The sudden, unfamiliar touch brought Tetsuya's thoughts to an instant halt.
Especially when his arm sank completely into that distinct softness, he subconsciously tried to pull it away.
But unfortunately, the unannounced embrace had no intention of letting him go so easily.
The hug tightened, as if trying to merge his arm completely into her body, making it impossible for him to break free.
And when he shifted his gaze to this uninvited guest who had suddenly thrown herself at him, the flicker of purple fluorescence, still clearly visible in the darkness, made him freeze on the spot—
"..."
His mouth fell open in a daze, his eyes filled with confusion and surprise.
What answered his gaze was a smile so sweet it could melt a person's consciousness.
"Don't make too much noise."
Ai stood on her tiptoes and whispered into Tetsuya's ear.
"Otherwise, other people will notice."
"..."
Although it was dark below the stage, Ai's disguise consisted of only a simple, thin coat and a baseball cap that barely concealed her hair.
If he were to make a sudden sound and startle the other audience members, her identity would surely be exposed in an instant. As for what would happen after that, Tetsuya didn't dare to imagine.
"...Hmph hmph."
Seeing Tetsuya's dumbfounded expression, a triumphant smugness, like that of a victor, was added to the smile on Ai's face.
"What do you think? It's a completely different feeling from Chihaya Anon, isn't it?"
"..."
Although Anon did similar things to Tetsuya almost every day, it was just as Ai had said: the sensation the two of them provided was completely different.
Whether it was the softness so distinct it could be outlined in his mind, or the faint, unfamiliar fragrance wafting from the ends of her hair, Tetsuya's heart was thrown into utter turmoil.
It was this complex and tangible temptation that made Tetsuya once again deeply realize that the little girl who once only snuggled in his arms had blossomed into a charming young woman in the prime of her youth.
...
"...It's not our agreed-upon time yet, is it?"
Tetsuya also leaned down to Ai's ear.
"Why did you come over now?"
"Because I couldn't wait even one more second."
As Ai drew close to his ear, Tetsuya could clearly feel her deliberately heavy breathing, and the tender touch of her lips, intentionally or not, brushing against his ear.
"Tetsu, let's go outside and talk... It's inconvenient for you here, isn't it?"
Ai's tone was filled with a sultry, cloying temptation that made one's heart itch.
"Uika's here anyway, so their performance definitely won't fall flat... So, you don't need to worry about it anymore, right?"
"..."
Hearing this, Tetsuya's gaze faltered for a moment before he turned to look at Ai again.
Those purple eyes, which seemed to sparkle with starlight, were filled with a love and desire even more intense than seven years ago...
Tetsuya was certain that if he were to take the initiative and close the distance just a little, this girl, whose gaze had already grown hazy, would kiss him without a moment's hesitation.
But—
"..."
Under a temptation that would make any man lose his senses, Tetsuya simply shook his head quietly.
He didn't pull his arm away. Instead, he raised his other hand, placed a finger to his lips, and made a shushing gesture—
"!"
Seeing Tetsuya's action, the smile on Ai's face froze for an instant. But soon, the familiarity from the depths of her memory brought back a touch of the innocence and nostalgia of seven years ago to her smile.
"Back when we were at the orphanage, whenever I climbed into your bed before sleep, you would always make this gesture."
Ai smiled, pressing her cheek against his arm.
"Alright, since Tetsu still wants to watch, I won't disturb you..."
With that, she too turned her gaze to the stage, where the lights were gradually coming on.
"In any case... the result won't change."
She had already waited seven years; a few more minutes were nothing to her.
Moreover, she had already come to his side as she wished, returning to the warmth and peace she had dreamed of for the past seven years.
She was in such a good mood that she felt she could calmly accept anything that happened next.
And...
"?!?!?!?!"
The utterly chaotic and shocked expression on Sakiko's face, on Tetsuya's other side, was also very satisfying to her.
What was this little one thinking right now? Was she shocked that I suddenly appeared here? Or was she envious that I could snuggle up to Tetsu in such an intimate posture?
...
Thinking this, she first gave Sakiko a smiling wave, then shifted her position slightly, pulling Tetsuya's arm completely into her chest.
As expected, upon seeing this deliberately bold action, the turmoil in Sakiko's eyes intensified.
"..."
As for Tetsuya, when his arm was completely enveloped by that softness, a flash of disbelief crossed his eyes. He then shook his head slightly, forcing himself to remain calm and continue watching the front.
At this point, the preparations on stage were complete.
Like the other bands before [Summer Zodiac], the stage was lit with only ordinary, bright lights.
But... the moment the lights came on, every member of the audience reacted in their own different way—
"Eh? What is that? It's so pretty!"
"The patterns on the outfits... are they reflective? And are those patterns... road signs?!"
"Street graffiti and road signs, what kind of combination is that! So clever!"
"Reflective material plus road signs... what a novel design!"
Everyone's attention was focused on the outfits of the five girls on stage.
And Ai's expression, in the instant the lights came on, also fell into a brief moment of shock.
"...My understanding and use of lighting may not be as good as you professional artists, but... I did consider this level of stage design."
Tetsuya said softly.
"Before we talk business, let's finish watching this live together, Ai."
"Trust me... you'll definitely gain something from it too."