NOVEL NEXT Chapter 349
“…You. Have you ever thought about trying to be an idol?”
One day.
While I was on my way home from school, a woman suddenly approached me.
“…Huh?”
And an inexplicable laugh escaped my lips at her words.
“Ah, I should introduce myself first. I’m Sakishima Momoko, the president and producer at Momoko Production. You can just call me Momoko!”
“I’m not interested. So, goodbye.”
Not even worth listening to.
With that conclusion in mind, I swatted her hand, which was offering a business card, and continued on my way.
“Wait, wait! Please just listen to me for a moment before you decide!!!”
But she clung to my arm and had no intention of letting go, and at that moment, I had a feeling.
…Ah. I’ve encountered a troublesome person, I thought.
★
Komachi Yuyika.
If I had to describe her personality in a nice way, you could say she was easygoing; but to be blunt, she was prickly.
At just 143 cm tall.
That had always made her a target for gossip among those around her, and in such situations, for Yuyika to maintain her human relationships, she had to be quick-witted and, as a result, she developed a knack for reading the room when people gathered together.
However, after repeating that lifestyle for years, Yuyika was completely worn out.
Even when she subtly hinted that she disliked being the topic of gossip due to her height, people always brought it up.
Everyone treated her like a cute little girl.
School teachers. Classmates. Juniors. All of them.
‘Why am I the only one who has to read the atmosphere? Why doesn’t anyone else consider my feelings?’
It was only natural that Yuyika would start to think that way.
But the image of Yuyika that had already settled among her peers wasn’t going to change easily, and stress began to pile up inside her.
“Are you okay, Yuyika?”
“…Yeah.”
The only reason Yuyika could endure middle school was thanks to her childhood friend and younger sister, Ren, who always supported her.
As time passed and it was time to choose a high school.
Yuyika chose a private high school, one that none of her middle school classmates picked, which required a commute taking 2 hours and 30 minutes, and on the day results were announced, she made a decision.
‘From now on… I won’t be mindful of others anymore.’
If she only catered to others unilaterally, she would only suffer.
So, she thought, why not just not cater to others at all.
With that conclusion, after entering high school, Yuyika began to make her life revolve around herself.
“Hi there, Komachi? Nice to meet you!”
“Yeah. Nice to meet you.”
Of course, that didn’t mean Yuyika was cold from the get-go.
She greeted her classmates normally, just like in middle school.
“But you’re kind of short, Komachi. So cute~!”
“Huh?”
But if someone crossed a line that she had determined for herself, she wouldn’t hold back.
“What’s with you? Are we friends or something?”
“…Uh? Ko, Komachi?”
“Just go away, it’s annoying.”
No, it wasn’t just a matter of holding back.
She spoke in a way that could clearly hurt the other person.
That level of stress had built up in Yuyika.
‘This person probably doesn’t even know what they’re doing….’
Although Yuyika had those thoughts inside her, she continued living this way using it as an excuse since it was already done.
Thus, it didn’t take long for Yuyika to become isolated in high school, and by the time six months had passed, no one spoke to her.
But when she thought back to the stress she had endured in middle school, she considered this a much better situation.
Even if she felt lonely during lunchtime sometimes, it wasn’t as stressful as it had been in middle school.
There were a few who had taken a grudging interest in her and tried to bully her.
“Try that again next time. It’ll be fun.”
“Sorry….”
Yuyika effortlessly sought out those who bothered her and retaliated in kind.
No, she even went beyond that.
After repeating that a few times, the bullying completely disappeared.
For Yuyika, school had simply become a game to pass the time.
And one day.
“Ah, I should introduce myself first. I’m Sakishima Momoko, the president and producer at Momoko Production. You can just call me Momoko!”
Yuyika met Momoko.
★
With Momoko endlessly trailing behind me saying, “Let’s just talk a little,” I had no choice but to nod in the end.
“Komachi Yuyika, huh? Alright! Do you want to try being an idol with me?”
Caught off guard that she casually called me by my name, I shook my head.
“No, thank you.”
“Why?! You have talent for being an idol, Yuyika! It’s definitely your calling! Is it because this is a production you’ve never heard of? Are you saying you don’t want to work with a small company that’s been around for only a short time and has no track record? But I promise you! You can definitely succeed as an idol!”
What on earth is this person saying?
How could someone I’ve known for less than 30 minutes make such bold claims about me?
“You’re small and cute, so you’ll definitely succeed!”
“…Huh?”
And at that moment, I felt a snap in my brain.
“Who do you think you are…?”
