It wasn't entirely clear how it all began. Perhaps it was all a misunderstanding. Perhaps resentment built up and spilled at the wrong time. Or people just flat out can't always be liked by everyone.
Hikigaya Komachi was doing her routine lessons with the other trainees. The group is much larger than usual because it includes almost every un-debuted child idol in the company.
That was a big crowd. Komachi pondered. There were plenty of elementary school-aged Idols that Komachi didn't interact with much.
Komachi began to think Father started to get neglectful again.
346 Pro Idol Division had ballooned up compared to the amount of their support staff. In fact, it could be said that the Idol Division does not have enough Producers, which is all sort of ironic for a company of this size.
Director Mishiro refused to transfer people from the other division. She expected the Idol division to shape up and actually fill the demand themselves.
"Internal disputes between company divisions cannot be avoided, but that's all the more reason why the Idol division must stand on its own two feet."
She was not wrong, at least. The Idol division is full of untapped potential, even among its staff. It was just that everyone was too afraid to step forward and take the opportunity because the odds are lopsided against them.
"Onii-chan probably faced his own difficulties here."
Sadly, Komachi and Hachiman couldn't be said to be as close as they were before. Both of them were committed to their duty after school. There was only a small window of opportunity for them in the evening before they went to sleep. There might also be Saturday and Sunday afternoon after Hachiman came from work.
Hachiman simply doesn't have a day off. Komachi does, though.
Komachi never felt lonely at all, since she had a lot of friends. She was more worried about her brother's well-being than anything. Both of them are introverts, but Hachiman is a basket case of shut-in mentality.
However, at the same time, Komachi couldn't really tell him to stop. Hachiman had never been this passionate in his entire 16 years of life. Not even when he was still a cheerful -if a bit shy-little kid.
She really hoped there's an avenue for him to take a break, at least.
"Lesson again? When will we get a job?!"
What a flashy 12-year-old with seriously unfitting fashion sense... Seriously, Father would vomit if he saw me dressed like that.
"It can't be helped. We still don't have a Producer."
Hmm? She could say that with such mature expression, it's impressive considering her age.
"Indeed, any lessons are important. Don't look lightly on it."
What a bunch of cute girls!
While Komachi herself tends to put on a childish and passionate persona for her benefit, she felt that she's nowhere as cute and honest as actual elementary school kids.
"Why are we having combined lessons with the little kids? Our future is surrounded by a dark, sinister cloud." Asuka whined.
"Hey, you sound like Ranko-chan just now, and she's never that depressing." Komachi made a slap to the chest gesture. The so-called tsukkomi (straight man) role is something that Komachi happily took.
"Please don't bring my majestic name into such a quaint conversation... though I feel that would sound like me if I feel absolute despair." Ranko commented that she somehow can't decide whether she had to agree with Komachi or not.
"How about you decide which sides you go with, you indecisive witch?" Mirei irately pointed.
"Fufufuf. I'm not indecisive." Ranko retorted.
This group seems to be always tense and full of friction from the outside. Yet, this sense of openness is what made them seem close to begin with.
That's right.
Hikigaya Komachi turned social outcasts into a group that was indistinguishable from normal girls' cliques. Except for their fashion sense, that is.
This was something that Hachiman would absolutely loathe. He doesn't like a veneer of normalcy, let alone pushing it to someone else. Komachi is different, though.
It doesn't mean that Komachi agreed that putting on a mask at the expense of your own self-identity is right. Komachi knew how to fit these volatile people into a stable group.
Komachi considers that society is like a puzzle. There's no such thing as wrong pieces, only misplaced ones. If someone was badly treated by a group, they have to leave and find their own group.
Komachi never tried to change Hachiman, but she pressured him to find like-minded people in the past. Hachiman was pretty stubborn, though. And even his sister can't force him to socialize.
She was glad that Hachiman seemed to find a home in this industry, as ironic as it sounds. Hachiman likes it that the Idols are ultimately honest and complicated people in private, rather than the shallow and accessible persona they showed in public.
"Hey, Senpai. Can you please pipe it down?" The unfittingly sexy-dressed kid complained. Seriously, put on some clothes.
"What's wrong? The lessons haven't even begun, and I don't think we're being too loud here." Komachi asked her. "But if that's irritating, we'll just move away."
