Accidental Clamor Pt. 1

Manager Na led me outside to his car and directed me to get in without an explanation. As confused as I was, I did as he said. This is certainly a situation that has never happened before.

"So... Am I going to get a brief summary of what I'm going to be doing?" I asked.

"I told you, kid. You'll see," he smiled.

"That's not really a vote of confidence. Can I at least get a hint? What if I'm not prepared for it?"

"Oh, trust me. Even if I tell you, you're not gonna be prepared for it."

I let out a long sigh, resting my elbow on the armrest. My 'job' could mean so many things, especially with Manager Na's unpredictable nature.

When I first applied, I just wanted to be a backstage runner for Yori Entertainment's events. It seemed like the perfect gig where I could do my own thing without constant interruptions.

But everything changed five months ago at that Sunayomi concert. After that, Manager Na started taking a keen interest in my work, maybe to see if my skills were for real or if it was just a fluke.

Now, he treats me like his personal assistant, and I'm still trying to figure out why. Was it really about that concert, or is there something I'm missing?

Oh well. At least he keeps everyone else away, which means I get more freedom to be alone than I did before.

"Alright, we're here," Manager Na said as he parked.

I looked out of the window to see a bland building with almost no windows, and there was a pair of security guards next to the door.

"This is... a warehouse?" I asked.

"That's right," he grinned. "You're gonna be my lackey for this one. We're setting up a photoshoot station for our own girls, Sunayomi! Excited yet?"

"No, not really."

"Eh, whatever. It's not like anything I do will ever get you riled up. Come on. Our crew is already there."

"But this isn't a part of my job description."

All he did was throw on a pair of sunglasses. "Suck it up. Let's roll."

Manager Na showed his ID to the guards, and they allowed us to pass. I've never seen a photoshoot station before, but it looks similar to what I'd see backstage at a concert.

A massive white panel rested again the back wall, surrounded by a tangle of lights, boxes, and chairs. At the center, a huge camera was trained on the panel, its lens catching every angle. Everywhere I looked, people bustled about, each lost in their own tasks amidst the organized chaos.

"Would you look at that," Manager Na said. "Everything's already set up!"

"What does that mean for us?" I asked.

"It means our job has already been done for us."

"... So you're telling me that I was dragged here for nothing."

"No, no... Well, yes. That seems to be the case now."

For something so out of character for the manager, I'm not even surprised. In fact, the more I think about it, it's definitely in his character to do something like this.

"Okay. So... Now what?" I mumbled.

"I guess you're getting paid to sit here and do nothing," he chuckled.

"Seriously...? Hah. I'm gonna go use the washroom."

"Sure, sure."

While I stepped off to the side, Manager Na went over to the boss of the operation and began chatting with him.

So annoying... but I can't say that I'd prefer him to be any other way. Compared to some of my old bosses, he's a total gem.

I wove my way through the side hallways for a minute before finally reaching the washroom. For a warehouse, it's surprisingly tidy. Then again, with so few people coming and going, I guess it's not too surprising, after all.

I don't even know why I came here when I already handled my business before coming to work. Maybe I just wanted to get away from all the noise.

Nonetheless, I walked over to the sink, drenched my hands in soap, and washed them.

"Ah?!"

My senses jolted. That scream, sharp and piercing, could only belong to someone with a voice like a siren. I turned slowly, and my body froze in place.

There she was, standing by the open stall—a young woman with light pink hair that barely grazed her neck, adorned with a few playful accessories. A long strand fell across her face, nearly hiding her wide, pearl-like eyes, which were clearly caught off guard.

No way... Despite having only seen her a few times, I recognized her instantly.

"M-Mitsuki... Mira...?" I mumbled.

"Y-you! Who are you, and what are you doing here?!" she shouted.

"Huh? Me?! I should be asking you that! This is the men's washroom!"

"What?! No, it's not! Are you blind?!"

I pointed my hand to the left. "Are you?! You're standing right next to a urinal!"

Her head twisted to look, and just like that, her frown disappeared, replaced by a reddened face that seemed like it could explode at any second.

"Look, I'm sure you had a reason to come in here, and I'm not gonna question it," I quickly said. "I'm already done, so do whatever you need to do."

With that, I rushed out of the washroom, but not without stopping to lean against the wall.

Holy shit... I feel like I've just committed a grave sin. In all of my life, I've never once encountered a woman in the same washroom as me. I mean, that's never supposed to happen, right? In an ideal world, at least.

I've only been here for five minutes, and I'm already mentally drained. Maybe I should just go home. I'm sure Manager Na will understand.

"I was wondering why Risa was screaming like that," yet another voice said.

I turned around and immediately wished I hadn't, as two faces greeted me.

The first girl stood with her arms crossed, her long, dark red hair cascading in wavy, uneven strands to her hips. Despite the length of her bangs, her sharp, ruby eyes were unmistakable—filled with a perturbed intensity that was hard to ignore.

Behind her, a slightly shorter girl watched with a curious expression. Her cotton-blue hair was tousled and short, falling messily to her shoulders, with bangs that seemed to have a life of their own. While her sapphire eyes didn't hold the same intensity as the first girl's, there was something undeniably unsettling about her gaze.

"Yoshino Yoko... and... Suguha Suzu..." I gulped.

These girls... They're all members of Sunayomi. How and why am I meeting them like this?!