CH 324

“……Aidol, play?”

“Aidol, what’s that?”

Ah~, I guess it didn’t translate properly because there’s no “idol” word here…

No, of course, there are words that mean “idol” or “something to be worshiped”, but I used the word as it’s used in modern Japan, meaning “young popular celebrity”, so I said “idol” because there’s no corresponding word for it…

“Well, in my country, it’s called that when a young singer, generally in his or her teens, become very popular because of his or her enthusiasm. It means idolatry or worship or something like that.” (Mitsuha)

“”””””Oooh!!””””””

…Oh no, I splashed additional fuel on it.

“We’re like a diva, aren’t we?! And it’s not something like singing at a bar, but like singing at the National Concert Hall…”

“You know, like our country’s angel, the “sister of a million”, Lin-Mei-sama?”

“””””Ohhhhhhh!!”””””

…No good, I can’t seem to stop it anymore…

If I object here, a riot will ensue……

******

“You got what you deserved, Oneesama…” (Sabine)

“You must have had some weird ulterior motive and narrowed your vision again, Mitsuha…” (Colette)

When I explained the situation, Sabine-chan and Colette-chan were amazed.

…No, I just wanted the children to have fun and give everyone a chance to get along, really…

“…And so, that’s what ‘Operation Aimask‘ is called…” (Sabine)  (『アイマス大作戦』)

“Pii! Sabine-chan, pii! It’s ‘Operation Idol’!” (Mitsuha)  (『アイドル大作戦』)

“Someone who’s so beautiful, or who’s astonishingly good looking…” (Colette)

“That’s ‘Operation Aifull‘!… I mean, did we have a DVD like that?” (Mitsuha) (『アイフル大作戦』)

“…So, are you going to sell units? Or are you selling pins?” (Sabine)

“Sabine-chan, how did you know all those words!” (Mitsuha)

“If you sell it as a group, the individuality of each person will be buried and they will only be recognized as a group. That would be no different than being a “member of a society” today, wouldn’t it?” (Sabine)

No, as I was saying, how did you know that stuff…

“Ah! That was when Colette-chan was in the hospital and we were immersed in the Japanese-style mansion! That’s when I watched TV without permission and watched Oniichan’s DVD and Blu-ray collection!” (Sabine)

…The naughty things were hidden properly, right? Onii-chan?…

“Wouldn’t it be difficult to practice if everyone were put into one group? They are all noble ladies, aren’t they?” (Colette)

Oh, an astute point from Colette-chan.

No, Colette-chan’s not as good as Sabine-chan, but she’s really smart…

I knew that when she studied English, Japanese, and New Continental languages concurrently and could speak all of them reasonably well…

She also showed glimpses of her talent in many other areas, such as her idea for the Reversi sales plan…

“Certainly… I hear it’s pretty tough for everyone, with all the aristocratic education and bride training and stuff…” (Mitsuha)

“Besides, there would be no place for my miserable Oneesama if everyone formed a group who’s singing and dancing, and since you’re terrible you would be left out.” (Sabine)

Sabine-chan, that’s a nasty blow!

“Argh, shut up!” (Mitsuha)

Let’s get back on track…

“Then, we should only do the whole group when we act as a society, and as “Operation Idol”, we should make it a unit of two to five or six members… Then, if someone comes up who’s outstandingly popular and talented, we can put her on a pin if she so wishes…” (Colette)

“Yeah, I guess so.” (Sabine)

“Agreed!” (Mitsuha)

Okay, let’s go with that…

******

“Mitsuha, there is a petition from the orphanage.” (Michelle)

“Eh?” (Mitsuha)

Micchan calls me “Mitsuha-san” when we’re with other people, like at a society tea party, but when it’s just the two of us, she’s calling me “Mitsuha” instead. I wonder if that’s much all she’s yielding to me.

…Well, I guess it’s partly because she thinks I’m younger than her.

The other members of the society call me ‘sama’, so even though I’m ‘Mitsuha-san’ to her, I guess it shows my closeness to her as Mitsuha-san.

…Maybe Micchan was unconsciously calling me that, but…

“A petition? Then again, it’s probably an exaggeration…” (Mitsuha)

It seems that sometimes letters come from the orphanage to the nobles. Asking for donations or sponsoring an event to raise funds…

…But when it comes to a “petition”, it’s stronger than just a “request”. At least I think that’s the image I have of them…

“…So, what’s the content?” (Mitsuha)

“What the Juvenile Group did at the concert. They’d like your permission to let the kids from the orphanage do it and teach them how to practice that…” (Michelle)

“Haaaaaaaa~?” (Mitsuha)

What in the world does that mean? What are they thinking?…

…No, wait!

Orphanage.

Lots of young children are there.

They are all in the same place all the time, and they all have plenty of time. And all of them will work hard for their lives if it means living and eating a full meal.

And now, if they perform what is known in the world as the “Dance of Angels,” with a level of perfection that is an order of magnitude higher. Clean themselves up and dress them in cute matching outfits.

I wonder if they will be asked to perform not only at big store events but also at parties of aristocratic families.

And of course, in the big stores and the nobility’s honor, a donation must be made in sufficient amounts to thank them. The donation which is necessary for the orphans to have enough food to eat.

Perhaps they could be a separate group from the juvenile group.

The children of the Juvenile Group are daughters of noble families, and they are potential fiancées of the noble’s sons or pawns that can strengthen their connections with other families.

And the children of the orphanage group are just living for the moment, appreciating wonderful things, gaining eye-pleasing memories, and enjoying momentary bliss.

…If they really like her, the possibility of adopting her as an adopted daughter may not be zero.

Well, even if they don’t go that far, there may be nobles other than the organizers who’d donate to the orphanage in lieu of a congratulatory gift. In the event of a crisis at the orphanage, they may be willing to help a little…

And it will reduce the burden on the juvenile group, which is inundated with requests to perform.

As one would expect, the screening of Blu-rays in an orphanage would be a no-no from the standpoint of preventing information leaks.

In that case, should I let the Juvenile Group visit the orphanage, show them an example, and practice together?

Interaction between noble children and orphans?

“……Approved!!!!” (Mitsuha)

“Eh?” (Michelle)

Micchan’s eyes were wide open, probably because she didn’t expect me to agree on the spot.

No, we will take this.

……Delicious. Too delicious!!!

As a place for emotional education for the Juvenile Group and for interaction with the commoners.

And, as a matter of beauty…

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