Male Idol V13c85

Volume 13 Chapter 85 Tsukimachi Ayana, Birthday Present

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Edited by: Kanaa-senpai

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 My birthday, May 30th, is a special day.

 Today, we’re recording a commemorative program.

 ”Happy birthday, Tsukimachi Ayana-san!”

 ”Thank you very much.”

 I’m standing on the stage of a studio set up in an empty building in the shopping district, bowing to the announcer who’s also the program’s host.

 To be honest, I have no idea what’s going to happen today, so I’m really nervous.

 ”That’s right. Today, we’ve gathered some amazing presenters to give Tsukimachi Ayana-san the best birthday ever, courtesy of the program…”

 The fans in the audience cheer.

 They’re all members of the eau de Cologne Fan Club who won the lucky draw for studio audience tickets.

 ”Then, let’s invite the presenters to come in.”

 Ugh~~~… the fans are all excited, but I’m the only one who’s getting a bad feeling about this.

 ”First up, it’s got to be this person! She’s the one who laid the foundation for eau de Cologne Tsukimachi Ayana!! ‘All you fans should thank me!!’ The captain of eau de Cologne, Jou Maron-san!!”

 ”That’s not true! I never said that!!”

 Maron-senpai waves her hands wildly as she rushes out.

 Good, it’s Maron-senpai. If some weird person had come out, I would’ve been worried.

 ”And the one partnering with Jou Maron-san is this person! ‘Is there anyone on this earth who knows more about Ayana-senpai than me?’ It’s eau de Cologne’s little devil, Kurushima Fran-chan!!”

 ”I never said that either… though I do think that in my heart.”

 You think that in your heart, huh?

 The audience and the host both throw in some sarcastic tsukkomis.

 ”And next, we have Tsukimachi Ayana-san, a fellow student who attended the same school and shared laughter together. However, that friendship is now a thing of the past. ‘Ayana-san, can’t you even clean up this dust around here?’ Here it is, the legitimate wife, Shirogane Kanon-san!”

 ”Hey!! I would never say something like that!!”

 Hehe, Kanon-san would never say something like that, and that’s why the audience is laughing. But, the emcee should probably take it easy.

 ”The partner of that Shirogane Kanon-san is this person! ‘If you want to know about Tsukimachi Ayana’s 3 sizes and personality, ask me. I’ve personally confirmed them in the locker room and bath.’ It’s Yukishiro Emily-san, the Master of Breasts!!”

 ”Hey!!”

 This time, I couldn’t help but let out a loud voice.

 The audience is laughing and saying “no way, no way,” but this isn’t a joke!

 ”And next, we have Tsukimachi Ayana-san’s lifelong rival and the popular idol group Fairies, who are divided between eau de Cologne and popularity Recently, she’s been into Power Teaching — it’s Kato Iria-san, who’s in charge of both cuteness and power!”

 ”Everyone, thank you for coming to celebrate my cuteness today!”

 The audience is cheering with smiles and booing.

 This is Iria-san’s signature joke. The fans know it and are booing along.

 ”The one who pairs up with that Kato Iria-san is none other than this person! Another monster born in the same year! Even the Great Demon King at the end of the world would cry and flee barefoot in front of this demon! ‘What? You, do you have any complaints about me?’ Here it is, Kohina Yukari-san, the Great Actress and Great Kaiju!!”

 ”Ayana-chan’s biggest fan is… me!!”

 The audience reaches its peak excitement with Yukari-senpai’s appearance.

 But, there are just as many boos. Ah, Yukari-senpai, don’t pick a fight with my fans!

 ”Well, originally, we were planning to have these 6 people compete in 3 teams. But then, someone heard about this project and suddenly wanted to join in… Can I call him out, everyone?”

 ”””””~~~~~~~!”””””

 At that point, there’s only one person who can be referred to as “him”.

 And since everyone knows that, the audience erupted in cheers.

 Huh? Am I just being paranoid, or did it get more lively than when I came out on stage?…

 ”Shirogane Aqua, the only guy in the world who knows Tsukimachi Ayana’s favorite things, from the layout of her room to her underwear rotation! He has even kissed her and touched her breasts!”

 ”Wait, what? You know about me and my kiss from drama, but how do you know about him touching my breasts?!”

 I covered my face with both hands and crouched down on the spot.

 Ugh… it’s my birthday, and why do I have to go through this embarrassing ordeal?!

 ”Really? I actually touched her breasts?!”

 ”What? Were you just making that up?! You do know about ny underwear rotation and room layout, though…”

 I stood up silently and patted Aqua’s back. Geez, Aqua, you’re too easy to lead on, and you’re saying too much You’re not supposed to reveal that you know about her underwear rotation! You should’ve just kept quiet and observed!

