Arc 3 Ep-02

"First, we will finish brushing up Supercluster for the Music Window performance."

"Yes."

"Same flow as last year, huh."

Fujiyama-san explained the upcoming schedule.

The nine of us belonging to the internal group Schustema Solare listened attentively.

"There should not be any major problems, but since Kayanuma-san has a lot to memorize, you will start with one-on-one sessions with a trainer."

"Understood."

Well, Supercluster was released in July and has been one of our lesson songs, so there should not be any issues. I also have the god-cheat, so I am completely relaxed.

"After that, there are several festivals we are scheduled to appear at, so we will work on the songs for those. Kayonuma-san will have the hardest time again."

"I-I will do my best."

"Fufu."

Still, it is true that learning a large number of songs becomes burdensome.

Erika-san gave me a delighted smile when she saw me looking a bit overwhelmed.

"Then, as the new Schus-Sola, we will release a new song in September. The recording and MV shoot will be tough, but do your best."

"That covers Schus-Sola as a whole. The rest will be individual assignments, which will be handled separately."

"Understood."

"Roger that."

"It is the same every year, so we are used to it."

In response to Niikura-san and Fujiyama-san, the Schus-Sola members replied in their own casual tones. All of them have been active in the first string for at least the past year, so they will manage fine.

Some members kept their same rank, and a shift of one or two places does not bring major changes. At most, Junko Sumi-san fell from third to seventh, so she has the most adjustments to make.

"Well then, Kayanuma-san. Let us meet with the trainer and head to the practice room."

"Understood."

Led by Niikura-san, I left the room.

The only thing still worrying me was how much I could do with my injured right hand.

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"The choreography looks fine. Even the right arm we cannot fully check seems like it will be okay at this rate."

"Y-yes. Th-thank you... Haaa."

"...You seem a little low on stamina."

"Fuuu. Even this is a lot better than before..."

Since my right hand was injured, I danced Supercluster's choreography without using it.

It was surprisingly difficult to dance without moving something I normally relied on, but from the outside it should have looked acceptable.

"Well, Saturday is just one song, so you will be fine. I am more concerned about the condition of your right arm."

"In the worst case, I think I can dance if I get a painkiller injection."

"...Let us keep that as the very last resort. The rest is formation confirmation, but that will be tomorrow."

"Yes. Understood."

This is probably the limit of what I can practice alone. Next will be whether the nine of us can perform the choreography smoothly while moving through the formations.

"Good work. Oh, right, Fujiyama-san said he has something to discuss with you later, so please take care of that."

"Yes, good work. Excuse me, then."

"Yes. Take care."

I left the small practice room where I had received the one-on-one lesson. First I needed to shower, change, and then look for Fujiyama-san.

(It is probably about yesterday’s incident.)

Of course, there would not be any firm conclusion after just one day. It would likely just be an explanation of the current stance and next steps.

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Unfortunately, no one else was in the shower room, so I washed off my sweat alone.

There was no need to linger, so I finished quickly, changed clothes, and headed for the managers’ office.

"Excuse me."

As always, the door to the room was never fully closed and left open. I called out before entering, looked around, and saw Fujiyama-san in the back, sitting and working on his laptop.

"...Fujiyama-san. It is Kayanuma."

"Ah, yes. Please wait just a moment."

"Yes."

After finishing his typing, he turned toward me.

"Now then... There is no one suitable around, so let us speak here."

"Understood."

He looked around the room and gestured toward the seat beside him, so I sat down. Even for Schus-Sola managers, there is a rule to avoid being alone in a private room with a male.

If we were to talk in a private room, a female manager or staff member would be required, but there did not seem to be anyone willing to join us.

"It is about what happened after yesterday’s Reitaisai."

"Yes."

"As expected, nothing has progressed yet. Since both Kayanuma-san and Nanazawa-san are minors, your guardians must be involved, and it would be better for the other three to have theirs present as well."

Well, since it was an incident that could become a criminal case, even though the other three are over eighteen, it is better to involve their parents.

The parents of all five, especially those of Kae Higashiyama, must be having a terrible time right now.

"For the time being, Higashiyama-san has been placed on indefinite suspension and is staying at home under her parents’ supervision."

"I see."

"We have warned her that if any further misconduct is confirmed, it could become a criminal case, so we believe she will behave, but..."

If she were capable of behaving, she would not have become a problem child in the first place, nor would any of this have happened. Still, standing on the brink of criminal charges may restrain her.

"Her parents have confiscated her smartphone and are considering sending her to relatives overseas under the pretext of studying abroad, so they seem to hope it ends quietly."

"Yes. As long as it does not cause trouble for me moving forward, I have no intention of escalating the matter."

"Thank you. ff•Fortissimo also wants to avoid attention from the press regarding this type of issue because of the nature of our work."

As an idol group, we want to avoid any scandal. 

It may be better than a scandal involving the opposite sex, but internal conflict also leaves a bad impression.

"I will convey your position to upper management."

"Please do. I will also explain it to my family."

"Yes, thank you. Tomorrow, please come here first thing in the morning, as you did today. We want to confirm the formation."

"Understood."

"That will be all for today. Be careful not to worsen your right arm."

"Yes. Excuse me."

"Good work."

Thanks to the god-cheat, everything finished before noon. I wonder how things are for Nozomi-chan. Perhaps I should contact her and see if she wants to have lunch together.