Main Story | Chapter 3

───── dormitory ─────

Norita

Shhh, my head is pounding…

How can anyone even sleep on these pillows? And the mattress is like a log! I’ll have to buy new ones for sure.

On top of that woke up earlier than I needed to, maybe I can sleep for another ten minutes?

AAH! You won't even fall asleep within ten minutes on these crappy pillows!

*ding*

Norita

Hello?…

Emi

Akabane-san, good morning! Your voice doesn't sound so great, is everything alright?

Norita

Ah, Futami-san. To be honest, it's hard to get used to the pillows in the dorm, but your morning voice is like a balm for my aching head~

Emi

Hmm, that's strange, it's a good brand and material is great for your neck and back. You'll get used to it once training starts.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're already up. Your photoshoot starts at 9 a.m. in Studio A. The car will pick you up in twenty minutes.

Norita

Eh~ So soon?

Emi

Yes, I need to give you a quick briefing before the shoot actually starts, which is why I asked everyone to come a bit early.

Norita

Mmm, alright then, see you soon. Bye-bye.

My first day with Kanae is finally here~ I'll get to see him in action, and from the front row, no less!

It seems even my headache is going away.

───── agency ─────

Norita

Tch, everyone's already here. It's not like I'm late, but still ended up being the last one to arrive.

Oh, there's Kanae. But why are those brats all over him?! Go talk to each other!

Emi

Ah, Akabane-san, good morning. Did you have any trouble getting here?

Norita

Good morning. Yes, everything is fine.

Emi

Wonderful. Today we will begin with…

Norita

What on earth are those three chatting about so happily?! Next time, I'm coming half an hour early!

Norita

Eh-...

Norita

Oh my god HE LOOKED AT ME!!! Asdfghjkl!!!! No, act natural, what was it Emi-chan said again?...

Emi

... He wasn't listening to me at all, was he?

Emi

Let's go join the others, Akabane-san! Now that everyone's here, it's time to get started!

Haruma

There's Akabane-san, we were waiting for you.

Takao

Good morning~

Kanae

Good morning.

Norita

Hi there.

Norita

HE SAID "GOOD MORNING" TO ME!!!!!! HEEHEEHEEHEEHEE

Emi

You can’t tell by looking at Norita’s face, but for some reason, I can imagine what’s going on in his head anyway…

Emi

Alright boys, we’ll start with individual shots. Don’t worry if you don’t have much experience; the most important thing is to listen to what the photographer tells you.

Hayashi-san, would you mind going first and showing us how it’s done? Akabane-san, you’re next.

Haruma

Ooh~ A demonstration from a pro!

Kanae

Fine.

Takao

Kanae-san knows what she’s doing.

Norita

Heh, it’s still hard to believe that I can watch him in action from this close now. He is just so COOL!!! AHHH I can’t, I just can’t!!!

Norita

Wait, does that mean I’m next?! Hahaha… Alright then, I’ll show you what I'm capable of!~

Staff

Akabane-san, turn your body to the left, but keep looking at the camera. Yes, exactly! Wonderful! Just a couple more.

Emi

Good to know that Norita has no trouble with photoshoots, as always. He’s still like a fish in water. Though with a face like his, it would be strange otherwise; he’s that popular guy who has always loved being in front of the camera.

Hmm? Hayashi-san? Is something wrong?

Kanae

He looks quite photogenic, but overacts at times.

Emi

And here comes the first critique from a professional. Although I can't say he's wrong.

Akabane-san has the least experience in the group, but I think with the right guidance, he'll be able to show good results.

Emi

I can only try to soften Kanae's perception of Norita and the others. His harsh criticism isn't likely to go anywhere, and that's exactly what led to their endless arguments last time.

Kanae

Hmm, we'll see.

Norita

I think I did pretty well. The photographer looked pleased~

Kanae and Emi-chan are looking at me?! Have they been watching the whole time?! Ha… Ha-ha! Well, did you like it?~

Emi

Great job, Akabane-san, you're a natural-born model!

