Arc-2 Ep-47
67
“...Well then, here we go at last with the top three announcement!”
“There will be no more commercials until the very end of the program, so everyone watching on TV can relax.”
“Yes! Let’s charge all the way to the finish! ...Then, for the Fifth Sistema Solare Reiteisai popularity poll, third place is!?”
“Third place is!?”
“......”
Compared to all the previous announcements, the pause was dramatically longer. In the tense silence that seemed to make the entire venue hold its breath, the female MC finally spoke.
“...For her name to be called here!! Third-generation member, Terra — Tomomi Uchikawa-san!!!”
“Uwaaaaa!!!”
“No way~~~!!!”
“Ooooooh!!!”
After building the suspense, the name that finally emerged was Tomomi-san. Screams and cheers echoed throughout the audience seating. There had been predictions that she might benefit from split votes, yet in the end it appeared I had overtaken her.
Her rank had fallen even further than last year, yet she strode toward the center of the stage wearing a smile that betrayed none of the shock she must have felt.
Tomomi-san, now standing in the spotlight and beginning her conversation with the MCs, truly embodied the professionalism of an idol. While that was happening, I turned to glance at the vote count. Further back from our lineup, on the upper screen behind the stage, names, ranks, and total votes were displayed.
The number shown there surpassed even last year’s total for Rina-san, and the gap with fourth-place Erika-san was substantial. As expected, the overall vote count had increased significantly. Considering that increase, last year’s numbers were no longer a reliable benchmark.
Whether Rina-san and I had split votes and allowed Tomomi-san to narrow the gap would only become clear after the second- and first-place announcements.
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“──Then, one final word please.”
“Yes. My rank has dropped compared to last year, but thank you very much for voting for me.”
Just like last year, she paused for a moment and then bowed deeply. The red-accented costume, representing the inner group’s image color, gleamed brilliantly under the stage lights.
“I will work even harder next year so I can reclaim first place. Please continue to support me♪”
“Fighting!!!”
“Tomomi~~~~!!!”
“We’ll keep supporting you forever~~!!!”
“Thank you♪”
Men who appeared to be Tomomi-san’s devoted fans erupted in cheers. She responded with a light wave and words of gratitude.
“Whoa, what incredible cheering.”
“Yes, indeed. ...That was third-generation member Tomomi Uchikawa-san. Thank you very much.”
“Thank you very much!♪”
“Chi-chaaan!!!”
“...Nhh, Tomomi~n!!!”
Having lost the nickname Terra, she bowed once more and returned to her original position in line.
She seemed to have checked her vote count along the way, but I could not discern what she was feeling. She deliberately avoided making eye contact with me.
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“...Here we go! Only two remain!”
“We’re down to just second and first place already. Time really flies!”
“It really does. The two left are the strongest ace and the highly anticipated rookie! Which one will claim the crown!?”
“I can’t wait to find out. Everyone in the venue feels the same, right?”
“““Uoooooo!!!”””
“Kyaaaaaa!!!”
“We wanna know~~~~!!!”
The two MCs whipped the crowd into a frenzy, raising the venue’s excitement another notch. They were clearly planning to maintain the fans’ fever pitch right up to the announcement.
“Then, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! ...For the Fifth Sistema Solare Reiteisai popularity poll, second place is!?”
“Second place is!?”
“...This result can definitely be called a magnificent fight! Sixth-generation member, Mikuri Kayanuma-san!!”
“““Uwaaaaa!!!”””
“For real~~~~!!!”
“So close~~~!!!”
“Mikuri-chaaan!!!”
Second place—the rank that comes with the nickname Terra—was announced by the female MC as mine. As expected, one year of activity alone had not been enough to surpass Rina-san’s towering presence.
“Mikuri-chan...”
“I’ll be right back, Nozomi-chan.”
She seemed concerned about the disappointment of not taking first, but personally I wasn’t fixated on the exact rank. As long as I had made it into the inner group Sistema Solare, any position was acceptable.
On the contrary, I even felt relieved not to be burdened with leading the group as first place. Second place was not much different, but having someone above me made it feel like I had more breathing room.
With these thoughts, I stepped forward toward the center of the stage where the two MCs awaited.
I put on the smile I had practiced countless times in front of the mirror, the one intended to captivate both the fans in the venue and those watching on television.
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“...Congratulations! Mikuri Kayanuma-san.”
“Yes! Thank you very much!♪”
“““Uoooooo!!!”””
“So cute!!!”
“Mikuri~~~!!!”
I swayed in the pure-red basic Sistema Solare costume—my sixth-generation image color that I would likely not wear often anymore—and greeted the fans. Judging by their reaction, my cuteness was fully conveyed.