In the eyes of B-Komachi…

Nino didn't know when she started to hate Ai. In the beginning, when all of them were fresh faced and naive middle-school models transitioning into idol trainees. Everyday we had rehearsals and lessons. We all supported one another, as we took on this new challenge together.

When did that change?

Out of all the trainees four stood out. Ninomiya Nino, Takamine Tamaki, Watanabe Watane and Ai formed the core of the first idol group in Strawberry Productions- B-Komachi.

Right after we debuted, we started a blog together and tried to go out to dinner as a group.

"Let's all go out to eat together! You know, as B-Komachi for the first time!" Wata-chan cheered.

Nino sighed before giving a smile, "Sure, why not? As long as we're all going it'll be fun- a bit of team bonding before we perform."

"Celebrating before we even get on stage, huh? Really counting those eggs before they hatch."

"Ta-chan!"

"I didn't say no, I'm just saying…"

"What about you Ai-chan? Come on, let's go!"

Maybe at that time we were trying to become friends and not just coworkers. As B-Komachi grew in popularity, it felt like we also grew as friends.

Ai's bored face transformed into an awkward smile, "Uh, ah sure?"

All of us, except for Ai.


Ai was always aloof. Everything surrounding her was shrouded in secrecy and half truths. She never said a word about anything regarding her personal life or family. She never even told anyone her family name. Rather, as an idol, she didn't try to connect to anyone. Not only that, her stand-offish enhanced her image of superiority, that she was more important than anyone else in B-Komachi. If that was the case, she would be right.

If B-Komachi exploded in popularity, then it was because of Ai and Ai alone. The ability to travel around Japan to perform, to meet celebrities, and enjoy life as an idol. All of it was because of her.

Maybe that's when Nino- no the rest of B-Komachi started to envy her. Envied how she was able to look so naturally mature yet innocent. Envied the way that she was able to effortlessly captivate audiences despite the same lack of experience as everyone else. Envied the blatant favoritism she received from President Saitou.

Ai couldn't even remember his name, yet she still got preferential treatment.

Ai had every conceivable advantage for an idol.

How could Nino not envy Ai? In that same vein, who would blame her for that envy turning to hate?

No one.

When Sakura-senpai started to steal Ai's cosmetics and started horrible rumors about her to the press, no one said a word.


"Hey~ did you hear? That girl (Ai) actually slept with President Saitou! Why do you think she has such preferential treatment even after making so many mistakes?"

"Really? She has an affair with the President?"

"Not only that, she's two-timing him with a senpai from her school!"

"God, how slutty can that girl be?"

"I know right? Who knows, she's probably faking her age too. She never says anything about herself, maybe it's to hide that she's a grown woman?"

"Yeah, what kind of middle schooler has a face and body like hers anyways?"

"Exactly, and without her makeup she won't be able to hide it anymore."

Ninomiya Nino snorted at the rumors, everyone knew they weren't true.


President Saitou quickly found out and fired Sakura-senpai. It was instant- a statement was sent out and her contract voided. She didn't even get a graduation concert.

All of the trainees were surprised. Not.

It was a declaration. Ai was the cash cow of Strawberry Productions and couldn't be touched. The rest of B-Komachi could either fall in line or leave. There wasn't a choice. The entirety of the idol group, relegated to backup dancers for Ai.

An invisible, insurmountable wall was built between Ai and B-Komachi.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but B-Komachi moved forward and continued to grow.

Despite being in the center of it all, Ai appeared unaffected. She stood tall with that charming smile under a lonely spotlight.

Nino really hated Ai.


Training days were an all-day affair. Over twelve hours of practice in a single day, and dance rehearsals ate up nearly half that time. A brief, five minute water break at the end of each hour was all the respite afforded to Nino. The five restful minutes allowed the girls to get water, socialize and check their phones.

"Isn't that dress super cute?"

"I know right? It'd totally match with those earrings you got the other day!"

"Hah- training day is rough as usual. Nino, could you please pass me the towel?"

"At least it's only rough during dance practice, singing is so much easier."

"Easy for you to say Nini, you're the best singer out of all of us!"

"Don't be like that Wata-chan, you and Ta-chan dominate while dancing. I have two left feet." Nino grumbled.

A melodious giggle cut throughout the practice room. All heads turned to the origin- Ai. She was on her phone, giggling while she sent a text.

Nino couldn't believe her eyes.

The hardworking and aloof Ai was smiling and on her phone during a break.

"Eh, Ta-chan are you seeing this too? Tell me the truth, did I pass out from practicing too hard and now I'm hallucinating?"

Ta-chan pinched her in the arm, "Well are you awake now?"

"Nyeh, you're so mean."

"Who do you think she's texting?" Wata-chan asked.

"Don't know, don't care."

"Don't be like that Nini! Aren't you the least bit curious about the person who can make Ai-chan look like that?" Wata-chan had a point.