As the older girl, Komachi needed to be the cool-headed one.
"It's not just that. Rather, isn't Senpai taking this too lightly?" The responsible black-haired girl pointed. "Ah, before that, I'm Tachibana. Tachibana Arisu."
"Matoba Risa." The leopard-tank top girl also introduced herself. "You're Hikigaya Komachi-senpai, aren't you?"
"I'm the newest trainee in this group, so calling me Senpai might be unfitting." Komachi shrugged and smiled. "It would be nice to be called a big sister instead!"
"All the more reason I should ask why Senpai seems to take this even less seriously than us." Arisu sharpened her eyes.
"Just because your father is a Producer..." Risa huffed. "Unfair."
Crap.
Komachi's friends became pale the moment they heard this.
"First of all, what makes you think we didn't take this seriously, you brats?" Asuka raised her voice. "Secondly, hearing that from a fathercon is disgusting."
"Fa-fathercon?!" Risa gasped, her face red from shame and shock.
"I'm sorry to say this, but your fondness of your honorable father is quite a persistent story around here." Ranko pointed out. "So please don't get jealous of Komachi-sama."
Matoba Risa was THE resident Daddy Girl of the group. She stood out even compared to her peers. She was never ashamed of being clingy, but usually, people never mock her for it like this.
"You shouldn't bring family problems to the studio!" Arisu complained. "Please apologize to Risa-chan!"
"Stupid brats." Mirei gritted her teeth. She was absolutely, mighty pissed. Maybe she really should claw their face!
Strangely, it was Komachi who stopped her. "Don't do anything rash, Mirei-chan. We're the older ones here."
Even if Mirei wanted to push through, she probably couldn't. Komachi is physically stronger than her. So Mirei gave up.
"When I wake up in the morning, my parents have already left. When I went to sleep, my parents still hadn't come home. When it was weekends, they spent most of their time sleeping."
"Komachi never saw their face all that much—days, weeks, months, years. This is the life Komachi lived through for almost ten years."
Both Risa and Arisu seem shocked by Komachi's incredibly flat and unemotional recital. It was as if she was narrating a story that's not her own.
Yet it struck a chord deep in their hearts.
"By the way, Komachi is fine with that. In fact, Komachi already had plans to enroll in an elite school back in Chiba. Komachi doesn't really care much about Father or the Company."
"The Company is the one coming to scout Komachi. Komachi thought, What the heck? Might as well accept it. Maybe a good chance to get closer to Father."
"You know what's funny? Komachi rarely sees him in the office, and we don't even live in the same house anymore. Because Komachi lived in the company dorm so that Komachi can focus on debut preparation." Komachi's eyes become devoid of light.
"You want to talk fairness? Think about the children of the staff taking care of you at the moment, then ask yourselves..." Komachi told them with a dark, bitter smile. "Is Komachi the one being unfair here?"
"All Komachi wanted was equal treatment, but Komachi can't even get that much. If you spent more time with your parents than Komachi did, then you can kindly roll over out of my sight."
That was when the floodgates broke. Both Risa and Arisu started crying soundly, which surprised even their fellow elementary school Idols.
For early teens who are growing up and trying to establish their presence in society... there's nothing more scummy than attacking their conscience when they're making a grave mistake like this...
But Komachi had no reason to apologize. Because ultimately, she's also the victim of prosecution.
It was not just Risa and Arisu. Komachi was telling every other Idol who thinks she is far too privileged.
"Komachi will go to the bathroom for a bit..." Komachi told her friends. "Komachi will take full responsibility later."
"You're not in this alone." Asuka bashfully said. "I'm responsible too."
"We're in this together." Mirei nodded. "Go."
Ranko pulled Komachi's hand. "I also want to pick some flowers."
The other three knew that Komachi doesn't like it when people start pitying her. However, that doesn't mean Komachi doesn't deserve moral support.
Komachi's face brightened again, and it wasn't entirely fake on her part, either.
...
Fortunately, the lessons ended up going smoothly. Despite having swollen eyes, Arisu and Risa somehow managed to get through it without making mistakes.
It was a testament to their talent and determination. Because both Matoba Risa and Tachibana Arisu were trying to become top Idol. Otherwise, they would not dare to call out older girls with substantial numeric advantage.
