Arc-1 Ep-13

Less than a week after being called to the president’s office, the formal introductions to all the members of Shistema Solare were completed.

Their reactions varied greatly depending on their standing within the group.

Many of the lower-ranked members in the popularity polls responded surprisingly positively to me and Nozomi-chan.

It seems they hope we’ll boost Shistema Solare’s popularity, which would in turn lead to more work for them as a ripple effect.

On the other hand, the higher-ranked members tend to view us as new rivals, and many of their gazes feel sharp and critical.

Well, members with strong, distinctive traits seem to welcome us to some extent.

Specifically, people like Rina Takechi, who might lose claim the ace position, or the little-sister types and princely members who are hugely popular with female fans.

The ones who react differently are those ranked around eighth to eleventh, standing on the cusp between the main group Shistema Solare and the secondary group Dwarf Planet.

Those four members seem to see us as formidable new competition.

This year, Rina-san is participating in the popularity poll for the first time and is almost guaranteed a top spot, which means one less slot for them in Shistema Solare.

Next year, even if Nozomi-chan’s ranking is uncertain, I’m likely to place high, making the competition for spots even tighter.

When you think about it, it’s understandable that we’re not exactly welcomed with open arms.

Being able to rank high in an idol group means you’re already plenty attractive, so it’s a shame we can’t get along better.

By the way, the harshest attitude came from Kae Higashiyama.

An ordinary beauty and a first-generation member from the group’s founding, she ranked fourteenth in last year’s popularity poll, barely holding onto a spot in Dwarf Planet.

Rumor has it she’s likely to drop even further this year and may be nearing graduation.

Perhaps because of this, she’s displeased and has a bad attitude toward other members, especially those ranked lower, which has earned her a poor reputation among many.

With new members like me and Nozomi-chan expected to draw popularity, her ranking and mood are only likely to worsen further.

Well, since Shistema Solare has grown so large, there’s talk of creating a new third-tier internal group.

If that group is formed at this year’s festival and she manages to rank high enough to join it, she probably won’t have to graduate.

But many members likely wish she’d leave soon to avoid the tense atmosphere she creates.

◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆

At the Shistema Solare festival in August, our debut as new members will be officially announced, and lessons have become even more intense as we approach the final preparations.

My stamina, which was an issue before, has improved dramatically compared to the start, but the lessons have also gotten tougher, so the overall difficulty feels about the same.

Today, after finishing dance lessons and dragging my exhausted body to the break room, I had an unexpected encounter.

“Oh… Good morning, Takechi-san.”

“Hm? …Oh, morning. To all the sixth-generation members.”

“G-Good morning.”

“Good morning!”

“…Good morning.”

Greeting all the sixth-generation members, including those from the vocal training group who joined us en route, was the super stunning beauty seen as the next ace of Shistema Solare.

Rina Takechi

A fifth-generation member who debuted last year, she’s a third-year middle schooler, fifteen years old.

One year older than me and Nozomi-chan, she’s almost certain to take first or second place in next month’s popularity poll.

She was sitting at a table with a few sheets of paper and a tablet in front of her, looking like she was grappling with something.

“Morning, Rina-chan. What are you doing?”

While the rest of us hesitantly take seats at a different table, Shion-san, our de facto leader, sits at Rina-san’s table.

“They told me to give a longer speech at next month’s festival, Shion-san.”

She doesn’t seem to mind and chats casually with Shion-san.

Come to think of it, since Rina-san also came from our agency’s training program, it’s not surprising that they already know each other.

“Working on the script?”

“Yeah. But I gave up. I’ll just write the main points and leave the rest to the manager or someone.”

With that, the two start talking.

Chie-chan, the youngest of the sixth generation and also from the training program, is with us instead of joining them, probably because her time at the program overlapped with Rina-san’s for only a short period.

“This time of year, lessons get especially tough, don’t they?”

“Oh, right. You went through it last year, didn’t you, Rina-chan?”

“…That was probably the hardest time…”

Letting out a deep breath, Rina-san turns her gaze toward the seven of us.

“All the sixth-generation members, huh…”

“So, what do you think?”

At her words, she looks at each of our faces in turn. When her eyes meet mine, our gazes lock for longer than with anyone else. The others get a quick glance, with Nozomi-chan’s lasting just a bit longer.

“…Yeah. They seem promising.”

“Really?”

“I think they’ll take Shistema Solare’s fame and popularity to the next level.”

Saying this, Rina-san gathers the papers on the table, picks up her tablet, and stands up from her chair.

“Well then, I’m off.”

“Alright, good work.”

“Good work!”

“See you.”

“Yup. Keep at it with your lessons.”

With those words, she leaves the break room.

“Phew… Rina-chan is really cute, isn’t she?”

“Shion-san, are you two close?”

“Hmm, just normal, I guess?”

As the sixth-generation members start chatting among ourselves, I think about Rina Takechi, who just left. Or rather, I wonder if I could get close to such a stunning beauty in all sorts of ways.