Chapter 89: The Second Launch ①

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Translator: Soafp

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BOOOOOM—!!

A tremendous clap of thunder roared across the stage, which lay submerged in dim darkness.

The next instant, a blinding white flash illuminated the audience.

When the thunder faded, a single spotlight quietly shone onto the stage.

Five girls lay collapsed there.

Then, without any instrumental accompaniment, a faint singing voice emerged.

“I wish you'd stop thinking about breaking up with me… before I bury a landmine in front of your house… ♪”

Supported by the other four girls, the red-haired girl at center stage slowly rose to her feet.

The venue erupted in deafening cheers.

“WOOOOOOO!!”

After that, with the support of the other four members, Kokoa-san limited herself to upper-body movements and focused entirely on singing.

The setlist had also been rearranged, reducing dance-heavy songs and increasing vocal-centered cover songs so she could perform naturally while seated in a chair.

“Looks like we’ll somehow get through this, President.”

Airi whispered into my ear from beside me.

“Yeah. Good work to you too, Airi.”

“I didn't do anything special.”

Airi had spent the entire time on the phone alongside the manager, coordinating the sudden changes.

All I had really done was cover some additional expenses and suggest a few ideas.

Other than that, I had barely done anything.

Even so, seeing my suggestion actually take shape on stage felt strangely surreal.

“Honestly, Ren-kun is the amazing one. I never expected you to turn that lightning accident into part of the performance’s story.”

“Anyone could’ve thought of something like that.”

Anyone attending a solo live show was obviously a fan of Jirai-chan Syndrome.

And the lightning strike incident had been covered in the news and spread across social media.

Even people who weren't hardcore fans had probably heard about it.

“I don't think so. Watching from the sidelines, it feels like your self-esteem is way too low, Ren-kun.”

“Really? I'm just trying to view myself objectively.”

I always tried not to overestimate myself.

After all, my precognition had taught me the limits of what I could and couldn't do better than anyone.

“Then you’re still misjudging yourself, Ren-kun. Don't worry. You'll understand soon enough.”

Airi smiled mysteriously.

…Just what was she plotting?

◇

After the concert ended, we immediately headed to the hospital to have Kokoa-san's ankle examined.

Ideally, we should have gone before the performance.

However, Kokoa-san absolutely refused, and there wasn't much time left before the show.

In the end, we went afterward.

…Needless to say, the doctor apparently scolded her thoroughly.

Kokoa-san raised a peace sign with a beaming smile.

“They said it's only a mild sprain! They told me to take it easy for a couple of days and keep icing it properly!”

“I see. Then let’s call it a day. No self-training either.”

“That sounds reasonable. But at least we can have an after-party, right? Ren-sama came all the way here for us!”

Neither Airi nor I had eaten anything yet, and we were both hungry.

Besides, Kokoa-san had borne the greatest physical and mental burden during all of this.

It would be nice to treat her to something good.

“Then let's do that. We're taking a hired car anyway, so it shouldn't put much strain on your ankle.”

“Yes! So what should we eat today?”

“Hm… let me think.”

I was hungry, but no particular food came to mind.

“Since Ren-sama saved me when I was in trouble today, I'll make a special exception and pour you some alcohol!”

“I don't drink.”

“Ehhh? You're saying you won't drink alcohol poured for you by a super idol?”

“Regardless of who pours it, I'm still not old enough to drink.”

Kokoa-san burst out laughing.

“So you really are a high school student!”

“Wait, did you think I was lying?”

“But when you cornered Aya-chan like that earlier, you seemed so mature! Besides, Aya-chan may not look it, but she's actually a university student who'll be graduating soon.”

“…Huh?”

Wait.

That meant she was six years older than me?

That was surprising enough, but the fact that a university student would bully a middle school girl like that made it even worse.

My opinion of Ayano-san dropped even further.

Kokoa-san bowed deeply toward me.

“Thank you. You got angry on my behalf, didn't you? Lately, Aya-chan seems to hate me more and more…”

…!

So she had noticed.

Of course she had.

Even someone completely oblivious would notice something that blatant.

“…Doesn't it make you angry? Or frustrated?”

“To be honest, when I get home, I sometimes scribble everything into a notebook as hard as I can. Then I tear out the pages and throw them away. But you can't keep dwelling on those feelings forever, can you?”

