Tokyo had begun to snow.
Higuchi Madoka looked up at the sky, where pure, flawless snowflakes drifted down in a flurry.
The mottled sunlight tangled with the snowy hues, obscuring the once clear sky.
"It's beautiful, this snow."
Beside her, someone reached out a hand and caught a light, floating snowflake.
The snowflakes landed on Higuchi Madoka's hair, feeling slightly cool.
"Christmas has come again."
Asakura Toru turned her face slightly, her breath forming warm white puffs in the air. "Do you want to go out together?"
The chill of the ice and snow was somewhat biting. Higuchi Madoka shook her head. On such a cold day, she didn't want to leave this place.
Asakura Toru seemed to have anticipated her refusal, letting out a soft sigh. Ever since the producer's death, she had been like this.
"Although I don't mind staying here with you…"
Asakura Toru said, "We can't keep putting off the work assigned by the agency. We've already turned it down many times."
The producer was the soul of 283 Agency.
His departure was undoubtedly a heavy blow to them.
Their group had been in low spirits for several months.
Even now, everyone's morale hadn't fully recovered, and Ichikawa Hina was even considering whether to quit.
The only reason they hadn't disbanded yet was purely because of their extraordinary bond.
"He hoped we would keep moving forward, right? That's what the producer said in his final letter, wasn't it?"
Higuchi Madoka's heart ached slightly.
She had been unable to do anything, only watching helplessly as the producer's warmth quietly slipped away from her grasp.
"I… am not the person he hoped for."
Higuchi Madoka finally spoke. "From the very beginning, I never intended to become an idol."
"But it's rare to see someone secretly practicing in the dance studio, isn't it?"
Asakura Toru said softly. "Both the producer and I thought Higuchi could become an outstanding idol."
Higuchi Madoka would sometimes sneak into the dance studio to practice but was accidentally discovered by the producer.
He had even mentioned it in his final letter, praising her as a hardworking and good child.
Yet, the two of them fell into a long silence.
"I'm just a self-righteous person."
Higuchi Madoka didn't want to discuss this any further. "I'm going back to my room."
Asakura Toru watched her retreating figure with a helpless expression.
The producer was truly formidable. Even though they were childhood friends, they had lost to him, the unexpected newcomer.
The girl gazed up at the sky, where endless snowflakes continued to drift down, as if announcing the passing of yet another year.
"We used to spend every Christmas together."
Asakura Toru lowered her voice, as if seeing someone again. "If you don't come back soon, we really won't be able to go on."
There was no response. The empty sky was filled only with swirling snowflakes, not even a star in sight.
"Liar."
…
Two years later, Higuchi Madoka quietly observed this face that was exactly as she remembered—sharp, distinct features, calm eyes as deep as the night, well-groomed stubble, and a perfectly straight necktie, none of his usual sloppiness.
In formal settings, he indeed acted properly, completely unlike his usual perverted self.
How could anyone ask a girl to harshly scold them? It was something Higuchi Madoka would never understand in her entire life.
"Long time no see."
Higuchi Madoka greeted him softly.
He looked at the girl before him, his gaze seemingly lingering on her full chest.
Since they were in the girl's own room, her attire was simple, revealing her ample bust and a pair of smooth, delicate thighs.
"Aren't you going to say anything?"
Higuchi Madoka sighed. "It's precisely because of this that I really dislike you."
During their first meeting, this guy had tricked Asakura Toru into coming to 283 Agency, forcing Higuchi Madoka to interact with him.
She initially thought he was just a fraud, but who knew he was an extreme pervert!
If it weren't for considering Asakura Toru, Higuchi Madoka would never have agreed to his invitation.
Being an idol was just a job where you had to put on a fake, professional smile for others.
Every time she saw him, Higuchi Madoka wondered if she had encountered some particularly perverted scum—even scolding him felt like a reward.
Just talking to him made her want to apply to the agency for mental health compensation and overtime pay.
In short, this guy was a despicable pervert.
Higuchi Madoka intended to berate him, but strangely, now whenever she saw him, her eyes grew warm, almost burning.
So, the girl had to hold back the sharp words she had planned to say.
"Today, Hana received a prank letter."
