> War Room: Scandal Mechanics
>
> You currently have 2d100 to roll.
>
> > Result ranges
> > >81 - 100 - Small chance for great management = Dice+1d2 (Positive)
> > >21 - 80 - Large chance for decent management = Dice+1d2 (Negative)
> > >01 - 20 - Small chance for terrible management = Dice+1d4 (Negative)
>
> Cupid-san Shintaro
>
> >1 - Agree to send Kaiba Aoi (+1d100)
> >1 - Agree to send Enatsu Mari (+1d100)
> >1 - Agree to send Chigusa Iki (+1d100)
> >1 - Agree to send Watase Yoko (+1d100, -1 Favour from Watase Yoko)
> >1 - Refuse. Let them discuss Kaiba’s scandal on their show.
>
> Everything Idol
>
> >1 - Agree to share some big news with them so they rewrite the article (+1d100)
> >2 - Request a favour from Hada Midori to make this disappear (+1d100)
> >3 - Let them publish the article as they please.
>
> Saito Media
>
> >1 - Pay what is basically hush money. (-$15.000, +1d100)
> >2 - Let them publish it.
>
> Everything Idol: Winner
> >1 - Agree to share some big news with them so they rewrite the article (+1d100)
>
> Saito Media: Winner
> >2 - Let them publish it
>
> Cupid-san Shintaro: Winner
> >2 - Agree to send Enatsu Mari (+1d100)
>
> Total: 4d100
----------------------------------------
After discussing things for a while, you all come to an agreement.
Saito Media’s demand for $15.000 is simply too high, they can publish their article if they want.
The web-show “Cupid-san Shintaro” can expect Enatsu Mari to participate in their show.
You don’t mention her by name as she hasn’t debuted yet, but you mention that you’ll send an idol to participate.
“What about Everything Idol?” asks Matsui.
You sigh and place your hand over your forehead, that headache from last night’s binge drinking is trying to make a comeback.
“I don’t know yet,” you say, “We’ll think of something. Just say we’ve got something for them.”
Matsui nods, "Alright," she says, "But make sure to send something. They won't forget."
Everything Idol also promised to rewrite their article to make Kaiba appear as the victim.
Hopefully that article ends up the most popular so that you control the narrative.
You have Matsui send out the various replies while you write a statement for Kaiba to announce on a livestream.
"Things are starting to pop up," says Matsui, "It's time to act."
----------------------------------------
War Room: Scandal - Rolling Phase
1d100 + 1d100 (Replies) + 1d100 (Deal) + 1d100 (Deal) = 4d100
Result ranges
>81 - 100 - Small chance for great management = Dice+1d2 (Positive)
>21 - 80 - Large chance for decent management = Dice+1d2 (Negative)
>01 - 20 - Small chance for terrible management = Dice+1d4 (Negative)
Need 4 x 1d100 rolls. Taking highest.
I'm not sure if there's enough people to roll, but try to limit to 1d100 per ID for now.
Rolled 70 (1d100)
Rolled 2 (1d2)
----------------------------------------
The news starts popping up. Almost the entire chatlogs were leaked.
Even though there’s no livestream, the chatroom of Kaiba’s live vlog is exploding with activity.
The forum of Kaiba’s fan group is offline. Bandwidth exceeded.
Surprisingly, the leaks don’t include any audio files nor the screenshot of the company email.
There’s a good chance that EmikoDesu55 withheld those.
Whether it was your threat of legal action or some lingering concern for Kaiba that made her pull her punches, you don’t know.
Not that such shallow mercy will save her.
She may have been smart enough to not leak any company information, but there’s still plenty of other things you can sue her for.
“It’s out,” you say, then turn to Matsui, “Send the prepared emails to marketing and legal.”
You hope for EmikoDesu55’s sake that whatever satisfaction or money she gained from this was worth it, because you’re gonna throw everything you can at her.
Kaiba sits on the office floor, her phone in hand.
“What’s the response?” you ask Kaiba.
Kaiba stares blanky at the screen before turning it to you, “I don’t know,” she says, slipping into a chuckle that becomes more unhinged by the second, “It’s broken. Black screen.”
“But his is probably what my future is like – empty,” she murmurs.
She pulls her knees into her chest, then wraps her arms around them, “I can’t believe Emiko-chan would do this…”
There’s a part of you that wants to say: I told you so.
You warned her repeatedly, but she clung to her fake relationship anyway.
Now’s not that time for pointing fingers though.
“Everything Idol published their article,” says Matsui.
