Dang. You did just do that didn’t you?

Your cheeks flesh red as it dawns on you how rude and disrespectful that might’ve seemed to others despite you actual intentions.

The man reaches for a folder filled with papers, stands, and gets closer until he’s standing only a few feet away from you – arms folded and with a foul look on his face.

Which then falls away, a playful smiles replacing it, “Don’t worry,” he says, waving a dismissive hand, “I understand what you were trying to do.”

He sits down in a seat close to yours, leaving an empty seat between you, “It can be hard at times,” he says, “All these people coming here and knowing you’ll disappoint all but one of them. The girls can’t do anything more than their best and then they’re at the studio’s mercy.”

He seems almost a bit melancholic as he stares at the laminated floor.

“That’s why it comes as a relief that some still have people around that have their best interests at heart,” he says, “Somebody that wants them to succeed, not because of money, but because they want to support somebody realizing their dream.”

Honestly, the man is a bit strange and you can’t help but feel embarrassed, your eyes darting left and right to gauge the reaction of the other people here – only two or three at this point, but it seems like he has more to say.

“I saw you enter with the black-haired girl earlier,” he begins, his brow furrows, then he opens the folder he had been carrying, leaving through several pages, “Kaiba Aoi.”

”She struck me as the kind of girl that wouldn’t be found anywhere near a recording studio if she didn’t have anyone supporting her,” he adds.

You’re not sure what to say, but as Kaiba’s manager you feel a need to speak up, “Kaiba-san is a talented up-and-comer with a very bright future,” you say, “She just doesn’t seem to know or accept that yet.”

The man chuckles, then holds out an open hand, “Can I be so bold to ask for one of your business cards?”

The man seems involved in some way judging by the folder with information about applicants, so there’s no harm in handing him a card – so you do just that.

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He takes it, flipping it over in his hands, “Matsuno Inc. Idol Agency, huh?” he says, “You must have a lot of talent on payroll.”

Call it inexperience, but there’s something about the strangely open and casual conversation that makes you drop your guard and instead of loudly praising the vast collection of talent employed by the agency, you instead talk about your own situation.

“The agency, maybe,” you say, “Me, well, I have just one – Kaiba-san.”

There’s a moment of quiet before you speak again, “But I support her with everything I have.”

A warm smile finds itself on man’s face, like one a parent or grandfather might have, “Well,” he begins, then glances over the card again until he finds what he’s looking for, “Nagata-san. With all this support I’m sure your talent will do well, but let me extend some help in the event she doesn’t.”

He lowers his voice to an audible whisper and leans in, “They’re working on something else over at Bones Studio, something with superheroes, but it’s still in early phases,” he says, “It’ll take some time before auditions come up, but if you can ensure that Kaiba-san or a different talent of yours gets some practice in and builds up some reputation – then I’ll make sure an invitation to the closed auditions finds a way to your office.”

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A Strange Encounter

The strange man in the waiting room wants you to raise an idol to a proper voice-actress.

If you manage to accomplish this, he’ll send an invitation to the closed auditions of a new anime happening sometime in the future.

Requirements

* Have an idol with at least 3 fame (Regional Icon) and 55 Acting.

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You narrow your eyes a bit at the strange offer, but before you can reply the woman with glasses is back, but she doesn’t call out any names.

She seems to be patiently waiting.

As you sweep your gaze over the room, you notice that the place has emptied out while you were helping the pink-haired girl and were engrossed in the later conversation.

The man beside you slaps his knees and gets up, “All done?” he asks the woman idling in the doorframe.

She nods and, after waving you goodbye, they both leave.

With nobody else present in the waiting room, you decide to wait for Kaiba at the receptionist’s desk.

Kaiba returns a short while later with a, honest to god, actual smile on her face.

Although she manages to make it look slightly creepy.

She got the part and they said they were gonna pay her a little extra for a job well done.

It seems like she made a favourable impression.

Results

Payment: +$5.000 ($105.000)

Fame: +1 (Kaiba: Fame 1)