Although Kana's manager asked us to not go anywhere and wait for her, no one can guarantee that she'll find us before an emotional fan arrives.
Some well-informed people in the dojo lobby are already stealing glances at her. The only reason they haven't approached us to take photos with their mobile phones is the common courtesy of being a regular customer there.
[player]This is quite a sticky situation...
At this moment when I am in a dilemma, a hand reaches for my hand from behind, clasping my fingers, and drags me to the door without any explanation.
[player]...W-Wait... Kana?
[Kana Fujita]Huh? I thought you wanted to leave with me since you kept looking at the street.
[player]I was considering that, but your manager...
[Kana Fujita]People from my company call my manager all the time when she accompanies me to commercial performances. In most cases, she'll take me to work overtime, but every once in a while, she will directly reject the other party's request. She said a general in the field is not bound by the orders of their sovereign.
[Kana Fujita]Hmm... Although I don't know what we should do now, I believe you'll make the best decision for me.
[Kana Fujita]So, PLAYER, will you take me away from here?
The girl in front of me smiles brightly with no intention of letting go of my hand, as if she is certain she knows what decision I will make.
It's a blessing to have someone's wholehearted trust. No longer hesitating, I smile at Kana and leave the dojo with her.
[player]Let's go to a place with fewer people and then contact your manager.
Even though Kana and I keep a low profile along the way and choose paths with fewer people, a beautiful girl naturally draws the gaze of people wherever she is.
Wherever we go, someone on CatChat is sharing our location in real-time. As a result, we keep moving without staying at the same place for too long.
After hiding from everyone like this, even Kana's amazing stamina is running out.
[Kana Fujita]Huff... Huff... I swear I'll never forget to disguise myself whenever I go out in the future. The person behind this better hope I never find out who they are, or else I'll give them a taste of what it feels like to be chased around everywhere!
[player]Your manager still hasn't contacted us after so long, so maybe she's been caught up in something. It looks like we'll need to rely on ourselves for now.
[Kana Fujita]Hmm, do you have an idea?
[player]Look over here. I just saw this... The anti-fans call this photo "shopping with new lover."
[Kana Fujita]Huh? Isn't that you standing next to me, helping me with my wind-scattered hair? So... that means my new love is...
[player]Ahem, yes, it's me.
[Kana Fujita]Well... In that case, it seems...
[player]Hmm?
I move my ear closer to Kana's mouth to try to hear what she is mumbling, but she, who is always cheerful and gracious, suddenly blushes and changes the topic shyly.
[Kana Fujita]Ahem, if I'm right, this photo was secretly taken when we went out together a few months ago. I remember this moment because the store was playing W.I.N's debut song in the background.
[Kana Fujita]The store is somewhere close to us. Shall we ask around there for some information?
[player]Yeah, hiding like this is getting us nowhere. Let's try to gather more information before your manager arrives.
After repeatedly comparing Kana's memories with the place where the photo was taken, I finally confirm that the person took the photo of us from a store that sells sports equipment in the commercial strip.
We're very excited by the discovery and quickly ask the owner for information, but the result is very disappointing.
[Owner]Hey, don't be fooled by how quiet it is here right now. It's only so quiet because it's a work day and many people are still at work.
[Owner]This commercial strip isn't the most economically prosperous one in One Han City, but its unique features are loved by many. Countless pedestrians and customers come and go every day.
[Owner]I might remember something if you're asking me about the characteristics of a customer who came in the morning, but I won't remember anything about someone from several months ago.
[player]Okay then. Thank you anyway...
[Kana Fujita]Um... What should we do now?
[player]It looks like we'll need to wait for your manager to think of something.
I shake my head and look apologetically at Kana. As we are about to leave without any success, the owner suddenly calls out Kana's name.
[Owner]Kana-chan?!
[Kana Fujita]I've been facing away from the owner since I entered the store, and I only just said one thing. How did he recognize me?
[player]This just proves how irresistible your charm is, Kana.
[Owner]Kana! I-I'm your fan! I've bought all your albums, and have all the products you've endorsed! WOW! I can't believe I get to meet my favorite idol. I'm so surprised! I grew up listening to your songs!
[player]Haha...
