Prologue: Uneven Quartet

<- All Star Main Page

Prologue: Uneven Quartet
Translator
Belén Twitter
Proofreaders
Mimi Twitter	WolfeRaine Twitter

Haruka Nanami	Tomo-chan, congratulations on your debut!
	Thank you. Now, cheers!
	Ahh… Wow, having a drink after debuting feels incredible!
Haruka Nanami	Oh come on, Tomo-chan, you know it’s nonalcoholic!
	Of course! We’re still underage so let’s do our best to toast with juice instead!
It’s early October and it had already become chilly. The season is autumn. Today I came with my friend Tomo-chan, Tomochika Shibuya, together to this cafe to celebrate her debut as an idol. I am Haruka Nanami, a composer affiliated to the Shining Agency, a major entertainment production company. Two years ago in April, I dreamed of becoming a composer for idols… I enrolled in Saotome Academy, a vocational school for composers and idols that has an acceptance rate of 1 out of every 200 applicants. After that, I went through a tough curriculum and successfully passed the audition for new talents. That’s how I managed to become a Shining Agency employee. During my Saotome Academy days, Tomo-chan was my roommate. I wasn’t very good at socialising, and she had worried and looked after me from the very beginning.
Haruka Nanami	But really, I’m so happy you could debut.
	Yep! There were a lot of difficulties, but I made it at last.
Somehow, Tomo-chan seems more vibrant and beautiful than before. I guess this is what debuting does to you.
	What’s wrong, Haruka? You’ve been staring at me for a while now…
Haruka Nanami	Aah? Was I doing that?
	You were~ Hehe, don’t tell me you were falling in love with me~
Haruka Nanami	Whaa-! Y-You’re wrong! That’s not it. I... was just thinking about how pretty you’ve become.
When I said that, Tomo-chan smiled.
	Hahaha~ Thank you! But really, being pretty is just part of my job as an idol. Make up, health, fitness… I guess I started paying attention to things like that. It’s been 2 years... and a half since we met… right? A lot has happened since then…
Haruka Nanami	Yes. And you finally made it.
	Yes, it was very hard, but I did it thanks to everyone’s support, including yours!
Haruka Nanami	Me? That’s… You made it with your own strength, Tomo-chan.
	Hahaha, no way! Because I had my friends by my side, I was able to do my best. And seeing you do your best on your own really inspired me. Everyone else too! Otoya, Masayan, Natsuki, Ichinose, Jinguji, Syo-chan and Cecil!!
Tomo-chan said the names of my friends during my student days.
Haruka Nanami	If that’s true... It’d make me very happy.
At the Saotome Academy, idols and composers team up upon entering the school. Doing their best together they make a song for the graduation audition following a unique curriculum. The idols and composers build a relationship of trust to make a wonderful presentation. But my partner got sick soon after starting and had to leave the school… The rest of the idol aspirants already had a partner, so I had no choice but to make it alone to the audition. Even after joining the agency I couldn’t find a partner. At the time, the people who had always helped me and given their advice were the friends Tomo-chan just mentioned. Otoya Ittoki, Masato Hijirikawa, Natsuki Shinomiya. Tokiya Ichinose, Ren Jinguji, Syo Kurusu. And also Cecil Aijima-san, who the president had recruited. They all were and still are very important friends to me.
Haruka Nanami	Yes, all of you cheered me on, that’s why I thought I had to do my best, but…
	That’s right! …So? What about you? How is everything going?
Tomo-chan looked at me a bit worried while stirring her juice with a straw.
Haruka Nanami	Well, I’m participating in the agency’s competitions and external auditions while I help my senpai with her compositions, but… I still haven’t been able to debut, I don’t know what I should do…
I would have tried to answer more cheerfully but talking about this always ruins my mood.
	Well, let’s check. What do you need to debut at our agency in the first place?
She asked me cheerfully, raising both of her hand’s index fingers.
Haruka Nanami	To debut? Well, of course it’s to…
SELECT THE PHRASE!

• A - Compose a song
• B - Release a CD
• C - What was it?

