Under Ai's "coercion," Tetsuya had no choice but to be obediently led away from the live venue.
Fortunately, because their pace was so rushed and the live had not yet ended, the people they passed didn't notice Ai in her plain coat.
Not only that, but the destination Ai had chosen was a place where no one else would be at this time.
Tetsuya couldn't help but look up and survey this place he had been to once before—
"A recording studio... indeed, no one will disturb us here."
Since all the equipment in the recording studio would have been moved backstage during the live, the studio would be completely unused at this time. And with the live still going on, not a single person would even pass by this room located deep within [RiNG].
SLAM—!
With an incredibly loud sound of a door closing, Tetsuya looked back towards the entrance.
Ai had already shut the door firmly. Then, she gently turned the knob to lock it, completely turning the recording studio into an inescapable "locked room." (T/N: "I have a cat at home" "Oh really? Can I come see it?" Goes to their home. "Meow." Locks door. That's the type of aura I got from this.)
After finishing these preparations, Ai finally turned around to face Tetsuya directly.
"...This way, no one will disturb us."
Ai said as she began to walk toward Tetsuya.
He, in turn, simply watched her quietly as she approached, making no move at all.
Finally, when the two were face-to-face once more, Ai opened her arms and flung herself into Tetsuya's embrace—
"Tetsu! I really missed you so much!"
Ai hugged Tetsuya tightly, pressing her cheek against his chest. She was so emotional that her voice even began to tremble slightly.
"I finally get to see you again! I can finally talk to you again! I can finally be held in your arms like this again!"
"...Me too."
Faced with this display of affection, which was exactly the same as seven years ago, Tetsuya also wrapped his arms around her, returning her embrace with the same gentleness as seven years ago.
"I missed you too, Ai."
"Mhm, I know! Tetsu must have been missing me too!"
Feeling the warmth she had been deprived of for seven long years, Ai looked up with a blissful smile.
"Those pajamas were enough to tell me everything!"
The moment she touched those pajamas, she had felt the longing Tetsuya had poured into the garment. Whether it was the nostalgic star pattern or the terry cloth full of their shared memories, it was all proof of how much he cherished and valued that past—
"So when I received that stage costume, I immediately understood what you were thinking when you made it."
"You must have misunderstood, right? You thought I had forgotten our memories... but it's not like that!"
Ai explained to Tetsuya with utmost seriousness.
"The reason I became an idol was so I could meet you again, Tetsu! As for popularity or income, those things are meaningless to me. The only thing I want is you!"
"Don't worry... I know."
Tetsuya reached out and gently stroked Ai's smooth, long hair.
"Although I did misunderstand your thoughts at the very beginning, Uika told me the whole truth after that. As of now, I won't misunderstand you anymore."
"Really?!"
An incredibly brilliant light bloomed in Ai's eyes.
"Does that mean... Tetsu doesn't think of me as a bad girl who likes to lie, and you don't hate me because of it, right?"
"From beginning to end, I have never once had that thought."
Tetsuya shook his head gently.
"No matter what happens, I will absolutely never hate you."
"...I'm so happy."
Ai once again buried her face in Tetsuya's chest.
"This is the happiest day I've had in seven years... I was so worried you'd think I was a bad girl who lies, and I was so scared that you would hate me from then on..."
At this, she suddenly released her embrace and took half a step back with a shy look on her face.
"But, since Uika told you all that... then you must already know, right? I've liked you since seven years ago, Tetsu. Not as family, but the kind of like between a man and a woman, the kind that makes me want to be with you forever!"
"...Mhm."
Tetsuya nodded.
"It's a little late, but I do now know your true feelings for me."
He paused for a moment before asking:
"So... do you want me to give you an answer right now?"
"That won't do."
Ai replied without a moment's hesitation.
"The current Tetsu... definitely won't accept my confession."
As she said this, her eyes suddenly began to look a little hollow.
"Because by your side, there are nuisances interfering with your judgment."
"...Are you referring to Anon?"
"Not just her. That girl named Togawa Sakiko has improper thoughts about you too, and even Uika has started doing unnecessary things recently..."
She reached out and caressed Tetsuya's cheek.
"You're still the same as seven years ago in this regard, Tetsu. Completely oblivious to your own words, actions, and charm... If I hadn't been there, you might have been 'eaten up' by the other girls back at the orphanage."
"It's the same now. If I hadn't found you in time, you definitely would have unknowingly lured Chihaya Anon and Togawa Sakiko into becoming dangerous 'predators'..."
"That won't happen."
Tetsuya replied to Ai's statement with absolute conviction.
"Sakiko is my apprentice and a trusted companion. Our relationship isn't what you imagine it to be. As for Anon, although we aren't siblings in the truest sense, we have built a familial bond that is second to none."
"I know you've always liked me, Ai, but that doesn't mean other girls approach me with the same feelings."
".....Eh?"
Looking at Tetsuya's earnest expression, a look of incredulous astonishment appeared on Ai's face.
"Tetsu... are you serious? Do you really think... those two have absolutely no feelings of that sort for you?"
"...At least, I haven't gotten that feeling at all."
Tetsuya shook his head.
"I know you've been thinking of me all these seven years, but that has also limited your perspective. So—"
"Hah... Tetsu, you may be a genius when it comes to fashion, but in some areas, you're worse than a child."
Ai couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"But, none of that matters anymore. Since they haven't managed to make you realize it yet... then I suppose I'll just have to do the 'honors' of starting it."
With that, she placed her hand directly on the belt of the coat around her waist and..