Arc-3 Ep-32

 "Well then thank you for your hard work today. Please take care of me again this year."

"Please take care of me."

"Yeah good work. Looking forward to working with you too."

"Good work~"

"Good work. Once you're home make sure to rest early so you don't carry over any fatigue… Well then please do."

The side window on our side closed and the taxi carrying the three of them drove away from in front of Nozomi-chan and me.

While I watched them go and wondered whether Rina-san and Tomomi-san would have any conversation in the same car the two of us started walking toward the parking lot entrance.

The passenger drop-off area in front of the main entrance was crowded with taxis and company cars for staff heading home from the song battle.

However Nozomi-chan's private car didn't have a permit to enter the premises.

That meant we either had to go outside the grounds to get in or ask the security guards at the entrance to let the car through.

"…Um excuse me."

"Yes how can I help… Wait it's the two from Sistema Solare!?"

"Whoa! It's Mikunozu…"

There was an older security guard and a younger one in his twenties so I spoke to the older one who seemed to have more authority and he looked surprised.

The younger one apparently recognized us well because he quietly muttered our not-very-well-known duo name under his breath.

"We don't have a permit but would it be all right to let our pickup car in?"

"I see… Understood. Just please have it stop right there at that spot."

We received permission but the spot he pointed to was immediately next to the entrance.

As expected without a permit they wouldn't allow it any farther inside.

By the way taxis arranged by the station could come all the way to the drop-off area.

"Understood. Thank you very much."

"No problem. It's my job."

"…Um excuse me. Could I possibly get a handshake?"

"Hey! You're on duty!"

The younger security guard seized the chance and asked for a handshake.

Of course the older one scolded him but for the sake of goodwill I wasn't about to refuse.

"It's fine. …Thank you for your hard work♪"

"Ah thank you very much."

"And you too working this late must be tough♪"

"No. thank you!"

Naturally I shook hands with the older security guard as well and spread some charm around.

Nozomi-chan who'd been on the phone followed my lead and shook hands with both of them while smiling.

Just then a familiar black luxury car turned toward us from the facing road.

"Ah this is the car."

"Understood!"

At Nozomi-chan's words the younger guard guided the car to the spot he'd indicated earlier and a familiar face stepped out from the driver's seat.

"Happy New Year. Nozomi-ojousama. Mikuri-ojousama."

"Ah Tanaka-san. It's been a while. And happy New Year♪"

"Sorry for making you wait this late."

"No this is my job."

The driver who'd come to pick up Nozomi-chan was as usual Tanaka-san.

He lived on-site as a driver for the Nanazawa family and his children were already independent so he was especially valuable during times like this or late at night.

"First I'll take your luggage but it doesn't seem like there's much. Please get in."

"Yes."

"Yes. Thank you♪"

Costumes and large luggage were handled by the production staff so what I was carrying fit easily into a small bag.

The same went for Nozomi-chan. There was no need to put anything in the trunk.

"…Well then excuse me♪"

"Excuse us."

"Yes good work to both of you."

"Happy New Year!"

We said goodbye to the two security guards and got into the car. The interior welcomed us with a comforting warmth.

"…Well then we will depart now."

"Thank you♪"

"Safe driving okay?"

"Yes of course Nozomi-ojousama."

Without any noticeable acceleration the black car pulled away smoothly.

From here at this late hour it would probably take about thirty minutes to reach my house.

I had no idea how the road conditions would be right after New Year's whether it would be faster or slower.

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"That costume was amazing wasn't it?"

"It was so sparkly and luxurious. The price must've been insane too."

"Since it's an annual thing they probably don't have the option of not making it."

"It definitely becomes a topic of conversation and I think they use it as a highlight for regular stages and such."

"…Pardon me while you're chatting. In about five more minutes we will arrive at Mikuri-ojousama's home."

I'd been chatting happily with Nozomi-chan in that giggly way when I realized we'd already reached near my house without noticing.

When I checked the time on my phone it was a little past 2 a.m.

It had taken longer than expected but talking with Nozomi-chan had been so much fun that it hadn't felt long at all.

"Already? …No actually more time has passed than I thought."

"Thank you Nozomi-chan."

"No I had fun talking too♪"

While we were saying that the car stopped in front of my house.

Tanaka-san got out of the driver's seat and opened the left rear door for me.

"Well then Nozomi-chan. Please take care of me again this year."

"Yes. Please take care of me too♪"

I got out carrying my bag and Tanaka-san closed the door. Nozomi-chan moved over to this side's seat and lowered the power window.

"Ugh… It's really cold…"

"Mikuri-chan thank you for your hard work today."

"You too Nozomi-chan. See you at the office on the fourth♪"

"Yes♪ I'll endure until then with phone calls."

Fortissimo's New Year activities would start on the fourth. Of course some talents and staff would have work starting from today New Year's Day but the office building itself would be closed through the first three days of the New Year.

For the time being it was tradition that on the fourth all members without work would gather to listen to the president's New Year's greeting.

"Yeah♪ I'll call you. …Tanaka-san thank you for today too."

"No those are far too kind words… By the way Mikuri-ojousama."

"Yes?"

He changed from his previous relaxed manner and took on a formal expression.

"From now on as well I humbly ask that you continue to get along well with Nozomi-ojousama. This is Tanaka's wish for the New Year."

"Wha!? T-Tanaka-san!?"

"O-of course. I should be the one asking that of her."

"I see. Thank you very much… Well then please excuse me now. Rest early and recover from your fatigue."

Leaving Nozomi-chan too surprised to speak he gave a bow and returned to the driver's seat.

While I adjusted my seat and unfastened my seatbelt I spoke to Nozomi-chan.

"Nozomi-chan make sure to rest early today too okay?"

"Ah yes. Understood."

"Well then good night. I'll call you♪"

"I'll be waiting♪ Well then Tanaka-san."

"Yes. Excuse us Mikuri-ojousama."

The car slowly pulled away and disappeared into the distance.

I kept waving with a smile at Nozomi-chan who was waving from the open window until the luxury car was completely out of sight.