I didn’t have time to process it, but honestly, when you think about it, conducting undercover filming without warning isn’t our agency’s style. I definitely would have been one of the first to be notified.
...I hope so.
Have I really fallen so far in the eyes of management that they don’t even tell me about things this important anymore?
Emi
If you want to fire me, why not just say so?
I’ve been working with them for years, and besides-
Emi
..Huh? What’s with this “Happy Christmas 2052” sign? Why is there such an old billboard here? It’s 2054, isn’t it-
Amy
This can't be part of the shoot; they would have just fixed details like that with CGI.
Looks like there really is something wrong with your head, huh?... I should go see a doct— AaaAAaaa!-
BEEP!
Emi
I’ll definitely go, if I don’t get into an accident on the way.
Emi glanced down at the date displayed on the car's dashboard, which still showed 01-12-2052, the day when the first member of Ecliptic signed their contract.
───── Airport ─────
Emi
Well. Now the main thing is not to miss him.
A sign with the name “Norita Akabane” written in large letters rose into the air, swaying from side to side.
Emi
This guy… He showed up on time last time, I hope I won't have to wait long for him now.
I still need to figure out what the hell is going on here, but as usual, finding free time when working at an agency isn't exactly easy.
Norita
Heeey~ it’s nice to know that such beauties work at my new agency.
Whoa, why such a huge sign with my name on it? It's like I'm already a star~
Emi
And here is one of the reasons the group fell apart in the flesh. A walking scandal magnet…
Emi
Akabane-san! I'm so glad you found me so quickly! My name is Emi Futami, and I'm your group's manager. I hope your flight went well.
Norita
Futami-san, then. It's a pleasure to meet you~
Yes, the flight was fine, though they changed the menu in business class and didn't have my favorite dessert. A bit disappointing, you know. Oh well, I'll just head to a restaurant later. I've already had a couple of places recommended to me~
Emi
And this is the very important person who is supposed to play a key role in the group's development...
…Especially when it comes to fostering its chaos and ruin.
Emi
It is very unfortunate, I'm sorry to hear that. Let me help you with your baggage.
Norita
Thanks, but that's not necessary. I'm not going to make a lady carry my suitcase. Take care of those beautiful hands of yours, okay?
Emi
Some things never change.
All right, let's head to that exit.
By the way, Akabane-san, you'll be able to move into the dormitory starting tomorrow, so if you need to, I can arrange a hotel room for you nearby. If you have any preferences or requests, just let me know.
Norita
Don't worry about that either; I've already booked a room for myself at that new hotel downtown.
Emi
Some things really never change.
It's good to know we'll have such a responsible member in our group~
Norita
Well, yeah~ I can’t exactly disappoint Hayashi Ka-, ahem, such a beauty as our manager!
Emi
You can sweet-talk me all you want, but I know who you really came here for.
Only a crazy guy would shell out a couple of million just to be in the same group as his oshi.
Emi
We’ll be at the agency in half an hour. Make yourselves comfortable; you can rest while we drive.
Watching the young guy through the rearview mirror, Emi couldn't believe she was living through this situation all over again.
Emi
I never would have thought that this unsuspecting kid would end his stage career in just six months.
If I didn't already know what kind of scandal this would end in... Norita’s girlfriends are something else.
I don’t want to see him so broken and sad again. Sigh, even if he is partly to blame for it himself... But now that I know how it all ends, maybe I can prevent it somehow?
Well, of course, assuming this isn't just some silly dream and I’m about to wake up in my office on the verge of getting fired.
Norita
Hello, hi Fumiko~ How are you?
Emi
Oh god… I especially can’t stand hearing that name.
Norita
I’m so sorry, something urgent came up. I was really sad to leave you, too~
Emi
Is he sad? Personally, I think he set his priorities quite clearly…
Norita
But don't worry, I'll send you photo updates, will that make up for it a little? ♡ I'll take you to a couple of interesting spots as soon as I get back to make it up to you~ Pinky promise.
Emi
And when is he planning to go back, since he came here to sign the contract…
Emi
We're almost there. Last time, as soon as I told him to be more serious, he started rolling his eyes. Maybe I should try a different approach this time?
Ahem, we're almost there, please be ready.
Norita
Haha, Fumiko, looks like it's time for me to go. I won't be able to talk for a while, so don't be mad, okay? I'll text you later~
Emi
Is there anything else I should say? If this isn't a dream... then maybe, is there a chance that...?
