Arc-2 Ep-22

The second day of the Sistema Solare full concert, held on Sunday, ended safely as well. I thought the year’s work would be over after six weekend mini-lives, but suddenly new work came in for the sixth-gen.

“Magazine job?”

“Yes. After the Reiteisai, you got some interviews too, right? Though not many.”

“Ah, yeah…”

“The main focus back then was Rina-san and the Sistema Solare members.”

“Our coverage was tiny~”

A women’s idol magazine that still publishes physical copies alongside e-books, which is rare these days. Called “pure wink,” and they requested an exclusive sixth-gen feature.

“C-Could it be the cover!?”

“Not quite. But we get decent pages, and the photos will be in color.”

“That’s amazing. Last time was… a bit…”

“Of course I bought and kept it, but the treatment, well…”

Last time there were color photos too, but only about a quarter page. The rest was just names, ages, and one-line comments on black-and-white pages.

“…The interview is next Saturday afternoon. Before the mini-live.”

“Next Saturday… the 25th. Christmas?”

This year’s Christmas would be eaten by work. Well, I have no one but family to spend Christmas with anyway.

“So take care of your health. Don’t catch colds.”

“O-Of course.”

“We have the mini-live anyway.”

With Taneyama-san’s words, the post-lesson meeting ended. Showers and everything were done, so it was time to go home.

And December 25, Saturday. Christmas.

Because of the magazine interview, I arrived at the agency building earlier than usual, just past noon. After changing into the shooting outfits, we would all move to the interview location together.

Since there were many photos, they rented a studio this time. By the way, the outfits were paid for by the agency. They could get them cheaply through other job connections.

We had no say in the coordination. We just wore what the agency prepared. Since our height, weight, and three sizes were measured regularly, even first-time outfits fit perfectly.

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“Then we’ll do individual interviews while shooting whoever is free.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

There was also a mini-live tonight, and preparations for it, so time was tight. As a result, interviews and shooting were run in parallel to avoid idle time. Still, gaps were inevitable.

“…Okay. Next, Kayanuma-san. Shooting please.”

“Yes. Got it.”

After waiting a while, I was called for photos first.

“Yes, turn your face a bit more to the right. Yes, perfect~”

I followed the photographer’s instructions and posed in front of the lens. It was just for an interview article, so not a full-scale shoot. The reporter interview would probably take longer.

“Nice. You’re really photogenic.”

“Thank you♪”

Flattering words from the photographer. I gave my photo-smile, and the shoot went smoothly.

“Thank you very much. Next, Kayanuma-san, please.”

“Yes. Coming.”

Pair and group shots finished. Thinking only the full eight-member shot remained, my interview turn finally came. I sat in front of a woman in her late twenties or early thirties. A voice recorder was already running on the desk.

“Nice to work with you.”

“Likewise… Then, Kayanuma-san. Let’s begin the interview.”

“Yes.”

The magazine reporter asked practiced, formal questions. Since we had done basic interviews as rookies last time, this one focused on the full concert.

“What were your thoughts on your first Sistema Solare full concert?”

“The audience size was completely different from the weekly mini-lives. I think I got more excited than usual.”

She nodded and continued.

“As a fan, had you ever attended a Sistema Solare full concert before?”

“No. When I was in elementary school, my parents didn’t allow it, and last year I was busy with auditions.”

Ticket prices were also an issue. Too expensive for regular elementary or middle school kids.

“Any problems on the concert stage?”

“Well… I may have gone too hard in the opening song and burned too much stamina.”

“Really? …But your exclusive sixth-gen stage was dazzling.”

“Thank you. There was time before our turn, so I rested quietly in the waiting room to recover stamina.”

Mostly questions the agency and my teammates could have predicted. They had all the previous material anyway, so nothing strange.

“The fans in the audience cheered loudly too.”

“Yes! It was really fun and made me happy. I wanted to sing and dance even more♪”

Bright smile and cheerful voice. I worked hard to leave a good impression on the reporter. Even small things could lead to future jobs.

“I’m looking forward to your future activities. Finally, please tell us your goal.”

“That’s clear. First, to rank high enough in next summer’s Grand Festival popularity poll to earn a nickname.”

“Understood. Personally, I think Kayanuma-san can make to the top.”

“Thank you♪”

“Then the interview is over. Thank you very much. Next, Sekiguchi-san, please.”

“Yes. Excuse me.”

I yielded the seat to called Chie-chan and returned to the shooting area. Until all eight gathered, we continued shooting combinations we hadn’t done yet.