As promised, Everything Idol publishes an article that leads with a warning about the dangers of online communities.
How even the kindest fans could be secretly scheming against you.
The content slowly transitions into a report about what happened to Kaiba.
It’s pulling examples from the chat logs and presenting it almost as a sort of case study, showing examples of what manipulative behaviour might look like.
At times the article points out how Kaiba must’ve been either quite gullible or extremely desperate for personal interaction.
Furthermore, the article pulls from various peer-reviewed papers, citing how the people that seem the most connected, might be lonelier than anyone.
The article is well received and most of the comments show sympathy for Kaiba’s situation.
----------------------------------------
MegamanFan1982 - 18 April, 2015
Idols aren’t allowed to date anyone of they’ll basically get lynched by their fans.
I guess it must get very lonely. I doubt she’s the only idol that chats with some people in private.
Sucks that some girl leaked the logs though, what a bitch.
Starchildxxx2 - April, 2015
Logs make me laugh though. Half of it is her begging for attention.
Can’t believe I supported her. What a loser~
NikoPanda87 - 18 April, 2015
Woah… I feel bad for Kaiba-chan, but I do feel cheated a bit.
I thought she was kinda like me so I was cheering her on, but turns out she’s just another normie…
I bet this is just one of many of her private chats… I feel so lied to…
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, the forums of Kaiba’s fanclub have finally come back online and they’re creating new threads every second.
Although their threads focus pretty hard on one part in particular.
----------------------------------------
Thread: GLOOMMOTHER LEAK GENERAL – LESBIAN SEXO by Administrator
THIS IS THE THREAD. STOP MAKING NEW ONES YOU FUCKING MONGRELS.
NO MORE NEW THREADS. THIS IS THE GENERAL. ALL DISCUSSION HERE OR INSTABAN.
----------------------------------------
[18:50] @Gloomling895: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
[18:50] @Gloomling835: MOOMMMMMMMYYY MOOOOMMMMMYYYY NOOOOOOOOO
[18:50] @Gloomling135: I WISH THIS WAS A LEAK ABOUT HER DATING SOME DUDE
[18:50] @Gloomling492: I’m okay with this, NTR is a kino fetish (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
[18:50] @Gloomling731: …my wife…… why are you ghey…….?
[18:50] @Gloomling611: i actually prefer this over a dude, mommy stays pure
[18:50] @Gloomling977: WE CANT STOP WINNING, YURIBROS
[18:50] @Gloomling325: LET’S GOOOOOOOOO, SUCK IT “MEN“
[18:50] @Gloomling993: Hey @Administrator, do something, ban that dyke above me
[18:51] @Gloomling325: wtf @Gloomling993 fuck you
[18:51] @Gloomling325: your mommy kaiba-chan will NEVER EVER kiss a DUDE like you
[18:51] @Gloomling325: enjoy getting CUCKED by pretty girls (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
[18:51] @Administrator: @Gloomling325 GTFO
[18:51] @Gloomling459: bro… @Administrator …calm down, that’s not a ban-able offense
[18:51] @Gloomling531: @Gloomling459 his actual wife cheated on him lol he’s triggered by NTR (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
[18:51] @Administrator: SHUT THE FUCK UP
[18:51] @Gloomling398: welp, at least I was happy for a few weeks… time to cut myself again
[18:51] @Gloomling491: better do it right this time @Gloomling398 lolol nothing to live for anyway
[18:51] @Gloomling375: GAYS HAVE NO PLACE IN JAPAN, OUT OUT OUT OUT GO TO USA
[18:51] @Gloomling218: anyone managed to dox this EmikoDesuu bitch yet?
[18:52] @Gloomling008: yeah, I got it…she had a bunch of accounts so it was easy
[18:52] @Gloomling218: @Gloomling008 praise single digit user
[18:52] @Gloomling731: praise single digit user
[18:52] @Gloomling135: praise single digit user /\
[18:52] @Gloomling008: read the logs, this emiko cunt groomed my wife into a lesbian
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
[18:52] @Gloomling008: im gonna set her fucking house on fire
[18:53] @Gloomling008: watching kaiba-chan was the only happiness i had
[18:53] @Gloomling008: i’ll probably go to jail for it, but i dont care anymore
[18:53] @Gloomling835: praise single digit user o7
[18:53] @Gloomling731: o7
[18:53] @Gloomling135: o7
[18:53] @Gloomling1758: WAAAH MY GLOOM MOMMYY!! This is how you all sound… CRINGE
[18:53] @Gloomling135: four digit trash detected, new fag get out
[18:53] @Gloomling618: hey @Administrator, ban new fag pls
[18:53] @Gloomling1758: fuck off, he wont (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
[18:53] @Gloomling218: praise @Administrator
[18:53] @Gloomling731: praise @Administrator
[18:53] @Gloomling135: praise @Administrator
[18:53] @Administrator: praise me more
[18:53] @Gloomling218: sorry about your wife (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
----------------------------------------
“Matsui-san,” you say, “Remind me to never host an event for Kaiba’s fan club again.”
