Chapter 470

At the same time, backstage at the theater.

YKC48's senior agent, also the agent responsible for Yamaguchi Maho, Imasaki was chewing a Marlboro cigarette and threw his phone onto the table.

"News came from over there—Yamaguchi got off the 'Hand of God' show, and she's being replaced by Hirate Sarina from Akasaka."

And one of the theater managers, Ichikawa, sighed and didn't know whether to feel regret or relief: "Indeed… it was just a two-period affinity. Someone like Mr. Uesugi being able to remember her twice is already a miracle. I originally hoped she could exchange a few more words with him, bring back some topics for the group."

Imasaki snorted: "Topics? Not causing negative news would already be good. She was never the type to stir things up—on the show she was just a pretty vase, no meme, and didn't know how to ingratiate herself with Uesugi and Shiroishi. Even if you shamelessly clung on, it wouldn't help! Now her value is gone, but it's easier—before, those young ladies caused such a fuss, wasn't it just because she got this resource? Now it's balanced."

Ichikawa nodded: "That's right. Notify her, then soothe the others. The key is to let Nakai and Sugawara know that resources will still be prioritized for 'our own people.' Yamaguchi… let's just put her on hold for now. For the next single's senbatsu position, push her back a row."

Their conversation was as flat as discussing how to handle an expired product.

This is female idols.

Every day, countless young women come to Tokyo chasing dreams, chasing dreams, chasing dreams into the entertainment circle, circle, circle, circle, circle~ and among them, only an extremely few succeed; the vast majority pay the price of becoming consumables, human ore. Those with clear minds see the situation and quickly quit; those without clear minds have all their value and youthful vitality sucked dry by the cold metropolis before being discarded.

However, Imasaki's expression was always not very good, drawing Ichikawa's attention: "Imasaki, are you okay?"

"No…… I haven't been resting well lately." Imasaki's expression looked a bit unpleasant: "Has Miyawaki come back?"

As Ichikawa was about to ask further, Imasaki already shook his head: "Right, let's reshuffle the schedule—since Yamaguchi won't be able to attend the day after tomorrow, let's just keep scheduling the performances."

"Okay." Japanese people in public and at work are very particular about boundaries, so Ichikawa didn't blurt out his question at the moment and thus couldn't pursue it further.

As expected, Yamaguchi's schedule—originally set to participate in filming, so she'd be absent from the performance the day after tomorrow—was changed, instantly causing a tremor throughout the entire group, especially among the few junior idols who joined around the same time as Yamaguchi.

The news spread like a virus among the members.

In the break room, the atmosphere was subtle.

Among her同期 peers, Nakai Rika deliberately raised her volume, touching up her makeup in front of the mirror, the corner of her mouth unable to suppress a smile: "Oh dear, indeed it still wouldn't work. Some things, even if temporarily obtained, can't really be held onto. Like ill-fitting shoes—forcibly wearing them only leads to a nasty fall."

Sugawara Riko immediately chimed in with a sarcastic tone: "What Rika-chan said is true. That kind of TV station place isn't somewhere you can stay just with one face. You need real talent and demeanor. As for Cherry Blossom Senior's words, there's absolutely no problem—after all, she's experienced the grand stage of the general election."

Another member, Hasegawa Reina, pretended to be innocent and asked: "Huh? So Maho-chan won't be going anymore from now on? That's so sudden."

Nakai Rika gave a cold laugh: "Sudden? Not sudden at all. It was originally a borrowed position—now it's just returning to its rightful owner. I thought I could climb to a high branch and fly up to the treetops, but found out they were just tossing her a bit of food, teasing her a little—how ridiculous."

Their voices weren't loud or soft—just enough for the entire break room, including the pallid-faced Yamaguchi Maho in the corner, to hear clearly. Some other members either lowered their heads pretending not to hear, or exchanged knowing glances.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from outside.

"Miyawaki-san has arrived!"

Following the agent's announcement, Sakura rushed back into the break room from outside, already changed into her signature performance outfit—a white-based, deep blue short skirt blending nautical style with sweetness, its hem fluttering with a slight sway, forming a youthful and neat arc.

Her legs were tightly wrapped in pure white, fine-textured thigh-high stockings—the white wasn't glaring snow-white, but carried a soft pearl luster, warm white, as if coated with a fine glaze, perfectly outlining her slender yet strong-legged lines. The top of the stockings disappeared beneath the skirt's hem into the absolute domain, leaving a hint of alluring shadow.

On her feet were a pair of black, knee-high, high-heeled boots; the glossy patent leather reflected sharp, dazzling light spots under the strong break room lighting, creating a wonderful contrast with the fresh sweetness of her upper body.

The boot style was stiff and upright; the heel striking the floor produced a crisp, vibrant rhythm, but the skin covered by white silk on the boot shaft, amidst its toughness, revealed unparalleled softness and purity.

Her pure, transparent aura from Kagoshima in Kyushu fully showed on her sweet-faced visage—flying strands of hair brushed over her lively cheeks, eyes bright and focused, mouth forming the signature, hardworking yet sweet smile. This outfit was both weapon and armor, perfectly blending the girl's purity with the idol's radiance, blossoming with Sakura's unique brilliance with every leaping note.