Komachi and her friends stayed in the lesson room, and they weren't the only ones. A few more Idols of their age were also there for personal training.
"That Arisu-chan... she had the same eyes as Komachi." She muttered. "In fact, Komachi doesn't think of them as bad girls at all."
"Well, duh, they're just immature." Mirei snapped her fingers and grinned.
Asuka rolled her eyes. "Not that we're much better anyway."
"Growing up too quickly might actually be a bad idea, since that will leave us as highly flawed adults." Ranko pondered aloud. "Right?"
The other three wanted to argue, but they really don't have a good argument. Growing up is a scary, unpredictable thing.
"Excuse me, Senpai." The elegant blond loli came back and bowed. "Are we intruding something?"
"It's fine, Momoka-chan. We're just taking breaks before training again." Komachi waved.
"Eh? Senpai always trains this late?"
"The benefit of living in the dorm nearby." Mirei smugly huffed. "If you think we're not taking this seriously, you're wrong."
"This monster, in particular, she trained for four hours almost every day. We still can't catch up, but it would be worse if we're left behind." Asuka pointed at Komachi. "So we had no option but to keep pushing ourselves."
"Abandoned and wrung dry, like leaves in the autumn wind." Ranko mocked a cry dramatically. "The story of our misfortune."
"For the record, it's every other day. Also, Komachi did tell you to take a break." Komachi protested, popping a vein in response. "So please put away that finger and don't blame Komachi for your delusion and idiocy."
Mirei just cackled hard in the background.
Momoka actually felt surprised strongly by the intense atmosphere. But seriously, four hours a day?! Those 14-year-old girls are no joke!
"No. I understand perfectly." Momoka shook her head. "Also..."
The four older girls looked aside and noticed Risa and Arisu were there, awkwardly silent.
"I'm sorry for saying rude things." Arisu bowed deeply. It was so perfect that Komachi felt like seeing a princess. "Especially to you, Hikigaya-senpai."
Risa looked left and right in defiance, but in the end, she sighed in defeat as she bowed slightly. "My bad."
"It's fine, it's fine!" Komachi patted them both. "You two are just passionate about becoming a top Idol, right?"
"... And you don't?" Risa eyed her weirdly.
"Does it really matter if Komachi was serious or not? Dreams betray many, but hard work betray no one." Komachi uncharacteristically snarked. "No one really cares how determined you are if you don't put your feet on the stage."
Woah, savage. The three chuunibyous couldn't help but feel pity when they saw Arisu, Risa, and to a lesser extent Momoka, looking disillusioned at the older girl.
Komachi let them go and walked forth to set the DVD player. "No matter what your real purpose in becoming Idol is, everyone is walking toward the same goal. So let's stop judging each other based on something so abstract."
That's right.
Hikigaya Komachi couldn't care less about the Idol business or ideals. She only did this to help her parents and rebuild her family.
As she removed her track jacket, leaving just her camisole on, her unsettlingly toned back could be seen by the other girls. That's not the back of an average Idol. That's the back of someone doing deceptively hardcore sports like ballets, competitive ballroom dance, or gymnastics.
Just how hard did Komachi trained before she came here?
"Let's train together, shall we?" Komachi grinned confidently.
青春 の輝かしいステージ ひどく明るい感じ
The Shining Stage of Youth feels awfully bright
(Oregairu/Idolmaster - Cinderella Girls)
Original Story by: Watari Wataru/Bandai-Namco
Written by: ZeroXSEED
Chapter 14 - Woe of the Blessed, part 1
And here we go—the big day and Komachi's first real step into becoming an Idol. The project today centered around the promotion of a new Karting facility in a famous Amusement Park.
Naturally, what attracts more attention than using young teen Idols? Especially framing it as some sort of friendly Game Show. This event would be broadcast on multiple TV stations and streamed on the net, too.
The real 346 star in this event is none other than the resident fake loli, Futaba Anzu (20). Of all the idols Hachiman knows, she shared Hachiman's principle of not working harder than necessary and lazing off when there's an opportunity.
Hachiman can relate, but...
The difference is that she would cause a problem to other Idols and staff. Which makes her a far more irresponsible person than Hachiman at his worst.
