Arc-3 Ep-22

The program was divided by generation in the comprehensive concert: from the first generation to the latest, which this year reached the seventh generation. Being able to have all generations perform together like this was probably going to be the last time.

From next year’s Reitaisai onward, many members would graduate, or so it was being said by management and the upper levels of the production.

Specifically, it seemed they planned to graduate about the same number of people as the eighth generation that was supposed to debut at that Reitaisai.

If that happened, the current numbers for the first generation and third generation, which were already low at six people each, would become awkward.

Especially for the third generation: there were two in the mini-live group, and one who was at the very bottom of the nicknamed group at twenty-first in the popularity poll and likely to drop out next year, making her a graduation candidate.

That would leave the third generation with just three members. Naomi-san was popular, so it was not impossible, but in a comprehensive concert where adjusting turns was already a huge struggle, they would become candidates to be cut.

This year, my solo song and Rina-san’s and Naomi-san’s solo songs were included in the setlist, and new songs kept getting added one after another.

Since there was a limit to how many songs could be performed during the concert, it was only natural that if new ones came in, some had to go out.

For the first generation, there was only one in the mini-live group, and maybe one who might drop out of the nicknamed group, so at least four should remain.

That said, even four was a borderline number, so it would not be strange if they disappeared from the program entirely.

Originally there should have been one more, but even if that problem child had stayed, she would probably end up graduating anyway, so it did not matter.

Then there was the fourth generation, which currently had eight members.

Only one was in Seven Satellite at nineteenth in the popularity poll, and the other seven were all in the mini-live group.

Looking at that, it was no wonder they were called the “loser generation” or the “valley generation.”

Now that more than three years had passed since their debut, would they keep getting chances, or would the agency cut their losses?

Until the graduation candidates to be excluded from the popularity poll were announced, the fans of the members who seemed likely to be affected were probably worried.

Of course, for the people themselves standing on that uncertain line, not knowing what the future held must be mentally tough too.

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While thinking about such things, I watched the stage where the fifth generation was performing their dedicated song and dancing.

For them, unless they brought it up themselves, there should not be any talk of graduation.

No matter how bad the relationship with the top-ranked Rina-san was, forcing a graduation after just three full years would surely be judged by the public as too short.

Well, depending on how the fourth generation was treated at the sixth Reitaisai, the fifth generation might start feeling the chill on their necks too.

Excluding Rina-san, there was one in Seven Satellite at eighteenth in the popularity poll and six in the mini-live group.

Naturally, we sixth-generation members were no strangers to this either.

Nozomi-chan and I should be fine, but what about the other six after the year after next?

I hoped at least one or two of them could make it into the nicknamed group.

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“Well then, it’s finally time.”

“It’s been a while, but let’s show off the sixth generation’s bond.”

“Ooh~”

On stage, the fifth generation’s MC time was reaching its climax. We should be introduced along with our song at any moment now.

“And now, here come the sixth generation♪ The song is ‘Hexagram × Octagon’!!”

“See you again next time. Please keep cheering for us then♪”

“Byeee~♪”

While being showered with huge cheers, the fifth-generation seniors exited from stage left.

In their place, we sixth-generation members appeared from the stage-right wings.

“All right! Let’s go!”

“Yes!!”

“We’re gonna do our best!”

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“Uooooohhh!!!”

“Mikuri-chaaan!!!”

“Nozomin~~~!!!”

The eight of us leaped out to the center of the stage, and naturally, the names called out most loudly in the cheers were mine and Nozomi-chan’s.

Of course the other six’s names were probably being called too, but they were completely drowned out by the voices shouting ours.

“Chie~~~!!!”

“Sayaka-sama~~~!!!”

No, some names were faintly audible.

Amid all that, we formed our formation and waited for the intro to start.

“Mm...”

“...”

Once the intro began, I exchanged glances with Nozomi-chan standing next to me, communicated with our eyes, and then brought the mic to my mouth.

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“...Yes! This is our second year: Sistema Solare sixth generation~!!”

“Shion-chaaan!!!”

The song performance ended, and it was time for our MC. The one mainly handling it was, of course, our sixth-generation leader, Shion-san.

“It’s already been a year since then, huh.”

“When I think back, it really flew by.”

“Seriously, seriously. Back then my stomach hurt so much from nerves.”

To be honest, the pacing was running a bit late and time was tight, so we were keeping the talk concise too.

At this point, I almost felt like it would be fine to let just the true rookies handle the generation-unit MCs from now on.

“Now we’re all pretty used to it, right?”

“And because of that, we can perform the best songs possible. Isn’t that great, everyone♪?”

“Yeah~~~!!!”

“That was great~~~!!!”

We responded to the cheers coming from all over the arena with smiles and waves.

“Phew♪ I was worried someone would say we lacked tension.”

“Nah~ I’m still nervous, you know~”

“Yeah. The balance between relaxation and tension might be the issue.”

“For now... maybe the tension is still a bit too strong?”

“Next year let’s aim to deliver an even more perfect performance. ...Well then, that’s all for the sixth generation’s turn.”

“Ehhh~~~!!!”

“Nooo~~~!!!”

“Mikurin~~~!!!”

We wrapped up the MC time a bit shorter than planned. While nodding along to the fans who were reluctant to see us go, Shion-san moved on to the next introduction.

“I’d love to keep going too, but our juniors are waiting.”

“That’s right. Last year we were the ones being introduced, and now it’s our turn to do the introducing!”

“So, making their first appearance at a comprehensive concert: the seventh generation!!”

“Everyone, please cheer them on♪”

“See you all later♪”

As we all started moving toward the stage-left wings to exit, explosive cheers rained down on us departing members.

“Mi-Mikuri-chaaan!!!”

“Mikuri~~~!!!”

“Ojou-sama~~~!!!”

“Chie-taaan!!”

I really hoped that volume would be turned toward the seventh-generation girls too.

I slowed down the pace of my steps a little, waving from the very back of the sixth generation, and that thought crossed my mind.