*THE NEXT DAY*
*GRANDMA - NUMAZU - SHIZUOKA PREFECTURE*
*P.O.V SWITCH - AKI*
I don't know what I did to make every agency in Tokyo faun over me, but it's clearly working.
It looks like I've caught the eyes of 765 Production and 346 Production.
765, also known as Namuko Pro. Once a small independent company has risen into the second-largest talent agency in the country.
(Behind the bastards at Golden Calf...)
The agency manages solo idols like Haruka Amami.
And the Futami twins.
When they come together, they form the elite unit known as the 765 All-Stars. So it's understandable why they became so successful.
346, the third-largest talent agency in the country. Despite always having been a huge company, it has failed to keep up with the expansion of 765.
This agency created the Cinderella Project, Japan's second-ranked professional idol group.
(Behind those QUASAR girls...)
When I think '346', I think of the cute Uzuki Shimamura, the cool Rin Shibuya, and the passionate Mio Honda.
So, I want to ask one thing...
WHAT THE HELL DO THEY WANT WITH ME?!
After I called the number on the 765 business card, my call was forwarded to their Chairman, Junjirou Takagi.
He said he'd arrange for me to meet with his most accomplished Producer.
As for 346, I was put on hold several times until I talked to a Producer. He originally came to our Clubroom looking for me, but when the search failed, he gave Yu his business card.
I don't know what they've got in store for me, but it'd kill me if I didn't find out.
Since this is supposed to be a private endeavor, there is no way we could hold the meeting in Tokyo. So, I suggested having it in Numazu, where Golden Calf's many ears won't hear us. I've even left Uncle Oda (no relation) in the dark about it.
Welcomed by the chimes upon opening the door, I was also admitted to seeing two Producers in suits.
One was tall, muscular, and pretty scary looking. The other was shorter, wearing glasses.
Who works for which company?
765-P: "Oh, you're here! Please, take a seat. We're excited to meet you."
346-P: "Yes."
Huh...
First impressions. One of them has a lot to say. The other? Not so much.
AKI: "Thank you, I'm not late, am I?"
346-P: "No."
AKI: "Right... Should we start with names? You probably know I'm Akihiko Suzuki, but what about you?"
765-P: "M-My name?"
AKI: "Sure."
765-P: "Uh..."
346-P: "..."
AKI: "What? Do you not know your name or something?"
765-P: "It's...not often that I use it. Everyone at the agency calls me Producer-san or P-chan. Heh, heh."
346-P: "I am the same."
AKI: "Well, I can't call both of you 'Producer'; that would make things confusing, wouldn't it?"
AKABANE: "Agreed. In that case, I am Producer Akabane from 765."
TAKEUCHI: "Producer Takeuchi, 346."
AKI: "At least I can tell the difference now... But tell me, what do you want with me?"
AKABANE: "I'm glad you asked! Because-"
AKI: "If it's to become your apprentice, I decline. Kamijou at Golden Calf already tried to pull that stunt.
My allegiance is to the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club and nothing more."
TAKEUCHI: "No. We're not recruiting you."
AKI: "Oh?"
AKABANE: "But we are here to offer you an opportunity."
AKI: "Hmm... I'm listening."
TAKEUCHI: "Both of us are impressed."
AKABANE: "Our agencies have closely monitored the School Idol Festival for the past few years.
When it was canceled, it upset us."
TAKEUCHI: "However, you saved it. We are grateful."
AKI: "You are? But I thought you Pros hated school idols for stealing your thunder."
AKABANE: "Huh? No, of course not. Where did you hear that?"
AKI: "Seichi Kamijou at Golden Calf. He's sick and tired of the rising popularity of school idols turning their eyes away from QUASAR. So, he's trying to take over this market and control it."
TAKEUCHI: "That sounds like something he would do."
AKABANE: "We've both struggled against Golden Calf recently..."
AKI: "How so?"
TAKEUCHI: "Poaching."
AKI: "Poaching?"
AKABANE: "Talent Poaching."
AKI: "Explain."
AKABANE: "Recently, both our agencies had a talent defect to Golden Calf."
AKI: "Oh..."
TAKEUCHI: "To join QUASAR, more specifically."
