Public rehearsal

"Ayumi, this dress doesn't work. We need you as a mermaid to stand out in the crowd. But you cannot just prance around naked, just wear your underwear."

"I don't understand why you're talking about outside,," she says finally.

Stacy shakes her head, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "We're having a public rehearsal today. On the nearby plaza."

"B-but why? Surely, there must be another way."

Stacy shrugs, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Sorry, Ayumi. The director wants to create some buzz for the play and attract more audience members. And apparently, nothing creates buzz like playing in front of public."

"But -- Stacy, no, I can't do that. I don't have underwear with me," Ayumi protests, her face turning beet red.

Stacy raises an eyebrow and smirks. "Well, Ayumi, that's your fault now, isn't it? Maybe there's a modesty patch somewhere we can use," she suggests, almost gleefully.

Ayumi's heart sinks as she realizes that Stacy has her backed into a corner. She knew that she couldn't say no, but she wasn't prepared for this level of embarrassment.