Arc-1 Ep-20
20
“The Fourth Sistema Solare Reitaisai, second place in the popularity poll is!?”
“Second place is!?”
“…Third-generation member, Sol*, Tomomi Uchikawa-san!!”
[T/N- The nickname are of not this poll , they are from poll of last year , so tomomi's nick-name now will be Terra rather than sol, it's same with Kae from last chapter Haumea is her previous year Title not this following year]
“No way!!”
“Second place, huh!!”
Last year’s number one, Tomomi Uchikawa, has her name called. This means her nickname will change from Sol to Terra.
“She didn’t achieve a second consecutive win, but second place is still an incredible result!!”
Tomomi-san steps forward from the line of members at the back of the stage, and the female MC addresses her.
“Yes, thank you very much.”
Sure, second place is a high ranking, but compared to last year’s first place, it must feel like a loss. Deep down, she’s most likely burning with frustration.
“Now, please share a few words with the fans.”
“…I’m Tomomi Uchikawa. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to hold onto first place for a second year in a row, but thank you so much for all your votes.”
She bows deeply. In response, her fans shout words of encouragement.
“I’ll work hard to take back the top spot next year, so please continue to support me!”
“…Thank you very much. Please give a big round of applause and cheers for Tomomi Uchikawa-san.”
“Waaah!!”
“We’ll vote for you again next year!!”
Bathed in the spotlight, she smiles with teary eyes, waving toward the cheering crowd.
“We look forward to next year’s popularity poll as well.”
“Please step back now.”
“Yes…”
With one final bow, Tomomi-san retreats to the back. The MCs, watching her go, shift the mood with their conversation to build anticipation.
“Now, the Fourth Sistema Solare Reitaisai is nearing its end.”
“Yes, for everyone in the audience, these hours must have felt both long and short.”
“That’s right!!”
“Ending already? That’s way too soon!!”
Cheers and cries echo through the venue. Only the announcement of first place remains.
“I’m sure everyone has a guess, but let’s move on to the final announcement!!”
“Here it comes, everyone!!”
“The Fourth Sistema Solare Reitaisai, first place in the popularity poll is!?”
“First place is!?”
“In her very first popularity poll, an astonishing victory!! Fifth-generation member, Rina Takechi-san!!!”
“She did it!!!”
“Rina-chwaaan!!!”
“Waaaah!!!”
“Rinarin!!!”
The stage goes dark for a moment, then multiple spotlights converge on Rina-san. Amidst the deafening cheers, she bows, lifts her head with a radiant smile, and steps into the center of the stage.
“Rina-chan, congratulations!!”
“Thank you very much♪”
“You must be shocked to win first place.”
“Yes. I’d heard rumors that I might rank high, but I still can’t believe I actually got first place.”
“…Come on, there’s no way she really thinks that.”
“She probably assumed she’d at least get second, right?”
“You don’t say stuff like that out loud, even if you think it.”
Watching Rina-san’s conversation with the MCs on the backstage monitor, one of my peers mutters under their breath. Hearing it, Taneyama-san immediately issues a warning. For management, even offhand remarks that might spark friction within the group can’t be overlooked.
“More importantly, you all need to head out for the finale soon. Get to the stage wings.”
“Oh, right.”
“Totally let my guard down~”
“Thank you for your votes. Carrying the responsibility of first place in my heart, I vow to work even harder.”
On stage, Rina-san’s speech is wrapping up. We hurry to split into two groups as rehearsed and move to the stage wings, where we’re immediately called out.
“What a promising speech for the future of Sistema Solare.”
“First place in the popularity poll, Rina Takechi-san!!”
“Thank you very much!!”
While Rina-san stands in the spotlight, we line up beside the current members already on stage.
“Now, the Fourth Sistema Solare Reitaisai is coming to a close.”
“It’s been a whirlwind two and a half hours.”
“Indeed. Did everyone in the audience enjoy themselves?”
“It was so fun!!”
“We’ll come back next year!!”
“Rinaaaa!!!”
At the MCs’ cue, all Sistema Solare members step forward to the front of the stage. We wave to the enthusiastic fans with bright smiles, showering them with charm.
“It’s sad, but it’s time to close.”
“Alright, everyone.”
“See you at the Fifth Sistema Solare Reitaisai next year!”
“Goodbye~!”
“Byeee!!!”
“Rinaaaa!!!”
“Erika-chaaan!!!”
“Tomomi-chaaan!!!”
The audience screams out the names of their favorites. And I catch it.
“Mikuri-chwaaan!!!”
Hearing my name, I wave with my signature dazzling smile toward that section of the crowd. As expected of the ultra-beautiful girl I can’t even help but admire myself. It seems I’ve already captivated some fans.
◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆
“Alright, sixth-generation members, gather up.”
Once the curtain falls, cutting off the stage from the audience, Sachiko-san calls us together. As the fifth-generation members and above leave the stage wings for backstage, we’re assembled at the edge of the stage.
“Ahem… Good work today. You did well.”
“Y-Yes!”
“Thank you very much!”
Relief spreads across my peers’ faces at her words.
“As for the schedule, be ready to leave by 5:30 PM.”
“Like changing and stuff?”
“Yes. Until then, you can rest in the dressing room.”
“Got it.”
Some of us slipped up here and there, but it seems there won’t be a lecture today. Maybe they decided that would be too harsh on our debut day.
“After that, we’re planning a combined afterparty and celebration starting at 6:00 PM. We’ll all head to the venue together.”
Here, the explanation shifts to Matsuzono-san, the assistant manager. Well, he’s got to earn his keep too.
“Wow!”
“That’s exciting!”
Now I understand why our schedules were blocked out for the entire day. My parents and brothers had been grumbling about me missing my debut celebration, but this makes sense.
“Oh, this is just for the sixth generation and us. The fifth generation and above have their own obligations to deal with because of the popularity poll results…”
“Oh, right…”
“Some of them probably aren’t exactly in the mood to celebrate, huh?”
“Well, yeah…”
Those who dropped in rank or lost status in the internal units surely don’t feel like partying.
“That’s how it is. Now, head back to the dressing room.”
“Understood.”
“Yes.”
Well, at least we can be glad we pulled off our debut without incident. The road ahead will be harsh, but for today, I just want to forget about all that and enjoy myself.