Volume 13 Chapter 280 Shirogane Aqua, My Naming Sense
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After checking into the ryokan, we decided to take a bath before heading out into town.
Since there weren’t any other guests using the facilities at this hour, we figured we could film freely without interruptions.
”As expected of Aqua-sama,” the producer said with a grin. “Starting off in Matsuyama with a bath service—truly a man who understands the needs of the ladies.”
”P-Producer, is it really okay!?” I asked, glancing around nervously.
”It’s fine,” the producer said, waving it off. “Just keep filming until President Atori complains! No worries—if anything happens, my head will roll, and a second me will just show up!”
Huh?
Next to Ako-san, who was clutching her head in despair, the Berry-Berry staff were whispering among themselves.
Are they planning to mess something up again? Even the overly cautious guy—always on high alert—seemed unusually tense today.
”Aqua, what are you spacing out for?” Shintaro called. “Tenga-senpai skipped ahead.”
”Ah, sorry,” I said quickly. “Shintaro, I’m coming now.”
I turned my gaze from the staff and headed toward the open-air hot spring.
”For now, get the swimsuits ready—right now!” the producer barked.
”Understood! Producer!” one staff member replied with a salute.
”No, no, everyone,” the chief director said, stepping in calmly. “I’ve already prepared for this kind of situation.”
”Ugh, as expected of the chief director,” someone muttered. “With those big breasts, you’re so considerate.”
”Ah, Chief,” one of the assistants blurted, “didn’t you just pull out Aqua-kun’s swimsuit from that sloppy big-breasted cleavage!?”
”You warmed up the swimsuit in your cleavage for Aqua-kun?!” another cried. “Damn, I didn’t think of that!!”
Breasts!?
Did someone just say breasts!?
Frozen in place, I quickly averted my gaze—only to realize everyone else had looked away too, whistling innocently.
Weird. Was it just my imagination?
”Well then, this will be the swimsuit,” the chief director announced. “I’ll set up the camera, so please wait a moment.”
””””Okay!”””” everyone chimed in unison.
Huh?
Wait, Toa’s not here.
Where’d he go? Bathroom, maybe?
Well, whatever—I’ll change first.
”Huh?” I muttered, frowning.
This swimsuit feels… oddly warm.
And it smells amazing.
Did they use some luxury fabric softener?
It has that scent of a mature woman—not just someone busty, but someone alluring in a deeper way.
I should ask the chief director later what brand she used.
After slipping into the swimsuit, I turned toward Tenga-senpai, who was changing next to me.
”Tenga-senpai, you’ve really built up some muscle,” I said, impressed.
”Right?” he replied, clearly pleased.
It’s not quite lean muscle, but compared to how scrawny he used to be, he’s bulked up a lot.
Must be all that training with Nico-san.
When Tenga-senpai looked at me, his eyes fixed on my obliques with a spark of envy.
”Hmm. How do I get muscle here?” he asked, pointing.
I showed him how to train that area.
Usually, overworking your obliques can make your waist look thick, but with his tall frame, it might actually look good—kind of like Cristina Roninha, that 187 cm female soccer player who still has a clean waistline.
*[T/N: Cristina Roninha is likely a parody of Cristiano Ronaldo.]*
”Should I also work out a bit?” Shintaro asked, now in his swimsuit, shifting his gaze between us.
”Well, that’s different for everyone,” Tenga-senpai said. “But yeah, it might be smart to have enough muscle to carry Awashima-san and escape if something goes wrong.”
”By the way,” I added proudly, “I’ve already tested that I can carry up to four people and run full speed in case of emergencies.”
”That’s probably thanks to you dragging a ten-ton truck with a rope nearly every day,” Tenga-senpai said with a chuckle.
”Kaede and Iria-san had stars in their eyes when they saw that,” I continued. “But did Ayana look a little put off? Or was I imagining it? Meanwhile, Kohina-senpai had this total look of disbelief.”
”I think it’d be pretty tough for me to carry Chigiri-san and run away, though…” Shintaro said, adjusting his glasses with a small blush.
”I want to at least manage a princess carry,” he added quietly. “Because… I think she’d like that.”
