Itsuka Shido had a massive headache right now.
Just now at Miku's handshake event, when Miku called him "Darling," a fan at the event actually heard it.
If the other person had no intention of telling anyone... that was way too optimistic. A scandal is arguably the most terrifying attack for an idol. Regardless of the idol's singing or acting skills, it completely destroys the idol's image from another angle.
If the other person said nothing, naturally all would be well. But if she even had the slightest thought of sharing it, even just stating the facts normally, once rumors started spreading, the nature of the information would completely change. For example, if news like "Pure and innocent popular idol Izayoi Miku actually had intimate relations with her temporary manager" spread, Miku's idol career would be over under the pressure of public opinion.
Just like Yoimachi Tsukino a year ago.
Unable to think of a solution, Shido had no choice but to ask his sister on the Fraxinus for help.
Shido lowered his head and spoke very dejectedly.
[I understand the gist of it. Simply put, you and Miku were showing off your affection right under the public's nose, accidentally got caught, and to prevent a scandal from spreading, you ca to ask for help, right?]
"I feel like there's sothing wrong with how you phrased that."
Listening to Kotori's voice through the earpiece with a defeated expression, Shido shook his head and returned to the main topic.
"Anyway, Miku has finally started to open her heart and interact with others. If sothing like this happens now, it could cause her a lot of harm."
[Indeed. If she's betrayed by a fan again, the ntal blow to Miku would be terrifying. In the worst case scenario, she might give up on trusting others again.]
It really was a troubleso problem. Kotori rolled her Chupa Chups lollipop in her mouth, her pretty eyebrows furrowing slightly.
If a Spirit's mood soured, the Spirit power sealed within Shido could also flow backward. If Miku's power went out of control in a crowded place like that, it would be the worst possible situation.
[Hah... you really cause trouble for , Shido. You can't even maintain basic vigilance. Why don't you just turn into an earthworm and hide in the soil? At least you could fertilize the land.]
"I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart about this..."
A helpless sigh from Kotori ca through the earpiece.
[Anyway, I'll send Fraxinus mbers to search for that fan inside the gymnasium. They should still be inside the Tengu Plaza Gymnasium right now. Shido, go et up with Miku and the others first. Once we find them, we'll contact you to negotiate with the person. If it really doesn't work, we'll discuss other options.]
For now, Kotori's idea was the best. Shido nodded in understanding.
[Shido, could you describe that fan's specific features?]
"Mhm... She was wearing a black and grey knit hat, sunglasses, and a surgical mask. She wore a very thick winter coat and winter pants. She seed to have a bit of a cold. Quite a striking presence."
[Ah... that sounds extrely suspicious just hearing it.]
Indeed.
[Hm? Wait, this outfit that sounds hot just thinking about it... I feel like I saw it sowhere this morning... No way, right? It must be a coincidence.]
For so reason, Kotori seed to have thought of sothing and started muttering to herself.
[...Shido, confirm sothing for . Did the person say anything to you before leaving?]
"Uh? About that... She said there was no need to explain and told to look out for myself. That's why I was worried she might plan on leaking it."
[...]
For so reason, after Shido said that, Kotori fell into a very eerie silence.
"Moshi moshi? Kotori?"
[Ah? Ah ah! Oh, so that's how it is. Well, it makes sense. Mhm! I see, I understand the situation now. I'll send people to help you find them. Good luck, Onii-chan!]
Kotori's initially serious attitude suddenly felt sowhat halfhearted, leaning more towards wanting to watch a good show than being worried.
Shido could almost imagine his sister on the airship right above him, staring at him on the large screen, showing a wicked smile while playing dumb into the microphone.
"Kotori, do you know sothing?"
[Well~ What could I possibly know, Onii-chan? Anyway, look out for yourself and good luck~]
Then, she hung up the call directly, leaving Shido completely dumbfounded.
"What was that? Did it sound like Kotori knows that person?"
Shido scratched his head in confusion, unable to figure out what his sister was planning.
Returning to Miku's waiting room, Shido thought for a long ti and finally decided to tell Miku about this. He wanted to see if Miku had any ideas.
"A scandal? It's fine! When the ti cos, I'll just announce that Darling and I are dating."
Miku answered with a bright smile.
"..."
Okay, Miku seed to have given the sa answer before. Back then, he thought she was just joking. Looking at it now, Miku seed to seriously intend to do that.
"Besides, I don't think you need to panic so much, Darling. I don't think that child will tell anyone."
"Hm? Why do you think that, Miku?"
Shido looked at Miku in confusion. Miku looked up, thought for a mont, and a slightly enchanted look appeared on her face.
"Because when we shook hands, I noticed that her hands were very slender and beautiful, and soft to the touch. Soone with hands like that... hiding under those heavy clothes is undoubtedly a cute girl!"
