Arc-1 Ep-17
17
“The Fourth Sistema Solare Reitaisai begins!”
The event kicks off with all forty-three full members performing Sistema Solare’s signature song, “The Light of the Galaxy is Eternal,” as the two MCs declare the opening.
Unlike previous years, this year’s MCs are a veteran male freelance announcer often seen on TV and a popular actress in her late twenties. This alone makes it clear that the budget for this year’s event is on a different level.
“Tomomi!!”
“Rina-chan!!”
Hearing the booming cheers from the packed audience, I watch the monitor from backstage.
“W-Wow… the cheers are intense…”
Tomoe-chan, trembling in her costume decorated with her image color, green, lets out a nervous voice and expression. Her shaky demeanor is adorable.
“It’s okay, Tomoe-chan.”
“K-Kayanuma-san…”
Taking advantage of the moment, I hug her small frame to calm her down. At times like this, human warmth does the trick. Truth be told, I’m feeling happiness from Tomoe-chan’s body heat. I wasn’t nervous to begin with.
“We practiced so much, and the rehearsals went well, didn’t they?”
“Y-Yeah…”
“So it’s fine. There won’t be any problems.”
I don’t know how convincing I sound, but for now, I try to encourage her.
“C-Can I… ask for one too?”
“M-Mami-san?”
“I’m so nervous…”
Mami-san, dressed in her orange-accented costume, looks at me with an anxious expression. I never imagined that she, two years older than me physically, would cling to me like this.
“…Haha! Come on, Ichihara-san!”
Tomoe-chan, still in my arms, bursts into laughter at the sight of Mami-san.
“D-Don’t laugh so much, Tomoe-chan!”
“Sorry! I’ll let you have Kayanuma-san, so forgive me!”
“What!? You’re ignoring my opinion!? …Well, fine. Mami-san, here you go.”
I switch from hugging Tomoe-chan to embracing Mami-san. Her body, about the same height as mine, is soft and carries a pleasant scent.
“…Can I get one too, please?”
“Nozomi-chan too!? …Alright then! I’ll hug everyone who wants one!”
Next, I hug Nozomi-chan as requested. For some reason, she hugs me back, creating a precious scene of beautiful girls embracing. Sadly, as one of the participants, I can’t fully enjoy the view.
“What are these two doing?”
“Who knows~? The main event’s so close, and Mikuri’s still this relaxed~”
Ignoring the exasperated remarks from Sayaka-san and Yuna-san, I keep hugging tightly. While discreetly savoring Nozomi-chan’s sweet scent, I continue to hold her close.
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“And now, the popularity poll results have been announced up to 22nd place!”
“Here, we have a new announcement!”
“Oh, what could it be?”
Our turn is finally approaching. As the entire sixth generation moves to the stage wings, we learn that three members who had announced their graduation opted out of this year’s popularity poll.
Among them is the oldest member, a first-generation idol who currently serves as the overall leader. Well, the overall leader will be changing today as well.
“Until now, Sistema Solare has had two internal groups: Sistema Solare and Dwarf Planet.”
“Yes, groups made up of top-ranking members from the popularity poll.”
“Exactly! And today, we are excited to announce the formation of a new internal group!!”
“Ooooh!!!”
“For real!?”
The audience erupts at the female MC’s announcement.
“That’s huge!! So, what’s the name of this new group!?”
“The new group’s name is… Seven Satellite!!”
“Seven Satellite!!”
“A seven-member group, huh!!”
As the name suggests, the group is themed after seven satellites in the solar system.
The Moon, Earth’s satellite, is treated as a special case and assigned to the 15th-ranked member, while the six largest satellites are assigned to ranks 16th through 21st in order of size: Triton, Europa, Io, Callisto, Titan, Ganymede.
[T/N- Triton - Nuptune (smallest around ~2706km)
Europa - Jupiter (~3122 km)
Moon - Earth (~3474 km)
Io - Jupiter (~3643 km)
Callisto- Jupiter (~4820 km)
Titan - Saturn (~5150 km)
Ganymede - Jupiter (~5268 km)]
As the two MCs finish explaining, the BGM shifts to a somber tone.
“…Now, along with happy news, there’s also some sad news.”
“Yes… but it’s part of the fate of an idol group.”
“As many of you know, three idols will be graduating from Sistema Solare today.”
“We’ll now have their graduation speeches. Please listen respectfully.”
At the MCs’ words, the three waiting nearby step onto the stage. It’s a stark contrast to us, the newcomers about to be introduced and take our first steps into the entertainment world.
“First, from the second generation…”
The generation and names are announced, and the respective member bows deeply. When she raises her head, tears are already streaming down her face.
“To everyone in the audience… thank you for coming today… sniff…”
“You’ve got this!!”
“T-Thank you~”
As her voice chokes during her speech, encouraging cheers ring out. She thanks the audience for their support and continues her graduation speech.
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“And that concludes the speeches from the three graduating members.”
“Please give a warm round of applause to the three leaving Sistema Solare today.”
The audience claps thunderously as the three bow in unison. Nozomi-chan, Shion-san, and others are teary-eyed, clearly moved by the moment.
“…Thank you so much! Now, the three will exit that way.”
Prompted by the male MC, the three head to the opposite side of the stage from where we’re waiting. This signals that our moment has finally arrived.
“Ngh…”
“It’s time…”
“It’s really happening~”
My peers, who were caught up in the graduation speeches, begin radiating tension again.
“…Now, where there are farewells, there are naturally new beginnings.”
“Let’s welcome them! Making their debut today, the new idols of the sixth generation!!”
“Alright! Let’s do this!”
Shion-san, fired up by the MC’s words, rallies us.
With her l
eading the way, we step onto the dazzling stage in single file, each holding a microphone, ready to bask in our first spotlight in the entertainment world.