Producer: (What a fine day…)
Staff: I’m sorry, we have to get to the site soon, so please stay in the car.
Producer: …Alright!
==
—The seasons have changed and the new year is here.
Spring has yet to come but the people at Shirasu Rouse have been spending days calmly.
Genshin is now fully recovered. La-Veritta's new song was successfully completed as the song for the both of them.
Sui has submitted his future career survey. Just 4U is still as lively as ever, and attending their lesson.
Although Touya's case is not completely settled yet, RayGlanZ's ranking has returned to its previous position.
Maten Rocket is steadily standing on their own feet at their new record company after braving through the stormy seas.
SP!CA was able to show their new side with their new song successfully. They are beginning to firmly establish their position as idols.
And so, they are now facing a new job—
===
Radio DJ :『And that concludes this week’s preliminary idol ranking!』
『The barrier to reach Gold Stage is still massive~』
『Those who are in Bronze and Silver stage fluctuate their rankings easily, but those who are in Gold Stage are stable.』
Producer: (...The ranking has been sluggish. As expected, this is the Idol Sengoku era).
Aieda: Great job.
Producer: Ah, thank you for your help. Are you coming with us, President?
Aieda: Yeah. I’m actually a bit worried about the plan this time.
—They now take on the new job ahead of them.
===
Azusa: Hey, Mitsuki. About what I was talking earlier–
Mitsuki: Ah, about the schedule. I saw it. The schedule got revised. I wonder what was it about, to put other schedules on hold for a month? Could it be that we’re going somewhere locally or overseas?
Azusa: If that’s the case, that would be interesting. But then, Hiro and others…
Mitsuki: …Huh?
Azusa: ? What’s wrong?
Mitsuki: No, over there. Why is everyone gathered at the front door?
Azusa: You’re right. Do we have something scheduled for today?
===
Chihiro: What the hell? What’s going on? Oi, stone-headed gorilla. Can’t you do something with your strength here? Break it, kick it or something.
Touya: If you’re willing to take the responsibility, I don’t mind doing it.
Junnosuke: …Eh, can you do it? Do you seriously have strength similar to a gorilla?! So Usui-san isn’t just provoking you?
Takumi: *yawn* I’m getting sleepy.
Zen: Hang on,Takumi. If you sleep right now, you’re gonna freeze and die. Just be patient for a bit, okay!
Hiro: I’m getting hungry~ I had some donuts in the fridge that I’d like to eat when I get back~ I wonder if they are fine~
Komugi: Oh, if you’re hungry, why don’t we get the radish I’m growing in the backyard instead of the donuts? They were ripe and ready to eat when I checked earlier this morning.
Hiro: You want me to take a bite out of that?!
Uta: God. It’s not the time for some useless chat. These guys don’t feel nervous at all. What are we going to do about this? Even if we call the Producer for an emergency, they won’t answer.
Mitsuki: Oi~!
Aki: Ah, it’s Mitsuki-san and Azusa-san. Welcome home!
Azusa: We’re back. What are you guys doing out here?
Aki: About that…
===
Mitsuki・Azusa: –We can’t get into the dorm?!
===
Soushi: I was the one who got home first, but when I tried to open the door, something seemed to be holding the door from the inside and prevented it from opening.
Ango: I went around and took a look from the outside, but I can’t seem to see anyone inside. They must be hiding.
Riku: Eh, are you saying it’s a thief!? I think we should call the police.
Samon: Well, if the Producer, Hasei-san or President didn’t answer, I guess that’s our only choice.
???: Huh~? Calling the police would be a hassle. What is happening here?
All: !?
???: Hm? Your smartphone, it’s this year’s limited edition color, right? As expected, you have a good grasp on the trends~ Oh, but it’s going to be confiscated now.
Samon: Huh? W-wait—
Sui: Mis~ter~ who are you?
???: Wow, your wariness level is maxed. It’s okay, I’m not a suspicious person. Alright, the equipment team can come in.
Tatsuma: Eh, filming?!
Genshin: …Is this a hidden camera?
???: Too bad, you’re wrong! However, it’s regretful to say that it is wrong~ I’m here to give you a test as a present. I’m a program producer, the so-called Kitora. Let’s get along well~
Riku: …You look like the most untrustworthy person I’ve ever seen.
Tatsuma: Riku, shh!
Kitora: Oh, by the way, the cameras have already started recording. Your test has already started now. You will not have your freedom for a while, so prepare for it.
Tatsuma・Riku: !?
Kitora: Ahaha, you’re all confused! Well, understandable so let’s get into it. First off, the test that all of you will be going to take is…a training camp!
It’s called 『T.O.P Idol SHOW!!』!
Mitsuki: ! Oh, so that’s why our schedule was on hold for one month.
Kitora: Ah, that’s right. All of you will be divided into three teams, and each team will have a turn at the training camp. One team will be going at it for one week, so it will be three weeks for three teams. This project is something that takes a month to complete! The purpose of this training camp is…to get you all to the Gold Stage!
All: !!
Kitora: In the name of the program that I mentioned before, T.O.P stands for 『Twinkle of Protostars』. It’s been a short while since your debut, and right now you’re shining like a protostar. So all of this is meant to make all of you real stars.
Riku: Real…star…
Kitora: You guys know well what your current rankings are, don't you? From the top, it’s RayGlanZ, Just 4U, followed by SP!CA, La-Veritta, and Maten Rocket slowly followed behind. None of these units has reached Gold Stage yet, since there’s a huge wall blocking your way.
All: …
Kitora: You want to reach the Gold Stage, don’t you? Wouldn’t you love to become the top idol and have the whole world stand up and call your name? That’s why you will be reborn in this training camp.
