"At 6 PM today, idol Ai Hoshino will be holding her debut anniversary performance at the Tokyo Dome."
"Since her debut, the legendary idol Ai Hoshino has participated in countless prestigious events and photoshoots."
"Having won numerous awards, she has reached heights within a year that many idols struggle to achieve throughout their careers."
"And behind her stands..."
Multiple TV stations were broadcasting news about today's Tokyo Dome performance.
As usual, the promotional materials for the performer were filled with grand praise. And rightfully so—since her debut, Ai Hoshino had excelled in the idol industry, acting, and various other fields.
Listing all her awards and achievements was nearly endless.
It was hard to imagine that all of this had been accomplished within just one year.
One could only say that Ai Hoshino's talent was truly extraordinary, just standing there, she could capture the attention of everyone around her. At the same time, Ai Hoshino worked incredibly hard. To maintain her image, she diligently learned new skills and explored her talents.
She had barely taken any breaks throughout the entire year.
She spent all her time either performing on stage or studying behind the scenes.
Watching the news quietly, Haruto had a thoughtful expression.
Just then, the door suddenly swung open.
As Haruto turned his head, he was immediately tackled onto the couch.
"Haruto!"
Ai Hoshino called out joyfully.
Haruto looked at her with a hint of helplessness.
"Ai, shouldn't you be backstage preparing right now?"
Ai Hoshino stuck out her tongue.
"It's fine! I don't need to prepare at all! Just by standing on stage, I am already the perfect idol!"
That was what she said, but it seemed that others didn't share the same opinion.
"Ai Hoshino! Please don't run off randomly! Your makeup isn't finished yet!"
"Ai Hoshino, that performance gown must not be sat on! It will affect the stage appearance!"
"Ai! What are you doing here?! Ah… President!"
Her makeup artist, stylist, and manager, Miyako, had all come rushing in.
When they saw Ai Hoshino casually throwing herself onto someone, they looked utterly shocked, like they had seen a ghost.
"Eh-heh."
Ai Hoshino attempted to brush it off with cuteness.
But before she could escape, Haruto effortlessly picked her up like a cat and carried her back toward the staff.
"Come on, back to the dressing room."
Haruto sighed in mild exasperation.
This was the backstage area of the Tokyo Dome.
Ordinarily, access was restricted, only Ai Hoshino and the staff were allowed in.
But, of course, Haruto was an exception.
Outside the Tokyo Dome, tens of thousands of people were lining up, waiting for their tickets to be checked. Haruto didn't like the chaos of waiting, so he had simply taken a backdoor route to get inside.
Then Ai Hoshino had called him, urging him to come quickly and not miss her anniversary performance.
When he told her that he was already backstage, the scene just now had unfolded.
"My apologies for the trouble."
Haruto added politely.
Miyako quickly shook her head.
"Not at all, it's just that Ai is being too reckless. You haven't done anything wrong, President."
The makeup artist and stylist also nodded in agreement.
They were E-rank personnel from the foundation—temporary workers, essentially.
They had some idea of just how powerful and influential the young man before them was.
After handing Ai Hoshino back to the staff, Haruto asked curiously:
"By the way, how are those kids doing?"
Miyako's expression became somewhat complicated, as if she didn't know how to explain.
Ai Hoshino, however, responded brightly:
"They're really easy to get along with! Especially Ichiji—she never refuses any of my requests! She's actually really nice!"
Haruto rubbed his forehead.
Poor Little Bocchi.
She had only just escaped from his grasp, only to now be at the mercy of Ai Hoshino.
At that moment, Miyako added,
"Those four are indeed good kids, but they don't have much experience with big stages. We've taken them to a few public performances over the past month. But they've never been able to recreate the same stage presence as before. During private rehearsals, their performances are excellent."
"However, if anything unexpected happens during the show, we have pre-recorded audio tracks ready as a backup."
"Since this is Ai's main stage, even if those girls struggle, it won't lead to a stage disaster."
Miyako had prepared a safety net well in advance.
For a large-scale event like this—a milestone performance—there was no room for stage accidents.
