Prologue 2

Keito: So to get back on topic, there’s an upcoming Dream Fest called Flower Fest that’s being hosted in the downtown area near Yumenosaki Academy.

Akatsuki is set to perform there.

With school having just started, other units may not have a firm foothold just yet.

We’re in it because we can consistently perform at a top-quality level.

It’s a local event, so we can’t just ignore it. It’s our responsibility as idols to involve ourselves in our community and its goings-on.

This also works as an opportunity to give new students a demonstration of the student council’s power, and of Akatsuki’s.

Well... In Japanese, Flower Fest translates to “hanamatsuri.” It’s the same name as Buddha’s birthday festival, so I thought they were connected, even though the time of year is wrong.^[1]

If that had been the case, I figured it would suit me as the son of a temple, since it’s my area of expertise. With that in mind, I threw in our name for the festival...

But apparently it has nothing to do with Buddhism, so I have to admit I’m a bit panicked now.

This is my fault, though; I failed to check the details because I was so busy. I shouldn’t have done that.

Well, it doesn’t matter now. With Eichi... the student council president currently absent, it’s up to me to put on a show that won’t shame Yumenosaki Academy. We’re also one of the top units at the school.

I accepted the job, so I’ll put my all into it.

Next order of business... is that I’m giving you guys a chance to see how things work around here.

If at all possible, I want you to get used to things sooner rather than later.

Yuzuru: I’m deeply grateful for your consideration. Let’s see... I have been placed in “fine,” a unit my master aspired to join.

I believe I successfully cleared the audition.

Keito: Mm. You look like you’re just starting out as an idol, so I’m surprised by how impressive your skills are in every category.

That’s why I’m wanting you to get some real experience working as an idol.

If we train you up, you could be an important asset for Eichi when he returns. I haven’t quite grasped what kind of person you are yet, but...

I’m expecting great things out of you, Fushimi.

Yuzuru: Fufu. I’ll make every effort to meet those expectations.

Keito: Yep. Anyway, I want you on the stage at Flower Fest.

In the public eye, fine is inactive. It would be a waste to let what people consider to be our strongest unit rot away.

Therefore, I want you guys to back Akatsuki up with a guest performance...

Or something like that. We’ll give you simple work.

As it is, Eichi is still in the hospital, and you and the others have just joined up... To be honest with you, I don’t have a clue what the current fine’s power looks like.

There isn’t much time until Flower Fest...

But while we’re preparing for it, I’ll come and evaluate you guys. See what you’re made of.

If you don’t think you can do it, you can let Akatsuki handle things, of course.

But it’ll be good experience to get you on stage.

Flower Fest is an off-campus Dream Fest, and it won’t affect your ranking.

Even if you crash and burn, fine’s reputation won’t be shaken. So I’d like you to take advantage of this if you can.

Yuzuru: Hm... I suppose it depends on what my master thinks, as well as our other member. In any case, I will do my best.

Keito: Sure. And I’ll help you as much as I can, too. If you need anything, you just have to ask.

Now as for our other transfer student... I want you to help produce Flower Fest.

You are a producer, aren’t you?

Well, I’ve heard you’re an amateur at best.

It would be a bad idea to let a beginner take on all the responsibility, so for now I just want you to shadow, basically.

With this festival, you can learn the ins and outs of production.

You can observe the process while you’re still getting the hang of things... Start with the basics and build up from there.

Immediately after Flower Fest is the S1...

I think you were planning to do something with Trickstar or some other unit?

But for now, make Flower Fest your priority. That’s an order, transfer student.

(I can’t imagine an amateur is going to be of much use here.)

(But giving the “producer” some extra work before the S1 can serve as a check on those Trickstar guys.)

(I’ll do whatever needs done. ...We’re in perfect condition today, too.)

(Flower Fest and the S1 are both just strategic moves to maintain peace at the academy from here on out.)

(So I’ll perform flawlessly, and the authority of the student council will remain rock solid.)

(Until Eichi returns, I’ll maintain order at Yumenosaki Academy.)