Arc-3 Ep-26

With the film shoot now concluded, the only major engagement remaining for the year is the traditional national song competition on New Year’s Eve.

Until then, I’ve been spending my time giving interviews to several magazines and preparing for next year’s high school entrance interview.

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"Still, beginning rehearsals three days in advance is early."

"I’d heard about it, but it really is early."

"It’s a long live broadcast, so I suppose it can’t be helped."

Inside one of the rooms in the multipurpose hall serving as the venue for the song competition, I chat with Nozomi-chan in the waiting room assigned to Sistema Solare.

Yes, for this year’s song competition, not only our internal group Sistema Solare but also Dwarf Planet has been selected to perform for the first time.

The five members of Dwa-Pla, making their debut appearance, have already attended the press conference announcing the performers.

However, since Inner Group’s Schus Sola has appeared for four consecutive years since their first selection, and I’m participating for the first time, I did not attend the performers’ announcement press conference.

If I had attended, I likely would’ve drawn attention, and perhaps lost an opportunity to gain additional fans.

That said, it’s also true that not having to field questions from numerous reporters made things easier.

"But really, everything’s scripted, isn’t it."

"It’s timed down to the second, so it’s strangely hard to say whether it’s difficult or easy."

We performers simply carry out what’s decided, at the exact times specified in the script.

If I think of it as filming a drama where ad-libs are forbidden, then for someone like me with my god-like cheat abilities, it should be an easy task.

Still, because it’s a live broadcast, I imagine the fear of NGs must weigh heavily on others.

"There was talk that even the singing is strictly determined."

"Yes. Kawakami-san said it was tough with all the repeated confirmations."

She means Moyu Kawakami, the current Dwa-Pla member.

Last year, she placed eighth in the popularity rankings and belonged to Inner Group Schus Sola, so naturally she appeared in last year’s song competition.

Having someone experienced in the same group must be reassuring for Nozomi-chan.

"All right, Dwa-Pla, you’re up for rehearsal now. There’ll be interviews afterward as well."

"Understood."

"Uu... I’m so nervous..."

"Then, I’ll be going. Mikuri-chan."

"Yeah. Do your best, Nozomi-chan."

"Yes♪"

Since it’s only rehearsal, the five of them leave the waiting room without their idol costumes.

However, because there’s a press conference afterward related to the song competition, they’re dressed in outward-facing outfits prepared by the production team.

"...So from here on, it’s basically all about the song competition?"

"Except for the This Year Music Awards on the other channel on the 30th."

"Well, that one’s a traditional program too."

"Though both have declining viewership ratings."

We Schus Sola are scheduled to appear there as well.

Bock Globule has been nominated as a candidate for the grand prize, and we’re set to perform it at the large theater where the announcement will take place.

The song we’ll perform at the song competition is also Bock Globule.

It would be strange to perform a song from before the fifth Reiteisai, when I wasn’t participating, so it’s only natural.

Last year as well, the song was one released after Rina-san had joined.

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"Whew. As strict as ever~"

"It feels more like acting out the singing than simply singing. Truly."

"It’s like a drama about the entertainment world."

Those are the comments from my fellow members after finishing the first rehearsal.

Indeed, our positions in the formation were rigidly fixed, and even the direction we faced was specified according to the order of the cameras filming us.

"I think not having ad-libs actually makes it easier."

"Once you memorize it, you just execute it mechanically."

"It’s a hassle to memorize all that for just one time, though..."

"Since it’s every year, please accept it."

As we voice our mild dissatisfaction, Inner Group Schus Sola’s sub-manager Niikura-san delivers that merciless conclusion.

Well, complaining won’t change anything.

"...Nozomi-chan. How was it for Dwa-Pla?"

"It was the same for us. Everything’s predetermined."

"Yeah. The memorization part is tough."

The Dwa-Pla members, having finished rehearsal earlier, appear relaxed in the waiting room.

"Could it be that your interviews are already over?"

"Yes. They just finished, so our work for today is done."

"After Schus Sola’s interviews conclude, it seems everyone will return to the agency together."

"So today ends here, but tomorrow there are two rehearsals, right..."

As I sit beside Nozomi-chan chatting amicably, Erika-san and Moyu-san, who had been talking nearby, join our conversation.

Moyu-san was in Schus Sola last year and three years ago, so it’s not unusual that she’s close with Erika-san.

"Ah, the This Year Music Awards..."

"Tomorrow and the day after seem like they’ll be the busiest."

"Yeah. On the day of the song competition itself, there’s surprisingly a lot of downtime, and it gets boring."

"...It’s time for Schus Sola’s interviews. All nine members, please proceed."

"Ah, yes."

"Understood. We’ll be going."

"Yes. Do your best♪"

At some point, the genarel manager Fujiyama-san, who had entered the room, calls out to us.

Since Fujiyama-san is male, he naturally can’t remain stationed in the waiting room for a female idol group.

"It’s the annual routine, but still annoying~"

"This year, since Kayanuma-san is the only new one, most of the questions will likely be directed at her, so be prepared."

"I thought as much."

I’d anticipated that.

However, there probably won’t be any particularly strange questions, so I still have some room to breathe.

"That’s right. Do your best, Mikuri."

"If it comes down to it, I’ll help you out♪"

"Pampering her too much might not be good for Mikuri-chan."

"Ahaha..."

I offer a polite laugh at Suzuka-san, Erika-san, and Rina-san’s remarks.

For now, let's safely deal with the reporters' questions.