Haruto understood the situation immediately.
"Take me to see those four."
Miyako nodded and led Haruto to their dressing room. Before leaving, Haruto playfully poked Ai Hoshino's cheek.
"Do your best. I'll be in the audience, looking forward to your performance."
Ai Hoshino immediately nodded, her entire demeanor lighting up with excitement and determination.
Meanwhile…
Haruto pushed open the band's dressing room door.
As soon as he did, an oppressive atmosphere poured out like a heavy fog.
It was almost suffocating.
Haruto cleared his throat awkwardly.
Had he rushed things too much?
Seeing him enter, Ikuyo Kita was the first to react, rushing at him.
"You! What the heck have you done?!"
Haruto raised a hand, placing it against Kita's forehead to keep her at bay.
"Ahem. Why do you all seem so down?"
Hearing that obvious question, Kita practically screamed:
"It's the Tokyo Dome! Fifty-five thousand spectators! The ultimate performance venue! How are we supposed to stay calm?! Why didn't you tell us from the start?!"
Haruto averted his gaze.
"If I had told you from the beginning, you probably would've refused the offer."
Kita: !
"You knew, and you still did it?!"
At that moment, Nijika Ichiji gently pulled Kita back.
There was no turning back now, the kind-hearted band leader knew that. And besides, this boy had meant well.
"Anyway, please check on Bocchi. She's really out of it. Maybe you can do something."
Nijika pleaded.
Haruto nodded and approached Hitori Gotou.
At this point, Bocchi was completely pale.
Her mouth was slightly open as if her soul were escaping. She looked as if she had been mentally absent for a long time.
Above her head, words like "Fifty-five thousand spectators,""Tokyo Dome performance," and "If I mess up, I'll actually die of embarrassment" seemed to float.
Clearly, Little Bocchi had fallen into extreme social anxiety and was simulating the worst-case scenario in her head.
Haruto straightened her up in her chair and flicked her forehead with his fingers.
Hitori Gotou: !
Bocchi snapped back to reality, looking around in confusion. Seeing this, the other three girls were visibly stunned.
They had tried everything earlier but couldn't get Bocchi to wake up.
Yet, with a single flick, Haruto had brought her back.
When Bocchi finally regained awareness, she noticed how close Haruto was and immediately panicked.
"Ah, y-you, this, I… I'm sorry!"
Not sure what was happening, Bocchi instinctively apologized. Haruto, however, paid no mind and simply asked,
"Bocchi, have you gotten used to performing on stage?"
Bocchi thought back to their past month of performances. Her face quickly drained of color again, and she started to fade away. Fortunately, Haruto was quick and flicked her forehead once more.
With some mental reinforcement, Bocchi barely managed to pull herself together—though she still looked miserable.
"Well… I guess I've improved a little. I can open one eye in front of the audience now. But, that stage wasn't big... This is the Tokyo Dome! Fifty-five thousand people... Ah!"
Just imagining the scene of fifty-five thousand spectators made Boochi want to shrink into a cardboard box.
"But with so many people watching, if the performance is a success, Boochi might become everyone's darling, right? Being loved by everyone, having lots of fans, receiving admiration and attention, even getting interviewed."
Haruto's words at this moment were like the whispers of a devil. Every word he spoke was exactly what Boochi had always wished for.
Hearing this, Hitori became lightheaded, lost in the moment, never even questioning how Haruto knew her desires.
Seeing this unfold, the people around them felt a chill run down their spines.
Demon! He's a demon!
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T/N:
Did you really think Translator san is a saint with pure heart?
Yada~, The P was just under construction!
Check out [email protected]/VenerableZayUnderHeaven for advance chapters. Also, I'm translating a Grand Blue fic, check it also out in the Sect's Library.
The Grand Blue fic will be available here in WN when it reached a 30 chapter mark in P.
And for me saying Translator san currently doesn't need money? That's bullcrap! I'm eating sardines here T-T.
Note: Just join the P if you have money to throw or spare and if you really can't wait. Do not worry as I update all of the fics I translate 1 or 2 time a day.
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