Arc-2 Ep-16

 Date changed—Sistema Solare Full-Group Concert, Day One.

The sixth-gen waiting room before opening felt calmer than yesterday. Thanks to the Reiteisai and our mini-lives, everyone had built some tolerance for tension. This level of nerves might actually boost performance.

Too much anxiety—or my kind of chill—was risky. Panic would ruin everything if we flopped.

“Yeah. Today’s vibe is good,” said overall manager Taneyama-san, scanning the room with a small smile.

“Past experience really helped us adjust,” I agreed.

“No kidding~”

“Compared to the Reiteisai, it’s a huge difference. Even I can feel it.”

“Feels worlds apart from how I was back then.”

The atmosphere was great.

I’d been worried someone might get too tense and need support—but apparently, no need.

“But sorry to ruin the mood—there’s a slight change from rehearsal.”

“Ch-Change!?”

Manager’s bombshell. A morning-of adjustment. Hopefully minor, or this fragile calm would crumble.

“Nothing major. Just a tweak to the entry and exit for your exclusive song.”

“Y-Yes…”

“Originally, we split four and four between the wings—entering and exiting from both sides. But now it’s one-way for everyone.”

“One-way?”

“All enter from stage-right, exit from stage-left after. It’s a change for all generations.”

In rehearsal, the previous fifth-gen had split their entry and exit half-and-half. Now, everyone was doing the one-way route.

“Th-That’s… manageable.”

“Just means a longer walk.”

“Same as the fifth-gen before us, then…”

The left-wing formation would just have a longer route. Apparently, fifth-gen would demonstrate the flow. Far from the worst news—my gen-mates visibly relaxed.

“Almost opening time.”

“Limited slots or not—we’re gonna crush it.”

“My family’s watching today~”

“…Good thing staff seating’s far away.”

Opening, ending, one mid-show song, and a short talk. That was sixth-gen’s entire concert duty. Honestly, more downtime than performance time.

“Time to suit up.”

“Got it.”

“Still wish we had new outfits…”

We sixth-gen members were still stuck with the basic Sistema Solare idol uniforms. There were spares, but all the same design.

“Fifth-gen got new ones after their first Reiteisai.”

“Eight months wearing this…”

“Usually one new set per year—unless you rank in the nickname poll.”

Out of eight of us, how many could reach Seven Satellite or higher? Aside from me and Nozomi-chan, none felt like locks. If even half our gen got nicknamed, that’d be a miracle.

Fourth-gen had nine members, and only one made it into Seven Satellite—earning them the nickname “flop gen” or “valley gen.”

“Change and prep time. Nozomi-chan, Chie-chan.”

“Yeah. Let’s do this, Mikuri-chan.”

“Yes!”

I called out to the usual duo, and they started changing out of their casuals. Cute idols undressing in my peripheral vision—dangerous I quickly turned away and grabbed my own costume: the one accented in pure red.

The concert was just minutes away.

I moved to my assigned position: stage-right, on the third tier of the staircase set. The tiers sloped gently toward the back—the sixth tier high enough to hide chests behind those in front.

My third-tier height reached around the waist-hip line of the front row. The closer to the audience, the more visible we were. During the mid-song, the odd and even tiers would swap sides, revealing full bodies briefly.

Otherwise, the moves stayed the same—making dance skill painfully obvious. I’d go all out. I’d overwhelm Kae Higashiyama, two tiers ahead.

That half-assed greeting of hers still bothered me. Her right-hand neighbor, Naomi Katsura-san, had whispered an apology—quiet enough that the front line didn’t notice.

With my “god-cheat” composure, I returned a perfect idol greeting. Not a single complaint there.

Then, with a whoosh, the curtain separating the stage from the audience dropped. The opening intro began to play.

Sistema Solare Full-Group Concert—go time.

◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆

The curtain pulled aside, revealing a packed house of nearly 10,000 fans. Their screams crashed over us like a tidal wave. The intro ended—and all forty-eight of us sang and danced in unison.

“Rina-rin~~!!!”

“Tomomi-chan!!!”

I sang at full volume, danced at full power. With limited, non-consecutive appearances, there was no need to save stamina. Full-throttle mode—maximum output.

“Uooooo!!!”

“Kyaaaaa!!!”

Ten thousand voices roared—violent, overwhelming. I matched them with my sharpest movements, every note crystal-clear.

Dan!!

We struck the final pose. The concert’s signature opening number, Galactic Light Eternal, came to a close.

“Haa… haa…”

I’d given it everything—my breathing ragged, sweat pouring down my neck. But it felt amazing.

“Uwaaa!!!”

“Rina-chan!!!”

“Erikaaa!!!”

The crowd erupted. But of course, only select names echoed back to us. Still, among the shouts—my own name appeared.

“Mikuri-chan~~!!!”

“Miku-rin~~!!!”

Couldn’t pinpoint the source, but I smiled and waved in that general direction. Then we rushed down the tiers and dashed toward the stage-right wings. Next up was internal Sistema Solare’s segment.

After that, Dwarf Planet, Seven Satellite, and then the generational exclusives.

Our turn came after fifth-gen’s showcase. Tough slot—right after Rina-san’s performance. But I’d make sure to carry the momentum.

“Haa… haa… phew…”

“Mikuri.”

“S-Sayaka-san.”

Catching my breath backstage, I turned to see Sayaka-san behind me.

“I watched from the back—you were incredible.”

“R-Really? I got carried away… sang without pacing myself. Haa…”

“Truly amazing. Even Chie was shocked.”

“Though… I’m a little worried about stamina.”

From the rear of our same column, Sakiko-san and Chie-chan approached. They’d seen me clearly from their fourth and fifth tiers.

“Next performance’s far off—rest up.”

“Right. Quiet mode for now.”

“Still, your dance is unreal, Mikuri-san!”

As we walked through the wings toward the back, I could feel the stares. Glancing over, I caught Kae Higashiyama glaring daggers at me.