【OSHI NO KO】 (【推しの子】)

A certain large-scale idol group's

audition for additional members

Would you like to be an idol with me?

Number of applicants: 136,114

First screening: Written application

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I love idols. They are pretty and cute like flowers

and set everyone's hearts aflutter - they're the best

thing ever! They have energized me so much. I want to

to become that kind of cool, cute, and lovely idol so

that someday I too can encourage people!!!

Passed

Second screening: Interview

Idol group

Audition for additional members

Awaiting results

Municipal

Meguro-gawa

Middle

School

Honestly, I feel like I'll get a good response.

I didn't meet the application requirements last time, and I've been waiting two years for this audition!

Yeah, I'm sure you'll get it.

You're cute, plus you're a good dancer.

Though, your singing is a bit...

A bit what?

If anyone has enough appeal to make up for that shortcoming, it's you, Ruby.

Shortcoming...?

Anyway, I'll definitely be successful with this idol audition!

Then, one day, I'll be a top idol like Mom was.

My name is Ruby Hoshino.

I have two secrets I can't tell even my friends.

Murder

The idol

who was

stabbed

to death

Stalker

One's that my mother is the legendary idol Ai, who was killed by a fanatical stalker ten some years ago.

The blood-smeared

scene of

the crime

The suicide

of the culprit

Heinous criminal

The other is this:

I have memories from my previous life.

I was of poor health from the time I was born, and I spent the majority of my life in the hospital.

Being an idol otaku was about my only source of enjoyment.

In particular, I was super into Ai of B Komachi.

Even at the moment my life's flame was extinguished, Ai's singing was echoing through my head.

But the next time I woke, I had been reborn as Ai's child.

Those few years until Ai... until Mom died were a treasure to me.

I'm gonna be like Mom!

Talking about your dreams is fine, but high school entrance exams are fast approaching.

You don't get it, Aqua.

I am gonna be an idol!

High schools with performing arts departments focus on the interview.

They only look at academic ability in passing.

If I become an idol, I won't need to study for entrance exams - two birds with one stone.

Don't gamble your life based on that little factoid.

You know, I don't mind if you dream of being an idol, but don't have illusions about being an idol.

Essentially, their salary is low, they retire before reaching 30,

and their daily lives are under constant scrutiny by fans.

Only a small percentage survive in the industry after graduating,

and in the end most take up another line of work.

There are very few jobs where the cost is so disproportionate to the return.

What's your point?

Isn't life about doing what you want with it?!

You'll never be able to do a thing if you worry about cost and return!

Some people go their whole lives unable to really do anything, you know?

That's not for me!

Do as you like. I'm heading to the director's place.

My brother changed after Mom died.

He always has a gloomy face and never seems to be having fun.

It seems like he's been up to something ever since he became an apprentice of the director,

but he won't tell me what it is.

Strawberry Productions, Inc.

Saitou

And he's not the only one who ended up changing.

Ichigo-san fell out of contact after the incident, after which Miyako-san took over the agency.

B Komachi, having lost their star, Ai, disbanded after two years.

Strawberry Productions no longer has an idol department,

instead expanding operations into managing internet personalities.

October

Schedule

Hey, how about putting together another idol group?

Don't say that so lightly.

I'd like to if I could, you know.

The dream that Ai showed us was an experience I can't easily forget.

Annual Ranking

Music

1st Place

B Komachi

But, that needs to be thought of as having essentially won the lottery.

The longer I do this job, the clearer it becomes to me... Miracles like that don't happen twice.

The reality is things just don't go that smoothly.

Besides...

Besides what?

Never mind... Aren't you expecting a call about the results of your audition soon?

If you pass, the regulations state you're to become affiliated with them, right?

They're a better-established agency than we are.

Well, I guess that's true...

Audition

Speak of the devil...

Yes?

Is this Ruby Hoshino-san speaking?

Yes, Hoshino here!

Okay...

Okay...

Oh, I see...

Thank you.

Well then, we will be awaiting your application next time around.

Ruby...

I didn't make it.

That's reality for you.

There are lots of politics involved, and you can't even expect your ability to be judged fairly.

Not everyone can have it go as well as it did for Ai.

Gotanda Studio

Gotanda

Thanks, Director.

The fact you can fool your own twin sister shows you've got real acting chops.

What're you gonna do if she gets a call from them for real?

I already sent them a short text from Ruby's phone saying she was withdrawing.

Plus, I blocked their number in her settings.

I've dotted the i's and crossed the t's.

I just don't get it.

Why're you going to such lengths to crush your sister's dreams?

That girl is a quite a beauty - she actually has a chance of making it.

Look, you don't need to spell it out.

I'm not going to let her become an idol.

I won't let her tread in Ai's steps.

You can count on that.

Quite the sister complex there. You're overprotective to a fault.

It's better that it's I alone.

I alone...

will see that is taken care of.

You were scouted?!

Yeah, for one of those underground idol groups.

I feel like this has gotta be fate!

I've been keeping an eye on underground idol recruitment for a long time, you see.

Mom also became an idol after being scouted, right?

I must be being guided, don't you think?

Is it really a legit idol group?

Not some sketchy job?

It's nothing like that.

Have you gone over the terms of the contract?

The scout said I can come see their next concert. Then we'll get into the contract and stuff after that.

Hmm...

Aw, I can't wait.

What a pain in the butt... I've gotta find some way to stop her.

There you go again.

After what happened to Ai-san, I sympathize with you not wanting to let your sweet sister follow that same path.

You know, I...

still find myself thinking that if I'd done this or that back then maybe things would be different now.

I never want to feel like that again.

I've raised Ruby while thinking of her as my own daughter.

I'll protect her no matter what.

But... as she is my daughter, that's all the more reason I can't stop her from feeling the way she does.

She has come to look more and more like Ai... I hate to say it, but she has the qualities to make it.

It was always going to turn out like this.

Before talking about it being good or bad, there's something I must do.

I'll be borrowing one of the agency's business cards, okay?

Huh?

What're you planning?

Hello there.

Can I have a minute of your time?

What do you want?

Here, take a look at my card.

Strawberry

Productions, Inc.

Oh? Strawberry Productions?

You've heard of us?

Yeah!

B Komachi's agency, right?!

My mom was a big fan!

Strawberry

Productions, Inc.

Saitou

Wow, so this is Strawberry Productions...

Your scout here is so young, so I thought he was trying to talk me into something bad.

This is a bad nightmare alright...

For now, let's find out the lowdown on the group Ruby was scouted for.

There are good underground idol groups and bad ones.

If the management is worthless, that leaves no room for debate.

Any talk of Ruby becoming an idol can come after that.

Lala-chan, you're currently working with an agency by the name of Yilibu, correct?

Yes.

We'd like to offer you a better deal than they are.

Can you lay out the current terms you're working under?

Let's see... On the condition I appear at all the concerts, I get a small amount of guaranteed pay...

Plus, at post-concert meet and greets, I get commissions based on the number of instant photos with fans,

I love you

which makes up my main income.

Yama-chan, come

see us again

Then, clothing expenses and so on are deducted from that.