Haruka Nanami	Of course, it’s to compose a song for an idol, but… If that song isn’t released on a CD, then we can’t debut at our agency.
	Good! So you do understand, but of course just talking about the CD isn’t going to make it true, you have to go for it with a positive mindset!
Haruka Nanami	A positive mindset...
Even if I’m part of the agency, the road to debut is very harsh.

Haruka Nanami	Releasing a CD is absolutely necessary, right?
	Correct! When an idol and a composer release a CD then we can say they’ve debuted.
And in order to do that I first need to find someone to sing my songs… Because even if I work hard everyday, it’s still not enough.

Haruka Nanami	Hm… What was it?
When she heard my answer, Tomo-chan collapsed on the table.
Haruka Nanami	Ah, I’m sorry. Just joining the agency is useless, isn’t it?
	Yes! Even if you join the agency you can’t debut if you don’t release a CD. It’s a harsh world. Say~, are you ok? I’m so worried!
Haruka Nanami	Hn, I’m so sorry.

I knew what I needed to debut but…
Haruka Nanami	The time I can be associated to the agency as a trainee is limited, I won’t be able to continue if I don’t do something about it.
That’s how it is, even if you’re in the agency, you’re an apprentice until you debut… Basically you’re treated as a trainee. And when you debut, you become a regular employee.
	Certainly, the time frame is the same for a composer and an idol.
Haruka Nanami	Yes, that’s right. The time we have to debut is…
SELECT THE PHRASE!

• A - Two years
• B - A year
• C - How many years was it?

Haruka Nanami	2 years. So in my case, I only have 6 months left…
That’s all that remains now that October’s just started. Even after saying this calmly, I can’t help but shudder.
	Aaah! That’s only half a year! But come on, don’t make that face! Don’t let it get to you, you have to focus on what you can do, ok?

Haruka Nanami	Was it.. a year? Huh?
Tomo-chan almost fell down from the chair she was sitting in.
	Are you ok? It’s two years, two!
Haruka Nanami	I-I’m sorry. I remember now, it was two years. It’s just that it feels like time has flown by…
	It has been a year and a half since we joined the agency, huh?… It does feel like everything happened in an instant.
Yes, this is why I can’t relax anymore.

Haruka Nanami	Huh…?
Tomo-chan almost fell down from the chair she was sitting in.
	E-even if you play dumb, you’re not gonna get more time...
Haruka Nanami	Ah, I’m sorry! Two years! It was two years.
I quickly corrected myself.
Haruka Nanami	But… only two years…
I was so nervous that I said that without thinking.
	The president set the 2 year contract period so everyone would hurry up and debut. Come on, you can’t be so timid!

Idols as well as composers first sign a temporary contract with the agency. And after that, when they release a debut CD it becomes a permanent contract. The temporary contract lasts for 2 years, which means that if you don’t debut during the allotted period, you’re fired. We only learned about it after working at the agency for a year.
	It really surprised me when they told us so suddenly. But that’s to be expected of the president.
Tomo-chan smiled sarcastically. The president is the founder of the Shining Agency and principal of the Saotome Academy. He’s a retired idol that sold 20 million copies of his big hit, “Ai yue ni (For love)”, Shining Saotome. Both his career and his personality are out of the scales for a normal person. Even so, it seemed like he had forgotten to inform us about the term of the contract.
	And, you also weren’t so lucky not being able to attend the Master Course.
Haruka Nanami	The Master Course… That’s right, I couldn’t do it.
The Master Course is a special curriculum that a few apprentices in the agency are chosen to do. It’s also considered the short road to debuting.
Haruka Nanami	After seeing you all do the Master Course, I get the impression that the best part about it must be…
SELECT THE PHRASE!

• A - That the president teaches you many things
• B - Living with a senpai
• C - Line up the desks and take advanced classes

When Tomo-chan heard what I said she spilled the juice she was drinking.
	(Cough, cough) Wait a second!! Wouldn’t it be difficult for him to do that everyday!?
Haruka Nanami	Eh?
That’s… true. When we were students the president himself taught us a few times but… since he’s so busy it must have been hard.

