Section 1: It's Going To Be Wonderland

Damn, she won twice in a row in no time flat! We've got a brand-new shining street idol star!

So her name's Ex, huh. I could totally stan her. She's so precious...

...That's all for today's street performance. Thank you for listening, everyone.

Wooo! You're so cute! I love you!

Ahh, what a sweet sound. I've never been praised this much before. It's so moving. Gratifying. Overwhelming.

If I had Japanese sweets, this moment would be perfect.

Great show, Ex! Here, I got you some canned sweet bean soup.

Thank you. Mmm. That sugar is just what my Altereactor needed.

... ...

Mash? Master? Could I ask you a favor?

While we're in this Singularity, could you please call me "Ex"?

That's right. I know I'm still just starting out, but I think always going by my idol name will help me stay focused.

Of course, Ex Alteum, Ex.

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Now you're really starting to think like an idol. I'm thrilled to see you getting so comfortable in that outfit, too.

So many more people stop to listen to me sing now. I couldn't have done it without your outfit, Miss Crane.

It just goes to show that you always had potential as an idol, Ex.

...I hope you're right.

At any rate, we should take this opportunity to plan as many shows as we can, so we can make you as visible as possible.

Okay. So far I've just been coasting along, but now, I feel like I'm ready for a proper debut.

Especially now that I've got such a dependable team here to help me.

So you've been performing on the street and living by yourself all this time, Ex?

Basically, yes.

So you were completely self-sufficient then. That's amazing.

Not really. Like I said, I was basically just coasting.

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I'd just had a final showdown with an old friend, and the next thing I knew, I was here. I have no idea how or why it happened.

Still, this place is an idol paradise, and I'd heard before that idol was one of the best jobs you can have.

Fame, fortune, gifts from fans... It all sounded great.

So I didn't think twice about becoming one myself. The age of violence is over. Kids these days are all about music.

But...the idol industry turned out to be much more cutthroat than I'd been told.

Being all alone, with not so much as a passing glance from idol fans, felt worse than falling into a black hole.

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True. This is... Well, I can't say it's an honor yet, but I do hope I'm able to keep going somehow.

Then we definitely need to get your name out there. You need to strike a balance. We can't have you accepting every two-bit offer that comes your way, but we also don't want people thinking a little attention has gone to your head.

So, what's the best way to build her reputation then?

Good question... I think performing on a program that already has a large audience is our best bet.

For example, a show like this that's live streamed to millions upon millions of subscribers.

Yeehaw! Now that there's what I call a performance!

You said it, Billy! ∞QUEEN (read: Infinite Queen) lives up to the hype yet again!

I see. This must be a music show hosted by Billy and Jane.

It's called "Singularity Idol," and it's easily the most influential idol show in the city.

Hang on, I'm gettin' some breakin' news here. ...Well I'll be a monkey's uncle!

What is it, Billy? You got a scoop for us?

You bet! It's finally time for the event we've all been waitin' for!

Wait. You don't mean THAT event, do you? The one we've been hearing rumors about forever?

I sure do! It's the mother of all idol competitions... The Idol Holy Grail War, aka the Grail Concert!

!!! Senpai, did you hear that!?

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Right. I have to think that the prize for winning this Grail Concert is, well, a Holy Grail.

I've never heard of this event before. An idol Holy Grail War, huh... Very interesting.

Then that settles it. We'll have to enter this Grail Concert!

？！

All right, I looked up everything I could about the Grail Concert.

I'll cut right to the chase... I'm afraid Ex is ineligible!

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Apparently, idols are selected to participate and given tickets for entry.

Well, that didn't last long. Too bad. I guess this is as far as I go.

Life does always have its share of unexpected setbacks. However!

I don't think rolling over and giving up at the first sign of adversity is what an idol is meant to do.

An idol may bend, but never breaks. If they get knocked down, they then get up again. They look adversity in the eye and say, "This? This is nothing."

This is...nothing...

Do you have an idea, Miss Crane?

If we don't have an entry ticket ourselves, then we just have to get someone else to give us theirs.

You mean, buy it off them?

No idol worth her sequins would part with a ticket like that for money. Or if she did, it would only be for far more than we could afford.

No, what we need to do...is challenge them to a sing-off!

