Arc-2 Ep-23

 After finishing the mini-lives on the 25th and 26th, our sixth-gen work for the year was finally over. The next weekend would be New Year’s Day and the 2nd, but even we would not be made to do mini-lives on both days, so they were days off.

Well, the following weekend was a three-day holiday thanks to Coming of Age Day, so having six mini-lives over three days was part of the reason too. Anyway, the six days from year-end to New Year were free of lessons, an unusually relaxed schedule.

The agency staff needed breaks too, so it was only natural. I had planned to use that long holiday to get even closer with Nozomi-chan, but…

“Eh!? Nozomi-chan, you’re that busy!?”

“Yes… Company-related things make year-end and New Year extremely hectic.”

I had been thinking of inviting her to my house and introducing her to my family, but Nozomi-chan had zero free days. As expected of a conglomerate heiress. Parties, greetings, everything. The whole six-day break was completely booked.

“I see… That’s too bad. I was really hoping you could come stay over for a night.”

“I’m sorry… It’s a very tempting invitation, but I truly have no time.”

“No, no, if that’s the case it can’t be helped… Maybe during spring break, if our schedules match?”

After the last mini-live of the year, we returned to the agency, finished greetings and wrap-up tasks, and were about to go home when I spoke with Nozomi-chan.

It seemed tomorrow and the day after’s lessons would be our last chances to see each other this year.

“At least let me take you home today. The car will drop you off.”

“…Excuse me… You were still here?”

Before I could reply to Nozomi-chan’s offer, there was a knock and Chie-chan entered the rest room.

“Just for a bit. I wanted to talk with Nozomi-chan.”

“I see.”

“I wanted to have a sleepover since it’s been a while.”

“A sleepover!?”

Chie-chan reacted instantly. Of course, at our age a sleepover with close friends is exciting.

“Y-Yeah… But Nozomi-chan is busy and it’s impossible, so that’s the sad story.”

“Yes. It really is such a shame…”

Nozomi-chan sounded genuinely down. Even with a clouded expression, a beautiful girl still looks beautiful.

“Then, would Chie do instead?”

“Eh? …You mean Chie-chan stays over at my place?”

“Yes! Exactly!”

To me, Chie-chan feels like a little sister. In both my previous life and this one, I was the youngest child and never had a sister. That is why I’ve always admired the cute little sisters you see in manga and such.

“Hmm~ That could be fun too.”

“R-Really!? Then—”

“Mikuri-chan, the car is here. What will you do?”

Cutting off the excited Chie-chan, Nozomi-chan spoke while holding her phone.

“Oh? Right, we did talk about that. Um, I’ll take the ride, please.”

“Of course, you’re very welcome.”

“Thanks. With year-end, my family is busy too, so I was wondering what to do.”

If I asked Dad or my two older brothers to pick me up, it would be really late. My youngest older brother, the college student, seemed to be working full throttle at his part-time jobs.

“Then I’ll message my family on LINE.”

“Okay.

…There, done. Chie-chan, I’ll contact you tonight, and we can decide the date tentatively then.”

“Y-Yes! Understood!”

I spoke to Chie-chan, who had been left waiting a bit, and she answered with a big smile. For some reason, Nozomi-chan’s expression turned dissatisfied instead.

“Mikuri-chan, shall we go? …Chie-san, see you tomorrow as well.”

“Y-Yes, let’s do our best at tomorrow’s lesson too.”

“Bye, Chie-chan. I’ll message you on LINE first.”

“Got it. I’ll be waiting!”

Unable to help smiling at her enthusiasm, I gave a small wave and left the rest room. Walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Nozomi-chan, I tried to improve her mood while heading down the hallway.

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“…Hello! It’s Chie!”

“Good evening. Mikuri here.”

I first confirmed on LINE that it was okay to call, then dialed her. The moment the ringtone sounded, Chie-chan picked up with a loud voice.

“Good evening.”

“Yeah. It’s late, so let’s keep it short.”

“Understood.”

We had a mini-live today and lessons tomorrow. Plus, since winter break had started, the schedule was packed from morning to evening.

“I talked to my family. They said year-end is busy, but New Year’s is fine.”

“Yes. Same here, year-end is hectic.”

“So I was thinking, we’re off until the 3rd, and on the 4th we go to the agency for New Year greetings, right?”

“Yes. The 4th is only light voluntary practice otherwise.”

Exactly. Idols and managers work through New Year, but the agency building only opens on the 4th. And even then it’s not full operation; the instructors are still on break. Only the president and a few office staff come in, so we have to wake up our holiday-dulled bodies for the first mini-lives of the year.

“So the options are: stay over on the 3rd and go to the agency together on the 4th.”

“Yes.”

“Or stay over after the 4th and go to the 5th’s lesson together.”

“Hmm, between those two, staying on the 3rd sounds better.”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

The 4th is still a lesson, even if light and voluntary. Carrying bags for the 4th, bags for the 5th lesson, and overnight things would be a hassle. Staying on the 3rd would be easier for Chie-chan too.

“Then can you get permission from your parents?”

“Understood. I’ll definitely get it.”

“Thanks. Let me know the result by LINE, phone, or when we meet at lessons, whatever works.”

“Yes. I’ll go talk to them now.”

“Tomorrow is busy, so don’t stay up too late. See you at lessons.”

“Yes.”

“Chie-chan, go to bed soon too. Good night~”

“Understood. Good night."