 Seeing my reaction, Yukari-senpai and Maron-senpai hit the announcer’s head with a slipper.

 ”The producer said to hit you with a slipper if you overdo it, so we’re doing just that. Let’s stop pursuing this topic any further.”

 ”Yeah, yeah. No more overdoing it. Absolutely not!”

 ”A, ah… I’m sorry. As a member of Ayana-chan’s fan club, I got too excited…”

 I clung to my reliable seniors, tears welling up in my eyes.

 Such a worried me was comforted by Kanon-san, Iria-san, Fran, and Emily-san, who all said “it’s okay, it’s okay”.

 ”Then, let’s compete to see which of the 4 teams can give Ayana-chan the best birthday celebration!!”

 This is quite a plan, isn’t it?

 I sat down on the 2-seater sofa that was prepared for me.

 ”First, the initial challenge is a gift-giving contest!! Shirogane Aqua-san and the representatives of each team, please come forward!!”

 Aqua, Maron-senpai, Yukari-senpai, and Kanon-san came forward.

 Yeah, among these members, I’m only worried about Aqua.

 ”Well, actually, this studio is a vacant building in the shopping district that we’re borrowing for filming. From now on, the 4 of you will choose a gift that suits Tsukimachi Ayana-san based on the theme I announce, and then go buy it!”

 Ah, so that’s why they set up a studio in this weird place. This makes sense.

 ”Next, the second challenge is for the 3 people who weren’t chosen for the first round — Kato Iria-san, Yukishiro Emily-san, and Kurushima Fran-san — to team up with Shirogane Aqua-san and choose a gift. To shorten the filming time, we’ll announce both the first and second challenges at the same time. Shirogane Aqua-san, you’re different from the other 3 teams, so you’ll have to choose 2 gifts within the time limit, but can you do it?”

 ”Leave it to me! I, Shirogane Aqua, have exceptional sense when it comes to choosing gifts!”

 Whoa, I’m getting really anxious now.

 I covered my face with my hands. I could hear the audience cheering me on from the seats. Thanks, everyone.

 ”Then, let’s start with the first challenge. Please look at the monitor behind me!”

 The first challenge is about the gifts that Yukari-senpai, Maron-senpai, and Kanon-san will choose.

 I wonder what it’ll be?

 [A gift that Tsukimachi Ayana-san would be delighted to receive]

 Ah, that’s great. I’m relieved it’s a normal theme.

 Although Yukari-senpai is a bit suspicious, as long as Aqua doesn’t choose something weird, it’ll be okay.

 ”And next, the theme for the present is…!”

 And the ones choosing the present for this theme are Iria-san, Emily-san, and Fran — 3 people.

 [Recommended present for Tsukimachi Ayana-san]

 Aqua might choose something weird like a strange tanuki figurine…

 Emily-san seems like she’s going to mess around too, so I’m a bit worried.

 Iria-san is unpredictable, and Fran might cause some trouble too.

 This theme is making me a bit uneasy.

 ”Yes, then let’s all start at the same time!!”

 With the announcer’s signal, everyone takes off at once.

 Ugh, seeing Aqua run with a smile on his face is making me really anxious.

 ”Then, let’s take a look at how everyone is choosing their presents on camera!”

 The image on the large monitor behind us changes.

 I see, so each person has a camera on them.

 ’Hmm…’

 Aqua’s face, looking puzzled, appears on screen.

 What’s that?! That huge helmet, it’s definitely not for sale, it’s just a decoration!!

 ’Ayana is a beautiful girl, so of course, she needs this for self-defense. It comes with a sword set too!’

 ”No way, no way! I don’t have space for that in my room! It’ll take up my whole bed!!”

 When I stand up and make a witty comment, the audience erupts in laughter.

 ’Aqua-san, that’s not for sale, it seems!’

 ’Aww, what a shame!’

 I let out a sigh of relief, feeling happy. Good, good, good. If Aqua had chosen that, it would’ve been a disaster, so I’m glad he didn’t.

 The image changes again, and Emily-san appears on screen with a serious face.

 What’s she trying to do?! That store, isn’t it a place where kids aren’t allowed?!

 ’Emily-sama, Emily-sama!’

 ’What’s wrong?’

 ’…You might not know, but this store is for 18-year-olds and above, and it’s not for filming or anything…’

 Emily-san clapped her hands together.

 ’I’m sorry. I thought this was a fancy-looking store, so I made a mistake. Ohoho.’

 Huh, is that really true? She didn’t seem hesitant at all, and she was walking straight towards that store…

 I mean, what would you even buy there? I, I, I’m not interested in that kind of thing, but it’s not like I’d be happy if someone recommended it to me!!

