"Miss Yukina, do you have time next?"
Looking at the man who had appeared before her, Yukina could not help but grow nervous.
"Um... Mr. Kono, what is it?"
"It's like this. If you have time, I'd like to invite you to the upcoming Christmas party... Ah, don't be nervous. It's just a small gathering."
"No, um... I... but..."
Yukina anxiously looked around, hoping to find someone to save her. Yet there was not a single person nearby she could rely on. Morikawa Yuki was still abroad and had not returned. The girls from the same agency hurriedly turned away the moment they saw Yukina looking at them. Touma and the others were not here either. Yukina was overcome by a feeling of utter isolation.
"Um..."
"Is there a problem?"
Although the man before her was still smiling, Yukina could already hear a trace of impatience in his voice.
"No, um, I..."
Yukina hesitated for a moment, then finally lowered her head.
"I'm terribly sorry, but I already..."
However, before Yukina could finish speaking, her producer suddenly stepped out, pressed a hand onto Yukina's shoulder, and stopped her from saying anything further.
"Go on, Yukina."
"Huh? But..."
"I'll handle the agency matters. You don't need to worry."
As she spoke, the producer pushed Yukina toward him.
"Then, Mr. Kono, Yukina is in your care."
"Don't worry. I'll take very good care of her."
At the producer's words, Kono revealed a meaningful smile. The sight of it made Yukina's heart tremble even more. Yet her producer's sudden betrayal left her at a loss as to what to do. She stood there stiffly, like a doll being manipulated at someone else's whim.
"Then I'll go change clothes. Miss Yukina, wait for me at the entrance."
"No problem."
As she spoke, the producer