Disclaimer: I, Phoenixflames19, wish to clarify that the anime/manga/video game(s), THE iDOLMSTER, are the property of outside companies (A-1 Pictures, Namco Bandai Games, etc) and claim no ownership of the characters.

Spoiler: There's another change of perspective, even though it's not saying much. This chapter only consists of two characters, disregarding the minor ones, and it is kept fairly short, no longer than 7 pages, in order to keep the original character from grabbing too much attention early in the story. It is slightly similar to Chapter 8 In Capable Hands, involving a different idol. The true revealing of this spoiler is a certain change of identity.

Note(s): Depending on how well-received the character, Kamei, is he will remain as like every other character. In other words, sharing the spotlight without being greedy (which is best). There has to be a balance, which also depends on a character's role (major or minor).

There's not much to go on with the notes. If there's anything wrong with this chapter, let me know.

Without further delay, proceed with the read and review for this chapter.

Chapter 10 A Meeting with Secrecy

Several days had elapsed; today was a Wednesday afternoon. The present time was 1:00pm, and no male or female were yet free from their mandatory activities. The only few, exceptional individuals in Japan that were unoccupied by such endeavors were those who had different schedules in their careers, or those who had nothing better to do.

One example of a person who seemed to be slacking was Kamei… He was strolling around the streets of Tokyo, regardless of his job at 765 Pro. Apparently, he was not planning to return to the music company until later around 4:00pm, which was the time when most of the idols return from school.

Shortly, he arrived at one of his desired locations, which was a famous restaurant that only allowed entry towards formal individuals, whether they have reservations or not. Kamei, somehow, managed to bypass the attendant by simply offering the name of a certain person working here. Once inside, he began his search for that certain someone.

"…Hmm. Where is that guy?" Kamei said, pondering. His tone of voice was soft due to the overwhelming noises of the guests.

As Kamei searched around the restaurant, someone at the lounge area happened to notice him. The man, currently facing a black grand piano, was unsure if the person he was looking at was someone he knew. But, the moment he noticed Kamei's Amaterasu hat, he instantly recognized him.

Hokuto smiled, rose up from his chair, and approached Kamei. "Kamei-senpai!" the man called over in an eager yet, calm tone.

Having heard his name, Kamei stopped his walking, turned around, and looked at the man facing in front of him. He became oblivious at first until he realized the blond man's identity.

"Oh, there you are, Hokuto. Working hard or hardly working?" he said, smiling nonchalantly.

The man, known as Hokuto, chuckled lightly before crossing his arms. "Aha…You haven't changed a bit, senpai."

Hokuto Ijuuin, the former member of Project Jupiter, and previous idol of 961 Productions. Like his other fellow members, he believed he would not find any more success in 961 Pro, which was his reason for departing from there. Despite his early retirement as an idol, he still maintained his composure, handsome appearance, and charming words, and utilized those features for his current career as a pianist and violinist for this restaurant.

Speaking of his appearance, he currently wore a plain white long sleeved shirt with only the first two buttons undone, black slacks and dress shoes. Since it was a restaurant protocol, he was also required to wear a dark vest and some sort of ascot with any color of his choice, on which he had chosen a cerulean blue. To top it off, he had his blond hair styled like a pompadour with some wax, and had cornflower blue eyes. His overall formal appearance could attract quite a crowd of women, hence his nickname the "Idol Prince."

Kame shifted his eyes away. "You're still calling me senpai? Even though, I have not done anything worthy of your appreciation? After all, you are the one who taught me how to play the piano."

Hokuto chortled a bit before smiling again. "Don't be so humble. You have more life experience than I. That's why I view you as my superior."

"…Hmm. I guess you have a point."

Kamei blinked his eyes a few times before kicking the idea out of his mind. Honestly, he never viewed himself as that kind of person and paid no attention to it. Rather, he simply allowed his peers to call him whatever they find pleasing.

Hokuto paused, and placed on a serious, yet friendly expression. "By the way… What brings you here?"

After a short moment of silence to himself, Kamei finally answered. "…To pay a visit to my friend, and have a few drinks together while we discuss about our recent successes."

He shifted his eyes to Hokuto, and smiled casually. "I hope you don't mind."

Hearing the offer, Hokuto smiled warmly. "Not at all. My next shift won't be until early this evening. I don't mind have a drink or two."

"Good answer. Let's go," Kamei said, immediately heading his way out of the restaurant.

Hokuto hastily followed after him. "You speak as if I had no choice."

"Don't I always?" he said, smiling pleasantly at him.

