistant or working behind the scenes suits me much better.

It’s the same for Rei-kun too, don’t you think, Keito-kun?

Keito: Yeah. That guy stubbornly refuses to be the representative, so I’ve ended up taking the position instead.

The veteran who had been serving as representative until now just retired, so I guess that makes this good timing.

Yuzuru: Hm. So Keito-sama is the representative for RhythLink, with Sakuma-sama as his adjunct...

Sakuma-sama hasn’t arrived yet, has he? Everyone present has such strong personalities already that I’m not sure I could stomach more.

Keito: Hmph. Sakuma’s a night owl; he’s not likely to get up this early in the morning.

He really hates this sort of political endeavor; he always arrives late to the Summits, and even when he attends out of obligation, he never speaks...

At worst, he may not arrive until we’ve already finished.

Eichi: Fufu. It’s a big help to us, though: without Sakuma-kun taking action, we are able to move the story along much more easily.

I’d be happy if he neglected to show up on time today, as well.

Hinata: What a shame!

Yuuta: Unfortunately, we woke Sakuma-senpai up ♪

Rei: ...I get the impression that I’m not welcome here. Should I leave, then?

Tsumugi: Huh? Rei-kun I understand, but why is 2wink here?

Ibara: Ah, I chose 2wink to serve as CosPro’s adjunct today.

There is only supposed to be one adjunct, but seeing as they are “two in one,” I’ll ask for your understanding.

Tsukasa: Oh, I remember: 2wink is part of CosPro, are they not? I’m glad to no longer be the only junior present.

Eichi: Fufu. I see you’re playing dirty, Saegusa-kun.

You surmised that none of the idols from Yumenosaki would be able to enforce the rule of one adjunct and tell one of them to leave...

And so you succeeded in increasing your ranks without objection, is that it?

Ibara: Oh, no. I always feel quite imposed upon, being the only one from Shuuetsu in a room of Yumenosaki alumni. To be honest, I had hoped you would find this whole thing amusing and permit me this minor boost in force.

I will say, I didn’t expect them to go and wake up Sakuma-shi, though. Though now that I think about it, they were in the same club at Yumenosaki—

I should have been able to predict this development. What a terrible end game on my part.

Hinata: Wait, should we not have done that? Sooo sorry, VP!

Yuuta: I’m sorry, too. We were just eager to talk to Sakuma-senpai after so long.

When we heard he was still asleep even though we’d all get to go to the Summit together, we just had to wake him up.

Ibara: It’s fine. I’ll just my strategy according to this turn of events.

In fact, I would go so far as to commend you. You two seem to be effective assets against Sakuma-shi ♪

Rei: My, how violent... This is exactly why I was avoiding this gathering.

I would like for you to recall the reason why this meeting is called the Summit, anyhow. Surely you know it’s more than simply a conference between leadership.

But that is no matter. It’s been a habit of mine to play the bystander, but it seems the time has come for me to take action—so that I may never make the same mistake again, so that I may never lose anyone again.^[1]

And so that everything does not come to an end while I stand idly by. I, too, shall engage with this world as a human being.

Eichi: Fufu, how scary. But I’m also glad to hear it at the same time. Thank you for coming back to life, Sakuma-kun.