Kuroi Romance Chapter 1, an idolmaster fanfic

THE IDOLMASTER 2: Kuroi Romance – CHAPTER 1 -

By Ikuto-sama

It had been a normal day for Miki Hoshii, Takane Shijou, and Hibiki Ganaha at 765 Productions. A year had already passed by since they had been fired from 961 Productions and their group, Project Fairy, had been dispersed. Being fired was actually the best thing that could have happened to them—the atmosphere at 765 Productions was much more relaxed and accepting, and all of the idols had welcomed them with open arms. The Producer had given them the day off today, and they were all hanging out at Hibiki's apartment.

"Hey, Miki-chan, you've gotta see this!" Hibiki called from the living room. "You too, Takane-chan! Quickly!"

"But we're right in the middle of making dinner," Miki whined. To the others, it wasn't quite dinner—Miki had insisted on making onigiri.

"Hurry!" Hibiki sounded desperate. Takane had already abandoned shaping her onigiri and was in the other room.

"Fine, Miki will come and look too," Miki sighed. When she walked in and saw what was on the TV, her mouth fell open.

"961 PRODUCTIONS: PROJECT JUPITER" was displayed on the screen. She could hear a familiar voice—It was Kuroi-Shachou. But he wasn't their boss anymore. Just Kuroi.

"Unlike those nobodies at that worthless agency 765 Productions, my idols shall overwhelm you with their performance!" Miki could hear him cackle. Three boys appeared on the stage.

"These people are our…successors?" Miki gasped.

"It looks like it," Hibiki said.

"They're—they're—"

"Boys," Takane finished.

"Miki was going to say that!" Miki cried.

The boys began the routine to their debut song, "Alice or Guilty." Their names and ages flashed on screen, one at a time. The brown-haired, serious-looking boy: Touma Amagase, age 17. The handsome, blonde-haired boy: Hokuto Ijuuin, age 20. And lastly, a young-looking, olive-haired, energetic boy: Shouta Mitarai, age 14.

"The lies just keep on spilling out, until precious moments can be defined by them… This city is a warped labyrinth…And in it I lose you...my Alice…"

"They're actually pretty good…" Takane breathed. "These guys…will be our rivals…"

All Miki could do was gaze at the screen. She was enraptured by the boy in the middle, Touma…his voice stood out from all the others, and although he wasn't there in person, Miki could feel a certain aura radiating from him. Butterflies exploded in her stomach.

"Our time at 961 is all in the past, though. We're at a higher level," Hibiki said, shrugging. "Soon enough, I'm sure, they'll get sick of Kuroi's abuse and leave too. Just like us. By the way, where's Hamuzou?"

Miki got up and went to the door to get her shoes and coat. She had to go over to 961 Productions and see if these guys were for real.

"Hey Miki, where are you going?" Hibiki asked.

"You haven't finished making your onigiri," Takane added.

"Miki is going to 961 Productions. Miki feels…intrigued," Miki said.

"That's a crazy idea! Why go there? You might end up seeing Kuroi again! Besides, will they even let you in?" Hibiki exclaimed.

"Maybe Miki will find some useful information about Project Jupiter so we can beat them in the Idol Ultimate when the time comes," Miki said, flicking her hand away in a pistol shape. "Don't worry, Miki won't be long. See ya!"

Miki was half-telling the truth. That wasn't the full reason. Sure, she could get some information, if possible, about Project Jupiter while she was there, but she was really going because she wanted to see Touma. She didn't know why, but something deep down kept telling her that she had to go.

Maybe he'll turn out to be a nice person, Miki thought. Or maybe it's because Miki—likes Touma? Even though Miki hasn't met him? Like love at first sight?

She quickly kicked the thought from her head. No, Miki thought, sighing. The only one Miki likes is Producer-san. Honey. Honey, and that's it.

"State your name and business," the clerk sitting at the desk in the 961 Productions lobby said, her tone slightly intimidating. Miki jumped. She was so used to the clerk at 765, Ms. Kotori—she was much more kind and patient.

"Um, Miki Hoshii. I am here to see…Project Jupiter," Miki said nervously, trying to sound more formal.

"Ah, I thought you looked familiar," the clerk said, smiling. "So you moved on to 765, huh?"

Miki nodded. "Y—yes. I—it was strictly a business decision," she stammered.

"Shachou probably wouldn't want you here, but I'll allow you to go see them. They're upstairs. You can't miss them," the clerk said.

"Thank you," Miki sighed in relief, bowing, and made a beeline for the stairs. Her heart was beating like a racehorse, and she could feel herself starting to sweat.

Come on, you're an idol, she thought. You can't get nervous from something like this. You're only meeting other idols, right?

Miki was almost to the top. She could see in the room one head of blonde-hair—probably Hokuto. If he was in there the others would be as well. Just as she was about to enter, her foot caught on the last step and she tripped.

"Wuuaaah!" Miki found herself in the arms of who else but Touma? She gasped, immediately jumping out of his arms. She could feel her face turn red.

Miki is NOT Haruka-chan! she thought angrily. How could Miki make herself look so…so stupid?

"Well, look what we have here. You've decided to come back, hmm? Want to be rehired? I'm sorry, but I have no use for you anymore, Miki-chan," Kuroi sneered. "Or perhaps you've come to admire my new idols?"

"K—Kuroi-Shachou! I mean—Kuroi-san…" Now that Miki was there, she wasn't sure what to say. She stared up at Touma, Hokuto, and Shouta, as if she was expecting them to say something.

"Miki came to—well, you see, Miki wanted to see Project Jupiter for herself…" she trailed off.

Touma looked at Miki quizzically. "Miki Hoshii, from the failed Project Fairy. All of Project Fairy decided to join 765," he spat. "What a poor excuse for a production company. There's no way you guys will win this time."

"Be a little nice, Touma-kun—she's actually kind of cute," Hokuto said, smirking. He came close, touching Miki's cheek. "It's okay. He's just super-competitive that way. He's actually into pretty innocent things, such as playing soccer and collecting figures and—"
"Shut up," Touma snapped.

"He also likes to cook," Shouta laughed.

"You two just wait. One of these days I'll—"

"Quiet, you imbeciles!" Kuroi shouted. "Or rather, I mean the future of 961 Productions. I'll just leave you all together. Give the girl an autograph and then she can leave. As for me, I've got better things to do." He laughed, and strode out of the room.

Soccer, figures and cooking? Miki thought. Him?

"Here you go, um, Hoshii-san," Touma said, handing Miki a picture of the whole group and all of their autographs. "We have lessons to attend, so you need to leave."

"Ah….um, okay…" Miki realized that she really didn't need to be there. She put the picture in her coat pocket. "I guess…it was nice meeting you…"

"Be careful out there, okay? Don't trip over stairs," Touma laughed. "Next time I won't be there to catch you."

Miki's heart fluttered. She waved goodbye and fled the room. He's kind of mean, but he has a soft side underneath, Miki thought. She looked at the picture. Hokuto had written his phone number, along with Touma's and Shouta's, on the picture next to their signatures.

When Miki gets the courage, Miki will call him, she thought, hugging the picture to her chest. She would see Touma at the next Idol Ultimate for sure.

Meanwhile, up in the 961 Productions building, Project Jupiter was practicing their routine. During a break, Hokuto took Touma aside.

"Hey, Touma-kun, I really think you and that Miki girl would make a good couple," Hokuto said. "I think…you should ask her out."

~KUROI ROMANCE – CHAPTER 1 – END~