Chapter 44

Chapter 44: 044, The Wildcat Group Arrives!

In the past few days, Yoshimura Daitomo had been running around nonstop.

Selecting “talent,” contacting programs, dealing with television producers.

He also had to act as president while registering the shell company GIRL’S GROUP.

After a full week of this, he had nearly lost a whole layer of weight.

Meanwhile, vice president and producer Ito Shuichi finally finished the commercial.

He began focusing his energy on short-term idol training, choreography, arranging dance routines, and shaping the group’s image.

Although he was originally a film director, directors of this era were all-rounders; basic choreography was not a problem.

The nominal company representative, Nagayama Naoki, had almost nothing to do except designing cat-ear accessories and occasionally watching rehearsals, giving comments on the girl group’s performances.

“Shuichi-san, the outfits don’t need to be this revealing. Tight leather suits are also not acceptable!”

“Shuichi-san, the choreography must not become too sexual. We are an idol group!”

“There is a thin line between sexy and obscene. Be careful not to cross it!”

“Damn it, Nagayama Naoki, then you do it yourself!”

Ito Shuichi finally snapped, causing everyone in the studio to laugh.

Nagayama Naoki had finally avenged the fifty consecutive NG takes from before.

In the end, they decided on Friday night, a 10 PM late-night broadcast slot.

Yoshimura Daitomo had done well—he managed to secure an appearance on a very popular program, reportedly by exchanging resources from other shows.

Before the final broadcast, the group CATS had five members:

Center/visual: Ohno Miyuki

Sexy member: Akiyama Hisa

Dance member: Katagiri Ayano

Cute member: Fukuhara Ayano

Vocal member: Nonaka Saga

After a long day, Yamamoto Yoshiki finally waited for the night to arrive.

After drinking a little with his boss, he returned to his small apartment, finally reaching his own rest time.

It was already late. After turning on the TV, few programs remained, but the popular show “Night HIT STUDIO” was still airing.

The host announced:

“Now, please welcome CATS!”

Yamamoto Yoshiki saw five striking young girls step onto the stage from behind the curtain, moving in rhythm with the music.

They wore black-and-white cat-ear headbands, with black-and-white Lolita-style costumes.

Lace shoulders exposed slender white arms, and white cat-claw gloves hid their hands.

Below were short frilled skirts, black thigh-high stockings covering the knees, revealing subtle skin.

Under the background music, the five performed a synchronized “cat dance,” showing expressions that were cute, sexy, energetic, and youthful all at once.

The cat ears on their heads swayed with the rhythm, as if they were real.

At the end of the performance, they struck a cat-paw pose and said “meow” to the audience.

Yamamoto Yoshiki felt something scratch at his heart.

“Ah—!” he grabbed his chest. He was hit.

CATS’ debut performance lasted less than five minutes, but it immediately attracted attention.

The next-day ratings report from Fuji Television showed that during CATS’ segment, peak viewership exceeded 31%, comparable to top celebrity appearances.

The program producer was very satisfied and planned to include the segment in future episodes. Yoshimura Daitomo was thrilled.

“Naoki-san, was CATS’ debut a success?”

“For that level, it’s still not enough,” said Nagayama Naoki.

In this era, television ratings alone only counted as a good start. Countless entertainers appeared on TV, and attention lasted only minutes.

“At least we need magazine coverage—whether positive or negative—to confirm that CATS has entered the idol industry.”

“Should we contact magazines? Our own gravure magazine could also publish something.”

“Haha, Daitomo-san, we’ll definitely arrange coverage later. For now, let it spread naturally. Trust CATS’ appeal.”

The entertainment industry reacted quickly.

After three episodes, the name CATS appeared in entertainment newspapers, discussing the difference between this new idol group and traditional ‘pure’ idols, even calling it a betrayal of idols.

The real explosion came from a “Weekly Bunshun” article titled:

“CATS? A Sexy Girl Group from Gravure Magazines?”

Shukan Bunshun was extremely thorough, digging up all previous gravure appearances of the members and compiling their backgrounds, trying to frame CATS as erotic exploitation.

“Naoki-san, just as you predicted—it’s Bunshun,” said Ito Shuichi.

“Yes, Shuichi-san. But we were prepared,” replied Nagayama Naoki, looking to the side. “Daitomo-san, it’s time to act.”

Through connections with STARLIGHT president Kaneichi Hino, they had already coordinated with Dentsu, and counter-articles were prepared.

Even rival magazine Shukan Shincho published an article:

“CATS! The Arrival of the Wildcat Group!”

It introduced each member and their character roles, and stated the philosophy of GIRL’S GROUP:

“Discover the shining point of every girl!”

At the office, Yamamoto Yoshiki was resting.

He flipped through a magazine titled “CATS! The Arrival of the Wildcat Group!”

“So this is what CATS is about… Akiyama Hisa really is the sexy type. That fits perfectly.”

A colleague, Akiyama Kazunori, looked over.

“Yoshiki-san, you also know Wildcat Group?”

“Yes, I saw it recently. It’s interesting—different from the usual idols.”

“Yeah. Fukuhara Ayano, the youngest, is really cute. No wonder she’s the cute member.”

Yamamoto Yoshiki was startled.

“Kazunori Akiyama is actually a lolicon.”

“My little sister likes Katagiri Ayano’s cat dance. She keeps practicing it at home. Which member do you like?”

“I like Akiyama Hisa.”

“So you prefer the sexy type?”

That’s exactly what CATS was—everyone could find a member they liked.