>>5637935Kaiba rolls over and hides her face behind her hands, <span class="mu-g">“Nooo…”</span>The idea of a bunch of mostly strangers moving your naked body would embarrass anyone.
A few minutes later Kaiba-san has largely recovered.
She gets dressed and gathers her things from her locker.
Seeing as the both of you are the only people here, you resume the discussion you had back in the pool.
Kaiba-san obviously didn’t take the sudden pressure very well, but you simply don’t have time.
It’s already late in the afternoon, with a group dinner coming up shortly.
By the time that ends and Kaiba has the time and space to chat with Emiko-chan without risking anyone glancing at her screen it’ll be evening.
As Kaiba finishes getting dressed, she’s struggling with her hair a bit.
After exiting the pool, her hair, which she still seems to curl daily, is giving her all kinds of trouble.
<span class="mu-g">“I noticed you still curl your hair,”</span> you say to ease the tension somewhat.
<span class="mu-g">“I…”</span> she says, stopping herself from trying to untangle her hair, then continues, <span class="mu-g">“…just like it this way.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“As long as you do it because you want to,”</span> you reply, <span class="mu-g">“Not because you feel like you have to.”</span>
Kaiba nods and resumes untangling her hair.
You wait until she’s done before you speak again.
<span class="mu-g">“Aoi-chan,”</span> you say, <span class="mu-g">“Take out your phone. I’ll share the password for the app with you.”</span>
Kaiba nods severely, but does as instructed.
A few button presses later, she’s logged in.
<span class="mu-g">“What do I even say, manager-san?”</span> she says as her fingers tremble above her phone.
<span class="mu-g">“Just say something like how I suddenly came up in a panic and gave you permission to talk with Emiko-chan again,”</span> you say.
<span class="mu-g">“But you didn’t seem scared at all?”</span> asks Kaiba.
But you are. You’re just trying very hard not to show it.
How can you not be? However, There's no reason for that fear to spread.
<span class="mu-g">“I know, but if I understand EmikDesu55’s personality correctly then she’ll really like hearing that and will be more likely to believe it,”</span> you say, <span class="mu-g">“It’ll make her feel like she won.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”Other than that, just act normal, we just need to stall as much time as possible,”</span> you say.
Kaiba swallows, takes a deep breath, and prepares to act out one of the most important roles she’s played so far.
