Aunt dangled the car keys in her hand, smiling at me.
“All packed? Ready to go?”
I nodded, instinctively glancing at my mother.
She seemed… a little down?
And no longer angry.
Seeing my mother’s expression, I was infected by the sadness of parting.
Even though we always argued, even though she was always chasing me with a broom… after all, this was home.
“Well… Mom, I’m heading out?”
I walked over and gave my mother a light hug.
Her body stiffened for a moment, but she quickly hugged me back, patting my back with her hand.
“Sigh… I really don’t know what to do with you. If only you put this much effort into coaxing people into your studies.”
Then I gave a hug to my father, who had been standing by, unable to get a word in.
“Hmm… be careful on the road. Come back when you have time.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”
After all, Aunt’s enthusiasm only lasts for three minutes.
Once she gets tired of me, I’ll definitely have to slink back home with my tail between my legs.
I just wanted to hide out for a couple of days, to coast along a bit longer.
Mother let go of me, looking into my eyes.
“Hmm, I think you’ll be back soon too. Whatever… I’m heading to the company.”
…Huh?
I followed Aunt out of the house and got into the back seat of her sedan.
The moment the car door closed, the previous clamor was shut out.
The comfortable feel of the leather seat made me want to slump down immediately.
Ahhh…
The car started and smoothly pulled out onto the street.
Watching the scenery recede outside the window, I hummed a little tune happily.
However, ten minutes later.
Huh?
Something doesn’t seem right?
This isn’t the way to Aunt’s downtown apartment?
“Aunt… aren’t we going straight home? Are we getting lunch first?”
I leaned over the back of the driver’s seat, asking curiously.
Aunt, who was driving, glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
“Hmm… lunch is fine, no rush.”
She said nonchalantly, turning the steering wheel.
“We’re going to sign up first, for the audition.”
“Audition? What audition?”
I was stunned.
Aunt braked at a red light, turning her head to look at my bewildered face.
“Idol.”
The air froze for three seconds.
“Ha??????”
“Let me out! I want out!”
I slapped the car window without regard for my image, like a cat being hauled in a carrier to the vet for neutering.
Be an idol?!
I’ve never done that kind of public-facing work!
Because I’m considered fairly good-looking, since I was little, invitations to be a school festival host, or a poster girl for events, flew at me like snowflakes.
But I refused them all!
I don’t like being in the spotlight!
I hate being stared at by lots of people!
Seeing me even reach for the door handle, Aunt in the driver’s seat was so startled her voice changed pitch.
“Hey! Don’t do something so dangerous! I locked it, but what if?!”
“Then let me out! I don’t want to be an idol.”
“Sweetie, could you calm down a little?”
“I don’t want to be in the public eye… and why do you suddenly want me to sign up to be an idol?”
Aunt glanced at me in the rearview mirror, being blunt.
“Because you’re pretty. You perfectly fit the public’s image of a beautiful girl with long black hair. A beauty among beauties.”
If it were back when I had just been reborn as a beautiful girl, hearing such a straightforward compliment, I probably would have blushed like a pure-hearted little boy.
When I was little, still holding onto my male memories, I was indeed very shy when frequently praised for being pretty and cute.
But after so many years…
I feel a bit numb.
After being praised for so many years, and looking at my own face in the mirror for so long, and often receiving love letters from juniors at school…
“Hmm… true.”
I stopped slapping the window, and even adjusted my bangs in the rearview mirror.
Aunt’s hand on the steering wheel visibly trembled.
“Even with my many years working in the entertainment industry, there aren’t many prettier than you.”
Orange Quiet Forest seized on the key point, her eyes widening.
“Ah!? Aunt, you work in the entertainment industry?”
If I had known that, I wouldn’t have gone with her!
I have some self-awareness about my own looks!
Just then, the light turned green, and Aunt slowly started driving.
“You… you’ve never really listened to me, have you? I’ve been working in the entertainment industry since I graduated.”
Once the car was moving steadily, Aunt sighed.
“Really… no wonder your mom always wants to hit you. You’re always so lackadaisical. You weren’t like this when you were little. Back then you were cute, pretty, and well-behaved.”
Orange Quiet Forest sank deep into the soft seat, watching the neon lights fly past outside the window, her eyes empty.
“Because I’m tired… This is the real me.”
“Tired, huh? Then I’ll change your path for you!”
Orange Quiet Forest knew she had no chance of escaping today.
She irritably grabbed her phone, aimlessly scrolling through short videos, but couldn’t focus.
Her gaze drifted to the window from time to time.
There really were a lot of TV station buildings and entertainment company logos around here.
The air even smelled of fame and fortune.
“Aunt, are you the person in charge?”
“Maybe… maybe not… but I am at the company. After all, the audition just started, they haven’t even decided on a group name yet, so of course the person in charge isn’t set either. I was invited by a friend. It’s a brand new company.”
There really were a lot of TV stations and entertainment companies around here.
Orange Quiet Forest sighed.
“Why does it have to be me?”
“Hmm… No particular reason. I just want you to go. After all, you’re good-looking. Even if you get eliminated right at the start, your looks alone could be a talking point. And it would be doing a friend a favor.”
Orange Quiet Forest covered her face in horror.
“I’d have to be on TV!?”
“Hmm… you have to pass two rounds of auditions first… we’ll see after that. Anyway, that person’s thinking is pretty flighty too.”
“You’re just selling me out like this… Aunt!”
I’d rather get beaten up by my family’s Ms.
Orange Peach…
“Don’t be like that. Even though you’re pretty and would probably pass… but what if? You just stay home all day, you haven’t learned singing or dancing. You’re sure you’d pass?”
Oh!
That makes it simple.
If I just slack off and goof around during the audition, I’ll definitely get eliminated.
No problem!
After getting out of the car, under Aunt’s lead, I quickly completed the sign-up.
…The initial results are in a week?
Just need to submit a video?
Even better!
I’ll just play games at Aunt’s house this week.
If I don’t prepare anything, I definitely won’t pass.
I completely understand what my mom meant now.
It really is just going out to play for a bit.
I’ll be home soon.
No big deal.
After finishing the sign-up and walking out of the building, I felt even the city’s polluted air had become fresh and sweet.
“Next, let’s go to Aunt’s place and play video games. I want fried chicken! The biggest portion!”
Humming a tune, I got back into the back seat, happily opening a food delivery app.
Just as I was debating whether to get double cheese or add grilled sausages—
Aunt suddenly knocked on the car window.
The sound was especially crisp in the enclosed car, interrupting my fantasy.
What’s up?
I rolled down the window.
Before I could even start ordering, I met Aunt’s grave expression.
The relaxed look she had during the sign-up was completely gone.
What now?
Did something go wrong with this idol thing?
“Quiet Forest…”
Aunt didn’t even get in the car. She just stood outside the door, lowering her voice.
“We might not be playing video games. I’m afraid you’ll have to come with me to the main family right away.”
“Go to the main family? For what?”
I looked completely baffled.
It’s not New Year’s yet, is it?
I wouldn’t have cared before, but being in this suspended-from-school state, going to the main family feels awkward.
“Just got a call. Your parents are heading there too.”
“The Family Head… uh… seems to have arranged a marriage partner for you.”
The air froze.
My phone slipped from my hand with a clatter.
What!?