Disclaimer: I do not own The iDOLMASTER.

Haha, well, a sequel just kind of came to xXxWoLfwrIT3rxXx so I wrote it out. Involving the hero Makoto, the heroine Yukiho, and the possibility of 765 Pro being shut down!

First chapter edited 5/13/12.

Please enjoy!

"Hey, hey, did you hear? About Makoto and Yukiho?"

"Hm? What?"

"They saved a man from getting kidnapped a couple weeks ago! In fact, I heard Makoto had an all-out brawl with this old dude and his three minions while Yukiho snuck in and saved the guy."

"Wow, that's so cool!"

"Right? The twins are calling them the hero and heroine of the town."

"What's this I hear about the twins and heroes?" Makoto appeared in front of the gossiping girls, one eyebrow arched as she waited for an answer. "Don't tell me they're going around spreading more rumors. I told them to stop yesterday."

The girls were completely unfazed by the hero's presence, instead attempting to glomp her as they exclaimed, "Makoto-kun! Please tell us about how cool you were in the rescuing!"

Makoto took a step back, suddenly she being the one intimidated. Seriously, she knew a lot of girls in the school were crazy about her but they didn't have to go all-out like that... it was scary. Rubbing the back of her head, she sighed and replied, "You know, it was Yukiho who did most of the rescuing. Why don't you go give her some attention?" Oh, wait, wrong thing to say. Yukiho hated attention. "Actually, scratch that. Just... stop with the rumors, okay?"

"Whatever you say, Makoto-kun!"

The spiky-haired girl grimaced and walked away, thinking about all the things she would do to the twins once she got her hands on them. Would they never grow up? Makoto honestly hadn't even had a proper fight with Kuroi. She'd gotten punched in the face. Hearing everyone talk about how cool and amazing she'd been when Yukiho had done most of the actual rescuing was annoying.

As she headed to the front of the school to begin her walk home, she was pleased to spot Yukiho heading the same direction. Calling out to her, Makoto quickly caught up and began a friendly chat.

"You been getting bothered by anyone lately? In school, I mean."

Yukiho nodded. "A few... they seem to have the wrong story, though. I don't have any super spy techniques I could have used to save Producer-san."

"Yeah," Makoto said in amusement. "It's just Ami and Mami exaggerating again. I'll have to give them a piece of my mind when we see them again. Ah, hey, Yukiho, wanna come over to my house today?"

"Eh?" the offer had made the other girl freeze on the spot.

Makoto blinked, and then laughed sheepishly. "Sorry, was that too sudden again? I'll work harder on that. But yeah, I mean, I went over to your place so it's only fair if you come over to mine, right?"

"You don't have to do that just to make it fair, Makoto-chan-."

"No, I want you to come over, too. You're my friend, after all." Makoto replied earnestly.

Yukiho looked at her hesitantly but the boyish idol's smile didn't waver. Finally, Yukiho nodded and agreed. "Okay. Thanks for having me over..."

"You know, for a heroic adventure there wasn't too much praise from the others in the end," Makoto sighed as she sprawled across her living room floor. Kicking her feet idly, she played around with the remote in her hands and then glanced up at Yukiho to see her reaction.

The brown-haired girl smiled in response, careful to remain perfectly polite as a guest in her friend's house. The two had just been watching TV as a means to pass the time but once a mystery program came on the events of two weeks ago had come to mind and diverted their attention.

"A hero always does things for the good of the people," Yukiho teased her. "Not for the rewards."

Makoto groaned and rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling wistfully. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean the hero doesn't want the rewards."

"You rescued Producer-san. That's already amazing in and of itself."

"Objection!" Makoto suddenly sat up, pointing directly at her friend, who shrank away in surprise. "Oh, sorry, Yukiho. I meant to say that that's wrong. I didn't save Producer-san. You did. I just got punched in the face."

Yukiho frowned at her words, protesting, "But we wouldn't have even been able to find Producer-san if it weren't for you."

"No, that's wrong, too. You asked the Jupiter members where the nearest abandoned building was so technically you're the one who found Producer-san."

"But… but we wouldn't have even run into them if you hadn't been the one to suggest going to 961 Pro in the first place," Yukiho pointed out triumphantly.

Makoto opened her mouth, thought the events over, and then shrugged. "Well, yeah, that's true. But in the end you did more of the important stuff so you're the one who saved Producer-san. It's all about the numbers, you know?"

"So doesn't that make me the hero, then?"

