Chapter 54: Meanwhile, the agency

“Aaaargh!! So frustrating, seriously!”

Unable to contain her anger, Yui threw her cell phone.

Thwack-!

The thrown cell phone hit the wall with a loud noise.

The screen was filled with a long list of articles.

“…..”

One might expect someone to flinch at the sound.

But the reactions of everyone gathered there were uniformly silent.

Everyone’s feelings weren’t much different.

At least 18, at most 21 years old.

For these children, who had just barely escaped the embrace of adults and were only now beginning to spread their wings towards the world.

The public’s attitude, changing in an instant, was far too harsh.

“Hooo…..”

The moment Yui picked up the cell phone she had thrown.

“….Hey, why did everyone want to become an idol?”

Nano, who had been quietly holding her breath, opened her mouth.

Even now, if she closed her eyes, it came to mind.

The time when she first became interested in dancing and singing, her 5-year-old self.

『Our daughter will definitely become a wonderful idol.』

The words her mother, who was lying in a hospital bed wearing white clothes as usual, had said to her were still vivid in her memory.

『Hehe, okay!』

“….You know, honestly, I didn’t think I’d be able to stand on stage again like this.”

Their time together didn’t last long, and she didn’t have outstanding talent.

Nevertheless, her mother was like a guide to Nano.

A guide showing the way through the labyrinth called life.

Nano naturally followed the path her mother had shown her then.

Dreaming of the day she would sing for countless people.

When she was doing relatively well, she was even considered a named trainee among her peers.

Her body was tired, but because it felt like she was gradually achieving the promised dream, her spirits were definitely high.

『Yes…? What did you say….?』

『I mean! We’re in big trouble right now!!』

That is, until the agency president ran off with the money.

After that day, Nano’s world was painted gray.

Her fellow debut team members scattered, never to return to the industry.

Many even cut off contact entirely due to the shock.

Nano was no exception.

Now, her voice wouldn’t even come out properly.

Is this really my dream?

One day, while wandering aimlessly as usual.

『Hey, don’t you want to try being an idol?』

『…..Yes?』

Blue.

A very fresh indigo color cautiously approached from behind and entered Nano’s life.

Like the sea, which seems cold but embraces countless lives within its bosom.

After that, red, black, brown, white, yellow, and so on.

Colors began to return to Nano’s life once more.

But, now.

That blue color has gone somewhere.

“I, I don’t want to perform on this stage.”

“Nano…..”

It wasn’t just her; the other members felt the same.

Those who always maintained a poker face revealed their inner discomfort whenever they were in front of Hikari.

She didn’t seem to notice the details, but from the perspective of someone who had known them for a long time, it was easy enough to tell.

“…..Then, what should we do?”

The first article was published by Nishua News, where Goro was affiliated.

It was the largest company among Japan’s five major newspapers.

For the sake of their own reputation, they wouldn’t retract an article they had already published.

Besides, a clarifying article doesn’t attract as much attention as a controversial one.

Especially since they had no connections in that area, hoping for a proper correction article was a luxury.

“And, Producer-nim asked us to just stay put for now.”

If Sion relayed those words, it was practically the same as Ren saying them.

She could understand what he was thinking.

Yes, honestly, let’s admit what needs to be admitted.

Hikari’s abilities were immense.

With her, it would be entirely possible for Cornelia to advance onto the global stage.

However…..

‘That kind of stage, I want to go there together with everyone.’

Ren-unnie, Natsume-unnie, Hina-unnie.

Airi and Yui.

And though realistically difficult, if possible, even Mayuri-unnie.

The stage everyone dreamed of, they had to go there together.

Only then would it have meaning.

“Haaaah…..”

One of the members let out a sigh.

It was the first time since the diet management declaration that she wanted to disobey her words.

“Anyway, where did that woman go?”

Yui, her tone instantly becoming harsh, frowned.

Hikari still hadn’t returned from her outing.

---

[Ah—]

The sound of a song flowing from the speaker.

Looking around, a practice room equipped with all sorts of facilities, including a full-length mirror, could be seen.

“Alright, stop.”

“Hwooo…”

At the choreographer’s words, the girls who were practicing plopped down on the floor and massaged their aching legs.

“Today is unusually tough…”

“It can’t be helped, we’re halfway to debut now, aren’t we?”

As a group with a newly set debut schedule, a rigorous training regimen had begun in many ways.

It was incredibly difficult, but smiles never left their lips.

It felt like the past three years were being rewarded.

‘Those kids….’

At that sight, the choreographer teaching them felt proud, but at the same time.

Worry also came first.

How many idols had debuted only to fade away without a sound?

Especially now, when the agency was a hot topic, making a first debut was like a double-edged sword.

If they did well, the effect would be significant, but if they failed, they would face a huge backlash or be buried by other topics.

