In the clear

As another morning arrived, so too did I head for the studio. Chika had told me everything Mariya had done, making me feel just as bad as she did for it all. Why did I let my kink slip out like that then? If I had just gone silent as usual, no, I was on the court. I never back down there. That's the only place that keeps me from just giving up on life, from succumbing to obesity and true hikikomoridom. I proved myself there, and so I had the right to name a reward, but just to name it. I'd never force Chika to do it, heck, she herself turned it down at first, but the next thing I knew, she was dragging me along to the barbershop. Considering this helped us reach the next level in our relationship, I can't say I regret it happened, though. That being said, we have to be careful now. The last thing we need is for my fetish to jeopardize the Basketball Babes production.

Arriving at the studio, I was greeted with a scene of Chika and Mariya drawing on each other's heads with markers.

"Ara? Sorry, seems like we gotta get to work. Bye for now," Chika waved at her phone.

Once she stopped recording, she beckoned me over. "Are you two holding up?" I asked.

"More or less. Though why the hell did you have to have a bald fetish? Foot fetish, panty fetish, nope, HAD to be bald fetish!" Mariya scowled.

"... Sorry."

"Ah, my wounded pride, my wounded ego. I'm gonna be treating you like a perv from now on, author-asshole," Mariya dramatically grumbled as she swept her hand at me while walking away.

"That's a pretty good reaction from her. That means you've pissed her off, but she'll forgive you, yet act as if she won't," Chika smiled.

"Did you get the same reaction?"

"Mmm, she called me stupid, so no."

"Is that bad?"

"No, she's already forgiving me. Once her hair's back I'll be fully forgiven."

"What if she stays bald?"

"Hmm... Doubt it, but even if, she'd probably forgive me fully too."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Production went off without a hitch, and so did my interactions with Chika. We kept our conversations professional, only making small talk that seemed natural. Mariya being present was also helpful.

...

A few weeks later, it came time for me to try and renew my visa. Things had been calm following Ruma Mill's sns ban, with them now getting turned on by their fellow tabloids and made a mockery of. Chika and Mariya's plan had paid dividends, completely swaying public opinion in our favor, and for my part, I made sure to keep my distance from everyone when outside the studio.

As for production itself, I kind of feel I'm not needed much for input. The team is breaking a record here, with things set to wrap up within the next few months. That would mean theoretically, the show could begin airing possibly this Fall.

"Zane Doe... Hmm, what's with the beard?"

"Oh, I just kind of forgot to shave..."

Not entirely true, but not entirely false. Considering I had been clean-shaven when I came here, it made sense to grow out my beard to avoid recognition. My hair beginning to grow out from it's normal buzz-length had also given me a much different appearance, making it understandable for the customs official to be having a bit of trouble.

"Now did you happen to be the center of those rumors from a few weeks back?" the official asked.

"I suppose so."

The official began to shake his head. "It's passed, but I'll be straight with you, I'm a big Chika fan. I'm such a fan, that knowing that the guy before me could actually be having an affair with her, makes me want to get him out of here as quickly as possible."

"What if it's Mariya I'm dating?"

"Her too!"

"I thought polygamy wasn't legal here."

"Wanna worsen your case by being smart with me?"

"No."

"Then shut up. Though the rumors aren't proven, I've got enough proof before me to prove them. But if I go and leak your details to the press, I go straight to hell. I'm a government employee, and the pay is good, I have a wife... Ugh, go ahead and say it so that smirk goes away!"

"If you've already got a woman, don't go looking for more."

"Some men don't get satisfied with the first one they pick. Now don't go causing any trouble. You get just 3 months extra, then no more renewals, you gotta leave. Of course, just wait 3 months after you leave, and you can come back for 3 months."

The visa taken care of, I headed off to the studio.

"Ara, author-kun. You're getting hairier with each day," Chika giggled as I entered.

"And you seem to be getting smoother and shinier with each day," I quipped.

"Well, Mariya still hasn't grown all her hair back, nor do I really wanna grow back my hair," Chicka smiled as she stuck her tongue out at me.

And speaking of Mariya, her hair had grown back to buzz-length, though rather than continue growing it out, she had opted instead to get some designs shaved into it, on top of dying it orange, making her head look like a basketball.

"Hmm, think I should try and grow around the art, or just start fresh from clean n' grow it out evenly?" Mariya asked as she ran her fingers along the shaved grooves.

"Not exactly the two best people to ask on the matter," Chika giggled.

"Why?"

"Because our opinion is that clean-shaven is best," Chika smiled as she pulled a razor and can of shaving cream out of her purse.

"Can't get more feminine than smooth bald and browless," I nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, growing it out. Thanks for the input, ya fetishist bastards," Mariya scowled as she swept her hand at us while turning and walking away at us.

"That's tsunderenese for "I'm waxing everything off once I'm done here," Chika snickered.

"I heard that, you jerk!"

Laughter naturally ensured.

...

Finally, the day came when production reached it's conclusion. Thanking the team from the bottom of my heart, I began to head out.

"Not gonna join us for a big dinner?" the director asked.

"Well, you know... Can't really be seen out in public-"

"As if folks like us are headline-worthy. Relax, this place has rooms you can reserve. Let's party!"

With a smile, I accepted the offer.

Production complete, my final month was free, yet I still had no idea on what to do for it. The following day, Mariya of all people decided to pop by my hotel room, and garbed in the infamous attire Chika had worn for our big date, no less.

"Hey, name's Riya, not Mariya. I'm just your friend, OK," she smiled as she fluffed up her now short pink hair.

"Why come to me now of all times?" I chuckled.

"Because I want to take you somewhere."

Heading out, we made our way to the arcade, where I was met with a blast from the past, that girl that had blurted out my name before.

Turning to me, the girl pulled down her mask, making my jaw drop. "Ch- Chi-"

"Shh. I'm just a regular here. So, want to play some basketball?"

"Here and not on a real court?"

"Here I can practice more."

"Alright, you're on."

To her credit, Chika had improved since the first time we played against each other here, but that improvement still paled in comparison to my ability.

"Oof, the reg loses. Batsu time! What'll it be?" Mariya snickered.

"We didn't agree on anything," I interjected.

"Then girlfriend's choice! And as your "girlfriend", I say the reg here is forced to hug you for one minute."

"What a crazy "girlfriend"."

"I did decide to go bald for the lols."

Mariya truly is a good friend.