Arc-2 Ep-05
Episode
25
2025
There just happened to be a song already arranged for eight performers, and after discussing it as a group, we decided on that one. Of course, we still had our usual physical training and vocal lessons too—summer vacation meant our days were completely packed with practice.
I was exempt from vocal training, but instead I had extra physical sessions, which honestly made things hellish for me.
This week, the top nickname-holding members were away in the provinces for concerts and events, so the agency felt quieter than usual.
“My shrinking summer break is being swallowed by lessons~”
“No time left for homework…”
“Even if we had time, who’d have the energy after all this?”
Our second mini-live—coming up this weekend—would take place on the very last Saturday and Sunday of summer vacation. After that, Wednesday would bring September and the start of the new semester.
We somehow had to finish our summer homework before then. My last resort was to sweet-talk my three brothers into helping.
“As expected, work doesn’t come easily.”
“I heard from a fifth-gen seniors—only mini-lives and the main Sistema Solare concert for now.”
“Maybe some autograph sessions after that?”
It was Friday. All our lessons had just ended, and we gathered in the break room to unwind and chat. Everyone seemed curious about future idol work, so that naturally became the main topic.
“I heard Rina-chan got a commercial gig pretty early on.”
“Well, with that level of cuteness, of course.”
“For sixth-gen, maybe Kayanuma-san’s next?”
“Mikuri-chan, any offers yet?”
Naturally, everyone was thinking about personal gigs. And of course, since my handshake line had been the longest, I was seen as the likeliest to get one first.
“We haven’t even debuted for half a month yet. Sadly, no offers.”
“If even Mikuri-san doesn’t have one, when will Chie ever get one…?”
The youngest, Chie-chan, muttered glumly.
“Chie’s got her own weapon, you know. She might actually be the first among sixth-gen to land something~”
“Weapon? What’s that, Kanaya-san?”
“You know what I mean~”
Teased by Yuna-san, Chie-chan puffed her cheeks adorably. Her “weapon” was probably her petite figure and unmistakable loli charm.
“Before we talk about solo gigs, let’s focus on making this weekend’s mini-live a success.”
Shion-san smoothly steered the conversation back on track. True enough—this was only our third and fourth mini-live. Most members were still fighting off nerves.
“…We’re not performing that new song we just started practicing, right?”
“As expected, no. Just 『Hexagram x Octagon』, I heard.”
“I still have complaints about that title.”
“It does make it obvious that it’s our sixth-gen song, though.”
I agreed—the title was questionable. But like Nozomi-chan said, it was easy to recognize as a song for the eight members of sixth-gen.
“Too late to change it now.”
“Ahh~ I really don’t want second semester to start. Everyone at school’s gonna tease me.”
“But this lesson overload just keeps going…”
“Please, no more of that.”
Everyone looked worn out from the relentless daily grind. Honestly, I was also looking forward to the new semester—if only to escape this training hell. Last year, I’d have wished summer break would last forever.
“Second semester… I’m nervous about what people at school will say about me being an idol…”
“Yeah, same…”
Because of the NDA, even auditioning had to be kept secret from everyone except family. Nozomi-chan was known to Noriko-san, but since she was a Rina-san fan, she’d probably be fine.
“Still, I’ll probably get asked for Tomomi-san or Rina-san’s autographs…”
“…Yeah, that could happen.”
It did sound plausible, but I figured I’d manage somehow. I’d already been the school’s “idol Madonna,” so guys only ever talked to me when absolutely necessary—or to confess.
And since I’d rejected them all, only one particularly brave first-year had confessed since my second year of middle school.
Girls treated me oddly, too.
I did chat with some of them at school, but with lessons eating up all my after-school time, hanging out was basically impossible.
“Even if I say member autographs are banned, will people actually believe it?”
“We’ll just have to explain it clearly.”
With so many members, autograph requests would only pile up. Apparently, it had caused problems before, which was why the ban was introduced. Probably a way to lighten the burden on popular members—a smart move, really.
If it weren’t banned, I could easily picture myself mass-producing autographs in agony.
“Phew… Anyway, shall we head home?”
“Yeah. Tomorrow’s gonna be busy.”
“By the way, does anyone have family coming tomorrow or Sunday?”
Only Nozomi-chan raised her hand at Shion-san’s question.
“My father said he’s coming—either Saturday or Sunday.”
“Nanazawa-san’s father is the president of Nanazawa Holdings, right?”
“Yes.”
“…Now that I think about it, the first one to get a personal gig might actually be Nozomi-chan.”
At Mami-san’s words, everyone’s gaze turned to Nozomi-chan.
“N-No way. Dad said he won’t interfere.”
“But his subordinates might ‘read the room,’ you know…”
“For sure~”
The dismissal flow paused as the chatter continued.
“They’ll be sitting in the VIP seats, right? If you greet them and make a good impression, that could lead to work.”
I’d been ready to leave but ended up joining back in.
“Mikuri could pair up with Nozomi for gigs.”
“Let’s just send out all of sixth-gen together. Right, Sayaka-san?”
“…This’ll never end at this rate. Let’s really go now.”
“Yeees.”
“It’s gotten pretty late. Gotta catch the next train.”
After all that talking, we’d actually managed to recover some energy. We all stood almost at once, leaving the break room together and filing into the hallway.
~~~End~~~