Arc-2 SS-04

 “—Hmm. Quite the turnout, Taneyama-kun.”

“Yes, President. Nanazawa-san’s presence made a big impact, it seems.”

“Matsuzono-kun’s group exceeded expectations too.”

“Yes. Thanks to Kayanuma-san, no doubt.”

After returning from Sakiko Furusawa-san’s hometown event, I went straight to report to the president. Other managers who’d come back earlier were already giving their briefings. I waited a bit, then joined in once Matsuzono-san arrived so we could report together.

“Hmm… as expected, sixth-gen should be pushed forward with those two as the main focus.”

A typical conclusion for an agency president. Of course, I needed to think about sales too—but I wanted to avoid creating any imbalance within the sixth generation.

“Still, considering the fifth-gen… it’s tricky.”

“…Yes. We don’t want a repeat of the Takechi-san versus everyone else situation from fifth-gen.”

In the previous generation, Rina Takechi’s popularity had skyrocketed—turning it into a one-woman show. The others lost motivation, and tension built up behind the scenes. Their overall and sub-managers must’ve been ulcer-ridden by the end.

“Fortunately, sixth-gen’s leader is Owada-san. She keeps a close eye on the internal mood—huge help.”

“Ah, yes. I rate her caretaking very highly,” the president nodded. “Wish we’d passed her through in the fifth-gen auditions.”

“Might’ve eased some of the internal strain in fifth-gen.”

Owada Shion’s idol performance aside, her personality was solid. I rated her highly, too. Honestly, I was already considering offering her a manager role after her Sistema Solare graduation.

“Nanazawa’s around, and Sekiguchi’s started looking up to Kayanuma as well.”

“Yes. Ever since the Reiteisai, she’s been something of a Kayanuma fan.”

“…Ichihara-san seems to get along well too,” I added, joining the conversation between the president and Matsuzono-san. Thinking about it that way, the sixth generation was far more stable than the fifth—less likely to implode.

“I see… So it’s safe to say their situation’s much better than fifth-gen’s?”

“Yes, I believe so, President.”

“Good. Keep in touch with the other three as well—let’s maintain this balance.”

Even if things got rough, I hoped it stayed this way. No more of the fifth-gen’s behind-the-back ignoring—for everyone’s sake, mine included.

“Understood. We’ll keep at it.”

“Good. I’m counting on you both for sixth-gen.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Leave it to us.”

“Excellent. Dismissed. Call in the next team if they’re waiting.”

“Yes, sir. Excuse us.”

“Excuse me.”

We bowed deeply to the president and left the office together.

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In the hallway, I checked my phone—message from Matsunobe Sayaka-san. She’d confirmed their meeting spot. I glanced at Matsuzono-san; he was also on his phone.

“…Taneyama-san. Ichihara-san’s group is with Matsunobe-san’s.”

“Got it. Let’s head there.”

As we started down the corridor, a junior staff member came our way. She’d been assigned to one of the fifth-gen teams during the tour events.

“Taneyama-san, Matsuzono-san—good morning.”

“Morning. The president’s office is free now.”

“Oh, I see. Um, how were the sixth-gen events?”

“Big success.”

“Ours—huge success.”

Even though she was supposed to report to the president, curiosity got the better of her. Her fifth-gen team probably hadn’t gone as well.

“…That so…”

“Not great, I take it? Ishida-san.”

She wasn’t normally a Sistema Solare manager—usually handled actors. Her actor’s projects had dried up, so she’d been temporarily assigned.

“Yeah… low turnout. And the members’ attitudes…”

Ishida-san’s fifth-gen group had eight total. One—Takechi-san—was already folded into the main Sistema Solare unit. Of the remaining seven, our training school alum had teamed with two affiliate sixth-gen members for the events. The rest were divided—her side being the lower-ranked team.

“…Fifth-gen’s gotten a bit…”

“Yeah. Having an outsider like me assigned, I can understand their frustration.”

The other fifth-gen team had their own sub-manager. Compared to that, unfamiliar staff probably made it worse—but still, attitude issues weren’t something to excuse.

“Sorry. I’ll escalate and report it properly.”

“…Got it. Head to the president’s office, then.”

Ishida-san bowed and walked off toward the hallway that led to the president’s door.

“…Matsuzono-san. The fifth-gen problems are escalating.”

“Yeah. If it were against another Sistema Solare manager, that’d be one thing—but against outsiders…”

No one had graduated yet from the fourth generation. At this rate, the fifth might end up graduating before them.