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Fans reacted in various ways, with some expressing understanding and offering their blessings, while others were so saddened that they burst into tears.

Overall, however, the acceptance rate was higher than expected.

The reason is simple: Nokuchiru has been in the industry for nine years, from her initial success in a small agency to her magnificent transformation after moving to Star Engine.

Over the course of nine years, the four girls have grown from naive teenagers into mature women in their twenties.

For idols, graduating at this age is not considered early. In fact, many idol groups announce their graduation five or six years after their debut.

[Nokuchiru] has been able to persist for nine years, which has exceeded many people's expectations.

"Nine years."

Kenta Tanaka is no longer the boy who discussed idols with his classmates in the high school classroom. Now he is a college student. Looking at the announcement on his phone screen, he couldn't help but sigh.

Time flies.

He recalled the moment nine years ago when he first saw "Nokuchiru" on television.

"So be it, I'll graduate then," he muttered to himself. "I can't... still be an idol at thirty."

He put down his phone and opened the ticketing website.

He absolutely must go to the graduation concert in April.

Preparations for the graduation concert began immediately after the announcement was released.

This year's event is much larger than the "Midsummer Concert" three years ago. After all, graduation concerts have a different focus, emphasizing the expression of emotions and the presentation of memories.

Genkawa Yu once again devoted a great deal of energy to it.

He personally participated in the song arrangement for the concert, as well as playing precious footage from their debut, recreating the stage set of their first concert, and a monologue from each of the four members.

The decision to announce graduation was made after discussions among the four members. Asakura Toru and Higuchi Madoka were very honest about graduating, as they were going to pursue their own happiness. Fukumaru Koitoshi and Ichikawa Hina also agreed to the decision to graduate.

Although nothing happened between them and Yuu Minakawa, their nine-year idol career had indeed left them feeling exhausted.

After graduation, Koike plans to become an actress, while Hina plans to study vocal music at a music academy.

The graduation concert in April was held at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, and all seats for 100,000 people were sold out on the day of the concert.

In the final segment of the concert, the four girls stood on the stage, wearing the outfits they wore when they debuted. The lights shone on them, making them sparkle, just like when they first stepped onto the stage nine years ago.

Asakura Toru, holding the microphone, delivered his final words to the 12,000 audience members.

"Nine years ago, we were four little girls who knew nothing. When we stood on the stage, our legs were shaking."

Her voice was calm, “Nine years later, we stand here to say goodbye to you.”

"Goodbye is not farewell. The story of Nokuchiru has come to an end, but our lives continue."

She looked at her three teammates beside her, a warm smile appearing on her lips.

Thank you all, thank you everyone.

The applause and cries of 100,000 people mingled together and echoed for a very long time under the stadium's dome.

The night after the graduation concert, Star Engine held a small celebration party.

After the celebration banquet ended, everyone dispersed.

The girls were taken back to their dorm by their manager. Kazuya Nakahara had drunk quite a bit and was helped into the car by his assistant.

Genkawa Yu stood at the entrance of the office building, looking at the Tokyo night view.

The phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID and saw it was "Sakurajima Mai".

Press the answer button.

"Hey?"

“Yu-kun,” Mai Sakurajima’s voice came through the receiver, with a tone he knew very well, “Are you done with your work?”

"We just finished a victory celebration banquet, what's up?"

"It's nothing, I was just asking."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then Mai Sakurajima spoke, her tone becoming more serious.

"How are the preparations for that going?"

Genkawa Yu smiled slightly; almost all the girls around him knew about this.

"It's about time. On May 20th, I'd like to invite you to an island."

"Really."

Mai Sakurajima laughed too; she was actually looking forward to it as well.

"What, don't you want to go?"

"Of course not, I'll be looking forward to it."

Mai Sakurajima's voice remained sweet until she hung up the phone.

See you then.

"Ah."

The phone hangs up.

Genkawa Yu put his phone back in his pocket and looked up at the Tokyo night sky.

The night sky was clear and cloudless, with stars scattered sparsely across the black backdrop. In the distance, Tokyo Tower shone with orange lights, like a lighthouse that never goes out.

He remembered many things.

Three years have passed, and a lot has changed.

He transformed from an actor into a business owner, from a young man into a president with the demeanor of a leader.

He went from being a clueless boy when it came to relationships to becoming a man who had to take care of the feelings of six girls at the same time.

But some things haven't changed.

His feelings for everyone remain genuine, his plans for the future remain clear, and his promise to give everyone happiness remains unwavering.

And now the right time has come.

Aonoshima, 15 square kilometers.

Away from the mainland, away from the hustle and bustle, away from all unwanted gazes.

There, he will build a world that belongs to everyone, and then hold the most perfect wedding.

Genkawa Yu took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

The night breeze carried a hint of coolness as it brushed against his cheek, like an invisible hand gently stroking him.

He turned and walked into the building.

In the president's office on the top floor, the computer screen was still lit.

The screen displays a satellite map of Aonoshima, an island shaped like a leaf, surrounded by deep blue waters, lying quietly in a corner of the sea off Kagoshima.

Genkawa Yu gazed at the outline of the island, a slight smile playing on his lips.

That was an island that belonged to him.

It will also be an island that belongs to them.

Volume 4 To the New World: Final Chapter - Wedding in a Dream

May 15, Tokyo, Star Engine Group headquarters.

When Kato Megumi pushed open the door to the president's office, she was holding two things: a tablet computer and a cup of iced Americano.

She placed the coffee on Genkawa Yu's desk, then opened her tablet, which displayed a set of aerial photos.

The photo shows Aonoshima after its renovation.

In the middle of the lush forest, there is an open area that has been cleared by human hands.

To the north of the open area is a manor, its style somewhere between Mediterranean and Japanese, possessing both exotic elegance and the understated elegance of Eastern architecture.

The manor covers a large area, with a distance of about 200 meters from the front gate to the backyard. The main building is a three-story building, with a two-story wing on each side. The three buildings are connected by corridors and courtyards, forming a semi-enclosed U-shaped structure.

On the east side of the manor is a newly built grand hall.

The design of the auditorium is consistent with that of the manor, with white exterior walls, gray roof, arched doors, and a full-length glass window facing east, allowing the morning sunlight to shine into the interior without obstruction, turning the entire space into a warm golden hue.

"Minamoto-san."

Kato Megumi spoke, her voice as calm as ever, "The buildings and the main hall on Aonoshima have all been renovated. The construction company sent the final acceptance report yesterday, and all items passed."

Genkawa Yu took the tablet and carefully looked through each photo.

From an aerial perspective, the entire island's transformation project has been completed exceptionally well.

"Great, even better than I expected."

“After all, it’s a top designer in the industry,” Kato Megumi said. “Nakamura-san has designed private estates for several zaibatsu families before, and his design skills are very impressive.”

Genkawa Yu nodded and placed the tablet on the table.

"I'll go check it out in person tomorrow."

"Kato, come with me too."

"What about the rest?"

"Let's not bring anyone else. We'll talk about it during the wedding rehearsal."

"...good."

May 16th, early morning.

At the dock of Kagoshima Port, a white, medium-sized ferry is quietly moored in its berth.