After a short while of strolling along the streets with Hokuto attracting intimate attention from young women, he and Kamei finally arrived at one of the local boutiques. The building they have entered was actually a pastry shop that served both sweet food and beverages. The kind of drinks that Kamei had in mind was smoothies.

When they entered through the entrance, the small bells hanging on the lintel collided with the door and rung. The jingling sound alerted the shop staff, inclining them to warmly greet their customers.

"Hello! Welcome!" one of the chefs said in an ardent, feminine tone. This woman, probably younger than the two men, was the assistant chef. Judging by her appearance, she mainly worked the cashier.

Hokuto smiled in return and, in attempt to make her heart flutter, replied in an Italian language. "Saluti, il mio piccolo fiore."

His endeavor succeeded, causing the young assistant to blush lightly in embarrassment. Although she did not understand his sentence, she was still entranced by the manner he elegantly expressed himself. It was only a second later had she realized Hokuto.

"Y-You're H-Hokuto-san, aren't you?" she said in a flustering, fan-girl behavior. "I-I can't believe it! I'm talking THE Hokuto-san from Project Jupiter!"

Kamei laughed joyously, much to his expectation. "Ah ha ha! Good work Hokuto. Hook, line, and sinker. Now it's time to reel her in."

As much as he wanted to, Hokuto had to decline his offer. The reason for this was because his very own heart was currently reserved for a certain someone. The supposed lucky woman he had always attempted to flirt with was the same person that Kamei knew. But he had yet to realize that unrequited love.

"My apologies," Hokuto said reluctantly. "…but we have more important matters to attend to… such as catching up some lost time in our friendship."

Kamei pretended to be oblivious of the situation by glancing at a couple that were eating some cake. "…Hmm. Good point," he said, avoiding eye contact.

Smiling again, Hokuto took a step forward and, this time, attempted a different action. "So, where were we? Ah, yes. I would like to order one green tea, please." The assistant chef was still awe-struck by Hokuto's appearance until Kamei stepped forward and snapped his fingers, returning her to reality.

She jerked her head and looked at them. "W-What? Oh, right! One green tea! Do you only want a cup, or a whole pot?"

"Hmm... I'll just have one cup," he said, answering.

Placing their orders and paying the assistant chef, Kamei and Hokuto waited patiently. After a few minutes, they received their beverages. Kamei politel thanked the woman through simple words, while Hokuto offered his own way of appreciation. He winked and waved goodbye at her, saying "Ciao." Then, he turned and accompanied his friend to a table.

Kamei became curious, having remembered that Hokuto was also an Italian speaker, and wanted to ask him something. "Those Italian lessons I recommended to you are really paying off. What did you say to her?"

Hokuto smiled and cocked his head slightly. "Why… I said "Greetings, my little flower.'"

Shortly, they approached the side of the shop and sat on two tall chairs. They twirled and faced against a long table that was positioned next to a wide window. They had a perfect view of potted flowers at the other side of the window. As soon as they became comfortable, they began to enjoy their drinks.

None of them spoke a word, or mumbled a nonsensical jabber until Kamei, who was already sipping on his Boba smoothie, finally uttered something. "I am curious of you, Hokuto. Why do you degrade yourself in such simple tasks?" he said, keeping his eyes on the passing bystanders outside.

When Hokuto glanced at him quizzically, he noticed that Kamei was stirring his smoothie with the straw, attempting to poke the spherical jellies on the bottom of the cup.

"Eh? What do you mean?" Hokuto said, unable to decipher his statement.

After a moment of playing with his smoothie, he finally replied. "You were once an idol yourself, right? You have the capabilities to sway the ladies with your singing and dancing. Have you ever thought of returning to that role?"

Hearing this made Hokuto sigh in depression. "…I am not completely sure, to be honest. Ever since Project Jupiter disbanded, my fellow members and I decided to temporarily retire from music production and follow our own paths."

Regardless of this saddened emotion, he maintained his composure. "You are familiar with Project Jupiter, yes?" He asked because he was unsure if Kamei actually had any knowledge or had seen the unit.

"Never heard of it…" Kamei said immediately, speaking as though he was disinterested.

Hokuto sighed and shook his head slowly. "Well… it is to be expected. Our careers were short-lived after all." As much as he did not want to mention, he enjoyed his time in 961 Pro with his fellow idols, especially when he received much attention from the young women that were among the audience.

Kamei took a short moment to recollect his memories from the past and, after thinking about two certain male figures, managed to remember a moment. "…Hmm. I think I do remember a glimpse about the idol unit you were part of… There was that kid with the girly headband and that nerdy, nice guy who also acted like a jerk… Shouta Mitarai and Toya Amylase, right?"

