Idol Qian Huanyue
"An idol? Fan energy?" Qian Huanyue's eyes lit up at the words. Her gaze moved between Kurumi, Hii Hibiki, and Yangliu Xiying.
Everything in the Ninth Domain was different from the Tenth Domain.
The Tenth Domain was a place of combat and especially brutal killing. The Ninth Domain was a world of idols and fans.
Idols gained fans by taking the stage. Fans' affection generated fan energy, which turned into Spiritual Power and sustained the idols.
Of course, idols could also move their fans and help them gain Spiritual Power.
Images of debuting idols with different styles sprang to Qian Huanyue's mind.
Kurumi wore an exquisitely cute red stage outfit. Bathed in the spotlight, she spoke in a sweet voice, trying her very best:
"My, my, we're newcomers~ Please listen to our debut song, 'Love's Lingchi'~"
"...♪"
"♪ Love's lingchi, on and on~ ♪"
"♪ I tear only you apart and hold you close ♪"
Hii Hibiki, dressed in a cute, pure-white stage outfit, danced with lively steps, her skirt swaying lightly with every move.
"♪ Even pain is a way of loving ♪"
Xiying, in a sharp blue stage outfit, showed off the dashing charm of a handsome-style idol. Her rather serious expression contrasted with her dance steps in a strangely captivating way.
"♪ I chew the shattered heart, piece by piece ♪"
"♪ Let this cruelty cut deeper still ♪"
What a strange title. What strange lyrics. But the outfits are so pretty.
That was Qian Huanyue's thought when her daydream was interrupted.
Kurumi flicked her forehead in exasperation, finally bringing her back to her senses.
"My, you were definitely thinking about something strange."
"Was~ I~?"
Feeling completely at ease, Qian Huanyue answered in a slow drawl.
Sitting in the café, Qian Huanyue contentedly picked up the pudding Hii Hibiki had created with Spiritual Power and took a spoonful. Under Yangliu Xiying's somewhat surprised gaze, she wore an adorably satisfied expression.
There were no staff in the café. After all, a Quasi-Spirit could create a drink of just about any kind with Spiritual Power at a thought.
"I see." Hii Hibiki nodded lightly, looking as though she had just figured it out, then said something that nearly made Qian Huanyue choke. "Huanyue-chan wants to try being an idol!"
"Huh?" Qian Huanyue almost choked on her pudding.
"My, I'm all for it. Hee-hee—" Kurumi supported the idea without hesitation and let out a particularly mischievous laugh.
"Definitely." Yangliu Xiying replied with guileless sincerity, her eyes curving into a smile. "Huanyue-chan has a pretty face, a great figure, and a lovely voice. She has real idol potential."
"Me?" Qian Huanyue crossed her fingers in an X and said firmly, "No! Absolutely not!"
"I may not look it, but I used to be a top-tier producer here," Hii Hibiki declared, her expression full of pride.
Qian Huanyue was coaxed along and taken to change into a gorgeous outfit, with her hair tied into a side ponytail.
The outfit featured a high-waisted white pleated skirt with an asymmetrical hem, short in front and long in back, plus a distinctive headpiece and little accessories. In short, she looked every bit like an idol.
"Huh!?" What on earth was going on?
"Hehe~ You look wonderful~" Kurumi clapped delightedly. "I'm already on the verge of becoming a Huanyue-chan fan."
"I'll do my best to support Huanyue-chan too!" Yangliu Xiying happily joined in the applause.
"That's right! Just like that!" Hii Hibiki had switched into producer mode. Grinning with excitement, she said, "Try singing a song, Huanyue-chan! You could definitely become an S-rank idol—or even better!"
What an energetic scene. If I weren't the one at the center of it, I'd probably fall completely in love with it.
Qian Huanyue thought that with some resignation.
The Ninth Domain had plenty of places where Quasi-Spirits could practice. There was no concept of money in the Neighboring World, so nearly every facility was free to use. The main question was whether another Quasi-Spirit had claimed it.
As soon as Hii Hibiki found this place, she had taken it upon herself to drag Qian Huanyue inside.
Standing before the microphone, Qian Huanyue drew a soft breath, then sang a beautiful melody.
"♪...♪"
"Wow!" Hii Hibiki scratched her cheek, looking amazed. "That sounds wonderful. Did you study singing?"
"Back when I was human, I sang to entertain myself now and then, I suppose."
Qian Huanyue lifted her chin adorably, her tone light.
Back then, her mind had been close to breaking. She had watched her parents grow thinner and thinner while her own body grew weaker and weaker.
She could only keep her emotions barely in check with cheap forms of entertainment.
"You remember too, Huanyue-chan?" Kurumi sounded a little surprised. "Your memories from when you were human?"
"Mm! Of course!" Qian Huanyue winked and folded her arms. "I remember them clear as day!"
"That's wonderful..." Yangliu Xiying said wistfully.
"It really is," Hii Hibiki said, a little envious.
A considerable number of Quasi-Spirits had once been human. After coming here, their memories of their human lives were almost always hazy, and few could recall the details.
Some even lost those memories entirely, leaving nothing but a blank.
Memories of the past were precious here.
"Is it really...?" Qian Huanyue murmured. Then an incredibly gentle smile appeared on her face. It looked no different from her usual smile, yet for a moment, it captivated everyone present.
"Mm, of course I won't forget. It's an important part of my life, after all."