Hiko had long anticipated this scene.
He had even deliberately provoked Arisa, making her angry, because last night he had already planned out what might happen today.
One of the things bound to happen was provoking Arisa.
No matter what she did, he would deliberately find reasons to embarrass her, make her angry, and push her back into that aggressive state from yesterday.
Then he would see if she could rally the other members to her side.
Once that happened, he would no longer treat them as equals in his role as coach. He would use his authority to suppress them.
At that point, Ai, as the leader, would inevitably step in to mediate. That would not only establish her prestige but also sever any chance of the girls developing feelings for him.
The plan so far matched his expectations. The only thing he hadn't accounted for was his own emotions.
Sure enough, he was genuinely angry at those who defied orders and stirred up trouble.
"The President announced yesterday that I would be your coach and instructor, yet you still look at me with such an attitude."
Hiko glared at the two openly protesting him and continued in an angry tone, "If you're all so arrogant and can't tell right from wrong, then I might as well ask the President to replace you all! If you won't do it, there are plenty of people who will!"
"Yes, Strawberry Production exists to cultivate idols, but we will never promote people like you who refuse to listen!"
His words lashed out like a volley of arrows. "Watanabe, I thought you were obedient. I didn't expect you to jump out at this moment. I'm very disappointed in you."
His gaze swept across the other three. "If any of you have an opinion, step forward. Go ahead, complain to the President about me. Let's see whether he trusts you and replaces me, or listens to me and replaces you!"
Takamine looked at Hiko, who was scolding Arisa and Watanabe, and hesitated.
Just a moment ago, she thought his lesson was meant to bring them closer together. But now, it seemed as though he truly wanted to expel the two of them. Unsure whether to take a side, she wavered.
Niino also considered going to Watanabe's side. But when she glanced at Takamine and saw she hadn't moved, she decided not to either.
Ai watched Hiko scold them and remembered what he had once said.
"If one day, your members face expulsion, what will you do?"
At that time, she had answered, "They must have a reason for being expelled, so I won't do anything. I'll just let them go."
But Hiko had corrected her then: "If you're just a regular member, you can do that. But as a leader, you cannot. As long as their mistakes aren't too serious, you should fight for them, not stand idly by. If you let a member be expelled for a small mistake, then as a leader, you are derelict. And if morale collapses, the group won't last. Protecting them when it's appropriate will only make them admire you more."
'Is this the situation you meant?'
Ai looked around. All the other members were silent, cowed by Hiko's authority.
She felt this was the best time to step forward.
"Saito-sensei, I don't think you need to expel them over such a small matter. They weren't refusing your training. Weren't they just following your arrangements and exercising?"
Ai carefully chose her words. "As for Arisa, her self-esteem is too strong. When you scolded her like that and embarrassed her, she spoke without thinking.
"As for Watanabe, she only wanted to stop the arguing, but she didn't know how to mediate, so she spoke that way."
Ai walked to Arisa's side and quietly held her hand, urging her not to be impulsive. "So please, Saito-sensei, be magnanimous. Don't expel them over something so small, alright?"
Arisa, who had been ready to snap back out of pride, fell silent. Feeling Ai's hand in hers, she knew Ai was only trying to protect her.
Watanabe, on the other hand, had never imagined she might be expelled over a single sentence.
The other members dared not speak up. Only Ai had stepped forward, saving her from being expelled, and Watanabe immediately felt grateful.
To avoid stirring things up further, she stayed quiet.
Hiko exhaled in relief when Ai finally spoke up for the two.
The most important step had been completed. Now came the negotiation.
"What you said is fair. But they have contradicted me again and again, openly challenging me."
He subtly shifted the premise.
"They are indeed in the wrong, but it's not enough to warrant expulsion. As long as they are willing to apologize, I won't report them to the President. Isn't that right, Saito-sensei?"
Ai understood from his words that he also intended to let them off, but he needed a way out. So she leaned into Arisa's ear and whispered, "Ari-chan, please swallow your pride and apologize, okay? I don't want to lose you. If you leave the group, I'll be very sad."
'Since Ai-chan doesn't want to lose me, I'll apologize to this tyrant abusing his authority.'
Arisa heard the plea in Ai's soft voice and knew she shouldn't have contradicted the coach in the first place. Reluctantly, she agreed.
She lowered her head and whispered, "I… I'm sorry…"
"What did you say?" Hiko barked, dissatisfied with the barely audible words. "I didn't hear you! Who are you apologizing to? Say it louder!"
'You hateful tyrant!'
Though resentment burned in her chest, Arisa had already resolved to apologize. So she shouted bravely, "Saito-sensei! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have contradicted you!"
She bowed deeply at ninety degrees.
"Very good. And who's next?" Hiko's eyes turned to Watanabe, satisfied with Arisa's attitude.
'I thought you were dependable, but you turned out to be so defiant. How hateful! All I did was say one sentence for Arisa's sake…'
Feeling everyone's eyes on her, Watanabe knew she had no choice.
'Even stubborn Arisa apologized. I can only do the same.'
She steadied herself, bowed slightly, and said at a clear volume, "Saito-sensei, I'm sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn't have spoken to you that way."
"Since you both sincerely apologized, I won't report your willfulness to the President."
"However-"
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Hiko x Ai - 61: Singing
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Hiko x Ai - 101: Collaboration?
Hiko X Ai - 102: Sponsorship
Hiko x Ai - 103: Looking Away
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