After dropping Ai off at her scheduled location as usual, I found myself with nothing to do. I decided to watch over Ruby and her group's training session—and of course, I wasn't the only one helping out.
"Yume-senpai, was that totally okay!?"
"Hmm... maybe not quite yet?"
"You're too picky!!"
"I can't help it. Who do you think the former manager of the original B-Komachi was?"
"Boo-boo~"
I was talking with Ruby and MEM-cho, while for Kana...
"Good work out there."
I left her in the hands of Aqua, who was acting as Pieyon.
"Thank you very much, Pieyon-san!"
...Sigh... She hasn't actually fallen for Pieyon, has she?
"Phew~! Man, he's really kind. He's worlds apart from a certain Aqua I know!"
Kana, do you really hate our Aqua that much...!?
"Arima-chan, do you dislike Aq-tan that much?"
"There isn't a single thing to like about him! He lacks delicacy, and his lack of common sense is a bonus! He tries to act cool, but he's just blunt! Both of those siblings have an insolent attitude toward their elders. I've never once heard him use polite speech. I'm going to have to give him a real piece of my mind one of these days!"
MEM-cho's likely quite a bit older than Kana too, right...? Has she ever used polite speech with her?
[I'm probably quite a bit older than Arima-chan too, aren't I...? I don't recall ever hearing polite speech either.]
It was a moment where MEM-cho's thoughts and mine perfectly aligned.
"Ah, well, he was at least cute when he was a kid."
"Oh? Do you two go way back?"
If you call it long, I guess it's long?
"Yeah! Back when we were kids on set, Aqua and I must have been three or four? You don't just forget a kid like that after meeting them once!"
"What...?"
Ah, was the first meeting actually that decent...?
"He's been stuck in my head ever since! I thought he was like an angel back then, but to think he'd grow up to be such a nuisance! Tell him to stop staining my memories!"
Ugh... St-stop it, Kana. I feel like something inside my heart is going to break if you say any more...!!!!
"Huh? Huuuh?"
Thanks to that, MEM-cho's got a completely bewildered look in her eyes too! Ah, for the record, this is what I heard from the breakroom, but unfortunately, because I focused a bit too much, I heard everything. Conclusion: I was basically putting on a solo show with my own worries... How embarrassing...!!
Leaving the three of them to resume their practice, I approached Pieyon (Aqua), who was standing by the door.
"So, what do you think? It's their big day tomorrow. Tell me, real Pieyon."
"I think they've improved quite a bit. Besides, the Director's eyes are sharper than mine, so is there a reason you're specifically asking me?"
"Well... it's a collaboration between you and Aqua, so there's no need for me to interfere, right, Aqua?"
"I wonder..."
"Well, I'm sure the Director agrees with me, but I'll explain it one more time for Aqua's sake. Ruby-chan's dancing already had a solid foundation. MEM-cho is capable of moving skillfully while keeping an eye on her surroundings. Arima is diligent and her learning speed is quite fast. Most importantly, she makes no noticeable mistakes in her dance while singing. It'd be best for them to practice on a stage of the actual size this afternoon and then get plenty of rest for tomorrow. Though, I'm sure the Director would force them to rest regardless."
"Don't ask the obvious. The most important thing for an idol is managing their own health."
"...I truly appreciate you doing such a troublesome favor while you're on vacation. Even if it's thanks to Yume-senpai, we're from different companies."
"Ahahaha! No, I quite like those girls myself. It's a happy thing to be relied upon. Plus, it's a chance to get on the Director's good side!"
"Since I gave you time off thanks to this, just make sure you rest well before coming back."
"Understood~ But... I'm a bit shocked? Even when you impersonated me, no one noticed, right? That's really amazing. You aren't quite at the Director's level, but is that something actors can do easily?"
"I don't know. Those who can, can. In the first place, there probably isn't anyone in this era with the talent to match Yume-senpai."
"Aqua...!"
Ah, your father is moved...! It's a bit of a shame to say it, but there is at least one person like that.
"Hmm... Still, was it really necessary to go this far? Even without impersonating me..."
"Because no matter what I say, they would surely rebel. Asking Yume-senpai to tell them was also a bit much. But I thought they would listen obediently if it came from Pieyon-san."
....Can't argue with that.
"I think they'd listen well enough if you talked to them though..."
"I'm... surprisingly weak."
"......"