 ”Uh, earlier we accidentally broadcast an inappropriate video. We apologize for the mistake.”

 The announcer turned off the monitor and bowed her head.

 ”And now, Tsukimachi Ayana-san. While everyone is seriously choosing their presents, please take a look at this video.”

 Huh? What’s going on?

 The image on the monitor behind me changed, and Lapis-chan’s face appeared on the big screen.

 ’W-wait, is this already being recorded?!’

 Is this a pre-recorded video?

 Lapis-chan lightly fixed her hair.

 ’Ayana-oneechan, happy birthday! Let’s go to that peach sweets store we talked about before, together And of course, we’ll bring Nii-sama along!’

 ”Lapis-chan, thank you! Next time, I’ll definitely go! Without Aqua!”

 My response to Lapis-chan’s video message made the audience, the announcer, and the staff burst out laughing.

 I mean, if Aqua were here, we couldn’t have a secret conversation between girls.

 ’Hng, what’s this? Is it already being broadcast?’

 The image changed, and Kaede-san was shown eating a bento box.

 Staff, can’t you at least wait until Kaede-san finishes eating before recording?

 ’Cough, cough.’

 Look, Kaede-san got flustered and started coughing. Poor thing.

 ’Ayana-chan! Happy birthday As a second-year high school student, it’s a sensitive time, and you might be worried about your future. So, if you’re feeling down or anxious, don’t hesitate to talk to the adults around you. I’m the same, but there are many people who care about you, Ayana-chan, so don’t forget that!’

 Kaede-san’s comment was so reliable and cool, like a trustworthy adult woman.

 That’s why the staff wanted to tell her that she had a rice grain stuck on her mouth.

 Because of the rice grain, all the nice words were ruined, and it was distracting us from the conversation.

 Then, video messages from acquaintances and coworkers started playing.

 Wow, everyone, thank you so much for me!!

 ”Whoa, it seems like everyone from each team has returned.”

 Aqua and the others returned to the studio.

 Everyone looked confident, but were they really okay?

 ”Then, the 4 people who brought the first present, please come forward.”

 Aqua, Yukari-senpai, Maron-senpai, and Kanon-san stepped forward.

 The first present was something I would really like.

 ”Then, who should go first?”

 Aqua enthusiastically raised his hand, and the other 3 followed.

 So, why was Aqua so confident?

 ”Let’s leave Shirogane Aqua-san for later… .”

 ”Huh?”

 ”Let’s start with Jou Maron-san instead!”

 Maron-senpai came forward with a paper bag.

 Wow, what could it be? I’m excited.

 ”Jou Maron-san, can you please hand the present to Tsukimachi Ayana-san?”

 ”Yes!”

 I stood up from the sofa and received the paper bag from Maron-senpai.

 ”Ayana-chan, happy birthday. Let’s get along from now on.”

 ”Thank you so much, Maron-senpai! I’ll be in your care from now on!”

 I gave Maron-senpai a light hug.

 ”Then, Tsukimachi Ayana-san, please open your present.”

 ”Yes.”

 I took out a cloth dress with a ribbon wrapped around it from the paper bag, and unwrapped the ribbon to reveal the contents.

 Out came a sleeveless shirt dress.

 ”Aww, so cute! It’s a summer dress, isn’t it? I love this kind of thing!”

 ”Yay!”

 The grey dress with a slightly blue tint had a big ribbon on the back and a fluffy skirt, making it super adorable.

 ”Aww, if that’s the present, then my present might match it too!”

 ”Then, Shirogane Kanon-san, shall we do the next one?”

 ”Yes!”

 Kanon-san slowly approached me with a paper bag in hand.

 ”Ayana-chan, happy birthday. Let’s get along well as a family from now on.”

 ”Thanks, Kanon-san You didn’t have to go out of your way for me today.”

 ”Hehe, don’t worry about it. I had to take a walk anyway.”

 I received the paper bag from Kanon-san and took out a round box from inside.

 I opened the box and took out the hat inside.

 ”Wait, this is so cute!”

 ”Yay!”

 I put on the straw hat with an orange ribbon, which matched the dress, and showed it off to everyone in the audience.

 ”How’s it? Does it suit me?”

 ”””””So cuteeeee.”””””

 I blushed a little at the fans’ voices in the audience, praising me for being cute.

 Hehe, everyone thinks I’m cute.

 ”We’re not on the same team, but we did it. Kanon-san!”

 ”Yes Maron-san!”

 Kanon-san and Maron-senpai high-fived each other with big smiles on their faces.

 I joined in, and the 3 of us laughed together.

 ”Is that enough? There are still 2 people left, right?”

