I Quit Being an Idol and Became a Youtuber - Chapter 54

“Ahhh! This is so frustrating!”

Yui, unable to hold in her anger, threw her mobile phone.

Bang-!

The flying phone hit the wall with a loud noise.

The screen was filled with numerous articles lined up.

“………”

Even though one might flinch at that sound, the reactions of everyone gathered there were all the same—silent.

Everyone’s hearts were not much different.

At least 18 years old, at most 21.

Having just barely escaped the clutches of adulthood, these children had just begun to spread their wings towards the world. The sudden change in the public’s attitude was incredibly harsh.

“Huuh…”

The moment Yui picked up the phone she had thrown.

“……Hey, why did everyone want to become idols?”

Nano, who had been quietly holding her breath, finally spoke.

Even now, if she closed her eyes, she could recall it.

It was the time when she was five years old, when she had just begun to take an interest in dancing and singing.

“Our daughter will definitely become a wonderful idol.”

She also clearly remembered her mother, lying in the hospital in her white clothes, saying that on an ordinary day.

“Hehe, yeah!”

“……For me, honestly, I didn’t expect to stand on stage again like this.”

The time they spent together was not long, and she didn’t have any exceptional talent.

Even so, her mother was like a guide to Nano.

A compass showing her the way through the labyrinth of life.

Nano walked the path that her mother had shown her, as if it were natural.

One day, dreaming of the day when she would sing for countless people.

During the time when things were going reasonably well, she had even been treated as a renowned name among fellow trainees.

Though her body was tired, she felt good to be gradually achieving the dream they had promised.

“Y-yeah…? What did you say…?”

“So! We’re in big trouble now!!”

That was until the agency’s president ran away with the money.

Since that day, Nano’s world had been painted in gray.

The members of the same debut team scattered, never to return to the industry.

Many people completely cut off contact due to the shock.

Nano was no exception.

Now she could hardly even speak.

Is this really my dream?

On one ordinary day, as she wandered aimlessly down the street.

“Hey, would you like to try being an idol?”

“……Huh?”

Blue.

A very refreshing navy blue cautiously approached from behind and entered Nano’s life.

While it seemed cold, it also cradled countless lives like the sea.

After that, there were red, black, brown, white, and yellow colors.

Once again, colors began to return to Nano’s life.

But now.

That blue color had drifted away somewhere.

“I don’t want to go on stage this time.”

“Nano…”

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

Those who always maintained a poker face revealed their discomfort only in front of Hikari.

Although she might not notice the details, it was easy for someone who had known them for a long time to detect it.

“……Then, what should we do?”

The first article was posted by the Nishua newspaper, to which Goro belonged.

They were the largest company among Japan’s five major newspapers.

For the sake of their reputation, they would not retract the articles they had already published.

In the first place, clarification articles did not attract attention compared to the controversies.

Given that she had no ties to them, it was a luxury to expect a proper correction article to be published.

“And, the producer told us to just stay quiet for now.”

If what Shion conveyed was true, that was practically the same as something Ren had said.

It was evident what kind of thought was behind it.

Yeah, let’s admit it honestly.

Hikari’s abilities were incredible.

If she was with her, it would be entirely possible for Cornelia to reach a global stage.

But…

“I want to go on that stage together with everyone.”

Ren, Natsume, Hina.

Airi and Yui.

And realistically, though it would be difficult, if possible, even Mayuri as well.

The stage everyone dreamed of was one they had to go to together.

Only then would it hold meaning.

“Haah…”

One of the members let out a sigh.

Since the declaration of diet management, it was the first time she felt like breaking her own words.

“By the way, where did that girl go?”

With an instant shift in tone, Yui frowned.

Hikari had still not returned from her outing.

* * *

[Ah—]

The song flowing from the speakers.

Looking around, the practice room was equipped with various facilities, including full-length mirrors.

“Okay, that’s enough.”

“Phew…”

At the choreographer’s words, the girls, who had been rehearsing, sat down on the floor and massaged their aching legs.

“Today is particularly tough…”

“That can’t be helped; we’re halfway to debut now, right?”

Since a new debut schedule had been set for their group, they had begun a rigorous training program.

It was incredibly hard, but smiles never left their faces.

It felt like the three years of effort were finally being rewarded.

“Those girls…”

The choreographer, who had been teaching them, felt a mix of pride and concern.

How many idols had debuted and quietly faded away until now?

