Chapter 8

Hmm. But Sakuma-senpai’s behavior is still perplexing. It could be that his order or secret order was to not talk to anyone in UNDEAD.

That is to say, were he to talk to us, he could be given a fine as a penalty.

We’re entirely isolated in this place, so there’s no way for us to earn more SSL$—

If we were fined, getting through the SS preliminaries would become impossible to achieve.

I already said I don’t care about SS anymore! We’ve been kidnapped and held captive—This is serious!

Is it, though? The staff at the hotel and the management of this OasisTube all appear to be part of the SS Administration Committee—

And so I believe this entire thing was set up by the Administration Committee. It’s certainly an incomprehensible situation, but I don’t feel any malice behind it.

What I mean is, I don’t get the sense that we’ve been kidnapped by terrorists or criminals. We have far too much freedom for that to be the case.

Unlike Hakaze-senpai and Hinata, who were tossed out into the desert, we were not harmed or threatened, and we are passing our time in luxury.

We’ve been treated with great hospitality, having extravagant food and our beds prepared for us.

Of course, that is most likely only because we’ve been so obedient.

And it doesn’t feel as if we’re involved in a criminal act—It’s more like we’ve been forced to participate in a television program.

Definitely. This isn’t a crime or anything. I feel like they’ve got something fun planned—We just don’t know what it is yet. Like a big surprise or something.

Huh? Fun? None of this bullshit is fun! I’m here to get on that stage and perform! It’s what I’ve been workin’ myself to death for!

If that’s the case, then you should make use of that effort you’ve put in. Why don’t we take Yuuta’s suggestion and upload a video of us performing?

If we ask the staff, they might even lend us what we need for the recording.

I already said it ain’t the time to be singin’, didn’t I?!

…If you’re so against it, you don’t have to do anything. We can make the video with just the three of us and post that.

For starters though, we should check and see how the Administration feels about us doing this.

Right. We can only do what we’re able, one step at a time. And perhaps we’ll find a way to escape this situation.

Fufu. We’re totally on the same wavelength, Otogari-senpai.

Your judgment is correct in this case, Yuuta. You need to calm down, Oogami; if you let your emotions control you and lash out, we don’t know what the consequences could be.

And if you are the only one acting so rash, then the responsibility for your actions will fall on your shoulders alone.

But if something we do provokes the wrath of the Administration, especially when they seem to be pulling all of the strings here…

We don’t know what they will do to Hakaze-senpai and Hinata, who are already in a position much worse than ours.

I know you are unwilling to be caught up in this, but at least for now, please put our friends first and refrain from acting out. Wolves are pack animals, aren’t they?

Ghh… Tch. Fine, whatever. Not like I have a choice when someone as quiet as you is comin’ at me with those big ol’ doe eyes, right?

I know that’s what you really wanted to say, and they’re your real feelings.

So I’m down. So what’s, umm this… video thing? We’re gonna try uploading somethin’?

Wow, Oogami-senpai. You really put a lot of weight into Otogari-senpai’s words, don’t you?

Huh?! Adonis ain’t never said nothin’ wrong before, and whenever I think he does it’s only ‘cause I’m the one in the wrong! I know from experience!

Fufu. I’m far from omniscient; you shouldn’t trust my judgment so blindly.

(…Mm ♪)

(This is a favorable trend. I’ve remained quiet, but in turn Adonis has become more proactive in the conversation, despite being the more introverted type.)

(And Koga, who has long been subconsciously reliant on my judgment, has begun to actually rack his brains and think things through himself.)

(Well, he’s still inexperienced, so he has a tendency to be careless.)

(But even then—you are always facing the right way, Koga.)

(Your straight-forward and avaricious need to live as an idol has always served as a model for us to follow.)

(Kukuku. It’s almost pleasant to be in this position. Watching such pure-hearted children live out their lives makes me feel young again.)

(Nevertheless, I cannot simply stand by quietly forever. Ohhh, how I long to prod and pry… ♪)

(However—I truly don’t know what would become of Kaoru-kun and Hinata-kun were I to make any careless moves.)

(I do have a feeling that Kaoru-kun would be able to easily handle whatever situation arises…)

(Yet until we understand the Administration’s motives, we must be patient and endure, just as Adonis said.)

(And… speaking of not understanding motives, there’s 2wink.)

(Just what is it you two are hoping for? What are you hiding from me? Certainly you know I could deliver you to your destination in a single bound with my wiles if I could just get a read on what you want.)

(We could even overcome our hardships together if we work hand in hand.)

(But no—what if that is your intention? To prevent me from doing just that—Yuuta-kun?)

……