*SHINODA FAMILY DINER - VENUS FORT - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
I don't know if it's a difference in culture, or something else entirely, but those Y.G International girls sure are unique.
Still, not everyone has arrived at the meeting yet, so I should at least give them a little more time.
AKIRU: "So tell me, how is Shizuku doing these days?"
AKI: "Hm? Just fine, why?"
Huh, I recognize that uniform!
AKIRU: *Giggle* "I'm happy to hear that. She sure has been a great asset to your club... 'Senpai'."
AKI: "Eh?"
AKIRU: "Don't worry about it, I'm just glad that she at last found her footing as a school idol.
Plus, she's surrounded by friends who care about her.
So from one leader to another, thanks for that."
AKI: "I see. So you're Seiran's School Idol Club President."
AKIRU: "Akiru Shinomiya."
AKI: "Akihiko Suzuki."
AKIRU: "...Wow, you've got beautiful eyes."
AKI: "Huh?!"
AKIRU: *Giggle* "Don't worry, I was just checking. They say the eyes are the windows to someone's soul.
You seem fine, and Shizuku is in good hands."
AKI: "Of course she is. But how can you be certain about that? I mean, you don't know anything about me."
AKIRU: "...I'm confident that I've got a good eye for people. You look like a good person. I think we can work well together."
AKI: "Sure, but I wouldn't exactly call myself 'a good person'. But I'm not much of a bad guy either. I just do what needs to be done for the betterment of school idols."
AKIRU: "A man of focus, interesting. Would you like to meet the others?
I can introduce you to them."
AKI: "Considering I've already met the Chitose Bridge and Y.G International girls, I guess it's only fair that I do the same with Seiran."
AKIRU: "You won't be disappointed. Come.
Hey, Aya!"
AYA: "Um..."
AKIRU: "Come on, let me introduce you."
Surprisingly, there are a lot of school idols who are shy.
I thought Ruby was a special case, but looks like I was mistaken.
There are more introverted girls in this industry than I initially thought.
AYA: "He-Hello... I'm... Aya Sugisaki..."
AKI: "Nice to meet you. I'm Chairman Akihiko Suzuki, I hope we get along.
I can't wait to see you perform at the School Idol Festival."
AYA: "Um... I'm really bad at performing in front of people..."
AKI: "But I keep hearing about how great Seiran are. So, surely you're doing something right."
AYA: "..."
AKI: "Um... School idol activities aside, what else do you do?"
AYA: "When I enter my calligraphy in contests for judging... I don't feel so nervous...
But I thought I should stand out a little more... So people would notice me... So I became a school idol."
AKI: "Interesting, well, please know that I'm rooting for you."
AYA: "It may be bit by bit... But I'll do my best!"
What a sweet girl.
I'm starting to think that all of Seiran's school idols are like that.
AYUMI: "Who the hell is this, Akiru?"
AKI: "ACK!"
AKIRU: "He's Akihiko Suzuki, he's Nijigasaki's Club President."
AYUMI: "Oh yeah? So you're the punk who stole Shizuku from us."
AKI: "Stole?!"
AKIRU: *Sigh* "Shizuku left on her own volition, Ayumi."
AKI: "Ayumi, hm?"
AYUMI: "I'm Ayumi Torii. I'm only going to say it once, so you better remember!"
Pfft, that's funny. Seiran have their own Aki and Ayu.
AKI: "I won't forget. Tell me, what are your hobbies?"
AYUMI: "Hobbies? I like making sweets..."
AKI: "Ooh, I'm a big fan of sweet stuff."
AYUMI: "That reminds me, I made some cookies to share at the meeting. Would you like one?"
AKI: "You made cookies for me?"
AYUMI: "Huh? No, I didn't make them just for you! Idiot!"
Oh, I see... She's one of those types.
I know how to deal with this.
AKI: "I'm sure any sweets made by a sweet person like you would taste great!"
AYUMI: "Gah?! A-Anyway, cookies come later. Can't you get this meeting started already?"
AKI: "We're still waiting on some people."
AYUMI: "Then they'd better hurry."
Truth be told, only one school idol group has yet to arrive. Six girls who I am very curious about.
MARIKA: "Man, you really know how to stick to baking. If it was me, I'd just get bored."
AYUMI: "Tsk, whatever."
AKI: "Another Seiran school idol, I see."
MARIKA: "Yeah! I'm Marika Ichinose. I kinda signed up for being a school idol on a whim, but it's really interesting!"
AKI: "Nice to meet you. What do you find interesting about it?"
