Help Me, Great Idol

"It was simply... such a waste." She murmured it almost unconsciously.

That was right. Her name was Huili Liyinmeng, the former ruler of the Ninth Domain.

Ever since encountering the Great Black Pillar formed by the Neighboring World, memories of the darkness and filth of the idol world that Huili Liyinmeng had once witnessed through Miku's perspective had uncontrollably surfaced in her mind.

Those experiences had been like hell to an innocent Quasi-Spirit like her, utterly strangling her singing voice.

She could still make sounds, but she could no longer sing.

After losing her ability to sing, her mind went completely blank the moment she stepped onto a stage.

She no longer had the strength to perform, so naturally she could not meet her fans' expectations or gain any fan energy.

She could have simply remained an idle Quasi-Spirit... though in the Neighboring World, that was no different from slowly killing herself.

But now, seeing such a promising "unpolished gem" about to be ruined by crude skills and bizarre taste, an instinctive sense of unwillingness and the pride of a former ruler made it impossible for her to remain silent.

Her gaze swept over the girls before her one by one:

Kurumi Tokisaki, with black hair tied into asymmetrical twin tails. Elegance and seduction flowed through her heterochromatic eyes, while she possessed the innate air of a refined young lady.

Qian Huanyue, whose silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, radiated astonishingly unique charm. She looked exceptionally gentle and made people want to draw close to her, yet she was not lacking in authority. She had a distinctive leadership quality, and it seemed all the girls revolved around her.

Hii Hibiki—she knew this one. Hibiki P was a somewhat well-known producer.

Was she actually going to become an idol? Her playful ahoge stood up energetically, and her whole body brimmed with lively, spirited energy. She was the standard template for an upbeat idol.

Yangliu Xiying, with blue hair like the sea, was expressionless yet strikingly handsome. Her androgynous outfit further emphasized her uniquely cool aura.

With such outstanding looks and such distinct personalities, they should have formed an idol group that shone brilliantly with limitless potential.

Even if a group like that merely stood onstage, they would have been a beautiful sight.

And yet... they were going to take the stage with lyrics that sounded horrifying and a composition that could only be called second-rate?

"May I ask who you are?" Qian Huanyue voiced her confusion at the appropriate moment, though her eyes flashed with intense interest.

"This young lady is Huili Liyinmeng." The pretty blonde Quasi-Spirit said so, feeling that her tone just now had been somewhat harsh.

She felt a little apologetic. She had once been a glittering idol, yet she had spoken so sharply. It seemed... she had declined considerably in every way.

"I apologize for my inappropriate tone just now. Sigh..."

"I see—" Qian Huanyue nodded, a crafty smile involuntarily appearing on her face as she slowly drew closer.

Huili Liyinmeng sensed that something was wrong. Her heart jolted, and a feeling akin to panic spread through her chest.

Was she going to retaliate against me for speaking so rudely?

She did not specialize in attack power!!!

Other than being an idol and being exceptionally delicate and cute compared to others, Huili Liyinmeng could only be considered ordinary in every other respect.

Would bringing up her identity as the former ruler of the Ninth Domain be of any use now?

"You must be an expert in this field, right—"

Huh?

Huili Liyinmeng, who had been about to say something like, "If you're going to attack me, then please make it quick and let me go peacefully," twitched her ears, doubting that she had heard correctly.

"N-n-n-no! I'm not!" Huili Liyinmeng denied Qian Huanyue's words without hesitation.

Seeing this amusing situation, Nia opened her Angel, [Ratziel], and began searching through it.

"You truly were a very impressive idol, Miss Huili Liyinmeng."

Since her identity had been exposed, well, that made sense. She had once been an extremely popular idol in this field, after all.

Huili Liyinmeng proudly puffed out her chest, and her whole body suddenly became all sparkly and fluttery~☆

After becoming dazzlingly radiant, Huili Liyinmeng abruptly sank into dejection again, as though she had forgotten why she had stayed here in the first place.

"What kind of idol is an idol who can't sing...?"

Nia Honjo quietly unfolded her Angel and showed the contents of its pages to Huanyue.

Qian Huanyue quickly scanned the contents, somewhat surprised.

This beautiful Quasi-Spirit before her, whose mental state seemed especially unstable, was actually the former ruler of the Ninth Domain.

After touching the black pillar, she had felt the darkest period of Miku's life—when Miku was still using Tsukino Yoi as her stage name, when she refused the casting couch and could not sing onstage. That was why she could no longer produce a singing voice?

Do you have a quick solution, Nia? Qian Huanyue mouthed the words, wanting to temporarily hand the burden of thinking over to Nia's reliable Angel, [Ratziel].

There is one, Nia Honjo found it especially interesting as well and opened her Angel. But relying solely on others would not be appropriate.

Terms like "Dream Amusement Park," "Voice of the Moon," and "Cradle of Dreams" unfolded within [Ratziel].

This only estimates a possible route. In truth, the future cannot be decided.

I see.

Qian Huanyue understood. Since it could be done, that meant it could be changed.

She had always been someone whose actions were particularly illogical.

Because she met someone, she got to know them. Because they caught her eye, they became friends. Because being together felt relaxing and comfortable, she somehow developed a light, fluttering feeling like being in love.

And back then, she had thought of Nia, so she had immediately taken action to rescue her without hesitation.

Now, she was also happy to have such a reliable friend as Nia helping her, Kurumi supporting her like this, and new friends she had made here.

Coming back to her senses, Huili Liyinmeng realized she had lost her composure and became dejected again. "I mean—anyway... could you improve the arrangement? At least the arrangement!"

"I see," Qian Huanyue said with a look of sudden realization. "Just as I thought, you really are a great idol."

"Huh?! I... I can't sing." Huili Liyinmeng grew somewhat anxious, panic appearing on her pretty, adorable face.

With a smile, Qian Huanyue handed over the notebook containing the score and lyrics.

"Help me, reliable great idol~"

"Huh?"

"Of course, I wouldn't shamelessly ask a cute great idol like you to go onstage with me."

"...!!"

"Help me, Miss Great Idol~ You don't want to see cute girls like us using music of this caliber for our first performance, do you?"

"Me? Your companions don't mind?"

No matter what, Huili Liyinmeng could only be considered an outsider. Just how carefree did someone have to be to say something like that?

What an idiot... Huili Liyinmeng looked into the other girl's violet-blue eyes, full of gentleness and kindness, and could not summon even a trace of mockery.

"Hm? Of course, that sort of thing is up to me." Huanyue lifted her chin and spoke confidently. Only then did Huili Liyinmeng recall that this attempt at becoming idols was merely for them to have a carefree, exhilarating time.

The friends present were probably all thinking the same thing.

"Of course, I'll offer a Soul Crystal or something similar as payment."

Qian Huanyue had witnessed Soul Crystals before.

With a single thought, she could genuinely make one.

"I can help, but I don't need that." As the former ruler of the Ninth Domain, Huili Liyinmeng was not so powerless that she needed such a thing. The spiritual power within her could probably still sustain her for over a year. If she still had not found her wish by then...