Chapter 116
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Cooperation Means Getting Along!
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During their Twin Star days, Aika and Anastasia were gripped by anxiety.
It wasn't a total flop by any means, but their performance showed no signs of further growth.
They had a loyal fanbase, but no new fans were coming in.
They wanted to climb even higher, but reality wasn't so forgiving.
And the merchandise they'd prepared for their fans was piling up in stock, actually putting them in the red—a situation that was steadily draining their spirits.
That's when the two of them had the same thought at the same time.
To break out of their current slump, they needed a new concept.
They had to change the image that defined them as idols.
Twin Star was, if anything, an idol group closer to singers, focusing more on vocals than dance.
But for most people watching idols, the songs were secondary—the real draw was the idols' captivating presence.
The pair, who had once believed their singing alone was enough, now resolved to take the next step forward.
"Aika."
"Asya...."
""Wanna brainstorm a concept together? Yeah?""
Realizing they'd had the exact same idea, the two couldn't help but smile at each other.
Up until that point, they got along great.
But after that, their discussions over each other's proposed concepts turned into arguments, and they ended up breaking up.
"That's how it happened."
"Hmm, so basically a difference in direction?"
"Yes."
"Alright, could you each tell me what concept you came up with back then?"
Aika winked playfully.
"Of course! Aika went full-on with the cute~ concept! Idols are all about cute, right?"
"I pushed for a concept emphasizing sexiness, like I have now. You can't win fans with just cuteness."
"Aika's still killing it with cute!"
"Is she? Didn't I take number one on the popularity charts last time?"
"Don't get cocky just 'cause we're trading first place! Aika was number one the time before that!"
Grrr... Aika and Anastasia glared at each other again.
At that moment, Rubelt looked back and forth between them and asked,
"So, why did you each come up with cute and sexy concepts? Care to explain?"
"Huh? Well..."
"Why we pushed those...?"
Rubelt's question made them dig back into their memories for why they'd insisted on those concepts at the time.
And then.
""Ugh...""
Recalling the origins of their own arguments, they flinched, trembling with awkward expressions.
"What's wrong with you two? Don't tell me you forgot?"
"N-No! I remember! Aika's cute~ and super smart, after all!"
"I remember too! It's just..."
They hesitated to speak. If it had just been the two of them, they might have brushed it off and moved on.
But Rubelt was there.
The absolute god of a sponsor—and their original fan—who wanted to know their past.
They couldn't just gloss over it or lie to fulfill his wish.
Anastasia mustered the courage first.
"The reason I... thought we should go sexy was because of Aika."
"Because of Aika?"
"Quiet. I'm talking. Ahem... See, Aika's hobby is watching martial arts."
"Asya!"
"I have to explain it this way. Just listen!"
After silencing Aika, Anastasia continued.
"People go wild for things that are stimulating and easy to grasp. Like how Aika loves martial arts. Inspired by that, I thought a sexy concept would draw in more fans. And... it seemed like it would suit Aika too."
"Suit Aika?"
"Aika might act childish sometimes, but she's got great style and the drive to see things through once she sets her mind to it. So I thought sexy would work."
"Aika being sexy..."
Listening to Anastasia, Rubelt nodded and turned to Aika.
"I see. So... what about you, Aika? What was your reason?"
"M-Me, Aika?! Well... Aika's cute concept was inspired by Asya too."
"Inspired by me?"
"Truth is, Asya loooves cute stuff. Her place is decked out in cute things, stuffed with dolls, and she can't sleep without her giant bear plushie Gomshik..."
"Aika!"
"You spilled my hobby first! Now it's your turn to be quiet, Asya!"
"Ugh..."
Confirming Anastasia had shut her mouth, Aika looked satisfied.
"Asya gets this super happy face hugging cute dolls. Plus, cute appeals to girls too... and idols emphasizing cuteness naturally gain more fans! And it suited Asya..."
"Cute suits me?"
"Asya's too dense to realize. But even I think she's adorable grinning like an idiot with a doll. Bringing out that charm would be even better... Yeah, that was my thinking."
In other words.
The reason they'd each proposed their ideas stemmed from considering their partner's hobbies and believing it would highlight their partner's appeal.