Makoto paused at this. "Wait…"

Yukiho had already begun to laugh so Makoto joined in. "Fine, you got me there too. But that doesn't change the fact that more people should have acknowledged us! Miki barely even registered that we were the ones to get Producer-san back, all she cared about was fawning over him."

"The fact that he's back matters more than who got him back."

"You're just full of wisdom today, aren't you?"

"The heroine is always the voice of reason."

Makoto grinned, leaning over and nudging her friend. "Well, you are a pretty awesome heroine. Just so long as I'm the only hero you're ever gonna stand by."

"I couldn't imagine anyone else."

The two burst into laughter once again. Makoto loved moments like these, when she had nothing to worry about and all she had to focus on was having a good time with Yukiho. Peaceful, no work to be done, just spending time with her friend. It was the perfect time.

"Yukiho, remember those poems of yours you showed me?"

This quieted Yukiho quickly, as she suddenly seemed to take a more cautious composure and nodded.

Makoto smiled kindly to show she meant no harm, and said, "Well, they were pretty awesome. Thanks again for letting me see them."

"Oh," she seemed relieved that that was all. "It was no problem."

"But I'm really happy that you trusted me enough to show them to me," Makoto said. "Seriously, it means a lot. I know I was being kind of pushy back then so... I was wondering how I could make it up to you." She smiled sheepishly and then stood up. "Hang on a sec, I'll be right back."

Not sure of how to respond, Yukiho only voiced her okay and watched Makoto leave the room. She was not gone long, though, as she soon returned with a thick notebook in her hands, still smiling but somehow looking nervous as well.

Despite not knowing what Makoto was intending to do, Yukiho said, "Makoto-chan, I showed you my poems because I wanted to. You don't have to make it up to me at all."

"Well, I want to do this for you," Makoto replied, sitting down in front of her. "So let me, okay?" She grinned, and when Yukiho smiled back she held out her notebook. "Right. Here you go. Be gentle on me, yeah?"

Yukiho took the book politely but held off on opening it. She observed the cover, running her fingers over the carefully written words: Makoto's Book. She glanced up again at her friend, who was looking at her expectantly. "What is this?"

"My songs," Makoto answered. She paused, scratched her head a little, and then added, "Lyrics, I mean. Song lyrics. Haha, it's a little embarrassing but... yeah. I thought it'd be fair since you showed me your poems."

"Are you sure it's alright for me to see this?"

"Hey, come on, don't drag it out." Makoto leaned over and tapped the cover. "Read them and tell me what you think. I insist."

Yukiho, sensing her friend's determination, nodded and opened the book...

... just as Makoto's cellphone began to ring. Yukiho immediately composed herself in case the caller was someone important but Makoto was much more casual (and annoyed) as she answered it.

"Oh, hey, Haruka. What's up?" After a few moments of listening, Makoto frowned and said, "Wait, wait, wait, slow down. What's happening?" A pause. "Okay, but what channel? Alright, I'm going there right now."

Makoto lowered her phone, shrugged in response to Yukiho's questioning look, and quickly changed channels to the one Haruka had demanded she look at. What turned up on the screen was a shot of the 765 Pro agency and the words 'SHUTTING DOWN' slapped across it.

Makoto practically did a double take while Yukiho stared in disbelief.

"… Haruka? Yeah, we'll be over there in twenty minutes."

"Just what is the meaning of this?" Iori was demanding when Makoto and Yukiho walked in.

The majority of the idols were already there, save for Azusa, and were all hounding Ritsuko for answers. In the corner of the room, the Producer and Kotori were sitting at their desks desperately answering an onslaught phone calls.

"If it's shutting down why weren't any of us told about it?" Iori continued, pretty much ignoring the two new arrivals.

Ritsuko was seated on one of the couches, surrounded by idols on all sides. Chihaya, Takane, and Haruka were also sitting but the rest stood menacingly over the female producer. Iori was obviously the one in charge while Yayoi stood meekly beside her and the twins behind her. Miki was on her other side, offering her own comments whenever Iori paused, and Hibiki was standing further away playing nervously with her hamster.

"This decision was just as sudden for us, you know," Ritsuko answered, referring to her fellow desk workers. "Out of nowhere the president just calls and says 765 Pro's been bought out. Next thing we know there're reporters and phone calls coming in from all over the place and the worst part is none of us even know why."

"Bought out?" Chihaya repeated, her brows furrowed. "By who?"

Ritsuko shrugged with a heavy sigh and pointed at the TV, which was playing the program Makoto and Yukiho had just seen. The scene had changed from the picture of the agency and now there was a side-by-side shot of a reporter and a man none of 765 Pro had ever seen before.