Norita

Hee~ Futami-san, you're flattering me~.

Emi

There's no one else in this group to flatter you. I have to take it upon myself.

Emi

There’s definitely room for improvement, but it’s a great start.

Hayashi-kun, please don't look at me like that, you have no idea what all of this is for!!!

Norita

Hm? Is my phone vibrating? Fumiko?! Ten missed calls and 30 messages?! Has she lost her mind just because I didn't text her "Good morning" today???

Norita

I could be busy sometimes too, no? Ugh, she’s calling again… I need to step away and text her back.

Norita

"Fumiko-chan, cutie~ Sorry I didn't text you this morning, busy today. Wanna talk tonight?~"

Haa… She just won't let it go. Come on, Fumiko, I promise I'll tell you everything a little later~

Kanae

...

Akabane-san.

Norita

H-HUH?! K-KANAE?! Hey, hey, don't look at me like that, or else…

Kanae

Just because your solo shoot went well doesn't mean you can slack off. We aren't finished yet, and being on your phone in the studio is simply disrespectful and unprofessional.

Norita

...!

Norita

Haha… I see how it is. I’ll keep that in mind… Hayashi-san.

Impossibly pleased that he had finally managed to say his idol's name out loud to his face, Norita headed toward the nearest trash can and dropped his phone inside.

Norita

Just look at that beautiful face, and the way his eyes lock onto me with such a judgmental gaze. Gives me goosebumps~ Just how does he manage to look so attractive, even when he’s angry?

None of these women are worth trading Kanae for.

Norita

Better now?~

Kanae

Wh…

Norita

It’s so thrilling when your idol looks right at you from this close!

Kanae

Why… does he look so… pleased??

And why… is he leaving?? Is he not going to take his phone back??

The idol frowned in confusion before walking decisively past the guy toward the trash can and looking down: the phone was lying in a pile of crumpled paper, with incoming message notifications flashing on the screen.

Kanae

Who was he texting? A girl?... Regardless, it’s unacceptable.

The idol leaned over and reached into the trash can, carefully fishing out the phone by the corner. Brushing a stray piece of paper off the screen, he walked back to his groupmate and gave his wrist a gentle tug. Lifting his hand, Kanae placed the phone back into its rightful owner's palm.

Norita

Haha, the look of shock on his face is something else… Your fans are capable of much worse, wouldn't I know.

Come on, stop looking at me like that~

Kanae

Don't do that again.

Norita

Roger, Hayashi-san.

Emi

Hm? Hayashi-san, Akabane-san, where did you two disappear to? Takao-kun is finishing soon, and then it’s time for the group shot.

Emi

Why does Akabane-kun look so... pleased? What’s that glint in his eyes?? It can’t be... What could have happened between those two in the last couple of minutes?!

The only thing is, Hayashi-kun doesn't look happy... Akabane-kun... Please don't cause any trouble...

Staff

Akabane and Hayashi, stand a little closer.

Emi

Still, those four look good together. Nice work, Emi~

Kanae

Will a little guidance really be enough for this guy? I’m afraid he’s going to need a lot more than that.

Norita

Damn it, this might just be worth every yen spent on this contract!~

───── after the photoshoot ─────

Emi

Great work, boys! That’s all for today, but since your life together in the dorm starts today, I suggest we celebrate! How about we cook dinner together and have a party?

Takao

Ooh~ That would be awesome! I’m in!

Haruma

Me too~ Sounds like the perfect opportunity for us to get used to each other.

Emi

Ah, you two, car is waiting for you downstairs. Go the dorms and unpack your things for the time being.

Hayashi-san, I heard your manager already dropped off your things this morning, would you mind keeping me company for grocery shopping? Akabane-san, you too.

Norita

Just the three of us? Without the little pipsqueeks? Emi-chan, I owe you my life!~

Of course, I don’t mind.

Kanae

Alright, I’ll go get changed.

Norita

We’ll be back soon, Emi-san~

Norita

...

