Arc-3 Ep-30

We return to the green room and change out of our cute idol outfits into slightly more subdued costumes.

Once that’s done, I sink into a chair and, while taking a brief break before our next appearance, pick up my smartphone.

On the main SNS platform I use, there are messages from my family and from Chie-chan as well.

"...I see. So that’s how it feels even on TV."

To sum up those messages, it’s praise upon praise. However, since it’s the opinion of Chie-chan, who’s practically my devotee, I might need to discount it slightly.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. It’s the usual from my sister-obsessed brothers, Nozomi-chan."

"Your brothers really adore you, Mikuri-chan."

"Sometimes it’s almost overwhelmingly intense."

It’s probably better not to show her my exchanges with Chie-chan, as she smiles.

The end of the song contest is still a long way off.

I don’t think she’d show a dissatisfied expression on TV, but it’s best not to plant unnecessary seeds of worry.

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"Phew. ...Everyone, good work."

"Yes, good work."

"Finally, it’s over~"

"Good work, everyone."

After the TV broadcast ends, we return to the green room. By the way, the winners of this year’s song contest are our women’s team.

It was the women’s team last year as well, so that makes two consecutive victories.

Well, the win-loss aspect is only for fun, and since the year is about to end, it’ll soon become a story of last year.

"After a short rest, we’ll leave the green room before the new year arrives. There’s the usual countdown. After that, the after-party is waiting."

"Of course, I know."

"We did it last time too."

It’s truly only a short time, but I sink into a chair to rest my tired body.

If anything, I feel more mentally exhausted than physically.

As I’m thinking that, Nozomi-chan sits down in the chair beside me.

"Good work, Mikuri-chan."

"Good work. Working until this hour really is tough."

"It really is."

Still wearing the idol outfits we changed into for the finale, I chat with her for a while.

The topic is the coming year that lies just ahead of us. At this hour, even ghosts probably wouldn’t laugh anymore.

"I think next year will be even busier."

"Since we’ll become high school students."

"I need to prepare for exams too. Especially the interviews."

"From what I’ve heard from the manager, I don’t think you’ll fail."

I’ve heard that she plans to advance internally through the escalator system from her current private middle school.

As for me, the high school entrance exam from an ordinary public middle school to a prestigious private high school’s entertainment department is approaching next month. What’s expected of me there is the role of a billboard.

In short, if I pass this high school, it serves as an appeal that you can witness the school life of a super popular, beautiful girl idol.

Every year, the number of applicants exceeds capacity, but the more applicants there are, the more income the school earns from exam fees.

In other words, I’m expected to play the role of delicious bait to catch the fish known as applicants.

This year, since Rina-san is enrolled as a first-year high school student, the number of applicants has increased, and it’s predicted that the competition rate will be quite high.

That said, the exam itself is merely a formality, and as long as I handle the interview properly, passing is assured.

However, another fifth-generation member who’s the same age as I am will be taking the exam alongside me, so I’ve been told to pass without doing anything unnecessary.

In short, it’s like being bundled together with the popular me. I’ve been told that the scenario where I fail and the other one passes is impossible.

"I really wanted to go to the same place."

"It can’t be helped. There are family circumstances too."

"It’s my mother’s alma mater, so she insisted... By the way, after the song contest ends—"

"You two. Shall we leave the green room soon?"

"Ah, yes."

"Understood, Wakisaka-san."

Interrupting Nozomi-chan mid-sentence, the one who addresses us is Erika-san.

At her words, I rise from my chair and follow everyone out of the green room into the hallway.

I’m curious about what Nozomi-chan was about to say, but I can ask her later.

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When we step out into the hallway, we line up in front of the green room.

Looking left and right, I see performers already lined up and standing, or just emerging from their own green rooms.

"One minute left, huh."

"I like this, you know."

"Well, I get how it puts you in the mood."

As I listen to such remarks, the end of the year draws near. Then, when ten seconds remain, countdowns begin from various places.

"""Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, zeroooo!!!"""

"Happy New Year!!"

"Happy New Yearrrr!!"

"Happy New Year and best wishes!!"

Voices shouting zero echo from all around, followed by voices celebrating the new year.

We in Shusu Sora join in those cheers, then lightly exchange New Year’s greetings with the nearby performers before returning to the green room.

The proper greetings will be done at the after-party, so for now it’s enough to greet those around us.

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"...Now then, the after-party will begin in thirty minutes in the cafeteria, but it’s the same as last year. Hayase-san, do you remember?"

"Of course. The underage group greets everyone and then excuses themselves, the over-twenty adult group participates for a while. The teenage adult group decides individually. Right?"

"Correct."

Back in the green room, Mutsumi-san answers as though recalling her memory after being prompted by the overall manager, Fujiyama-san.

As expected, even in the entertainment industry, the propriety of not keeping underage individuals out at such a late hour still remains.

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Authors Note

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At last, the 100th chapter. 

Well, in terms of numbering. In reality, it’s actually the 137th chapter.

Since it’s a nicely rounded number, I’ve posted the third limited status note.

This time, it’s the story of "Attending the first CM announcement event with Miyashita Miho-chan" (over 4600 characters).

[T/N- you can find these extra stories by clicking author name in this series's homepage. I don't have any plans of doing them , mainly because they are multiple. BTW link will open in author kakuyomu page, if you become patrons we will be able read these. So if you have ability plz support the author. But you won't necessarily miss story bit even if you don't, I read few of them they don't established much character interaction or plot points that's not already in main story.]