SIDE Hoshino Yume.
"This is an unexpected opportunity, isn't it?"
While I was taking it easy doing some work at Ichigo Production, I managed to hear some surprising information. Naturally, that information was also coming from the mouths of the members of the New B-Komachi standing right next to me.
""The Japan Idol Festival!?""
Ruby and Kana-chan were surprised simultaneously. I was also impressed by MEM-cho's connections. I suppose things move fast once you decide to become an idol...
"Yeah, a producer I owe from LoveNow has some connections. They said they'd hook us up if we're interested."
"JIF is next month, right? No way, it's impossible! We're not prepared at all. A rookie group like us suddenly on a stage like that..."
Kana-chan's point certainly wasn't wrong. However, it seemed our Ruby unfortunately felt the exact opposite. My gaze naturally drifted toward Ruby.
"Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it!!"
I knew it. There was no way you'd let this chance slip by, Ruby.
"It's JIF! JIF!! Isn't it amazing that the New B-Komachi's first live could be on such a massive stage?"
But Ruby, I wish you'd understand that it's not something we can only look at through rose-tinted glasses.
"But the people around us will definitely look down on us. They'll definitely swear at us for being 'nepotism' hires. Even now, there are many people who think we're getting all sorts of perks just because Ai-senpai, who is Yume-senpai's partner, is at Ichigo Production. Of course, no one says it out loud. Strangely, you can't even find any hate comments, but that's only possible because it's Yume-senpai and Ai-senpai. We're different from those two."
What Kana-chan said was also correct in a way. Essentially, it should be considered that no one using electronic devices can escape the eyes of our 'Company'.
"It'll be fine!"
After saying that, Ruby shot me a look.
"Because we're the successors to that legendary group, B-Komachi!"
Yes, yes, our Ruby is indeed the perfect talent to carry on B-Komachi! If Ruby doesn't do it, who will!?
"And that's just something you started claiming on your own!"
"I got permission!"
"I know!"
Ruby is always so close with Kana-chan. This 'father' is pleased.
"But regardless, we have to participate first and see. It's a stage that ordinary groups have to work desperately for years just to stand on. If we don't do it now, you have to wonder what we're even active for, right?"
Indeed, maybe it's because MEM-cho-chan is the oldest, but she seems to have no trouble leading the group.
"I guess that's true... Phew, if we're doing it, we're doing it. This is a job, after all."
Kana-chan, as usual, was weak against being pushed.
""Great, it's decided!""
"Then that's it. It's time to decide soon."
"Decide what?"
Ah, is it that?
"Who's going to be the center of B-Komachi!!"
I thought so. The center is the most important part... Well, when Ai was around, she was the immovable center... but for the New B-Komachi, nobody knows how it will turn out. I can't play favorites with Ruby; I have to keep business and personal life strictly separate. It wouldn't be strange for Ruby, Kana-chan, or MEM-cho-chan to be the center. Well... they'll figure it out themselves.
"Is it really that important? Doesn't it matter who it is?"
""It matters a lot!?""
Whoa...
"The center is the flower of idols!"
"The face of the group where the cute one who can sing and dance stands!!"
"It's the most important position!"
""Right?""
"You guys get along really well. So, is there anyone who wants to do it?"
Indeed, is it because their hair colors are surprisingly similar that they've gotten closer? If we're talking age... no, I should end that thought right here.
""Ah...!""
"It... it's not like I particularly want to do it. But if everyone insists..."
Good grief, Ruby... You're being a bit petty, but your father still thinks you're the best!
"Shouldn't it be by age in times like this? I don't necessarily want to do it, but my life experience could pull the group together..."
Wait, if we go by MEM-cho-chan's age, she was basically at the point where Ai retired from B-Komachi! Just how much longer are you going to keep up the act!?
"Both of your faces say you want to do it desperately."
Spot on, Kana Arima-chan.
"Then shouldn't it be me, since I'm good at dancing?"
Ai's dancing wasn't actually that great, Ruby. I mean, it wasn't like she couldn't do it, but her dance skills weren't exactly center-level.
"No, no! It should be me, who is used to the media and has plenty of experience!"