Kokoa-san smiled wryly.

“If I got angry and started fighting too, Jirai-chan Syndrome might really fall apart.”

She was far more thoughtful than her appearance suggested.

More than Ayano-san.

Even more than me.

Maybe she was actually the most mature one among us.

“Besides, she wasn't always like that. In fact, she was the one who looked after me the most. She's been chasing the idol dream much longer than I have.”

So once she realized her efforts would never be rewarded, her jealousy toward Kokoa-san twisted into spiteful bullying.

It wasn't impossible to sympathize with her.

But even so, I couldn't help finding it pathetic.

Kokoa-san understood the circumstances and had years of history with her.

That was probably why she couldn't simply cut her off the way I could.

This time, Airi spoke.

“Then is that why Miyoko-san spends time with us instead of going to after-parties with the other members?”

“Ah, yes. We used to hang out together, but now… Also, Aya-chan seems to have gotten a boyfriend, and after work she goes to see him almost every time.”

“K-Kokoa-san, is it really okay to tell us things like that?”

She was an idol, after all.

“Ah! Oops! What I just said is a secret, okay?”

…

I suddenly understood how industry rumors spread.

◇

“What are you talking about, Miyoko-san? Okonomiyaki should be cut like a pizza.”

“Secretary-san, if you don't cut okonomiyaki into a grid, it falls apart and you can't eat it neatly!”

“Oh? But weren't you the one who said it didn't matter if sushi rice fell apart in the soy sauce dish? Your logic isn't very consistent.”

“I never said that!?”

The after-party ended up being held at an okonomiyaki restaurant.

…As usual, these two were arguing over the proper way to eat something.

The fact that neither would give an inch made them strangely alike.

“Ren-kun, pizza slices, right?”

“Ren-sama, grid-cutting is the standard for okonomiyaki, right?”

…

Once again, they tried to dump the final decision on me.

“I really don't care either way.”

“Just as I thought. Both methods, huh, Ren-kun?”

As always, Airi somehow managed to read meaning into even my most casual remarks.

Picking up a spatula, Kokoa-san declared,

“Then let's settle it this way! Secretary-san and I will each cook one at the same time. This griddle is big enough for two, right? Then Ren-sama can judge which method is correct!”

“I like that idea. Let's settle this once and for all, Miyoko-san.”

“Yes! And it's Kokoa, not Miyoko!”

They spread pork and batter onto the oiled griddle.

Both tapped away with their spatulas to shape the pancakes, but their movements looked alarmingly clumsy.

Would this really be okay…?

Eventually the timer rang.

The two exchanged serious looks and flipped their okonomiyaki simultaneously.

“Hah!”

Kokoa-san even shouted as she did it.

Airi inserted her spatula with surprisingly elegant movements.

But—

“Wait, both of yours fell apart…”

The two had failed spectacularly.

Their okonomiyaki crumbled into pieces and now looked more like monjayaki than anything else.

“W-Well, that's…”

Kokoa-san averted her eyes.

“It's my first time making okonomiyaki myself…”

“…What about you, Airi?”

“My first time too. In fact, it's been so long since I even ate okonomiyaki that I can't remember the last time.”

“I-I see.”

Something tightened quietly in my chest.

When I thought about it, it made sense.

Back when Airi's family had been wealthy, she had been too young, and either her family or restaurant staff would have cooked it for her.

“At this point, the cutting method isn't even the problem anymore. Ren-kun, should we call Nodoka-san?”

“No, we can't treat Nodoka like some errand runner…”

“Oh? Doesn't Nodoka enjoy doing things for you, Ren-kun? Besides, with her personality, I think she'd be more upset if she were the only one left out.”

“…Now that you mention it, you’re right.”

I immediately called Nodoka.

I gave her a brief summary of everything that had happened that day and told her we were currently having an after-party at an okonomiyaki restaurant.

Then—

“EHHHH!? You went without me!? That's terrible! You should’ve invited me too!”

“That's why I'm calling. Can you come now?”

“I'm coming! Send me the address!”

“Got it.”

“Oh, right! Should I bring Yui along too?”

Nodoka continued confidently over the phone.

“We can use it as the big reveal for her makeover too!”