But just as I was about to say that, my thoughts shifted.
This person is strange.
Someone who immediately addresses me by name and carelessly pokes at my feelings.
Well, it makes sense.
Considering that they tell a complete stranger that they could be an idol, their mental state must be odd too.
People like this won’t back down just because I speak firmly like I did in school.
Instead, I have to subtly say it, deliberately point out my flaws, and make this person give up on their own.
“Ha… Sorry, but I’ll decline. I know my personality doesn’t fit that of an idol. I get angry for no reason when people approach me, and I end up fighting, which is why I’m alone now. And I’m comfortable with the current situation.”
“…I see. But why does that mean your personality isn’t suitable for being an idol? I think having a strong personality is quite an attraction for idols. In fact, if someone small and cute like you acts tough, fans might find it even more charming.”
…What is wrong with this person?
“Plus, because of my small stature, when someone approaches me, I’ve developed the habit of analyzing their looks and personality. It feels bad, you know? Even if the person is a fan who likes me, I feel like they’re also analyzing me.”
“…That’s actually great! Being an idol is ultimately a business of making money. If you analyze your fans’ personalities and adjust your behavior, your popularity will increase! As expected, Yuyika is meant to be an idol!”
…This person is really strange.
Someone I can’t comprehend.
As that thought crossed my mind, my head truly started to go blank.
“And Yuyika. You’re lying, aren’t you?”
“…What?”
“Although it’s not a lie that you’re a loner in high school, it feels like that’s not your true personality. It seems you’ve just ended up like this due to accumulated stress over time.”
“….”
“It’s okay. I can turn all that into the charm of ‘Komachi Yuyika’ as an idol. On the outside, you may have a tough personality, but once people get to know you, you’re lively and quick-witted, a real mood maker. …This feels like a big hit already!”
My heart started to race.
With no valid reason behind her words, I found myself envisioning a future where I stood on stage.
“…Do I really have talent?”
“Yeah. You definitely do. You have the potential to be a top idol.”
“…If you don’t keep that promise, I’ll get my revenge later. I hold grudges thoroughly, you know?”
“I really have to work hard then. I need to make sure I don’t get scolded by Yuyika later.”
Thus, I became the first idol to join Momoko Production.
★
“Yuyika! Here are the two people you’ll be working in a group with!”
“Wow. They’re super cute….”
“…Huh?”
“They’re small, cute, and have really fair skin… I knew that from the pictures, but seeing it in person is amazing.”
“Right? I want to adopt them as my little sisters….”
“What’s up with you guys? Do you know who I am?”
★
“Yuyika is cute!”
“Our leader is the best!”
“…I told you I don’t like that kind of stuff.”
★
“I want to marry Yuyika….”
“She cooks well, she’s cute, kind, and lively…. She’d make the perfect bride~.”
“…It’s hot, so both of you, stop clinging to me.”
★
“Yuyika, you’ve changed a lot lately.”
“…Changed how?”
Upon hearing Ren’s words, I tilted my head in confusion.
“It feels a bit different, but it’s like seeing the sister from before.”
“…Is that a good thing?”
“Yeah… I wasn’t saying it, but I really like the lively version of my sister.”
“Don’t try to hug me naturally!”
“You haven’t changed in that regard….”
“Because you’re the one who sticks too close!”
Why exactly does Ren enjoy physical contact so much?
“They say those two don’t resist when hugging.”
“You hug way too tightly to the point it’s suffocating.”
“Is it okay if I hug you gently?”
“…Do whatever you want.”
“…You’re not Yuyika, are you?”
“If you don’t like it, then don’t.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“Ha….”
…By the way, have I really changed, as Ren said?
I have a sense of self-awareness.
I thought to myself that starting as an underground idol, my personality was gradually evolving.
Maybe I should say I’ve become more amenable?
I’m not quite sure if it feels like I’m returning to how I used to be, as Ren suggested.
But one thing is certain, I can feel that I enjoy my current life.
At school, I made friends after apologizing for everything I’d done in the past.
Though training alongside my fellow members is tough, I feel rewarded during our live performances.
Receiving cheers and gifts from fans feels like an energy I never had before.
‘Yeah. There’s definitely something. If it’s Yuyika, she has the talent to be a top idol.’
With Momoko’s words serving as my landmark… I was genuinely moving forward.
★
“Yuyika… I have something to tell you.”
One day after a live show, Momoko called me over.
I thought it would be just the usual nonsense chatter.
But what I heard from her was.
“We received a scouting offer from Suika Production for you.”
“…Huh?”