"Today... thank you very much, Yume-senpai."
"Don't mention it. When a junior in the same agency as Ai is struggling that much, it's only natural for someone who can help to step up."
More importantly, I should start thinking about how to handle the aftermath. When I get home, Ai might give me a hard time... I did get her permission, but Ai's jealousy is a bit... actually, it's quite something... How should I soothe her?
"Yume-senpai, aren't you going to get in trouble with Ai-senpai when you get home?"
"Uh... huh?"
I stared at Kana with an expression that clearly said, 'Wait, how do you even know that...?'
"Ahaha. There isn't anyone who doesn't know what a lovey-dovey couple you and Ai-senpai are. If you need an excuse, please contact me."
"Haha, thanks for the offer. Get home safely."
"Yes, thank you."
I watched Kana leave in the taxi I called for her before heading home, where my family would be waiting. The result was as follows.
"Did you have fun?"
"A-Ai... you gave me permission too... right?"
I ended up pleading with Ai in the living room while Aqua and Ruby watched.
"Yes, I did. I gave permission. But was there really enough to talk about for this long?"
"Well... the counseling session just ran a bit long, you could say... uh... mmm..."
I sent a pleading look to the children behind Ai for help, but both Aqua and Ruby simply looked away. I thought to myself that no matter how much they love their mother, scary is scary.
In the end, I had to let Ai sit on my lap until she calmed down. It seemed her anger finally dissipated after she sat there for a whole hour.
"Phew... that was tough."
I didn't mean Ai was heavy. It was just uncomfortable being unable to move.
Leaving Ai, who had gone to wash up with Ruby, I was slowly stretching my stiff body when I sensed someone behind me... though it could only be Aqua.
I felt Aqua approaching, and as I looked at him while continuing my stretches, he spoke.
"...Father, I'd like you to choose between stretching or talking."
"Is that so?"
After loosening up my body properly, I sat on the sofa, and Aqua sat down beside me as well.
"...So, how did it go?"
"Are you talking about Kana?"
"I don't think it's a good choice to make me say what you already know, Father."
"Hehehe... Well, I suppose so. I think I've resolved it reasonably well. But the decision isn't mine to make; it belongs to Kana. I'm merely laying down the rails."
"Well, since it's you, Father, those rails are probably made of diamonds."
"Ahahaha! I'm glad you think so highly of your father. Well, let's take it slow and trust in Kana's decision."
Actually... strictly speaking, Kana might be the only one capable of being the leader of the new B-Komachi.
How should I put it... our Ruby's singing skills are... well... let's stop thinking about that right here.
It's not bad, but it's a bit ambiguous, and since being halfway is worse than being nothing, it's better for the one who is clearly superior to be the leader.
Just like how back in the original B-Komachi, Ai, whose singing, dancing, and broadcasting weren't that exceptional, became the leader solely through her one true talent.
"Yume! Hurry up and wash! We're sleeping together tonight!!"
"...Yes, yes."
"Rough life, Father."
"Ahaha, I wouldn't go as far as to call it a rough life... As long as my family is happy, that's enough for me."
And so, I became Ai's body pillow.
"Hmm..."
The next day came. After sending Ai off to work and heading to the office, I saw it.
"And so! The one taking the center position for JIF is Arima Kana-chan!!"
"Woo-hoo!! Clap clap clap!!"
Ah, anyone could see that's a forced smile.
"Please tell us how you feel about being chosen as the center!"
Ruby... I'm sorry my daughter lacks the ability to read the room, Kana...!!
"I don't know... For starters, turn off the camera, you idiot."
Whoa...
Swept away by Kana's intense aura for a moment, I instinctively took a step back, but I soon steadied my heart and entered the office.
"Yume-senpai?"
"Ah, don't mind me, just keep doing what you were doing."
""Yume-senpai!?""
"....Ahem."
Pretending I hadn't seen anything, I ignored their gazes and sat in a nearby chair to watch the situation unfold.
"Sigh... I told you, I've said so many times that I hate being the center... Is that it? Did you think a push-over, easily deceived woman like me would be unable to refuse if you just made it a 'done deal' while filming a movie?
Is that what you thought?"
''Crap! She caught us!''
Ah, so Ruby wasn't the only one lacking situational awareness...
"No, that's not it! When the two of us went to karaoke, we discussed it. We concluded that if either one of us took the center, it would be too plain."
So they couldn't decide in the end. Well... that makes sense.
"But then we happened to see the music video of the song Arima-chan released..."
"Ah... you saw it. That 'Bell Pepper Exercise' thing that went unnecessarily viral, causing everyone to rush in thinking a singer career was a good idea, only to get burned badly? Forget about it. That's a symbol of my wandering years.
It's a dark history from the era when Arima Kana's direction was shaky."
Kana says that, but I actually had quite a hand in that project myself... It seems like she'd be embarrassed if I mentioned it, so I'll just keep quiet. Well, it's natural for her to consider it a dark history.
Both then and now, it's always adults like me... who ruin children's dreams.
"You don't have to put it like that..."
"No, really, it failed so hard I almost peed myself. All the people involved want to forget it. Isn't it the same for you, Yume-senpai?"
