Jan 3, 4PM: New York City
"So? You've been back, what, two months now? How are you settling in?" Maya asked, locking her front door and struggling to get her coat off.
"Hm," Souichi answered, over the phone, "Fairly well, actually. I seem to have gained something of a reputation."
"Oh?"
"Well, I'm trying very hard to live up to the flashy American returnee image, I assure you. I think it suits me."
"Pfff," she laughed, letting her bag drop onto the coffee table and settling in on the couch, "You're bragging. The OLs are all over you, I'm sure."
"In time, in time. But let's see... I went up to Aomori for about two weeks to spend time with my parents... I hadn't had the chance to visit them in something like two years, and they're happy to have me back in the country long-term."
"Aw. How sweet."
"And I took another two weeks off after that just to get my bearings again, find an apartment, all that stuff. So I haven't really been back at work that long, considering."
"Hmm. They keeping you busy yet?"
"Ah. Not quite. Seems they don't really know what to do with me, haha. No big projects, just some background work – which is welcome, if I'm honest. I've been too high-strung for too long."
She kicked off her shoes, and began getting the necessities out of her bag. Still had a couple things to submit for work before the day was totally over. "Slacking off, huh."
"Sure! I'll admit it! We'll see, though; I'm more on the broadcast side of things now. I'm thinking of this as a general transition."
"Huh." She tried not to sound worried. "Are you still going to be working with Kay Kay, though?"
"Yes, just remotely. And likely not quite so often."
"I see. The girls miss you already, you know," she said, somewhat softly.
"You sound like you're talking to an ex-husband."
She couldn't help but snort at that one. "Stop."
He shifted gears, "But how are they? Heard you just got back from London?"
"Yes!" she brightened, finally opening her laptop, "The tour went really well! Kayla especially liked it. She was so excited the whole way through, you don't usually see her like that."
"Did you get pictures?"
"Official ones! Had a couple shoots there, actually, all the big places. Was pretty much the only sightseeing we got to do. The Louvre promo was particularly good... um, I have the finals for it here, gimme a second and I should be able to send them over. Yeah... things are still moving quickly."
"Good. And Wilson?"
The section head. Their boss. Well, Maya's boss, at least, Souichi had surely gotten a new one since he had transferred to the Tokyo office. She sank back further in the cushions, moping.
"Well."
He caught the resigned tone. "So you're not coming with me after all."
The night grew quieter. The sun was already setting, and she didn't quite feel like turning the lights on to compensate.
She feigned nonchalance, "Apparently not. He pulled me in as soon as we got back, said the Tokyo position fell through. Didn't explain more."
"Absurd."
"I know, I know. Already said goodbye to the girls and everything. Even signed the apartment lease, hah... I don't even want to think about all the wasted visa paperwork besides." Losing steam.
"Well, will he be keeping you on after all, then?"
"I mean, he hasn't said anything about firing me." She shifted in her seat, curling up a bit. "But it's clear I'm not welcome. I know if I stay I'll just be pushed further and further away from what I'm actually trying to do, and... well, you know."
"Hm."
"Aha... sorry to spend this whole call whining."
He laughed, "I've come to expect it from you. I still don't understand why he has it out for you."
She tapped the laptop on again, slightly envious at it's ability to fall asleep so easily, and finally started to log in. "It's not me, really... I mean it is me, but it's more like where I came from? Since he didn't have any say in it when we signed, he never started to trust me."
"He did always go on about how lucky you were."
She threw her hand up, uselessly. "I didn't just... fall into this, though! He seems to think I stumbled in or something, instead of really making it there. It's frustrating."
He tried to lighten things up, halfheartedly. "It'll probably be good for you, hey. Getting out of there."
"I guess!" She sighed, almost growling exasperatedly. "Listen – you still like, know people there at least, right? I hate to ask, but could you ask around?"
She heard him wince. "I mean... it's been something like eight years since I've lived here properly, Maya. I don't know how many favors I could call in so early."
"Okay, I won't push you. But you're sure?"
"Reasonably so." He paused, stalling, and she let him. "Alright, I'll keep my ears open. But it's definitely not going to be with the label, and I make no guarantees on how much you'll like it."
She nodded. "That's fine. I'd take a foot in the door, anything."
"Again, I'll... I'll think about it, at least."
She held her hands up appeasingly. "Alright. Alright! I won't ask for more!"
"Let's be clear," he said, sternly. "Do you really even want to be over here? Is this just a sunk cost thing?"
"Man... I don't know, Socchan."
"Alright, do not –"
"Maybe I do need a change of pace, I'm thinking. Like a serious one. I wouldn't know what to do, running in my same circles here after being shut out from them. It doesn't feel right." She paused, before giggling a bit, "I did get kind of excited for the move, though."