No idol good enough to earn one of those tickets in the first place would dare show her face at the Grail Concert after losing such a contest.

Because her pride would never allow it?

Exactly. Not to mention doing so could disappoint her precious fans. So as long as we win, their ticket is as good as ours.

Hehe. That's my job! Any burden I can carry on my wings

Er...I mean, shoulders, is a burden the rest of you don't have to♪

Please don't say things like that, MasP. I'm not being devious. This is just what it takes to succeed in this cutthroat industry.

Finding clever ways to get their idols up on stage is what separates standout agencies from run-of-the-mill ones.

？！

All that said, there's still one big problem: I don't know who else has an entry ticket.

I see. Then we need to find out.

Right. And in the meantime, Ex needs to keep going with her rehearsals...

...and I need to plan the show's special effects and create a set list.

Fortunately, I've kept tons of ideas in my sketchbook, so I promise I'll put together something great!

Gosh, Miss Crane, you know so much about so many things besides clothes! I'm really impressed!

I just want to do whatever I can to support my beloved idols. Oh, and please don't peek in my sketchbook without my permission, okay?

Some of the stuff I have in there is pretty embarrassing. Teehee.

Yes, of course!

I'm feeling more fired up than ever. I'm going to head out and do as many rehearsals and singing battles as I can.

Wonderful! MasP, Mash, why don't you go with Ex?

Will do!

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Yeaaah♪

Phew... Rehearsals, battles, rehearsals, battles, rehearsal battles, and battle rehearsals.

This is definitely the most intense schedule I've ever had.

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No, not especially. Whenever I'm wearing this outfit, I feel like I can keep performing forever.

My Altereactor is going as strong as ever, too. I feel like I have unlimited energy at my fingertips...

Teehee, you always know just what to say, Ex. Still, I think you've more than earned a break. Why don't we have some delicious sweets and

Wooo! Aaaaaah!

Wh-what's going on?

Omigawd, it's Inq! It's really Inq!

Look, it's Medb! We totally made eye contact! She looked right at me!

Caaaaaat! Nibble meeeeee!

Begone, adoring fans! We have business stuff to do now! Don't worry, we've got plenty of love for all of you later!

O-okay! You heard her, everyone! Whatever Inq wants, Inq gets! Let's get outta here!

Right! Moving out!

Gosh, they were all very excited, weren't they? But what's this "Inq" they were talking about?

It's an abbreviated term of endearment for the idol group "∞QUEEN."

They're the best idols in this area, and they have the fan base and sales to prove it.

You sound very well informed, Ex.

...I try. As for their members, they're

Whup! My radar's pinging like mad! I spy with my little cat eye...

There you are. ...Oh. If it isn't Master and Mash.

I'm glad to see you both doing well.

What a meowraculous reunion, running into you on a sunny afternoon out here, so far away from the market, woof!

Hi, Medb. Hi, Cat. You two are idols in this Singularity, too?

Well of course I am. I'm the queen of beauty. So, I hear you've started your own little agency?

Y-yes, we have. I'm surprised you've heard of us.

Of course I have. ∞QUEEN is THE top idol group in this entire area.

And you don't get to the top without keeping a close eye on the competition.

Anyway, that must be the one the report mentioned.

...

Hmm... I see. Not bad. You pass.

Huh?

I like your outfit. Who made it for you?

Oh, that'd be me.

Perfect. You can come work for us now. Our manager will get you all set up.

The best outfits should obviously go to the best idols.

Basically, render unto Caesar even what is not Caesar's, and you won't have to die!

"The best outfits should obviously go to the best idols"... What a wonderful turn of phrase. I couldn't agree more.

Clever one, aren't you? I like that.

Miss Crane...

...

That is why my outfits are for Ex and Ex alone.

...Huh?

She's the best idol ever.

...!

Keep your day job. You're a great tailor, but a horrible comedian.

Oh, did I sound like I was joking? Teehee, I'm so sorry if I did.

Let me be clear.

Non merci! I'm refusing your invitation and staying right where I am, with Chaldea Productions.

...!

Whuh-oh. It appears Medb has had her offer rejected, and in French, no less. How will she respond?

...Fine. There are plenty of other tailors out there who'd give an arm and a leg to have me wear their outfits.

