Episode Fifty-Nine

The second collaboration meeting was held online.
Projected onto the screen was a rough sketch drawn by Shigure.

“The design concept is ‘magic’.”

Left side, front, right side.
The package featured a different illustration on each panel.

“The three illustrations form a story. From left to front, then to right side.”

Switching screens, the left side illustration zoomed in.

“The left side shows ‘Haibara-san feeling down’. Her hair is tousled, her expression sombre. She’s feeling low.”

Hiname-chan, drawn in blue pen on white paper, had her eyes downcast and a gloomy expression.

“Next, the front. This remains as previously shown.”

The screen switched.
　The front view is a close-up of Hiname-chan shampooing her hair.

“Finally, the right side. This is Haibara-san on stage.”

The third slide depicts Hiname-chan singing, microphone in hand.

“Haibara-san’s motif is Cinderella. Initially, I considered incorporating the glass slipper or the pumpkin coach, but it just didn’t feel right.”

Returning the screen to the left side slide, I continued.

“When I was struggling, someone told me: everyone casts a spell on themselves to persevere.”

‘A spell, you say?’

The manufacturer’s representative spoke over the line.

“Spell might sound exaggerated, but I think everyone’s experienced it at least once. Putting on more expensive cosmetics than usual, wearing a brand-new outfit, and psyching yourself up with ‘I can do this’.”

‘Ah, that sort of thing…’

A woman nodded on the screen.

‘Yes, that happens, doesn’t it?’

“Thank you.”

I gave a slight bow and continued.

“Everyone casts magic on themselves. When they fail at work. When there’s a gloomy event. When things aren’t going well with someone important. At times like that, to feel confident in themselves.”

‘Confidence…’

The microphone picked up the sound.
　It was Hiname’s voice.
She was participating in sporty attire, perhaps between lessons.

‘Ah, sorry. My mic was on.’

“It’s fine. If you have something to say, please do.”

‘No, it’s alright.’

“…I see. Well then, I’ll continue.”

The screen returned to the first slide.
It showed an illustration of Hiname-chan looking utterly crushed, with a comically tearful expression.

“Magic, I thought, would be the key word. ‘Cendrillon’ is a magical shampoo. Cinderella transforms from a cinder girl into a princess through magic.”

A girl who was crushed and dejected becomes a princess, an idol, through the magical shampoo.
That was the story I poured into the three illustrations.

“I hear Haibara-san is said to be the perfect idol?”

I spoke into the terminal’s camera.
　Manager Motomura nodded.

“That’s precisely why I thought it would be effective. Even someone like that, Haibara Hiname, sometimes cries or gets down. Perhaps deep down, she lacks confidence in herself.”

Did anyone notice I glanced at Hiname-chan?

“…There might be times when a little emotional support, a bit of magic, is needed. That kind of vulnerability resonates with consumers.”

‘Resonates…’

“I don’t think many people can declare themselves Cinderella with absolute confidence. Most believe they’re just plain old cinders. That’s why the ‘Cinderella’ copy probably says this, right?”

──Even dry, dull cinders hair transforms into Cinderella’s beautiful locks with a single drop of magic.

“Haibara-san is an idol recognised by all, someone on Cinderella’s side. Even she has moments of feeling down, just like us. But—”

The front illustration. The right-side illustration.
Switching between screens, I continued.

“She casts magic on herself, regains her confidence, and steps back onto the stage. That kind of figure resonates with us and makes us want to cheer her on. Um, in other words, we can support her.”

　Ultimately, that should be the most important factor.
After all, this is a collaboration product with an idol.
On the screen, Hiname-chan gave a raised-hand reaction.

“Haibara-san, please.”

‘May I ask just one question?’

“Yes.”

‘How did you come up with this design, Amami-san?’

Silence.
Even for a web conference, it was a probing question.
　I could have given a vague answer and deflected it. I’ve been through enough of these situations.
But the way Hiname-chan was looking at me through the screen, her eyes were terribly earnest.
So I ended up letting it slip.

“…Actually, I’m not someone who has a lot of confidence in myself either.”

‘Is that so?’

“Yes. A senior colleague at work told me that’s normal, and then I suddenly thought. If I feel that way, perhaps you do too, Haibara-san?”

On the other side of the screen, I could see Hiname-chan give a small nod.
I already knew she was a girl who, deep down, lacked confidence in herself.

“Haibara-san, you’re an idol and incredibly successful. But you’re still human, after all. Surely there are times when you feel down, tired, or lose confidence? But that’s absolutely not a flaw. Rather—”

　The unvarnished Hiname-chan I met in the café was plain and unassuming, but she was more than that.
Then there was another.
The face of a sleepless girl, with dark circles beneath her eyes, flashed into my mind.

“…If she has any weaknesses, I thought even those would be part of Haibara-san’s charm.”

Both her lack of confidence and the strength she shows in hiding it to stand on stage are part of Hiname-chan’s charm.
　We simply aren’t made to be drawn solely by brilliance.

“But I imagine the agency has its own considerations. If it could damage Haibara-san’s image—”

‘I think it’s fine.’

Beyond the screen, Hiname-chan spoke up.

‘Right, Motomura-san?’

‘…Yes. I don’t think this would negatively impact her image. Empathetic qualities are important for an idol, so I believe it’s a good thing.’

A series of ‘thumbs up’ hand signs appeared on the screen.
The manufacturer’s representative declared firmly, “We’ll take this proposal to the higher-ups.”
The presentation concluded, and discussions moved on to the next steps.
After a short while, the meeting ended right on schedule.
Participants filed out one by one, until only me and Hiname-chan remained.
Just as I was about to leave—

‘Amami-san’

Hiname-chan called out to me.

‘Thank you so much today. I think it’s a truly wonderful design.’

“…Thank you, I’m glad to hear it.”

With just the two of us, my tone became more casual.

“Actually, I kind of went on about myself, didn’t I? Now that I’ve calmed down, it feels terribly embarrassing.”

‘Not at all, it was lovely.’

I wonder.
After reading the minutes, I might feel like dying.
Through the screen, Hiname-chan smiled beautifully.

‘I think I’ll try my best, even if I still lack confidence.’

“…Hiname-chan.”

‘I thought that if someone could like the weak me, then maybe I wouldn’t have to be afraid of failing anymore.’

“Yeah. It’ll be alright, I’m sure.”

Hiname-chan giggled, ticklishly.

‘If you don’t mind, please tell Ibara. That I won’t say things like “Come back to Charles” anymore.’

“…Yeah.”

‘Even if she says she wants to come back, tell her it’s no good.’

“Got it.”

‘…I’ll do my best here. Please tell her to watch over me.’

Hiname-chan gave me a small wave as I nodded.
With that smile, the very essence of an idol, the kind that captivates everyone.
The call ended.
Next time, I’ll ask Momono-chan how to buy concert tickets. Good seats, if possible.
That’s what I thought.