”Shintaroooooo!” I cried, throwing my arms around him in a hug.
As the two of us embraced, Toa walked in wearing his swimsuit and gave us a look of utter disbelief.
”Huh? Toa, you’ve already changed?” I asked.
”Yeah,” he said. “I changed while I was putting my stuff in the room.”
He was wearing a tank top and short pants-style swimsuit.
Now that I looked closely, both Tenga-senpai and Shintaro were wearing T-shirts too.
Do guys in this world not show their chests?
Well, I’m the type who does. Honestly, I wouldn’t even mind going in full-on n*ked.
I mean, ever since I decided to become an idol, I resolved to expose everything—even my d*ck.
That’s the kind of idol I am: Shirogane Aqua, the evolution-type who hides nothing!
But when I tried doing that once, the Berry-Berry producer stopped me with all his strength.
”Please, for the love of God, stop!” he’d cried. “There won’t be enough staff to mosaic it, no matter how many we bring!”
Normally, the Berry-Berry producer lets me get away with almost anything, but I clearly remember how he clung to me, tears in his eyes, begging me to stop.
”Everyone, are you ready?” I called out through the door.
”””Yes!””” came the chorus of replies.
Once I confirmed everyone was ready, I led the group toward the open-air bath.
Tenga-senpai looked a bit embarrassed to be the first one out.
”Whoa. The open-air bath really is nice,” he said, blinking.
”It’s a beautiful view,” Toa added.
”Yeah, it’s spectacular,” I said, nodding.
”Ah,” Shintaro sighed, “I’m glad I came just for this.”
We stood side by side, gazing out at the scenery.
Come to think of it, last year on our trip with Berry-Berry, we all soaked in an open-air bath together.
Even now, everyone looked a little sentimental remembering that time.
”Hey, everyone,” Toa said, “let’s get in the bath before we catch a cold. It’d be ridiculous to get sick after coming all this way.”
”Ah, yeah, you’re right!” Shintaro said.
”Yeah, let’s hurry and get in,” Tenga-senpai agreed.
”Let’s do that. I’m getting a bit cold too,” I added.
I gave myself a quick rinse before slipping into the open-air bath.
Normally, I’d wash properly, but I wanted to warm up first—and we’ll clean the bath after, anyway.
”Ah…” Tenga-senpai let out a tired sigh, massaging his muscles as he soaked.
He must’ve been worn out from driving.
Tenga-senpai, thanks for all your hard work.
”This really is good water,” Toa murmured.
I nodded silently.
The warmth seeped into my bones, relaxing me completely.
”I want to get in with everyone again after the live is over,” Shintaro said softly.
We all nodded.
Oh yeah—I think our room has a private open-air bath, too.
After the live, maybe we could come back and soak again together.
”Ha…”
We all let out a long, satisfied sigh as we soaked in the hot spring.
Later, we got out and changed back into our clothes.
Huh? When did Toa change?
Ah—he must’ve stepped out before the rest of us.
I see.
”After taking a bath, I’m getting hungry,” Toa said, stretching his arms overhead.
”Yeah. Let’s go eat together,” I replied with a grin.
Once that was decided, things moved fast.
We piled into Tenga-senpai’s car and drove straight toward the center of Matsuyama.
I liked how Ehime felt so conveniently close to the city—even from the ryokan [T/N: traditional Japanese inn].
”So, what are we doing for lunch?” I asked, peering over my shoulder.
At my words, Shintaro, sitting in the back seat, eagerly pulled out a guidebook.
With all those sticky notes? You were seriously looking forward to this, huh. I get it.
”Shintaro, got any recommendations?” I asked.
”How about Tai-meshi [T/N: sea bream rice]? This place looks good, right?” he said, tapping a photo in the guidebook.
”Oh~,” Toa said, eyes lighting up. That photo alone made both our stomachs growl.
”Alright, then let’s go with Shintaro’s pick,” Tenga-senpai said, adjusting his sunglasses.
”Hey, junior, you’re on navigation duty!”
I borrowed the guidebook from Shintaro and guided from the passenger seat.
