SWNOVELXO Chapter 9: The First Exam Begins
“Candidates, over here!”
The staff members called out and guided them to their classrooms.
I checked my exam number and followed their instructions.
As usual, I came today with my messy hair and glasses.
There’s no way they would find out that I am the mysterious idol ‘X’.
I took my seat at the desk prepared in one of the rooms at the Tansen High School.
Soon, people started gathering in the classroom.
The exam started on the scheduled time, as an older examiner began explaining from the podium at the front of the room.
“Everyone in this classroom aspires to be managers for idols. At the first stage of the exam, we will give you a task, but first, we will distribute the materials to you.”
As he said this, the examiner was handing out several sheets of paper to all the candidates. The sheets contained information about a certain five-member idol group.
The examiner then continued his explanation.
“You brought your laptops, right? You can use any method you like, as long as you’ll be able to present to us as if you were their assigned manager. We have a projector prepared here. You will have 8 minutes to create the presentation materials, and each person will have 2 minutes for the presentation.”
The materials consisted of 10 pages, including one page with the photos of the five members. Detailed profiles such as their activity history, achievements, number of social media followers, and fan club membership numbers were also included.
“This year, there are a large number of applicants, so the workrooms will be shared with the candidates aspiring to be idols. They also have their own tasks, so please be considerate and do not disturb each other. You may now begin.”
The announcement was very sudden as it was only announced at the start of the exam.
Everyone was a little confused at first, but then hurried to the adjacent workroom.
I see, they’re testing our ability to adapt to unexpected situations… Indeed, being a manager is continuous improvisation.
I also hurried to the neighboring workroom.
There, as the examiner had explained, the female idol candidates were taking on their tasks in the same room.
Everyone seemed to be earnestly reading the booklet in their hands.
Is that a script? Acting skills are crucial for idols. They may appear in dramas and handle jobs that are no different from actresses.
As expected of a prestigious school for the entertainment industry, they were considering things far ahead.
While impressed, I sat on the floor, took out my laptop from my bag, and started it up.
We were only given 8 minutes, I couldn’t afford to waste even a second in order to enhance the quality of my presentation more than the other candidates.
“Ah, umm! Excuse me, could someone please read this script aloud for me?”
Amidst the silence, the voice of a single idol candidate echoed in the room. She was a cute girl with medium-length hair that suited her well.
Her plea was met with silence from the other idols. In a troubled state, she reached out to a nearby candidate.
“I-It’s okay if you do it just once! Could you please help me out?”
“Why should I have to read it out loud for you? You do understand that time is running out, don’t you?”
“Y-Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry.”
With a downcast expression, she fell silent in the corner of the room. Letting out a sigh, I closed my own laptop with a snap.
“If you don’t mind, I can read it for you. As someone aspiring to be a manager, I can’t just leave an idol in distress.”
When I said that, she smiled brightly as if a flower had blossomed. It was a lovely smile.
“Thank you so much! My name is Ichinose Hina, an aspiring idol. Feel free to read it quickly, it’s okay even if you speak fast!”
Without asking for the reason, I took hold of Ichinose’s script. I didn’t understand why she needed someone to read it for her, but there must be a reason she couldn’t do it herself.
To avoid causing too much inconvenience to those around me, I read it in a low voice. She listened attentively beside me, maintaining her cheerful expression.
“You have a very beautiful voice. I really like your voice!” She said, making me slightly embarrassed, after I finished reading it all.
I asked her, “I’ve finished reading it, but… should I read it again?”
It took about 3 minutes to read it through once, and if I were to go through it again, it would surely eat up all of my remaining time…
Nevertheless, I couldn’t just abandon an idol in need.
“No! It’s alright, thank you very much!”
With that, Ichinose closed the script. Even though the other audition participants were still desperately memorizing their lines, she seemed to have no need to look at the script anymore.
“A-Are you really okay? Don’t you have to memorize all of it?”
“Yes! But I’ve already memorized everything.”
As a test, I read out a few lines from the script again. Ichinose responded without a single mistake… every word and letter.
Incredible… She was a genius.
Ichinose bowed deeply to me.
“I’m sorry… Actually, I have a learning disorder called dyslexia which makes it difficult for me to read and write. I haven’t read or written characters since I was born.” She said, laughing a little bashfully.
“…You can’t read or write characters?”
“Yes! Ah, but other than that, I’m just like everyone else. That’s why it’s a disorder that’s not easily understood. People thought I was joking, and I used to get scolded at school every day. I was even bullied quite a bit… Haha!!!”
“…”
I was at a loss for words. A disorder that prevented her from reading or writing characters since she was young. There must have been times when she was in trouble and no one extended a helping hand.
When I thought about the struggles she had been through, my heart ached.
“That’s why they told me being an idol was impossible. But when I saw that mysterious idol ‘X’ on TV, I just couldn’t help but admire him! …Why are you crying?”
“S-Sorry… It’s rude of me but I couldn’t help imagining how hard you’ve been working.”
Seeing me in tears, Ichinose was a little surprised but then smiled gently.
“You’re really a kind person. Haha, I’m getting a bit worried.” She said, taking out a pink handkerchief from her pocket and handing it to me.
“Please do your best! You won’t pass with a teary face like that! Consider this handkerchief as a good luck charm!”
“Uh? B-But…”
“I’ll be fine! Please focus on your own task! Come on, come on!”
Encouraged by Ichinose, I was guided back to where I had left my belongings.
“Please pass the audition! I’ll definitely repay this favor at school!”
“Yeah!”
That’s right, I needed to pass too… so I can talk more with Ichinose.
Putting the handkerchief in my pocket, I opened my laptop again and spread out the materials on the floor.
“Heh, only 3 minutes left! You’ve done something foolish.” A manager candidate who had been observing me laughed.
Laugh if you want! To me, none of the time I had wasted was insignificant, not even a second.
“Well, thanks. With the 3 minutes left, I can make a delicious cup of noodles.”
Taking a light deep breath, I stretched my fingers and cracked my neck.
For a whole year, I had been fighting on the front lines to promote ‘Charlotte’. I had explained the charm of the idols to hundreds of people multiple times.
I had experienced a different level of humility.
I had experienced being scolded by others.
I had made more mistakes and grown more than anyone here.
There wasn’t enough time to read through all the materials but someone like me, should be able to discern the strengths and captivating qualities of this five-member idol group, even from the materials alone.
I created the presentation materials with all of my might.
“Well then, manager candidates, please finish your work.”
With the signal indicating the end of the exam, I hit the enter key.
It seems like I made it somehow just in time.
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