Glancing into the rearview mirror, Emi sighs and gathers her thoughts.
Emi
I look forward to working with you.
Norita
What? Oh, yeah, yeah, me too, Futami-san~
───── At the agency ─────
Emi
If I remember correctly... everything should go smoothly here.
Except the fact that he signed the contract without even reading it...
Maybe if I actually made him read it, he would refuse? It's possible that none of this would have happened.
Walking down the hallway, the woman kept glancing at her charge, who was trailing slightly behind, typing something on his phone and thinking no one was watching.
Emi
We will now go over our contract with you, and if everyone is satisfied, we can set up a work schedule starting next week.
Norita
Of course~ I'm looking forward to it.
Emi
I know who you're really looking forward to seeing.
Here comes the question-
Norita
Listen, Futami-san~ The contract is for the group, right? How many of us will there be in total?
Emi
Including you, there are four. Also, the director asked me to pass on his gratitude for your financial investment in the agency.
No matter how much you talk about other things, he’ll still ask about him.
Norita
Yes, yes~ It would be my pleasure.
Emi
Or is he..?
Norita
Speaking of the group, I heard Kanae Hayashi is going to be in it. You could say he's a star in the idol industry.
Amy
Of course.
There’s no need to worry; with your background and the help of our trainers and mentors, you too will be able to reach those heights.
Approaching one of the offices and stopping at the door, Emi finally glances at the phone in his hand.
Amy
Akabane-san… You will have to get rid of that habit.
Norita
Uh, Futami-san, don't be so cold. It's nothing serious~ I can already capture girls' hearts like a real idol; isn't that a key skill in this industry?
Amy
…
It’s hard to believe he’s still distracted by his phone and his girlfriend, knowing how much he invested himself just to be here.
Here is the contract. Akabane-san, please take your time and carefully review all the terms; your life for the next five years depends on it.
Amy
Unless, of course, Ecliptic meets the same fate they’ve already suffered once before.
Norita
Of course, Manager-san~ Though I don't think I'll find a reason there that would make me want to quit.
I'm serious, you know~
Amy
I have no doubt about it.
Amy
I’d like to hope so too, but throwing yourself blindly into the industry just because of an idol you’ve only seen on screen... What could possibly go wrong?
I’ll have to keep a close eye on him this time, otherwise nothing will change.
Norita
Hmm, are the penalties for contract termination always this steep?
Emi
Haha, usually it’s less, but the director didn't hold back this time. Anything to keep a big shot like that in the group for as long as possible.
Emi
Something like that. If a member decides to leave the group, it usually leads to financial losses and scheduling conflicts. After all, a significant amount has been invested in each member. Therefore, in such cases, the talent is required to pay a penalty for terminating the contract early.
Those are rare cases, however, and you have nothing to worry about as long as you put in the proper effort to develop and support the group.
Norita
Fine, I’ll do it~ Though, of course, some of the terms are a bit unfair. Take this clause, for example: "Prohibition of romantic relationships."
If it weren't for your warm hospitality, I’d have thought I was signing up for slavery~
That ban is just for show, isn't it? Even idols have secret relationships—everyone knows that. As long as no one finds out, it’s not a problem, right?
Emi
Nevertheless, it is one of the most common causes of scandals. I must insist that you conduct yourself with discretion.
Norita
Heh~ Fumiko isn't going to be happy about this...
Norita
Well, that’s everything. As I thought, there’s no point in me refusing; I’m ready to sign the contract.
Emi
I'm very glad to hear that, but how about we go over all the points one more time? You do understand that if anything happens, you won't be able to just back out, right?
Come on, Emi, you know better than anyone that he won't turn back. Even if the reason he's here ends up disappointing him at some point.
Norita
Emi-sa-a-a-an~ No reason to worry your pretty head, I am fully aware of the responsibility.
Emi
Funny hearing that from Norita... I have nothing to say to him, and he wouldn't listen anyway. I give up.
Alright. Then please sign each of the highlighted sections at the bottom of these papers.
I still don't fully understand why I have to relive these events. Is this one of the circles of hell? But from this moment on, I'm afraid I'll have to improvise.
Norita
Done, Emi-san. I'm in your hands, and I'm really looking forward to working together.
Emi
Yes, yes, Akabane-san, me too.
Norita
Let me know if there's any news.
Norita
I can't believe it, I'll be able to see him as early as tomorrow!
