Arc-1 Ep-08
“…Sorry, Mikuri-chan. My sister didn’t even greet you…”
“It’s okay. …That person you mentioned before, um…”
“Y-Yeah… Anyway, shall we go to my room?”
“U-Um, sure.”
It doesn’t feel like the kind of conversation we should be having while standing in the hallway. Besides, Sato-san, who’s carrying my luggage, is waiting behind us. With that in mind, we fall silent and start walking down the corridor. For a while, we continue like that, but then Nozomi-chan stops in front of a certain door and turns to face me.
“This is my room, Mikuri-chan. Please, come in.”
“E-Excuse me for intruding.”
Passing by her as she holds the door open, I step into Nozomi-chan’s private room. After taking a few steps and pausing, Nozomi-chan—having received my luggage from Sato-san—comes in as well and quietly closes the door behind her.
“Wow~”
My first impression of the room is that it’s spacious. It’s at least twice, maybe even three times, the size of my own room.
“Mikuri-chan, over here.”
As I look around the room, decorated in white and pink, Nozomi-chan, having set down my luggage, calls me over. I sit beside her on a couch, and almost immediately, there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
“…Pardon the intrusion.”
The person who enters isn’t Sato-san, but a woman I’ve never seen before. She looks like a member of the household staff, carrying a tray with a teapot, cups, and other items, which she sets neatly on the table in front of us.
“Kobayashi-san, I’ll take it from here.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The woman called Kobayashi-san bows at Nozomi-chan’s words and leaves the room. Then, Nozomi-chan reaches for the items on the table and begins preparing tea.
“Mikuri-chan, is black tea okay?”
“Yeah, I love black tea.”
“Nozomi loves black tea the most, too.”
With a bright smile, she brews the tea. To me, her movements seem refined—exactly what one would expect from a proper young lady.
“Sugar or milk?”
“I’ll try it straight first.”
I take a sip of the black tea that Nozomi-chan has brewed herself. The flavor that spreads across my tongue is on a completely different level from the tea I usually drink.
“Wow… It’s delicious…”
“Really? I’m glad~”
The tea leaves must be high quality, and the brewing method perfectly done. It would be a mistake to even compare it to the tea bags I use at home. Holding the teacup, I savor the cozy warmth filling my chest. The sleepover with Nozomi-chan has only just begun. I’m curious about her relationship with her sister, but it’s probably better not to bring it up.
More than that, I’m far more curious about the stunningly beautiful girl named Noriko who was with us earlier.
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After a short break with tea, we move on to chatting. We talk about our schools and complain about the lessons we’re taking to become idols. There’s a surprising number of differences in our school lives. Even though we’re both middle schoolers, it’s only natural that my ordinary public school and the private, elite girls’ school Nozomi-chan attends feel completely different.
Now, the two of us are staring at the TV screen. Playing on it is a Blu-ray of a Sistema Solare concert that was released this year.
“Haa~ They’re amazing, as expected…”
“Nozomi isn't confident she could do the same as seniors…”
On a screen larger than the main TV in my living room, our seniors are dancing and singing. Watching them, even I can’t help but start feeling uneasy.
“I’m a little worried about my stamina, too…”
“Taking those lessons really made me realize just how incredible our seniors’ stamina is.”
Even if we debut at the grand festival in August, we probably won’t be expected to perform at this level right away. But after the first popularity poll a year from now, it’ll be different. I’m confident I can rank within the single digits, and Nozomi-chan will likely place in the upper double digits with a nickname. If that happens, we’ll have to perform as main members in concerts, singing and dancing nonstop.
“…For now, we’ll just have to focus on building stamina.”
“I will train with you as much as possible, so let’s do our best together.”
“Nozomi-chan… Thank you.”
Nozomi-chan, sitting to my left, takes my right hand in both of hers and smiles at me. As I return her smile, I can’t help but notice just how soft her hands are.
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After finishing the latest concert Blu-ray, we spend the time until dinner talking about its contents and Sistema Solare. I don’t know much about the group yet, but all sorts of stories pour into my ears. I already knew that being an idol wasn’t all glamour, but some of the rumors are heavy and weigh on my heart. It’s not just the unpopular members left on the sidelines—apparently, even the popular center members carry their own burdens.
“Being an idol seems really tough…”
“…If only everyone in the group could get along.”
“At the very least, I hope our sixth-generation peers can.”
We’re comrades, but also rivals. Still, more than anything, I want to stay close with Nozomi-chan forever. In every sense of the word.
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Since Nozomi-chan’s family is away, we had dinner in her room. I was secretly nervous about what an “elite young lady’s dinner” might be like, but it wasn’t anything like I’d imagined.
I had pictured a formal course meal with dishes served one by one—but of course, it wasn’t like that. Though, perhaps that’s how her family’s usual meals are. Still, the food was exceptionally delicious, so the chef’s skill and the quality of the ingredients must be top-notch.
Afterward, we watch a movie featuring members of Sistema Solare and share our impressions. Since the group hasn’t been around for long, there aren’t many films, but we pick one with main cast members.
“Hmm, maybe because they’re not used to acting, it feels a bit amateurish.”
“Very few people can act well from the start.”
It might be the fate of idols, but many aren’t exactly great actresses. Still, there are a few seniors who, I think, are genuinely talented.
“That second-generation senior in this movie, right? I thought her acting was really good.”
“Yeah… If she graduates from the group, she could probably make it as an actress.”
“…When we debut, will we have to act in dramas, too?”
“Well, if an offer comes, the agency probably won’t turn it down.”
“…Nozomi isn’t confident about acting. What about you, Mikuri-chan?”
[T/N - Nozomi Nanazawa here calls herself in third person, I was trying to ignore it but I ultimately decided I shouldn't go against the original writing]
Her voice carries a faint trace of anxiety, and I pause to think carefully before answering. Thanks to my “God-tier cheat,” I should be fine with acting, so I’m confident.
“I haven’t had those lessons yet, so I can’t say for sure… but I think I’ll be okay?”
“…I’m jealous of that confidence.”
“Well, at first, we’ll probably get roles with just a few lines, so we’ll just have to get used to it.”
“But with you, Mikuri-chan, it wouldn’t be surprising if they cast you as the lead right away.”
“Even so, I’d rather not take on a lead role right off the bat…”
That’s what I say, but honestly, with Nozomi-chan’s background, I can’t imagine her being given just minor roles.