How the hell this literal leech managed to become one of the top-ranked Idol in 346 is beyond Hachiman's understanding. Anzu has a massive fanbase which Hachiman doubts, relying entirely on her legal loli appeal. Or maybe the Idol fanbase is seriously gullible and just keeps thinking with their d-
Anyway!
Supporting a big name like Anzu is quite a big job for Komachi's first stage, but she can take on it just fine. Also, there will be Idols from other agencies, including Yuutaro's 765 Idols.
Hachiman decided to go with the motorcycle for multiple reasons, but primarily practical reasons. Totally not because he wanted to stand out or anything, honest!
It's not as if he wasn't already as visible as a sore thumb among the idols. The other problem was Hachiman is recovering at the moment. The motorcycle imposed additional burdens on his body.
"Come on, you have your sister's first public appearance and family dinner to look up to!" He said to himself as he turned on the engine. "Sounds good today, as usual."
The supercharger really gave it a smooth yet also intense exhaust blow, in addition to the childlike whine of the charger itself.
Hachiman ought to treat Harada Miyo something after his payday. He feels awful for having her maintain his bike for free.
Though she made this herself and gave it to him to replace his exploding bike, it was understandable on her part. Also, since she could no longer work as a mechanic, she took these maintenance duties as a hobby.
Hachiman likes being spoiled... but he hates charity.
"I adjusted the compression and ignition timing better, so it should be less aggressive but more efficient," Miyo said to him. "Tell me if you prefer the previous setting."
"I'd have to test it with a passenger on later." Hachiman nodded. "Aside from that... do you want anything, Harada-san?"
"Me? What do you mean?"
"I mean, I feel bad since you keep maintaining the bike for free... even if it's your hobby. And today, we're going to work together on the kart thing." Hachiman shut down the bike. "If there's something you want or something I can help with, then please tell me."
"Hmm..." Miyo rubbed her chin and smiled. "Do you have time next Sunday, then?"
Hachiman was supposed to work with Chihiro with his new contract next week, after the payday. If things are going well, Sunday should be a free day for him.
"I can't promise anything, but I'm hoping to change my job term and stop working on Sunday unless it's an emergency."
"I see, I see. That's good." Miyo nodded mischievously. "If you're free next Sunday, then we can go somewhere else, right?"
"Somewhere? Just the two of us?" Hachiman asked in full skeptics' mode. He didn't want to misunderstand, not a bit.
"Non, non. Let set up a blind date." Miyo laughed merrily. "We'll be chaperones. You bring a single guy, and I bring the girl."
Crap. Hachiman has very few male friends, but most of them are also celebrities and dorks. They're fucking dorks.
This seems like a hugely daunting task. Way beyond his league at the moment.
"Where are we going anyway?"
"Odaiba."
"Seriously?!"
"Alternatively, you can put this racing suit for today to be our promotion guy." Miyo pulled out a set of racing suits from her car. "It even matches your bike, see?"
The worst part of this offer is that the suit looks so fucking good. Miyo must have spent a ton of effort making it.
"... Do I even get permission to wear that?" Hachiman became pale. "Seriously."
"I asked Chief. He said you get to choose whether to wear a full mascot suit or racing suit for today's job."
Motherfucker. He'll kill his father after dinner, for sure. With that said, it's a complicated yet surprisingly thoughtful offer.
On the one hand, Hachiman might have to wear those silly doll costumes to help with the advertisement, so a racing suit might not be that bad and at least related to the job itself (promoting Kart circuit). On the other hand, it will make him stand out much worse since the mascot costume would be more in-theme with the park as a whole.
"... Let's go with the racing suit."
Either he clowns himself today, or he clowns himself later. Hachiman doesn't dare to set up a double date on his own terms, having so few guys of ambiguous relationship status as friends.
And there are also chances that the contract change might not be as smooth as he thinks it should be.
He doesn't want to promise things he wasn't sure he couldn't afford, especially to someone as friendly and helpful as Harada Miyo. Hachiman hated being indebted to a person as kind as her.
"Hmm, do you really hate the idea of a casual date that much?" Miyo muttered. "You're really as serious as Mika-chan said."