"..."
"Achoo—!"
A strangely dressed girl sitting in the audience suddenly sneezed. She muttered to herself sowhat dejectedly, "Strange? Did I really catch a cold?" Then, under the subtle stares of others around her, she pulled out two glow sticks from her bag.
"A cute girl would absolutely never do sothing like that!"
Miku answered with a confident tone.
"..."
I better just do my best myself, Shido thought.
"Ah... I'm back."
The door to the waiting room suddenly opened. Miku and Shido turned their heads and saw Subaru stumbling in like a drunkard. Then, she collapsed onto the sofa with a "Thud—!"
"Um... are you okay?"
"I'm fine... just a little anemia."
"That's completely not fine!"
"Well, earlier I had to deal with a conflict between foreign fans and security due to the language barrier. After all, our preparations were sowhat lacking. There are actually a lot of hidden issues with increasing the scale of this concert. However, if this concert is a success, it will definitely have a very positive impact on Miku's future."
Shido looked at Subaru collapsed on the sofa, and Miku beside her fanning Subaru with her own idol rchandise. He had to admit, the positions of manager and idol seed to have reversed at this mont.
"Even so, I wouldn't be happy if you ruin your health, Manager."
Miku puffed out her cheeks and complained in dissatisfaction. A bitter smile appeared on Subaru's face.
"That's true, I did push myself a bit too hard. I've mostly dealt with the majority of the problems for now. Hah... I'm going to rest for a bit. Itsuka Shido-kun, please wake up if anything cos up."
"Alright, understood. Please rest well."
Having received Shido's assurance,Subaru's tense nerves seed to relax. Like a puppet with its strings cut, she fell asleep directly on the sofa.
It seed she had accumulated a considerable amount of fatigue.
Managers have it tough, Shido thought from the bottom of his heart.
By the way, if he really told Subaru about the possibility of Miku's scandal leaking, she might despair so much she'd just stop breathing on the spot.
I need to solve this problem quickly too, Shido thought with a bitter smile.
_____________________________
"Miku, don't be too nervous. Just perform like you normally do. If you really can't handle it, you can trace the character for 'person' (人) on your hand and swallow it. Did you forget any lyrics? Do you want so water?"
Seeing Shido acting flustered, Miku couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yes, yes~ You're the one who shouldn't be too nervous, Darling. You look just like my managers."
"Ah... sorry."
Shido scratched his head in embarrassnt. Miku seed to think of sothing; an imaginary lightbulb lit up over her head. She puffed out her cheeks and said angrily like a child.
"Ugh... It's all Darling's fault, now I'm feeling nervous too. I need Darling to pat my head!"
"Uh... I-Is that so?"
"Yes!"
Actually, this wasn't Miku's first concert. As an excellent idol, naturally adjusting her condition to its peak was sothing Miku took pride in. But Shido, who had just taken over Subaru's job, clearly didn't know this. Seeing Miku say this with such certainty, he reached out and gently patted her head a few tis.
"Alright! For Darling! For the Manager! I'll give it my all! You have to watch my performance closely, Darling."
Miku clenched her small fists and said, full of motivation.
The girl ran towards the stage with light, cheerful steps. Shido wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but he felt Miku's entire being had started to sparkle.
Shido was standing in a narrow staff corridor against the wall of the Tengu Gymnasium. Not only did it face the center stage directly, but there were also no extra fans crowding and making noise here. It could be called a hidden VIP seat.
Honestly, everything unfolding before him completely exceeded Shido's expectations.
Elegant, moving, wonderful... Shido felt these words were too ager to describe Miku.
The girl danced gracefully on the wide stage to the music. Her lodious singing voice, like a skylark, rang out, leaving all the audience intoxicated.
It felt like missing even a single glance would be a regret. Everyone, including Shido himself, couldn't tear their eyes away from Miku's performance.
He had to admit, all of Shido's previous worries were basically groundless. On stage, Miku possessed unimaginable charm.
As Miku's manager,Subaru-san had said that Miku had a unique talent for singing. As long as you gave her a suitable stage, the radiance she contained would naturally blossom.
Then, as the song neared its end, following a playful wave from Miku, deafening cheers erupted from the audience, as if shaking the very space of the gymnasium.
"Phew... As expected of Miku."
Slowly recovering from the lingering echoes of the song, Shido praised her with admiration.
He rembered back at the Tengu Festival, when Shido watched Miku perform, he could only use the word "perfect" to describe it.
But the her right now had taken another step further.
Earlier, Miku said she was worried she hadn't gained Yutsuki's acceptance. Shido now felt that was completely unnecessary worry.
"With a singing voice like this... there's no way Yutsuki isn't a fan of Miku."
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