Arc-1 Ep-03

 Tomomi Uchikawa.

The ace and center of Sistema Solare, the idol group I’m aiming to debut with. She ranked first in last year’s popularity poll, solidifying her status as one of the most popular members.

“Shion, long time no see~”

“Y-Yeah, it’s been a while…”

“I heard you passed the sixth-generation audition. Congrats~”

“Thanks. I haven’t debuted yet, but I’ll give it my all.”

“Right~ One person usually drops out during training each generation, so hang in there~”

From where I stand, the two seem to know each other fairly well. If I remember correctly, Tomomi Uchikawa also came from the agency’s idol training school, and she’s a second-year high schooler—same as Shion. That likely explains their familiarity.

“And the two behind you~?”

“Oh, these are my fellow trainees. Mikuri Kayanuma and Nozomi Nanazawa. They’re both second-year middle schoolers.”

“Oh… I’ve heard those names before~”

Tomomi says, shifting her gaze between our faces. There’s something about the way she looks at us—it’s not exactly friendly.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Mikuri Kayanuma, a sixth-generation candidate.”

“Likewise. I’m Nozomi Nanazawa, also a sixth-generation candidate. It’s a pleasure.”

We greet her properly—she’s our senior and one of the group’s stars. After giving us a quick glance, she offers a comment:

“Well, good luck. Being an idol isn’t as easy as it looks. …See you, Shion~”

“Y-Yeah, looks like you’re busy.”

“Magazine interview and photo shoot. Ugh, such a pain. Anyway, I’m off~”

“Alright…”

With a casual wave, she walks off down the hall in the direction we came from. Once she’s out of sight, Shion starts walking again, and we silently fall in step behind her.

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“Phew… I’m wiped out.”

“Yeah… And just thinking about physical conditioning makes me even more tired.”

After voice training with another trainee—making four of us total—Nozomi and I take a short break in the lounge. As I soothe my dry throat with a drink of water, I catch her staring at me.

“Hmm? Do I have something on my face?”

“…Your voice is incredible, Mikuri-chan. It’s so clear and pleasant.”

“Oh, thanks…”

“Your rhythm’s perfect, too. I think you could debut right now.”

“R-Really? That’s kind of embarrassing…”

All thanks to the vocal talent I got from that so-called god. Honestly, it feels like a cheat code. But, well… as a guy in my past life, I always wanted a cool voice to charm cute girls like Nozomi.

“…Speaking of which—about Tomomi Uchikawa, the one we ran into before voice training…”

I’d just been thinking about whispering sweet nothings into Nozomi’s ear when she brings up the group’s ace. Her attitude must’ve been a bit jarring for Nozomi, who’s always seen idols as shining stars.

“She seemed a little tense, didn’t she? But I get it. She might lose her Sole title this year.”

Let me explain a bit about Sistema Solare, the idol group I auditioned for and became a candidate for.

Sistema Solare—the name comes from the Latin term for the solar system. The group was formed five years ago, in August, with an initial lineup of eleven members. Each year since, they’ve added new members: ten in the second year, seven in the third, nine in the fourth, and eight in the fifth. With two graduations so far, the current total stands at forty-three members.

One of the group’s defining features is the popularity poll that started in its third year. The results are revealed at the annual Sistema Solare Grand Festival, and the top nine members are grouped into a special internal unit—each assigned a celestial nickname. First place is Sole (the Sun), second is Terra (Earth), and third through ninth are Mercurius, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturnus, Uranus, and Neptunus—the Latin names of the Sun and the eight planets.

The top two—Sole and Terra—are fixed titles, meaning first place always gets Sole, second gets Terra. From third through ninth, members keep their nickname as long as they stay within the top nine.

Take Erika Wakisaka, for example—a seductive, older-sister type from the second generation. She placed sixth in the first poll and earned the name Jupiter. In the following polls, she rose to fifth and then fourth, but retained her Jupiter title.

Last year, due to the ever-growing membership, a new subgroup was introduced: Dwarf Planet. This unit includes the members ranked tenth to fourteenth, each assigned a name based on the recognized dwarf planets: Pluto, Eris, Ceres, Makemake, and Haumea.

Now, about Tomomi Uchikawa.

She debuted three years ago as a third-generation member at the age of fourteen and quickly became a fan favorite. She played a major role in boosting Sistema Solare’s rise to national recognition. In her first popularity poll—held during the group’s fourth year—she placed eighth and was given the Mars title. Then, at last year’s third Grand Festival, she rocketed to first place, earning the title of Sole and becoming the face of Shisu-Solare.

Everyone expected her to hold that position again this year.

That is… until Rina Takechi entered the picture.

A fifth-generation member, fourteen years old, who debuted at the third Grand Festival. Practically overnight, she became a national sensation. Why? Her face. She’s a once-in-a-generation beauty—unmatched among her peers. Even I, blessed with idol looks by a self-proclaimed god, consider her my equal. Her presence easily surpasses even Tomomi’s or Nozomi’s. With Rina around, Tomomi’s grip on Sole is anything but secure. No wonder she’s on edge.

Truth be told, Rina Takechi is the reason I chose to join Sistema Solare.

If I’m going to chase my yuri dreams, I want the most beautiful partner possible.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to meet her yet.

Hopefully, once my debut is set in stone, I’ll get that chance.

“Hmm… So Rina Takechi might take first this year?”

“That’s what online predictions say.”

“With you around too, Mikuri-chan, Sole and Terra feel out of reach for me.”

“Really? You’re super cute, Nozomi-chan. I think you’ve got a good shot.”

“T-Thanks… But I think you’re cuter, Mikuri-chan.”

“…Then let’s just say we’re both cute.”

“Haha, deal!”

“…Alright, time’s up. Let’s go suffer through physical conditioning.”

“Yeah…”

With our short break over, we brace ourselves for the grueling physical training ahead. Honestly, I should’ve asked that so-called god for better stamina, too.