Volume 13 Chapter 323 Shirogane Aqua, The One Who Came Home, The One Who Couldn’t
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
We finished our school trip and returned to Japan without incident. On the flight home, Claire-san, who was in the seat next to mine, prayed, “Please don’t let us be hijacked by terrorists!!” Fortunately, nothing of the sort happened, and I was glad we returned safely.
A few days later, I was running with Rin-chan and Rinon-san while admiring the Tokyo cityscape in the early morning.
”Haa, haa.”
The school trip to the States was as stimulating as the one to Stars. Traditional Broadway and advanced music halls.
Huge stadiums and red carpets. In today’s world, to become a top global idol, you can’t just sing and dance; you have to be active worldwide as an actor and model.
”Fuu.”
I paused for a moment in front of the Corolle direct store in Ginza, where my image was displayed prominently. Originally, my purpose for going to Stars before the school trip was to shoot this.
”Excuse me. May I take a photo?”
”Yes, of course.”
”Certainly, de gozaru.”
I took a photo with my newly purchased smartphone and posted it on my social media. This latest installation is a magnificent work where my photos, taken in monochrome, are overlaid with actual clothes and accessories sold by Corolle, recreated in three dimensions to match the large photo size.
They apparently used lighting for the jewels, as they couldn’t replicate them at that scale. The Corolle staff told me it looks incredibly beautiful at night.
”I’ll send this to everyone, de gozaru.”
”Yes. I’m sure they’ll be delighted.”
Rinon-san and Rin-chan also took photos.
I heard that they protected everyone while I was away. I thanked them immediately upon my return, but I need to properly express my gratitude again.
”Well then, shall we run a little longer? Rinon-san, Rin-chan, are you both okay? Tell me if you get too tired.”
”We’re fine, de gozaru. I love running~ de gozaru.”
”Me too… Besides, for sex— ahem, for security, I need to be able to run.”
We resumed our run. To achieve more, physical strength is essential.
It’s not just about dancing; stamina is the foundation for accomplishing any work you want to do. People are often swayed by the word “talent,” but effort and accumulated practice time never lie. That’s my creed.
”Good work, Rin-chan and Rinon-san. I’m going to lock myself in the Training Room for a bit.”
Upon returning home, I parted ways with the two of them and entered the Training Room I had built within the Shirogane Kingdom. The goal is to build the muscles needed for dancing and for action scenes. I grabbed the rope hanging from the ceiling and repeatedly trained by climbing up and down with one hand.
Honestly, I don’t know if this specific training is meaningful, but I’m diligently following the menu my former masters prepared for me. While I haven’t reached the physical state I was in when I died in my previous life, considering my current age, I can say my stamina and muscle mass have returned sufficiently. However, I’m still not on par with my past self, so further training is necessary.
”Haa, haa.”
I have a habit of organizing my thoughts and plans while doing things like running, strength training, or even my hobbies of cooking and cleaning. It’s more efficient, and it allows my thinking to be constantly honed even while my body is being trained or resting.
”Kuh…”
What am I lacking as an idol? Frankly, I’m confident in my singing ability.
In my previous life’s agency, my singing was praised more than my dancing. I also take good care of my appearance, and I have no problems communicating with fans and staff. Of course, I’m confident in my stamina and mental fortitude.
Therefore, the only area left to improve is likely my dancing. I have rhythm, the stamina to perform in live shows, and sufficient muscle strength for intense choreography.
If there’s any further point to develop, it would be the expressiveness required for dance. Thanks to Kohina-senpai, my experience as an actor is benefiting my dance expressiveness, and I want to improve that further.
”…!”
And then there’s the gap between my past life and this one. Differences in height, muscle mass, and weight have caused parts of my performance to not go as planned.
However, over the past year and a half, my height has grown to match my previous life’s, and my muscle mass and weight are returning to match. From here on, I’ll need to work on shedding the peculiar habits I developed to bridge that gap.
”Fuu.”
I stood before the mirror and paused each dance move and choreography one by one, checking them. It’s tedious work, but just as a baseball pitcher checks their form with shadow practice, this is the only way to correct my form.
However, the most troublesome aspect of this correction is that there are no videos of my “past-life self’s” dancing left in this world. In other words, I need to retrace my memories, recall my dancing, and search for it.
”I’ll call it a day. If I do it for too long, my concentration will drop, and it’ll become inefficient…”
I sweated it out until the allotted time and then finished my training to take a shower. This correction process will likely take a long time. I’m looking at a long span of about a year.
Next year’s world tour will have two shows in the States. Even if the first show isn’t perfect, I want to be completely ready for the second show, which is closer to the tour finale. Of course, I’m not discarding the first show for that reason. A live performance is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I intend to deliver the best performance I can for the fans who come that day.
”Fuu…”
I stepped out of the shower room and dried myself with a towel. No, right now, I need to focus on the national live tour rather than thinking about the distant future.
There are only two stops left: Kumamoto in November and Okinawa in December. Before that, there’s Halloween, and in December, there’s a Christmas event. After changing my clothes, I lightly slapped my cheeks in front of the mirror.
”Let’s get fired up.”
I lowered my head slightly and created the same mindset as I would for a performance. Of course, I can’t maintain this state all the way until Halloween.
However, by creating this mindset for a short time every day, I can effectively get into the right mood on the days of live performances. What’s important in a live show is how quickly you can get your emotions fired up from the very beginning. It’s a very minor detail, but I believe that even my mental state can be managed through this kind of training and the confidence gained from daily practice.
”Alright, let’s go!”
With that, I turned to the sink and smiled.
Okay, this is good enough for today. I left the Training Room and headed to the living room to eat breakfast.