As soon as she appeared, a junior idol immediately went up to her: "Sakura-chan! You're back! You've worked hard! I saw you on TV—you're really amazing! The interaction with Mai-sama was super fun!"

The member who had just been sarcastic also immediately gathered around, tone affectionate as if they were longtime friends: "Exactly! Exactly! I even got the 'Uesugi cold joke' meme—you delivered it so cleverly! Indeed, on such a big stage, only someone experienced like you, Sakura-chan, can hold it down!"

Their words, every single word, felt like they were slapping Yamaguchi Maho in the corner, implying she was "boring," "lacking experience," "couldn't hold it down."

Other members also gathered around, chattering away, expressing "admiration" and "congratulations," as if the previous jealousy and mockery toward Yamaguchi Maho had never happened.

Whether their enthusiasm was genuine or not doesn't matter—what matters is that they precisely sensed the new wind direction: Miyawaki Sakura is now the true favorite in front of management and the "big shots," and currying favor with her is far more valuable than suppressing a washed-up Yamaguchi Maho.

If Sakura were to say a word for them in front of Uesugi and Shiroishi to mix in a role, as long as she could get even a bit—even just a tiny bit, a little bit—it would be longevity and endless benefit!

Sakura had long been accustomed to such scenes, she responded with ease, smiling and thanking everyone's support, attitude humble yet carrying a subtle, hard-to-detect distance; her sharp gaze swept over the lively crowd, finally landing on Yamaguchi Maho, alone in the corner organizing things.

Sakura already knew about Yamaguchi Maho being "taken off" the show; her expression was slightly complex—though she was young, she knew how fortunate she was, and also knew how dark the idol world was. Before these false flatteries and congratulations, there wasn't even a single bit of "sincerity."

Hate you have, laugh you lack, in front hug one another, behind shoot an arrow, shared stage, individual performances—"four people, five groups, eight hundred hearts."

The term "plastic sister flowers" is all too familiar to Sakura, who has been immersed in the idol world for years.

My true sister is only Mai-sama alone!

Hehe, you people…… tonight I've actually been invited, to have dinner with Uesugi-san and Mai-sama!

Don't get too close to this group of wash-foot maids, or you'll pick up a stench and become unfortunate; also don't keep too much distance from this group of wash-foot maids, drawing clear boundaries—otherwise it's easy to incur resentment.

Sakura truly understands how to maintain proper distance.

Fortunately, Sakura is very busy, doesn't have much time right now to redo her makeup, and moreover, since her position in the group is extremely important, management has assigned her a dedicated agent and dedicated assistant; normally she rarely appears in the theater.

This, on the contrary, poses no threat to the current little fry still brushing up in the theater, and they don't dare to provoke her either.

Just as when Yamaguchi Maho could still appear on 'Hand of God,' everyone, though envious and jealous, didn't dare to really squeeze her out—otherwise, if she could talk to Uesugi and get him to ask what's going on, everyone would die!

Thus, with each harboring their own thoughts, the palace intrigue continues to unfold in the female idol group.

Late night, coffee shop private room.

After work ended, Nakai Rika and Sugawara Riko, along with another one or two close members, gathered together.

"So satisfying!" Sugawara Riko took a sip of milk tea: "Looking at her previous timid yet unable-to-hide-a-bit-of-smug expression just made me nauseous. Now she's returned to her original form."

Nakai Rika's eyes were even colder, more venomous: "Just this isn't enough. She thought things were over like this? Because she lost value, management won't even 'take special care' of her anymore—on the contrary, it's more convenient for us."

"What does Rika-chan mean…?"

"Weren't there a few 'friends' (referring to some extreme fans) who always wanted to 'care' for her before?" Nakai Rika lowered her voice, face bearing a malicious smile: "Before, we were afraid she'd still be on shows, making a scene would look bad. Now… anyway, no one pays attention to her anymore. Can we let her 'affectionately' feel the fans' 'enthusiasm'?"

Sugawara Riko immediately understood: "Yeah… like suddenly appearing on her way home from work to 'encourage' her? Or let her know that things not belonging to her shouldn't even be touched—if touched, one must pay the price. I can 'tell' her new off-work route and time… to those very 'concerned' 'friends' of hers."

Several people exchanged a dark, knowing glance. The poisonous fire of jealousy, after confirming the target had lost protection, finally burned into a concrete, criminal plan.

They were no longer satisfied with verbal mockery, began extending black hands into reality, plotting how to "give a lesson"—their core motivation precisely: what we cannot obtain, you once possessed—this is your original sin, must be punished.

"Cheers!"

"Cheeeeeers"

"Hey, you guys say, if such a scandal breaks out, will it cause Miyawaki Sakura to also get dropped from 'Hand of God'?" Suddenly, a member full of anticipation said.

Her words made the other members' expressions brighten.

"Possible! Really possible!!!"

The footage froze at the moment the wash-foot maids clinked their glasses, the glass reflecting their faces full of pure, youthful, radiant smiles.

This is the girl idol!

Open the palace!

Palace supervisor, release the supervisor!!!

(Chapter End)