Matsui raises an eyebrow, “…Sure…?”
They do bring up a point.
Whether or not Kaiba is straight or not seems to be a big deal for her fans.
Watase Yoko has proven that somebody can be an idol even if they are openly lesbian.
Then again, her idol persona is very different from Kaiba’s and matches her perfectly.
Even if you outright deny it, there’ll always be a rumour that Kaiba favours girls.
What to do…
> Decision
>
> >1 - Include in the announcement that Kaiba is straight, but was just lonely and swept along.
> >2 - Include in the announcement that Kaiba is a lesbian, accept the image change.
> >3 - Let Kaiba decide
> >4 - Completely exclude anything regarding sexual orientation from the announcement
>
> Winner
> >4 - Completely exclude anything regarding sexual orientation from the announcement.
It might be best to simply keep them guessing.
In the end whatever type of person Kaiba is into is nobody’s concern but her own.
As both you and Matsui put the finishing touching on Kaiba’s statement to all this on your computer, you glance over your shoulder to see Kaiba doomscrolling on Matsui’s laptop.
“Twenty-two thousands…” says Kaiba.
“Fifteen thousand,” says Kaiba a few minutes later.
“Twelve thousand…” says Kaiba yet another few minutes later, her voice tight with emotion.
You lean in towards Matsui, “What’s she doing?” you whisper.
“It’s the follower count of her live vlog,” replies Matsui, whispering, “It was nearly thirty thousand before the news broke.”
You glance at Matsui, “We might have to reconsider sharing this announcement during a livestream… maybe we’ll just make a post from her account…” you whisper.
“What was it all for…?” says Kaiba, speaking to nobody in particular, “All these months…All the meetings…The late evenings…The training…”
“Months of work…gone…” continues Kaiba, face emotionless, “Just like that.”
Ultimately, Kaiba’s follower count bottoms out around nine thousand.
Just a fragment of her previous follower count, filled with people who either don’t care or haven’t seen the news yet.
The credibility she built up, the following, the fame – all gone.
You walk over and place a hand on Kaiba’s shoulder.
”I know things may seem pretty bad right now,” you say, “It may seem like you’re forced to start over from scratch, but you’re not.”
Kaiba looks up at you, a tired smile on her face – unconvinced.
“All the skills and the experience you’ve gained as a live streamer aren’t just gone,“ you say, “It’ll be easier the second time. You know what to expect now. It’ll b--”
Kaiba interrupts you, “Manager-san,” says Kaiba, sighing, “I know, but I just feel… really bad right now.”
There’s a ping coming from Matsui’s laptop where Kaiba is logged into her own account.
A new DM. Kaiba takes in a breath, then clicks to open it.
[19:32] @Aljsldjfa: you should’ve never left your room, hikineet trash
You lean in, take the mouse, and report the user – causing the chat to disappear.
Ping.
[19:33] @Gaysburninhell109823: Preaching about loneliness on stream while chatting with your dyke gf, ill never trust you again you two-faced cunt
Ping.
[19:34] @Gloomling32910: Aokigahara is lovely this time of year, you should visit
Once again you reach for the mouse, but instead of reporting the individual you log Kaiba out of the account for now.
“Maybe you should just go home for now, Kaiba-san,” you say, patting her shoulder, “We’ve done what we can.”
“One weekend,” says Kaiba, “That’s all it took… everything that made me happy is just…gone.”
”I come back here tomorrow and…do what exactly?” she adds.
“Well, you can prepare for that jo--” you begin, but are interrupted by your phone buzzing.
You excuse yourself to the hallway where you take the call.
“Nagata Miho speaking. Ah, Kawahara-san, hello,” you say, forcing some cheer in your voice, “How are things at Ufot-- Cancel?”
“…Yes, the timing is poor…”
“…No, I understand…”
“…It’s fine… We’re managing… “
“…Thank you…“
“…I at least hope you’ll consider us again in the future…”
“…Goodbye.”
The caller hangs up.