Haruka Nanami	You live with your senpai in the dorms, right? I’m a little jealous.
Tomo-chan told me a bit about her life in the dorms with her idol senpai. She also works as an assistant for her senpai, but only to remind her about things she has to do or changes in her schedule.
	Yes, there has been some difficult times but I got to learn a lot about her daily life. I seriously learned so much.
I think I understand a bit why they say it’s the short road to debuting

Haruka Nanami	Learning the more difficult things in a classroom… That isn’t done, right?
	Yes. That’s something for the school days. The Master Course is more practical.

The Master Course is an evaluation system applied only to those that have improved their track record and have been greatly valued in their first year at the agency. Thanks to the Master Course, Tomo-chan and the friends I previously mentioned got a chance to debut. This system applies to composers too, but… Unfortunately, my senpai composer was too busy and couldn’t do it. With this and that, I’ve been a year and a half in the agency and haven’t debuted yet. So basically, if I don’t debut in 6 months... I’ll be fired.
Haruka Nanami	Aaaah….
	Hey! Don’t sigh like that when you’re celebrating someone’s debut!
She hit me lightly on the head.
Haruka Nanami	S-Sorry!
	Ha… You’re too gentle. That’s something good about you though. You’re in a bad spot but you have to think “I still have 6 months” instead of “I only have 6 months”! You can’t afford to be weak.
Tomo-chan said that while petting my head from across the table.
Haruka Nanami	Wah, Tomo-chan, it tickles!
	Fight, fight! Keep going forward! Take on the world!!
Haruka Nanami	To take it all… That seems so difficult to do… I’m sorry. I’m always making you worry...
	Seriously… If I grow old faster it’ll totally be your fault.
Haruka Nanami	That’d be bad… I want you to be a beautiful idol always…
	All the more reason to be one, then! My life as an idol depends on your hard work, so I’ll be counting on you.
I was going to cheer her on, but I ended up having to be cheered on by her instead. However… Whenever I’m with Tomo-chan, I feel better. I’ll do my best so that we can be friends forever. After that, we started to talk about our current work and plans for the future. Likewise, we also talked about things like the boutique which had recently opened and a delicious bakery. Since we’re very busy and don’t see each other often, we end up talking about a lot of things. When we looked outside the window, we could already see the sun setting.
	Wow, look at the time! I have to get going to my singing lesson.
Haruka Nanami	I’m sorry, I’ve held you up for too long.
	No, it’s alright! I’m happy to have celebrated my debut with you! ...Ah, I almost forgot!!
Saying that, Tomo-chan got something out of her bag.
	Ta-da! My debut CD! It’s still the sample but I want to give you one.
Haruka Nanami	Really, is that alright? Thank you, Tomo-chan!!
The picture on the cover of the CD is of a very stylish Tomo-chan, like she had slipped out of the cover of a fashion magazine.
Haruka Nanami	Wah~ You look amazing! Tomo-chan, your dream came true!
	Yes, but it’s only just started, because my dream is to be able to sing, dance, do theatre… I want to be a multi-idol!
Haruka Nanami	Coming from you, I’m sure you can do it!
	Thanks! You too, I’m sure you will be able to debut! So hurry and catch up! We’ll get to the top together!
Tomo-chan smiled radiantly. We exited the cafe and Tomo-chan left for her lessons, saying good-bye by making big waves with her hands. I swing my hands too as if not to lose to hers and then headed towards the dorms. But at that time…
Haruka Nanami	Oh, a text. Who’s it from…?
FROM: Shining Saotome SUBJECT: Come to the press conference! YOU are invited to the press conference that starts in an hour! If you don’t come, you’ll get a very very hard punishment. I’ll be waiting.
Haruka Nanami	In an hour!?
So… sudden…
Haruka Nanami	A press conference? I wonder what it’s about…?
I looked at the address and map that were attached to the message. If I hurry there right now I can be there on time. I put my phone in my bag and run to the station.
Haruka Nanami	Sorry to keep you waiting!
	Haru-chan, this way!
	Good, you’ve made it.
Hyuuga-sensei and Tsukimiya-sensei come to receive me from the back door of the venue, waving their hands. They’re both idols at the agency and teachers at Saotome Academy. Hyuuga Ryuuya-sensei is a veteran idol with a mature image that acts in the series “Kenka no Ouji-sama”, or “KenOu” for short. He’s also the director at the Shining Agency and right hand of the president. He’s someone you can really rely on. Tsukimiya Ringo-sensei is a man but has found success as a “crossdressing idol” that doesn’t lose against any woman in the beauty department. When I was in school, they were the ones that got me the chance to participate in the graduation audition alone. They have also been taking care of me ever since I joined the agency. They still find it funny that I call them “sensei” while keeping my head lowered. When I come running to them, Hyuuga-sensei turned his back.
	We just got here as well. There’s no time, hurry up!
Haruka Nanami	What…?
	Sorry, we just got called here too, we don’t understand what’s going on.
Tsukimiya Ringo-sensei put his hands together and started running too. So it looks like the both of them were called in the middle of work as well. I went and followed them.
	Phew, we’re on time. After the conference the old man will explain everything, so just stand at the back and pay attention for now.
Haruka Nanami	A-Alright.
