Arc-2 Ep-08

 Starting from the third weekend of September, we began performing the new song we’d been practicing. I was the main, with Nozomi-chan as the sub-main—a song where positions and singing parts were divided by popularity, unlike the gen-exclusive track.

The harsh, painful reality of idol life was already making itself known. Now that we had two songs for mini-lives, management wanted us to operate in units of three, so another song was selected and practice began.

This time, it was one of Sistema Solare’s internal group songs—originally written for nine members, now rearranged for eight sixth-gen idols. As usual, the center spotlight belonged to me and Nozomi-chan as a duo.

How the other six felt about that, I didn’t know. But this was the popularity business—I could only hope they’d accept it.

The last Saturday of September. While preparing for the mini-live, I was at the ff・Fortesimo company building when sixth-gen overall manager Taneyama-san caught me. She led me to a conference room where Nozomi-chan was already waiting.

“Ah… good morning, Mikuri-chan.”

“Morning. You beat me here today, Nozomi-chan.”

“Kayanuma-san, sit next to Nanazawa-san.”

“Yes.”

Following her instructions, I sat beside Nozomi-chan while Taneyama-san took the seat across from us. Placing her bag on the table, she looked at both of us and began.

“Actually… you two have received CM offers.”

“Eh!?”

“S-So… together?”

“I’ll explain—just listen first.”

“—So, two for me, and one for Nozomi-chan…”

“Yes. One solo for Kayanuma-san, one for both of you together, and the last is mainly for Nanazawa-san.”

“My solo CM is one of the two leads, and Nozomi-chan’s is…”

I glanced at her. She wore a complicated expression. That look came from knowing exactly who the company behind her offer was.

“…Nanaboshi Bank, right…”

To put it bluntly, a financial institution closely tied to the Nanazawa Group. In other words, she suspected the offer came purely because of the Nanazawa name.

“…And even Mikuri-chan…”

“…Honestly, both the president and I think it’s because of Nanazawa-san’s name.”

“Yeah…”

“But the agency really wants you to accept it. An offer came for Kayanuma-san as well.”

“… …What do you think, Mikuri-chan?”

With her head down and eyes closed, she’d been thinking for a while—then she lifted her gaze toward me and asked. For me, more work meant more exposure, more experience, and more money. The answer was obvious.

“Hmm… I get what you’re worried about, but it feels a little too late for that.”

“Too late?”

“Yeah. Everyone already knows we’re the mains of sixth-gen—and that you’re the Nanazawa Group heiress, right?”

“Yes…”

“So even if you turn this down, your position won’t really change, I think.”

“You’re… right…”

We were already in a delicate position within sixth-gen. Well, leader Shion-san looked out for us, Chie-chan adored me, and I talked fairly often with Mami-san—so we weren’t completely isolated.

Compared to that, fifth-gen’s Rina-san apparently had it much worse. I was honestly glad Nozomi-chan was around.

“But it’s your call. You’ve got another offer too—set me aside and think carefully.”

“No need to decide right now. Sooner is better, but talk to your family first,” Taneyama-san suggested, watching our exchange.

“…Okay. I’ll discuss it with my dad and give an answer soon.”

“Good. Thanks… Now, Kayanuma-san.”

“I’ll step out, then.”

“You can stay and listen.”

“No, I need to call Dad about this. See you later, Mikuri-chan.”

“Yeah, Nozomi-chan.”

After seeing her out of the conference room, it was just me and the overall manager. Now then—what kind of CM was mine?

“Yours is a winter hot drink commercial.”

“Winter already?”

It was still late September, with some lingering summer heat, but in the commercial world, preparations for winter were already underway.

“It was originally meant for Takechi-san.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But she’s already booked for a rival company’s CM and had to decline.”

“No helping that.”

Rina-san’s popularity was insane—she’d been racking up CM offers since summer. At this rate, she might top the rankings next year and earn the title of CM Queen.

“So, the offer came to you instead.”

“Why me, though?”

“Because your co-star—you don’t lose to her.”

“Don’t lose?”

“Yes. That’s why it was first offered to Takechi-san too.”

I—or Rina-san—didn’t lose. Which meant the co-star was a super beauty!!