Arc-1 SS-05

 As I walk down the hallway after leaving the break room, I think about the sixth-generation members I just met.

“It might be easier than I expected… maybe.”

The agency’s president and staff often say the same thing to me. They tell me the future of Shistema Solare rests on my shoulders.

'I do think I’m pretty cute myself, though.'

Since I was little, my parents, grandparents, and everyone around me constantly told me how cute I was. They said I could hold my own against popular celebrities and should become an idol—and as a young child, I dreamed of becoming one.

As I moved through elementary school, that dream grew more serious. After all, I never saw any idols on TV who I thought were cuter than me. When I was in sixth grade, a family acquaintance who worked at this entertainment agency helped me get into their training program.

That was the year the first Shistema Solare popularity poll results were released, and the agency began putting serious effort into developing the idol group.

'That’s around when I met Shion-san, wasn’t it?'

She was in her second year of middle school then, and maybe because she has a younger sister, she was good at taking care of kids.

That’s probably why she became the de facto leader of the sixth generation, handling all sorts of responsibilities.

“That must be tough.”

Well, with Shion-san looking out for them, the sixth generation should be fine. The agency is probably counting on her to make sure those two don’t run into any problems.

'Mikuri Kayanuma-chan and Nozomi Nanazawa-chan.'

They’re the kind of talent who, alongside me and Uchikawa-senpai, could carry Shistema Solare into the future. I have especially high hopes for Mikuri-chan.

“She’s such a beautiful girl…”

I thought so when I saw her photo in the internal files, but meeting her in person, she was even more stunning than I imagined. She’s the first girl in the group who doesn’t pale in comparison to me. If Mikuri-chan develops steadily, she’ll definitely help ease my burden.

I have expectations for Nozomi-chan too, but since my relationship with Uchikawa-senpai is a bit awkward, having juniors like them join is truly a relief. Still, they won’t fully step into the spotlight until after next year’s popularity poll, so I’ll need to work hard after the festival.

From my own experience, the first year after debut is always a learning period. I was given a lot of attention at my debut during the festival and even received solo work as an exception, but my fifth-generation peers were stuck with grunt work and barely got any opportunities. As a result, I feel a little out of place among the fifth generation.

“Maybe things will change a bit once the popularity poll rankings come out…”

From what I’ve heard, it’s almost certain I’ll rank in the single digits at this year’s festival. My family has said the same thing. If that happens, I’ll be seen not just as a fifth-generation member but as a full-fledged member of Shistema Solare.

'Even then, I don’t think I’ll get along with everyone.'

Still, there’s Erika Wakizaka-san. She’s been kind to me from the start. There are also two others who are somewhat friendly toward me. That alone will make things completely different from the current fifth-generation atmosphere.

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“Oh… Good morning, Takechi-san.”

“M-Morning, Rina-san.”

As I head toward the management department where the managers should be, two group members step out of the room.

“Good morning, senpai.”

They’re lower-ranked in the popularity polls, closer to the bottom than the top. Because of that, they treat me—a member who hasn’t yet participated in the polls—with a bit of deference.

That said, since they’re older and have more industry experience, they probably don’t enjoy having to act that way toward a junior. They greet me politely now, but then leave in silence. Watching their backs as they walk away, I let out a quiet, natural sigh.

'Is this how it’s going to keep going…?'

In the midst of those gloomy thoughts, a spark of hope flickers in my mind.

'Mikuri Kayanuma-chan…'

With her beauty rivaling mine, I wonder if I could build a relationship with her on equal terms—something genuinely friendly. I’ve heard she’s talented at singing and dancing, and she’s likely to rank high enough next year to join Shistema Solare.

If we’re in the same internal group, we’ll have more opportunities to interact and spend time together.

“That’d be nice.”

Clinging to that hope, I knock on the management department’s door, carrying the paperwork I came here for.