	It looks like we’ll get further information after it ends, so wait a bit until then.
As I enter the venue Hyuuga-sensei and Tsukimiya-sensei disappear and I’m left all alone. I got my guest ID, pushed open the door to the hall and, a bit scared, entered.
Haruka Nanami	Woah, so many people…
I noticed there was a crowd of reporters and photographers. So much excitement in the air. So I wouldn’t bother anyone, I moved towards the back. The lights dimmed and Hyuuga-sensei stood on stage with Tsukimiya-sensei. We were together just a moment ago, they’re so fast.
	Welcome everyone to the presentation of the new special unit from the Shining Agency.
	Without further ado, let’s introduce the unit members!
All of the camera flashes started going off at once. In the middle of all the flashes, I felt the presence of 4 stars appear on stage.
	Everyone, thank you very very macchoccho for coming here today! I’m Rei-chan, Reiji Kotobuki.
That’s without a doubt... An idol of our agency, Reiji Kotobuki-senpai. Of course he sings, but he’s also a multi-idol that participates in variety shows and dramas.
	I’m Ranmaru Kurosaki… Nice to meet you.
Ranmaru Kurosaki-senpai moved closer to the microphone and spoke in a cool way. His deep and raspy voice had a sexiness that could make you shiver. I had heard that kind of wild image was popular, but now I understand why. The boy that was next to Ranmaru Kurosaki took a step forward.
	I’m Ai Mikaze, it makes me very happy that you all came here today. Thank you for your support.
That is… Ai Mikaze-senpai. His voice is very clear and his face so beautiful that he could easily be mistaken for a woman. They call him a mysterious idol, just a little while ago his songs were only sold as downloads online. Finally, a tall man with finely chiseled features bowed with elegance.
	I’m Camus. I’m very thankful to have an opportunity like this today.
That is… Camus-senpai, an idol from a noble family originating in a northern country called Silk Palace. Indeed, his manners and speech were very refined. But also… The four idols were very popular in the agency. To hear that they’re working together is great news.
	This year, these four will form a unit and perform as the opening act of the Christmas Live. And…
	On March of next year, they will all participate in the Shining Song Festival. Today’s friends will be tomorrow’s rivals! How exciting!
The hall went euphoric.
Reporter	Really~. So the four popular idols of the Shining Agency are going to sing together? The Christmas Live is going to be crazy! They’ll sing together to then compete in the festival, as expected of Shining Saotome! Always thinking up interesting things like this!
The Shining Song Festival is the biggest event of the agency, it’s held on March every year. Popular idols from the agency participate and compete with their songs. In this event, a special jury, the audience and the spectators that watch the live broadcast vote and choose a winner.
	Looks like everyone is very fired up~. But let me tell you, I won’t lose no matter what...
Kotobuki-senpai looked at the other 3 as he said that.
	Yes, however, please enjoy the Christmas Live before the competition. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
	That’s right. Reiji always gets so excited that he ends up failing. When we sing together we have to go at the same pace.
	Bang! Ai-Ai doesn’t hesitate to deliver the blow!
The whole hall laughed.
	Well, if I have to do it I’m also going for the win. I’ll make sparks fly.
Snapping his fingers, Kurosaki-senpai made all the reporters scream.
	Woah, so cruel, Ranran! Well then, please look forward to my hot sparks too.
Kotobuki-senpai winked and the cheering was even louder than before.
	The support I’ve received from everyone makes me so happy. I’ll do my best in the Christmas Live and the Song Festival!
Mikaze-senpai smiled and not only the female reporters, but the men too couldn’t keep their eyes off him either.
	My desire is to give the ladies my best and most noble concerto.
Ah, all the reporters are shocked by Camus-senpai’s sidelong glance...
Reporter 1	Look this way, please!
Reporter 2	This way too! Smile!
The flashes started going off again at the words of the four idols. When facing the cameras each of the senpais’ appearance was perfect, as if meticulously calculated. The four were shining brighter than any of the flashes. This is the aura of an idol… I continued looking at them completely overwhelmed.
Once the conference ended, I headed to the room Hyuuga-sensei and Tsukimiya-sensei had called me to.
Haruka Nanami	Excuse me.
	HA HA HA~ You’re finally here. All the actors are present!!
I entered the room and the president, who was sitting on the sofa, got up.
	Hurry up and explain yourself, old man. I have to go prepare for a live...
Wait, what...? He’s acting very differently now...
	Come on, Ranran, this is part of the job, please hang on just a little, little bit more.
Kotobuki-senpai was sitting on the sofa at the back, he stretches out. Mikaze-senpai and Camus-senpai were sitting each in their own way but… It held the kind of tension that made it seem as though they were angry or irritated.
	YES!! This is an important matter that concerns all of YOU. So listen weeeell!!
Ignoring the heavy atmosphere, the president began his explanation.
	I shall explain the plan at once! First of all, I’m going to give this to YOU!!
The president retrieved a file out of nowhere and gave it to me.
Haruka Nanami	Ah… Ah…