‘I have to raise them properly, without a single mistake.’

The moment the choreographer made that resolution.

“Wow, you’re all working incredibly hard today too.”

A bright voice came from afar.

Long, flowing orange hair and refreshing eyes.

“Hi-Hikari….?”

At Hikari’s sudden appearance, the people in the practice room tensed up.

Wasn’t she the current president’s niece, and the new leader of Cornelia, the agency’s representative group?

Given the industry’s nature where the agency holds absolute power, they, who were still just rookies, couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

“Ah, I just came to watch. Please continue practicing.”

Did she notice the atmosphere?

Hikari soon smiled brightly and walked to a corner of the practice room.

“Wow, she’s so pretty…”

“I don’t think she was that pretty when I first saw her.”

“She must be getting amazing management… I’m envious.”

So that’s a real celebrity.

At her confident demeanor, as if she were the protagonist of this world, they couldn’t help but stare at her, mesmerized.

With people’s reactions as a backdrop, Hikari quietly watched the practice session.

“Alright, since everyone’s rested, let’s start again.”

“Ah, yes!”

Shortly after, at the choreographer’s words, who had regained his composure, the girls began practicing once more.

Did they receive some kind of energy?

Strangely, it felt like their bodies were looser than before.

Just as everyone was satisfactorily continuing their dance practice.

Misstep-

“Ouch?!”

Sakura, who was in the group’s center position, momentarily twisted her ankle and sat down.

“Sakura?!”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah… It’s not badly hurt.”

At her teammates’ concerned expressions, Sakura nonchalantly rotated her ankle.

Fortunately, it wasn’t severely sprained, but she couldn’t help feeling embarrassed.

“This won’t do. Sakura, you rest for about 20 minutes for now.”

“Okay….”

Ultimately, following the choreographer’s judgment, Sakura had to sit out of practice until her startled body calmed down.

“Um, hello?”

“Ah, hello….”

As she moved to a chair placed at the back of the dance studio, Hikari approached and spoke to her as if she had been waiting.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“Ah, no. It’s just a slight sprain.”

“Really? It’s good to see your passion.”

Sakura unconsciously continued chatting with Hikari.

“My name is Hikari. Let’s get along from now on?”

“Ah, yes!”

Simultaneously, Hikari extended her left hand to her.

That kind smile, as if offering to help with anything needed, was incredibly beautiful.

It felt distinctly different from Ren, who always pointed out mistakes with a stern expression.

‘To think I only considered someone like this a nepotistic hire until now….’

Doesn’t kindness just radiate from her face, even if you just glance at her on the street?

She felt incredibly ashamed of herself for treating such a person merely as a parachute hire who got in thanks to her relatives.

At Sakura’s reaction, Hikari quietly smiled.

She wasn’t particularly interested in the other girls, but Sakura from Love Komachi was different.

One of the heroines added in the spin-off work, she would later become a famous actress after the group disbanded.

It would be good to build some connection with her in advance.

Perhaps the image-making was effective.

Like slowly spreading paint, Hikari’s influence among the affiliated artists was growing day by day.

Of course, with the exception of just one group.

“Hikari, where have you been?”

Natsume, seeing Hikari return to the dorm, asked her.

Disapproval was evident in her eyes.

“It’s nothing much. Just went to the practice room to see the juniors’ faces.”

“What?”

Natsume was dumbfounded by Hikari’s words.

At this time, the group in the practice room would be Love Komachi.

‘They’re your seniors, you brat.’

They were a group that had completed three years as trainees; what did she mean by juniors?

There were many other things she wanted to say, but she decided to hold them back.

“And what’s wrong with that? It’s not like you have anything else to do.”

“Hooo… Alright. Let’s just move on for now.”

….Should I hit her?

Natsume seriously contemplated it.

Truly, she was a child who could create murderous intent where there was none.

“Well then, I’ll be going now.”

“……..”

Leaving Natsume, who was seriously contemplating a fistfight, behind, Hikari returned to her room.

Her room at the end of the hallway.

It was originally the space Ren used.

“Heave-ho.”

Hikari comfortably lay down on her bed.

Nevertheless, her mind continued to race.

‘It’s not easy, as expected.’

Perhaps because they had gotten along relatively well until now, Cornelia’s members had a surprisingly deep bond with Ren.

Well, that too will normalize soon.

It’s such a headache when idols have friction with their agency.

If they continued to clash with her, it wouldn’t be good for them either.

Either way, they had to coexist with her.

Still, it would be better to handle it decisively.

Simultaneously, Hikari opened her mouth.

“—Open the shop for me.”

At that single phrase.

A blue window appeared before her as if it had been waiting.

In that place full of all sorts of items, there was only one thing she would choose.

Upon finding the item, Hikari pressed the selection button without hesitation.

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