"That guy?" Hibiki cringed.

"He looks sketchy," Mami said accusingly.

Makoto found herself agreeing, as just the sight of the man cheerfully answering questions gave her a wary feeling she usually only got around things where 961 Pro were involved. Wait... so maybe that meant...

"Ritsuko-san! That man is from 961 Pro!"

"What?" nearly everyone in the room responded automatically.

Makoto nodded seriously, despite already realizing that she'd reacted too quickly. While she should've waited to think it out a little longer, she'd already blurted out her thought so she might as well go on with it. "Kuroi never knows when to give up. By now I think all he can think of is bringing down 765 Pro, so he's the one who bought it out and is now shutting it down."

"Wait a minute, Makoto-kun," Miki spoke up, doubt clear in her voice. "Just because this is something bad happening to 765 Pro doesn't automatically mean it's Kuroi behind it all."

Ritsuko nodded, looking relieved that this time she wouldn't be the only one opposed to one Makoto's ideas. "Miki's right. Besides, don't you think it's a little too soon for Kuroi to be acting? It's only been a couple weeks since Producer-san was kidnapped."

"That's why he's doing it now," Makoto argued. "He can't sit still. Plus it's exactly because people will be thinking that way that he won't get caught. And even if he does, so what? For some reason, the president already agreed to sell 765 Pro to him so it's not like he's doing anything wrong by making a decision for his own company. He owns 765 Pro now so people can't object to him deciding to shut it down."

"Where is the president?" Iori asked, folding her arms against her chest sternly. "I want to have a word with him."

Ritsuko sighed and rubbed her temples, obviously not in the mood for an argument. "I don't know," she replied. "Ever since that abrupt call we've been trying to get in touch with him but he never picks up."

"Then, then," Ami interjected, "maybe that means Kuroi-ojiichan kidnapped Shachou too!"

"Ehh?" Yayoi was understandably concerned by that statement. "That'd be terrible!"

Iori whipped out her cellphone and immediately headed to the door. "Whether he's been kidnapped or not that's no excuse to just abandon his company like that! I'm going to find him."

"What?" Miki headed after her, looking confused. "Deko-chan, do you even know where to look?"

"Don't call me that!"

"Iori-chan, I wanna go, too," Yayoi made to follow but was stopped by Ritsuko's sudden growl.

"Nobody's going anywhere," the female producer ordered. For some reason, Makoto noted, despite the fact that it was Iori and Miki standing near the door Ritsuko was looking at her instead. Makoto made a face and pointedly stepped closer to Yukiho, who had held a very neutral expression the entire time.

Makoto observed her friend for a second and then leaned closer, asking in a low voice, "Are you okay?"

Yukiho tilted her head slightly to the side, offered a small smile, and shrugged. "What's happening now is awful. But... for some reason I get the feeling that it's not very serious. Like it won't actually happen. I don't know... maybe I'm just in denial."

The boyish idol considered her words briefly but before she could respond, Ritsuko spoke up again.

"Since we have no evidence that 961 Pro is even involved in any of this we can't make any moves for now," Ritsuko said. "I think we should just wait to hear more from the president."

At this point, nobody amongst the idols looked completely satisfied with that decision. Even Chihaya and Takane seemed somewhat uncomfortable with it, which was further proved when Takane said, "No matter what, sitting around isn't going to solve anything. Perhaps we should find a more action-oriented plan?"

"I can get Inumi to sniff out the president," Hibiki offered. "We'd find him in no time!"

"But there is the possibility that he's simply so busy with things that he can't find the time to speak with us," Chihaya pointed out quietly. "In that case searching for him would be unnecessary and inconvenient."

Iori frowned, clearly upset with her fellow idols' inability to come up with a solid decision. "Obviously the first thing to do would be to investigate the scene of the crime," she said.

"And just where would that be?" Ritsuko challenged.

"Wherever that man is, of course!" Iori replied, pointing a finger at the television interview that was still going on. "Even if he's not part of 961 Pro you can't deny that he's suspicious. I'll find him and make him answer all our questions."

Miki brightened up as though Iori's idea had already solved everything for her. "Then Miki will join you," she said cheerfully. "After all, Miki can't let Deko-chan go off and face dangers all by herself."

Iori immediately opened her mouth to object but was surprisingly beat to it by Mami.

"That's no good," the younger twin complained. "765 Pro's hero-heroine combo is Makochin and Yukipyon! You can't ruin it, Iorin."

