The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

"No, that..."

Although it is generally known that there are many people who lip-sync in the industry, and there are even shadow voice actors (who do not sing on stage but have someone singing backstage), Ping Xin never thought that such a thing would happen in a "well-received" program.

"...Does this mean we should lip-sync?"

Obviously, he had no impression of Higuchi Enka, so the program director said "Hmm?"

"Excuse me, but let me interrupt... Is that the case?"

After Enka's polite performance, the program director finally came to his senses. After realizing that she was with Asakura Toru, he explained, "That's right... Hey, we didn't say we were going to do a live show in the first place, right? No, no, that's impossible!"

"Anyway, that kid looks like he can't even make a sound, and his dance routine is packed with moves, right? That's enough." He pointed at Koito again.

"...!"

A crack appeared in Higuchi Enka's work mask in an instant, and she looked at the rude person in front of her with slightly narrowed eyes. Pingxin knew that this was a sign of her true anger.

"Excuse me, can you please leave the stage now?"

Yelling at the program participants and being submissive to those the director wanted to say a few more words to, this assistant director did his job well.

Refers to a dog who plays the director of the show.

"Um, sorry. I've already confirmed that there will be a live performance today, and it should be a complete song."

Ping Xin also produced the chat records between him and the staff responsible for the handover.

But the director didn't even look at it, just waved his hand, and then said: "Look at the situation now~ Let me put it this way, it's not what you think-"

"Uh, um, that...!"

Fukumaru Koito, who had just been criticized and pointed at in the face, was very nervous about being on the show for the first time. The little girl, who thought she couldn't hold everyone back, tried her best to shout out and successfully attracted the attention of other people on the set.

"S-Sorry...! I, I... was a little... that's what happened. I was too nervous. I'll do better next time... Um, at the live performance—"

"No, after all, you're not LSP48, and you didn't arrange any staff to be in charge of the live performance from the beginning, right?"

"...What about the most basic prior contact? If this was the plan from the beginning, then they should have discussed it with me beforehand, right—"

What is this, commercial fraud? No, it's simply because we lack fame that they dare to treat us so casually...

"Tsk."

However, if he just left at this point, it would definitely leave a very bad impression on the industry. That's why Ping Xin personally led the four people at Noctchill and did not rely entirely on the company's strength to develop the business.

In addition to being worried and reluctant to hand them over to others, there is also a desire to use this opportunity to prove everyone's strength.

It was his naiveté and carelessness that made things turn out like this. He should have known that the outside environment would be different from the inside one, and that words like "should" and "depend on luck" shouldn't exist in the so-called business world.

Where has the ruthlessness of the mastermind gone?

Is it because I have been playing house for so long that I really think of myself as a producer?

Since you're a producer, prior research should be a must! ! !

Ping Xin was just about to take a step back and think long-term, but the program director's next words really made him angry -

"Ah, and then there's Asakura-kun? With that kid as the center, the camera should be focused on her whether she's singing or talking."

"...!"

Fukumaru Koito felt like the world was moving away from her. The extra practice after training every day, the independent practice while walking in the school corridor, the physical strength gained from running, and the candy and drinks that Enka gave her, everything had lost its meaning.

"Then, until the climax of the first chorus, can you please just give it a live performance?"

"Okay, I understand."

......

...

..

After answering casually, Asakura Toru led the four people off the stage, and then everyone followed Hirashin back to the lounge.

"...From beginning to end, not a single word of what they said was true. It was just the same old rhetoric over and over again."

"S-Sorry!... It's all because I was too nervous... That's it—"

"You tried your best, didn't you, Koito? It's just that they didn't follow the agreed plan from the beginning."

While comforting Koito, Enka didn't forget to glance at Hiranobu's reaction. She was so calm...

No matter what happened, he would not remain silent. In the past, he would definitely be the first to stand up at such times. What happened today?

"Ahaha~ I always feel like this is troublesome~"

Although there was a smile on his face, there was no trace of joy. It gave people the feeling of buying a limited edition product that was sold out at the front, and then comforting themselves that they would definitely get it tomorrow morning.

"Well, we finally have a chance to sing and dance..."

Fukumaru Koito thought of the sunset by the river and the stars in the sky.

Although independent practice is difficult and has limited benefits, she works hard day and night in order not to hold everyone back and hopes to truly become one of "everyone".

“Even though I tried so hard…”

Fukumaru Koito's vision blurred, and everyone's face became blurry in her eyes. Although Hirayuko had cured her myopia and no longer needed contact lenses, she would rather it was her glasses that were the problem.

“Don’t cry—”

A deep male voice came from the low-pressure area where someone had been sitting silently in the corner, not even Hina or Toru talking to them.

"Koito... and everyone. I'm sorry, this is my fault for not conducting enough research and contacting you beforehand."

"..."

Higuchi Enka didn't add insult to injury, because if anything, she was also responsible. It wasn't that she didn't want to explain the riddle she'd told the previous night, but rather that her source was based on hearsay and had no evidence, so she could only hint at it.

Although now is a good time to attack him after the fact, she is responsible for this matter...at least that's what Enka herself thinks.