Even the members who understood the media better than Ai didn't become the center, so I wouldn't say experience is... well, it's not that it's unimportant... but if we're talking about those kinds of metrics, then the center would be... well, Kana-chan.
"By that logic, it should be Senpai. You hit number one on Oricon with the Bell Pepper Exercise and appeared on music shows a lot..."
"Whoa, what a throwback!"
"Don't just dig up people's dark past in front of Yume-senpai!!"
"Ah, I don't mind, Kana-chan."
"Well, I mind!!!"
Man. That Bell Pepper Exercise was... well, it was quite innovative in its own way... hmm...
"That vocal style that was slightly off-pitch was really something..."
"Yeah, it was cute because it was so childlike! We even did that dance in kindergarten..."
Back then, Kana-chan's talent as a child actress was definitely striking. Of course, if I were to compare then to now, I... think the current her is much better.
"Since we're talking about it, sing it for us!"
"Absolutely not!!! Yume-senpai is right here!"
"Ah, then will you sing it if I ask him to leave?"
Ruby?
"I won't sing it!!! Besides, I know I'm a bad singer, okay?"
"Hmm?"
I think the judgment that Kana-chan is a bad singer is mistaken... Well, rather than me telling her, it's more important for her to realize it herself, so I'll stay quiet.
"Shouldn't the qualification for a center be singing, after all?"
The qualification for a center... hmm... well, it would be weird for me, an outsider to New B-Komachi's affairs, to interfere.
"That's true. If the center doesn't hold the mic, it just doesn't look right..."
Your ulterior motives are so transparent...
"The ulterior motives are obvious..."
"How about whoever gets the highest score at karaoke becomes the center?"
"Yeah, sounds good! You're coming too, Senpai?"
"I'll pass."
"What? But..."
"Stupid, the center is the face of the group, right? If you put someone like me in the center, this group won't get popular."
Well, that would be the case for the current Kana Arima, I suppose.
"Why would you say that..."
"There's more than enough evidence."
"Huh...?"
Ah...
"Do you think that after my flash-in-the-pan child star days ended, I've just been acting this whole time to survive in this industry? I've dabbled in various fields, but I never got popular. Despite being a 'deficit burden' to companies that hired me believing in my childhood fame, I've managed to make a living by making sure I get my fees! In other words, Kana Arima has no fans! Ahahaha! I totally agree that nobody wants to spend money on a woman who is this foul-mouthed and cynical! Oh, come to think of it, the Sweet Today drama was a deficit too, wasn't it? MEM-cho has a ton of subscribers, and you have such a incredibly pretty face, so that fresh image of yours will work well. And the ones who get loved by people are the honest, cute girls like you two. Not a troublesome, twisted woman like me... Just think of me as a warm-up act. Go decide the center between the two of you with karaoke scores or whatever."
Sigh... To think there was another idol I had to care for. Well, I should think of this as working for the sake of the New B-Komachi. It clearly looks like our Aqua's meddling is part of the cause. This is why being too popular is a problem. I wonder who Aqua took after...
"Why have you been so servile lately, Senpai? Did something bad happen?"
"Not really..."
"I'm telling you, it's fine! Even my brother, who rarely compliments anyone, said you were cute, Senpai. You're not troublesome or twisted."
No, the current Kana-chan is quite twisted, with troublesome added on as a bonus.
"But he told MEM-cho that on LoveNow too."
Aqua...!!!
"She is a troublesome and twisted woman, for sure. If you soothe her like this, she gets sulky like that. A guy dating this thing would have a real hard time."
Ruby, no matter what, she's your senior. Calling her 'this thing' is a bit much, don't you think?
"Well, entertainers are all pretty much troublesome..."
Now that I think about it, both of them were brought in because Aqua scouted them, right?
[But these two both joined because Aqua invited them. I'm starting to see my brother's taste in women, and I kind of hate it... I'll have to go home later and get some headpats from Papa.]
"Come join us later."
"Yeah..."
With that, Ruby and MEM-cho-chan headed to karaoke. Left alone with me, Kana-chan still had her head hung low. I should probably start doing what I need to do.
"Kana-chan."
"Ye... Yes!?"
"Shall we step outside for a bit?"
Looks like I'll have to do some work as a senior today.