The Flying Get's conference room was packed. Tsubasa, Uchiyama-sensei, Miichan, and all the successors and understudies were present. They had met to discuss one single matter: what would happen with Chieri.

During the concert for the liberation of Akibastar Chieri had awakened as Center Nova. The Center Nova was meant to be the front girl of the group, the ace, and was to center every performance. Generally, having a new Center Nova would be an occasion to celebrate, but Chieri was still an understudy and that was unheard of for a center.

"It's not for us to question Sensei-sensei's decisions," Tsubasa declared sternly. Tsubasa was the general manager of 00 and former Mariko the 7th, and had been part of the staff since Atsuko Maeda the 13th—the previous Center Nova—disappeared. She was in charge of all the logistic matters involving the group, though the most important decisions were made by the mysterious entity known as Sensei-sensei.

"We're just worried that some fans may not take it so well."

Some members nodded in agreement with their captain, Takahashi Minami the 5th. The captain was the member in charge of leading and looking out for the group. It was a role given to every Takamina successor in honor to the first Takahashi Minami, who had been the leader of the original AKB.

"I'm aware of the issue. Regardless, Sensei-sensei's decisions are absolute. We'll do our best to make this transition as painless as possible for the fans." Tsubasa scanned the room looking for objections. Seeing none she continued. "For the time being, Chieri will perform as full member. With some luck, it won't take long until she properly succeeds a nam—"

"I won't become a successor."

Every head in the room turned towards the girl who had interrupted their manager. She had long, wavy hair, and was slightly taller than average for her 13 years of age. Her body was slender but shapely and her facial features were strikingly beautiful. All who knew her agreed that she looked almost perfect.

She was the subject of this discussion: Chieri Sono.

Seeing that her words had left everyone dumbfounded, Chieri hurried on. "I'm not saying I don't want to be a successor, but… whether I want to or not, it just won't happen."

"W-what do you mean it won't happen?" Tsubasa's attempt to regain her bearings wasn't quite successful.

"I don't know how to explain it. I… I just know it."

"I think I get it."

"Miichan?" Tsubasa turned towards the photographer surprised.

"Chan-tsu, I told you this before, remember? A Center Nova grows connected to everything and everyone, even to the past and the future," Mikako Minamino explained. She was the former Miichan the 5th and ex-Center Nova herself. "It's not unheard of for them to develop a sort of precognition."

"Are you serious?"

Judging by the looks of disbelief across the room, Tsubasa wasn't the only one having a hard time grasping the situation.

"Of course I am. Although, this shouldn't happen until the later stages in the development of a Center Nova. Chieri seems like a special case. She's particularly strong and radiant…"

What Miichan left unsaid wasn't lost to Chieri. When a Center Nova reached the ultimate radiance she would disappear. If Chieri was more radiant than usual for a novice Center Nova, that could only mean that she was closer to disappear as well.

This was fine as far as she was concerned. She had been aware of the inevitable fate of the Center Nova long before becoming one, and had decided to move forward regardless. She wasn't particularly interested in reaching the top or anything like that, though. She wanted to go even higher: to bring love and hope to every corner of the universe. That was her true dream, and for that reason she needed to become more and more radiant, even if that meant getting ever closer to disappear.

Tsubasa pursed her lips thoughtfully, pondering on this new insight Miichan had revealed.

"Well, all this just might be Sensei-sensei's will," she finally said.

Nagisa and the other understudies standing close to Chieri beamed at Tsubasa's decision, unabashedly showing their support for their friend and teammate.

"Chieri will perform as the official center and front member of 00 from now on. We'll make the formal announcement as soon as the theater is in conditions. We'll announce Nagisa's succession there as well, and…."

Chieri wasn't listening anymore by then. Everything around her had faded out to let her alone with her thoughts. This was it. She would have to work harder than ever to properly fulfill her role, to show everyone that she could take on this responsibility even if she wasn't a successor. It would be hard but this was her starting line, and she couldn't wait for her first performance as Center Nova.