Volume 13 Chapter 178 Shirogane Aqua, Berry Berry Surprise Project
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
As I was relaxing in the green room, a group of people led by someone with a camera burst in all at once.
Seeing a familiar staff member grinning and filming, I realized it was that show.
”Do you know what show this is, Shirogane Aqua-san?”
Yes, I do.
There’s only one show I know where the staff barges in with a camera like this.
”It’s ‘Berry-Berry’, right?”
”Correct!”
The staff members who tumbled in together all started clapping their hands.
I’m usually so straightforward that I get happy about most compliments, but this time I couldn’t be genuinely happy even though I got it right.
”So, what’s the project today?”
It’s probably going to be something like living on a deserted island and escaping on a raft, or swimming across the English Channel, or traveling around Japan on a duck boat──those are the kinds of projects I expect from the ‘Berry-Berry’ staff, right?
I know what’s coming.
One of the staff stepped forward and handed me a board while I was on guard.
Okay, so you want me to peel off the sticker that’s stuck on this, huh?
I peeled off the sticker from the board as the staff member encouraged me.
[Regarding the recruitment for people who want to meet Shirogane Aqua on the show]
Huh?
Could it be that this time it’s a surprisingly decent project?
No… don’t let your guard down, Aqua.
You shouldn’t get your hopes up about the staff of this show.
I turned my gaze toward the staff and thought about what was written on the board.
”Actually, President Atori, Kotono-san, Kohina Yukari-san, and Fuji Ranko, have recently scolded me, saying that the staff has been terrible because everybody thinks Aqua-san will handle everything. We are dealing with an idol here! We need to take this more seriously…”
I nod repeatedly at the staff’s words.
Everyone, thank you so much.
I express my gratitude to the 4 of them in my heart.
”So, this project is very serious. Um, previously, we announced on social media that anyone who wanted to meet Shirogane Aqua-san should apply with their reasons. We received a large number of applications, not only from all over Japan but also from people living abroad.”
Could it be that we’re going overseas?
I brace myself, thinking how foolish I was to have expectations for this show.
Of course, I don’t have a passport, and guys like me probably can’t just easily go abroad.
But somehow, I have a feeling the show’s staff could manage it.
”Um, for everyone who applied from overseas, please rest assured that we are currently targeting those who are traveling to Japan. After all, getting travel permission for Aqua-san and ensuring safety while filming on location is quite challenging for our show…”
That’s a relief.
I definitely can’t cause any more problems abroad than this.
’Shirogane… I’ve been a teacher for many years, but you’re the first student to get suspended for national disturbance.’
I will never let the highlights fade from Sugita-sensei’s eyes again.
That day, I was supposed to have sworn to be a serious student.
Yeah….
”So, does that mean someone from abroad wants to meet me and has come to Japan?”
”Yes! Today, the first person you’ll be meeting is that person. So, there’s no time to waste, Aqua-san, please get in the car prepared by the program right away.”
Feeling a bit rushed, I get on the location bus with the staff.
Where are we even headed?
As I was thinking about such things, one of the staff members presented me with a tablet right in front of me.
Does this mean I need to play a video?
I start playing the video as I am encouraged to do so.
’I want to meet the real Shirogane Aqua-san!’
The two girls on the screen were waving my acrylic stand in front of the camera.
Are these kids the ones I’m going to meet now?
Just as I thought that, the screen changed.
’I love Heaven’s Sword!!’
Oh, a handmade mask!
Amazing!!
Apparently, the next kid that appears seems to be a fan of Heaven’s Sword.
’I want to see the real Yuujin-sama!!’
Even though I’m just making a cameo, Yuujin’s popularity is still amazing.
After that clip, one foreigner after another kept appearing, each enthusiastically expressing their desire to meet me in front of the camera.
I wished I could meet every single one of them, but realistically, that wasn’t possible.
If only I could perform a ninja’s “Shadow Clone Technique,” I thought.
But ninjas don’t exist in the modern world, and even if they did, there’s no way they’d actually be able to use such techniques.
Still, if ninjas were real, I’d love to meet one someday.
