Hina's house was large; a mansion just out of town. Ayano recognised the front of it from Hina's social media.

She knocked on the door, and Hina opened the door. She smiled at Ayano. It was the first time the two had seen each other since Ayano had given her the abortion pills.

"Hi, Yan-Chan! Come in."

Ayano followed Hina into her house. She glanced at the expensive decor around the house. She knew modelling would rake in the chips. Of course, Ayano's house was nice, but this is next level.

She wondered momentarily if Budo actually liked Hina, or if he was in it for her money and her looks. She dismissed the thought quickly, remembering the conversation which had triggered this whole thing - he would have ran for the hills the moment he found out she was pregnant if that was the case.

"So, do you want some tea?"

"Just water, thanks." Ayano said.

"Alright. Make yourself comfortable." Hina said, disappearing into the kitchen. Ayano seated herself on one of the sofas.

Hina soon returned, handing Ayano her water and taking a seat across from her. "I know I keep saying this, but thanks again."

"You really don't need to thank me so much."

"So, please tell me about you. We're friends now. I wanna know about you."

Ayano smiled slightly, knowing if Hina knew the truth about who she was she'd probably be disgusted. "Well, my parents went to Akademi."

"Um... forgive me if this is overstepping. Your surname, Aishi... are you related to Ryoba Aishi?"

Ayano nodded. "Yes. Anything the media has made up about her isn't true." she knew this was a lie, but she didn't like the alternative.

"Oh, no, I wouldn't assume anything. I was just wondering. Anyway, tell me more. Are you in a club?"

"Not currently."

"Neither. Budo wanted me to join martial arts but I refused."

"You two seem happy together." Ayano said, deflecting the topic from her. "How did you get together?"

"Oh, we were friends before. You know the guys at school. They can get pretty handsy. Budo saw and offered to teach me some self defence if he wasn't around to protect me, and I realised he was probably one of the only genuine boys at that school. And, well, I knew if I was taken at least a few of them would lay off, so I decided he would do. And it turns out he's the best decision I ever made."

"So, he exceeded expectations?"

"Infinitely and more."

Ayano nodded. She didn't quite understand the concept of getting into a relationship for the benefits and not for the feelings, but hey, there was many things she didn't quite understand.

"Obviously, I'd love to get married and have kids with him one day." Hina continued. "But right now isn't the time, at all. I mean, with my career, nobody hires teenage pregnant models. It's not a thing. And at school, I'd be shunned. That's why I'm so grateful, Yan-Chan."

"It's okay. I completely get it." Ayano smiled. "I'm glad you found the right person."

"So, if you were gonna join a club, which would you join?"

Ayano hesitated. She wouldn't join a club for the fun of it, but rather whichever one offered her the most benefits. That being said, thinking logically about it right now wasn't important. "Probably cooking."

"Oh, yeah, that's a good one. Apparently the leader is back this week, she wasn't well this last week. Maybe you should join?" Hina suggested.

"Maybe." Ayano agreed, knowing she likely wouldn't even consider it.

Ayano spent the rest of her evening with Hina, and arrived home.

She checked her messages, and saw some from Info-Chan.

Info-Chan: Congratulations on eliminating Osana. How impressive.

Ayano: Why are you messaging me now? Are you blackmailing me?

Info-Chan: Not in the slightest. I just thought you might like to know that Amai Odayaka was with your senpai earlier today. You know how sad he's been since Osana... committed suicide.

Ayano: The cooking club leader?

Info-Chan: Precisely. I see you making friends with Hina Shio, but you have bigger things to worry about now. Don't let her get your Senpai. One more thing... make her suffer.