I think it’s kinda silly to read the author’s endorsement into the manager’s actions here. It seems pretty clear to me this story is depicting a former idol being pressured by the terrible sides of both fandom and the industry. She is being presented with a false dichotomy because the manager...
Also acknowledging their existence seems to give otherside entities more power to affect the mundane world. Belief seems to be a key part of how they exert influence so despite the seeming irrationality of denying something right in front of you it serves a practical, desperate purpose.
Honestly it's bold but it's also pretty smart. In two moves she:
Confessed real and honest feelings
Tested whether the office would make a big deal of their relationship even if it was open, proving they wouldn't
Teased out Hiroko's attraction to her to the surface
Asserted dominance in...
At this point I kinda feel like the best path forward is for Ayaka and Risa to get together, with Hiroko stepping back and being a mutual friend they can confide in for Disaster Lesbian Wisdom in addition to what she does for them at work. But that's not the relationship that's on the title so...