"It's not that... well, not JUST that. It's just that I have very few male friends, and most of them are celebrities or very eccentric. I cannot in good faith say that I can give your friend a good time. Also, my contract terms are still up in the air, so who knows what could happen?"
Hachiman decided to keep being honest to make Miyo understand that the problem isn't on her, but on Hachiman.
"Besides, that racing suit would go to waste... is that even real?"
"No, this is just props. The suit was modified from cheap karting gear, and the HANS device here is made of bathroom decoration, you see! And this one-"
It seemed that except for the genuine helmet, most of the items used to build the racing suit were either cheap or recycled stuff. This woman sure has a knack for funny ideas when it comes to automotive racing...
Hachiman couldn't say he hates it.
"Let's load everything and go!"
...
Arriving in the amusement park, the entire 346 idols and staff immediately scattered to their assigned posts. Hachiman immediately joined the short briefing with the amusement park management, broadcasting crew, and so on.
The specifics of today's event were discussed in detail, as while almost everyone preferred the Idols to act natural, they also want to keep the promotional event on the schedule.
Unsurprisingly, no one really asked Hachiman for his opinion, as he's still technically a Production Assistant. Representing 346 Pro is the newly appointed 3rd Idol Division Producer. Despite his unnaturally youthful face, he was a reliable and trustworthy person.
(Seriously though, how old is he?)
Yuutaro seemed to represent the 765 today, which seemed strange. However, Yuutaro said the Producer is handling a more crucial project elsewhere, which makes Hachiman wonder. Considering it was a big job even for the Third Division of 346 PRO, it might involve 765's top stars.
For some reason, Hachiman felt that he looked a little less childish today. Perhaps because he's working seriously at the moment.
765 PRO brought back their second-best top star, all things considered. Hoshii Miki returned to 765, seemingly without a single bump, after briefly defecting to 961. Rumor says that Yuutaro pulled something.
Not only did he take back Miki... he also recruited the former 961 aspiring stars, Shijou Takane and Ghana-something.
In other words, the fucking twerp managed to yank a whole group of Idols from a company with 900 million yen working capital. Hachiman had seen some bullshit, but that's certainly on a whole new level.
"Heard you yanked the entire [Project Fairy] from 961. What's the secret?"
"To be honest, I'm actually indebted to your mother and Director Mishiro."
Hachiman raised his eyebrow. "What, really?"
"She bought more than 60% float of 765 last March. As you know, our position in the stock market was really awful as of recently. Our capital shrank by 30% in just a month under my leadership. A historic low within the last decade."
"However, because of the statement from Director Mishiro, the stock price rocketed, and we got tens of millions of fresh cash injections because of shorting fuckers." Yuutarou gleefully pointed the chart at his smartphone. "With newfound confidence and funding, I got Project Fairy in our Production now. As for your mother, she could earn triple her money if she sells it now."
"Wait, did you say my mother..."
Oh, fuck.
"You are so fucked." Hachiman patted his shoulder, much to Yuutarou's confusion. "Tell your Idols to start writing their will."
"What?"
Yuutarou didn't understand what Hachiman's saying until much, much later. But that was a different chapter of this story.
765 was a pitifully small company considering their fame... worth nothing more than 90 million in terms of market capital in January last year, and less than 50 million in January this year.
As a comparison, Hachiman knew his mother earned something along the line of 25–30 million yen a year (after tax). And despite that fact, the Hikigaya family aren't part of the top 1% of Japan.
She could literally throw a fraction of her savings, and she'll swallow the entire company if she wants. But she purposely left some room for other investors to play along. That way, the value of the company will grow further.
To begin with, the reason why 765's value plummeted was because of the management changes. Director Mishiro's bold statement restored faith in Yuutarou's leadership, and 765 PRO's stock became a viable investment once again.
765's market capital as of today is 180 million yen, or more than three times of what it was before. This is not even some 4D chess maneuver. This is the natural state of stock bounce. It would be illegal if Hachiman's mother immediately sold the stock... but it would be a different story if she held onto it. Which Hachiman is 100% sure she will.
Because Hachiman's mother was pragmatic enough to see the potential in 765 PRO, just like Director Mishiro and his father do. The shareholders who got spooked into selling... they're probably beating themselves hard right this moment. Especially since 765 PRO's stock was shorted by some old mogul.
The dinner today will be something to behold.