"To get an office, a practice room, a studio, and everything else we need, I think it'd be best to get a whole building in D.U. This will require some additional initial investment... should we split the cost?"
"No, Millennium will cover it. Unless the project falls through midway, this business is slated to be pushed forward under Millennium's leadership from start to finish. We're proceeding with this looking only at next year's results, so unless the next student council president intends to continue this project, the building will eventually have to be sold. And if the ownership is split, that process will only get messy."
"That's true... Hmm, but it'll cost quite a lot if Millennium bears the full expense."
"Mika-ssi, I don't think there's anything more pointless than worrying about the budget of Millennium, an academy now considered one of the three greats."
...Now that I heard it, Nagisa was right.
There was Gehenna, which showed no signs of going under despite incidents breaking out daily within its district and its student council president leading the charge. And then there was Trinity, overflowing with money thanks to all the rich young ladies.
To think I was worried about the finances of Millennium, an academy grouped in with those two. My head must have gone funny for a moment.
"Ahem. Anyway, I've already scouted out some talent to handle the immediate producing."
"...You have? When?"
"Ahaha. There's someone like that. Yes. A very talented individual."
...It's a bit of a stretch to call him a person, but he exists. That wooden puppet from Gematria, Maestro, is our producer.
He was so confident, making such grand proclamations as he took my 'mystery'. Surely he wouldn't deliver something that falls short of my expectations after all that.
If that happens, I'll have no choice but to get seriously mad.
"Anyway, we'll start practice sometime in December. The debut will be at the start of the new school year next year."
In truth, everything depended on how well the other members could keep up.
As far as I knew, none of them had any issues with their singing abilities. Even Neru, whom I'd been slightly worried about, was a decent singer according to Asuna. Apparently, Asuna was actually a better rapper than Neru, who I'd had high hopes for in that department.
Hmm, the cheerful, golden retriever-like Asuna rapping. I think that's an excellent *gap moe* element... (TN: *Gap moe* is a Japanese term popular in fandom culture describing the appeal of a character who displays a stark contrast between two aspects of their personality.)
One of the most effective ways to gain popularity is a distinct personality that leads to a clear charm point. So if Asuna takes charge of the rapping, that in itself becomes her unique appeal.
Dancing could be a bit of an issue, but only for Noa and Haruna. At least among Hina, myself, Neru, and Asuna, none of us have two left feet. And as long as you're not clumsy, it's definitely something that can be covered.
Talent? A choreographed dance can be drilled into you with practice. I know this from personal experience, having practiced dancing like crazy in my childhood for a single school festival performance despite being clumsy.
In terms of fan service, Neru and Hina were the ones to worry about, but Neru would probably attract fans on her own just by acting like her usual self...
Hina, well. Hmm...
"What do you think Hina-chan's charm point is?"
"...Mika-ssi, are you really the one asking that question?"
"For starters, I'd appreciate it if you didn't ask me. My opinion on that question is unlikely to be of much help."
"No, no, the reason I'm asking is because... how can I be objective about this?"
What was I supposed to do when, in my eyes, I could only see Hina's good points? If I tried to list her charms, the compliments would surely overflow endlessly, like a river on a day of torrential rain.
"I'm, I'm starting to get a little jealous."
"Hmph? Nagi-chan, you're so cute☆"
"...Flirting, right in front of someone who took the time to visit. What is the meaning of this?"
"Ahaha. Sorry. Anyway, Rio-chan, these are sandwiches I made myself. Would you like to try one?"
I said, pointing to the sandwiches on the bottom of the three-tiered tray. Rio, who had been watching me with a blank expression, slowly nodded and picked one up.
There was... no reaction. I kind of expected that from Rio, but it's not like a sandwich can have some amazing flavor, so maybe that was the natural response.
When I asked Nagisa again about Hina's charm points—specifically, what would be perceived as charming from an idol fan's perspective—I got a similar answer to what I had been thinking.
"The Prefect Leader, the strongest in Gehenna's history, who has only ever shown a tough and unshakeable front to the public... if she were to show a side that stimulates one's desire to protect her, that would probably become her charm point. Am I right?"
"Yes, that's the core of it."
In fact, the key reason this relationship, so unconventional it should have fallen apart long ago, could be maintained was communication. Minimal secrets between us, and speaking up without hesitation if there were complaints or desires.
Even the relationship between Nagisa and Hina was at a point where you could call them friends. The reason being that Nagisa didn't want to be difficult in a relationship she herself had approved. As a result, Nagisa now knew a fair amount about Hina.