"....Did you know?"
This was truly unexpected. I thought I had hidden it well.
"Yes. Because there was an unexpectedly large amount of financial support. Well, I only found out recently though."
".....Honestly, that level of financial loss is an amount that can't even be called a 'loss.' Even so, I don't think you need to be so pessimistic about it."
"I'm grateful for you saying that... but well, it can't be helped. I'm a twisted woman, after all."
"Ahaha... Is that so?"
Just as the atmosphere was about to get chilly again following my conversation with Kana.
"The Bell Pepper Exercise... honestly, I thought you were tone-deaf."
Rubyyy!? You aren't supposed to fan the flames on a burning house!!!!!
"But you sang the second song really well. And for the third song, you practiced way more than that... didn't you? You worked so hard to meet everyone's expectations!
If it's a senpai with that much of a sense of responsibility, then the center of B-Komachi should..."
"Shut up!!!!"
Interrupting Ruby, Kana screamed out. Then, she continued as if crying out in despair.
"Do you think I'll just give in if you praise me like that? Do you think I'm a fool!? This is the one thing I really can't do. No matter how many times you ask, I won't be the center. Even if Yume-senpai asks, I absolutely won't do it!!"
The atmosphere became awkward in an instant, making it hard to speak, but just as I thought I must say the words I was holding back.
"I'm sorry for pushing it on you. I won't mention it again. But... please listen to our song one last time."
Ah, this is over.
"Your idol~ SIGN IS B!!"
"Wow, this is actually pretty good!?"
"As expected, Arima-chan is perfect for the center! JIF will be a success if it's like this!!"
"Ah, seriouslyyyy!!!!!!! Why am I always like this!?"
"Wow~ I didn't think there'd be such a huge reversal from that hellish atmosphere."
"I knew it would turn out like this from the beginning."
"Will you two shut up, you mediocre girl and tone-deaf girl!!! I didn't know idol trainees could be this bad at singing. I can feel from your singing that you've just lived comfortable lives trusting only in your pretty faces."
"Harsh..."
"Certainly, if it's like this, me doing it is the best option."
[But I really don't want to do it.]
"You guys really can't do anything without me!!"
"Well, it would certainly be troublesome if Kana was missing from this group."
"Yeah, yeah~ Wow~ Ruby-chan, I didn't realize you were this mediocre~"
"Yume!? Ai-姉さん!?"
I had watched them practice from beginning to end, and Ai had joined in the middle, but the words that came out of our mouths were identical.
"What's certain is that the person who can lead the new B-Komachi is indeed Kana. As the former general manager of B-Komachi, I can guarantee it."
"Yeah, yeah, was it Kana? Wow~ You're going to be a center that stands out in a different way from me~"
Ai and I praised Kana simultaneously. Upon hearing the praise, Kana's expression slowly turned into a smile, though the change was so minute that I was probably the only one who noticed.
Just as the conversation was wrapping up.
"It seems the discussion has been settled?"
"Miyako-san?"
"Director!"
Miyako-san opened the door and walked in.
"There are only a few days left until the performance. It'll be dangerous if we don't start picking up the pace soon. I've brought someone to help, so feel free to use him as much as you like."
"Someone to help?"
Wait, could it be?
"Could that be... Aqua..."
"Yo!"
"Wait, is it you!?"
So it's Aqua... Well, since Pieyon is currently on vacation, I guess he's acting after being contacted separately.
"Ah! Pieyon, long time no see!"
"Eh? Is it really him!?"
"Wait, he's from Yume-senpai's company, isn't he!? Do your own job!!"
"Pieyon-san was a former pro dancer, right? In the videos, he said he also did idol choreography..."
"Ah... he did, didn't he?"
"Wait, senpai!?"
"So... in a professional's eyes, how are we...? We feel like we've got the basics down."
...No, calling that 'having the basics down' would be pure arrogance.
"Hmm, well... there are plenty of kids who take the stage at this level... but if you really want to pursue high quality... first of all, it's stamina!!"
With those words, Pieyon left with the members of the new B-Komachi to begin special training(?).
But unfortunately, the training didn't end with just Pieyon (Aqua). The next opponent for special training was none other than...
"Hi, hi! It's Hoshino Ai-chan! Now, I'm going to teach you the choreography for B-Komachi!! Of course, Yume will be helping as well!"
"Sigh... I told you you could leave me out of this."
Originally, it should have been something Ai did alone, but somehow I ended up being dragged along. Well, since there's not much time left, I guess it can't be helped.
And surprisingly, Ai's teaching wasn't bad. If it were according to Ai's usual my-pace personality, it would have been quite difficult, but because she was practicing with Ruby...
Ai's mood was quite elevated, as she felt that both her and Ruby's dreams were coming true at the same time.
For the record, I also helped by adding or changing the choreography slightly, taking into account the personalities, behaviors, and stamina of the other members.
"Everyone's doing great!!"
"Yeah!!"
"Pant... pant... to be practicing with Ai-senpai from the legendary B-Komachi...!!"
"Wait, you're overreacting..."
I simply wish and wish again... that this sight, this scene, will continue forever. On another note... Ruby, don't get too jealous...