Nino was curious, what kind of person could make Ai look and feel like a regular girl? But she'd never admit that, least of all to Ai. "Nope. Ta-chan, what about you?"

Ta-chan shrugged, "A little bit, but it'd be too much of a pain to ask Ai."

Wata-chan pouted, "Well I am! I'm gonna ask her!" She stood up and marched across the practice room over to Ai's solitary figure.

Nino made eye contact at Ta-chan. They nod and follow. If Ai was going to answer to anyone, it'd be Wata-chan.

Wata-chan plopped down, right next to Ai, "Who're ya texting Ai-chan? Ooh~ Is it a secret boyfriend or something?"

Ai giggled again, "Nothing like that! It's just a senpai from school."

Wata-chan raised an eyebrow, "Really? Must be a special senpai if they caught your eye."

Ai gazed at her phone, almost lost in thought. "Hmm, you could say that? At first, I thought he was just a nice guy. He helped me out of a bad situation so I decided to stick around him for a bit."

Nino's mouth moved on its own, "Hard to believe you'd give a guy your number because he was just nice. He's gotta be good looking at least."

Ai burst out laughing, "No! Well, he's not ugly but his eyes are really scary. With all the time I spent with him, I learned that he's a massive jerk! He treats me as nothing but a nuisance, and always calls me a pest."

Ai enraptured her audience of three. They couldn't help but be drawn in by Ai's charisma and her complete excitement around a random senpai.

A smile unconsciously flits onto Ai's face, "He's also super easy to tease, which makes it fun to be around him. When he's annoyed he scrunches up his face and it's hilarious!"

"Do you have a crush on the guy or something?"

Ai shakes her head, "I doubt he would even call us friends…"

The door opened.

"But he's an interesting person. He saw me and acknowledged me." For the first time since Nino met her, Ai felt real.

A man stepped into the room.

"I won't forget him. I don't think it's possible for me."

"What's his name?" Wata-chan asked.

Ai beamed, "Hikigaya Hachiman."

"Hikigaya Hachiman, huh? I think I'd like to meet him," stated President Saitou.

Nino watched as Ai's face dropped, almost terrified. She couldn't help but think…

the liar Hoshino Ai became a little more honest.


Omake

Hoshino Ai bowed her head to the rest of B-Komachi, and extended out two objects in her hands. "Would you please sign this for me?"

It was a marker and a poster, their debut poster. Ai's signature was already planted on the top left corner along with a message, "To the greatest little sister in the world, Komachi."

Watanabe immediately took the marker from Ai. "Of course Ai-chan!" She didn't need any explanation, it was the first time that Ai had asked something from them. She signed in big loopy letters over the middle of the poster. "Ta-chan, you're next!"

Takamine sighed as she was given the marker, "Sure." It would've been too much of a hassle to deny the request, especially after Watanabe had already signed it. Her signature was refined and well practiced- a neat little scrawl on the top right corner of the poster. Takamine puts the marker into Nino's hand, "Here."

"Why?" Why should she sign it? Why did she want it signed? Why did-

"Please! It's important to me!." Nino's eyes softened.

"Fine," Nino huffed. "But you're coming to dinner with us next time we go out- and you're paying!"

"Thank you, I will."


A/N

For this particular chapter, I wrote the A/N before I actually penned a single word for the plot of this chapter. This is going to be all about Ai. This chapter is also HEAVILY influenced by the short story 45510, the accompanying short novel that Aka Akasaka wrote for the OP "IDOL." I highly recommend that everyone should read this short story to better understand Ai and the world of OnK.

After reading this and absorbing the information, it fills me with satisfaction to know that a lot of my reads about Ai were right. Anything below this was added after the chapter was completed.

Uh oh, President Saitou wants to meet Hachiman. What will happen next?

To be honest, I'm the most proud of coming up with the rest of the names for B-Komachi. It had me cackling for a good few minutes when I came up with the idea. The author of Oregairu is Wataru Watari & the author of Oshi no Ko is Aka Akasaka. How could I not?

Getting into the meat of it, this chapter is a direct parallel to the previous one. It's highlighting the fact that while Hachiman was able to find solace in another person, Ai is not. It is Ai who is alone, even when she's part of a group. I tried to implement the four temperaments into this as well, incorporated through B-Komachi.

Watanabe - Sanguine

Takamine - Phlegmatic

Nino - Choleric

Ai - Melancholic

I cut off about two-thirds of what I originally had outlined, I had WAY too much planned and fun writing this. I'm taking a break here however, otherwise I wouldn't finish this weekend. Next chapter will most likely be from President Saitou's POV. Woohoo! No more writing in a teenage girl's head, I think I'm getting too good at it. Next chapter is probably Thursday.

Tomorrow, I shall cheer on Aston Martin in their fight for 2nd place. Max Verstappen is too good.

Thank you for your support and have a lovely day/night!