You stare at your phone until it goes into standby and end up looking at your own tired reflection.
It appears that the show Ufotable Studios is working on is a high-profile affair and they can’t afford any bad press.
The Ufotable Studios audition for the role of “Sella” is gone.
You take a breath and open the door into your office, seeing both Kaiba and Matsui staring at you.
“…You heard?” you say, not even having the energy to act surprised.
“Fragments,” replies Matsui, “But enough to piece things together.”
Kaiba doesn’t respond, opting to simply hang her head.
She’s clutching her stomach like she’s in pain.
You walk over to Kaiba who’s now sitting on the ground, knees up and her head buried in her arms.
Crouching down beside her, you speak, “Perhaps you should just take the week off,” you say, recognizing the signs of high stress when you see it, “People will forget. There’s so much happening in the world, both in and outside the realm of idols, that this whole thing will be forgotten before you know it.”
You pat her shoulder twice before getting up, “Just take it easy for a while,” you say, “We’ll make some plans for a big return once you’re back. We won’t let this be the end of the idol Kaiba Aoi.”
Kaiba seems to be struggling with a stomach-ache, but manages a smile.
You walk over to Matsui and speak in a whisper, “Do we have any contact information for Kaiba’s parents?”
Matsui nods, “I think they’re listed as her emergency contacts in her HR file.”
Walking over the computer, you check some records and find the number you’re looking for.
You, once again, excuse yourself and exit to the hallway – taking care to put more distance between yourself and your office this time around.
You dial the number and the call goes through.
“Kaiba household, Kioko speaking,” says a voice on the other side of the phone.
This must be her mother.
“Hello, this is Nagata Miho with the Matsuno Inc. Idol Agency,” you say.
“Eh? So it was a real thing after all?” says the voice.
“Yes?” you say, not sure how to answer, “In any case, I’m calling regarding your daughter Kaiba Aoi. She’s been experiencing some difficulties during work. An online scandal to be specific. Physically she’s fine, but it’s been a terrible mental burden. I called so that you’re aware of what happened and hoping you might be able to support your child in these trying times.”
There’s a bit of a silence before the other party responds.
“It doesn’t surprise me, I just hope she hasn’t brought any shame on the Kaiba name,” says the voice, “The idea of Aoi being an idol was ludicrous to begin with. I’ve told her time and time again that failure was not an if, but a when. Does she listen to her mother? Of course not. I told her! You can ask my husband. I said this will all fall apart and it did. It was all too good to last. $5.000 a month? A girl shouldn’t be earning more than her mother. Ridiculous.”
The voice on the other side of the phone sighs, then continues, “Well, let’s hope she learned her lesson. The new college year already started, but it’s only been two weeks so she may be able to enrol somewhere.”
“I’m sorry, Kaiba-san,” you say, “But you misunderstand. We’re just having Aoi-chan rest for a while. Her career isn’t over. I figured a parent might wonder what’s happening with their child if they suddenly came home stressed. That’s why I called.”
“But if she doesn’t enrol in a college now it’ll be too late,” says the voice, “She’ll have to wait an entire year! I advise you miss… Nagata, was it? Pull the band-aid. Fire her. We both know that she has no future as an idol. She already wasted a year at home, she can’t waste another!”
”My neighbour’s son is already heading in his second year at Tokyo University and Aoi hasn’t even picked a college yet!” she adds.
You feel your energy dwindle. There’s so much going on, you don’t have the time or will to fight on the phone with Kaiba’s mother.
“Be that as it may,” you say, “I’ll leave that decision to Kaiba Aoi. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I still have a lot of work to do regarding the before-mentioned developments. Goodbye, Kaiba-san.”
“Don’t let me keep you,” says the voice, ice cold, “I’d hate to get in the way of your important idol work. Goodbye.”
You sigh. So far for a mental support safety net.
As you enter your office, Matsui mentions that the official response of Matsuno Inc. on the scandal is ready to publish.
Some people from the marketing team are standing by on their laptops at home to evaluate the response and moderate the chat and comments.
You publish the official response and the comments are filled with angry trolls and a handful of fans roaring sympathies.
More websites that were waiting on the official stance of Matsuno Inc. begin to pump out articles of their own.
You work throughout the night alongside Matsui, trying to keep things as small as possible.
Despite your protests, Kaiba didn’t go home either.
Saying how she will have plenty of time to rest regardless of how this all plans out.
In the end, this whole scenario with EmikoDesu55, from their first interaction at the meet & greet until that last spite-filled act of betrayal, cost Kaiba dearly.