"Tell that to her," Iori shot back with a gesture at the blonde next to her. Miki smiled shamelessly. Iori continued, "If Makoto and Yukiho want to solve this they can feel free to. No one's stopping them."

Makoto twitched at this and Yukiho glanced around. Indeed, all eyes were on them now. Makoto suppressed a sigh- she'd actually been hoping they could leave this to Iori, since the Minase daughter did have all the money and connections that would make the entire case go by quicker. Still, what kind of hero would reject a mission?

Apparently, the Futami twins had been thinking along the same lines because Mami exclaimed, "A challenge from a rival! Makochin, you have to defend your honor for yourself and Yukipyon. Don't lose!"

"Iorin, Mikimiki! You guys issued the challenge so it'd be a disgrace if you lost," Ami called. "Do your best!"

Ritsuko covered her face with her hand. "Is this just a game to you two?"

"Since the company's shutting down our schedules are clear," Haruka said thoughtfully, pulling off her famous nonowa face. "So they actually do have the time to investigate, right?"

"Don't encourage them," Ritsuko moaned.

"A challenge is a challenge," Miki decided. She turned to Iori and offered a smile. "Deko-chan, let's win, okay?"

"You guys do realize that the entire company is at stake here." Iori looked as though she'd given up hope in humanity.

Makoto laughed a little nervously and glanced over at Yukiho. "Looks like everyone's really pumped up for this," she said. "What do you say, Yukiho? Up for being the clever heroine again?"

"Whatever I can do to help," Yukiho answered firmly.

"Alright!" the twins cheered.

"Team Mikimiki and Team Makochin on a quest to discover who's behind buying out 765 Pro and shutting it down! Good luck you two," Ami shouted.

"765 Pro fight-o!" Mami added.

Iori rolled her eyes and left, quickly followed by Miki. Makoto shrugged and grabbed Yukiho's wrist, also exiting the building. Honestly, a new mission proposed on such a whim really did seem like a joke. But it wasn't like they had anything better to do.

"We said we'd accept their challenge but we don't even know where to start," Makoto sighed.

Iori had apparently already gotten a good idea of what she would do, seeing as as soon as she'd walked out of the building she had led Miki to her own personal car and ordered to driver to take them somewhere. Makoto and Yukiho, meanwhile, had simply decided to head a random direction and were now currently walking in that random direction wondering what to do.

"Really?" Yukiho's tone of surprise caused Makoto to stop and turn around. "I thought we were headed to 961 Pro," the brown-haired girl explained.

Glancing around, Makoto realized that they were actually on the road that led to their rival company. "Oh, wow. I guess even subconsciously heroes know what they're doing. But of course they'd need their heroine to point it out."

"You don't have to keep up the act anymore, you know," Yukiho said, but it was clear she was suppressing a laugh.

"It's fun," Makoto responded, resuming her walk. "Anyways, I guess we can talk to Jupiter there and ask them about it. Since they're the only ones in 961 Pro we're on semi good terms with..."

"Shouta-kun and Hokuto-san seem nice," Yukiho offered. "It's only Touma-san who's a bit rough."

"Yeah, I guess. And knowing our luck he's the one we're probably gonna run into."

"I'm so sorry!"

"Huh?"

Yukiho held out the black notebook she'd been holding in her arms the entire time. "I'm still carrying your notebook! I didn't even realize it!"

"... Is that all?" Makoto sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's fine, Yukiho. You can always read it later."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. It's not as though you'd lose it or anything, right?" Smile. "I trust you so it's fine."

Despite seeming a little uncomfortable with the pressure suddenly put on her, Yukiho nodded and held the book tightly to her chest as they walked. Glad that it had been settled, Makoto changed the subject and began talking about the happenings of her latest job at a radio interview. Yukiho seemed to be enjoying the story as she quickly lightened up, but minutes later she tapped Makoto's shoulder and pointed at a man who was walking on the other side of the street.

"Makoto-chan, isn't that...?"

Makoto also paused to observe the man. His head was held high, his back was straight, and his strides were long and brisk. Clearly a man very sure of himself, and very much in a good mood. Well, of course he would be.

He'd just come back from an interview involving the closing of 765 Pro.

I think I made Makoto act a lot like America from Hetalia, what with all the hero talk. But oh well. This time I threw in a rival detective team: Iori and Miki! Just 'cause I like them, honestly. If I ever get stuck with Makoto and Yukiho scenes I'll probably just switch to them.

In any case, thanks for reading and please review!