MARIKA: "Hmm... How should I explain it? It's like letting everything out in an explosion of feelings!"
AKI: "Sounds familiar."
MARIKA: "I get bored really easily. I always move onto something new, changing my hobbies weekly.
But being a school idol has just stuck, y'know?"
AKI: *Laugh* "Yeah, I was pretty lost myself until I discovered them. Now I'm starting to find my place."
MARIKA: "All right! It was nice meeting you, say hi to Shizuku for me. I wanna catch up with her."
AKI: "I'll be sure to tell her how you're doing."
AKIRU: "Over here is Minami."
MINAMI: "I'm everyone's big sister, Minami Nagayama."
AKI: "Hm? Care to elaborate?"
MINAMI: "I say I'm 'everyone's big sister' because my mom runs a daycare, and I end up helping out there quite frequently.
All the kids in the daycare call me 'big sis', it's really adorable."
AKI: *Chuckle* "Yeah, two of our Nijigasaki school idols volunteer regularly at a children's center. I think you'd get along."
MINAMI: "Nijigasaki...? Oh, you're Shizuku's President!"
AKI: "Well, one of Shizuku's Presidents that is. I'm happy that you all think so highly of her."
MINAMI: *Giggle* "That's right! She is so cute. I miss my little junior. Any friend of hers is a friend of mine.
You could even call me 'big sis', too, if you'd like."
AKI: *Gulp* "U-Um..."
MINAMI: "Hey! No reason to be shy..." *Chuckle*
YUMI: *Sigh* "Is Minami up to her tricks again?"
MINAMI: "Aww, you're no fun, Yumi."
AKI: "Nice to meet you."
YUMI: "Yeah."
AKI: "Mm-hm."
YUMI: "...I don't really have anything special to talk about. I only became a school idol because Seira did, so don't worry about me."
AKI: "Huh..."
YUMI: "Having said that, I'm still participating. So I mustn't fall behind everyone."
AKI: "I can imagine."
YUMI: "Just because you're behind the scenes, it doesn't mean you're safe."
AKI: "Huh?"
YUMI: "You've got to keep improving yourself, so you don't become a burden.
I'd hate to see you fail Shizuku."
AKI: "...Yeah, me too."
Her words cut deep, because she's right. I can't fall behind.
SEIRA: "Yumi, that's not very nice."
YUMI: "It's true."
SEIRA: "So, you're Shizuku's Producer, right?"
AKI: "Yes, I am."
SEIRA: "I'm Seira Kujo, I'm really good at playing the violin."
AKI: "Interesting. What are your opinions on school idols?"
SEIRA: "Honestly, I've always admired school idols. My friend Yumi here said she'd help me out, so I decided to take a chance and join.
And, well, look at us now!" *Giggle*
AKI: "It's always important to have friends in this business. You two have each other's backs."
SEIRA: "Just like we know you have Shizuku's!"
AKI: "Sure I do, I always have Shizuku's back. She's very special to me."
SACHIKO: "Heh heh heh... Hahaha!"
AKI: "Hm? What's so funny? Who are you?"
SACHIKO: "I am the Wizard of the Abyss... My true name will not be revealed for reasons unknown."
HANAMARU: "It says here, your name is Sachiko Tanaka, zura."
SACHIKO: "ACK! Y-You dare to speaketh my name?!"
HANAMARU: "Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before, zura."
SACHIKO: "Is that so? You have also realized the truth about this world?"
AKI: "...What?"
HANAMARU: "Don't worry, I know how to handle this."
SACHIKO: "Very well... I have fallen from the sky and require a vessel... May I test you for compatibility?"
HANAMARU: "No, zura."
SACHIKO: "Then may I recruit you as one of my minions?"
HANAMARU: "No, zura."
SACHIKO: "Why not?"
HANAMARU: "Because a certain fallen angel will be very angry if I betray her, zura."
SACHIKO: "Fallen angel? ...All that is dark! You're Hanamaru Kunikida! A disciple of Yohane!"
HANAMARU: "Nice to meetcha, zura!"
SACHIKO: "Heh, heh... HAHAHA!"
AKI: "What is it now?"
SACHIKO: "A little demon, and the Right Hand of Yohane stand before me.
Fate smiles upon me this day!
Take this message to your mistress, and let it be clear that her reign of terror will end!
For a new age of darkness awaits!"
AKI: "Um..."
HANAMARU: "Zura...?"
AKIRU: "Don't worry about her, we're used to her antics by now."
HANAMARU: "Tell me about it, zura."
Little did I know of the events that were about to transpire, when THAT certain idol group entered the room...