Translation: Chelly
Editing/Proofreading: Henry, Scarlet
Chapter 12
“Do you understand why I summoned you here?”
Mao and I were called to the Chairman’s office the day after the concert.
His tone was low, in contrast to his gentle smile.
“…Yes. I am terribly sorry.”
Mao, who was sitting next to me, responded with a shaky voice. I felt awful.
But we had faith in each other.
No matter the consequences, I’m with Mao all the way. If her future depended on it, I’m ready to fight back with all my might.
The Chairman’s gaze shifted to me.
“Yes.”
I responded in a dignified manner. Mao cast a sidelong glance at me, and her eyes clearly told me to “Go apologize,” but I ignored them.
If I apologized, what I had done would be meaningless.
After a few seconds of staring into my eyes, the Chairman continued to speak matter-of-factly.
“You… have committed a heinous act. It was a huge loss of honor for a company that I have grown to know and love.”
He sighed and looked at Mao.
“What you did was a disaster.”
He spoke sternly.
Mao bowed her head again.
“I have nothing to say in response.”
After a few seconds of staring at Mao, the Chairman spoke again.
“You should have known. It would have been more damaging had Akira not been able to turn the concert around after making such a blunder as audacious as replacing the video for the encore!”
The Chairman’s eyes were fixed on Mao, and he seemed to anticipate Mao’s reply.
Mao slowly raised her head and nodded.
“Yes… it is exactly as you say. But I…”
She returned the Chairman’s stare.
“I trusted Akira… more than anything else.”
The Chairman’s eyes widened a little as he heard Mao’s words as if surprised.
“That was what Akira said she needed to do. So I helped her with that, and I was certain she would still make the concert a success.”
“Mao…”
I had no idea that she trusted me to that extent.
I was constantly causing her problems and inconveniences… and yet she still had complete faith in me?
I wanted to cry but couldn’t because I was in front of the Chairman.
After briefly closing his eyes, the Chairman let out a deep sigh.
“…I see. You two must have an excellent relationship.”
He said before falling silent for yet another few moments.
“Although, that does not absolve you of responsibility.”
The Chairman’s harsh words made Mao’s face tense.
But she simply nodded without complaint.
“…I am ready to accept any punishment.”
“Well, maybe a pay cut for now.”
The Chairman said matter-of-factly, nodding.
“…Huh?”
Mao raised her head in surprise.
“What are you surprised about? A pay cut is a pretty big punishment for a salaried employee.”
“Nothing… but…”
I think Mao’s confusion stemmed from the fact that her punishment was so light. From my perspective, having your salary reduced because of the actions of the idol over which you have responsibility seemed like a harsh penalty. Still, Mao must have anticipated the possibility of being fired herself.
“Even if I said I will fire you, Akira wouldn’t let it happen.”
The Chairman said. I looked at him in astonishment—his eyes seemed to see through everything.
“Of course, if Akira’s reputation as an idol improves, your pay cut will be rescinded, Ashida-kun… and not just that, you might even get a raise.”
He then stared at me.
“If you are grateful for Ashida-kun’s help, then you should do your best to return the favor.”
Unable to respond to the Chairman’s remarks, I nodded silently.
I felt uneasy because everything seemed to be in his palm.
But I suppose I should thank him for his generosity to Mao.
“…Well, this was bound to happen at some point.”
The Chairman muttered and folded his hands on the desk.
“If something is slightly distorted, it will gradually undergo more and more changes until it is fully transformed. It was just a matter of time, and that is why…”
He articulated.
“Let us put this matter to rest by reducing Ashida-kun’s salary.”
Mao gasped as she heard those words.
“Chairman… that’s…”
“You have done it in the name of ‘idols,’ haven’t you?”
That was stressed by the Chairman.
“You have accomplished something that no one else has. That is what I respect.”
When Mao heard that, she breathed a sigh of relief. However, I was becoming more and more apprehensive about the Chairman’s manner of speaking.
Is he assessing us?
“Chairman.”
I raised my voice unintentionally, and Mao made an “Oh, crap” expression.
“You knew all along, didn’t you? You knew, but you chose to turn a blind eye.”
“Hey, Akira…!”
“All of your talk about discovering and nurturing idols, yet you let something so outrageous happen. Don’t you take accountability for that? What, you’re just going to watch us from above?”
“Akira! Please excuse her, Chairman. Akira is just…”
The Chairman raised one hand to stop Mao from bowing her head.
“No, it’s fine. You make a valid point.”
He smiled gently and narrowed his eyes at me.
I felt a chill run down my spine. His eyes were sharp and cold.
“You are quite right, but you are not putting yourself in our shoes.”
“…”
“We need to conduct business. And you are here as an idol, and it’s all about where we stand. Do you follow?”
The Chairman’s words were ambiguous as if he were beating around the bush.
But I saw what he was getting at, although I didn’t like it.
“…So you’re saying this will keep happening?”
I asked, and he snorted.
“…That may be the case.”
After saying that, he tilted his head.
“Are you going to uncover and rectify it in this manner each time?”
In response to the Chairman’s question, I nodded immediately.
“Yes. My pride as an idol compels me to do so.”
He looked deep into my eyes, then cracked a smile.
“Ha-ha, I see. If that is the case, then I am at ease.”
“…?”
I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Mao gave the Chairman a blank stare.
He looked somewhat amused.
“As long as you continue to be an idol… I will tolerate it. So you, too, should mature a little.”
He turned his chair around and turned his back on us.
“That will be all.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m not going to ask any further questions about it. Ashida-kun, please continue to look after Akira.”
“O-oh, yes! Absolutely…! Please excuse me…! You too, Akira!”
“…Please excuse me.”
As I reluctantly bowed, Mao escorted me out of the Chairman’s office.
When we got on the elevator, she smacked me on the head as hard as she could.
“Ow! You don’t have to hit me!”
“Now listen here, you, being fearless has its limits!”
“But I haven’t done anything wrong!”
“That doesn’t mean…”
Mao let out a sigh.
I chuckled.
“I’m glad you didn’t get fired.”
“I know! I thought I was done for because of you!”
“A-ha-ha.”
Mao appeared to be free of her nervousness and in her usual mood.
“Mao… thank you very much.”
I hugged Mao tightly.
“Oh, well, yeah… sure. You did great, too.”
She gently stroked my back with her hand, then let out a huge sigh.
“You’re going to that place, aren’t you?”
I looked up in surprise.
“…I was sure you’d stop me.”
Mao furrowed her brow and waved her hands in the air, annoyed when she heard me say that.
“I’d like to believe you’re going straight home today. But what you do on your day off is none of my concern.”
“…Thanks.”
I love Mao’s awkward way of expressing kindness.
But at the same time, she’s a tough nut to crack.
“…I’ll beat you up if you mess around.”
She glared at me.
“…I know, I know, don’t worry.”
I smiled at her, and she nodded as if she were relieved.
I turned around and grinned at her as we exited the elevator and made our way to the building entrance.
“I love you, Mao!”
“…Yeah, sure, me tooo.”
Mao spoke as if she was simply trying to be polite. She then motioned with her hand as if attempting to shoo an animal away.
I bowed my head and walked to the cab that Mao had probably pre-arranged for me.
I then told the driver his address, which I had already memorized.
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After Sleep Club 
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