Higuchi Madoka showed him her phone screen.
[How awful—forging the producer's handwriting and even mimicking his tone perfectly. Fuyuyu hopes this kind of person dies quickly.]
[Just asking without any ill intent, where is the person who sent the letter?]
[So disgusting.]
[Waaah, my producer waaah.]
Higuchi Madoka looked at the photo in the group chat.
Morino Rinze seemed very angry and had posted the envelope in the agency's group chat, which made everyone furious.
Even several members who had announced their retirement popped up, planning to ambush this disgusting person.
Since the envelope had no address or contact information, they inferred it was a sasaeng fan who had directly thrown it into the mailbox.
Morino Rinze said the mailbox had been pried open, and the malice was overflowing—they had to come down hard.
"But..."
Higuchi Madoka spoke softly, "This handwriting really looks like yours."
When the producer stayed up late working on plans, she would sometimes help him, even though he would harass her.
So, she recognized the producer's handwriting.
Higuchi Madoka reached out and finally touched the man before her, her fingertips brushing against his face, feeling a cool sensation.
"I'm very interested in idols. Are you the producer at 283 Agency?"
"Please don't joke about that. Stay away from me."
"So disgusting, you foot fetishist."
"What exactly are you expecting from me?""I'm just monitoring whether you and the agency are doing anything shady."
"Haha, that part of you is really off-putting."
"Could you please stop saying such tactless things?"
"Tokyo Dome? I think it's too early to start dreaming, Mr. Fantasy."
"Don't look at me with those eyes, it's disgusting."
"Just try laying a finger on Asakura Toru."
"What's so strange about me being afraid of bugs?"
"Is it fun to peep at others practicing?"
"It's especially disgusting coming from you."
"I'm not specifically targeting you - I treat every pervert this way."
"Taking photos at the beach? Sexual harassment?"
"Pervert."
Memories flashed through Higuchi Madoka's mind like falling snowflakes, her eyes growing increasingly warm.
The Tokyo Dome she once thought was just empty promises - he had actually made it happen.
Though his compositions and lyrics were exceptionally brilliant, he insisted it was her singing that deserved credit for their soaring popularity.
He discovered she practiced secretly in the dance studio, told her not to be nervous, and helped keep it hidden from Asakura Toru and others.
Meanwhile, he often worked overtime at the agency, sometimes sleeping directly in the office.
Nanakusa Hazuki, the staff member in charge, mentioned he would pull all-nighters for several consecutive days, continuing to work even after returning to his apartment.
Though she had always been prejudiced against him, Higuchi Madoka had to admit the guy was literally working himself to death.
To help everyone gain fame faster, he somehow managed to secure numerous appearance and stage opportunities through unknown means.
As their popularity skyrocketed, many became jealous, leading to coordinated suppression attempts by top agencies and even backroom deals targeting them.
Yet he single-handedly held firm, leading them through the storm until they ultimately claimed the title of national idols.
He created a grand stage for them, with scale and impact surpassing all previous idols, making everyone feel like they were dreaming.
Higuchi Madoka still remembered his expression at that time - carrying a faint smile.
["From now on, Madoka is a big star too."]
["Haha, I don't deserve praise as a genius composer - everyone's attention is on you."]
["Even the best songs are worthless without Madoka's voice."]
["There you go again. How many idols have you said that to?"]
["At least all the songs I give Madoka are exclusively yours, specially tailored for you."]
Higuchi Madoka felt inexplicably irritated, then saw him smile candidly.
["The day has finally come. My mission is complete."]
He opened his arms to Higuchi Madoka.
["Can I have one last hug?"]
["Sexual harassment?"]
Higuchi Madoka remained as cold as ever, crossing her arms to block his view.
He awkwardly lowered his arms, probably realizing the poor impression he had made.
["This is fine too. Pity I couldn't win you over in the end."]
Higuchi Madoka stared coldly at him. This perverted producer had always been eyeing the idols under his care, and many poor girls had already fallen victim to him.
["I guess this is it. I'm a bit tired and should head back now."]
Perhaps organizing the grand stage had drained him, as he looked utterly exhausted. Higuchi Madoka had actually noticed his dark circles long ago.
