Arc-2 Ep-19
39
“Evening~ Mikuri Kayanuma♪ Everyone having fun~~?!”
“Yeeeaaah!!!”
“We’re having a blast!!!”
“Hyaaaa!!!”
My call-out was met with an explosion of joyful screams. Just hearing cheers that rivaled Rina-san’s was proof enough—my popularity was no illusion. Even the Sistema Solare members watching from backstage would notice.
Next year’s Reiteisai poll? My rise to the top ranks was inevitable.
“Wow~ Amazing energy… Okay, last—our sixth-gen little sister, Chie Sekiguchi!”
“…Evening. I’m Chie Sekiguchi. Aiming to catch up to our big sisters—please cheer for me♪”
“Cuuute!!!”
“Chie-tan!!”
Chie-chan’s turn wrapped up the round of introductions. Next was our sixth-gen talk segment. Since we were rookies, there was no free talk—strictly by script.
“…So, everyone, it’s your first full-group concert! How does it feel?”
Shion-san passed the baton, and Sayaka-san kicked things off.
“It’s so different from the mini-lives—way more people this time.”
“Yeah. The cheers are insane.”
“During our first mini-live, my nerves almost killed me. With this many people… I was honestly worried.”
Mami-san, Sakiko-san, and Chie-chan delivered their lines exactly as written—no ad-libs, perfectly safe.
“Yesterday, everyone looked like they’d die from nerves.”
“Only Mikuri-chan was acting normal~”
“For sure~ The rest of us had frozen faces~”
Me and Nozomi-chan took our turns on cue, sticking to the script. Yuna-san held back her ad-libs too.
“Ahahaha.”
“You okay~?”
“It’s our first time, can’t help it~!”
The audience laughed warmly, their cheers encouraging.
“But today, everyone’s a lot more relaxed, right?”
Shion-san jumped in to keep things flowing. Everyone managed at least one line.
“Why though?”
“Experience?”
“Even though it’s only been four months since debut?”
“Hmm~ What do you all think?”
Shion-san tossed the question to the crowd. We gathered a few answers before moving toward the wrap-up.
“Guts grew!!!”
“Dunno~!”
“Gave up caring~!!”
The crowd shouted their thoughts. All perfect for the next scripted bit.
“‘Gave up,’ huh…?”
“Let’s say our guts grew instead.”
Nozomi-chan and I hit our cue together, glancing at Shion-san for timing.
“Right. Maybe we gave up a little—but let’s call it guts.”
“Roger~”
“Got it… Wait, Shion-san! Staff’s signaling.”
“Hm? …Ah, we’re out of time. Talk segment ends here.”
“Aw. I wanted to talk more…”
“Our mini-lives always have talk time, so come see us there♪”
“Next up is Seven Satellite.”
“You’ll see sixth-gen again at the ending!”
“Byee~”
“Later~”
“Goodbye~”
“Don’t gooo!!!”
“Uoooo!!!”
“Miku-rin~~!!!”
“Nozomi-n~~!!”
We waved big, smiling as our names echoed across the arena, then exited left. Our first full-concert stage—success.
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“Good work, everyone.”
In the wings, Taneyama-san and Matsuzono-san greeted us as we returned. Only a few staff were around—no other members yet.
“H-How was it?”
“Looked fine. No problems at all.”
“P-Phew~”
Shion-san exhaled, visibly relieved at the sub-manager’s response.
“Just the ending and finale left. You can rest or watch—your choice.”
“Got it.”
“I’m heading to the waiting room first.”
“Yuna too~”
I had no stamina issues, but the adrenaline was starting to fade.
“Chie’s going back to the room. Mikuri-san?”
“Yeah… I’ll cool down there too.”
“Good. Adrenaline hides fatigue—you’ll feel it soon.”
“Nozomi’s coming as well.”
“All right. Then sixth-gen, back to the waiting room. Taneyama-san.”
Everyone moved together. Seven Satellite was up next—not a must-watch for us.
“Got it. Gather fifteen minutes before the ending. I’ll call for you.”
“Yes. Rookies can’t keep seniors waiting.”
“Short break, everyone.”
“Yes. Rest well.”
Seeing us off, the managers headed backstage. We were the first to return. After a short walk through the corridors—we reached our waiting room, farthest from the main stage.
“Phewww… The climax is over, huh…?”
As soon as we stepped in, Sakiko-san slumped into a chair with a huge sigh. The dreamlike stage now felt like a blur of reality.
“Only the ending left—don’t let your guard down.”
“But with everyone together, it’s easier~”
“True. Even so, people are still watching.”
Forty-eight members versus eight—our share of the spotlight was tiny. Our exclusive earlier was the true peak.
“Talk segment went smooth—great for a first time.”
“Yeah, and the managers seemed satisfied too.”
“From start to finish, we stuck to the script. If the seniors ad-libbed right after us, it could’ve been chaos.”
True—if anyone froze mid-talk, disaster was guaranteed.
“Next year, we’ll be ready for that.”
“Uwaa…”
“Let’s practice talk segments during mini-lives.”
Our leader’s merciless declaration earned mixed groans and laughs. I’d already decided: just one clean line, then natural flow.
“Plans now?”
“I’ll rest a bit, then watch Dwarf Planet.”
“Rina-chan’s performing—I’m watching.”
“I’ll stay here till the ending.”
“Nozomi too.”
“Toilet first.”
The status quo would hold for a while. Chatting quietly with Nozomi-chan and Chie-chan beside me, I let myself breathe—finally, just enjoying the moment.