Arc-1 Ep-14
14
As we prepare for our debut, all the sixth-generation members are receiving explanations from our manager, Sachiko Taneyama.
Contracts and such will involve our parents, so for now, we’re being briefed on matters like online presence and fan interactions.
“—Accounts will be set up for each of you, but anything you want to post must first be reviewed by a staff member. If it’s deemed acceptable, the staff will post it on your behalf.”
“Will we be given the IDs and passwords?”
“No. In the past, one of our talents was given access, and they posted something without staff approval, which led to a scandal…”
“Oh, I see.”
If something like that happened, it makes sense they’d be reluctant to let talents post directly.
A few others around me nod in agreement.
“Some of you might already have personal accounts, but please refrain from posting anything that could violate confidentiality or cause problems. …Ideally, the agency would prefer you delete those accounts altogether…”
“Tch, that’s… I mean, sometimes we need them.”
“Yeah, exactly.”
“I understand. But please be extremely careful when using them. There have been idols whose private accounts leaked and caused scandals.”
Come to think of it, something like that really did happen a few years ago.
I remember the uproar when an idol’s posts about her boyfriend and insulting other idols were exposed.
Well, I have a personal account myself, but since it’s necessary for school, I only use it for logistical updates, never personal things.
“—Also, don’t form personal connections with fans. Some fans will use all kinds of tactics to get close to you, so please be cautious.”
“Yes.”
“Of course.”
Next comes the topic of how to handle relationships with fans. Well, idols are generally cute girls, so naturally guys would want to get close to them. Since I originally wanted to be a male idol to get friendly with female idols, I can totally understand that desire.
“If someone starts following you persistently, report it immediately to us managers or staff. Shistema Solare has had issues with stalkers in the past.”
“What!?”
“Seriously?”
Surprised gasps ripple through the room. I’ve never heard of this before. Looking around, most of the others exchange glances or look puzzled.
Only Shion-san, our de facto leader, seems aware, probably because she heard about it during the training program.
“Yes. It even escalated to a police matter. It wasn’t reported publicly, so you wouldn’t know.”
“Tch, that’s scary.”
“Who was it?”
“…It was Kae Higashiyama, a first-generation member.”
“Owada-san…”
Shion-san slips a name, and Sachiko-san responds with a mildly scolding tone.
“Higashiyama-san?”
“No way…”
“That’s hard to believe.”
When someone voices their doubt, others echo in agreement. To be honest, I’m completely shocked to hear that Higashiyama-san was the one with a stalker.
For members who joined from the fourth generation onward, there’s a general sense that they’re more attractive than her. If even someone like her had a stalker, then all of us are at risk too.
“…Anyway, that’s why you all need to be careful, understood?”
“Got it.”
“I’ll be careful.”
Sachiko-san lets Shion-san’s slip of a specific name slide.
Well, there have been rumors that Higashiyama-san has become troublesome even for the higher-ups, so Sachiko-san probably has her own thoughts about it.
As expected of Shistema Solare’s biggest troublemaker. If her behavior gets too out of hand, who knows what’ll happen to her after graduation?
“Also, be cautious about relationships with men. I’ve heard none of you have had such relationships in the past.”
“Yes.”
“If you’re aiming to be an idol, that’s a given.”
“…I agree, but plenty of people dream of entering the entertainment industry, then get boyfriends, and later get exposed after debuting, which causes a scandal…”
The more popular you are, the harsher the backlash when something like that comes out. Even if you broke up before debuting, some fans will still react negatively just knowing you dated a guy.
Those fans are the type who’ll spend big money if they’re supporters but become the worst kind of problem if they turn against you.
As someone who used to be a guy in my past life, I can somewhat understand their feelings. For idols who sell dreams, popularity depends heavily on maintaining the image of purity, ideally with no dating history.
In that sense, I’m probably the perfect idol for them. With rare beauty that stands out even in this country. And since I’m a guy at heart, I have zero interest in men, making me the ultimate beautiful girl. Plus, I love cute girls, so I’m all in when it comes to yuri fanservice.
I’m practically the ideal idol material.
“Be wary of other celebrities too. Some men enter the entertainment industry purely to get close to idols and do inappropriate things.”
“Are there really people like that?”
“I’ve heard stories.”
As Sachiko-san continues, I can’t help imagining fun, flirty encounters with charming female celebrities. Of course, I keep my face serious, pretending to listen attentively so no one suspects what I’m thinking.