Watching his retreating figure, Higuchi Madoka wanted to call out to him, but then reconsidered. It would be better to bring some gifts and visit his home the next day, taking the opportunity to care for him for a few days.
He would surely be delighted.
Madoka suppressed the smile at the corner of her lips—she needed to maintain some distance and not let this guy get carried away with arrogance.
Thus, she missed this chance for an embrace.
When she arrived at his doorstep, all she found was the producer's corpse.
...
No one truly knew what Higuchi Madoka was feeling at that time.
Everyone only knew that she became withdrawn from then on, sometimes clutching a photo of the Producer, often murmuring to herself at night.
But who would care?
Mayuzumi Fuyuko frequently sent messages to the Producer via her phone as if he were still alive, chattering away every day and sharing details of her daily life.
Chiyuki Kuwayama would occasionally stroke her lower abdomen with a strange smile, saying she should have kept the Producer locked in the basement back then so the two of them could have had a baby.
Kogane Tsukioka meticulously drew portraits of the Producer every single day.
Then, on each anniversary of his death, she would burn them all at once while cheering everyone on with an optimistic smile that seemed to bring a lively atmosphere.
She was one of the quickest at the agency to regain her cheerfulness. However, someone once saw her in her room repeatedly chanting the Producer's name while drawing identical portraits.
Amana Osaki personally sewed a doll of the Producer, holding it in her arms every day and taking it out with her, claiming she wanted to be with the Producer forever.
In contrast, her older sister Osaki Tenka seemed relatively normal, only hiding in her room each day to watch videos of the Producer over and over, occasionally giggling foolishly.
The slightly more severe cases might be people like Luca Ikaruga.
Had it not been for Hana Suzuki producing the Producer's suicide note, she likely would have quit 283 Agency on the spot.
But as things stood now, 283 Agency was practically on the verge of collapse, even with the president appointing a new Producer.
No one had the heart to continue being idols anymore.
Only a few fools wiped away their tears while practicing hard, wanting to carry on with the Producer's will and move forward.
But—
...
"Why did you have to leave?"
Higuchi Madoka stroked the photo in her hands, almost whispering to herself, "If you were tired, you could have told us. Why did you have to leave?"
Was it because of her?
Was the pressure they put on him too much?
Was it work-related issues, or was it pressure from them personally?
Even though he left a suicide note, they couldn't understand what it meant.
It had even become a psychological burden for many, filled with regrets about not having treated the Producer better back then.
They had now become a pack of stray dogs without their Producer.
Higuchi Madoka recalled his embrace back then—if she had hugged him, would things have been different?
Yes, the Producer's pressure was too immense.
There had been a period of cold war between them and him, filled with suspicion and disgust. Later, they made the Producer rein in his eccentric personality.
Some even tried to control the Producer, wanting to possess him, to make him their own, while preventing him from getting too close to others.
Gradually, their relationship became subtle, no longer just simple friendship.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this that the Producer chose to leave forever.
But—
If she had been able to accept the Producer's embrace back then, would things have been different?
If they could do it all over again, would anything change?
Higuchi Madoka quietly gazed at the person in the photo.
Death is the most distant separation—a place where even voices cannot reach, forever irreparable.
'I really want to say I'm sorry. I really want to tell you thank you. Actually, I liked you too.'
However, she knew there was no possibility of turning things back.
...
Asakura Toru encountered a strange boy downstairs at the agency. He was sneaking around, trying to stuff something into the mailbox.
Due to previous pranks, even her usually good-natured self couldn't help but feel angry this time.
Even though the producer had passed away, no one should be allowed to insult him and them like this!
"What are you doing!"
Hearing her voice, the boy seemed startled.
Without managing to stuff the item into the mailbox, he immediately turned and fled, disappearing in an instant.
Asakura Toru didn't chase after him.
They had already installed cameras near the mailbox, and the guy's face had been captured.
However, what he left behind was rather strange—it seemed to be a photograph.
Asakura Toru picked it up, and her pupils involuntarily contracted.
It was a photo of the producer, looking very young!
Another prank?
She noticed something seemed to be written on the back of the photo, so she flipped it over and saw a line of text:
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, Class 1-A, Kaoru Mitoma.
---
First year Arc end here.