Chapter 40 Her Younger Brother and Sister
#Rabu Kome ga HajimattaHer Younger Brother and Sister
Today is the day of the Luminous Stars’ second-generation talk show at a local venue.
On the day of the event, the venue was bustling with excited fans. I was accompanying them as Mika-san’s representative.
Four large chairs were prepared on the stage: one for the popular comedian who would be hosting and the rest for Kanade, Hoshikawa-san, and Shiori-san, the members of Luminous Stars’ second generation. When the three of them appeared on stage, the audience erupted into loud applause and cheers. I watched them from a monitor backstage.
The host comedian cheerfully introduced the three.
“Hello, everyone! We’re so happy to have so many of you here today! Please enjoy yourselves!”
Kanade greeted everyone with a bright smile, and the talk show began.
As the host guided the discussion, the show unfolded in a relaxed and lighthearted manner, covering topics like memorable recent activities and episodes from their early days. The comedian occasionally added jokes, keeping the atmosphere lively.
Amidst the banter, the host posed an intriguing question.
“Now, could you tell us about your ideal type of person? I’m sure the fans are curious!”
Hoshikawa-san was the first to pick up the microphone.
“I like someone reliable, kind, and always humble. I truly respect people like that, and being with them feels so calming…”
“Oh, so basically, you’re talking about me!”
“Not at all!”
“Not at all?! That’s harsh!”
Hoshikawa-san’s quick denial drew laughter from the audience.
“Guess Kurumi-chan rejected me. Okay, next, Shiori-chan.”
“Hmm, let me see… I like someone funny, someone who always makes the time we spend together enjoyable. If our sense of humor matches, we can become close and talk about anything. I’d love to meet someone like that.”
“Someone funny… So, basically, you’re talking about me!”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve never found you funny even once.”
“Hey! That’s such a savage thing to say!”
It was probably just a light joke, but I couldn’t help agreeing with the comedian’s reaction.
Well, as long as the audience was enjoying it, I guess it was fine.
“Alright, next up, Kanade-chan!”
As I watched, it became Kanade’s turn.
For some reason, even though I wasn’t the one answering, my heart was pounding.
Probably because Kanade and I were dating.
When Kanade picked up the microphone, the audience’s focus shifted entirely to her. She began speaking, carefully choosing her words with a slightly embarrassed expression.
“I like someone who’s kind and a bit reserved. Also, someone who sees this unusual hair color of mine as part of my individuality. But, well, the most important thing is that ‘he’ likes me!”
Hearing Kanade’s words made my heart race. I couldn’t help wondering if she was talking about me. Since her description seemed to match parts of me, the thought that she might actually have me in mind made me feel oddly excited.
…No, I needed to stop overthinking this.
I tried to calm myself down, pushing those thoughts aside.
The talk show ended smoothly, and with the excitement of the venue still lingering, I headed to the dressing room. Bringing cold drinks to the three of them was the least I could do. When I quietly opened the door, Kanade, Hoshikawa-san, and Shiori-san were sitting there, looking tired.
“Great job, everyone.”
I said as I handed drinks to each of them. Shiori-san, with her refined and gentle demeanor, blushed slightly as she accepted hers.
“Thank you so much.”
Shiina Shiori-san 椎名栞, though a university student, carried herself with elegance and poise. Her wavy brown hair flowed softly down to her shoulders, and her approachable nature gave her a soothing presence. Coming from a good family, she had the air of an Ojou-sama.
“Thanks, Sou-ku—oops, I mean Amagi-kun!”
Kanade, perhaps tired, accidentally forgot her usual way of disguising how she addressed me.
Fortunately, her voice was low enough that no one else noticed. It was just barely safe.
“Why are you here, Amagi-kun? What about Mika-san?”
“She seemed busy, so I came in her place.”
Hoshikawa-san asked, and I responded with a smile.
Honestly, though, I didn’t have much to do. My presence didn’t really matter.
While I was allowed to be here as an affiliated staff member…
“By the way, isn’t today’s event near Kurumi-chan’s home?”
Shiori-san asked casually, catching me off guard.
“Well, yeah, kind of.”
“Oh, is that so? I want to visit Kurumi-chan’s house~”
“I don’t want others to know where I live—it’s embarrassing. Besides, I’m not really in touch with my mom lately.”
“Then, how about we go sightseeing around here afterward?”
“That sounds fun! Kurumi-chan, show us around!”
“Ugh… Fine, I guess that’s okay.”
These three really got along well.
While I smiled at their lively conversation, Shiori-san turned to me.
“If you’d like, why don’t you join us, Amagi-san?”
“I-I think I’ll pass.”
I reflexively declined.
It would probably be fun, but being around three girls would definitely draw attention and make me feel out of place.
In the end, after finishing the talk show, the three of them decided to explore Hoshikawa-san’s hometown a little.
“See you later, Sou-kun.”
Kanade whispered softly into my ear as they left the dressing room.
Phew, I guess it was time for me to head home too.
As I walked through the building’s hallway, various thoughts crossed my mind.
I needed to finish the Luminous Stars’ new song soon…
For their 17th single, I still had to decide who to base the lyrics on.
One rule guided my songwriting.
I always chose someone to imagine as the center of the group and wrote the song with that person in mind.
By visualizing them dancing and singing, the song naturally aligned with the idol in the center position.
Lately, my attention had been drawn to an idol named Hoshikawa Kurumi.
Hoshikawa-san had never been the center before.
It wasn’t due to a lack of talent or popularity. Few members of Luminous Stars had ever been in the center position. Management simply preferred to stick with fixed choices, and that hadn’t changed.
As a fan of the group, I thought it was about time for a fresh perspective.
While lost in thought, someone called out to me.
“Hey, Onii-san.”
“H-huh?”
“We’re looking for our Onee-chan. Do you know where she is?”
Standing in front of me were an elementary school-aged boy and girl. The boy had bright chestnut-colored hair, while the girl had slightly darker brown hair tied into a ponytail.
“Who’s your Onee-chan?”
“Kurumi-oneechan!”
“Kurumi-oneechan? Could it be… Hoshikawa-san?”
For a moment, I wasn’t sure who they meant, but then Hoshikawa-san’s face came to mind. These two must be her younger brother and sister.