The owner looks like he is at least thirty years old, so it's a bit exaggerated to say he grew up listening to Kana's songs. It's obvious he is so excited he has no idea what he is saying.
Seeing that the owner is her fan, Kana ignores how tired she is after running around everywhere and puts on her signature smile.
[Kana Fujita]Ahem, thank you for supporting me for so many years. I'll keep doing my best!
[Owner]Kana, are you here because of the dating photo incident? Maybe I can help you.
[player]But you just...
[Owner]Well... Although I don't remember the traits of customers who were in the store at that time, we have an HD surveillance camera, and the footage is kept for six months.
[Owner]Since Kana-chan need it, I'll find the footage so you can check it out however you want.
[player]Thanks a lot!
[Owner]You're welcome! It's my honor to be able to help Kana!
With the store owner's help, we soon find someone suspicious in the surveillance footage.
The person is wearing ordinary active wear, a sun visor, sunglasses, and a mask, which makes this person look out of place in summer. The person is also holding a telephoto camera and ignoring the staff who approaches them to provide help, focusing fully on pressing the shutter at something on the other side of the glass wall.
I record a copy of the surveillance footage with my mobile phone and send it to Kana's manager.
[Kana Fujita]I think this is the person behind the scandal.
[Owner]This person... looks kinda familiar.
[Kana Fujita]You know this person? Is this person a regular customer of this store?
[Owner]No, no, no! How could I possibly know someone who would do something to harm Kana-chan?
[Owner]It's just... someone dressed like the person in the video came to the store just before you, and I heard this person say in a smug tone while on the phone that they would be meeting someone near the cinema.
[Owner]I didn't really pay attention to this person since they didn't look like they would be buying anything, so I'm not entirely sure if it's the person in the video.
[Kana Fujita]It's alright. Thanks for helping me.
[Owner]You're welcome, this is something I should be doing.
*Beep* My phone starts vibrating after I receive a notification, interrupting the niceties being exchanged by an idol and her fan. I open the text messages sent by Kana's manager and see a long list of messages.
[Manager]Where did you get this?
[Manager]This person is a young paparazzo called Big Hammer Lee who has just started out in the industry. He has recently leaked news about several artists. Even though it's difficult to tell what's true from what's false, he has made himself quite a few fans.
[Manager]We looked through his CatChat and found a comment he replied to, saying he will meet someone at the cinema of the commercial strip today. We should be able to find him there.
[Manager]The sooner we refute the rumors the better. It'll be best if this paparazzo is willing to cooperate with us. We'll meet up at the cinema, and we must find him!
[Manager]To our surprise, the cinema is divided into two zones: Zone A and Zone B. To find our target as fast as possible, we split into two groups to search separately after we meet up with the manager.
[player]Is that the person we're looking for?
[Kana Fujita]Shush! Stop staring at him in case you catch his attention. Let's pretend to be here to watch a movie together first to catch him by surprise.
[player]Why does it feel like you're really eager about this...
[Kana Fujita]Ahem, of course not. You must be imagining things, PLAYER!
Kana and I find a dark corner to observe the situation. After confirming the identity of that person, we let the manager know immediately.
Maybe it's because he is confident that he has won this time, the paparazzo Big Hammer Lee hasn't hidden himself and is even sitting ostentatiously in the middle of the hall, humming a tune light-heartedly.
About ten minutes later, a man wearing a mask sits in front of Big Hammer Lee and hands him a folder from a backpack.
The two people keep making big movements, and it looks like their talk isn't going well. I think... we can rule out the possibility that they are accomplices.
[Kana Fujita]Hmm, we can't hear what they are saying. Should we move closer to them?
[player]Who just told me not to catch their attention?
[Kana Fujita]Aren't you curious about what they are saying? My instincts tell me that the situation can still be turned around.
Well aware of how much Kana loves gossip, I scan the hall quickly and motion for her to hide on the other side and eavesdrop.
However, she knocks down a promotional poster stand of the cinema by accident while getting closer to them, and the sound of it falling to the ground alarmed the paparazzi who are arguing. After recognizing Kana Fujita, Big Hammer Lee and the other person turn and run instantly.
[???]!!!
[Big Hammer Lee]Run--
The poster stand that fell over gets in my way. In this situation, we can only catch one person.
