About a week had passed since then. During that time, we had been tinkering with various dance tracks, researching ways to rearrange idol pop into raw rock music.
Our opponents were a six-member girl group from Stardust Promotion called [Momoiro Clover Z].
'If they're our opponents, this might be a bit tricky...'
In my past life, I knew they were a group that debuted in 2008, but for some reason, their debut timing seemed to have been moved up in this world. With their catchphrase 'Idols you can meet right now, the Weekend Heroines,' they possessed enough potential to hold massive lives, including a five-dome tour. How did I know that potential?
'Because that's how it was in my past life.'
They were assigned a powerful male pop song, while we were given a sophisticated female pop song as our designated track. Since things had turned out this way, there was only one answer.
And that was to rearrange and practice like our lives depended on it until the next stage, then put on a performance that would blow everyone's damn minds. Since when did we ever stop to overthink things before moving?
.
.
.
.
On the day of the stage, we headed to the broadcasting station early in the morning to get our makeup done. For a celebrity to film a broadcast, they have to go through all sorts of processes, including makeup, consultations with the production team, and rehearsals.
"Whoa. Leader, doing this actually makes me feel like a celebrity."
"Hey, Baldy. Why are you so excited when you don't even have any hair to style?"
"Yokishi, even if I don't have hair, I can still get my face done up."
The blonde-haired youth already had a fairly striking appearance even before the makeup, so there wasn't a huge difference for him. However, for the other two, getting their makeup done was literally a complete transformation.
"Ah, please! Don't touch it! How many times have I told you!"
Of course, the two of them were constantly getting scolded by the makeup artist because they couldn't stop touching their own faces in disbelief.
"Wow... No, really, are there actually people who change this much just with a little styling?"
As soon as the makeup was finished, the artist looked at my face and let out a gasp of admiration. I take back what I said earlier. This was what a true complete transformation looked like.
Just as the makeup artist's reaction suggested, the effect of the cosmetics was incredible, even to my eyes. In my past life, I had inherited Kurt Cobain's looks but was often told I looked quite haggard; however, through the makeup, I had become a fully realized Western-style beauty with a mature vibe fitting for my age.
Following the staff, we headed toward the stage area just like last time. We were told it would take a while because everyone participating in the Round of 16 had to go through rehearsals.
Naturally, cameras followed us even while we were waiting. It was during this time that we ran into our opposing group, [Momoiro Clover Z].
Should I say hello? No, you should never get friendly with the enemy before a match.
"Ah! Hello! We are..."
I ignored them and tried to walk right past.
Wait? Why aren't you guys following me?
Unlike me, Shuji, our bald bassist, had turned as red as a tomato and was shaking hands with them. Yokishi, our dark-skinned, muscular drummer, was showing off his muscles and laughing along with them.
'Ah, they have those stars in their eyes, too.'
There was a reason why Shuji and Yokishi were acting like awkward, helpless boys. While the stars weren't as brilliant as Ai's, their eyes were still shining brightly.
'Honestly, they're nothing compared to our Ai.'
By the way, do you guys even know how old they are before you start acting like that?
And for heaven's sake, don't waste those expensive made-up faces like that.