B-Komachi's impressive performance in their first television program not only captivated the audience but also caught the attention of key figures in the industry. A week after the broadcast, a major invitation arrived at Ichigo's office. The group had been officially invited to the "National Idol Summit," a prestigious tournament gathering the most talented idol groups from across the country. The winner would be crowned as the number one idol group in the nation.
As Ichigo held the invitation letter, Ai's enthusiastic voice filled the office, vibrating with excitement: "A national competition?! This is an incredible opportunity! We'll show everyone who we are!" Ai's excitement was contagious, but Fuyuko added with a serious expression, "This will be a test to prove that we are not just an amateur group. We need to prepare seriously." Meimei, in her usual relaxed manner, muttered, "Did you say national? I hope we won't have to sit on a bus for too long. Are the seats comfortable?"
Ichigo looked around at the group with a determined tone: "This is a big step for B-Komachi. But remember, it won't be easy. You must work with discipline and captivate the audience with every performance. Now, are you ready to win?" All the members shouted "We're ready!" in unison, and the air in the office buzzed with excitement.
The next day, Ichigo gathered the group again at Ichigo Production. Everyone waited impatiently for the announcement as Ichigo began to speak with a serious face. "Participating in this competition is not just about performing well on stage. You must be prepared in every aspect. The tournament will take place in different cities, and you will face a new idol group at each stop. This requires not only performance skills but also endurance and strategy." Ai shrugged playfully and asked, "So just smiling beautifully won't be enough?" Ichigo answered firmly, "No, Ai. Smiling beautifully won't be enough. But if we smile at the right time and place, it can be an advantage."
The preparation period was complete chaos. Stage costumes, song selection, choreography, and rehearsals drained all of the group's energy. However, the different personalities of B-Komachi members made things both challenging and fun. Fuyuko constantly criticized everyone's moves, and Ai teased her by saying, "Fuyuko, did we hire you as our choreography coach?" Takamine kept boosting the group's morale with encouraging words, while Meimei accidentally wore two different outfits during costume fittings, sending everyone into fits of laughter. Kyun kept holding the microphone wrong, asking, "Which side are we supposed to use?" and slowing down rehearsals.
When it was time to head to the first stop of the tournament, the group piled into their tour bus. The bus was a converted public bus; the seats weren't luxurious but were spacious enough. The journey was filled with laughter. Watanabe tried to secretly eat Ai's snacks, leading to small squabbles and puffy-cheeked sulking. Fuyuko complained about the bus shaking and said, "Let's seriously consider taking the train for the next city." Meimei gazed out the window, admiring the beauty of the sky, but then added, "I just wish the seats were a bit more comfortable." Meanwhile, Ari and Kyun entertained everyone by singing karaoke on their phones.
Upon reaching the first stop, all the participating groups gathered in a large conference hall. Popular groups like IDOLiSJ5 and Woke'Up Woman were also present. The organizing committee explained the competition rules: each group would perform twice at each stop, once focusing on singing and once on dancing. Winners would be determined by audience votes and judges' scores, and the final would be held at a massive venue in the capital city. B-Komachi members watched the draw excitedly and found out that their first opponents were the popular group IDOLiSJ5. Ai's eyes sparkled: "IDOLiSJ5? We'll show them who we are!"
Excitement reached its peak on the day of the competition. Before stepping onto the stage, Ai turned to her friends and gave a motivational speech: "This is our story. We came here to win, and we'll show it to everyone!" The next day, the prestige of the National Idol Summit became clear. During rehearsals, IDOLiSJ5 dazzled the audience with their flawless synchronization. The five-member male group enchanted the crowd with their energetic stage presence. Woke'Up Woman, though young, also proved to be a formidable competitor.
Throughout the tournament, B-Komachi faced many challenges. Some cities had equipment malfunctions; the intense rehearsals took a physical toll on them. Constant traveling drained their energy. Despite all this, B-Komachi's performances continued to captivate the audience at every stop. Every new city meant a new challenge and a new victory.
Finally, the day of the final arrived. Held at a massive arena in the capital, B-Komachi took the stage with their song "STAR☆T☆RAIN." Ai's powerful vocals and the group's perfect harmony mesmerized the audience. The entire hall shook with their energy under the bright stage lights.
When the winner was announced, B-Komachi's name echoed through the arena. The group members hugged each other, tears of joy streaming down their faces. At the press conference, Ai took the microphone and made an emotional speech: "This victory isn't just ours. It belongs to everyone who supported us. As B-Komachi, we will continue to share our love on this journey!"
Thus, B-Komachi was crowned as a national idol group and stepped into a new era. The group members smiled proudly at the cameras, holding their awards and certificates on stage. At that moment, they weren't just a group — they were a story, proving themselves to the world.
The group later posed for a commemorative photo in the hall with their trophies and certificates.
To be continued...