A Bet

"Ayano! You quitted tennis club?"

"Sorry, It looks like It's not really for me."

"What's happening to you? You quitted the Swimming club, Basketball club and now the tennis club?"

I know my friend is just concerned about me but I decided to do this. I join some clubs that looks interesting and try them for a bit. If I realized that I'm not really enjoying this, I'm going to quit, I'm doing those things repeatedly until I reached high school.

"I might be going to that elite school that my teacher recommended to me. My family is rich so I should go there or something like that. It doesn't matter where I go, as long there's clubs, no one will care anyway."

With that, I decided to obey my teacher's recommendation and entered this elite school. At the opening ceremony, I saw him again. That strange boy who offers Odd Jobs.

I remember him too well, even though It's already 2 years since we met. That's why I know even though I don't know his name, I know his face.

"Now, the first years representative, Araragi Hideki is now going to give his speech."

He climbed the small stairs and stood straight at the platform. So his name is Araragi, huh? You've grown taller, but your face didn't changed at all. I didn't even listened to his speech, I just stupidly stared at him.

After the opening ceremony, I decided to... find my dream and at the same time, fulfill his dream! We're going to get it together! But I think Araragi wants to do things that will get him money.

"Huh? Earning money while doing things that you enjoy?"

"I'm asking you about that!"

In the end, I consulted my friend here. It seems she knows some things. But I don't expect things from her. She's a daughter of a rich man like me, so I bet she doesn't know anything about that.

"Then, why not try being an Idol?"

"Idol?"

With that, I researched about it for a while. After researching it, I clenched my fist and decided:.

"I'm going to build an Idol group with Araragi as the manager! I'm sure this is going to be fun!"

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But how am I going to ask him? If I act that I know him, and he remembers me then that's good! More than I hoped for!

But If I act like that, and he doesn't remember me... I will die out of shame. So to reduce the risks, I'm going to pretend that I don't know him! I'm going to ask him like that!

But If I ask him to become the manager, I know he will ask "Why me"? So I'm going to make an excuse, like "You're the only boy I can ask!" or something like that!

Okay, I'm ready! I'm going to ask him now! In the end, I got too scared and waited until June to ask him to be the manager.

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"I joined this group for money. If I think that we won't get any profit from this, then I won't waste any effort for something irrational like see this through the end! If we won't get any money, then all of this is... useless for me."

I see. I forgot about it. Araragi joined us for money, there's no way he would agree to this if he knows that we will just lose. I'm being selfish, aren't I?

Araragi is here to make money, not to help me with this. Then, I guess I have to do this.

Urara and Yumeko seems to be in shocked. It's only natural. They're already in a great mood just now, but Araragi destroyed it, not that I blame him though.

I walked towards Araragi and stretched my arms. Then said this:

"Araragi! Let's have a bet! If we win at the first round, all of us will continue at this Idol Group! But if we lose, I will give you my full allowance this month. That way, you can still have profit, right?"

"What? You don't have to go that far."

No, Araragi. I have to go this far. If you won't have any merit on this then... all your efforts will be wasted! Everything you did, will be gone!

You did this to earn money, but If you won't get money, then this is useless for you! I have money and no one will actually care when and where would I spend it.

"In addition, If we lose this Round 1, I'll disband the Cherry Blossoms. By that way, Araragi will have more time working instead of wasting his time here."

"What?!"

Even Araragi and the girls are shocked. This is so sudden after all.

"Why? Like I said, you don't have to go that far! I'm just saying that we should give up at the league and find a different way to get popular! You don't have to go that far!"

I'm sorry everyone for doing this but... If we lose this... the Idol Industry is not really for me. Maybe It's time to try other things again. I said that I want to see this through the end, and I think... the end is when we lose at the Sunflowers.

"I'm sorry for doing this, Yumeko, Urara, and right after you joined too."

"It's okay, you're the leader. You can do whatever you want with this group. But I took a little liking to this Idols thing so maybe I'll make a new one if we did ended up disbanding."

Said by Urara while still smiling towards me and Yumeko. It seems Yumeko will join Urara's Idol Group. I guess I don't have to worry about them. Now that leaves with...

"Are you really sure about this?"

"Yes, take my allowance if we lose. But If we win, you'll have to stick around. Got that?"

"I'm going to take It all. You okay with that?"

"Definitely."

Araragi scratched his head for a bit then said "Okay, fine. But don't take it back."

Don't worry, I won't take it back. I didn't said those words, I just put on a smile in front of him.

"Ayano Katachi, why are you so fixated to me as your manager? You could recruit some other guys instead. I'm sure they won't refuse you, If you ask."

That's right. I'm sure they wouldn't refuse me. But... still...

"Didn't I tell you? You're the only one left, I was refused by the boys."

"That's clearly impossible but whatever."

I want you as our manager.

END OF CHAPTER 14