 ”Cut it out! Aqua’s one thing, but I’m definitely here!”

 ”No, no, Kohina-senpai. Can I see your present first, please?”

 Yukari-senpai and Aqua were crowding around the emcee lady.

 So, I intervened between the 3 of them to help the emcee lady.

 ”Alright. Then, Kohina Yukari-san, please give your present.”

 ”Hehe, I’ll show you something amazing!”

 Yukari-senpai handed me an envelope from her pocket.

 Huh? What’s this?

 ”Ayana-chan, happy birthday Let’s get along from now on, okay?”

 ”Yukari-senpai, thank you so much. I’ll do my best from now on, too!”

 I opened the envelope I got from Yukari-senpai.

 Hmm? What’s this? I took out the paper inside.

 ”It’s a hotel ticket that can be used anytime during summer break!”

 ”What?!?”

 Wait, Yukari-senpai, doesn’t this seem really expensive? Can I really accept it?

 I kept glancing back and forth between the ticket and Yukari-senpai.

 ”That’s a pair ticket, so you can go with someone else besides me.”

 ”Not with Yukari-senpai, but…”

 I looked at Maron-senpai and Fran, who were nearby.

 ”Summer’s going to be really busy, I think…”

 ”Yeah, it’s going to be busy. Fran’s still in elementary school, so Fran has art class, calligraphy, and free research, plus observing morning glories and keeping an art diary, so Fran won’t have any free time.”

 Wow, that’s quite a lot.

 I looked at Kanon-san, Emily-san, and Iria-san, who were sitting next to me.

 ”I’m busy with the summer festival and idol festival as a top idol.”

 ”This summer’s going to be hot, and I’m pregnant, so I want to take it easy at home.”

 ”Ugh, during that time, I have to work 7 days a week, and if I combine day and night shifts, it’s 18 days a week.”

 This group is even busier.

 So, Emily-san is working 18 hours a week, but even if I add 7 hours of day shifts and 7 hours of night shifts, she’s still 4 hours short. What’s with the remaining 4 hours? Is she including sleep time in her work hours too? Uh…this is a joke, right? I’d normally die from exhaustion.

 ”Hey, Ayana-chan, look at that guy over there who’s staring at you with sparkling eyes like a puppy.”

 ”Eh…”

 Aqua is staring at me intensely.

 Wait, I’m weak when it comes to this. So I deliberately avoided eye contact with Aqua.

 ”Uh, I think I’ll go with my mom! Thank you, Yukari-senpai!”

 ”Gaaan! But, well, I guess it can’t be helped if it’s with your mom. Yeah.”

 Yukari-senpai let out a sigh and patted my head lightly with a “can’t be helped” expression.

 ”And finally, I’ll leave it to Shirogane Aqua-san!”

 ”Leave it to me!”

 Aqua stepped forward and handed me a paper bag with a present inside.

 ”Ayana, happy birthday. From now on, I’ll be your friend and rival, so take care.”

 ”Yeah. Thanks, Aqua. I’ll take care too.”

 I took the cloth bag out of the paper bag Aqua gave me, removed the ribbon, and opened it up.

 What is this…? A swimsuit?!

 ”I guess it’s only natural to think of swimsuits when it comes to summer. I thought Kohina-senpai would give you travel vouchers or hotel vouchers, but I assumed we’d go to the pool together and bought this swimsuit.”

 So, so…I mean, this is cute and all, but isn’t the fabric area a bit small? Am I just being paranoid? I mean, this is definitely Aqua’s style!

 Aqua gave me a sharp tap on the shoulder with a serious face.

 ”It’s a shame we can’t go to the hotel pool together, but instead, I want you to give it to your mom as a present. There was a great one with a nice strap next to this one.”

 ”Yes, no way! Don’t make my mom wear a weird swimsuit!!”

 Geez! Aqua’s got no mercy!

 Aqua smiled in satisfaction and returned to her usual spot.

 I’m not going to put on a swimsuit in front of everyone, so don’t expect that. That’s something I’ll do alone in my room when I get back, where Aqua can’t see me.

 ”Tsukimachi Ayana-san, how did you like the presents from the 4 of them?”

 ”I loved them all. Except for the last one… well, I liked the design and all, and I was happy to get a swimsuit, but…”

 Aqua gives a guts pose.

 Yeah! Just this once, okay!

 ”Then, let’s move on to the next present, since we’re all even now.”

 Yukari-senpai, Maron-senpai, and Kanon-san switch places with Iria-san, Emily-san, and Fran’s group of 3.

 The problem starts here. I’m sure the next theme is to recommend a present.

 I hope Emily-san, Aqua, and Fran’s group of 3 don’t get anything weird.

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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.