Arc-1 Ep-06
Having completed the grueling basic physical training in this hellish regimen, today’s lesson is finally over. With my exhausted body, I make my way leisurely toward the break room. I’m not in the mood to head home just yet, so I plan to rest for a bit and recover some stamina. After navigating the maze of lesson rooms on this floor, I finally reach the break room. The frosted glass above the door is glowing, a sign that someone’s already inside. As usual, I scan my barcode to unlock the door, push it open, and step in. Since I don’t know who might be there, I don’t forget to greet.
“Excuse me.”
Inside, a girl is sitting on the sofa, holding a stainless steel bottle and looking my way. She’s someone I’ve been running into a lot lately.
“All done~? Miku~?”
The girl calling me by my shortened name is Yuna Kanaya. Despite only being a third-year middle schooler, she’s considered the “allure” representative among the eight candidates for the sixth generation. The reason? Her impressively ample chest, the kind that doesn’t seem like it belongs to a middle schooler at all.
[T/N - Yuna Kanaya means Elegant one of the gold valley, as for "allure" yeah it's that you all are thinking, but I wasn't sure how to make it acceptable for 15 year old]
When we take dance lessons together, I have to consciously fight the urge to let my eyes wander—it’s that distracting. Her long brown hair, which falls to the middle of her back, is often tied in a ponytail or side-tail during practice, and the way her chest moves in rhythm with it is, frankly, mesmerizing.
“All done, Yuna-san.”
“Man, I’m beat~!”
She’s local, and she transferred here from another idol training academy. Within the sixth-generation candidate group, she seems to pair off naturally with Sayaka-san, another transfer.
“So, Miku, you heading home by train today~?”
“Yeah. It feels wrong to ask my family to pick me up at this hour.”
“Then wanna head to the station together later~?”
“Sure, sounds good.”
Her speech, with those drawn-out endings, makes it clear she’s also a train commuter. Besides her, there’s Nozomi-chan, who gets chauffeured in a fancy car, and Mami-san and Sakiko-san, who live in the agency dorms and walk here.
“Phew~ I’m glad you showed up late, Miku~.”
“Something happen?”
“Up until just a moment ago, Kae Higashiyama was here~.”
“Oh… that must’ve been rough.”
“Yeah, totally~.”
The person she names, Kae Higashiyama, is one of the original eleven members from when Sistema Solare was formed. Now twenty-two, she’s a senior member. She’s also the group’s biggest troublemaker, with the most enemies.
[T/N - Kae Higashiyama=fragrant eastern mountain]
Even for someone like me—someone who loves beautiful girls—she’s a person I’d rather avoid for various reasons. Her looks are fairly typical: medium-length brown hair with soft curls, the kind you’d see anywhere. Rumor has it the only reason she’s still in Sistema Solare is because she was part of the founding lineup. If she were auditioning today under current standards, doubt she’d make it.
And it seems she’s aware of those whispers, which has led to a hostile attitude toward newer members, especially those from the fifth generation onward.
“Did she say something to you?”
“…The usual stuff~. It just made me even more tired, though~.”
Even so, she once ranked ninth in the group’s very first popularity poll. Though it was the lowest rank, she was part of the main subgroup Sistema Solare. But that was a long time ago.
As the group expanded, her popularity dropped. In last year’s third poll, she had slipped all the way to fourteenth, barely clinging to a place in the newly created “Dwarf Planet” subgroup.
Given her age, management has apparently suggested she consider graduating, but she flat-out refused. Well, losing the title of Sistema Solare would likely mean retiring from the entertainment industry altogether, so it’s no surprise she’d cling to her position.
“Sigh~ I wonder how long she plans to stick around in Shisu-Solare.”
“Probably as long as she can avoid graduating…”
We lock eyes and let out simultaneous sighs. It’s not like we care if she stays, but being targeted and dealing with her remarks is exhausting.
“If only the head captain would step in and say something~.”
“…If that rumor’s true, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
“You mean the one about her retiring at the next grand festival~?”
“Yeah. It’d be nice if she showed some captain-like qualities before she goes.”
“…Feels like she’s not the type to ‘leave without making a mess,’ you know~.”
“I think so too.”
I picture the woman who’s been with the group since its founding, serving as captain the entire time. Honestly, it feels like she’s captain purely because of seniority. Leadership? Not so much. As a result, the group’s internal dynamics have gotten messy. From the outside, it’s probably invisible, but for someone like me—someone who just wants to get along with cute girls—the atmosphere isn’t great.
“The management’s too soft~. Honestly, her sticking around is more of a drawback.”
“…Only two people have graduated so far, and both left on good terms, right?”
“Sigh~ Isn’t there anyone in management willing to take the hit?”
As the group grows, it’s inevitable someone will cause drama when they leave. Putting it off won’t help, but for a management team that struggled from the beginning to build this idol group, cutting ties with a founding first-generation member must feel impossible.
“Let’s hope someone higher up in the agency steps in.”
“Yeah~. …Anyway, time to get ready to head home~.”
“Right.”
“Wanna go freshen up~?”
“Uh, sure.”
Woohoo, shower time with a busty girl. Gotta be careful not to stare at the obvious spots. But as a former guy, sneaking a quick glance or two is only natural. I’m used to seeing my own body, but seeing someone else’s is a completely different experience.