Arc-2 SS-03

 “Haa…”

I let out a deep sigh as I stepped out of the conference room. I hadn’t expected a job tied to the Nanazawa Group to come this quickly.

Strictly speaking, Nanaboshi Bank wasn’t part of the group, but as our long-time main bank, the ties ran deep.

(I need to call Dad.)

I climbed the stairs, searching for an unused break room.

“…Hello. It’s Nozomi. Dad, do you have a moment?”

『Yeah… I’ve got about five minutes. What’s up?』

“Actually—”

I briefly explained everything that had happened in the conference room. Dad listened silently, without interrupting once.

“—and that’s the situation. Dad?”

『What is it?』

“Was this job something you arranged?”

It was only natural that work might come my way because of the Nanazawa name. I’d accepted that risk back when I auditioned. But if Dad or Grandpa had actually pulled strings—that was different.

I was already being misunderstood as someone receiving special treatment from the agency.

『No. I had nothing to do with it.』

“…Then Grandpa?”

『I told Father not to meddle.』

“I see…”

『…But I can’t deny the possibility he’s secretly using his influence for your sake.』

My paternal grandfather doted on me. So it wasn’t impossible that he’d quietly moved things along behind the scenes to support me.

Of course, not openly.

That was one of the reasons my older sister resented me. If Grandpa had gotten involved and she found out, the snide remarks would be brutal.

『…Ahem. Either way, all I can say is that you should take the job.』

“Dad…”

『Refusing an offer they went out of their way to make would naturally leave a bad impression—whether it’s the result of influence or just reading the room.』

“…Yes.”

『Besides, your good friend Kayanuma-san is in it too, right? Sounds like pretty good conditions for a first CM gig.』

“Yeah.”

Exactly. Working with Mikuri-chan was the reason I didn’t want to turn it down. Doing my first solo job completely alone would be nerve-wracking—even with a manager there.

『I have to hang up soon, so… one last thing.』

“What is it?”

『…You’re the one who decided to become an idol, Nozomi. So this time, you should make the decision.』

“…”

『I’ll respect whatever conclusion you reach after thinking it through. That’s all.』

“Yes. Understood.”

『…Call anytime. My beloved daughter.』

With that, Dad ended the call.

“It means I can do whatever I want, right?”

At least, there was no need to decide right away. We had Saturday’s mini-live coming up, and I needed to focus on that first.

(It should be fine by Monday. Right now, it’s the mini-live.)

Time to head to the live house venue. First, I’d go back to the conference room to check on Mikuri-chan. If she was ready, we’d head out together—and maybe, on the way, I could ask about her CM offer.