Arc-1 SS-01

 “Haa… I’m so exhausted today~”

Soaking in a bath set to my perfect temperature, the words slip out of my mouth without thinking. The daily idol training sessions are so intense, I’m nowhere near fully recovering from the fatigue.

“Phew… If Mikuri-chan weren’t here, I think I would’ve broken down already.”

I think of my comrade-in-arms, the one enduring these grueling lessons alongside me. Having her by my side as a fellow trainee has been an incredible source of emotional support.

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“—You want to become an idol?”

“Yes, Father. I’m planning to audition for Sistema Solare.”

“…I see.”

My name is Nozomi Nanazawa. I’ve loved idols for as long as I can remember. As a child, I watched them sparkle on TV and dreamed of becoming one myself. That much is certain. But when I asked my father’s permission to pursue this path in middle school, that dream wasn’t the only reason.

I have an older brother and an older sister. My brother dotes on me—he’s perfectly fine. But my sister is another matter entirely. To put it plainly, our relationship is toxic. She began hating me for no reason, and over time, I started to hate her just as much.

She constantly criticized my looks—something entirely out of my control. Objectively speaking, I’m far more beautiful than my sister. That’s just a fact. But it's not something I ever asked for.

Years of that treatment made being at home unbearable. Becoming an idol meant more time away from this toxic space. And my appearance—the very thing she resented—could become a powerful asset in the idol world. Honestly, in Sistema Solare, the only girl I’d say surpasses me in looks is the rookie Rina Takechi. Even the ace, Tomomi Uchikawa, is about on par with me.

“Even if you pass the audition and become an idol, it won’t be easy.”

“I understand.”

“No, you don’t. The issue isn’t just the work itself. You’re the heiress of the Nanazawa Group.”

My father shakes his head, his tone heavy with caution.

“You could pass the audition based on merit, Nozomi. But not everyone will see it that way.”

“Yes…”

“Your groupmates, the agency staff—they’ll all see the Nanazawa name behind you.”

That’s inevitable. Several companies under the Nanazawa Group already use Sistema Solare idols for advertisements and endorsements.

“You’ll need to be prepared for jealousy and resentment. People will try to get close to you—not because of who you are, but because of your family’s status.”

The Nanazawa name comes with both privilege and burden. While no one would dare openly oppose the Nanazawa Group, I know I’ll occupy a precarious position within the group.

“So, think it through. You still have time.”

“…Yes, Father. I understand.”

Even so, I want to reduce the time I spend at home—away from her. I refuse to be bullied any longer. If I must deal with jealousy or fake friendships, that’s still better than living under my sister’s roof. If I prepare myself from the start, nothing will catch me off guard. After everything with her, I’ve learned to expect nothing from others.

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When I finally told my father I’d decided to audition, he approved without hesitation. He didn’t even mention avoiding the use of the Nanazawa Group’s influence—but that’s fine. I never intended to rely on it anyway. I have full confidence in my appearance. Even among the Sistema Solare girls, I could easily rank in the top five based on looks alone.

The sixth-generation recruitment began in October. I applied right away, submitted the required documents, and cleared the first round. I passed several subsequent stages and made it to the final audition in December.

At the agency’s office, around thirty girls had gathered. From here, they’d select at most ten—likely around seven or eight.

A quick scan of the room showed plenty of pretty girls—certainly more attractive than my sister—but none quite reached my level. That gave me some reassurance. But then, I noticed many of them subtly glancing in one direction, their focus clearly stolen.

Curious, I followed their gaze—and froze.

Sitting quietly with her eyes closed was a girl of breathtaking beauty. Among everyone present, she was in a league of her own. Only Rina Takechi could compare to her. Unless she had some glaring flaw in singing or dancing, she was guaranteed to pass. That extraordinary girl was Mikuri Kayanuma.

As expected, she passed the audition and became my fellow trainee. Her dazzling looks pulled some of the attention I had expected to receive—but strangely, I didn’t mind.

We were the same age, and perhaps because we both stood out in different ways, we bonded quickly. Surrounded by rivalry and isolation, we became close. Thanks to her, these harsh training days are nowhere near as painful as I’d feared. If things continue this way, I’m sure both Mikuri-chan and I will debut—maybe even as the central members of the group.

My relationship with my sister may never be salvageable, but honestly, I care less and less about that. What matters more to me now is nurturing my friendship with Mikuri-chan.

“…I hope I can talk a ton with Mikuri-chan tomorrow too.”

I murmur softly, letting the warmth of the bath melt away my fatigue. She’s the closest friend I’ve ever had. The other sixth-generation candidates may be comrades, but they’re also rivals. With Mikuri-chan, I want us to be both—comrades and best friends.

With that thought lingering, I sink deeper into the water. I’ll call her later tonight and talk until sleep catches up with me. Just the idea makes my heart feel lighter.