IDOLiSH7 with Chinami (IDOLiSH7 Fan Fiction)

10 : Baseless Rumors

Tsumugi brought IDOLiSH7 and Chinami to the studio where the variety show of Mr. Shimooka was located. After getting ready, the show started immediately as IDOLiSH7 entering the studio quietly.

"I heard the special drama you're filming is spin-off of a show that aired perviously." Mr. Shimooka continued to talk, pausing for a moment for Yamato to reply.

From other people's perspective, IDOLiSH7 might be acting like before. But giving them a closer look, one would determine they're actually not into it.

Chinami was watching everyone with Tsumugi beside her, eyebrows furrowed in worry. The atmosphere was also different than the usual light and fun one. But she can't deny that the members were doing their best.

When the shooting for Mr. Shimooka's variety show finally ended, the group decided to go home for now and entered the van without even talking to one another.

"What about you, Sendou-san?" Tsumugi asked as Chinami buckled up beside her.

"I think I'll stay at the agency for now."

The ride back home was quiet, no one spoke and no one dared to start a conversation. It was uncomfortable for Chinami who had gotten used to the usual lively chatters of the group but she didn't have a choice but to endure it.

When they finally arrived, the one next to the door opened it and the seven colorful heads flooded out of the vehicle not before greeting Chinami and Tsumugi a goodbye. When the door was finally shut and they were alone, they both sighed with Chinami slightly slouching in her seat.

"I'm getting worried." Tsumugi said and Chinami nodded, fiddling with her fingers. As Tsumugi had her eyes set on the road, she wore her determined face. "We'll have to discuss this with Ogami-san."

Chinami nodded and Tsumugi started the engine, driving back to agency where the older manager was found busy with managerial duties, holding papers and binders. Chinami listened as Tsumugi explained to Banri about what was happening to the members of the idol group and about the sudden outbirst of emotions earlier that morning. The three of them had speculations as of the reason why it suddenly got heated and they decided to surf the net.

"You think it's because of the magazine and online articles?" Banri asked the two young ladies.

"They're mixing truths and lies." Tsumugi replied. "It's awful."

"It feels like there's been a sudden increase in them." Banri commented as he scrolled through articles and articles about IDOLiSH7 that popped up from the search engine. A sigh, then, escaped his lips. "Maybe it's a symptom of their new popularity."

"I think it's because they're busy." Chinami said with a worried look. "Not only MEZZO is busy, Nikaido-san is preoccupied with the filming for his drama, Rokuya-san is modeling, Nanase-san and Izumi-san have also a packed schedule and are getting a lot of exposure. And Mitsuki-san's been appearing to a lot of variety shows recently. I'm no longer sure if they all get a chance to even say hi or hello to each other."

Banri nodded in agreement. "Before, they'd hang out in the lesson room even when they had nothing to do."

"We need to do something." Tsumugi said in a hush tone.

Chinami and Banri looked at each other for a moment as the three tried to think of a solution to solve the issue that's brewing within the group. But the silence was cut short when the doorbell rang.

"I'll go get it." Tsumugi said and headed out.

Chinami decided to follow right behind Tsumugi, taking small and quiet steps, trying to conceal her presence. She stopped right next to a bookshelf, a good distance but also a good view from the door. When Tsumugi opened the door, Chinami tried to contain her gasp as TRIGGER's Yaotome Gaku suddenly appeared right in front of Tsumugi in his sunglasses, black blazer, and a white turtleneck, looking dashing as ever.