A Game for Adults 2

The memory ends—present day

Kohaku: —Hmm, I see now.

So you... Yuuta-han was right worried because he got turned away for bein’ a minor when he tried to get into the club.

Rinne: Well sure, ‘cause they serve alcohol at night. Local law says they shouldn’t let kiddies in their establishments—though it shouldn’t be illegal.

But since 2wink’s in the business of selling their names and faces, the manager prolly clocked that you’re idols.

‘Specially around ES—there’s a growing tendency to coddle and protect our idols like they’re a buncha golden geese.

They get implicated in something that damages an idol’s rep, they lose business. So they made the safe bet shutting you out, yanno, just in case.

Niki: Sure, but you and the older 2wink, uh... Hinata-kun? Hinata-kun were let right in.

Rinne: The manager’s my homie. We play mahjong together.

They’ll let anyone in if I put in a good word. pretty cool loophole I got there, right? ♪

And this bad boy right here’s a full-fledged adult... So I can do whatever I want, whether it’s going out partying at night or whatever.

HiMERU: —That is not praiseworthy behavior for an idol.

In any case, even if the reason is due to his one-sided attack against us...

It is somewhat dumbfounding that you’ve tied Aoi Yuuta-kun to a chair and are now dumping cold water on him.

Rinne: Huh? Would you rather it be boiling water? Or maybe you prefer wax? Look at youuu! Meru-meru here’s a total maniac behind that cool exterior ♪

HiMERU: —Either shut up or die, Amagi.

Kohaku: Fufu. Beg your pardon, Yuuta-han. We managed to scrape through the MDM by the skin of our teeth, but we’re still hangin’ in a precarious balance here. We’ve got enemies on all sides.

If we got ourselves involved in a fight in such a public space, well hoowee—they’d have us drawn and quartered for sure.

Niki: No way, I can’t believe you can say that when you’re the ones doing mahjong in someone else’s workplace.

Rinne: You know it’s play mahjong, right? Not do it.

Niki: Whatever! C’mon, can’t you cut all this “bad boy” stuff out already?

What am I supposed to do if they fire me? This is like heaven to me! They let me eat as much as I want and they don’t even dock my pay for it!

I couldn’t care less if I got fired for being an idol!

Kohaku: Fufu. You’re unflappable, Niki-han.

...Anywho, the shower room’s near the only blind spot ES has got. The surveillance cameras can’t see us here.

If you lock the door, no one gets in, and no one knows what’s goin’ on back here.

With that in mind, Yuuta-han—you wanna tell us what you were thinkin’ on doin’ back there when you picked a fight with us?

Yuuta: Huh? What I was thinking? What, do you need me to spell it out for you? ...No offense.

Kohaku: None taken. I don’t actually know much about the ins and outs of idols, really. I’m just startin’ out, like Niki-han here.

Niki: Hey! Do you really have to go and use “Niki-han” like it’s synonymous with “useless piece of crap?!”

Then again, it’s not like you’re wrong. As an idol I’m pretty much the worst of the worst!

Rinne: No you’re not, at least not to me.

...That aside, I think I’m picking up what you’re putting down.

But to be sure, lemme check something. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say you haven’t seen hide or hair of your Aniki since last night—right, Yuta-kun?

Yuuta: My name’s not Yuta, It’s Yuuta! And if you must know, he called me yesterday to tell me he had some “urgent business” to take care of—

But I guess that was all a lie! ‘Cause he was too busy having fun at some weird club!

He still hasn’t come back to the dorms, and he won’t respond to any of my calls or texts on Hallhands!

So it makes sense that you guys kidnapped him...!

Kohaku: Well no, now why would you jump to kidnappin’ so quick?

Is this somethin’ that happens a lot over at Yumenosaki Academy? Ain’t that idol school got any rules?

Rinne: Hmmm. Reacted just as expected.

Yuuta: ...?

Rinne: Ah, my B. I said I’d keep Hina’s phone safe for a bit ‘cause, yanno, it’d cause some problems if it rang during work.

I haven’t given it back yet... so that’d be why you couldn’t reach him through Hallhands.

Yuuta: It’s not Hina, it’s Hinata!

Rinne: Heh? Preeeetty sure Hina’s the only one who can correct me on that one. Not you.

And he was thrilled about it, actually. Said he hasn’t gotten a real nickname in so long.

Yuuta: ......

Rinne: By the way, Hina was dead tired from working all night long.

He couldn’t walk home, so I got him to a hotel that’s got connections with the club.

It’s after noon now, though, so he’s probably up and heading back here, don’tcha think?

Yuuta: Hang on, what do you mean club? And what work? What did you make my Aniki do...?

Rinne: I’ll let you ask him that. If Hina’s not up to talking, you don’t have the right to force it outta him—

You may be brothers, but you’re still two separate people. Only a snot-nosed brat wouldn’t get that.

Yuuta: ......