I’d ask them to teach me the Shadow Clone Technique and maybe even the “Body Replacement Technique,” so I could escape whenever Kohina-senpai starts teasing me relentlessly.
As I was lost in these thoughts, a woman appeared on the screen.
’Um… I’m currently learning to dance because my friend invited me.’
She was a shy person, but she said she made a lot of friends through dancing and is enjoying her life.
That’s a nice story, isn’t it?
I’m weak to things like this!!
’My friend is a fan of Shirogane Aqua-san, and if this wish comes true, I want to introduce her to your idol.’
Ugh, the fact that it’s not for herself but for her friend really hit me.
When I said, “Let’s make her the one,” the program staff encouraged me to watch the continuation of the video.
Then, the screen switched, and the face of the very mischievous producer, who was grinning next to me, appeared.
’Alright, let’s go with this person. But just picking a winner seems boring, right?’
”No, no, there’s no need for that to be interesting!”
Just like Kohina-senpai and Inko-san, I just couldn’t help but retort at the TV.
This person…said that they got scolded by Ako-san and the others earlier, but I thought they definitely weren’t reflecting on it at all.
When the screen switched again, it showed the producer walking in a foreign town.
It seems they are planning to barge into the student’s house when they will definitely be absent.
’Excuse me, is this Minette-san’s mom?’
’Ah, yes.’
The staff explain to Minette-san’s mother, who applied for the program, that her daughter has applied and won, and that they want to keep it a surprise from her.
They also seem to have explained the details of the surprise, but since only the text is displayed on the screen, I and the viewers who are just watching the video have no idea what kind of discussions took place.
’So, could you tell me about Minette-san’s schedule for today?’
’She has a dance lesson today, so she should be heading there after school.’
The producer makes a smirking face.
Damn, she’s up to something again.
After leaving Minette-san’s house, she deliberately sticks a fake program sticker, which she prepared from Japan, on the camera she’s carrying.
[Welcome to Japan! We invite you to Japan!!]
Wait, this is from another network’s show!!
I watch it all the time with Kanon!
Huh?
Did you get proper permission?
This is way too elaborate…
I’m overwhelmed by the producer’s seriousness and the hassle of that monster show called Very Very.
’Excuse me, can I have a moment?’
’Yes.’
The producer, pretending to be a reporter, calls out to Minette-san and her friend Naline-san, who have just come out of the studio, in halting foreign language.
’Actually, I’m looking for foreigners who want to go to Japan right now, but don’t you two think about wanting to go to Japan?’
That’s taking being a bad adult too far.
It seems that this show is famous even overseas, and both of them easily get fooled.
The staff who parted ways with the two after successfully applying for a fake project of a real show later visit Minette-san’s house to inform her that she has won the fake project.
’Congratulations on winning!’
’Yay!!’
Minette-san, who doesn’t know the situation, hugs her mom, who does, and they celebrate together.
After that, the producer uses footage from when they applied for the project to guide them towards what she wants to achieve.
As expected, this show is something else….
I underestimated it a bit too.
’I see, so Minette-san wants to do something nice for Naline-san, right?’
’Yes’
’Then, since the show will fully cooperate, how about doing a flash mob at the airport as a surprise gift to express your gratitude to Naline-san? Of course, the show will fully support it!!’
’Is that okay?’
A flash mob is a guerrilla performance where people suddenly start dancing in the street.
But, isn’t it a nuisance to the surrounding customers if we just do it suddenly on our own?
A caption appears here.
[We plan to obtain permission from the airport and secure a safe location, and we will explain to the surrounding people in advance]
As expected of ‘Berry-Berry’.
Since they usually do bad things, their level of consideration to avoid causing problems is on a different level.
At this point, the scene switches to Minette-san, who has changed into practice clothes at the Dance Studio rented by the program.
’So, Minette-san, today we have someone special here. Sensei, please come in!!’
With the producer’s cue, a familiar face enters the Dance Studio.
Seeing that, Minette-san jumps up and down, squealing in excitement.
’Minette-san, do you know this person?’
’I do! It’s BERYL’s choreographer, Mizusumi Ichise-sensei, right?’