AKI: "So, Kamijou took an idol from each of your agencies and offered them a spot in QUASAR?"
TAKEUCHI: "Correct."
AKI: "Crafty bastard..."
AKABANE: "Both 765 and 346 are huge companies. But we can't compete with Golden Calf alone."
TAKEUCHI: "We're collaborating."
AKI: "Good for you. 765 All-Stars and Cinderella Project performing together? I'd kill to see that!"
AKABANE: "Yes, but..."
AKI: "But?"
TAKEUCHI: "It's canceled."
AKI: "Seriously?! Wow, way to get my hopes up, guys... First, I was excited; now I'm depressed."
AKABANE: "We were even in talks with 876 and 961 about bringing them on board."
AKI: "You're not making me happier."
TAKEUCHI: "The Million Live. We had scheduled to hold it in the Tokyo Dome."
AKI: "Ugh... Life's not fair. I want to see that!
But, if you've had to cancel the show, then it's impossible.
With the Olympics going ahead, getting the Tokyo Dome reserved is not easy either."
AKABANE: "Yes. But if there's no Million Live, then what do you think we're implying?"
AKI: "Eh?"
AKABANE: "We're grateful for how you brought the School Idol Festival back.
The amount of young idols it inspires annually is tremendous. Becoming a school idol is the first step to becoming a professional.
Without the SIF, fewer school idols and less professional."
AKI: "I understand that part, but..."
TAKEUCHI: "We'd like to offer you our Tokyo Dome reservation."
AKI: "..."
AKABANE: "You okay there?"
AKI: "I-I'm fine; I'm probably just hearing things... I thought for a second you said you were offering us the Tokyo Dome for the School Idol Festival."
TAKEUCHI: "We are."
AKI: "Oh, cool... WHAT?!"
TAKEUCHI: "Do you accept."
AKI: "Wait, you're just trying to turn this into some corporate event like the Love Live!, right?"
AKABANE: "Hm?"
AKI: "First and foremost, the School Idol Festival is the Planning Committee's job.
As Chairman of that Committee, I don't take orders from anyone. So it pisses me off when someone tries to push me aside, act like they're the leader, and start giving me orders. Because the last time I checked, I was the one who calls the shots.
I don't answer to you."
AKABANE: "Relax, relax. We understand what you're thinking. We're not here for a piece of the pie or sponsorships.
We don't want to see a reservation go to waste."
AKI: "You're...serious?"
TAKEUCHI: "Yes. The Tokyo Dome is yours."
AKI: "But... I already promised that the School Idol Festival would be at Nijigasaki."
AKABANE: "Then why not hold the festivities there and the Main Stage at the Tokyo Dome?"
AKI: "?!"
TAKEUCHI: "The Main Stage, on the biggest stage."
AKI: "This is all too good to be true... We desperately needed a replacement venue."
AKABANE: "It's all yours. But... It means you'll have to delay the Festival by a week. Is that okay?"
AKI: "Fine by me."
AKABANE: "I'm sure you're excited to break the news to your School Idol Club."
AKI: "I sure am!"
TAKEUCHI: "If I may... A question."
AKI: "Sure, ask away."
TAKEUCHI: "That's not their name, is it?"
AKI: "Hm? What are you talking about?"
TAKEUCHI: "Nijigasaki High School Idol Club. Is that your group's name?"
AKI: "Well, yeah. It is because that's what we are."
AKABANE: "No disrespect intended, but that's not a good image."
AKI: "Eh?"
AKABANE: "Everyone knows you're a School Idol Club; you don't have to tell us.
μ's don't call themselves the Otonokizaka Idol Research Club.
Aqours don't call themselves the Uranohoshi Girls' High School Idol Club."
AKI: "So... What are you saying?"
TAKEUCHI: "To reach the top, you'll need a name."
AKI: "..."
A name, huh?
What's the point? We've already made it this far as the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club.
I should hold off telling them for now, especially after what happened to Setsuna.
*Sigh*
The Tokyo Dome news would only distract them, too. So, for now... I'll keep it a secret.
I want to work on rebuilding my bonds with them first. Then, the Tokyo Dome announcement can be the cherry on top.
Though... The School Idol Club aren't the only girls I broke my bonds with...