Arc-2 Ep-17
37
She was glaring at me with some serious heat.
Kae Higashiyama, holding a grudge? Old news.
At this rate, I’d definitely be one of the factors dragging her rank down at next year’s Reiteisai. Nozomi-chan too—among sixth-gen, the two of us were prime rivals for her.
Though, given her attitude toward everyone, it wasn’t like she had many allies left anyway. Honestly, I’d love to send her packing come summer.
“Sayaka. How was it back there?”
“Shion-san.”
Backstage, our leader Shion-san turned to the vice-leader.
“Well… Mikuri kinda went berserk.”
“Berserk?”
Sayaka-san’s answer made Shion-san glance curiously at me—sweat still clinging to my neck despite wiping off earlier. We’d only just started, yet I already looked exhausted.
“…You went full throttle?”
“Yeah. Watching from the back—it was insane.”
“That explains the explosion of cheers.”
Their conversation drew mixed looks from the others, and then gentle Nozomi-chan came up beside me.
“Mikuri-chan, you okay?”
“Just need a short rest—I’ll be fine.”
“Yeah~ Miku should rest in the waiting room~”
“Yes. I’ll head there.”
“Nozomi’s coming too.”
“Woo~ Still super close~”
Yuna-san teased, but I was too tired to react. I just gave her a light smile and headed out. Nozomi-chan followed right beside me, handing over a chilled bottle of mineral water.
“Chie’s coming too!”
Chie-chan hurried after us.
“Don’t miss your next slot,” Taneyama-san called from behind.
“Of course,” I replied, and the three of us made our way to the waiting room.
Nearly an hour of lounging later, my stamina was back. We headed for the wings again—passing second-gen seniors returning from their segment.
“Good work.”
“Yeah. Give it your all.”
Naturally, that voice belonged to Erika-san. She wore her standard Sistema Solare costume, a basic design flecked with yellow accents. She’d taken a liking to me since the beginning—don’t know why, but I wasn’t complaining.
“Got it. I’m fired up.”
“…Erika’s favorite girl, huh.”
A tall woman in a purple costume stopped beside her. Suzuka Kiyota-san.
Erika-san’s gen-mate, and part of the same internal Sistema Solare group. Tall, short hair—radiating that prince-like aura that drew women in—but with surprisingly soft curves that ruined the illusion in a good way.
Among second-gen, Erika-san attracted the male fans; Suzuka-san had the female crowd. Cool, graceful, and effortlessly beautiful.
“Yep. Cute, right?”
“Yeah. Maybe even rivals Rina.”
“Th-Thank you.”
Being praised by two top-tier seniors—my face heated up instantly.
“No, seriously,” Erika-san said with a laugh.
“Always happy to see more cute girls around,” Suzuka-san added.
“Coming! Both of you!”
The second-gen leader’s voice echoed from down the hall.
“Yeees. Later, Mikuri-chan!”
“Third-gen’s almost done—hurry up,” Suzuka-san called.
“Yes! Got it!”
They both waved, flashing those perfect smiles.
I gave a small bow in return and hurried toward the stage wings. Istill had buffer time, but barely.
“Late, Mikuri-san!”
“Sorry, Chie-chan.”
Chie-chan, who’d gone ahead earlier, scolded me the second I arrived. The clock said I was still on time—but just barely.
“Got delayed. My bad.”
“On time’s fine.”
“Yes.”
Onstage, the third-gen’s exclusive performance had just ended. Their talk segment was wrapping up as they exited stage-left. Fourth-gen were already lined up, waiting for their turn. Fifth-gen—the slot right before ours—had gathered too.
And of course, Rina-san stood physically distanced from the rest of her team.
“Something happen?”
Nozomi-chan, standing beside Chie-chan, tilted her head at my delay.
“Second-gen seniors stopped to encourage me.”
“Second-gen?”
Sakiko-san, who had no connection to them, perked up with interest.
“Erika-san and Suzuka-san.”
“Oooh~ Second-gen’s top duo~”
“Yes yes. Forget your nerves and focus now,” Sayaka-san cut in.
“Right. Our slot’s soon.”
As the banter continued, Shion-san and Sayaka-san tightened their postures—leader and vice-leader mode on.
“Don’t say that—we’re just trying to ease the tension,” Yuna-san whispered.
“Oh, sorry.”
“Ahaha.”
The easy laughter eased the air again—until I felt eyes on me. I turned slightly.
Rina-san was staring.
Meanwhile onstage, fourth-gen’s song and talk finished. A few minutes later—applause. Then they exited. And fifth-gen bounded out for their performance.
“…Finally, we’re next.”
“Before that—watch Takechi-san’s stage carefully.”
Shion-san’s quiet advice overlapped with Taneyama-san’s. True enough, if there was anyone worth studying, it was Rina-san.
The eight of them took formation—diamond-shaped, with Takechi Rina at the front apex—and the fifth-gen exclusive song began.