You just blew your big shot. Now you'll never get to see one of your outfits at the Grail Concert.

The Grail Concert...! Does that mean you and Cat have an entry ticket, Medb?

Of course. This is me we're talking about, remember? I'm not just going to compete, I'm going to win. All right, come on, Cat. Let's get back to our rehearsal.

Aye, aye, partner!

..."Of course," huh? She really is formidable.

...(Gasp!) O-oh gods. I can't believe I just saw Inq in the flesh... They were so cute, I thought my heart was going to stop.

And they were so close I could touch them! Just thinking about it gives me chills. I was this close to begging them to marry me. Thank goodness I kept my cool.

Um, Miss Crane.

Yes, Ex?

I wish I could think of a better way to say this, but... I'm grateful you turned down Medb's offer.

It really meant a lot to me. Thank you.

...!!!

Gaaah, you are just too cute! Of course I turned her down! When I make a commitment, I stick to it, you know!

Excuse me, I need to sit down here for just a moment. Ahh... I could bask in this bliss for a hundred years...

I'm glad you're happy, but we definitely can't wait a hundred years to sort this out.

Oh, right! Of course!

Now that we know Inq has a Grail Concert entry ticket, we can start planning how to win it from them!

All right, let's talk Inqor rather, ∞QUEEN.

Exactly. In a concert battle, two idols take the stage, and whoever gives the better performance wins.

That is how these things work here.

I can understand your reluctance, but we'll only be challenging them to a concert battle.

If it helps, you can think of it as the noblest way for idols to compete.

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That said, Inq is a formidable foe. All the more so because there are two of them.

Does the number of performers have a major effect on a concert?

It does, and for one simple reason: they can support each other.

When you're braving a harsh environment, having someone you trust there with you can make an enormous difference. You know that feeling, don't you, Mash?

Yes, of course. Having Senpai at my side is the whole reason I've been able to keep fighting.

Right? Well, it's no different for idols when they're up on stage.

That's why it's become standard practice for so many girls trying to navigate today's complex idol scene to team up.

Having an idol group also creates opportunities for stories about their lives and relationship dynamics.

But you need to be careful who you choose, as teaming up with just anyone can easily lead to idols losing their individual personality and becoming indistinguishable from

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Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was babbling. My point is, competing against Inq on your own won't be easy.

...

Are you okay, Ex? You've seemed a little down for a while now.

Oh, sorry. I was just lost in thought. ...Let me tell you a little story.

Far, far away, somewhere in space-time, I bade Houston farewell, and hightailed it into a black hole, planet and all.

I was hoping to find a world full of ice cream, but instead, I wound up in one full of idols.

During my Cosmo-Chaldea High days, I ended up regularly singing idol songs at space karaoke thanks to a headstrong friend who always dragged me along.

She said I was a great singer, so I thought I might actually have a shot here.

...But I was too naive.

That's it, my lovelies! Let your love for me drive you mad!

They're all mine to do with as I please!

Woooooo!!!

...That must be what a real idol looks like.

They're a shining idol galaxy, all confidence and self-assurance, but I'm barely a sixth magnitude star.

I felt like an idiot for ever thinking my own singing might one day reach the Sapphire Galaxy...

...What I'm trying to say is that I've had a lot of boring failures and setbacks...

But real idols like Medb think their victory is guaranteed, so they never second guess themselves.

I was reminded of that when I saw her today. It's just as impressive now as it was then.

And you think you're not a true idol yourself? Is that it?

That...I'm not sure about. I need some time to think.

... ...Hmm.

I'm not being self-deprecating. I HAVE been racking up win after win in every stray concert battle I've had.

And while I did still think Medb was cute when I saw her again today, I didn't feel overwhelmed or unworthy.

She and I are both idols. There's no difference between us.

...Your words ring true, and your tone is gentle yet firm. I can tell you mean everything you said.

Medb is prouder than anyone I've ever met, and she still went out of her way to try to poach the designer who made this outfit.

That must mean this outfit is really something special. And I'm the one who's wearing it.

So that means...I can win. Of course I can win.

C'est bien! I'm so happy to hear you say that.

MasP, Ex is simply burning with passion right now. We can't afford to let this fire in her fizzle out.

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Just what I was thinking! It's time to show our opponents what we're really made of!