I was the last one to arrive, so I didn’t know, but is it even legal to be in the same dressing room as Hayashi Kanae???! I-it’s a bit awkward… And HE doesn’t even care! DAMN IT! Just don’t stare.

I can’t believe it. Fumiko or any other fan would kill for an opportunity like this... and yet, here I am~

Norita

I’m certainly not going to tell Fumiko or the others about this. I think they’ll find out for themselves once we debut.

Kanae changed his clothes too, good.

Norita

Hmm… Hayashi-san, you have quite a lot of disguise on, don’t you? Doesn’t that tire you out?

Kanae

Of course it does, but we'd get in trouble if someone on the street recognized me and caused a scene.

Norita

It’s true, I can’t even imagine how many people would come running.

Are you sure it’s a good idea to go shopping with us then?

Kanae

… I don’t often get the chance to go for a walk like this, so don’t want to miss it~ A disguise will be enough.

Norita

His voice behind the mask sounded as if he were smiling…

Kanae

Enjoy your last days of freedom; this will be your reality soon as well. The price of popularity.

Norita

That’s the smallest price I’ve ever had to pay…

Daaamn~ He just patted me on the shoulder, and it’s already burning…

Kanae

Futami-san, we are ready to go.

Emi

Oh! Hayashi-san, that's a great disguise. I'm not even worried about taking you outside like that. Well, let's head to the car.

───── on the way to the store ─────

Kanae

Who's going to be cooking? I'm not sure how much help I'll be with that.

Emi

Don't worry, you can get back to your own things when we're back, just like the others. I'll take care of dinner, and Akabane-san is a good cook, he'll help me.

Norita

Eh?...

Emi-san, how do you know I can cook? Did I mention that?

Kanae

…

Emi

…

Emi

Hm? Akabane-san, you must have just forgotten. I think I've heard you mention it before.

Norita

That's strange, I don't remember that at all, but okay.

I don't usually reveal all my tricks when I first meet girls, but maybe I was nervous and mentioned it during the interview…

Kanae

I'll leave it to the pros, then.

───── store ─────

Emi

Iwai-kun and Iwaki-kun asked me to pick up a few things for them, so could you help with that while I grab the rest? If you need anything for yourself, feel free to grab it too.

Norita

Mm, great, I'll take this then.

Emi

Oh, I love this pudding too, good choice.

Norita

Oh~ Futami-san, you have great taste~

Kanae

… ugh… all those calories.

Norita

Hm? Hayashi-san, did you say something?

Kanae

No, it's nothing. I'll go look for some salad ingridients.

Emi

Then we'll go get the meat and spices!~

Kanae

Ugh… sure…

Norita

Emi-san, what kind of meat should we get? Maybe chicken? We could make karaage.

Emi

That's a wonderful idea~

It's a good thing someone in this group knows how to cook. At least we don't have to worry about that. Hayashi-kun cooks a little too, but only for himself.

Girl 1

Kyaaaa~!!! Did you see how tall and handsome that guy is!!

Girl 2

Ugh~ He must be a model!! I wonder if he'd give us his number if we asked?...

Girl 1

Huh?! Wait, is he coming our way?!!

Norita

I think such charming girls should just come ask and find out~ Hi there~

Yeah, girls in Tokyo are on a whole other level. Walking around the supermarket in such beautiful outfits, it's crazy.

Girl 2

Hehe~ Are you serious?~

Emi

Akabane-san, did you find the sauce? Akabane-san?...

Oh no, where did he go...

Emi

We've only just started, and he's already flirting with girls?! No way! If Kanae sees this, he's gonna end him!

Emi

Akabane-saaan~ We aren't done shopping yet!~

Girl 1

Huh? Wh-who is that girl?... She's coming this way too...

Girl 2

Is she with him?... Ugh... O-okay, I think we'll be going now~...

Norita

Wh- no, that's not it...

Emi

As you can see, Akabane-san, girls don't like it when a guy already has someone else~

Norita

...

Emi-saaan~ That's cruel~ I get it, I get it, the contract and all that.

Emi

That's better.

Main Story - Chapter 3