The four-member idol group B-Komachi, formed under Ichigo Production, had successfully completed their first concert. With a series of back-to-back performances, their name quickly began to spread. The members looked more powerful than ever on stage, and there was a sense of hopeful excitement among the audience. Their popularity was growing by the day, and their fanbase was expanding steadily. B-Komachi was no longer just an idol group that performed on stage—it was becoming a phenomenon taking root in people's hearts.
Ichigo Saitou, president of Ichigo Production, sat at his usual desk, deep in thought. A meaningful smile graced his face—one that carried the weight of the past and the dream of the future. He reflected on how far B-Komachi had come, the challenges they had overcome, and how they had arrived at this point. But more than anything, he thought about one person: Ai Hoshino. The group's leader—but more than that. Ai was the heart of B-Komachi. Her charisma, relentless determination, and unwavering presence had been the cornerstone of the group's success. Ichigo knew this and had never forgotten it.
The next morning, Ichigo called an important meeting at the Ichigo Production office. The group members were all present. As he stepped into the room, silence fell. Adjusting his jacket collar, he paused for a few seconds before speaking: "B-Komachi has accomplished great things so far. But we want to go further. That's why we've decided to expand and strengthen the group."
The room's attention focused in an instant. "We've added three new talents to the group: Meimei, Ari, and Kyun," Ichigo continued. "With these new members, we'll be able to prepare for even bigger shows. Our stage choreographies will evolve, and we'll reach wider audiences. Each one of them is incredibly talented in dance and performance. We believe they'll bring fresh energy to the group. From now on, B-Komachi will perform as a seven-member unit."
After the meeting, Ai, Takamine, Fuyuko, and Watanabe had mixed feelings. Working with new members was exciting, but they also worried about disrupting the existing harmony. As the leader, Ai felt the weight of this transition more than anyone. Though her eyes drifted off into the distance, her mind was occupied with the possible chemistry, balance, and cohesion of the new group. Takamine remained quiet, Fuyuko tried to keep everyone motivated by maintaining discipline, and Watanabe, unlike the others, stayed silent—but the thoughtful look on her face revealed that she was already weighing the challenges ahead.
When the day came to meet the new members, the initial encounter was somewhat tense. The current members were introduced to Meimei, Ari, and Kyun. The atmosphere was cold and distant at first. Meimei's energy stood out immediately, Ari changed the mood with her unique attitude, and Kyun, with her introverted demeanor, sparked curiosity. In that moment, no one was sure what the new group dynamic would be, but everyone knew they were at a critical turning point.
Naturally, the first encounters included a few frictions. Meimei's straightforward attitude clashed with Fuyuko's disciplined nature, causing minor tensions. Ari and Watanabe had an interesting energy between them, though it was unclear whether it would be constructive or destructive. Kyun's silence made the others uneasy. It was hard to even comment on her—she only listened, spoke little, and rarely smiled.
Once rehearsals began, it became a true struggle. Harmonizing was not as easy as expected. Choreographies kept falling apart, stage placements were confused, and some members couldn't keep up with the tempo. Meimei's excess energy sometimes disrupted others' focus. Fuyuko's perfectionism only added to the tension. Takamine tried to ease the atmosphere, but her efforts didn't always succeed.
One evening, after an intense rehearsal period, the members gathered at the Ichigo Production studio. They finally had a moment to relax. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful. Meimei, Ari, and Kyun had started to bond more with the original members, though their differences still occasionally led to conflict.
That day, Ai had a long conversation with Kyun. Kyun expressed her admiration for Ai—not just as an idol, but as a true mentor. Ai listened silently. Her quietness only made Kyun's words feel even heavier. Inspired by Ai's leadership, Kyun realized she wanted to become a strong guide in her own journey.
Elsewhere, Takamine and Meimei sat side by side. For the first time, Meimei was quiet. "How do you always stay so calm?" she asked. Takamine smiled. "Finding balance is important," she replied. "You're very precious to us—but sometimes, we need to slow down too." Meimei reflected on those words, and a sense of awareness appeared in her eyes.
Fuyuko and Ari were in another corner, discussing discipline and hard work. Ari said she was inspired by Fuyuko. Fuyuko talked about the importance of always striving to improve. The conversation clearly boosted Ari's motivation.
Watanabe, once again, remained in her corner. She stayed out of the conversations but observed everything closely. Ai, Takamine, Fuyuko, Meimei... she was trying to understand each person's role in the group's balance. Finally, she broke her silence. She slowly walked over to the others and said, "Everyone has their strengths. What unites this group is the combination of those strengths." Her words echoed through the room. When she spoke of everyone finding their place, the silence turned into a shared determination. The night ended in laughter and conversation.
Over time, the earlier conflicts gave way to sweeter tensions and fun moments. As the members got to know each other, their bonds grew stronger. The difficulties of rehearsal reminded them what it truly meant to be a team. Now, each of them understood the rhythm of the others better, and they breathed as one on stage.
And then the big day arrived. The seven-member B-Komachi was ready for their first major concert. Ai stood at the center of the stage. The others surrounded her like a circle. As they stepped onto the stage, they radiated dazzling energy. The songs began. The choreographies were flawless. The vocal performances were electrifying. Meimei, Ari, and Kyun brought a whole new breath to the group. Takamine, Fuyuko, Watanabe, and Ai stood tall as the founding members.
The audience was spellbound. After every song, screams and applause filled the air. This concert wasn't just a performance—it was a sign of unity, transformation, and triumph.
But this was only the beginning. B-Komachi, now a seven-member group, was starting its journey toward even greater stages and a brighter future. Every challenge they had faced together now made them even stronger. And under the spotlight, these young women were determined to walk the path to the top of the idol world with courage.
To be continued...