114: Protagonist

OMG! It’s Hidaka Hokuto from Trickstar! We’ve been seeing you around a lot lately! It’s so ra-vely that we get to meet with idols all the time at ES ♪

…Mm, just as I thought, it’s ALKALOID. Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your practice.

No, there’s no need to apologize. We were just talking while doing some stretches.

Aren’t you taking things too easy, with the situation you’re in…?

Well, it doesn’t matter. You’re all free to do what you want. I can’t tell you to go copying us.

I’ve noticed lately that we’re more of an exception than the rule.

Ahaha. You all seem like naturals~ No matter how you slice it, Trickstar really is something special, huh?

How nice, to be part of the elite—the geniuses… You guys had it easy, you made it big in no time.

Wait. I can’t let that go. Who just that?

Ah—I did. Um, I–I’m sorry…

Crap, I shouldn’t have—I wasn’t even thinking… I’m not just posting a comment on a forum.

I–I promise I’m not trying to pick a fight with you, so can you please let it slide?

What’s got you so scared? What did we do to you?

We’ve actually been trying to stay out of your way… Or is that weird?

Could it be you have something to hide? It does look like that Emperor is using you guys for some evil plan of his—

So what, are you his new assassins looking to take us out?

Huh—Huh? What are you talking about? I’m super not following, but I swear you’ve got it all wrong?!

We are not the “Emperor’s” men, and we’re not trying to assassinate you.

We are idols on the verge of being laid off—nothing more, nothing less.

…… (staring straight into Hiiro’s eyes)

…… (returning his stare unperturbed)

…I see. It doesn’t seem like you’re lying. Sorry I tried picking a weird fight with you. I seem to be having a lot of misunderstandings lately.

No, people in vulnerable positions are often exposed to discrimination and prejudice. It isn’t correct, but it still happens.

…That’s true. We used to be like that, too. No, it might be the same even now. We didn’t become strong just to bully the weak.

By the way, that word, “Emperor”—isn’t just a generic term, right? You’re using it as a nickname for Tenshouin Eichi-senpai?

If so, we do belong to StarPro, so you could say we’re under his command. He seems to be involved in the management of the agency, as well.

…Hm?

And furthermore, if an assassin is someone whose goal is to destroy a target of some sort—

Then disregarding ALKALOID, it could be that I am an assassin, and that you all are my targets.

…What did you say?

Wait—Hiro-kun, can you shut up?! Everything was about to wrap up so nicely, and then you ruined it!

Yes… However, it is important to get your facts straight.

I don’t really get it, but. Well, I don’t feel any hostility or ill will from you guys.

Even if you are the same as Crazy:B, it’d just be that the Emperor is manipulating you without your knowing.

There’s no point in crushing mere soldiers.

Soldiers… That’s ALKALOID’s motif.

We still don’t know who decided on that motif, or even who gave us our name.

Hm, so that’s how it is. Now that you mention it, I remember the Emperor talking about something like this before…

You might be “the soldiers of the idol industry” he was referring to.

…?

Well, whatever. We’ve been told to keep our distance, and here I am talking with you all. That’s my fault. Sorry for bothering you all, ALKALOID.

No no, you’re always welcome here. We aren’t renting out the hanging garden, after all.

Yeah, we can use it for free, so we’ve been holding lessons here to cut costs.

You guys really are in dire straits… The Emperor has plenty of money to burn, but he has no idea how to distribute that wealth among his comrades in the agency.

Well, it’s fine. I still refuse to recognize him as a comrade, anyway.

And it’s the same for you.

We won’t get involved with you this time—But if you turn out to be the same kind of irritating existence Crazy:B is, then maybe we’ll get to compete on stage one day.

Ahaha, so Trickstar doesn’t like Crazy:B either? Makes sense, since they haven’t exactly done anything to win over the other idols.

Mm, does that mean you don’t know?

Crazy:B has brought our name up countless times during their DreamFests.

They shout out their complaints and claim that Crazy:B is the only one who can replace Trickstar… that they’re the protagonists of a new era. They’re completely unhinged.

While they go around crushing other units in live showdowns, they say they’re bringing divine punishment to idols on behalf of Trickstar…

It’s like they’re implying we’re the ones ordering Crazy:B to rampage around.

And we don’t exactly have a good track record, either.

Some fans are starting to believe Crazy:B, even going so far as to doubt us and hold a grudge. It’s terrible.

Ohh… I get the impression that Trickstar goes around picking fights with anyone and everyone. But that’s what makes them interesting to watch, from a fan’s perspective.

Lately we’ve been holding back from that… Or I should say, we haven’t had much of a chance to fight anyone. It’s too bad.

But more than anything, I don’t want us to suffer from any more rumors. If the opportunity arises, we’ll confront Crazy:B head-on and destroy them thoroughly.

I won’t hear any complaints, and I won’t show any mercy toward Trickstar’s enemies.

But for some reason, we haven’t been able to get any of our battle proposals to pass.

We even applied for Idol Royale since Crazy:B is rumored to be performing there, but it got denied.

Ah… That might be good news, actually. If Trickstar were performing, the underachieving noobs like us would get eaten alive.

We have no intention of doing that. We just want to shine as much as possible alongside other units…

It’s difficult for us to grant even the most basic of wishes for idols right now…

So that’s why I’m just a little jealous of you guys—ALKALOID.

……