In Britain's upper-class social circles, the most basic skill was reading people's expressions and moods.
Back during the summer when Kamiyā Sora first came to Yosuganosora Animation Studio, Kumamoto Alice had already realized that although she and Kamiyā Yuu addressed each other as siblings, they were actually a couple.
At a time like this, if Kamiyā Sora were allowed to go behind the hot spring rocks alone, her reaction would most likely mirror Yūki Chinatsu's—helping Kamiyā Yuu conceal the matter.
So why did Kumamoto Alice, merely an observer, decide to personally intervene?
If Gogyo Ruri or Kamiyā Sora were the ones to discover Kamiyā Yuu, then because of the feelings they held toward him—whether affection or admiration—they would likely help him cover things up.
As for Morishita Aoi and Uehara Etsuki, there was even less need to mention them. They had been by Kamiyā Yuu's side the longest, possessed the calm rationality of mature women, and trusted and understood him deeply. They, too, would first suppress the matter before seeking an explanation.
What was needed was an "inconsiderate" outsider to become involved.
After eliminating everyone else, only Kumamoto Alice herself fit the role.
She would discover Kamiyā Yuu together with Kamiyā Sora behind the hot spring rocks, deliberately call out his name in surprise, and expose the fact that he was inside the women's bath.
At that point, events would inevitably spiral toward the worst possible direction.
Kumamoto Alice was mixed-race. The reason she joined Yosuganosora Animation Studio was indeed partly because of her interest in animation.
The source of that interest was none other than her Japanese father, who had married into her family.
Although he was the heir apparent to a Japanese conglomerate, he was also an avid anime fan. Ever since she was little, he had often watched Japanese anime together with her while caring for her. After years of influence, her childhood dream had become something like becoming an animation director.
She possessed exceptional passion and interest in anything related to art.
She had grown tired of Britain's social circles, which was why she came to her father's homeland—the country that had created the animations she had adored during childhood.
The recruitment notice from Yosuganosora Animation Studio became the final trigger that made her resolve herself completely.
—Amazing~!
A faint flush of intoxicated excitement appeared on Kumamoto Alice's face.
Just imagining the awkward situation Kamiyā Yuu would face made her body tingle pleasantly.
Leaving Britain's social circles to enter a Japanese animation company was practically the development of an inspirational manga.
And now, bathing together in the hot springs with the company president—Kamiyā Yuu—had turned things into a shōjo manga.
Then, with her personally exposing the truth, the whole thing evolved into a shōnen manga.
The sense of immersion from being directly involved made her sincerely marvel inwardly:
"A development just like manga is simply too interesting!"
...
"This woman... tch!"
An enormous sense of danger enveloped Yūki Chinatsu's heart.
At this moment, she finally displayed the wisdom expected of a mature working woman.
The instant she saw Kamiyā Yuu without speaking up, she had already become his accomplice. If things continued developing like this, her own situation might end up even worse than Kamiyā Yuu's.
What should she do?
Should she simply go with the flow and push all responsibility onto Kamiyā Yuu?
That would certainly be easy. She only needed to claim that Kamiyā Yuu had used previous circumstances to pressure her into silence.
However, impossible.
Not only would that violate her principles, but it would practically be digging her own grave.
The key issue was Kumamoto Alice.
Why was she so fixated on the hot spring behind the rock formation?
The worst-case assumption was that she already knew someone was there. In that case, inviting Kamiyā Sora to accompany her had the most reasonable justification possible.
Kamiyā Sora was a natural shield.
She could reduce the direct impact of exposing Kamiyā Yuu while minimizing the consequences to herself.
Why she knew Kamiyā Yuu was behind the rocks—and why she was determined to expose him aside—just from her insistence on bringing Kamiyā Sora along, it was obvious she had completely made up her mind.
This was a one-sided declaration of war!
—Don't underestimate a woman who's spent ten years in the workplace!
"Then I'll go too. It'll be livelier that way." Yūki Chinatsu smiled as though unconcerned.
But just as she moved beside Kumamoto Alice, her petite body suddenly swayed and collapsed weakly against the edge of the hot spring.
"Hm?"
Yūki Chinatsu grasped Kumamoto Alice's long leg with one hand. Her flushed little face looked dazed from the rising heat as she stared vaguely around her surroundings.
Seeing her abnormal condition, Uehara Etsuki immediately stood up nervously from beside the spring and hurried over.
"Chinatsu?"
Yūki Chinatsu weakly shook her head.
"Don't worry... I just feel a little dizzy."
Kumamoto Alice froze briefly at the sudden development before instinctively crouching to support Yūki Chinatsu's body.
"How are you feeling?"
Yūki Chinatsu appeared to be suffering mild heat exhaustion from soaking in the hot spring for too long. As Kamiyā Sora and Kumamoto Alice supported her, she grabbed Alice's arm and muttered groggily:
"Miss Kumamoto... could you take me to the changing room? I'll be fine after resting a little."
Kamiyā Sora carefully brushed aside the blonde hair on Yūki Chinatsu's forehead and frowned.
"It should be discomfort caused by staying in the hot spring too long. If she remains here, she might get heatstroke."
Kumamoto Alice nodded. Crouching down, she lifted Yūki Chinatsu's petite body in a princess carry and calmly walked toward the changing room.
"For now, let's leave the hot spring and get somewhere ventilated. Miss Uehara, please prepare some cool drinks with salt content."
"Understood."
"Director Yūki will be alright, right?" Gogyo Ruri stood up and looked over worriedly.
Morishita Aoi, whose drunkenness had not yet fully faded, also stood up anxiously to look over.
For a moment, the flawless white bodies within the hot spring each displayed their own distinct charm—some petite and delicate, some soft and graceful, others just beginning to bloom—creating a dazzling scene.
Held in Alice's arms, Yūki Chinatsu lowered her head so nobody could see her current expression.
Because the weakness on her face had already vanished, replaced instead with smug satisfaction.
She silently praised herself inwardly:
"—Hmph, good thing I'm smart."
The group bustled around clumsily, only adding to the confusion. In the end, it was decided that Kumamoto Alice and Uehara Etsuki would escort Yūki Chinatsu to the changing room to rest.
"Phew~ I hope Director Yūki's alright."
Watching them leave, Gogyo Ruri bit her lower lip and muttered softly.
Suddenly, she noticed something on the ground glimmering with a faint sapphire-blue light.
Walking over and picking it up, she realized it was an exquisite sapphire earring. The intricate engraving on the metal alone made it obvious the item was extremely expensive.
"This earring... I think it belongs to Miss Kumamoto."
After returning to the hot spring, Kamiyā Sora walked straight toward the back of the rock formation.
Earlier, Yūki Chinatsu had mentioned that the water there was somewhat cooler. To begin with, Kamiyā Sora was not very fond of the steaming heat of hot springs.
Splash~!
The moment she arrived behind the rocks and saw the scene inside, she froze.
Her bath towel slipped from her body, revealing a flawless young figure as perfect as a work of art. Her skin was smooth as cream and pale as white jade. Reflexively, she covered herself with her arms, adding a touch of shy innocence to her appearance.
The number of people who knew Kamiyā Yuu who were also bathing in the hot spring had now increased to three.