Arc-3 Ep-20
Episode
90
2026
Since there are no music videos, and the two new songs will not be performed at the overall concert, there is no need to memorize choreography or anything similar for them.
The single versions of "Bock Globule" and "Herbig-Haro" are confirmed to be included in the setlist, but as long as they are not the remix versions, that naturally poses no problem.
However, choreography has been created only for the solo songs, and we were instructed to prepare so that we could perform them at any time. There is even a possibility that they might be performed at the overall concert.
That said, since they are solo tracks, practice progresses smoothly and quickly.
Thanks to the god cheat effect, I was able to complete everything perfectly by the album release date.
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And so, on the night of Wednesday, December 7th, the release date.
I have come to one of the larger CD shops said to be among the biggest in the country’s largest city.
Well, in these modern times, physical CD shops are steadily decreasing in number.
"Thank you for coming today, Kayanuma-san."
"Yes. Thank you for having me as well."
This CD shop occupies several floors of the building, and one of those floors has a space that can be used for events.
There, fans who purchased the new album at this shop were selected by lottery to enter, and I would sign and handshake with them, the usual format.
What is different from normal is that I am the only one here.
The other eight members are dispersed to major CD shops across the country to hold their own signing sessions.
In the same city as me are Rina-san and Rio-san.
Originally, it seems they wanted to dispatch me, the number two in Schus Sola, to the second-largest city.
However, because I am still in middle school, they decided to keep me in my home area. That was what genarel manager Fujiyama-san told me.
As a result, Tomomi-san ended up being assigned to the second-largest city.
I have no idea what she truly felt about being shifted from what should have been the third-largest city assignment.
"It will be up to a maximum of one hundred people, so it will be tough."
"Understood. I will do my best, Kayanuma-san."
"Ah, yes. Of course, Fujiyama-san. Nakamura-san."
I direct a cute smile toward Nakamura-san, the store manager of this CD shop who just introduced himself.
If he becomes one of my fans, he might end up pushing my section more prominently in the store.
"But one hundred people? From the fans’ perspective, that probably feels like a small number."
"Many customers bought multiple copies specifically for this signing session, so the winning probability became an astonishing figure. Thinking about it that way, one hundred might actually be too few."
"However, signing and handshaking with one hundred people is already quite demanding. Anything more would probably be too harsh."
From the store’s perspective, they would like to increase the number of winners to boost sales.
From Fortissimo’s perspective, they want to balance it while considering the talent’s well-being, so they arrived at this borderline number.
With the overall concert scheduled for this coming Saturday and Sunday, my honest feeling is that I do not want to carry over fatigue.
Considering that, even though this is a major city, the members dispatched to regional CD shops are facing quite a grueling schedule.
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"Mikuri-chan!! …Wow, you are seriously cute~~~"
"Ah… thank you very much♪"
At the start time of 6:00 p.m., the first person to enter the partitioned booth is a man in his thirties wearing a suit, apparently straight from work. Upon seeing me in the standard Schus Sola outfit, he breaks into a completely smitten expression.
Standing upright, I show him a smile and gently envelop the offered right hand with both of mine.
For this signing-plus-handshake session format: first, the CD shop collects payment in advance for the CDs and gives the customer a receipt along with a lottery ticket.
Naturally, buying multiple copies grants the same number of lottery tickets in exchange for the additional payment.
Each lottery ticket has a four-digit number written on it, and winning numbers were announced at noon the day before release on Fortissimo’s and each CD shop’s websites.
If selected, the winner comes to the designated time and location, handshakes first, then the album CD booklet cover is signed in front of them on the spot after opening, handed over, and that is the end.
Because this is limited to release night, the notice clearly states that any other format will be refused.
Requests like "please sign my brought color paper" are summarily rejected without discussion.
Well, since most people bought multiple copies, they should still have unopened CDs left at home.
"I am a Mikuri-chan solo stan, you know."
"Really!? Please keep supporting me from now on too."
"Of course!! I also love the Nozomi-chan combo, by the way."
"Ah, thank you very much. Then I will sign now♪"
I use the signing as an excuse to gently extract myself from the handshake.
One of the reasons they adopted this format this time is that more and more fans have been reluctant to let go of my hand.
Still standing, I smoothly sign the booklet cover in front of me with practiced strokes.
The signature I have written countless times already dances fluidly across the surface.
"…All right♪ Sorry to keep you waiting. Here you go♪"
"Ah, thank you, Mikuri-chan! I will treasure this forever."
"Treasure? It includes my first solo song too, so please listen to it properly."
"No problem. I bought multiples, so I will listen to that one on the extras."
"In that case, thank you very much♪"
At that point, the staff gives the signal that time is up.
I lightly wave my right hand toward him as he is prompted to leave, and with his expression still melted, he exits the booth.
"Phew… Next, please."
"Understood. …Next person, come on in!"
This time it is another man in a suit, apparently straight from work but looking like a new graduate in his early twenties, entering the booth.
"Mikuri-chan, good evening!!"
"Yes. Good evening♪"
Today, I have to get through one hundred people like this. Even at one minute per person, that is one hour and forty minutes.
In reality, it will probably take about two minutes each, so double that time.
I should brace myself for it to end around 10:00 p.m.
Standing the whole time is going to be tough, but there is no choice but to push through.
~~~End~~~