Hearing that answer.
"Hahaha!"
Rubelt burst out laughing.
""Rubelt?""
"Oh, sorry. It's just... hearing the whole story puts my mind at ease."
"At ease?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well... in the end, you two broke up back then because you were thinking of and caring about each other, right? Seeing how surprised you are now, it must've been a misunderstanding where neither explained your real reasons during the fight."
"Ah."
"Uh."
Facing Rubelt, as he laid out the truth behind their breakup, Aika and Anastasia felt embarrassed.
And awkward too.
Back then, they'd thought the other was selfish, ignoring their own opinions.
But the reality was the complete opposite.
They'd torn apart precisely because they'd stubbornly stuck to ideas born from care for each other. No wonder they felt ashamed and sheepish about their past selves.
Even so, they couldn't just rejoice right away—it felt too awkward.
The misunderstanding was cleared, but the years they'd spent as bitter rivals, stubbornly at odds, were too long for instant reconciliation.
How should they act from now on?
What could they even say at this point? As they hesitated.
"Aika, Anastasia."
Rubelt called to them.
""Y-Yes!""
"Would it be too much to ask for us to do this again sometime? Even occasionally?"
Rubelt took their hands, smiling gently.
"I don't expect you to make up instantly just because the misunderstanding's cleared. Still, as a Twin Star fan, I'd love for you two to grow closer from here on. So... even if it's just for my sake, I want more time together like this. Would that be okay?"
"O-Of course!"
"If it's a request from Rubelt, we can't say no! Aika will do her best!"
Rubelt had given them the perfect excuse: a sponsor's request—something idols couldn't refuse.
The burden of figuring out how to talk to each other lightened immensely thanks to him.
"Aika's such an understanding and cute idol, so I'll forgive Asya's childish tantrums up till now!"
"What're you saying, Aika? You're the one who threw tantrums like a kid. I'll graciously overlook your stubbornness all this time. Can't help it since you thought about me so~ much."
"What!? Asya, you were the one stubbornly obsessed with Aika 'cause you like her so~ much. Trying to play it off now out of embarrassment? So cu~te?"
Zzap, zzap—they glared at each other, sparring verbally once more.
But gone was the old hostile vibe; now it was a heartwarming atmosphere, like they were hiding their embarrassment.
Watching them with a satisfied smile, Rubelt said,
"Aika, Anastasia. Got time right now, by any chance?"
"Time?"
"No more schedules today since it's for Rubelt."
"Perfect. Any restaurant you've been wanting to try? To celebrate your reconciliation, dinner's on me—order whatever you want."
"Really?!"
"Thank you, Rubelt!"
At the mention of a free meal, they lit up with joy.
Being treated by Rubelt was great in itself, but food as a gift felt especially nice.
If the Eldra heir Rubelt gifted them something material, they'd worry it was impossibly expensive.
Even living lavishly as successful idols, Aika and Anastasia knew all too well the gap between their wealth and a chaebol like Rubelt's—precisely because their own lives were luxurious.
"Then Aika wants to go there! That new restaurant nearby! Mirage, right? Yeah, Mirage!"
"I've heard of it too. They say the food's amazing..."
"Oh, that's one Eldra runs. Convenient—let's go there."
"Wait, Eldra owns it?"
"Technically a subsidiary testing the waters."
"That five-star-looking luxury spot as a test run..."
"Eldra, as expected..."
Once again struck by Eldra's might, Aika and Anastasia followed Rubelt to Restaurant Mirage for dinner.
"So good~! Aika's tongue is overflowing with luxury she's never tasted before~!"
"This... this is top-tier cuisine! Small portions, but the quality satisfies everything...!"
"Haha, don't hold back—order as much as you want. You move a lot at the academy, and idol work needs extra nutrition, right?"
"Rubelt's the best~! Such a thoughtful guy—you're too cool~! Aika's falling for you!"
"Aika, you...! Ahem! Thank you, Rubelt! I think you're the coolest too—the ultimate man!"
"Asya's flirting too."
"Shut up!"
Watching them bicker, Rubelt found the food even tastier.