”Good morning!”
”Good morning, Mikoto-chan. Wh—What!?”
I was bewildered to see Mikoto-chan wearing a randoseru (school backpack) in the morning. That randoseru—where did you get it…?
”This is a 3510-exclusive mobile batte—mmph! When I told Koyomi-oneechan I wanted to go on a school trip too, she made this for me! Does it suit me?”
Why a randoseru for a school trip?
The question became irrelevant because she was so cute. A randoseru worn by an older-looking girl…a new door seemed to be opening in my heart.
”Mikoto-chan, it looks really good on you.”
”Really? Yay, I’m so happy!!”
Mikoto-chan’s joy naturally made me smile. I wonder why.
Mikoto-chan is technically older than me, but there are times when she seems so much younger that I end up calling her by a diminutive. When I talk to Mikoto-chan, I feel like I’m talking to someone younger than Lapis.
”Good morning, everyone.”
I greeted each person individually.
What a refreshing morning. Perhaps it’s because Kohina-senpai, who is weak in the mornings and usually clings to my back like a limp ragdoll, isn’t here.
”Hey, Emily. Is Kohina-senpai still over there?”
”Yeah. Inko-san, Maron-san, Aunt Mikuni, and Reira-san got caught up too. Oh, but Maron-san is already on a plane heading back for work, and Inko-san is also on her way back. Apparently, she had to clear an otome game.”
Everyone, I’m truly sorry. I turned serious and sent a message to the staff at ‘Berry-Berry’: *Isn’t it about time we gave up?* Sometimes, giving up is important.
Also, Inko-san—you’re still playing that terrible game… As I wore an unreadable expression, someone tapped my shoulder.
”Ah—Aqua-kun… g-good… morn…ing…”
Whoa, you surprised me! I wondered who could sneak up behind me like that, only to find it was Kaede, whose voice is completely gone…
”Kaede, is your voice really okay?”, I asked.”
Emily, who was nearby, thoughtfully handed Kaede a pen and notepad. Why is Emily always so considerate?
[Yes. The doctor said it will heal in about a week if I rest.]
”I see. That’s good.”, I replied.
Because of that, Kaede is currently on a mandatory one-week leave from the national broadcaster. I’m deeply grateful to Announcer Onidzuka for making that wise decision.
[But my body is perfectly healthy, so it’s boring to just stay home…]
”Oh? Didn’t Announcer Onidzuka give you a thick textbook to study compliance during your break?”
Kaede averted her gaze from me. Ah, she definitely hasn’t studied it.
”Kaede, how about we study compliance together sometime?”, I suggested.”
[If it’s with Aqua-kun…]
Kaede blushed.
She’s so cute. I thought, *Should I kiss her?* and then realized I already had.
[Ehehe, I’m happy.]
It’s embarrassing when you can convey feelings like that in writing. Feeling shy, I turned my face away from Kaede.
”I might lend this to the ‘Berry-Berry’ producer after you’re done reading it.”, I said.”
When I said that, everyone around me burst out laughing.
”Aqua-san, I think that’s a great idea.”
”Yes, I agree, that’s a wonderful idea.”
Kotono and Ako-san, you two are being way too serious about that… Kanon, don’t nod so much next to me!
”Master, your phone seems to be ringing.”
”Hm?”
The smartphone in my pocket vibrated. I wonder who it could be?
An unknown number, and from overseas? Could it be one of those trendy international romance scams?
Suspecting a scam, I answered it just in case.
”Yes, hello?”
’It’s me! Yukari! Where are you!? I broke out of prison! Come pick me up in your car right now!’
I briefly pulled the smartphone away from my ear and looked around at everyone’s faces.
”It was an international Yukari-gon scam.”
’Hey! Who are you calling a scam!! You know I can hear everything you’re saying!!’
Hmph, my refreshing morning has suddenly become noisy. I put the smartphone back to my ear.
”I’m sorry. I’ve already returned to Japan. In fact, Inko-san and Maron-san have also withdrawn.”
’Whaaat!? I didn’t hear anything about that!!’
Maybe it’s my imagination, but I thought I heard the sound of her stomping her foot on the other side of the phone.
”Kohina-senpai, please come back soon. You’re causing more trouble.”
’Wait! I was wearing an orange outfit and a patrol car mistook me for an actual escapee—ah… tu-tu…’
Ah, the call was disconnected.
To prevent further problems, I should probably contact President Maitrix too… I contacted President Maitrix through Prime Minister Habu to handle Kohina-senpai’s situation.
”So, it seems Kohina-senpai and the others will be returning.”
”””Ooooh~”””
Everyone applauded with wry smiles. Honestly—if Kohina-senpai hadn’t insisted on folding the futon properly or tidying up her cell, she could have gotten out immediately!
After eating together, I went to my room and changed into my school uniform. Today is a school day.
”I’m off then!”
”I’m off too!”, Kanon replied.
Ayana came to the entrance after Kanon and I.
”Ah, wait. I’m leaving too.”, Ayana added.
Following Ayana, Uruha, Lisa, and Kokona, also in uniform, came to the entrance.
”Fufu, I’m off.”, Uruha said.
”Indeed, I’m off.”, Lisa added.
”Ah, wait. I think I forgot my textbook!!”, Kokona exclaimed.
Kokona rushed back to get her textbook.
Haha—no need to rush, take your time. As we waited at the entrance, Kokona returned, and at the same time, Claire-san returned.
”Itté kimasu.”, Claire-san said.
Hm? Did the nuance of her words sound slightly different just now?
Well, maybe it’s just me. Emily, who was tilting her head in the same way, met my gaze, and we both smiled.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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