Chapter 11

(Urgh. Nghhh…?)

(What do I do? It’s been so weird this whole time…)

(It was lots of fun for a while right after the SS Qualifiers started. fine was making good progress together, even with a bunch of pretty standard fare performances.)

(No one could even touch us. I mean, *obviously—*fine’s the strongest there is.)

(We were top idols back at Yumenosaki, and now we’re part of the Big Three at ES.)

(There’s no way we could have gotten where we are by sheer, dumb luck in this cutthroat idol industry.)

(We’re the real deal. We’re super duper strong. That’s why we’re definitely gonna win, and that’s why we’re gonna make it big—)

(…But there are no big names in this Kanto region, so it’s an easy win for us.)

(But it’s not like I started cutting corners or anything. I still haven’t forgotten how humiliated I was last spring when those Trickstar nobodies put us through the wringer.)

(So the ones with real talent—which is *us—*are giving it their all on every stage. And we’re not gonna let our guard down either. There’s no way we will be beaten.)

(So at this rate, we should be able to make it through the Qualifiers no problem, but—)

……

(I feel like the atmosphere shifted yesterday, somehow.)

(Eichi-sama brought us to SANCTUARY—which he built without any of us even knowing—and gave us a rundown on what it’s supposed to mean.)

(It feels like he doesn’t even care about SS or the Qualifiers at all. He’s completely wrapped up in his spiel about SANCTUARY.)

(It reminds me of when he was making ES. It was all so abrupt back then, too.)

(…Eichi-sama never talks about important things with me.)

(So I never know what he’s thinking.)

(It’s probably because I never ask him about anything—because I’m afraid I’m gonna step on a landmine and make him hate me.)

(Maybe he wants me to stay pure and innocent, especially since he tries to keep me in the dark about the more unpleasant things happening.)

(He even tells Yuzuru to cover my ears and stuff.)

(I thought we both learned from Star Fes last year that tiptoeing around each other is just gonna cause problems.)

(But it feels like we’re repeating those same mistakes all over again.)

(It’s… kinda sad.)

(……)

…Tori-kun?

What’s wrong?! You don’t look good at all! Does your stomach hurt? Oh no, oh no…!

What should I do? Ummm, do you need to use the bathroom…?

I–I’m good. Why’re you always so worried about other people, Hajime?

You have it pretty rough too, being separated from your friends and all.

Fufu. We may be separated, but it’s not like anyone died.

I know that one day we’ll meet again, and we’ll get to perform together once more.

Nii~chan went off to college, but he came back in no time. And Mitsuru lost his memories, but he got them back. And Tomoya-kun—

Ehehe, Tomoya-kun will always be right by my side… ♪

Uh, he’s not even here right now. So much for always.

B–but our hearts are always together~!

Yeah… I’m pretty jealous of you, Hajime.

…?

—Bocchama.

Whoa! Too close, buster! What is it?! You wanna say you’ll always be riiight by my side? I know that already!

No. Eichi-sama had some business to attend to, so he left just a moment ago—

And so we’ve been tasked with showing Ra*bits around on our own.

Would you have any problems with that? Are you familiar enough with SANCTUARY?

Huh? Um—Wait, it’s true! Eichi-sama totally disappeared on us!

It’s easy to forget, but he is also the head of a massive conglomerate. I imagine he’s very busy.

Urgh… Tsukasa’s just like that, too. He’s been super busy since the spring. I’m pretty lucky I guess, since I only really have to focus on my idol activities.

(That’s why I shouldn’t keep wanting more than what I already have.)

…Ehehe. Then umm, we’ll show you around~?

Just follow me, Michu—Mitsuru and Hajime!

Ahaha! Did you bite your tongue just now, Hime-chan? If my name’s too hard for you to pronounce, you can call me Bolt ♪

Who the heck—?! Uh, no. Your name’s Tenma Mitsuru, right?

Wait, I got it mixed up! That’s just my name from the drama I was in the other day! The director liked me so much he wrote down a name for me~ Get it?

Jeeeez. How do you even mix that up with the name your own parents gave you? Don’t confuse fiction with reality!

They say you must look to others to find your own flaws. You’re also prone to wearing your hair in side buns without realizing it now that you’ve appeared in The Fist of the Shangri-La Idol—Isn’t that right, Bocchama?

Th–that’s just ‘cause I like the style! It’s really cute!

Unlike a certain pervert stalker, I don’t confuse my delusions for reality, okay?!

Yuuuuuukuuun… ♪

Gyeh?! Cut it out! I seriously thought Sena-senpai beamed in from Kansai!

But I guess it’s kinda a nice change of pace that you’re starting to joke around sometimes?!