Unwrapping the energy bar as you go, you take a glance at the clock in the hallway.

There’s still a fair bit of time left until your first interview. Enough time to prepare.

Putting the snack into your mouth to free your hands to open a door – you stop dead.

A girl is sitting in the waiting room close to your office.

Her posture is perfect with no clear emotions on her face.

Your eyebrow twitches as the both of you lock eyes while the energy bar is still in your mouth.

[https://assets.legendkeeper.com/6bef053b-13b0-40f2-95a0-6ee90503de12.jpg]

There’s almost an hour left until the interview! Why is she here already?

Slow and carefully, like a prey eyed by a predator, you close the door.

You swallow down the bite you’ve taken and toss the rest of the energy bar in the bin.

After wiping your hands on your skirt, you open the door with a smile.

“My~” you say, “Chigusa Iki? You’re here early.”

She picks up a small purse, gets up with practiced grace, and bows at the waist, “Nagata-san, I presume?” she says, “It is as you said, I am Chigusa Iki. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“I apologize for my early arrival,” she continues, “It seems I caught you at a bad time. I don’t mind waiting here until the scheduled time. I did not want to risk arriving late.”

You wave her concerns aside, “No need, no need, we can do the interview now,” you say, bowing as well, “I am Nagata Miho, I work as an idol manager here at the Matsuno Inc. Idol Agency and will be conducting your interview.”

Chigusa Iki bows again, “Thank you for accommodating me,” she says.

You walk on towards the door of your office and hold it open for Chigusa, “Welcome to the Matsuno Inc. Idol Agency,” you say as Chigusa walks through the door.

Chigusa Iki bobs her head as she walks through the door, “Thank you for having me.”

She takes in the chair opposing yours at the desk.

“Thank you for this opportunity,” she says, “I understand from Matsui-san that I’ve already been accepted as a prospective idol and this interview is to get to know each other and help you put together a plan for my idol journey, yes?”

“Eh, yes,” you say, “That’s correct.”

The overly formal speech by a sixteen-year-old is throwing you off a bit.

Perhaps it’s just nerves. Surely, nobody can be like this all the time.

“That is a relief,” answers Chigusa Iki, “I appreciate the clarification.”

Her face is still as impassive as ever.

You tap away at the keyboard for a short moment to print the list of questions you had prepared the prior day.

“Can I get you anything?” you ask as you prepare to head out retrieve the sheet at the printer.

“A cup of tea would be nice,” replies Chigusa, “Thank you.”

You return a short while later with the tea and the print-out.

“Thank you,” says Chigusa Iki as you put down the cup.

If there’s an informal record for saying “Thanks” then Chigusa might just hit it during this interview.

“Let’s get right into it,” you say, pouring over the list of questions.

“Out of all career options, why idol?” you ask with a questioning hand, “Surely there are more dependable career options?”

“Growing up idols have always granted me much joy,” replies Chigusa, her face not showing any of that joy as she speaks about it, “I’ve aspired to be like them for as long as I remember. I’ve taken dance lessons, seen vocal coaches, practiced the violin, and meticulously followed a healthy diet combined with exercises targeting muscles most necessary for a career as an idol.”

“I’d like to provide future generations with the same enjoyment I had, to be there for them even if nobody else is,” she adds, “Being an idol is less a career to me than a calling. This is the only thing I want.”

“~Eh?” you say, somewhat charmed by the straightforward response, “I suppose your parents were taking you to dance classes all the way through elementary school?”

“My grandparents,” corrects Chigusa, “But yes, they have and I am very grateful to them. Everything I am now I owe to them.”

“I see,” you say with a small smile, “Be sure to tell them that!”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Chigusa nods, “I do. Daily. However, my grandparents are very sensitive to praise and have to spend at least several minutes recovering from a compliment. So, I try to spare them somewhat. My grandfather in particular will pretend to get mad whilst blushing fiercely.”

Was that a joke or just a statement?

She managed to say it without a hint of emotion on her face.

Probably just a statement then?

“Good, good,” you say, spying at the next question.

”What kind of people would you say you like or dislike?” you ask.

Chigusa’s eyes roll up while her head stays in place, like she’s trying to stare at her own eyebrows.

”I like,” she says, after thinking it over for a moment, “Hard-working, responsible people that keep their word and I dislike people that are not like that and don’t keep their word.”

Well. That’s a given. Moving on.

“Okay,” you say, “So, I noticed on your audition file that something went wrong during your audition, can you expand on that?”

For the first time, the mask break.

A wince that lasts barely a second. Almost a twitch.

However, she quickly recovers, though exhales heavily before answering.

“My intention was to play my violin and sing during the audition,” she says, “But it appeared that all the time I spent practicing wore down a string and it snapped during the audition.”

