Question: Why didn't you lock the bathroom door?
Please. Is that even a real question?
Under normal circumstances, who just barges in when someone else is clearly using the bathroom? Even family members don't do that, right?
But Shinomiya burst in just like that—no warning, no "Knock knock, can I come in?"—completely catching Kuroha Akira off guard.
Moreover, she'd already completed all the "preparations" one normally does before entering a bathroom. She wasn't wearing a swimsuit. She wasn't wrapped in a towel. No protective measures. No excuses. Not even a hint of wanting to cover herself up.
She meant to bathe together.
Only couples in their honeymoon phase—or friends with strictly transactional, physical arrangements—would make such an overtly obvious invitation. "Bathing together" was just the pretext. The real intention lay elsewhere.
Anyway, they'd definitely have to wash again after washing, constantly cycling between dirty and clean until they ran out of energy. Only then would they finally take a serious bath.
So yeah. There wasn't much room left for Kuroha Akira to play dumb.
Kuroha Akira was never a dense protagonist to begin with. He'd always been mindful of his interactions with Shinomiya and had been tracking her affection level like a hawk watches its prey.
But it seemed now that Shinomiya's affection meter had completely maxed out. Her state was clearly "Love."
If the other person wasn't someone she truly loved, she wouldn't be able to go this far. Her actions were already equivalent to a full-on confession.
So when Shinomiya walked in without hiding anything, Kuroha Akira hesitated greatly. He wondered what attitude he should take to respond to her bold move.
Should he act like a dense, clueless protagonist, asking her in surprise why she came in?
Or should he play the flirtatious scumbag, inviting her into the bathtub… No, that's way too dangerous. He had a feeling she'd actually cooperate and climb right in.
Or should he angrily chase her out?
No.
None of those were right.
What he should be thinking about right now wasn't how to treat her… but…
How did he truly view the girl named "Shinomiya Shion"?
She'd already revealed her hand.
So what about him?
Could he accept her feelings?
According to the plan he'd laid out earlier—he couldn't touch her. He couldn't sabotage himself and uproot his own money tree. But if he genuinely loved her… then all those concerns would disappear.
Kuroha Akira began to ask himself.
Did he love Shinomiya Shion?
Of course he did.
Who wouldn't love such a peerless beauty?
But to date her with marriage in mind—to consider her a lifelong partner?
Thinking about it carefully, it actually seemed pretty good. Shinomiya had been completely obedient to him so far. If he had a wife like her—even if he wasn't rolling in cash—it seemed like he could live a pretty happy life…
Kuroha Akira couldn't find a reason within himself to reject Shinomiya. Playing dumb any further would just be evasion plus overdramatic self-sabotage.
But when he saw the expression on Shinomiya's face as she walked in, he suddenly understood what he'd been hesitating about.
On her face… there was shyness. And determination. But more than that… there was confusion.
She herself didn't know if what she was doing was right. Didn't know if she should be doing this.
Shinomiya was hesitating too.
Why would she hesitate?
Because she didn't know if doing this would win the heart of the man in front of her.
And she also didn't know if the man in front of her was truly worth investing her entire life in.
So that's how it is…
A life lived entirely for one person is too heavy. Too fragile.
People should live more freely. Not get delayed by one person for their entire existence.
Shinomiya wasn't truly doing this because she wanted to. It was because, given the current situation, she felt she had no other choice.
It was like Stockholm Syndrome. Why do victims develop affection for their captors? Because in certain extreme situations, the only person a victim can rely on is the perpetrator.
For Shinomiya right now, the only person she could rely on was Kuroha Akira. And that was the real reason her psychology was gradually twisting.
Knowing this, Kuroha Akira's mind—which had been soaking in the hot water—instead cooled down.
He said to Shinomiya, who was standing naked in front of the bathtub, with the most serious expression he had ever shown:
"Shion. I am your Producer."
"Yes…?"
Shinomiya looked puzzled, not understanding why Kuroha Akira suddenly brought that up.
Kuroha Akira continued, "Then do you know what the necessary condition is to become a Producer?"
"Vision…?"
"No. It's having a bottom line. You absolutely cannot make a move on the artist you're responsible for. That's the minimum requirement for a Producer. If you can't even do that, you can't call yourself one."
"…!"
Shinomiya's mouth opened slightly—first in surprise, then she lowered her head in disappointment.
She already understood what Kuroha Akira meant.
This was a very clear rejection.
As expected… it's not possible, is it…?
Shinomiya felt a stinging sensation behind her eyes and a deep ache settling into her heart. Logically speaking, since Kuroha Akira had said all that, she had no way to shamelessly stay…
But to retreat like this… was just too unwilling!
Is it really not possible? Is there no chance at all? Is money really that important?
Her fists were clenched tightly at her sides. She bit her lip. She had so many complaints she wanted to hurl at Kuroha Akira. But in the end, a thousand words condensed into a single question that sounded almost like a plea:
"…Akira-kun… do I still have a chance?"
Kuroha Akira shook his head—but what he said next wasn't a rejection.
"I can't answer you right now. Because this isn't a question I can decide."
She didn't understand. Why isn't it a question he can decide?
I like Akira-kun… isn't this a problem between me and you?!
You just need to answer me—tell me clearly, 'I don't like you'… then I will… die…!
But could she really give up?
Shinomiya Shion, unable to find certainty, fell into a long daze.
She suddenly realized that even if she was rejected by Kuroha Akira, she had no intention of giving up.
She would probably redouble her efforts and continue pursuing him until she moved his heart.
If you asked why…
"Shion, I know you value me a lot right now. That's because you don't have anyone else to rely on besides me."
"…!!!"
Shinomiya stared at Kuroha Akira—who looked more indifferent than ever—in utter astonishment.
He knew.
He always knew.
He wasn't slow-witted at all. He was very, very clear about her feelings.
He had clearly seen everything, but he'd always remained like an observer, never showing any indication.
Shinomiya became fragile under Kuroha Akira's cold gaze. His words tugged at her nerves like a puppeteer pulling strings, leaving her on the verge of breaking down at any moment.
"I took you in because I saw your talent. And the reason you stay by my side is because you have nowhere else to go right now."
"…"
"I know you have feelings for me, and you've developed a sense of belonging—like a family—toward Kobayashi, who took you in… but this kind of life won't last forever."
"Akira-kun… will you leave?"
Leave the warm Kobayashi household… and leave my side too?
Don't do that…!
Why! Why do you have to leave?!
Can't we stay together forever—live here for a lifetime?
But Kuroha Akira ruthlessly crushed her hopes.
"Yeah. I will leave."
Even Kuroha Akira himself was surprised at how easily the answer came out.
"Because… I am not your only choice."