I became a girl group idol for my sister.

Miyamoto looked at Nagasu Miyu with some confusion, wondering what she meant by that.

"It happened during the first general election. Right when they were announcing the second-place winner, many people who didn't want Higashikuse-senpai to be chosen as first place were chanting 'Higashikuse! Higashikuse!' from below. That's why it's called the Higashikuse Call." Miyu Nagayasu's expression held a hint of unease. "Higashikuse-senpai is the 'SKR' of beauty; many people like her, and many people dislike her. I wonder what will happen this time..."

"But didn't she win first place that time? It's impossible for everyone to like someone who's at the top. She's Higashikuse Ogiko, and it'll be the same this time. She'll definitely withstand these storms." Miyamoto said with a smile, but in his heart, he had some new thoughts about Higashikuse Ogiko.

So, she was also enduring such terrible pressure back then? Not just the pressure from the center, but also the pressure from haters.

Is it precisely because of this that she can display such drive and have such strong resilience?

I have never experienced such terrifying pressure before. Indeed, what these seniors have gone through is beyond my imagination as a mere junior. They are a group of people who have fought their way up from nothing.

But come to think of it, even though she always acts all aloof and arrogant in front of me, after hearing what Miyu said, I realize she has it tough too...

Miyamoto thought to himself that Higashikuze Ogiko was more approachable than he had imagined.

In the backstage corridor, Miyamoto Sei stood alone. Whether it was the members of Team 4 or the regular members, their appearance backstage at this moment was quite different from usual.

The tension was written all over his face; he couldn't suppress his unease.

Although it's just a ranking for one song, and an opportunity for one song, this song carries the name of the general election and represents the past year, a testament between myself as an idol and my fans.

No one can remain calm at this moment.

Even Rina Asuka, who usually seems very happy and loves to play, was so nervous that she was almost crying.

Then, he saw Higashikuze Ogiko coming out from around the corner, and Miyamoto paused for a moment when he saw her.

Unlike her usual long, flowing hair, Higashikuze Ogiko had cut her hair today, which seemed to change her entire style, making her look more capable and sophisticated.

In the past, he might have simply wondered what the new hairstyle looked like, but now Miyamoto Sei wouldn't think that way anymore.

When a girl cuts her hair at a particular stage, it signifies that she has made a significant decision.

Seeing Higashikuze Ogiko like this, Miyamoto Se couldn't help but say, "Ogiko-senpai, please do your best. I'll be supporting you from the audience."

"The results of the general election depend on the fans." Higashikuze Ogiko glanced at Miyamoto Se, her expression not very good: "Besides, the trainees are about to appear, right? The Team Trainees only has three members, and it will be very noticeable if one person is missing."

Sure enough, his tone of voice was different from usual. Even though he was the first place winner—no, it was precisely because he was the former first place winner and the second place winner that he was so nervous at this moment…

Seeing Ogiko-senpai like this made me a little nervous... Oh well, I probably won't make it this time anyway, so I'd better hurry up and go find Miyu and the others.

Miyamoto silently thought to himself, bowed slightly to Higashikuze Ogiko, and then spoke again.

"Not only you, senpai, but I will also support Sakurako-senpai. Please move forward!"

After saying that, he turned and ran towards where his companions were.

"How dare you say you'll support others right in front of me?"

Higashi Hisashi Ogiko muttered something under her breath and then walked forward as well.

There are only three graduate students at SKR headquarters now: Nana Miyamoto, Mika Komatsu, and Miyu Nagayasu. The three of them stood on the stage as the host announced them, and then went to their respective seats.

As each team made their appearance, the crowd grew larger, with nearly two hundred girls sitting quietly, waiting for the general election results to be announced.

"The list of winners for SKR's third general election and the 22nd single selection will be announced soon. Just looking at the audience below the stage, I'm getting a little nervous." Tokumitsu Kazuo held the microphone, and he and the woman next to him, Kisa Ayako, were the hosts for today.

"Yes, I'm nervous too. After all, this is a selection process among a group of amazing idols to choose the forty best ones," Ayako Kisa said with a smile, expressing her feelings at the moment.

"Let me explain first. There are a total of forty spots in this general election. The 22nd to 40th spots are Under Girls, who will be the C/W tracks for the 22nd single, with the 22nd spot serving as the center. The 1st to 21st spots are the selection team members for the 22nd single. Among them, the 13th to 21st spots are non-media selection team members, and the 1st to 12th spots are media selection team members."

Under Girls is easy to understand; they are the vocal group that sings the chorus tracks on single CDs, part of the bonus series.

As for both the non-media selection group and the media selection group, although they are both selection groups, the media selection group is mainly responsible for media-related work related to the 22nd single, including the single's cover and so on.

In other words, it relates to the amount of resources each person can receive within this single.

After a brief introduction, Tokumitsu Kazuo raised the microphone and began to announce loudly.