A secret relationship that began with a handshake and ended with a middle-finger.
Kaiba lost almost all her fans. Her popularity is back to where it was when she just began.
There’ll be rumours and speculation about Kaiba’s lesbian past for the rest of her days as an idol.
Furthermore, she was dropped from the high profile job she had lined-up.
And that’s without mentioning the trust issues that Kaiba probably developed during all this.
Probably not towards you, but you doubt she’ll see her fans in the same light ever again.
Will EmikoDesuu55’s influence on Kaiba fade with time?
Or will Kaiba, like some degenerate gambler, only remember the bright highs?
You can only hope that Kaiba learns something from all this and won’t just remember the good bits.
Only time will tell.
More than anything, you’re happy this is over with.
This EmikoDesu55 affair is finally done.
Lawyers and police can handle whatever remains.
Kaiba will be staying at home for most of this week (-60 stress), only checking in at work to see the company’s therapist and to attend the social media training you had prepared by a consultant.
And so, you can focus on your other idols.
> Budget: $72.900
> Date: April 15, 2015 (Wednesday)
>
> Time ticks forever onwards.
> What’s your plan for the next two weeks?
>
> Every two weeks idol stress is automatically reduced by 30.
> Extra ways to reduce stress will be added in the future.
>
> Manager Task: Nagata Miho
> >1 - Write-in
>
> Idol Task: Kaiba Aoi (10 Stress)
> >1 - Have Kaiba work on her SKILL_HERE using the office’s in-house tools (40 stress)
> >2 - Ask Matsui to find some work appropriate for Kaiba
> >3 - Write-in
>
> Idol Task: Enatsu Mari (0 Stress)
> >1 - Have Enatsu work on her SKILL_HERE using the office’s in-house tools (40 stress)
> >2 - Ask Matsui to find some work appropriate for Enatsu
> >3 - Write-in
>
> Idol Task: Chigusa Iki (0 Stress)
> >1 - Have Chigusa work on her SKILL_HERE using the office’s in-house tools (40 stress)
> >2 - Ask Matsui to find some work appropriate for Chigusa
> >3 - Write-in
>
> ----------------------------------------
>
> Idol Task: Enatsu Mari
> >1 - Have Enatsu work on her VOCALS using the office’s in-house tools
>
> Idol Task: Chigusa Iki
> >1 - Have Chigusa work on her LOOKS using the office’s in-house tools
>
> Training rolls are BO3 (Taking highest)
>
> Need a BO3 roll for Enatsu Mari (Vocals) - DC to beat: 23
> Only roll one dice if you can so that others can roll as well.
>
> Need a BO3 roll for Chigusa Iki (Looks) - DC to beat: 47
> Only roll one dice if you can so that others can roll as well.
>
> Rolled 5 (1d10)
> Rolled 1 (1d10)
>
> DC 23 -- Success - Rolled 85
> DC 47 -- Success - Rolled 47
>
> Enatsu Mari's vocals increase by 5. It's now a 28.
> Chigusa Iki's looks increase by 1. It's now a 48.
During the remainder of the week you have Enatsu Mari and Chigusa Iki come in to practice various skills.
Enatsu Mari’s vocals skills aren’t all that great at the start, but she’s eager to take instruction and ends up improving quite a bit during her lessons.
However, when you decide to send Chigusa Iki on the big “Looks” tour (dietician, stylist, make-up artist, and so forth) she ends up trying to overrule those that try to help her.
Chigusa is convinced that the diet she’s been following is perfect for her, that the make-up she’s using is the correct one for her skin type and tone, and that her clothing projects exactly what an idol should look like.
In the end, because of her stubbornness, her gains are only minimal.
The mandatory “social media training” actually swells up in size to be a company-wide event.
All the other managers and their idols sit in on the training and are educated in the proper way to engage with fans, companies, and talent from outside agencies.
Everybody’s hoping to avoid another Kaiba Aoi or Maki Sumi incident.
You get to see Kaiba during the training, but she doesn’t stay for long.
She’s wearing baggy clothes again like before, hasn’t bothered to do her make-up or curl her hair, and seems to just want to go home.
Kaiba met with the company therapist during the week and although the therapist is not at liberty to share Kaiba’s condition with you on account of doctor / patient confidentiality, she says Kaiba has a couple of things to sort out but should be fine.
All your idols are now on the monthly schedule to meet with the company therapist.
Hopefully this’ll provide them an opportunity to talk through their problem instead of letting them fester.