"Really? Well then, if there's nothing else, I'll hang up. I'm currently on the move, so it's not very convenient to talk on the phone."

"Be sure to call me, I'm looking forward to it!"

Arashikaze Manami ended the call with this not-so-innocent reminder.

"......"

Ryuto didn't respond and just hung up. It was better to pretend he didn't hear anything.

Hmm... This was undoubtedly the right decision, Ryuto firmly believed in that.

After hanging up, Arashikaze Manami shifted her gaze to Katsuragi Reimi, who was beside her.

Although she still had a smiling face, it was a completely different smile from before.

"Katsuragi-san must have something else in mind, right?"

It had a slight hint of an advisory tone.

Katsuragi Reimi admitted openly. Since the other party had already seen through it, there was no need for any concealment. Besides, Katsuragi Reimi never intended to hide anything from the beginning.

"That's right, Arashikaze President must have known about it, that's why she said that to Amagi Ryuto, right?"

It wasn't explicitly stated, but both sides understood. Rather, it was precisely because they knew that the other party understood that they deliberately didn't say it outright.

Upon hearing this, Arashikaze Manami nodded thoughtfully.

"Well, there are still some things to take care of on this end."

Upon hearing this, Katsuragi Reimi smiled faintly.

"If President Arashikaze has this intention, then I'll join too. After all... I've wanted to do this from the beginning, there's no conflict, and besides, the actual situation is much worse than what we can see now, and also..."

Katsuragi Reimi paused intentionally.

"And also?"

While whispering softly, Arashikaze Manami squinted her eyes.

Seeing this, Katsuragi Reimi went straight to the point. After all, it wasn't the time for beating around the bush.

"And also, President Arashikaze must resolve this matter as soon as possible. Otherwise, there's no guarantee that Amagi Ryuto won't be involved. Although there's no evidence, no one can guarantee that something like that won't happen. Most importantly, it's something President Arashikaze doesn't want to see."

"...Well, that's true."

As she answered like that, Arashikaze Manami shifted her gaze to Asuka.

"What should we do about Amagi-chan? Should she go back to the hotel and meet up with Amagi-kun directly? Although it's dangerous to be separated from us, it might be even more dangerous to stay with us."

Though the tone wasn't very gentle, it was a well-intentioned reminder. Arashikaze Manami's underlying message was that if possible, she hoped Asuka could go straight back to the hotel.

Although Asuka understood the meaning behind those words...

She sighed and wore a helpless expression.

"In any case, if we don't resolve it, it will end up involving that idiot brother, right? In that case, it doesn't make sense for me to go back early either."

Although it wasn't what she had hoped for, Arashikaze Manami did not refuse.

"So, you mean you want to act together with us?"

"Yes, that's right."

Although her tone sounded casual, the meaning was clear.

Having understood this, Arashikaze Manami could only give up.

"Well, since Amagi is already saying so, let's follow her wishes. But please be careful later, Amagi only needs to consider her own safety, no need to intervene, after all... if anything happens to Amagi, Amagi's younger brother will definitely worry."

"... I got it."

Asuka replied loudly with a blushing face.

At this point, Katsuragi Reimi looked at the crowd in front of her, like a flowing river, and quietly declared.

"Now that the decision has been made, let's act quickly. After all, we are now competing against those people for time."