“Operation: Glamor”

Airi slid into her desk chair, feeling an unfamiliar lightness settle over her. The dull, oppressive hum of the office no longer felt like a prison; it felt like a perfectly functional, if boring, waiting room.

The difference was simple: money. The payment for "Starlight and Side Streets" had cleared instantly, and the steady, handsome payments were arriving from Ren’s subsidiary shell company—code-named "R.I. Publishing"—were now flowing monthly. She was solvent. She was even saving. The anxiety that had been a constant, crippling physical burden for years had finally lifted.

She checked her task list: “Review Q4 Archiving Protocol.” Instead of dragging her feet, she attacked the document with ruthless efficiency. She wanted to finish her required eight hours of work as quickly and accurately as possible, because now, every minute she saved was a minute she could dedicate to "Dual Resonance."

Ren had been incredibly focused lately, with his comeback album dropping in three weeks, and her music was forming the backbone of his personal track selections. The pressure was intense, but it was the best kind of pressure, the kind that fueled creativity.

Click. A new email notification popped up. It wasn't the usual toner refill request.

Subject: INVITATION: Comeback Celebration

To: R.I. Publishing Key Composer/Contractors

Eclipse Entertainment is delighted to invite you to an exclusive reception celebrating the official comeback of our idols and the launch of Ren’s new album.

Date: Saturday Time: 8:00 PM – Midnight Location: The Skylight Penthouse, Ginza Towers Dress Code: Formal/Cocktail Attire Required.

We look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone. Please RSVP promptly.

Airi stared at the screen, a small, disbelieving smile spreading across her face. An invitation. A formal, elegant invitation to the pre-comeback party for Ren Ichijō. The email was addressed to "R.I. Publishing Key Composer," which was her secret identity. Ren had managed to maneuver her onto the guest list.

This wasn't just a party; it was a window into his world, the glittering, high-stakes environment she usually only saw on magazine covers. She imagined the room: the top producers, rival idols, managers, and, of course, Ren himself, looking untouchable in a tailored suit. It was thrilling and utterly terrifying.

A sudden shadow fell over her desk.

"Komatsu-san."

Airi jumped, hastily clicking the music agency email into the taskbar. Standing over her was Mr. Sako, her department head—a man whose face always seemed set on the ‘mild disapproval’ mode.

"Your recent efficiency is commendable," Sako observed, his voice a dry monotone. He had the unsettling ability to make a compliment sound like a warning. "However, I've noticed you are wrapping up your primary tasks much earlier than the allotted time block. While this is technically acceptable, it leaves a significant opportunity for additional contribution."

Airi’s heart sank. She knew what was coming.

"The new data migration project," Mr. Sako continued, gesturing toward a stack of thick, intimidating binders on a nearby cart. "It needs a comprehensive, preemptive review. I need you to cross-reference these physical files with the digital archive and prepare a summary report by the end of day tomorrow. This is essential for the CEO’s quarterly briefing. I trust your newfound... enthusiasm... will be beneficial here."

He dropped the towering stack of documents onto the edge of her desk. The stack was so heavy, the plastic office material groaned softly in protest.

"Yes, Mr. Sako," Airi mumbled, forcing a neutral expression. Her hour of potential songwriting time had just evaporated, replaced by three days of mind-numbing labor. The corporate world, it seemed, would always find a way to reclaim its pound of flesh.

Just as Mr. Sako walked away, Saki Morimoto appeared, sliding into the visitor chair opposite Airi with the silent efficiency of someone who navigated office politics like a competitive sport.

"Hey! Don’t let Sako dump all that on you," Saki hissed, eyeing the pile. "That's three people’s work."

"He said my 'enthusiasm' was beneficial," Airi replied dryly, already pulling the top binder toward her. "It's fine. It's just paperwork."

"No, what's fine is that you look happy for the first time since that dumpster fire karaoke night," Saki observed, leaning closer. "You're humming more, you're actually paying off your lunch tab, and your shoes are less scuffed. Something is up, Airi, and I'm guessing it has to do with R.I. Publishing."

Airi bit the inside of her cheek. She couldn't tell Saki the truth that she was secretly collaborating with Ren Ichijō. She was only allowed to tell her friend the officially sanctioned news.

"The R.I. group is moving quickly," Airi said, sticking to the shell company name. "Ren's new comeback is driving everything. They're demanding content, which means I'm constantly writing new drafts. The money is good, Saki. It's finally giving me room to breathe and focus."

Saki’s eyes widened. "Ren's comeback! The Ascension album! Everyone in marketing is buzzing about it—the hype is insane. They've already broken pre-order records. And you're writing for that? Airi, that's huge!"

Saki reached across the desk, grabbing Airi’s hands and squeezing them excitedly. "See? I told you not to worry about that shady Kloudy Music Talent Scouts place. They were just a stepping stone! You went from writing a song for ramen money to being a contractor for Japan's top idol group! You’re actually making deadlines in the real music industry!"

Airi smiled, enjoying the reflected pride. "I know. It's... surreal."

"Surreal is exactly what we need," Saki declared, suddenly dropping Airi’s hands and sitting back, eyes glittering with mischief. "Because guess what? I got invited to the most ridiculous, over-the-top party next weekend. My cousin works for the event management company handling it, and she snuck me onto the list for staff access."

Airi barely registered the invitation; she was distracted by the invitation in her own inbox. "It's some exclusive, celebrity-studded launch for a massive J-Pop comeback album," Saki continued, pulling out her own phone. "Ginza Towers, Skylight Penthouse. Total formal wear, the works. I need a wingman to help me navigate the sea of suits and overpriced champagne. Want to come?"

Airi hesitated, a giddy rush of irony bubbling up inside her. Saki had essentially just invited her to the very party she was already planning to attend as a "Key Composer." Which Airi found ridiculous, but it’s Saki.

"I don't know, Saki," Airi hedged, trying to sound reluctant. "I have this enormous data migration report due, and honestly, I don't own any cocktail attire."

"Nonsense! We'll fix the attire tomorrow," Saki said, dismissing the problem with a wave of her hand. "As for the report, tell Sako to hire someone competent. You need a break. You've been glued to your keyboard since your music payments started rolling in. You need to see the world that your new music is dominating. Think of it as research. Please say yes! It'll be a story for the rest of our lives!"

Airi looked down at the overwhelming stack of binders, then thought of the penthouse, the champagne, and the prospect of watching Ren navigate his element—with her, Airi Komatsu, secretly standing nearby. It was too perfect to pass up. And attending with Saki meant she had the perfect civilian cover.

"Alright, fine," Airi conceded with a dramatic sigh. "But you're buying me the dress, and if I see anyone from this office, I am immediately pretending I don't know you."

Saki beamed, punching the air quietly. "Yes! Operation: Glamour Interruption is a go! Now, stop looking at those soul-crushing binders. Tell me everything about your compositional process for this new album. I need gossip to fuel my shopping trip tomorrow."

Airi leaned closer, dropping her voice. She still couldn't reveal the true details, but she could describe the creative process, the energy, the flow, the sheer excitement of writing songs that felt real.

The office was still gray, and the work was still dull, but now, a glittering secret party and a successful idol were waiting for her on the other side of the filing cabinet. She finally had her leverage, her shield, and her focus.