I went through its pages. The first page that I opened read “QUARTET NIGHT”. It seems like everything in this document is hand-written by the president. STEP 1: Make a song for the unit and participate in the Christmas Live STEP 2: Participate in the Song Festival and get to the top, YO!! It’s a typical document coming from him: looks like a draft, but contains the details of the conference. When I looked up, the president smiled mischievously and vigorously pointed my way.
	YOU. Make the song for the unit and aim for victory at the festival, YO!!
Haruka Nanami	What, m-me…??
	That’s right. ME is very very very very very excited!!
He hits his chest proudly.
Haruka Nanami	But…
	Oooh, I see. For the unit, the composer is a new girl. Sounds interesting.
	You really think that? I’m not going to sing this child’s songs, how shameful.
	What is this about? Why is a woman taking on this job?
Haruka Nanami	Ah, that’s… I…
	You’re a composer at our agency, right? Yet I don’t remember any of your achievements.
I couldn’t look at them anymore, so I turned towards the president.
Haruka Nanami	This… Why me…?
	Mmmmmmm. YOU remember the deadline of the contract, right? If you haven’t debuted in two years, YOU are going to get fired.
Haruka Nanami	Y-yes.
	BUT, it’s been a year and a half since you came to the agency, and there are NO signs of you debuting soon. I GOT EMOTIONAL!
The president pointed to the senpais.
	None of them have a partner right now. So YOU are going to choose one of them!! Aaaaand while he teaches you, you’ll compose the unit song for the Christmas Live!!
Haruka Nanami	Whaaaat?!
	Teach…? After the Master Course, again?
	So? And what then?
	BUT that’s not all. The unit song is only to warm up. This is to learn from your partner and build a relationship of trust!! If the case is that you’re unable to establish a bond with him until then, you’ll change partners. Worst case scenario, you won’t be able to participate in the Song Festival!
Said the president as his sunglasses sparkled.
	After the Christmas live, work with your partner, make a song for the festival and win!! The winning song will get a CD release. So if you win, your song will be released on CD and you’ll debut!!
	I get it, so you’re giving the opportunity to debut to this woman that couldn’t do it herself.
	Hmmm, but on the other hand, if she makes some mistake it’s possible that she runs out of time, right?
The president nodded and turned to look at me.
	That’s right! If you fail it’s possible that you will lose your chance to debut. So YOU do your best! Everything you need to know is written in that file, so read it well and decide!! BYE-YO!!
After yelling that, the president earnestly ran past me and out of the room.
	Ah… That old man has no chill; as usual, he’s doing it so suddenly.
	Really… I couldn’t stop thinking about what was going to happen since he called us during work… Haru-chan, are you ok?
Tsukimiya-sensei looked at my face.
Haruka Nanami	Yes… It was just so sudden… I’m surprised…
I saw Mikaze-senpai get up from his chair out of the corner of my eye.
	Now that we’re done with the explanation, can I leave? I was also in the middle of work.
	Seriously, there’s nothing more annoying than being called here for something so trivial. I also have a lot of work to do, so I’m leaving.
	A unit? Screw that. And on top of that there’s a woman involved, this must be a joke.
	Now, now~ Everyone, let’s take it easy, easy~
	You’re always saying the same vague crap, it’s so fake.
	How cruel, Ranran! I’m always serious and honest, right, Ai-Ai?
	Who cares…
I grew flustered with the folder in my hands.
	Cut it out all of you, try to be a little mature, she’s troubled as well.
Hyuuga-sensei patted my shoulder. I should… I should say something…
Haruka Nanami	Ah… I’m Haruka Nanami. Nice to meet you.
	Not interested, I’m going. Get out of the way, child.
Haruka Nanami	I… I’m sorry.
I stepped away from the door and Camus opened it, leaving the room without even looking at me.
	Even if the partner job is an order from Shining, the chances of succeeding with you seem very low, I’ll pass.
	Listen well, make sure you don’t choose me.
	See you, Kouhai-chan! I’ll always give a big warm welcome to a cute girl like you. Now, good job~!
The rest of the senpais also left one by one. Now the only ones left in the room were Hyuuga-sensei, Tsukimiya-sensei and I.
	It seems that’s all. It’ll be hard but you have a chance, do your best.
	We’ll help you in any way we can.
Haruka Nanami	A-Alright…
Even in my answer there was nothing but worry.
	They might not look like it, but they’re not bad guys…
	True… Though if I do say so myself, they have strong personalities and particularly bad habits…
	More than anything, those four are a bunch of problem children...
They looked at each other and sighed deeply.
When I return to the dorms I remember everything that happened today. At least I have a chance that the senpais sing a song composed by a newbie like me. But to be honest, they have scared me a little. And if I fail at some point, I won’t be able to debut… I open the file that the president gave me once again. On it, in writing, were other explanations along with the senpais’ profiles.
Haruka Nanami	Did he really take the trouble to summarize all of it?
On the last pages it seemed like he had lost interest and his writing was getting bigger and bigger. At the very end, there was a collection of ideas. For the yakiniku sauce, get a small plate! So that the idols shine, golden sauce!
Haruka Nanami	These are… wise words from the president and I should be thankful but…
Was this really necessary? Mayonnaise ruins drinks! Never forget your dream!
Haruka Nanami	Dream...?
It would be good to go back to the basics now. While keeping that in mind, I turned my computer on and opened the rhythm lessons program.
MUSIC START!

