Arc-2 Ep-02
22
And finally, Saturday’s mini-live arrived. Today’s participating members: twenty-six out of the forty-eight in Sistema Solare. The lineup consisted of us eight sixth-gen members, plus eighteen seniors who hadn’t ranked high enough in the Reitaisai’s popularity poll to earn nicknames.
Those eighteen were split into two groups of nine, taking turns performing a few songs each. And our turn? Just one song in the middle of the show. Or rather, to be precise, we only had one song we could perform in public yet.
“Just the limited same-day tickets we prepared are completely sold out. It’s a full house.”
Right before the show was about to begin, Taneyama-san, the sixth-gen’s overall manager, appeared in the waiting room where my trembling, anxious gen-mates had gathered, and opened with that announcement.
“R-Really? That’s great…”
Hearing that, our leader, Shion-san, visibly relaxed.
“With Rina-chan not here for this mini-live, we were worried about the turnout.”
“Yeah. The agency was a little concerned too, but it looks like that was all for nothing.”
From Taneyama-san’s wry smile, it seemed even the higher-ups hadn’t been sure what to expect. The biggest risk for a drop in attendance was the absence of the most popular member, Takechi Rina.
It was understandable that they couldn’t predict how much me or Nozomi-chan could make up for that loss. In the end, deciding to use the same-sized live house as last year instead of downsizing had paid off.
I was relieved too. If attendance had plummeted, my future prospects would have looked rather grim.
“S-So that means… we’re singing in front of even more people…?”
“That’s how it is~”
The timid Sakiko-san murmured weakly, while the teasing Yuna-san still managed to sound composed.
“Okay, okay. Our turn’s in about an hour, so get yourselves ready.”
“Yeah. Everyone, we’ve worked so hard in lessons up until now—let’s give it our all today.”
At the overall manager’s words, the sixth-gen leader called out to rally her comrades. As everyone nodded, faces tense but determined, Taneyama-san turned toward me.
“That said… Kayanuma-san, you look pretty relaxed.”
“…This isn’t exactly by choice.”
Right now, I was sitting in a chair, sandwiched between a stunning beauty and a very cute girl. In short, Nozomi-chan and Chie-chan, seated on either side, were leaning against me.
“Nozomi’s so nervous…”
“Is this… not okay? …Mikuri-san?”
“N-No, it’s totally fine!”
When two anxious beauties leaned on me like that, the man in my heart couldn’t possibly refuse. Plus, they smelled amazing.
[T/N- Lines like these will make me drop it one-day]
“Somehow, just looking at these three makes my tension melt away.”
“Ah, I get that.”
“It feels like the anxiety just… fades.”
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When it was time for the show to start, we began changing into our idol outfits. Donning the only standard Sistema Solare costume the sixth generation currently had, I truly felt like an idol again. As I noticed everyone’s expressions growing tense, there came a knock knock knock on the door.
“…It’s almost time. Please get ready.”
The one who came to call us was Matsuzono-san, the sixth-gen sub-manager. He wasn’t exclusive to us yet—he also helped with other generations. And yes, he was a man.
“…Understood. Alright, everyone. It’s finally time.”
Shion-san answered him, then looked around at us and raised her voice.
“It’s really happening…”
“We’re finally stepping on stage~”
“Should we do some kind of ritual?”
“How about stacking our hands?”
“That might be nice.”
As everyone started talking, it naturally turned into a pre-performance hype-up. Well, I didn’t mind. The eight sixth-gen members stacked their right hands together.
“Then, Leader, say something.”
“…Guess it’s me after all. Ahem. Everyone, are you ready?”
“I’ve already thrown caution to the wind!”
“Pfft.”
Chie-chan’s energetic reply made me chuckle.
“Alright! Let’s go! Sixth-gen, fight!!”
“““Fight!!”””
“Fight?”
“Here we go~”
A couple of free spirits aside, our morale soared as we left the waiting room. The two managers followed behind us, smiling warmly.
Watching the seniors sing and dance from the wings, our turn finally came.
“This is your first stage. Go out there and captivate the audience.”
“““Yes!!”””
Hearing Taneyama-san’s encouragement, we responded with all our strength, then stepped onto the now-empty stage—Shion-san leading the way, the rest of us following in a single-file line—as the seniors who’d been performing exited.
“Woooooo!!!”
“Mikuri-chaaan!!!”
“Nozomiin~~!!!”
“Chie-tan!!!”
Huge cheers and shouts rained down upon us. It might’ve just been my imagination, but the cheers for me and Nozomi-chan felt the loudest and most numerous.
“Everyone, nice to meet you. I’m Shion Owada, leader of the sixth generation that debuted at the recent Grand Festival♪”
“Shion~~!!”
“Good evening. I’m Sayaka Matsunobe, sub-leader♪”
“Sayaka-samaaaa!!”
Starting with Leader Shion-san, we each gave short self-introductions.
“Nozomi Nanazawa. Thank you all for your support.”
“Waaaaah!!”
“So cute!!”
Nozomi-chan smiled, giving a graceful, ladylike bow after her greeting. The audience responded with an explosion of cheers. And next, naturally, was my turn.
“Kayanuma Mikuri. Nice to meet you all♪”
“Whoooooa!!!”
“Kyaaa!!!”
The cheers grew even louder. It was the biggest reaction yet. Well, of course. A beauty like this, radiating charm that tugged at every man’s heart—fans going wild was only natural.
Unlike during the Reitaisai, Chie-chan’s greeting went off without a hitch. And finally, it was time to debut our song.
“Thank you for the cheers. Now, please listen. Our sixth-generation exclusive song—”
Pausing for effect, the leader raised her voice and declared the title with strength.
“Hexagram × Octagon!”