On February 22, Nogizaka 46's debut single "ぐるぐるカーテン" (around the curtains) was released by SME, with about 136,000 copies sold in the first week, ranking second on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and third among female artists. (Including solo singers, but excluding the members of the group who made their solo debut, the first two being NMB48's "Extinction of the Brunette Girl" with about 218,000 copies and Kaoru Amane's "Song of the Sun" with about 150,000 sheets) This single has a lot to do with AKB48. The B-side song "会いたかったかもしれない" (I may want to see you) is an adaptation of AKB48's debut single "会いたかった" (I want to see you), except for the completely different melody, the other parts including the lyrics and choreography are the same as the original. AKB48 member Atsuko Maeda also performed in the music video.

Finally, Nogizaka 46's first single was successfully released. We've taken our first step. Yoshio Konno looked at the newspaper in his hand about Nogizaka's first-week sales and related reports, and couldn't help but feel a little excited.

"Yes, we're finally starting to see hope, just like the members. Nango Yui also said excitedly.

"Hey, hey, hey...... Why are you two so emotional? Not to say that you have won the first ...... What the hell are you excited about......" Kitagawa Kenji complained a little speechless when he saw the appearance of these two people.

"Hehe, don't say that, Kenji. Muramatsu Junliang smiled: "They can be regarded as having some feelings, after all, this is the first time they have brought such an idol group, and there will be some emotions invested in it, so don't complain about them." ”

"Well, I know. If we want the members to see it, then everyone has to think that we have succeeded, but it is not enough. Kenji Kitagawa said.

"Oh, tell me what you think. Toshiryo Muramatsu became interested in Kitagawa Kenji's idea and motioned for him to continue.

"The sales volume is 136,000 in the first week, and we estimated it to be about 150,000, so the sales in the first week did not meet our expectations, 150,000 is the bottom line in my personal opinion, in fact, I think about 200,000 can still be tried. We did so many promotional activities and did a preliminary show on AKB's side, but the sales of more than 130,000 showed that there were still very few people in Nogizaka's rice circle. None of the previous publicity efforts have been as good as we expected. Kitagawa Kenji said seriously.

"Does that mean we lost?" asked Yoshio Konno, a little nervous.

"There is no winning or losing, but we put in a lot more effort than we rewarded. That's what I mean. Kitagawa turned his head to Yoshio Konno and said.

"The publicity is still not enough. More people should know that they are interested in Nogizaka 46. Muramatsu said.

"Yes, that's what Yasuya Akimoto is thinking about right now. Yesterday he looked at the data and said the same. What he means is that in addition to attracting new rice by the group itself, the fastest way is to promote it from the rice group that has already entered the idol circle and make them interested in Nogizaka 46. Kenji Kitagawa said.

"Well, things related to cooperation, for us now, is it acceptable? In extraordinary times, this can only be done for the time being. Muramatsu Junliang thought briefly and said.

"Have you decided to release 4 singles this year?" asked Kenji Kitagawa again.

"Well, that's all we can do to increase some exposure. Muramatsu said. This year, Nogizaka 46 will release 4 singles, which is a decision he made after thinking about it for a long time.

"In terms of timing, we will choose to avoid the release date of the new single of the big group singers as much as possible. Kitagawa Kenji nodded and replied.

"How are the members doing?" Muramatsu Toshiryo asked, turning his head to Yoshio Konno and Yui Minago.

"It's the same, everybody works hard. It's just that Ikuta Erika ......," Nango said with embarrassment.

"Ikuta, what's wrong with her......" Hearing Nango Yui say this name, Muramatsu Junliang was also a little surprised, this girl usually feels very good, how could she be named.

"That's right. Ikuta Erika is more prominent due to personal reasons, and her piano talent is inseparable from the school, so after negotiation, although Ikuta Erika has worked hard to maintain, but there will always be some conflicts between the two sides...... But she herself seems to be more inclined to the school side, and it feels like she has always been an idol career and then compromised to that side. Nango Yui said.

"Well, that's a problem. Muramatsu Junliang's expression was a little solemn, and the expressions of the other people were not much different. Erika Ikuta's approach is the last thing they want. Nogizaka is a team that emphasizes individual effort, and it is not possible to stop working hard and not being serious just because the individual is congenitally excellent, which will have a very bad impact on other members of the effort.