• S RANK
• A-B RANK

Haruka Nanami	Yes, that’s good!
It seems I remember everything I learned. As long as I don’t forget how I felt when I started pursuing this dream I’ll be able to do my best with the senpais!

Haruka Nanami	Yes, something like this…
I haven’t recovered my 6th sense yet, but I’ll get back on track by practicing. I turned back to my computer and kept at it.

Now that I’ve cleared my mind a bit, I open the file again.
Haruka Nanami	A partner…
The senpais are very independent, and seem very strict but… I remembered the four when I saw them at the conference.
Haruka Nanami	They were shining so much… It was wonderful.
I’m very worried but this is something I must do if I want to debut. And as a composer, I also want them to sing my songs. What I have to do now is…
SELECT THE PHRASE!

• A - Let’s check once again
• B - That’s good enough

First of all, I have to choose a partner out of the four senpais. Then, with the guidance of my partner I’ll write a song for the Christmas Live. After that, I have to prepare a solo song for my partner and participate in the Song Festival. If we win, the song will get a CD release and I’ll be able to remain in the agency.

/Continue reading/

Haruka Nanami	OK!
Excited, I patted my cheeks. First I have to choose a partner. At the end of the document there was a blank space and on the top it said: “Write the name of your partner here”. I took a deep breath and grabbed the pen to write my partner’s name.
CHOOSE A PARTNER. END OF PROLOGUE.