She swallows, “I had to take a moment to recover myself and settle for just doing vocals.”

It was probably a bit more severe than “taking a moment” considering the talent scouts put “Defeatist” down as her observed personality trait.

“Well, setbacks and accidents happen,” you try to say as casually as you can, your finger browsing the print-out for the next question, “All we can do is make the best of it.”

“I understand your point, but I disagree,” says Chigusa, “The accident during the audition was a failing on my part. I take responsibility. I failed to consider the wear extensive use would inflict on my instrument.”

She suddenly stands at bows at the waist, “I have my inexperience to blame. I apologize.”

You put forward a set of warding hands, “It’s okay,” you say, throwing in a chuckle, “Let’s move on.”

Chigusa nods and sits back down, “I apologize for acting out.”

You clear your throat before speaking, “What do you expect from Matsuno Inc. during your time here?”

“I hope for your cooperation in making me the best idol I can be and to be brutal and honest with any criticism you may have,” says Chigusa.

Maybe not too brutal and honest you think to yourself.

You nod, “We will aid you to the best of our ability every step of the way!”

“Thank you,” replies Chigusa, bowing slightly.

“Any hobbies?” you say.

“I enjoy playing the violin, dancing, and signing,” replies Chigusa.

“No, I meant like things outside of practice,” you say.

Chigusa cocks her head slightly, confused, “I only do those things and study.”

This is the most emotion she has shown thus far.

“But, like, friends and stuff?” you ask.

“I am part of a study group,” says Chigusa, “We do homework together and practice for exams together.”

She takes her phone out of her purse and shows you a chat log of this study group like it is supposed to serve as evidence that she has friends.

It’s a long list of the chat group leader stating a time and place to study and the others saying variations of “Yes”.

You give her a quick smile and browse the question list.

There’s stuff on here like if she’s willing to put work before pleasure, but it’s become clear that those are the same thing to this girl.

There’s only one real question left to ask her.

“Sadly, an idol’s career doesn’t last forever,” you say, “Have you given any thought or planned towards what you’ll be doing once this part of your life is over? Many idols successfully combine their career with college.”

Chigusa is quiet for a long moment.

”I haven’t thought about it,” she says, “This is all I want.”

“But if you HAD to pick something?” you say.

“I don’t want to think about it,” says Chigusa, “Having a back-up plan feels like planning for failure.”

“Humour me?” you say, almost pleading.

There’s a pause again.

”I suppose I would try to make myself useful,” says Chigusa, “A position where people depend on me. Teacher maybe?”

“I see,” you say, “Thank you.”

The both of you spend a good half hour talking.

Most of it explaining how Matsuno Inc. operates.

How jobs work, where she’ll be expected to go for practice, who the other idols are that you manage.

Plenty those sorts of things before you arriving at the end of your interview.

“One final question,” you say.

”You are aware that romantic relationships are forbidden as an idol?” you say, “It’s all smoke and mirrors, but you have to seem accessible. Allow the fans to dream.”

“I understand,” says Chigusa, stoically, “I have no interest in relationships, they cut into practice time.”

“…I s-see,” you say, then try to laugh it off, “Well, that makes my job easier!”

You extend a hand over the desk towards Chigusa, “Thank you for time and, once again, welcome to the Matsuno Inc. Idol Agency. Matsui-san will provide you with a business email and get you settled.”

“Thank you,” replies Chigusa as she shakes your hand, “I look forward to working with you.”

“As do I,” you say, then remember something important, “There will be a welcome party this weekend. Lasting from Saturday into Sunday. We’ll take a bus from Matsuno HQ to a hotspring in the mountains so you can spend some time and get to know your co-workers and fellow idols.”

Chigusa nods, “Is it mandatory?”

Not the response you were hoping for, but then again it was short notice.

”No,” you say, “Just a friendly get together.”

“I suppose it would be wise to attend,” says Chigusa, “Early-stage networking is vital to one’s career.”

She reaches into her purse and pulls out a paper agenda and pen, before flipping through the pages.

”I’ll adjust,” she says, using a pen to scratch out some stuff and scribble it down elsewhere, “I’ll be there.”

Chigusa gets up, walks to the door, bows, then exits.

You sigh and glance at the clock. More than an hour till the next one.

“At least I have plenty of time to get ready for the next one…” you say.

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Chigusa Iki (Age 17, Rank E)

Looks: 47 (63)

Vocals: 49 (50)

Dance: 47 (63)

Acting: 25 (32)

Personality: 44 (49)

Trait: Defeatist

Failing a job doubles the stress cost.

Fame: 0

This idol is completely unknown.

Costs $5,000 per month