He paused again. Was going to fight, but gave up. "Fine. I hear you. Listen, I need to head out soon, it's almost 6:30, and –"
"Oh my gosh! I completely forgot about the time difference, I'm so sorry!"
"I called you, silly. Relax. I'm going to catch the train, but let's talk again in a few days. And send me the finals."
"Yes sir!"
"I'll see you, then."
"Hopefully!"
"Bye, Maya."
She stopped forcing excitement, and just nodded. "Bye."
She hung up and left the phone there. It was already so dark. She fumbled around for the lamp switch, and pulled herself up straighter. Stared right out her window at the fire escape five feet in front of it on the opposing building.
Ah. The laptop had gone dark again.
Why was everything happening at once?
Jan 10, 6PM: Honolulu
The Meridian Hotel
"Shigeru Ooyama. Namuko Productions."
"Maya Miraflores, Transreach Records. Pleased to meet you."
They shook hands. He had a surprisingly soft one for such an imposing guy.
Mr. Ooyama was a stocky man – large, but in the way that youthful strength becomes when put out to pasture. He dressed sharp, a shale-blue pinstripe suit he seemed a bit stiff in, and had a hesitant, unamused manner to him.
"Thank you for taking the time to meet me here," he said, "I apologize that we couldn't get a more proper setting for an interview, but..."
"No no, it's fine. This was really short notice, I also apologize. Face to face is always better, so this is pretty much as good as it could have gone!"
Unamused, unamused. "... I see."
They sat across from each other in a corner of the Meridian Hotel's lobby, which was connected to the convention center they were both attending.
"Well," he began again, "it is something of a lucky coincidence. I couldn't exactly pass up once Mr. Takeda mentioned we'd both be in Hawaii for the same event."
"Right? Haha. I've been planning to attend this one for a while, actually. It's come highly recommended, but it does seem a bit..." she shifted her weight conspiratorially, "well, you'll excuse me, but it's all very Hollywood around here."
"Yes, I'd noticed that." He cleared his throat. "I had trouble even filling a day with specifically music-oriented events."
"Mm." She sat back and clapped her hands. "Well, thank you for making the time again!"
"And thank you. Shall we get directly into it?"
"Yes." She stiffened and tried to get serious again.
"So. I'm sure you've done your research, and I've done a bit of my own," he began.
"Yes. That's good to hear."
"I'll say it up front, your resume is encouraging." He flipped through his notes. "Ah – when did you start with the, uh, the current group?"
She nodded, "2010. Kaycie and Micheala were fourteen and fifteen respectively when I began working with them, and we were signed to Transreach the next year. Mr. Takeda worked with us as a composer after that, and... well, here we are."
"I see. I know you're familiar with our three active performers – "
"Yes."
He looked up, "– but in addition to them, we have four others still in training."
"Yes, the president did mention that when we spoke."
He furrowed his brow a bit. "One of the reasons you stood out in our applicant pool was your experience with younger artists – experience that I haven't gotten much of, over the years."
Over the years, huh? It was weird that he seemed slightly uncomfortable here, given the veteran status she assumed he had.
But she was familiar with that trepidation. "Aha, I understand. It is... a rather delicate art, yes. I can't blame you."
"If you'd like to look over this for reference..." he took out a thin sheaf of papers and handed it to her.
She took it. Flipping through it, it was a series of introductory profiles. Miura, Akizuki, Kikuchi as she had expected on the first three pages, and as Shigeru said, four more. Hagiwara, Takatsuki, Futami – jeez, he had said younger and everything, but twelve? – and Minase. A few... odd choices of photos, but stocked well enough with info.
"...Okay. I'll definitely study this." She lingered on the last page before closing it. "Thank you."
"I know this is a bit of a jump from your previous position. Hagiwara-kun would likely continue to work with me – but we'd be looking at you in a producer role for the other three full-time. Does that seem feasible?"
"Ah! Absolutely! Yes, you're right, going from two to three, or even four, is something of a jump, but in terms of workload it shouldn't be too far from the same, considering the difference in situation. As that pre-debut moves toward real careers, of course I expect to be challenged, but that's something I'm very much looking forward to."
She wasn't quite sure why she was trying to impress him so much. She was pushing herself to appear confident and put-together, which was of course what one did in job interviews, but this seemed more desperate of her, in a way. Maybe she was just getting excited about the job, now that it was more of a real possibility.
She tilted her head slightly, motioning towards him. "Actually, do you mind if I ask a few questions about you?"
"Oh. Of course." He seemed a bit confused as to why she would be asking.
"Great. You did mention you've been in this line of work for some time, and I was curious as to in which capacity?"
