*MEANWHILE*
*STREET - SHIBUYA - TOKYO*
*P.O.V SWITCH - KATSUO TOGO*
Incompetent buffoons. I told them repeatedly to capture my best angle, and they couldn't do it!
They can't operate a camera to save their lives...
Don't they know how valuable I am to this production?
I am a Golden Calf talent!
I am the School Idol King!
And yet they want to prioritize some stupid, and let's admit it, CREEPY talentless monkey?!
PATHETIC!
It's a good thing that Golden Calf pays for my dry cleaning because I'm not too fond of the stench of cigarette smoke.
Kami-P's spineless lapdog already smells like he smokes fifty packs a day.
*RIIING*
Tsk, speak of the devil, and he will call.
KATSUO: "Kami-P! How's the weather up in Hokkaido?"
KAMIJOU: "Don't try to play this off so casually, Togo. You know EXACTLY why I'm calling you!"
KATSUO: "It's usually your bitch Nishiyama that calls me, so I take it this isn't a social call."
KAMIJOU: "You bet your ass it's not. I am very disappointed in you, boy."
KATSUO: "Eh? What for? I've worked very hard today, even if idiots surround me."
KAMIJOU: "It's precisely that attitude that will get you eaten alive in this business."
KATSUO: "What are you talking about? It's gotten me this far; I was acting for this company before you formed the S.I.D."
KAMIJOU: "Prior to our agreement, I had heard rumors that you were difficult to work with.
Because you're such a valuable talent, I decided to let that slide. But instead, you walk onto your film set and disrespect my associates?!
Unacceptable!"
KATSUO: "Pfft, these are your associates? Seriously?"
KAMIJOU: "Golden Calf has many connections to local studios throughout the city. We value those partnerships as they grant ample opportunities for our talents to act on television.
These studios gain viewership through the drawing power of our brand.
Meanwhile, our talents gain experience and exposure.
It is a mutually beneficial system to both parties involved."
KATSUO: "Yeah, well, if I'm the star drawing the viewers, they should treat me like the royalty I am!"
KAMIJOU: "Royalty? You are merely at the top of the male school idol rankings because everyone else is terrible."
KATSUO: "That proves that nobody is on my level."
KAMIJOU: "However, I would keep eyes on the back of your head, Togo. It's not advisable to become complacent."
KATSUO: "Don't mistake my confidence for complacency, Kami-P. I'm the only star here.
I'm willing to bet I'm better than any female school idol.
No, scratch that, I'm WAY better than any professional idol that ever was!"
KAMIJOU: "You cocky little brat. Being an idol is not limited to singing and dancing. There are the matters of fellow actors and models to compete with."
KATSUO: "And I blow those talentless hicks out of the water every time!
Singer, dancer, gymnast, shogi champion, master strategist, actor, and model.
I am the complete package, and I will not be taken for granted by anyone!"
KAMIJOU: "Remember what happened the last time you let down your guard?"
KATSUO: "Urk..."
That bastard, Suzuki... What kind of sick sadistic fucker dresses up as a girl so convincingly and steals a kiss from a celebrity?!
KAMIJOU: "Akihiko Suzuki embarrassed you at Diver City. When you're embarrassed, it makes Golden Calf look weak!
When you are a spoilt brat to the production staff around you, it makes Golden Calf look bad!"
KATSUO: "Ugh..."
KAMIJOU: "To be a symbol of worship, an idol, you must learn to play this game correctly. Oh, but I'm sure a shogi champion like yourself has no issue with that."
KATSUO: "Playing the game, hm?"
KAMIJOU: "You must learn to take orders from your superiors because they will turn you into the star you wish to be.
You idols are all the same... You are an image, an interchangable puppet on a string to be controlled by the executives behind you."
KATSUO: "Nobody controls me..."
KAMIJOU: "A puppet with its strings cut becomes a limp and lifeless doll.
The idols who rebel against their superiors all suffer the same fate of fading into obscurity.
Your producers can make you, and they can break you, Togo. So don't ever forget that."
KATSUO: "Very well... If it gets me what I desire, I will play the game, Kami-P."
KAMIJOU: "Do not disappoint me."
*HANG UP*
Kami-P...
KATSUO: *Chuckle* "Hahaha...! Play the game? A puppet? Taking orders?
Who does he take me for?
I'm the one in control...
I AM THE KING!
And a King always gets what he wants, even if he has to seize it by force!
Akihiko Suzuki... Do you want to take my dreams away from me?! Do you want to treat me like I'm no different from these peons?!
Do you want to embarrass me?!
Ha... You don't know what you have brought upon yourself, you pathetic little worm.
The Tokyo Dome, the School Idol Festival's Main Stage, will be mine, even if I force you to make it so!
And on that stage, I will embarrass you in front of the entire world...
I SWEAR IT!"
???: "...Noted."