"Now, let's announce the 40th place winner, with a final vote count of 4928: SKR Team 4, Orihime Ichikawa!"

Miyamoto couldn't help but look at the girl's location when his longtime companion was selected for the top forty. He found her staring wide-eyed, her whole body trembling slightly, with an expression of complete disbelief.

Her companions couldn't help but grab her hand; the results of her hard work on variety shows and other projects were finally bearing fruit at this moment.

She struggled to stand up from her seat, turned around and bowed to the fans behind her before walking towards the stage.

Standing in front of the microphone, Ichikawa Orihime, now on stage, seemed a little unsure of what to say. Perhaps she herself hadn't imagined she would be standing on that stage.

Finally, after taking two deep breaths, Ichikawa Orihime slowly said, "I really, really never imagined that I could stand on the stage of the general election. Thank you all for your support!"

After speaking, he bowed again.

"This is absolutely the greatest recognition you can give me, thank you everyone!"

After speaking, she sat down on a chair on the stage, guided by the host. That was the seat for the selected person.

The higher the ranking, the higher the position.

"Then next is the thirty-ninth place, the thirty-ninth place is..."

With a short, sharp tapping sound, the host loudly announced the name of the thirty-ninth person.

"Final votes: 4968. SKR Team graduate student, Miyamoto Nana!"

Miyamoto blinked and froze on the spot.

Behind them, cheers erupted.

He hadn't held out any hope, but the moment he heard his name and the shouts of his fans behind him, aside from his initial doubts, an overwhelming and intense emotion welled up within him and flowed through his entire body.

He actually made it into the shortlist, and he's even ranked thirty-ninth!

The fans in the audience were whispering among themselves.

"Nana actually made it into the finals!"

"Her name wasn't even in the initial report."

"39th place, which means she's made it into Under Girls' group."

"Even though they didn't have many resources to increase their fame, they actually managed to break into the industry."

"I've always thought she was amazing, but I figured she wouldn't be nominated until next year, so I never expected her to make it this year!"

Not only the fans, but also a group of official members couldn't help but look towards where Miyamoto Nana was.

Naoki Sakurako's expression was somewhat serious, while Higashi Hisako Ogiko was taking deep breaths. Even Sakagami Minami, who was usually the most carefree, seemed a little nervous at this moment.

Hikaru Watanabe seemed the most at ease; she blinked and appeared very happy.

As expected of you, Nana-chan! You actually made it into the finals this time. I knew I wasn't wrong!

Naoki Sakurako thought silently, and couldn't help but clench her fists.

However, I will not admit defeat!

Sakagami Minami clenched her fist, then a slight smile appeared on her face.

Nana is really amazing. She made it into the shortlist in one go, even with such a large increase in the number of participants.

……

"Nana-chan! You've made it to the finals!"

"Qi Nai, get up quickly!"

He heard the voices of Miyu Nagayasu and Mika Komatsu in his ears, and he couldn't help but subconsciously grab their hands, then stood up the moment he let go.

He turned around, bowed, and then stepped forward, walking towards the stage.

At that moment, he felt that his steps were filled with unknown power.

He accepted the trophy from the staff, held it in his hand, and saw his name and the number 39 on it. He slowly took a breath and then opened his mouth.

"I originally thought that next year I would definitely let you see me standing on the stage of the general election to receive the award, but I didn't expect that this wish would come true this year. When my name was called, I even had the feeling that I was dreaming."

"But when I heard everyone's voices, I finally realized that I wasn't dreaming."

"This 39th place is a testament to everyone's support and the love from my fans!"

Miyamoto Sei was still smiling as she spoke, even though her heart was pounding wildly. She turned around and glanced at the seats behind her. There were more than forty seats arranged like this, and the seat at the very top was different in design—it was a throne!

"But this is not the end. Next year, I will definitely reach a higher position, for example, I will aim directly for the selection group!"

After saying this, Miyamoto bowed again to the fans in the audience.

Finally, thank you all again for your support!

This immediately made the fans in the audience even more excited.

"Haha, you really dare to say that, saying you'll be in the selection group next time."

"This is a declaration of war against our seniors!"

"She usually seems like a very gentle person, I never expected her to have such a fiery side!"

"As expected, Miyamoto Nana is also a very ambitious person, she just doesn't show it usually."

After taking her seat, leaning against Ichikawa Orihime, Ichikawa Orihime smiled and whispered to Miyamoto Sei, "Congratulations, Nana-chan."

"Congratulations to you too, Orihime-chan," Miyamoto said, then asked in a low voice, "Who else do you think could be selected from Team 4?"

"I don't know, but I think both Haruka and Mimi have a chance, with Mimi having a better chance. As for Haruka, I didn't see her name in the initial report, but I didn't see her name in the initial report either."

A quick report is a notification of the vote count on a chosen day during the vote counting period, letting fans know the current status of their favorite idols.