"Ah. Yes, well." Brow-furrowing again. She had mistaken it for annoyance at first, but it was beginning to look like embarrassment. "Well, you see, I've been in showbusiness for a very long time, but it's mainly been in more technical and backstage support roles... this is my first real talent management position, you understand."
"Ah, I see. That's pretty incredible."
"What?"
"No, I mean, it must be an interesting perspective. Most people, well at least in the states, come into talent management as managers already. It feels like you'd bring a unique view on it all, I guess. Ah! I don't mean to be flattering here. Just interested."
"Hm. Well." He shifted in his seat, crossing his arms. "T-thank you."
They talked a while longer. More logistical stuff; what she had done well and regretted in her previous job, if she was fully prepared for the move, etc. Shigeru had a lot of stories. Seemed very invested in his current job, but full of self-doubt about potential and preparedness. But he'd been doing well, from what she'd heard, and what she'd seen of the talent.
More than anything, she was curious.
And then the sun was setting in earnest again, and there seemed to be no more to say.
"Well. This has been a really good session, I think. Thank you so much again, Mr. Ooyama." She leaned forward, smiling.
"Yes. Thank you as well, I know this was quite short notice." He nodded, packing up his notes again. "I'll be speaking with the president once I get back, and... well, I should be able to get an answer back to you by early February."
"That sounds perfect." She smiled, stood up, and they shook hands again. He was firmer this time. "Do you have plans for the rest of the night? I've heard good things about the hotel lounge."
He gestured vaguely "Ah, no. I'm heading to the airport straight from here."
"Oh? Not attending the third day?" she said, mock-reproachfully.
He didn't catch any playfulness. "No, no. I hadn't planned to, based on the catalogue."
"I see, I see. Well, have a nice flight! I'll be waiting."
"I will. Thank you again, Ms. Miraflores." And with that, he nodded, she smiled, and they each left.
The night wore on.
Back in her room, she wound down. Had a glass or two of wine with the moon quiet over the ocean. She was torn – she wasn't sure how much she should look through the promotional book Ooyama gave her before she heard back a real answer. Preparedness versus investment, she supposed.
She couldn't help herself, though.
She held the packet above her, laying sprawled on the bed still in her work clothes minus the blazer. The first three she knew about, and the info matched up: Miura and Akizuki had carved out decent niches for themselves, but hadn't gotten all that ambitious yet, and Kikuchi was surprisingly popular for such a recent debut, but evidently still struggling to settle on an image.
As for the other four... well, she wanted songs, for one. This was impossible.
Hagiwara seemed a quiet and refined girl, and her profile suggested as much. Weird to get vibes of "flighty" and "determined" simultaneously from the same photos, but that's how it seemed. Takatsuki seemed so vibrant that she was almost out of place, her energetic earnestness clearly being the main asset here. Futami… well, she didn't quite know how to feel about her being twelve and all, but the girl definitely had an extremely eager flair to her; a kind of genuine, uncurated playfulness that was rather rare. It was a very diverse group, all-in-all; she silently commended whoever was doing recruiting for balancing the roster so well.
And at last, miss Minase. Maya didn't quite know what to think about that one. She was classically cute in a way so measured it almost seemed forced, and a bit… full of herself, honestly, in her quotes. Even so, there was something there. She wasn't sure what. Even without hearing a word by the girl, she felt a bit of what she did the first time she heard Kay Kay sing, in that ancient old Youtube MV shot by their parents: what would that look like, polished?
Ahh, she shouldn't have looked through it after all. She was getting her hopes up.
Jan 10, 7PM: Tokyo
The Stella Theatre
The night of the debut live had finally arrived. 961 Productions had spared no expense in the promotion of their newest unit, Project Fairy – everyone was talking about it. The few interviews the unit had been allowed to put out, and their debut single Hatsukoi Part One, had painted them as a refined, almost dreamy group focused on pure love songs and an aloof but heartfelt image, and the excitement that had built was showing itself in the sold-out venue. For weeks the posters had been inescapable in the city, with each member of the trio – Miki Hoshii, Takane Shijou, and Hibiki Ganaha – perfectly posed in their wispy, elegant blue outfits. They were already big news without a single public appearance.
Takao Kuroi's shoes clacked on the backstage floor as he relished just how much work he had put into building that image.
"Are you all ready?"
"Yes, president." Takane gazed out onto the stage unreadably, the dimmed lights catching in her eyes.
"Again. This concert is the key to everything, our one chance to establish ourselves strongly. Make it count."
"We know. We've been ready." Hibiki said, last-minute adjusting her costume.
Miki said nothing, only looking straight ahead. She smiled sharp.
"Miki?" President Kuroi pressed, with his sugar voice.
"Mm. Miki knows."
"Then go," he snapped, "I'll be at the office."
"Yes!" they answered in unison.
He turned on his heel, and they stepped away from each other – the three out and onto the stage, and the man further into the dark behind the curtains.