Late that night, I didn't bother stopping Kana from coming down and seeing Aqua after he had taken off the Pieyon mask. The original story? No, it's not that those details are meaningless. It's because I felt like that would be the catalyst for something to change. Yes, it'll surely change. Besides, I don't even remember the original story anymore. For now... I have no choice but to look at reality.
"Here, here! It's finally time!"
""Japan Idol Festival!!""
After bringing the new B-Komachi, Ai and I stood out quite a bit, so we hid ourselves reasonably well and left most of the duties to Miyako-san.
"Then, I'll leave B-Komachi in your hands. We'll go inside and wait."
"Yes, that would be for the best."
After speaking with Miyako-san, Ai and I headed into the building first.
"So Ruby's standing here."
"That's right."
".....What is this feeling?"
"I don't know? Since it's not my emotion, I'm not sure?"
"Ehehehe..... Yume, you can be so mean at times like this."
As we walked through the empty hallway, Ai hooked her arm into mine and leaned her head against me.
"....Yeah, these must definitely be tears of happiness, right?"
"That's right. They say some people cry when they're too happy."
"Yeah, I'm so, so happy right now.... So happy that..... so happy..."
Ai's grip on my arm was trembling slightly, and I gently pulled her into an embrace.
"It won't be long. They're your and my children. They'll rise up to where we are in no time. And then we can say it proudly."
[That Ruby and Aqua are our precious children.]
"So for now, let's smile instead of showing tears. Let's be happier than anyone else in this world."
".....Okay!"
Soon enough, the performance time approached. I came by thinking I should soothe the kids in case they were nervous, but...
Seeing that look, it seems you've overcome it. Kana-chan.
SIDE SECTION.
"Ah, Shop Manager. Is it okay if we watch the next stage like this? MEM-cho is coming out."
"I've heard the name. What does she do?"
"She does private broadcasts; she's cute and funny. Recently she appeared on a show called 'LoveNow' and..."
"Ah, the one that had a controversy?"
"Well, she joined a group called B-Komachi."
"B-Komachi!?"
"You know them?"
"....I guess kids these days don't know. To us, it hasn't been that long, but it's the name of a group from the past. Now she's retired and in a passionate relationship with Hoshino Yume while pursuing her acting career, so many kids just think of her as an actress, but in the past, Ai was quite a legend as an idol. Her momentum was incredible. Sadly, whether she retired to pursue that relationship or because she finished everything she wanted to do... she left the idol world. Occasionally the old B-Komachi gathers for a concert or she does a solo live, but... it's not like the old days. Well, even if they're the new B-Komachi, just because the name is the same doesn't mean everything is.
Well, shall we stay and watch for a bit anyway? Since it's a group from the same company, the Hoshino couple might have created some pretty good idols."
SIDE Hoshino Yume.
"MEM-chan!!"
The audience size isn't bad for a first time, I suppose.
"MEM-cho!"
Since the new B-Komachi has an influencer, my worries have eased a bit, but... looking around...
While the red glowsticks are surprisingly visible.... is there any point in worrying like this? I believe in those kids.
And so, the new B-Komachi's performance began.
"Haha.... My worries were for nothing. Right, Ai?"
"Yeah. Our Ruby really takes after me; she's the cutest! Though I'm still cuter!"
"Are you jealous of your daughter?"
"Ehehe~!"
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the B-Komachi Ai belonged to was a group built around the 'star' that was Ai. But the new B-Komachi has Ruby. Ruby inherited the charisma of the girl who sets the frame perfectly. There's no way she'd make a mistake. Ruby is mine and Ai's precious daughter, possessing our talents. However...
I looked at Kana's expression. An expression that looked as if she had let everything go. I really hate that look. But... since I left Kana's matters to our precious son. Maybe I should help a little?
"Shall we start, Aqua?"
".....Are you seriously okay with this?"
"Ai gave her permission, and what's wrong with cheering for the idols I'm in charge of?"
"....I guess you're right?"
"Well then, let's begin. The ultimate cheer."
Aqua and I grabbed glowsticks for every member's color and began shaking our bodies with everything we had.
Ah, this is surprisingly embarrassing. No, it's a permanent stain on my history.... But if it's for my daughter.....
Flash!
"I can swing these all day!!!!"
"Yay~! Yume is the best!!!"
Well, it seems I'm not the only one enjoying this. Ai looks happy too, so is this performance a grand success?
For the record, they say Ai ran away to the staff room where Miyako-san was the moment I started dancing.