"Honestly, it's hard to guarantee how much we can practice while everyone has their own daily lives, but if we count individual practice as a sort of homework... then coordinating our schedules for group lessons will be the problem. Yes."
Since we'd be lacking in absolute practice time, we could aim for two albums, assuming everyone followed along to the best of their ability. Realistically, we'd be lucky to have just one big hit.
Ah, so was that why the theoretical maximum was so high? If we set the promotion period for one album at about half a year...
...Even so, that number was abnormal. I wouldn't believe it until I saw the results with my own eyes.
"Ah, I'm just saying this just in case, but if I work for free, are you going to get mad if I get overloaded with an unlimited number of ad deals?"
"...I won't do that. And regarding the unpaid work, I was planning to give you a certain amount in settlement once profits pass the break-even point. This is a decision for improving efficiency and managing morale."
"Ahaha! That's a relief. As for the strategy to maximize the members' character concepts and the charms derived from them, I'll dig into that more seriously once we enter the practice stage. Yes. In that sense, I'm counting on you, CEO Rio."
"...Right."
By the way, we'd need a place to practice while Millennium immediately arranges for a building or builds a new one. For this part, maybe I should deliberately pick a slightly shabby place for a practice room to artificially instill a sense of desperation...
"Does that cover everything we need to discuss on this matter?"
"Yes. Here are the contracts I prepared. Please take a look."
Rio handed me two contracts. One for the three people who would be properly paid, and one for the three slaves scheduled for unpaid labor as compensation.
Wow, there was actually a clause about paying the slaves. That was a little touching. Rio was a good kid after all...
"...According to this clause about deducting payment based on the severity of any personal life issues, it seems that no matter how successful you are, the amount returned to Mika-ssi and Hina-ssi will ultimately be 0 yen. I believe we should draw a line regarding personal life issues that occurred before activities began. What are your thoughts on this?"
"...Yes, that clause should be amended."
"Whoa...?"
Hey, Rio, give me back my感動. I had so much faith in you... (TN: 感動 (gamdong) means 'being touched' or 'moved emotionally'.)
As we talked, the sandwiches and scones ran out, so I sliced the tiramisu from the top tier and placed it on each of our plates. Anyway, I had wanted to get a little closer to Rio personally because I didn't want her to go astray later, but it was proving difficult to get started.
"By the way, Mika. There's something I'd like your opinion on."
"...Hm? What is it?"
"Which of these do you think is better?"
Rio held out two sheets that looked like blueprints.
And what they depicted were the initial designs for one of Rio's AMAS.
...Don't tell me you're asking for my opinion just because I praised it once before? This is nuts.
"They both seem so good, I'm not sure. It's hard to pick just one. Hmm..."
I started with some lip service, and I could feel Nagisa staring at me from the side as if I'd lost my mind. Nagisa, my aesthetic sense is perfectly normal. I might get a little hurt if you look at me like that...
Anyway, what on earth is this quadrupedal AMAS? It's not an AT-AT, and it's probably going to be a small model anyway. What was the design intended for?
"Wouldn't this one be a bit more practical? This four-legged model... well, if the structure is meant to enhance mobility, it would be better to change the shape of the legs. As they are now, it won't be very mobile, and I'm not sure what its advantages are."
I said to Rio, pointing to the one that more closely resembled the AMAS I knew, the one that moved on a single wheel. Honestly, the four-legged model was cool in a romantic sense, but its practical value in combat was... questionable. The fact that it looked so clunky was also a demerit.
It would be better if it mimicked the legs of a beast of prey, but I wasn't sure if Rio's avant-garde sensibilities would allow for that.
"That's a rational reason. Understood. I'll have to think a bit about what kind of structure to change the legs to."
Wait, Rio, you're not the type to listen to others' opinions so attentively, are you? Just how far are you planning to accept my opinion?
No way. Could it really be that, just because I praised her AMAS design once, she's unilaterally feeling a sense of closeness to me?
"Ah, if you have something in mind, would you mind telling me?"
...I think I might be right.
I had a moment of internal conflict, wondering if I should have just hit Rio with the fact that her aesthetic sense was hopeless. But no matter the process, the fact that I had broken the ice on our friendship was something to be happy about, wasn't it?
But if my aesthetic sense ever gets lumped in with Rio's and criticized later, I might just go crazy from the injustice of it all...
***