Sure, plugging it into GPS would’ve been more precise, but this kind of low-tech detour suited the trip’s vibe.
”We’ve arrived!” I announced.
”Food, food!” Shintaro shouted.
”Go-han~. Go-han~ [T/N: rice~ rice~]” Toa chanted, bouncing behind him.
”I’m starving too,” Tenga-senpai said, hand over his stomach.
I entered the shop first and, as usual, got permission for coverage.
Soon after, the staff came over with a formal consent form.
Ugh… I’m really not in the mood for paperwork right now…
”Now, let me show you to your room,” the hostess said, gesturing down the hall.
Led to a private room, we ordered Tai-meshi lunch sets for four.
No one even glanced at the rest of the menu—we were too far gone to back out now.
”Oooh!” Shintaro exclaimed.
Wow. Actual chunks of sea bream, nestled in steaming rice.
You break it apart with a rice paddle and serve it into bowls.
The crispy bits clinging to the sides? They looked ridiculously good.
”Let’s eat!” I said, hands pressed together.
First bite—I scooped a little rice with my chopsticks.
Mmm. The umami of the sea bream hits instantly.
But it’s not just the fish—the dashi [T/N: broth] made from kelp adds its own layer of depth.
Even the sea bream’s natural scent is mellowed by soy sauce and the fresh aroma of mitsuba [T/N: Japanese parsley]. It’s so rich, the smell alone could fill me up.
”Aqua, the sashimi’s delicious too,” Toa said, nudging me.
”Oh, you’re right,” I said, reaching for a slice.
Encouraged, I tried the sea bream sashimi.
Yeah, it had that melt-in-your-mouth texture and subtle sweetness—unreal.
Alternating bites of this with the Tai-meshi? Perfectly balanced.
”The Tai dashi tamagoyaki [T/N: Japanese rolled omelet] is delicious too,” Tenga-senpai said.
”Indeed! I like this,” Shintaro chimed in.
I took a bite of the tamagoyaki they recommended.
Mmm. Tamagoyaki made with fish-based dashi is on a whole other level.
This kind of layered, savory richness—you can only get it from a seafood place or fish shop.
We fell into silence, overwhelmed by how good it all was.
”Thank you for the meal!” we said in unison.
So satisfying.
We thanked the staff on our way out, raving about how good everything was.
The lady who cooked it looked so touched, she nearly cried.
”Well then, shall we stroll around town a bit?” Tenga-senpai asked.
”Yeah, I want to pick up some souvenirs too,” Shintaro said.
I grabbed the dango [T/N: sweet rice dumplings] and towels everyone had asked for.
As I handed over the cash, Tenga-senpai suddenly shouted and clapped me hard on the shoulder.
”Junior!”
”Tenga-senpai, what’s up?” I asked, turning to face him.
”Ah, ahhh, that sign—look at it!”
That sign? I followed his gaze.
[There’s a faucet that dispenses orange juice when you twist it!!]
Whoa!
This is it!
Tenga-senpai and I, grinning like kids, dashed toward the shop.
”Wait up, Aqua and Tenga-senpai!” Toa called out, hurrying after us with Shintaro.
”Excuse me!” I called to a woman emerging from the back.
”Yes. Wait, Aqua-sama!?” she stammered.
I quickly explained and got permission to film.
”Aqua, over here! There really is a faucet!” Shintaro said, pointing excitedly.
I know, I know. Calm down.
I turned to the manager to listen to the details.
”This juice is made from a new variety—Fruit Test No. 473,” she said.
”Oh, really?” I replied, eyebrows raised.
Apparently, they rotate orange juice varieties daily, and today’s offering was a special one.
Even better—the grower’s sister was here in person, so I went to greet her.
”This juice is super sweet and jelly-like—please give it a try!” she said, beaming.
”Thank you!” I replied with a nod.
Okay, no pressure.
I picked up a cup and gently twisted the faucet.
”Whoa!? It really came out!” I shouted.
No doubt about it. That color—bright orange.
For a split second, I imagined it turning into udon broth just to mess with me—Berry-Berry’s producer did have that mischievous grin—but no, they wouldn’t go that far. Probably.
Once my cup was full, I shut off the tap.