Samon: …While I understand that the current situation is part of the project and the purpose of the training camp, I don’t get why we’re being split into three teams. We’re divided by units, shouldn’t we have a camp for each unit, if we want to reach the Gold Stage?
Kitora: I know, right? However, take a look at the idols who are actively working in the Gold Stage. They don’t always work in units. They don’t, right? Some of them appear solo in variety shows, and others are active in dramas. Of course, it’s crucial for the whole unit to shine, but in order to bring a unit to the next level, improving individual strength is important. So that’s why you will be challenged by working in three shuffled units instead of your original unit.
Samon: …I see. I understand your intention.
Zen: So where are we going for the training camp?
Kitora: You won’t be going anywhere~ you’re staying right here at Shirasu House.
Genshin: Eh, but for the training camp…
Kitora: It can be…no, it will be done here. The cameras here are for that. Planning has been done. I’m the program producer for a reason.
All: …
Kitora: Cameras will be rolling 24 hours, and it will be broadcasted on the Internet. It’s called a reality show, that’s why it’s titled as 『Idol SHOW!!』! Of course, it will be edited and the agency will supervise it, that’s why I said you won’t have your freedom.
Riku: 2-24 hours? Are you kidding…
Kitora: I’m not~ As an idol, you must have the spirit to entertain people all the time. However, when the camp is ongoing for the week, you must not leave the grounds, and you are prohibited to contact the outside world. Therefore, your phones will be confiscated. We’ll also turn off the Internet, so you can’t even play games, or games, and not even games. If you break any of the rules, you will be ‘eliminated’. You will be dropped from this program and other related projects.
Aki: You’re joking, right!!??
Kitora: I already told you that I’m not.
Aki: We’re done for.
Kitora: You can only talk to the members of the same team and the coaches, as well as the production staff and myself. What do you think? The location doesn’t change, but still feels like a training camp. Don’t you think it feels rather special?
Chihiro: Special my ass, doesn’t this feel like a prison?
Kitora: Ooh~ I like that expression. I accept that!
Chihiro: …
Kitora: By the way, since the training camp has a shift system between three teams, everyone else besides the team that will participate for the week will have to stay in the hotel that we prepared. Alright, so do you have any questions so far?
Uta: Questions or whatever, how do you expect us to accept everything that was forced on us? We haven’t even heard anything from the Producer, I don’t think they even allowed this. Call them here.
Kitora: I can’t do that.
Uta: Why?
Kitora: Didn’t I tell you earlier? You are prohibited from meeting the Producer until the training camp ends.
All: What?!!!
===
Aieda: Oh no, everyone is surprised~
Producer: It’s to be expected, when things suddenly happen like that. I had the same reaction that they had when I first heard about this project. I think it’s better that they had a proper explanation.
Aieda: Well, I understand how you feel but they are idols, so they need a strong push.
Producer: …But…
Aieda: You understand the importance of this project too, right?
Producer: …
Aieda: As Kitora-kun said, this is what they need to take the next step - each person in the unit needs to improve their own strength. Each of them will find their own path as an idol, and find out what they can create as their own worth. Next, they will have to find out how to personally solve the problem they faced as a unit. By doing so, it will benefit their own unit. Then the five units will be able to grow one or two more times.
Producer: I understand.
Aieda: Well, first off, they need to know what kind of idol they want to be. For that, the criteria needed for the team formation is…
===
Kitora: The type of idol you want to become.
All: ...
Kitora: As an idol, what do you want to deliver to your fans?
【Hope】?【Comfort】?【Passion】？
Now, among these three, choose one that is closest to your ideal,and that’s how the three teams will be formed. Each team will have 6 members. After the training camp ends, each team will be required to perform on the stage. I’m also thinking about collecting evaluations from the fan voting when it ends. Everyone, please take this seriously~ Oh by the way, the team who wins first place will receive a reward. I’ll be waiting right there at the location bus, so if you have decided on your choice, come and see me. First come, first serve, so be quick!
Everyone, let’s make this camp fun and memorable~!
Junnosuke: Eh, ah, wait…!
Takumi: He’s gone like the wind.
Mitsuki: Team, huh. What should I do~
Hiro: It’s difficult to decide since this all suddenly happened. But let’s do our best!
Mitsuki: Oh, you’re right.
◇◇◇◇◇
Genshin: Uta, calm down.
Uta: How can I calm down? 24 hours of filming and surveillance for a week?! And this is not a joke. How do I compose songs during that time? And how about the lessons?!
Genshin: Those are not forbidden, so I guess it’s fine.
Riku: I can’t do this too. So we can’t have our own privacy? How can that be possible these days?
Tatsuma: Riku, you should calm down too, okay? It’s not like you’re doing anything else other than sleeping…
Riku・Uta: That is not the point!!
◇◇◇◇◇
Sui: I’m excited for the training camp~ I only did it once when preparing for Just 4U’s debut. By the way Samon, what’s with the long face? Are you still shocked from getting your phone taken?
Samon: No… To present your idea about what idols are…I’m just a little worried that the purpose of all of this is just to 『reach the Gold Stage』.
Sui: ? Samon, don’t you want to reach the Gold Stage?
Samon: That’s not what I mean. There’s also the matter about RayGlanZ’s situation before. We don’t know the reality about being in the Gold Stage or the truth about the ranking system.
Sui: Ah~ the stars are still out of reach? Like…you don’t know how big it can be? Or that you don’t know if what you see is real or just a deception that was painted on the wall.
Samon: …Well, anyhow, I have to tackle the job I’m currently facing. Nothing will start by itself. If the future is being held by the one who controls this training camp…I have to accept this.
===
Sui: Samon, your point of view is very interesting~ Hey, you should try painting next time.
Samon: I don’t want to.
Sui: Why not~
Thus, the training camp project for the 18 idols starts–