Mizumin-sensei, what are you doing!?
Surprised, I glance at the grinning producer sitting next to me.
”I had Sensei take charge of everything this time, including the flash mob team, Minette-san’s direction, and choreography!”
Mizumin-sensei is also in charge of BERYL’s guidance and choreography, and is a world-class dancer as well.
Well, it’s the Berry-Berry staff we’re talking about.
They probably asked, “Sensei, how’s it going?” while munching on snacks with one hand.
I bowed my head respectfully to Mizumin-sensei in front of the camera.
”I’m sorry our program’s staff is being unreasonable, Sensei. I’ll make sure to apologize properly later. And thank you for your cooperation!!”
I need to make sure to say these things properly.
In the footage, Mizumin-sensei continues passionately teaching Minette-san how to dance.
Wait, what?
Am I supposed to have a part in this?
I turned my gaze back towards the producer.
”So, I was thinking of having Shirogane Aqua-san join this flash mob as a surprise!!”
No way….
I scanned the script that was handed to me.
I see, after the surprise from Minette-san to Naline-san, it continues with my surprise flash mob for the two of them.
”So, this is the video of the dance and choreography I want Aqua-san to do.”
”Huh?”
One of the staff handed me another tablet.
”Mizusumi-sensei said that Aqua-kun can learn it during travel time.”
No way…
I opened my eyes wide and desperately tried to remember the dance choreography and formation.
Doing a live performance without any rehearsal, without knowing the distances between people or the size of the venue, is quite difficult, even for me.
I pumped myself up, thinking that it was time to show the real Shirogane Aqua.
”Aqua-san! Aqua-san!”
”Yes?”
I jolted at the voice of the staff.
It seems I had arrived at the airport while I was deeply immersed in image training.
Huh?
The producer isn’t here.
I started to feel uneasy, wondering if she were up to no good again.
Oh… she probably got off before me to reconfirm with the airport staff.
Got it.
I entered the airport through the loading entrance and headed to the prepared waiting room.
”A-Aqua-sama!?”
”Shh! I’m sorry. Please be a little quiet.”
The staff member working at the airport nodded repeatedly as I covered her mouth.
Phew, that was close.
If I had caused a commotion before Minette-san and Naline-san arrived, it would have been chaotic.
That said, I’m not exactly the type to keep quiet.
No, it’s not like I should stay quiet when the overly wild staff are doing as they please, right?
I’d rather be the one stirring things up than being stirred around.
I still have about an hour before the two of them arrive, so I thought I might as well entertain the fans during that time.
”So, what do you think?”
”I got on!”
The producer, who fell for my bad scheme, is discussing things with the big shot managing the airport.
”That sounds good.”
Alright!
I change into the pilot uniform that the airport staff specially prepared for my flash mob, and head straight to the room they set up for me.
This place is well soundproofed, so it seems like it can handle some noise.
As I’m thinking about that, the first person who fell for my prank enters the room.
”Huh?”
The lady who entered the room without knowing anything freezes when she sees me.
”What’s wrong? Please come this way.”
”Oh, um… yes…”
The lady, with her gaze fixed on me, steps forward as instructed and hands over her passport.
This is originally a spare check-in counter prepared for special guests.
Of course, the airport staff has already completed the check-in process properly, so what I’m doing is just for fun.
She has goods that clearly show she’s my fan at first glance.
With that person as the target, I was directed to an individual check-in counter.
”Is your purpose of travel for tourism?”
”Oh, yes. Um… can I take a photo?”
I respond to her request and take a photo together.
I see, she figured out me just by looking at the BERYL, especially my color smartphone case.
Nice.
”Oh, please wait a moment before posting it on social media. It could cause a commotion.”
”I understand!!”
Just to be safe, I’ll emphasize it once more.
When I asked the lady, “Can you keep your promise to me?”, she blushed furiously and kept saying yes over and over.
”Enjoy your trip. Have a good journey!”
”Thank you so muchhhh!”
In the end, I wave goodbye to the lady as she shakes hands and leaves the room.
In this way, I continue to provide fan service to the fans at the airport as long as time allows.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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