*CAFÉ - JIZODORI SHOPPING STREET - TOSHIMA - TOKYO*
When I thought I had finally hit rock bottom, some pink-haired girl called my name.
I asked her how she knew my name, but rather than answering me, she told me to follow her to a nearby café.
Looks like another family business on this street, I think I saw a butchery serving croquettes too.
Not that I'm interested in them, I don't find enjoyment from food anymore. Plus, I don't want anything to do with croquettes ever since one hit me in the face.
The pink mystery and I took a seat at an empty table.
Wait... Pink? Why is she not grey like everyone else?
AKIHIKO: "Are you going to act cryptic all day, or are you going to tell me how you know my name?"
???: "Every school idol in the country knows your name. I'm no different."
AKIHIKO: "So you're a school idol, huh?"
MARGARETE: "Margarete Wien."
AKIHIKO: "Oh, you're that girl who finished 6th in the School Idol Showcase.
A middle-school idol."
MARGARETE: "Correct."
AKIHIKO: "Entering a contest like that and placing in the top 10 without being in high school is impressive."
MARGARETE: "I know."
AKIHIKO: "Not even a thank you?"
MARGARETE: "I don't need your compliments."
AKIHIKO: "Usually a school idol would be happy to hear that. But you're different."
MARGARETE: "I'm not going to sit here and act cute for you. Whether you're a fan or not, I don't care."
AKIHIKO: "Then why did you call out to me?"
MARGARETE: "..."
AKIHIKO: "There must be a reason, and if you're going to say it then be quick.
I'm a very busy man and I don't have time to waste."
MARGARETE: "Is that why you're walking aimlessly around Jizodori?"
AKIHIKO: "..."
MARGARETE: "Clearly you have time."
AKIHIKO: "Get to the point."
MARGARETE: "I'm not your enemy, Akihiko Suzuki."
AKIHIKO: "Excuse me?"
MARGARETE: "I know what you want. We both want to achieve the same goal."
AKIHIKO: "Explain."
MARGARETE: "Kanon Shibuya."
AKIHIKO: "She's dead to me. Traitor."
MARGARETE: "You want to take down Liella! for joining Golden Calf Productions. Do you not?"
AKIHIKO: "How did you know that?"
MARGARETE: "Because I'm a former talent from their agency."
AKIHIKO: "So you're one of them. Well, thanks but no thanks."
MARGARETE: "Sit down and let me finish."
AKIHIKO: "Fine..."
MARGARETE: "GC signed me to a development contract last year. It was infuriating waiting for them to finally let me debut.
That's when I pitched an idea to CEO Kamijou about him investing in me as a school idol.
If it was a chance for me to finally perform, then I wanted to take it."
AKIHIKO: "So, you wanted to do what Liella! are doing. But Kamijou rejected you."
MARGARETE: "What else was I supposed to do? Wait an eternity before my debut?"
AKIHIKO: "I can see where you're coming from...
You wanted that position to perform.
Liella! wanted that position to win."
MARGARETE: "Katsuo Togo was the one who pitched the School Idol Division idea."
AKIHIKO: "I should have known that he'd be capable of doing something like that.
Thank you for telling me."
MARGARETE: "That information wasn't for free."
AKIHIKO: "I didn't ask for your help."
MARGARETE: "I believe I deserve compensation."
AKIHIKO: "What do you want?"
MARGARETE: "My own Sub-Stage at the School Idol Festival."
AKIHIKO: "We only have room for three. A-RISE, Saint Snow, and well... Liella! was going to share with Sunny Passion, but they've been blacklisted from the event.
If you're going to perform, then you'll have to share with SunnyPa."
MARGARETE: "They won't be a problem anymore."
AKIHIKO: "What?"
MARGARETE: "Sunny Passion."
AKIHIKO: "Why?"
MARGARETE: "Take a look at this."
She pulled out her phone, and opened a news article.
*SUNNY PASSION SUFFER SECOND CONSECUTIVE LOSS ON KŌZUSHIMA, HEAVILY CONSIDERING RETIREMENT*
AKIHIKO: "Seriously? SunnyPa are done?"
MARGARETE: "Yes. I recently visited Kōzushima and challenged them."
AKIHIKO: "That's a shame, I liked them..."
MARGARETE: "Had you not beaten them first, I would hold the Love Live! trophy."
AKIHIKO: "Oh, that... If you want it you can have it."
MARGARETE: "Hm?"
AKIHIKO: "Whatever is left of it, anyway. I threw the thing out of a window. The whole tournament is a popularity contest made by out-of-touch executives."
MARGARETE: "Is that how you truly feel?"
AKIHIKO: "Yeah, I said the same thing to Kanon and now she hates me. The Love Live! tournament is outdated, and the School Idol Festival is superior."
MARGARETE: "Looks like we have more in common than I thought."
AKIHIKO: "You hate the tournament?"
MARGARETE: "It's infuriating to see so many talented singers waste their efforts at a popularity contest.
The School Idol Festival's Main Stage, however, is definitely a worthy platform to be proud of."
AKIHIKO: "Interesting, tell me more."
TSUGUMI: "Welcome to Café Hazawa! Are you ready to order?"
AKIHIKO, MARGARETE: "......"
TSUGUMI: "U-Um..."
MARGARETE: "I'll take a Franziskaner."
AKIHIKO: "What the hell is that?"
MARGARETE: "It's a staple espresso beverage from Austria. Half espresso, half milk, and topped with whipped cream."
AKIHIKO: "For such a serious girl, you have a sweet tooth."
MARGARETE: "Sh-Shut up..."
AKIHIKO: "Not like I'll be able to taste it, but I'll have what she's having."
TSUGUMI: "Two Franziskaners, coming right up."