"Shop Manager! That girl is pretty good too, right? Her expression has improved since the first song, and she's honestly charming!"
"All three of them have ace-level visuals for any group. Especially the one in the middle, she's a total otaku-bait. She's a good singer, too."
"They might get insanely popular..... especially since Hoshino Yume personally came to cheer for them!"
"You got that right!"
By the way, this video was accidentally filmed and uploaded, surpassing 10 million views in just one day.
Ai, Aqua, and I were already in the car.
"Ahahahahaha!!! Yume, you're the best~! How did you practice that?"
"It's all thanks to Aqua."
"Our son is the best~!!"
"Wait!? Don't hug me!!"
We teased Aqua until the new B-Komachi arrived.
"Ah, you were already in the car! Ai-senpai and Yume-senpai too~!"
"Ruby, you were the best~!"
"Yay~!"
Ai and Ruby hugged each other and moved to the back seats.
"But more importantly, what was that dance you and Yume-senpai did? I almost burst out laughing~!"
"Who's going to say anything about me cheering?"
"Ahahaha!"
Within five minutes of starting the car, Ai and Ruby were fast asleep in the back.
Miyako-san and I were traveling quietly in the driver and passenger seats, but...
"How was it, our stage?"
Oh...?
"Well, wasn't it decent for a first time?"
Aqua!!!!!!!!!
"What's with that? Compliment us some more!!"
Exactly! Compliment them, Aqua!!
"I can't do that."
Aqua's so stiff... well, it's not like I don't understand how he feels.
"Because you girls are going to give far more amazing performances in the future. Considering that, it'd be a waste to give a high score here."
Geez.... who did he learn this inflexibility from....! (Surprisingly, he doesn't realize it's from himself.)
"Ah, really?"
"Those two finally feel like talking?"
"I suppose so. If not now, then when?"
"For some reason, they don't seem to get along though...?"
"It's not like that."
"Right, it's a bit more, how should I put it.... hmm.... I can't explain it well?"
"Is there something even Yume-kun doesn't know?"
"I'm not exactly omnipotent, you know?"
"Huh?"
MEM-cho didn't understand the conversation between Miyako-san and me.
"Will you say it, or should I?"
"I'll do it. Aqua! Are you and Akane-chan from 'LoveNow' getting along?"
"No, I haven't seen her since."
"Well, I thought as much."
"Because she's just a business partner. We did agree to go take photos for Instagram together though..."
"Work...?"
She took the bait.
"Hmph! I thought so! There's no way that Kurokawa Akane would be serious about you! It's just an extension of the faux-couple concept, right? So obvious! You poor thing! Don't mistake that for being serious. Oh, I hate this, seriously! Wait, are you actually depressed?"
"Arima-chan's suddenly all smiles.... Oh?"
"Looks like she noticed?"
"Right?"
After arriving safely at the office, Miyako-san went in first, Ai was sleeping in the breakroom, and Aqua, Kana, and I were in the office. I quietly looked through a script that had come for me.
"The Pieyon who helped us during lessons... that was you, wasn't it? Why did you do such a thing?"
"Because... you wouldn't talk to me."
"Uh..... that's it? That's all it was? Nghhhhh!!!! You wore that sweltering mask and ran around and danced for just that? I tried it once too, and it's exhausting! Not to mention making that weird voice? But your vocal impression was surprisingly good. You have an unexpected talent, amazing!"
Is it Kana's turn?
"I mean... you wouldn't have accepted my coaching since you didn't want to talk to me. No matter how much Yume-senpai and Ai-senpai looked over you, I only wanted to make my sister's first performance a success..."
You're such a tsundere, Aqua.
"Right, right! That sister complex of yours? You sure have convenient excuses! I'll let it slide for now!"
"What's with this girl? I'm going home."
He's running away.
"Oh? Running? You're running?"
"What? What are you talking about? I'm not running from anyone."
"Are you running because you're embarrassed that you got caught doing something weird just because you wanted to talk to me?"
"Pfft!?"
Ah, I accidentally let out a laugh...
Aqua's eyes momentarily darted to me, but he soon turned his head back to Kana.
"Fine. Since it seems you've made some strange misunderstanding, I'll thoroughly debate you. Sit down. Right now."
"I'm game!"
Still, I'm glad. Aqua is a kid who surprisingly doesn't get involved with others much... unless someone like Kana bothers him to that extent, his relationships won't last long.
By the way, they say that debate lasted for about three hours.
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