Arc-1 Ep-19
19
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Y-Yes!!”
“It’s fine. Relax. You still have plenty of time.”
“She’s so cute!!”
“I want her as my little sister!!”
Barely 150 cm tall and small enough to pass for an elementary schooler, Tomoe-chan is our long-awaited “little sister” and loli character. It seems that keeping up with Nozomi-chan and me was a bit overwhelming for her.
“Alright, please introduce yourself.”
“Y-Yes!! Um…”
At that moment, Tomoe-chan’s voice cuts off. It’s almost certain she’s panicking from nerves.
“It’s okay. Take your time to speak.”
“Exactly. It’s your first time, so it’s normal to be nervous.”
Seeing her freeze, the MCs step in to support her. But their encouragement seems to backfire, putting even more pressure on her.
“Um… ah…”
The MCs exchange slightly troubled looks. The audience begins to murmur, sensing something is wrong. It seems like I, standing beside her, need to step in and help move things along.
“…Tomoe-chan.”
“Ngh… K-Kayanuma-san…”
I smile at her as she clutches the microphone tightly with both hands. Stepping closer, I gently ease her stiff grip and take her small hand into mine.
“It’s okay. Let’s keep going just a little longer, alright?”
“…Okay.”
To calm her down, I keep holding her hand. She squeezes mine tightly, takes a deep breath, and begins her introduction.
“…Phew. S-Sorry about that! …I’m Tomoe Sekiguchi, twelve years old, a first-year middle school student!!”
Her voice is still shaky, her tone wavering, but she manages to get through her very first introduction. As we stand there holding hands, I can hear the audience murmuring words like “precious” and “so wholesome.”
It’s unexpectedly turned into a little bit of yuri fan-service. Even so, I’m not letting go of her tightly held hand. There’s no way I’d waste a chance to be close to such a cute girl.
“—Yes, thank you very much. That was Tomoe Sekiguchi, the youngest of the sixth generation.”
“Wow, she did great. Everyone, let’s give her some applause~”
While I’m still lost in the thought of how soft Tomoe-chan’s hand feels, thunderous applause signals the end of her greeting.
“With that, the introductions from the debuting sixth generation are complete.”
“Let’s give a big round of applause for the birth of these new idols~”
Amid the continuing applause, we line up side by side and bow. Of course, I’m still holding Tomoe-chan’s hand.
“Thank you very much. Now, shall we continue with the popularity poll results?”
“Yes! Sixth-generation members, please exit that way.”
At those words, led by Shion-san, we exit toward the opposite wing from where we entered. As I start to follow with Tomoe-chan, I notice Nozomi-chan pause with a slightly sulky look.
“Nozomi-chan?”
When I quietly call out to her, she silently places her hand over my free one. The audience erupts even louder at the sight.
“Come on… let’s go, you two.”
“Okay, Mikuri-chan.”
“Yes.”
And so, with Nozomi-chan and Tomoe-chan as my “flowers” on either hand, I leave the stage.
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“It’s finally over.”
“I was so nervous…”
Backstage, Sayaka-san and Sakiko-san both let out sighs of relief. All that remains for us is the closing appearance, where we just have to smile and wave. I can understand their relief.
“Nanazawa-san, you went a little overboard.”
Taneyama-san scolds us as the three of us—me, Nozomi-chan, and Tomoe-chan—stand there hand in hand.
“Mikuri-chan was holding hands with Tomoe-san too.”
“That was to encourage her, right? But yours was different, wasn’t it?”
“Now, now, Sachiko-san. The fans were happy about it too.”
Shion-san steps in to mediate.
“Are you alright, Tomoe-chan?”
“My mind just went blank…”
“Mami was in rough shape too, huh~”
As Mami-san speaks to Tomoe-chan, Yuna-san teases her. With the tension finally easing, conversations start bubbling up around us.
“Sixth-generation members!”
“P-President!”
The president appears in the midst of the slightly noisy backstage.
“There were a few hiccups, but it went well enough.”
“Y-Yes, sorry…”
“It was your first time, so I’ll let it slide, but make sure to do better next time. That goes for you too, Taneyama-kun.”
“Understood, President.”
Perhaps because it was right after our first time in the spotlight, the president doesn’t scold us too harshly.
“You’ll be coming out again for the ending, so don’t let your guard down.”
“Yes!!”
“Of course, we understand.”
“Good. Take a break for now. …I’m counting on you, Taneyama-kun, Matsuzono-kun.”
As the two managers respond, I glance at the monitor. The popularity poll results are steadily progressing.
“…Now, for the Fourth Sistema Solare Reitaisai, the 18th place in the popularity poll is!?”
“18th place is!?”
“…First-generation member, Haumea*, Kae Higashiyama-san!”
[T/N- Haumea was recognised as a Dwarf Planet in 2008 , it's around Neptune , Kuiper Belt to be exact.]
“…Higashiyama-san, huh.”
“Even if her nickname changes, she’s still hanging on…”
Kae Higashiyama, who ranked 14th last time—just barely securing a nickname—is announced. Judging by everyone’s reactions, she’s not exactly a well-liked senior. But that’s the result of her own openly hostile attitude toward the fifth generation and us.
“If the new group didn’t exist, she’d have lost her nickname…”
“Retirement seems even further off now.”
“…Let’s put our faith in the new overall leader.”
She’s someone who dampens the atmosphere of Sistema Solare, but there’s nothing we can do about it. That’s for the higher-ups in production to deal with.
◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆
The popularity poll continues, and finally it’s down to the last two. As expected, the two remaining are third-generation Tomomi Uchikawa (17 years old) and fifth-generation Rina Takechi (15 years old). Last year’s number one versus the ace candidate entering the poll for the first time. It’s exciting to see who will come out on top.
“Who’s gonna win?”
“Tomomi-san, with her track record…”
“Or Rina-san, who’s cute and a phenomenal singer.”
“It’s a tough call.”
Even among us sixth generation, opinions are split. I’m Team Rina Takechi, the more beautiful idol.
“Now, the Fourth Sistema Solare Reitaisai popularity poll is reaching its climax!”
“Only second and first place remain. Sol or Terra, the moment of truth!”
“Let’s move on to the announcement!”
The MCs’ words send the venue into a frenzy. Even backstage, the staff and members are buzzing with excitement.