After leaving the agency, Shichen brought Hoshino Ai back with him to the café.
Starting today, Ai would be living at the café with Tohru and the others.
Shichen had managed to convince Saito Ichigo, though it ca with a price—he ended up signing with the agency and officially beca an entertainer.
He wasn't into the whole celebrity, idol, or actor thing. No interest in movies, dramas, or fa. But if that's what it took for Ai to live at the café, then he was willing to go along with it.
Honestly, Saito Ichigo was a good guy. He genuinely cared about Ai and hadn't ant to use that as leverage. It just ca up in conversation. Even if Shichen had refused to join the agency, Saito probably still would've agreed to let Ai stay for her sake.
Living with Shichen was simply easier for Ai—more comfortable, and she'd have people her own age around.
Shichen explained all the benefits of Ai staying at the café, and in the end, the one who agreed to everything… was him.
By becoming an entertainer, he could protect Ai more directly.
Given his background and ability, he'd have no trouble fitting into the entertainnt world. With him watching her back, Ai could walk this path without worry.
And truth be told, there was one more reason: by entering this industry, he might one day run into a certain pair of cute girls. He only wanted to cross paths with familiar faces—and that was part of why he ca to this world in the first place.
Shichen didn't just join the agency as talent. He also beca one of its co-managers.
It was easy—Strawberry Production was still a small company. A bit of investnt was all it took.
He could've forced his way in, sure, but if money can solve it, there's no need for brute force.
Now that he had a say in things, he could basically do whatever he wanted—including setting things up however he liked for Ai.
Not that he needed to go that far, but hey.
Back at the café, Shichen didn't walk in with Ai—they just teleported straight there.
Ai had seen his teleportation before, so she wasn't too surprised. Still, ever since they'd left the agency, she'd been quiet.
They'd spent a good chunk of ti over there, and by the ti they got back, it was already close to noon.
The café was bustling. Even Chisato was too busy to greet them.
Still, Chisato and Inoue Takina were pros. They worked flawlessly, weaving past each other with trays like it was second nature.
Shichen gave them a quick wave and headed upstairs with Ai.
It was Ai's first ti on the second floor. When she stepped into Shichen's room and saw how ridiculously spacious it was—not to ntion the massive bed—her jaw practically hit the floor.
"What's up with this room? Why's it so huge? And this bed—seriously?"
"You do rember I have special powers, right?" Shichen grinned.
"Oh… that makes sense…"
"…Huh?"
"Co on, sit for a bit." He led her to the bed, sat down, and pulled her onto his lap.
"Hehe~ You're not planning sothing shady, are you? Didn't you say I didn't have much going on in the chest departnt?" Ai teased, looking back at him playfully.
"What kind of stuff are you imagining?" Shichen poked her forehead with an exasperated look.
"Mm… so what are you planning?"
"A real talk," he said, hugging her like a plushie.
"A real talk…" Ai mumbled, glancing down.
"Ai."
Resting his chin on her shoulder, Shichen asked softly, "Why haven't you said a word since we left? Having second thoughts about leaving?"
"I left so suddenly. What was I supposed to say?" Ai tilted her head at him.
"I'm being serious," Shichen said with a gentle smile.
"…Okay."
Ai bit her lip, then slowly replied, "To be honest, I don't really feel much for the president or the others. We barely spent any ti together. But I am grateful he got out of that place."
Shichen nodded slightly.
"That place," of course, referred to where she used to live. It wasn't a place worth missing.
Ai continued, "I wasn't saying anything because… I wondered if I made things harder for you."
"Because of ?"
"Mm… Shichen, you didn't really want to join the agency or beco an entertainer, did you?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Because you were against it at first… so I figured, it must've been because of …"
"Haha~ You might be misunderstanding President Saito," Shichen chuckled.
"What do you an?"
"You don't think he's just using you, do you? That he's only being nice because you'll make money?"
"I… I don't think that far," Ai shook her head.
"Well, yeah, he does want you to be an idol and earn money. But he also genuinely cares about you. Those two things aren't mutually exclusive."
"I know. So what are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying, even if I didn't join the agency, he still would've let you stay here. I joined because I wanted to."
"Huh? Why?"
"Let's just say I felt like playing around—wanted to try being an entertainer for fun."
"No way that's the only reason…"
"Why not? I've got powers, I'm not tied down by this world. Why wouldn't I want to try sothing new and fun?"
"…Still don't buy it." Ai pouted.
"Well, I already joined, so it's a bit late, isn't it?"
"Then just quit."
"Haha~" Shichen laughed, rubbing her head. "Relax. I really do want to try being an entertainer for fun. It's not just because of you."
"Really?"
"You still don't believe ?"
"…I do now."
"Good."
He ruffled her hair a little rougher this ti. "Don't be so polite from now on—even if you cause trouble, that's fine.
Just treat yourself like you're family."
"…Huh?" Ai blinked.
"Isn't that why you ca to ?" Shichen smiled.
"You… you figured it out?"
"Maybe it was my powers that drew you to , but your real reason? Yeah, I knew."
"...I see."
"You're young, but clever. I don't mind. Honestly, I prefer a bit of trouble. Bring it on."
"Why?" Ai stared at him. "You know what I'm really here for… and you're still being so nice to . Why?"
"What, you think I'm just pitying you? I'm not that kind of good guy. There are plenty of sad people in the world—I'm not going to save them all."
"Then why?"
"Because you're Hoshino Ai."
"…What does that even an?"
"You don't have to get it. Just know—I'm a certified lolicon."
Ai blinked rapidly, lost for words.
"What? You don't believe ?"
"Oh, I believe you're a lolicon. But I'm not so sweet, innocent girl. You've got powers. You don't need soone like ."
"But you're just too cute."
"There are lots of cute girls…"
"But there's only one Hoshino Ai."
Shichen leaned his forehead against hers and said seriously, "Stop overthinking. Just rember—I'll treat you right, and I'll always have your back."
"…You're really weird, Shichen," Ai said with a sudden smile.
"Yeah, I think so too."
"Hehe~ Don't tell you've already fallen for . If that's the case… can I start learning magic?"
"Not yet~" Shichen smirked. "Not until you beco soone dazzling."
"...Fine. I'll beco the brightest star ever!" she said confidently.
"Go get 'em." He gave her hair another ruffle.
"Hey, Shichen… you'll really grant all my wishes?"
"What, thinking of sothing already?"
"No… just checking."
"Yeah. I an it." He nodded with his chin resting on her head.
"…You're not just sweet‑talking to get to throw myself at you, right?"
"Tch—brat, you've got nothing. Who'd even want you throwing yourself at them?"
"Don't underestimate ! I will develop, okay!?" Ai huffed.
"Oh? I'll be waiting."
"You better!"
"I will." He hugged her gently.
"…Can I… stay like this for a while?" Ai asked in a quiet voice.
"Yeah. We've still got ti before lunch."
"Okay."
She wrapped his arms around her waist tightly, closed her eyes, and leaned against him.
For soone who'd gone so long without love, she finally felt like she was being held by it.
~~~
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