“Ahem—” Yoshio Konno cleared his throat, “Since everyone is here, I won’t hold back.
First of all, everyone must already know what happened at the AKB Grand Assembly Festival last night. "
The girls nodded.
"Hey, specifically, it coincided with the large-scale personnel changes in AKB group. After soliciting Ikoma's opinions, the operating committee decided to send her to participate in an exchange study abroad program with AKB48.
While being a member of Nogizaka46, Ikoma joined AKB48's teamB and acted as a joint member of both.
At the same time, SKE48’s Matsui Reina-san will also join Nogizaka46 to participate in activities with everyone.
The term of the concurrent appointment is currently unknown. During this period, Ikoma will be deeply involved in AKB's activities, including theater performances, large-scale concerts, single selections, and even the general selection. "
Most of the girls listened with their heads down, as if they were depressed when they heard that their best friend was about to transfer to a hostile school in the same city.
Yoshio Konno had a panoramic view of the girls' performance. Next to her, Rina Ikoma lowered her head and pinched her fingers nervously.
He continued:
"This project is a decision made by the top management. The purpose is to expand the popularity of Nogizaka and attract more fans through cooperative projects. I hope everyone can understand.
Some people may be worried about whether Nogizaka will become an AKB subgroup like SKE48 in the future. Everyone can rest assured that Nogizaka46 is still an independent group. As AKB's official opponent, it still adheres to the goal of "surpassing AKB".
The scope of this concurrent role is limited to two members, Rina Ikoma and Rena Matsui. This kind of concurrent role will not be normalized and will not affect Nogizaka's independent status and development path in the future.
Nogizaka has also participated in projects with AKB48 and HKT48 before, and this concurrent role is of the same nature. There is no need to panic. "
Yoshio Konno put his hands on the podium, "I know this may be difficult for everyone to accept for a while.
Nogizaka has always been a latecomer to challenge AKB. Whether it is live or variety shows, the operating committee emphasizes this to everyone all the time.
Therefore, as soon as the concurrent appointment is announced, some people may be shaken and doubt the beliefs they have adhered to in the past, thinking that a concurrent appointment will destroy the foundation of Nogizaka Seidan.
What I'm saying is, that's not the case.
This concurrent appointment does not mean that Nogizaka surrenders to AKB. The growth experience of these two and a half years has given Nogizaka distinctive attributes, and Nogizaka's future also has different possibilities from other idol girl groups in the past.
This concurrent appointment is an opportunity for cooperation and exchange, an opportunity to learn from the experience of our predecessors and make up for our own shortcomings. It takes great courage for Ikoma to take the initiative to accept this arduous task.
Even if everyone can't understand it for a while, don't reject Ikoma because of it. You have all come along the way. Ikoma has always been a member of Nogizaka. Even if he takes part-time jobs, his work focus is still Nogizaka.
There are no alarmist rumors that Ikoma is leaving Nogizaka or that Nogizaka is about to fall apart.
Before Ikoma accepted the job, the operating committee also asked other members. Ikoma was the only one to answer in the affirmative. If Ikoma doesn't accept it either, this matter may go away.
You may be curious why she accepted it.
Next, she herself will explain it to everyone. "
Ikoma Rina raised her head, glanced at the crowd, and cast confused and curious glances.
Konno Yoshio took two steps back and nodded to her.
Ikoma Rina stood up straight and took a deep breath, "Good morning everyone, Ikoma Rina desu——
I'm very sorry for causing trouble to everyone due to my concurrent responsibilities.
You may be confused, dissatisfied, and feel betrayed, but please let me explain to you why I have to do this.
I have given serious consideration to my decision to accept the concurrent position. The reason why I chose to take this part-time job is because I want to stay in Nogizaka. "
Ikoma Rina paused and took a deep breath, "Maybe everyone will be surprised, what nonsense are you talking about? When you take a part-time job at AKB, aren't you thinking of changing jobs? If you want to stay in Nogizaka, you should decisively refuse.
According to common sense, this is indeed the case. If I had said no, things wouldn't be as bad as they are now, but I would definitely feel pity then.
Since I no longer serve as center, I have become much more relaxed and have more time to think about the team and myself.
During the Yoyogi performance and Zepp tour, I felt that I couldn’t just keep the status quo. I want to become better and be happier as an idol.
Just after the second anniversary concert in Yokohama, I received a call and found out about the part-time job, so I agreed.
You will definitely have questions like 'Why AKB and what should we do with what we have done so far?' and it will definitely make you very uneasy.
I'm sorry, but I really like Nogizaka and really want to stay here. I'm afraid that if I continue as I am, I won't be able to stay in Nogizaka.
I think this is a good opportunity to make up for my shortcomings and grow. So, this decision was made. "
Because I was afraid of falling behind, I accepted the part-time job. This reason was unexpected and did not immediately convince the members present.
Is Rina Ikoma's sense of crisis too serious? How could she, who was once the center, have such thoughts? Amamiya Shiori couldn't understand that Ikoma Rina seemed very happy after she was no longer the center, but she didn't expect to be so sensitive and worried in private.
She looked around and saw confusion on the faces of the other members, not a single positive emotion.
Some people buried their heads in their arms, some stared at the ceiling, and some cried quietly.
Nogizaka suddenly had a feeling of "subjugation".
"I hope everyone can understand, please." Ikoma did not cry like he did in the past, but bowed firmly to everyone.
Yoshio Konno looked at the unusual silence of the members and knew that these girls would not be able to accept it for a while. He didn't expect that all members would change their attitudes in a short period of time.
As time goes by, they will slowly understand.
"Okay, that's the explanation for the concurrent job.
The operation has a reason to arrange this cooperation, and Ikoma also has a reason to participate in the concurrent role. Although it is not yet accepted by everyone, we hope that everyone can support our work. All this is for the development of Nogizaka. "
Yoshio Konno said, "Finally, I would like to remind everyone that starting from the ninth single, SKE48's Reina Matsui will also become a member of Nogizaka. She is your senior, so don't neglect her then."
"Hi~" the girls replied weakly.
The short morning meeting was over, and the members resumed their usual chatter.
Ikoma Rina hugged her knees and sat on the carpet next to the podium, staring blankly at the crowd.
Just now she was able to firmly state her reasons without crying at all, which was already her extraordinary performance. A year ago, she was still a crybaby who would cry easily due to pressure.
"It's so hard, Ikoma-chan." Takayama Kazumi muttered.
"This is what people who have been center are like." Amamiya Soi said casually.
No matter how much resistance there is, the concurrent role has become a fact. From the change of C at the beginning of the year to the current concurrent role, two major events happened in just two months. This year is destined to be an extraordinary year for Nogizaka.
