Press Conference

(Sun Yao)

It's a bit noisy outside.

Looking down at the library's main entrance through the windows of this fourth-floor lecture hall, all I could see was a dense crowd of people.

I asked, "Hey? There are so many people gathered downstairs, are they all here for my press conference?"

"No, it seems like a new magical girl is promoting herself over there..."

Xiao Yi pushed Heat Haze to the window, and the latter only glanced at it before exclaiming, "Damn it!"

Then, something hit the window.

"Hi~ Ceruno, can I come in?"

She was a magical girl dressed in a flamboyant, theatrical-style denim outfit, with a strange ribbon of light tied behind her head, and wearing ochre-colored clothing.

And she was actually floating in the air?

"Huh? You are...?"

Upon closer inspection, it looked very familiar; I felt like I'd seen it somewhere before.

I tried opening the window to let her in, but Heat Haze covered her face and replied, "She's the magical girl Falcon, her name means falcon."

"YO! KAGEROU!"

As soon as Falcon entered, he waved and greeted Heat Haze, who patted his wheelchair excitedly, seemingly wanting to stand up, but Xiao Yi held him down.

"Oh! You're so happy to see me, KAGEROU!"

"Speak to me in Chinese! What are you doing here? Are you here to laugh at me?"

"I came all the way to Skyreach City just for you!"

"I just have a headache."

The magical girl named Falcon turned around, looked at me, and smiled, "Oh dear? Ceruno still doesn't remember who I am?"

"... Miss Jila?"

I racked my brains to recall the name, and my brief memories of Oahu resurfaced.

"That's right! Luckily, I haven't completely forgotten, otherwise I would be very sad."

Actually, I've already forgotten most of it.

Although I remember Miss Jila as a magical girl, I've almost forgotten what she was like. After all, unlike Miss Miluno, I didn't spend much time with her.

You look younger.

She transforms from an older sister into a girl of similar age, but her facial features don't change much before and after the transformation. Most of those exceptionally beautiful magical girls are this type, because they are already very pretty, and only need a little modification after the transformation.

"After all, she's a magical 'girl'! So why does she have to be in the form of a young girl? Sirius, is there some reason for this?"

This question would be most appropriate to ask Miss Sirius, who is the Star Crystal, but her answer was far from serious.

"Huh? Of course it's because girls are cute!"

"I'm asking you seriously..."

"I answered seriously."

I pressed further, "Then why can't it be a handsome young man?"

"The male Y chromosome... is produced by a mutation of the X chromosome, which means that women are closer to the origin of humanity."

That's just sophistry.

If we're already using magical powers, why bother talking about chromosomes? At this point, do we still need to discuss biological science?

Heat Haze asked, "Falcon, how did you find this place? Today's press conference was mainly for the media; there wasn't much publicity."

She and Falcon seem to have a frenemy relationship.

"Miluno brought me here; we went to the treatment facility first."

Falcon's answer surprised me.

"Miss Miluno? Where is she?"

"They should be climbing the stairs right now, right? I forgot to bring her up with me~"

Knock knock--

No sooner had he finished speaking than there was a knock on the door of the lecture hall.

Miluno peeked inside to make sure she hadn't gone to the wrong place before sneaking in.

She looked around the auditorium; it was a large conference room with only the words "Debut Press Conference" written on the blue background wall.

By the afternoon, the place will be packed with media, talent scouts, professional musicians, directors, and so on. These people are all here because of Sirius. Based on my performance, they will score me, set a price for me, and may even directly determine my ceiling as an idol...

Therefore, this "debut press conference" is more important than imagined. Whether the road to idolhood will be smooth depends on today's performance.

"Is Miluno also here for my press conference?"

"No, I just brought Falcon to see Heat Haze."

"Is that so? The press conference doesn't start until 1 PM, it shouldn't be very long... Miluno, is there anything else?"

My words carried a hint of pleading.

I hoped Miluno could stay here and accommodate me; this sentiment contained a capricious element.

"I have other things to do this afternoon..."

Upon hearing this, an uncontrollable disappointment crept onto Miluno's face.

"... But watching the beginning is fine, I'll only stay for five minutes to support you."

"Oh well!"

Honestly, Miluno likes to observe my reaction by first belittling me and then praising me, doesn't she?

Sirius immediately laughed and said, "Luer, then let's add a VIP seat for Miluno- chan too~"

Miluno quickly said, "No, no need. I'll just stand at the door and watch. It's not good to leave an empty seat later..."

"Yes, I'll take it! Even if it's empty, Miluno is still my VIP!"

Despite my insistence, Miluno could only shake her head and smile bitterly.

Around 12:40, the media began to take their seats.

I sat upright in the center of the stage, with Sirius on one side and Yezi, whose manager, was in the empty seat on the Other Side. But he hadn't arrived yet, and if he didn't show up by 1 PM, the press conference would be held up by just Sirius and me...

To make matters worse, her phone was switched off, and I was getting a little angry with Yezi!

"Don't be nervous, have you thought through everything you wanted to say?"

Miss Sirius began to soothe my emotions.

"Um."

"I will guide you then; you just need to answer my questions accordingly."

"Clear!"

"Then don't keep a straight face."

Even so, I still can't relax.

Unlike when I was a backup dancer on Nabu Island, today I'm the star in the spotlight, especially online. Many of my supporters are watching my performance, and just thinking about it makes me so nervous I can't even speak.

If Yezi were here...

Thinking about it that way.

Looking up, I saw Miluno in the first row of VIP seats staring at me.

"... At least Miluno still here."

What are you muttering about?

"It's nothing, I'm ready!"

With this much courage, the press conference started as scheduled. Miss Luer took on the role of emcee, and she didn't need to prepare any lines; she simply used her words to capture everyone's attention.

"Now, let's first welcome Sirius to give a speech for this press conference!"

Ms. Sirius, as a guest, was the first to speak.

"These past few days, I've kept seeing people asking if this child is considered a disciple of Sirius, so I'll take this opportunity to clarify..."

Sirius stepped down from the stage with a microphone and stood between the media and VIPs.

"After this press conference, she and I will be rivals as idols, and she claims she'll surpass me! I hope everyone will treat her with the same high standards..."

Can she surpass Miss Sirius on the road to becoming an idol?

This is clearly a demand she imposed on me; I've never had this kind of confidence before...

"That's all I have to say, Ceruno..."

After Sirius finished her opening speech, she placed the microphone in front of me.

Come on! Prove yourself with your songs and smiles!