"Be in his position, not in his politics. If this continues, we can also make some adjustments. Muramatsu Toshiryo said: "Kenji, you should also pay more attention to the recent situation of Ikuta, and learn more about them with Konno, but don't take the initiative to remind her to see if she can understand." If it doesn't work, you can go and talk to Yasu Akimoto about her in the next single. ”

"Understood. Kitagawa Kenji nodded.

Erika Ikuta is very good, very good, which Toshiryo Muramatsu knows, and everyone present knows. This girl is a rare talent for Nogizaka 46. But idols are not a side hustle, Muramatsu Toshiryo hopes to give her a chance to correct herself, if not, then give her a lesson, I hope she understands that if you don't work hard, the genius will not have special care for you in the group. It's impossible to give up Erika Ikuta, but a little warning to her is still allowed.

"Anything else?" asked Muramatsu then.

"Well, about Nogizaka's recent comments on the forum...... Although it has received the support of many people, there are still some black fans who make some not very good remarks all day long. Among them, in addition to the goal of our group as a whole, there are also many ...... who attack Rina Ikoma herself" Nango Yui said very slowly, and there was a feeling of embarrassment.

"Hmm, Ikoma, what's wrong with her?" Muramatsu Toshiryo knew that it was normal for the group to be hacked, but he was a little surprised to hear that Rina Ikoma was brought up alone.

“…… It's just that after the disclosure at the beginning of that day, Ikoma's performance seemed to be unpleasant to many people, and he was very dissatisfied with what she said, and compared her with other predecessors, and kept blacking her...... Now she seems to be aware of something ......," Nango replied.

"What about Ikoma's performance?" asked Muramatsu again.

"It didn't show anything, it was the same as usual. It's just that I'm in a daze and meditating more during the break.,Recently, I've been shooting with Watanabe Mayu.,It seems that the relationship with Watanabe Mayu is good.,Now the state has recovered a lot.。 Nango Yui said.

"Well, you should pay more attention, Nango, if there is something to do, you and Konno will deal with the arrangements in time, and if it doesn't work, you will notify me. Muramatsu Toshiliang instructed the two of them more.

"Yes, boss. The two men replied in unison.

"That's pretty much it for today, if you have any questions, let's dismiss the meeting. Toshiyo Muramatsu announced the end of the meeting, and several people left the conference room one after another.

"Matomo-san, you see that we won the third place on the public trust list in one order!" Ikuta Erika Konno Yoshio and Nango Yui, who had just returned from a meeting, learned about Nogizaka's sales in the first week, so they hurriedly took the newspaper and went to share this happy thing with Watanabe Mayu and her.

"Mmmm, that's really amazing. Keep up the good work!" Mayu Watanabe also smiled very happily.

"We're not a long way from the first...... Is it because of me?" the expression on Ikoma Rina's face was a little solemn, and she began to blame herself in her heart.

"It's okay, keep working hard!" Mayu Watanabe saw that among the cheering members around, only Ikoma Rina had an unnatural expression, and after a long accident, she naturally understood, and she knew more or less about the recent message from Nogizaka center black fans, so she naturally thought of what Ikoma Rina was thinking. So he patted her gently on the shoulder, smiling and encouraging her.

"Mmmmmmmmmm

"Everyone, don't think that we have succeeded, this is just a small step, an insignificant small step, please continue to work hard, we still have a long way to go. You know, we're just a fraction of the sales of the AKB48 where Mayou-san is located, so let's not inflate it too much. Yoshio Konno stopped the joyful crowd and said earnestly.

"Then can we catch up with Matomo-san?" asked Nanase Nishino, unexpectedly, raising his hand.

"Nogizaka 46, who is the official opponent...... This point I would like to ask Mayou-san to answer the most appropriate, through the past few days of getting along, I don't know if she has confidence in us Nogizaka 46. Yoshio Konno smiled and looked at Mayu Watanabe on the side.

"I think everyone in Nogizaka is cute and hardworking, so I think if you keep working hard, you will get the results you want. Mayu Watanabe also answered Yoshio Konno with a smile.

The members of Nogizaka nodded when they heard this, and their hopes were strengthened.

Everyone started chatting and talking again as before, and Yoshio Konno came to Mayu Watanabe to apologize for the faux pas of the question just now.

"It's okay, Konno-san, I like the members of Nogizaka very much, it's nothing. Mayu Watanabe replied politely.

"Alright, alright, let's get ready. After a while, the director began to shout that the members were ready to shoot, the break had passed, and "Fraud Idol" continued to be filmed.