The first song began without introduction. Barely-accompanied delicate piano, with slight choral vocals. Blooming and swelling, as they took the stage proper for the very first time: Slow tempo. Gentle movements. Just as practiced.
"Hirai," Kuroi said on his way out, speaking to the younger man who had been waiting further in.
"Y-yes! President!" Hiroki answered, instinctively stiffening.
"Matsuda will be working with me on PR tonight," he slid his sunglasses off his face, frowning, "that leaves you alone with the girls. Take them out somewhere nice after – some fancy restaurant or whatever, but private. Calm them down."
"I understand. I'll take care of it."
"Good," he finished, standing in the open doorway. Waved slightly, over his shoulder. "Then, tomorrow."
The president let the door swing shut, and at that moment the power went out.
Back on the stage side of things, the dark fell totally without warning. The audience was in immediate confusion, but before they had a chance to react properly they realized that the blue glowsticks that the venue had provided were, one by one, beginning to flip to yellow in their hands. It was only a matter of seconds – but when the lights came back on, the three girls were in entirely different, rather provocative black and gold outfits. The speakers crackled to life again with an almost cruel electric whine, and a robotic voice announced the new order with a single word:
"Overmaster."
The guitar screamed awake, and then there was chaos.
Jan 10, 10PM: Tokyo
Streets
The night wore on. Even in the shelter of the ramen stand their breath ran white and sharp, mingling with the steam from the tiny kitchen.
"Hiroki Hirai," Takane said, in between cartoonishly large mouthfuls of her third bowl, "I earnestly request that you become our primary producer. I should like to have outings such as this more often. This… this is utterly wondrous."
"You're really impressed, huh?" he asked, half nervous and half proud. "It's a good one, then?"
"Entirely wondrous."
"It is pretty good," Hibiki chimed in, and then turned back, "Hey mister, can I get some more garlic though?"
"Good. Good," Hiroki said, "Y'know, the president wanted me to bring you to some upscale place, but I'm glad we came here. Was worried you wouldn't like it."
Takane put down her chopsticks and turned to him, deadly serious. "Hiroki Hirai. I promise you, this is the highest possi –"
"Alright, alright, we get it!" Hibiki interrupted, "It's nice, though. Really. Even if it feels all weird, us coming out here from that. Hehe."
Hiroki let himself decompress. Let the sound of passing cars drift by on the street behind them. The four ate in the brittle winter solace.
"Yeah. Listen, I'm not doing this to just be cheap. This is… probably the last time you'll be able to go out like this. Fairy is… Fairy is already big! And it's going to get bigger! So… I dunno, maybe this is a dumb gesture from someone like me, but I wanted to do it while we still can."
"That's true… Very well, I will savor it further."
Mood was getting too serious. "Anyway!" he burst out, "How did it go! How are you all feeling about it!"
Hibiki had clearly been holding the outburst in for a while – "Gyaaaahh! I can't even believe I made it through! We pulled everything off! Like, the costume switch, 'n all the choreo on Kiss this time, an', an'… all of it! It was so tight, so –" she punched her palm "– so scary!"
"I was pleased to see it through," Takane added, "I had worried about our performance when it came time, but it's as Hibiki says. We were able to stay 'on top' of everything. It was… frantic."
"Yeah! I think… it was like, a really hard push, but it really feels like 'yeah, I can do this!' now, y'know. Like, like dancing, it was all like dancing, when you just close your eyes and focus and it all just happens!" Hibiki said, gesturing emphatically, and Takane nodded in agreement.
He brought it back. "What about you, Miki? You've been so quiet all night."
The girl seemed… not exactly in lower spirits, but certainly more subdued than her usual self. More focused. She had been deep in thought, resting her arms on the counter.
"Hm… well, Miki doesn't really know. But it… was it fun?"
"You don't know if it was fun or not?" Hiroki asked.
"Nope, not really. I don't really get it yet." She tilted her head. "Miki does want to go back, though… and back, and back, and back again."
Hibiki leaned in, "Hah! 'Course you'd be the one saying that."
"Hey, Hiro," Miki said, turning to him. Since when did they get on nickname terms? "Can Miki really get there again? To those same lights, again?"
His chest swelled warm in the winter night. So much had happened tonight. His thoughts couldn't help but swing back to the president.
Kuroi had always come off as kind of prickly, even since he had pulled Hiroki out of his no-name job into the assistant producer role for Fairy, but… if the president had truly pulled this off, made the three this excited about their prepared path… well, he'd gained even more respect for him.
He smiled. "Yeah. More and more lights, Miki. That's what we're all here for."
"Then… shall we take that as a promise?" Takane asked, lightly smirking.
"Mm. It's a promise."
It was going to be a good run.