Arc 3 Ep-04

 And then came Saturday, the broadcast day for Music Window.

Since this was my first time experiencing anything of this sort, I first went to the production office, and from there rode in a minivan driven by Fujiyama-san, the genarel manager of the internal group Schus-Sola, to the TV station.

The other passengers were Tomomi-san and Suzuka-san, who had individual work at the production office, and sub-manager Niikura-san, making three in total. The other members were apparently heading straight to the TV station.

They could have come to the production office and ridden with us, but for most of them, going directly to the station was shorter both in distance and time.

I also heard that Rina-san was being picked up by Gondou-san, who had practically become her personal manager by now.

So the seating was arranged with the two managers in the driver and front passenger seats, Tomomi-san in the second row, and me and Suzuka-san in the third row. Inside the car, the managers were chatting with each other, while we idols simply sat quietly.

Tomomi-san, seated in front of me, was looking at her phone, and Suzuka-san seemed to be resting with her eyes closed. I watched the scenery drift past the window.

Tomomi-san treated me like a colleague from the same company, and I only really spoke with Suzuka-san when Erika-san was around.

In other words, she was something like a friend of a friend.

It had not even been a full week since I joined the internal group Schus-Sola. Aside from Erika-san, the only person I had grown even slightly closer to was Yuka Tatsumura-san.

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The TV station.

In truth, this was my first time entering a TV station. This was a different network from A-TV, the one broadcasting the drama I was currently appearing in, and since I had never visited that station for promotional purposes either, I had never set foot in any station before.

This building, which also served as the headquarters of TV B, bustled with people constantly coming and going. Among them were famous personalities frequently seen on television, scattered here and there.

Passing through all of that, we entered the waiting room for today’s live broadcast of Music Window, and before we could even finish preparing, the managers hurried us out for greeting rounds.

First, we greeted the program producer, followed by the middle-aged male actor who served as MC. With my proud super-extreme beauty, I repeated the customary first-meeting greetings, planting favorable impressions in the minds of the staff.

After that, we moved on to greet the other performers. Aside from us, the ones performing live in the studio were one solo artist and two groups. Since Schus-Sola was appearing this week, no rival female idol groups had been invited.

The solo performer was a female singer in her thirties known for her vocal skill, and the other acts were a male idol group and a male rock band. Since all of them belonged to completely different categories from us, the greetings proceeded smoothly for the most part.

Except for a few members from the male idol group and the male rock band who wanted the contact information of the super-extremely beautiful girl (me).

Naturally, I did not give it to them.

Male idol groups popular with girls are, for me, the enemy.

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“Today as always, we bring you a wonderful window into music. This is Music Window, hosted by Tomohiro Motooka.”

“And your assistant, Kunie Koyamachi.”

It was 9 p.m., and on the monitor, the actor MC and the female announcer from TV B who served as assistant were delivering the opening greetings.

Schus-Sola was the last of the four acts, so for the moment we were on standby in the waiting room.

“Kayanuma-san, are you all right?”

Sub-manager Niikura-san asked with a worried expression. Since this was my first live TV broadcast, she had been concerned about me the entire time.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Of course, with my spirit strengthened by the god-cheat, I had no issues. Because it was a live broadcast, there was both a script and a rehearsal. If I messed up even after all that, it would cast doubt on my future as an idol.

“Looking at Mikuri, she seems completely fine.”

“She looks totally relaxed.”

“That’s incredible, Mikuri-chan…”

“You would never guess this is her first time.”

Leader Mutsumi-san, Suzuka-san, Erika-san, and Yuka-san all made similar remarks as they watched me. If it had been me in my previous life, I would never have received such evaluations.

“Well, as long as she doesn’t fail, I’m good~”

The pointed comment about failing came from Tomomi-san. While the other members watched the monitor or chatted with managers and friends, every word she directed at me was sharp.

She was probably still bothered that I had overtaken her in the popularity poll.

“I’ll do my best not to fail.”

“Hmph.”

“Uchikawa-san…”

Fujiyama-san let out a troubled sigh at her attitude. Discord within the group was an issue, but dealing with a member whose position had dropped was equally difficult. Even in a professional setting, the managers certainly had their share of hardships.

Knock knock

“…Excuse me. It’s almost time, so please get ready to stand by.”

At that moment, a young AD from Music Window came to call us. On the monitor, the second performer, the female singer, was speaking with the MC.

“Understood. Everyone, let’s go.”

“Thank you. This way, please.”

Once the young AD left, the members rose from their seats. We had already changed into our “Supercluster” outfits, so we could head for the backstage area immediately.

“Well then, shall we go?”

“Let’s get this over with quickly.”

“Everyone, relaxing is fine, but keep a little tension too. Mikuri, it’s your first time and it may be tough, but do your best.”

“Understood.”

I refocused at Mutsumi-san’s words.

Since this was my first appearance, the conversation segment between me and the MC had been made longer. But there was a script, and all I had to do was follow it, so I felt I had plenty of leeway.

“All right, let’s go.”

“Roger.”

“Let’s do this.”

“Time to work~”

With the leader at the front, the members of Schus-Sola began walking out one after another. 

I took up the rear, walking ahead of Fujiyama-san and Niikura-san. Gondou-san, who had come with Rina-san, remained in the waiting room.

Well, three managers were unnecessary.