"Aren't you... The Idol Research Club's president? Nico Yazawa-san?"
"Wh-What's that got to do with me?" Nico asked her tone suddenly went defensive.
"Well... Let's see. I realized that you're the only member of the club... There's a high chance for it to get disbanded, you know?"
"So?"
"So, why not join forces with them? They're serious about becoming idols, and with your knowledge and experience, you could help them improve."
"And why would I do that? What's in it for me?" Nico questioned skeptically.
"Well, for one thing, it would give you a chance to expand your influence and maybe even recruit more members for your club. Plus, you could show off your skills and prove that you're the real deal when it comes to idols."
Nico seemed to consider my words for a moment before shrugging. "Hmph. I'll think about it once I've watched them perform their first live."
"Really!?"
"But don't get any funny ideas, Nishihara-kun. I'll be watching you," she added with a sharp look.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Yazawa-san."
With that, Nico turned on her heel and began to walk away, but I reached out and grabbed her hand, causing her to turn back to me with a surprised expression. "What is it?"
"Yazawa-san," I said, meeting her gaze.
"What?"
"Let's make a bet."
"What bet?" Nico asked, suddenly intrigued.
"If the girls manage to impress you... I want you to join them."
"Haa? No way in hell! I would teach them but I won't join them!"
"That's a bet... Like I said."
"Hmmm..." Nico mused, considering my offer. "Then... If they don't manage to impress me... I want you to make sure that they won't be able to mention the word 'idol' ever again!"
My eyes widened at her bold counteroffer, but I quickly composed myself.
"Do we have a deal?!"
"Yeah, it's a deal..."
"You seem confident."
"Yeah," I said flashing her a confident grin. "After all, I am confident that they will succeed!"
Nico's eyes widened slightly at my unwavering optimism. With that, we exchanged a nod of understanding before parting ways, each of us with our own thoughts about the bet we had just made.
An hour later, in the solitude of my bedroom, I found myself wrestling with a sense of uncertainty. The bold bet I had made with Yazawa-san weighed heavily on my mind.
Had I been too confident? I hadn't even seen the three of them perform yet. What if they weren't as impressive as I had imagined?
As I lay my head down on the pillow, a sigh escaped my lips, mingling with the quiet of the room.
Now what...?
Perhaps it was best to put my faith in tomorrow. They were likely practicing at the shrine as they usually did. Tomorrow would bring clarity, and I could gauge their progress firsthand.
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the shrine as I approached. Amidst the serene atmosphere, I spotted Nozomi, clad in the traditional shrine maiden attire, attending to her duties.
"Good morning, Nozomi-san," I greeted her with a smile as I drew near.
Her eyes lit up with a gentle warmth. "Good morning to you too, Nishihara-kun," she replied, returning the smile.
Gah... So cute!
I glanced around the surroundings before turning back to her. "You're still working hard, I see."
A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Heehee~ And what about you? Are you here to observe those three again?"
I nodded. "Yes, I am."
"It seems you're not the only one keeping an eye on them. Maki-san has been spotted watching their practice sessions as well."
Surprised, I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"That's right," she said with a nod. "It seems you're also quite invested in their progress."
"W-well! I'm just worried since, you know? It's for the welcoming party and all!"
Totally didn't make a bet with someone! Mhm!
"Is that so?"
I nodded fervently. "Yeah! We just want everything to go smoothly."
"Of course."
Trying to play it cool, I added hastily, "It's important for the school's reputation and all."
Nozomi chuckled softly. "I understand, Nishihara-kun."
Feeling a bit relieved that my explanation seemed to have sufficed, I decided to change the subject. "Anyway, I wonder when they will be here?"
"Hmmm, they should be here any moment."
As the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs, I turned to see the three girls approaching, their breath slightly labored from the jog.
"Looks like they're here," Nozomi remarked her smile indicating approval.
"They seem to be improving."
The trio noticed me and made their way over, greeting me with cheerful enthusiasm.
"Senpai! Good morning!" they chorused.
"Good morning to you three," I replied warmly.
"Are you going to watch us practice, Senpai?" Honoka asked.
"Well, yeah. I want to see if you guys have made any progress."
"Fret not, Senpai," Honoka declared confidently. "We'll show you that we've improved our stamina!"
"Perhaps 'improve' is a bit of a stretch, but I'd say we've made some changes," Umi interjected modestly.
"Hehe, we're determined to make our first live performance a success!" Kotori added.
"By the way... I know this is sudden, but can I watch you three practice?" I asked.
The three exchanged glances, considering my request.
"Sure!" Honoka responded enthusiastically.
"W-Well... Being watched by a boy is slightly embarrassing..." Umi said glancing away shyly.
"But I'm sure we can do it!" Kotori chimed in.
"Thank you, guys!"
As the music began to play, Umi took the lead, gracefully guiding the choreography. Honoka and Kotori followed her movements closely, their steps synchronized to the rhythm. Despite their exertion, their expressions remained bright and energetic, embodying the spirit of idols.
Their dance was a testament to their dedication and hard work. Even amidst the sweat and effort, they never forgot to smile, showcasing the resilience and positivity expected of idols.
My eyes widened in awe as I watched their performance, leaving me momentarily speechless. When the dance came to an end, the trio turned to me, eager for my reaction.
"How was it, Senpai?!" Honoka asked, her eyes shining with anticipation.
I smiled at them, feeling genuinely impressed. "You guys put in a lot of hard work, and it definitely shows. It was amazing."
The trio exchanged smiles and high-fives, their faces glowing with satisfaction.
"We did it, Umi-chan! Kotori-chan!" Honoka exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Kotori nodded enthusiastically.
"We did it, but remember that we're still not perfect yet," Umi remarked, her tone earnest. "Am I right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
But I'm confident that you guys will be able to shine brightly on stage. I don't have to worry about things anymore as well.
With their determination and progress, I knew they were well on their way to achieving their goals.
"Nozomi-san," I said, my voice soft as I turned to her with a sheepish smile. "Can I... take a moment here?"
She chuckled softly, "Nishihara-kun, I don't think you need my permission for that."
"O-of course... RIght."
I approached the shrine with a sense of reverence, dropping my offering into the box with a quiet clink. Bowing deeply twice, I allowed the solemnity of the moment to wash over me. Clasping my hands together, I closed my eyes, offering up my thoughts in silent prayer.
As I straightened up, I felt a sense of peace settle over me, a quiet contentment that lingered in the air.
"Senpai! What did you pray for?" Honoka's voice broke through the stillness, her curiosity palpable.
I chuckled softly, a playful gleam in my eye. "Well, that's a secret."
"Ehh~ Fine," she responded, her pout evident even in her tone.
Before I could make my departure, Nozomi's hand gently grasped mine, halting my movements.
"Nishihara-kun, could you do me a favor?" she asked, her gaze earnest.
I turned to her, "Of course, Nozomi-san. What is it?"
"Send my regards to Eli-chan, okay?" she requested, a soft smile gracing her lips.
I returned her smile with a nod of understanding. "Of course, Nozomi-san."
With that, I bid them farewell and made my way back to school.
The Welcoming Party is almost here.