With the agency currently in the spotlight, debuting was like a double-edged sword.

If things went well, the impact would be huge, but if they didn’t, they would face extreme backlash or be overshadowed by other controversies.

“I have to nurture them properly without any mistakes.”

At that moment of determination from the choreographer.

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

A bright voice was heard from a distance.

With long orange hair and a refreshing gaze.

“H-Hikari…?”

The sudden appearance of Hikari made the people in the practice room tense.

She was the director’s niece and the new leader of the agency’s flagship group, Cornelia.

Due to the absolutist nature of the industry, where the agency held the power, these newcomers could only feel intimidated.

“Ah, I just came to watch. Keep practicing.”

Did she sense the atmosphere?

Soon, Hikari smiled brightly and walked to the corner of the practice room.

“Wow, she’s so pretty…”

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

“She must be getting really good care… I’m jealous.”

Now, that’s a real celebrity.

In her demeanor, confident as if she were the protagonist of this world, they couldn’t help but be captivated as they stared.

As a backdrop to the reactions of those people, Hikari quietly watched the practice scene.

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

“Ah, yes!”

At the brief moment the choreographer came to his senses, the girls began to practice once more.

What kind of energy was this?

It felt strangely like their bodies were loosening up better than just moments ago.

At that moment when everyone was continuing their dance practice satisfactorily.

Slip—

“Ouch?!”

Sakura, who was taking the center position in the group, suddenly twisted her foot and fell.

“Sakura?!”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I’m not seriously hurt.”

Seeing her team members worried about her, Sakura casually twisted her ankle.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a serious sprain, but she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

“I guess that’s not good. Sakura, just rest for about 20 minutes.”

“Okay…”

Ultimately, following the choreographer’s decision, Sakura had no choice but to sit out from practice until her shocked body calmed down.

“Um, hello?”

“Oh, hello…”

As she moved to a chair at the back of the practice room, Hikari approached her as if she had been waiting.

“Is it very painful?”

“Oh, no. It’s just a slight sprain.”

“Really? It’s nice to see you so passionate.”

Sakura found herself unconsciously continuing to chit-chat with Hikari.

“My name is Hikari. Let’s get along moving forward, okay?”

“Ah, yes!”

At the same time, Hikari extended her left hand to her.

That beautiful smile, suggesting she would help with anything she needed, was incredibly charming.

It was a stark contrast to Ren, who always had a stiff expression when pointing out mistakes.

“I never thought of someone like this as just a parachute…”

Even just passing by, her kindness radiated from her face.

She felt very ashamed for having treated someone who simply joined because of family relations as a parachute.

In response to Sakura’s reaction, Hikari quietly smiled.

While she didn’t particularly care about others, Sakura from Love Komachi was different.

She would become one of the heroines added in the side story, gaining fame as a famous actress after the group disbanded.

It would be good to build some rapport in advance.

Perhaps the image-making was paying off.

Like paint gradually spreading, Hikari’s influence among the agency’s artists was steadily increasing.

Of course, except for one group.

“Hikari, where have you been?”

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

Displeasure was evident in her eyes.

“It’s nothing special. I just went to the practice room to see the juniors’ faces.”

“What?”

Hearing Hikari’s words, Natsume was taken aback.

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

“Those are your seniors, you know.”

This was a group that had spent three years as trainees; what juniors was she talking about?

There were many more words she wanted to say, but she decided to hold them back.

“And what’s wrong with that? I don’t have anything particular to do, anyway.”

“Huh… Fine, let’s just move on.”

…Should I hit her?

Natsume seriously contemplated that.

This girl really could even create murderous impulses.

“Then, I’m going to head out now.”

“………..”

Leaving behind a serious Natsume, who was pondering over a fist bump, Hikari returned to her room.

Her room at the end of the corridor.

Originally, it had been Ren’s space.

“Ugh.”

Hikari comfortably lay down on the bed.

Even so, her mind kept racing.

“This isn’t easy after all.”

Had she been getting along well until now? The members of Cornelia were more tightly bonded with Ren than she had expected.

Well, that would normalize soon enough.

Having an idol clash with the agency would only be a hassle.

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

Whatever the case, they had to coexist with her.

Still, it would be good to handle things properly.

At the same time, Hikari opened her mouth.

“—Open the shop for me.”

With that single word, a blue window appeared before her as if it had been waiting.

In that place filled with various items, there was only one thing she wanted to choose.

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

[Purchasing the script editing rights.]

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