Arc-3 Ep-34

 In early February, after safely finishing filming a new CM, preparing a new song, and getting through my high school entrance exam without any major issues, all that remained was waiting for the acceptance notification.

As if to add insult to the harsh winter cold, an earth-shaking incident struck Sistema Solare.

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"Regarding the above. Everything is true. We'd like to take this opportunity to offer our deepest apologies."

Once Rina-san's words ended, she, I, and all the members gathered here bowed our heads together.

While we kept our heads lowered for a long time as an apology, the gathered media bombarded us with continuous camera flashes.

Well, to put it simply, an idiot in the group had caused a scandal.

The fool in question was a fourth-generation member, one of the mini-live team.

Apparently fed up with not gaining popularity, she went and caused a heterosexual scandal.

The way it came to light was idiotic. The other party self-destructed by posting on their burner account.

The other person was from a small agency but still technically a celebrity. The vocalist of a moderately popular band. So it became quite the topic of discussion.

That's why the apology press conference was being held at the usual live house venue for mini-lives.

Honestly, it wasn't my scandal. But since we're in the same idol group, I got dragged out to this press conference.

Nozomi-chan also had some free time because her work had been scaled back, so she was bowing her head next to me.

Many of the other popular members weren't here because they had work. Rina-san, who happened to be free, was simply unlucky.

With the overall captain from Seven Satellite and the internal group leader of Sistema Solare, Mutsumi-san, both absent due to unavoidable stage and other commitments, Rina-san ended up taking the brunt of it.

Of course, since it wasn't Rina-san herself, her honest feeling was probably just annoyance.

I only felt like "what a pointless mess she caused." We stood on stage the whole time with unusually subdued expressions and humble attitudes to show our apologetic stance.

Incidentally, the punishment for the person who caused the scandal hadn't been decided yet.

For now, she was just on indefinite suspension.

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"…Finally over…"

"That was tough, wasn't it, Mikuri-chan?"

"You too, Nozomi-chan."

The depressing apology press conference finally ended. Even though we're in the same group, being held collectively responsible was honestly something I wanted to be excused from.

Still, it was good that Sistema Solare's entertainment activities weren't basically put on self-restraint.

"…But it's been a while since the last mini-live."

"Yeah. It's unfortunate for the other members of the team she belonged to, though."

The only exception was the mini-live team that the scandal-causing member belonged to.

This weekend's mini-live wasn't canceled. But that team's performance was postponed. Naturally, that left a gap of one team's worth of time.

To fill it, Nozomi-chan and I were added to the lineup as a way to apologize to the fans as well.

The plan seemed to be including my solo and sixth-generation performances.

The two sixth-generation members in the postponed team would surely be happy to participate in the mini-live.

It looked like no other generation members would be fully assembled, so the remaining five in that team would be off.

Their face-time would decrease, and there was also a chance their pay would be reduced.

The production company might consider that it wasn't their fault, though.

"Kayanuma-san, Nanazawa-san. Looking forward to the weekend."

"Likewise, please take care of us."

"Yes, Shion-san. It's been a while, but I'll do my best."

The one who called out to us was Shion-san, the sixth-generation leader.

Behind her stood Sayaka-san, the vice-leader.

"You two will have more stage time, won't you?"

"Yeah. Looks like we should prepare for about three extra songs."

"That's what Matsunobu-san said. In addition to the two sixth-generation songs, we'll probably add at least one from the mini-live team."

"Even with just one team out of the four-team system, that opens up nearly thirty minutes, doesn't it?"

My part would include a solo and sixth-generation songs, so three songs at least.

Nozomi-chan would only need two, and the same for Mami-san and Yuuna-san from the self-restraint team.

"Ichihara-san and Kanaya-san are unlucky."

"Yeah. But they still have sixth-generation slots, so it's better for them."

"The other members… The fourth-generation girl in the same team looked really pale."

"That's… Her position in the team is probably going to get really tough."

While we were talking in a corner of the live house backstage, the sixth-generation general manager Taneyama-san came walking toward us with the other sixth-generation members.

Even she had a stern expression in this situation.

"You were here."

"Taneyama-san… Is something wrong?"

Shion-san, as the representative leader, asked.

Well, it was predictable that it was about this weekend's mini-live.

"Regarding the mini-live content, we'll decide today or tomorrow morning. As for practice…"

"I think a little practice before Saturday's mini-live should be fine. The six mini-live members don't have schedules on Saturday anyway."

While saying that, Shion-san glanced toward us.

She was probably wondering about Nozomi-chan and me.

"My weekend is free. What about you, Nozomi-chan?"

"Nozomi also has nothing scheduled this weekend."

"…In that case, I think practicing together Saturday afternoon would be okay."

"I see… It went fine during the overall concert, so let's do that. Kayanuma-san, your solo is okay, right?"

Next the focus shifted to me.

Of course there was no problem.

"It's fine. I can practice alone."

"That's true… Well then, we'll contact you once the content is decided, so make sure not to miss it."

"Understood."

"Of course."

"Got it~"

We called out to Taneyama-san as she left and saw her off. For the first time in a while, all eight sixth-generation members were gathered in one place. Of course, the atmosphere was awkward given the circumstances.

"…Mami-san, Yuuna-san, that must be tough. How's the mood in the team?"

Since Nozomi-chan and I weren't mini-live members, one of us should probably take the initiative here.

In that case, I figured I was the better fit.

"No, we're fine… Right, Yuuna-chan?"

"The team is a little tense, I guess~ Well, it can't be helped~"

I thought so.

Their activities were being halted over something that had nothing to do with them.

"It'll probably stay like this for a while."

"Until the person's punishment is decided."

"Termination or indefinite suspension leading to her quitting herself, probably."

"I don't think it'll take that long. Since it's the first scandal to go public, the higher-ups are saying speed is important."

"Heh~"

As expected from the leader.

She could probably be called the strongest information source within Sistema Solare.

"I figured a guy-related issue would come up eventually."

"As idols, we really wish they wouldn't."

"As long as it doesn't affect popularity…"

With a group of young girls, maybe it was inevitable. But my honest opinion is that they should do that kind of thing after quitting being an idol.