Hearing the error of his friend's name, Hokuto could not help but to chortle and smile warmly. "Well… you got the name partially right." Usually, he would either pay no mind to these errors, or simply assist in correcting the name, but this was Kamei. He was obviously doing it on purpose.

Hokuto took a first sip of his black tea, before engaging in another topic. "How is my beloved and honest neko-chan?"

This statement made Kamei rather puzzled. "Hm, Who?" he said, mumbling and drinking more of his smoothie.

Hokuto paused and became a bit stunned. "Oh, pardon me for not considering the facts… Don't you work in 765 Pro?"

"Indeed, I do," Kamei said, nodding. "But I don't know who this "neko-chan" you speak of."

"Hmm… Perhaps, I should provide some hints." Hokuto prepared some useful information about the young woman he was referring to. "She's quite a dancer… and tomboyish-looking."

Receiving and processing the newly attained information, he remained still and recalled on his past memories of working in 765 Pro. After a moment, he finally placed the pieces together and figured out who it was. "Makoto Kikuchi, was it?"

"You got it," Hokuto said, nodding and waving his hand.

"Hmm… I guess she's alright. I can see the dancing and tomboyish features but… I don't understand how she's a cat." Kamei was completely stumped, having no idea on how Makoto had received such a nickname… or rather, how she was a cat instead of a human.

Hokuto uttered a hearted chortle, obviously having the time of his life. He was very amused by Kamei's dumbfounded demeanor and lack of understanding. "Ha ha ha! You still have much to learn about women… or perhaps you're doing it on purpose."

"Enlighten me, Hokuto. How come she has a peculiar nickname?" Kamei said, asking for verification.

"Well… she would occasionally put her hand over her chin and adjust her mouth to that of a cat's," Hokuto said, attempting to put his words into action.

"Aside from that, I have not talked with her much, actually… being a popular idol and all…" Kamei sipped another amount of smoothie into his mouth and gulped, before continuing. "She's not the only one. All of them are busy… leaving poor me in my lonesome."

Hokuto frowned, becoming doubtful. "Hm? That's not like them at all, especially Makoto-chan," he said worriedly.

"You don't have to believe me, but it's the truth." Kamei paused briefly.

"There's another thing I have to point out…" he said, looking and smiling at him. "I don't think they like me at all."

"What made you say that?" Hokuto said, suspicious of his nonchalant grin.

Hokuto never expected his own senpai to be disliked by the girls that he had once faced against in the Idol Academy competition two years ago. He had known them for being quite generous, hard-working, and honest young women. He could not understand why they offered such hostility towards Kamei.

Kamei shifted his glance away and shrugged his shoulders, taking another sip of his Boba smoothie. "I don't know…," he said, before changing his answer. "Actually… In a way, it's my fault. They see me as a lazy, ignorant, good-for-nothing bum…"

"Ehehe… Well, they're half right about your description," Hokuto said, laughing in slight glee.

After a long moment of silence, Kamei finally changed to a different subject. "I was thinking of quitting… stress and frustration don't really work with me."

"That simply won't do," Hokuto said immediately, shaking his head in disapproval. "You insisted on becoming part of 765 Pro, yes?"

Kamei turned his eyes the window and became silent again, lowering his head until the shadows covered his eyes. Shortly, he began to explain the situation in the production company as simple as possible.

"Whenever I speak to those girls, I would feel an incredibly eccentric sensation in the atmosphere," he said, taking another sip of his smoothie. "It was the kind of feeling that neither man nor woman would find pleasant."

When Hokuto heard Kamei's explanation, he wondered what he meant. He also noticed that Kamei became silent again. "Please continue… I am rather entranced by your elucidation."

"Stress and frustration… That is all." Kamei raised his head and glanced at his kohai, unveiling a grin. "Do you understand what I am trying to say?"

Hokuto nodded. "Yes, I truly understand. I'm surprised you noticed that." Then, he paused momentarily to place a hand on his chin. "It's no wonder their popularity had been dropping lately. What will you do… will you really quit your job?"

"…Hmm." Kamei sighed, and lowered his eyesight to the table. "To be specific, I'm going to quit my minor jobs and focus on the bigger picture."

"So that's why you told me to take over your gigs," Hokuto said, finally understanding Kamei's unusual and recent actions throughout the past month.

Kamei nodded. "Those girls… I know a few of them don't really like me. But they can't be blamed when under the influence of stress. I'm also at fault for not focusing. That's why I'm going to initiate a countermeasure."

"And what plan of attack is that?" Hokuto asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

Kamei chuckled lightly and smiled once more, glancing at Hokuto with his calmed and relaxed eyes. "That's a secret."

~End of Chapter~

© 2011 Phoenixflames19