”Wow, wow, it’s really orange juice!” Shintaro said.
”It smells so good, like fresh oranges,” Toa added.
”I’m overwhelmed with emotion,” Tenga-senpai said, voice trembling.
All four of us stood together, raising our cups.
”Well then, itadakimasu!”
”Itadakimasu!” we echoed.
We gulped it down in unison, hands on hips.
So good. Sweet like jelly, but with that sharp citrus aroma and a clean acidity—it was, honestly, perfection.
I twisted the faucet again without a word.
”So delicious! I really like this!” Shintaro said.
”Yeah. I could drink this all day!” Toa added.
”Maybe I should buy some as a souvenir for Mother,” Tenga-senpai mused.
The three of them looked blissed out, slurping away.
Shintaro… If you’re gonna buy some, get some for Awashima-san too.
Girls like her—cool on the outside—are secretly weak to sweet stuff. Strike from that angle. I slipped him a covert tip when the cameras weren’t rolling.
”Aqua-sama, would you mind giving this juice a name?” the manager asked.
Hmm… In my head, imaginary Kaiju Yukari-gon began stomping around.
Come on, Kohina-senpai’s naming sense is just as wild as mine. Don’t stress me out.
I turned away—then spotted a basket of ponkan [T/N: a type of mandarin orange].
Ponkan… Ponkan… Pon, Pon, Pon!
An idea struck, and I grinned wide.
”Pon Juice… no, this is Kanopon Juice!” I declared.
”Ooooh~” the crowd murmured.
The ‘Kano’ for Kanon, the girl I love.
The ‘pon’ from Japan, the country we love.
Put them together, and you’ve got Kanopon Juice!
I explained the name, and everyone nodded in approval.
”So, what about the name of this mandarin that became the juice?” the young producer asked, sparkling with excitement.
”Hmm…” I paused.
It needed a name with grace—something worthy of Kanon.
In that case, only one name fit.
”Hime… no, a blend of ‘hime’ from Ehime and my eternal princess, Kanon—Hime Kanon!!“
”””””””””Ohhh~””””””””” they all cheered—Toa, Shintaro, Tenga-senpai, the shop clerk, the producer, even surrounding customers and staff.
Seems like the name was a hit.
”Aqua-sama, could you write the name and your signature—with the date—on this empty cup?” the manager asked.
”Of course,” I replied.
I scrawled my name and the new title on the cup with a marker.
Meanwhile, in a corner out of view, Ako-san was deep in conversation with the manager and producers.
What’s that about?
As I pondered, Ako-san returned and whispered in my ear.
”Aqua-kun, after we return, we’ll be taking photos for promotional posters, POPs, and banners—so be ready.”
”Ah, yes. Got it,” I said quickly.
Wait, what?
We’re already that far along?
And we’re doing three versions—me, Kanon, and Emily—plus shooting a commercial!?
No, no, that’s way too fast…
Huh? “It’ll sell instantly, so there’s no time to dawdle”?
Ah… Right. Okay.
”Alright, everyone. It’s about time for rehearsal, so let’s head back,” Ako-san said.
””””Yes!””””” we replied.
We left the shopping district and drove toward the park where the castle—the live venue—was set up.
Since it’s an outdoor concert, they’d installed soundproof and light-blocking walls so nothing leaked out.
Huge thanks to the stage crew, who worked two weeks ahead to prep the space and stayed behind to clean up after.
”Alright, we’ve arrived!” I called out.
”Thank you for driving, Tenga-senpai,” Shintaro said.
”Thanks!” Toa added.
”Thank you, Tenga-senpai,” I said sincerely.
I looked around at everyone’s faces.
Toa, Shintaro, and Tenga-senpai all looked ready.
With determined expressions, we stepped out of the car and headed for the stage.
By the way, a few years later, due to Emily going on location in Ehime, the PonNami Juice was born, following Kanopon Juice…
By the way, the leftover hot water after everyone got in was deliciously enjoyed by the staff.
Notes:
• Cristina Roninha – A 187 cm tall female soccer player known for her lean build; mentioned as an example of someone who looks good with developed obliques.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply