*STREETS - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
So far so good.
I intend to meet up with Hoshino at 9pm and complete our task within 2 hours in order to comply with the 11pm curfew.
I'm concerned about paparazzi and tabloid reporters who are always on the lookout for their next big story. To avoid any unwanted attention, I plan on wearing a disguise that will effectively conceal my identity in case things go wrong.
Even so, the questions about this whole situation keep spinning around in my head.
Why does a professional idol like Ruby Hoshino want to meet me alone?
What does she want with me?
Hell, why is she interested in school idols if she's a professional?
Or...
Will she even show up?
I'm in a weird spot right now, not really sure what's gonna happen next. Could be awesome, could be a total failure. Only thing is, I gotta hurry up and figure it out because Venus Fort closes at 11, which is when I gotta be home.
I don't think Ruby, who is also a high school student, would want to break the curfew either. Therefore, I need to hurry up if I want to finish everything on time and prevent any possible penalties.
...
*KARAOKE BAR - VENUS FORT - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
It appears that the bar isn't very busy right now. This could work in our favor as we won't have to worry about any of her devoted fans bothering us.
AKI: "Hello, I'm here to meet someone. Booth 3."
CLERK: "Yeah, you must be the guy she's waiting for. Took your sweet time, she's been in there for an hour."
Well, at least she showed up, but...
AKI: "I'm confused. I was instructed to meet her at 9pm."
CLERK: "Whatever. Just sign here and go on in."
AKI: "Okay..."
After signing the guest book, I cautiously made my way to booth number 3. Taking no chances, I discreetly checked both directions to ensure I wasn't being trailed before opening the door and stepping inside.
AKI: "Phew..."
RUBY-H: "Hey! Glad you could make it!"
What?!
Sh-She's really here!
Take a deep breath, Suzuki. As a Producer, it's important to maintain a professional demeanor, especially when working with other industry professionals.
AKI: "Happy to be here."
RUBY-H: "Wow, I was worried that my note might have gone unnoticed or that you wouldn't have made it. But to my delight, you're here, and right on time!"
AKI: "I couldn't help but wonder why you've been waiting for an hour since you arrived here at 8pm, even though we agreed to meet at 9pm. The clerk mentioned it to me and I wanted to check in with you."
RUBY-H: "Oh, I get it! It totally makes sense if you're not too familiar with how things work in the professional world."
AKI: "Hm?"
RUBY-H: "Okay, let's say I show up here at 8:50pm in a disguise, and then you come ten minutes later at 9pm, also wearing a disguise."
AKI: "It would have saved you a lot of waiting time."
RUBY-H: "I get where you're coming from, but have you considered the possibility of paparazzi lurking around? If they catch two people showing up at the same place, around the same time, and wearing disguises, they might think they're an item!"
AKI: "Yeah, I get it. If we had shown up together, the gossip rags would have blown it way out of proportion. Can you imagine the ridiculous headlines like 'OMG! RUBY HOSHINO CAUGHT IN BOYFRIEND DRAMA?!' But hey, at least this way you don't have to deal with all that drama and attention."
RUBY-H: "That makes me sound selfish. I'm doing this to protect you, too, y'know?"
AKI: "Protect me? But compared to you, I'm nobody."
RUBY-H: "Hey, if the tabloids start saying that we're dating, my fans might go crazy. They can be pretty intense, so just be prepared. I'd give you a week before they eat you alive."
AKI: "Scary..."
I was so nervous when I sat down in front of Miss Hoshino. She's super honest, almost to a fault. It got me thinking if all professionals are like that or if idols are supposed to be sneaky. But anyway, I decided to drop my disguise and see what happens.
AKI: "Ugh... Wearing that getup gets stuffy pretty quickly."
RUBY-H: "You get used to it. It's better than the alternative of NOT wearing it."
AKI: "True, true."
This is going nowhere, I still have a time limit here, so I have to get to the bottom of this ASAP.
AKI: "So tell me... Cryptic note, karaoke booth, secret meeting, what's going on?
Why did you invite me here?"
RUBY-H: *Giggle* "Isn't it obvious?"
AKI: "No."
RUBY-H: "I mean, why else would an idol want to have a one-on-one with a guy, right? What do you think?"
AKI: "...Eh?"
RUBY-H: "I'm really curious about you, and I want to get to know you better!"
AKI: "Wh-What?!"
What's going on?!
RUBY-H: *Giggle*
Without any hesitation, she stood up from her spot and took a seat right beside me, showing her eagerness to be closer and more engaged with me.
...WHAT?!
RUBY-H: "Much better!"
AKI: "U-Um..."
RUBY-H: "Oh my gosh, being the School Idol Festival Chairman sounds like the coolest job ever! I mean, who wouldn't want to be in charge of all that excitement and fun?"
ACK!
Sh-She's really close!
I thought school idols were cute, but...professionals are like goddesses!
AKI: "Y-Y-Yeah, it's great, really."
RUBY-H: "Wow, I'm really interested in what you're saying! Please tell me more, I'm all ears."
Ruby Hoshino, everything about her screamed 'Professional idol'. From her looks, her voice, her smell, her expression.
Everything...
I am in awe as she sits beside me, expressing her genuine curiosity and desire to learn more about who I am.
DID I DIE AND GO TO HEAVEN?!
RUBY-H: *Giggle*
GAH! SHE'S TOO CUTE!
Have you ever met someone whose stare is so intense, it feels like they can read your thoughts? That's how I feel around her - her eyes are piercing!
AKI: "..."
Wait.
...
ODA: "Have you ever heard the phrase 'the eyes are the windows to the soul'? It suggests that by looking into someone's eyes, you can determine if they are being honest or if they have hidden agendas."
...
AKI: "?!"
Uncle Oda's advice!
It's important to be aware that looking into someone's eyes can sometimes reveal whether they're being truthful or if they're hiding something.
AKI: "..."
Uncle Oda was right. Although Hoshino's facial expression seemed bright and cheerful, her eyes gave off a dark and sly vibe, as if she was scheming something, probably at my expense.
Screw it, I'm just going to trust Uncle Oda's advice and call her out on it.
AKI: "Sorry, but you can't pull the wool over my eyes that easily."
RUBY-H: "Eh?"
AKI: "Hey, just a heads up - if you're trying to manipulate people, you might want to work on your approach. Your smile looks great, but your eyes seem to be saying something else."
RUBY-H: "?!"
AKI: "Oh, did I catch you off guard there? But I'm right, aren't I?"
RUBY-H: "..."
AKI: "Nothing to say? *Sigh* I'm a big fan of idols too, but I know what's realistic. I mean, we only just met a few hours ago, so it doesn't really make sense for a pro like you to hang out with an amateur like me. You've got a huge image to protect and all that."
RUBY-H: *Sigh* "You're good... And here I thought all you executives fell for that trick. Guess I was wrong. Heh..."
AKI: "So, you were trying to manipulate me."
RUBY-H: "..."