"That's not the case. This is completely my fault... The purpose of idol producers is to pave the way for idols' activities—"

Idols only need to hone themselves, and the rest should be my responsibility."

Hira Nobu's voice was firm, without a trace of trembling or confusion, and this attitude also infected the other people in the room, especially Fukumaru Koito.

"Now, whether you want to boycott the show or just go ahead and do it, I'll listen to you... So go ahead and do whatever you want.

Because I will support you——

Of course, other than crying, because crying when problems arise is the most useless thing to do. If I must cry, I will choose to cry after the problem is over.

Even if you smash his face and cry, I won't say a word. But crying in front of the enemy only reveals our weakness and powerlessness, and is an act that will only make our loved ones sad and our enemies happy. So this is the only thing that is not allowed...

If you really want to cry, then go back and cry your heart out. You can use a knife or cut me up as you please."

Ping Xin took off the hood, put it away and put it in his arms.

Use his true appearance to convey his true thoughts——

"After your performance I'm going to mess up the whole show because these BYDs actually dared to lip-sync in front of me...

All you need to do is make a choice that you can live with. I will bear all the consequences, shoulder all the responsibilities, and resolve all the problems!"

After giving a chuunibyou speech that rekindled his fighting spirit, Ping Xin stood up and prepared to leave.

"Eh...but this is [everyone's] problem, right?"

After hearing Toru Asakura's speech, everyone also spoke out.

"Yeah~ Obviously, Hina and I agreed~"

"Y-yes! This matter is not solely the responsibility of Nobu-chan!"

Under the gaze of the other three, Enka "had to" say, "...Anyway, you just like to make a scene without thinking, right?"

It's been like this since I was a kid...

......

...

..

"Okay, it's time for this week's 'I'm Born Talented, Time Waits for No One!' segment. Today we've invited a rising idol—"

Chapter 30 Just like usual

Facing the camera, the host showed a magazine——

"By the way, has anyone seen this hot-selling magazine that's been selling like hotcakes lately?"

There is a big rainbow on the cover, and at the bottom of the picture there is clear river water and a path paved with white gravel. In the center there are four girls walking together, each with different expressions, some fat and some thin, and each with her own style.

Because no advertising fee was paid, the scene flashed by and the camera returned to the host sitting on the sofa and the four people squeezed on another sofa.

"Ah, that's so cute... By the way, when did Asakura-kun start his activities?"

The host looked at her and extended the microphone to Toru.

"Eh, me? ...When the cherry blossoms are in bloom."

"Ah, Asakura-kun is the type who values ​​words like gold?"

The photographer was taking pictures of her, wishing he could get a close-up of her face.

"It's about the time when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom—"

At the assistant director's signal, canned laughter erupted from the audience.

Wave after wave, one after another, no one here is unhappy.

"When exactly do the cherry blossoms bloom? Asakura-kun isn't just about appearance, he's also very romantic in spirit~"

The host glanced at the prompt board next to the camera lens without leaving a trace and moved on to the next question.

"Discovered by a scout? Or signed up for an audition by a friend?"

"Ah...eh, is that considered discovery?"

Asakura Toru wanted to ask that man, the man who had always been there, but he came up empty-handed. However, in the director's eyes, this performance was just a deliberate attempt to create a show effect.

"Hey, hey! Don't ask questions to the audience during the live broadcast!"

The host also made timely jokes, and canned laughter rang out, as if everyone was really happy.

"But there are still people who hit on me from time to time, right?"

The program time is limited. From the previous few questions, it can be seen that the production team only regards other people as foils, and regards Asakura Toru as the focus of the stage and a tool to earn ratings.

"Occasionally..." Taking advantage of this opportunity, Tou said, "Well, let me introduce the members--"

However, Toru, who spoke slowly to begin with, certainly couldn't outsmart the host, so she spoke first, "It's Asakura-kun and her friends, the members."

"Eh?"

Asakura Toru was stunned for a moment, but then he remembered his decision and continued:

"...Rather than saying 'with me', it's more like we grew up together, childhood friends. We're all like that. Let me introduce you, starting from here. Higuchi—"

The host, beaming with joy, ignored her and interrupted, excitedly saying to the camera, "This is incredibly rare! There are plenty of local idols, but this is the first time I've seen a group of four childhood friends! ...Ah, are they really childhood friends?"

Canned laughter breaks out, but is there anything funny about it?

No, not at all, it’s just for the so-called “program effect” and “ratings”.

"..."

Toru let out a long sigh. The experienced host knew that if he continued, Toru Asakura, whom the director had pointed out, would really get angry.

So she stopped while she was ahead and said hastily, "Sorry, sorry! Then let's see the bond between friends—

After the commercial, Noctchill will bring you [Anytime, Anytime]. It's fantastic, so don't leave!

......

...

..

The advertising time becomes very short at this time, and there are only 30 seconds left before the so-called live.

But the show staff cleaned up the venue very quickly, as if they were outsourced contractors who were in a hurry to finish the job and run away with the money. These were the only staff members who made them feel awesome today.