The Case Where I, the Manager, Became More Popular After Standing on Stage as a Substitute for an Idol Who Got Injured Just Before the Live Performance - Chapter 18: Where are we standing!?

And so, the scene unfolds with a triumphant cry, “Yay! You did it, Suzu-chan!”

“Eek…” A timid voice squeaked back in response. 

Yukihana-san, wearing an expression that seemed to question the unbelievable reality, found herself embraced by Yuuki Misa, the gal-style idol she worked with.

“Wait, Sugiura-san isn’t in first place?! But the momentum was so intense just now! It seemed like he had won it!”

The stern examiner wearing glasses responded to Yukihana-san’s inquiry.

“While Sugiura’s performance was undoubtedly surprising, it was merely a presentation that grasped the hearts of the male audience. It won’t work for every type of magazine.”

Indeed, that was the truth…

They had taken advantage of the situation. The content was meant only for those who had taken a good look at the magazine cover.

There was a possibility it could get lost if it were displayed next to ordinary fashion magazines.

On the other hand, the magazine cover Yukihana-san had crafted was brimming with impact.

Pairing her idol with Yuuki-san grabbing onto the frame of the cover, it almost felt like she was leaping out from within.

One wouldn’t overlook it if it were lined up on the bookshelves.

How in the world was this created?

While I was lost in thought, the glasses-wearing examiner began to explain.

“This is a technique known as ‘Trompe-l’oeil.’ We prepare a frame within the cover and position the subject’s fingers in front of it. By emphasizing highlights and shadows, we create an illusion that the subject is jumping out from within the magazine cover.”

In essence, it’s an artful illusion.

Yukihana-san seems to have blended idol photography with art illusions.

“But, is it really that easy to add shadows and highlights? I think you’d need to consider the composition quite a bit…”

Yukihana-san responded to one of the candidates’ questions.

“W-Well, those were drawn by hand. I-I, you see… I’m actually an illustrator.”

Unintentionally, everyone was left speechless.

To hand-draw shadows onto idol photos, would such an idea even cross the mind?

Since the judging had already concluded, the examiner who had observed Yukihana-san’s photoshoot scene recounted the situation.

“It wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment idea. She had been aiming for this from the very beginning. She shot the fingers of the assigned idol repeatedly, then combined them with the added frame in the end.”

“W-Well, Yuuki-san’s nails were so beautiful… I just wanted to somehow capture them up close…”

“Suzu-chan, thank you so much! My nails are my proudest feature! I’m so happy they look this gorgeous!”

“I-I’m, really flattered…”

Yuuki-san was embracing Yukihana-san again.

Another examiner who had witnessed Yukihana-san’s photoshoot scene added further explanation.

“Before the shoot, Yuuki-san was nervous, stiff as a board. Yukihana-san noticed that and deliberately made several mistakes at the beginning. She spilled water, left the camera’s cover on while shooting, stumbled and fell in empty places, all to lighten the mood and ease the idol’s tension. Thanks to that, Yuuki-san was able to approach the shoot in her own natural way till the end.”

“Oh, it was for my sake! Suzu-chan, thank you so much! I love you!”

“Ah, ahaha…”

Judging by the perspiring expression on Yukihana-san’s face, I truly believed those mistakes were completely unintentional and natural.

However, it’s also Yukihana-san’s ability, including her human qualities.

Even during the two years she spent as a ronin, Yukihana-san continued to hone her skills.

The glasses-wearing examiner proceeded to announce the remaining rankings.

“And so, in second place, we have the combination of Aiko Kinashi and Aoi Tsukuyomi. Third place goes to Makoto Nitanda and Makoto Sugiura. Fourth place, Reina Hanamiya and Daisuke Watanabe. Fifth place…”

As our names were called, I immediately looked at Nitanda.

Nitanda had already lunged at me.

“Sugiura, you did it! Third place! We got third place and It’s all thanks to you!”

“Nitanda, I get that you’re happy, but my head isn’t a basketball!”

Nitanda clung to me with her generous bosom pressing against my face.

Breathing became very difficult, but even if I were to die like this, I probably wouldn’t have any regrets.

“Th-That’s… You’re saying I lost to that girl?!”

Hanamiya was stunned by this result.

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