Words that are written like『this』are spoken in English.
"Hello! How are you? My name is Anzu, it's nice to meet you!"
It was relatively easy to find the international transfer student, as she stood out by not being Japanese. She looked a little like Adonis, but she was much shorter, and her hair and eyes were dark brown, unlike Adonis's purple hair and golden eyes.
"Good morning!" she said.
"Oh? It's not morning." Anzu responded.
"Oh! 『Right, sorry!』Good afternoon!"
"Good afternoon. Was your flight alright?"
"Yes! My flight was good!"
"Come on, I'll take you to where we'll be staying."
They walked together, out of the airport and quickly took a shuttle bus to get back to Ensemble Square. Throughout this, Anzu tried her best to make small talk with the transfer student, and while the transfer student seemed a bit fidgety, she did her best to talk as well. It must be hard for her, especially since she's still a beginner at Japanese, Anzu thought. I'm sure she'll open up more once we talk to Eichi-senpai. He actually knows English.
Together, they walked to the entrance of StarMaker Production's main building. Here, they would have another meeting with Eichi.
"Let's discuss what our plan is," Eichi said once their meeting began, "By the way, transfer student, 『if you don't understand something, let me know, and I'll say it in English.』"
"Thank you so much!" the transfer student said.
"Good. Now, let's go over what we're doing. Transfer student, I'll be allowing you to study in one of the most prestigious universities in Japan, all expenses paid for. In return, I'm expecting you to bring forth a revolution for my idols."
"American idol!" the transfer student said gleefully.
"Correct."
"Wait," Anzu said, "we're having another revolution?"
"Is there something wrong?" Eichi asked.
"No, it's fine, it just seems like we do this every year."
Eichi laughed. "You have a point, but this year, it will be different. Instead of fighting amongst ourselves, we will expand into unknown territories. I've always wanted to expand the idol industry internationally."
"I remember you mentioning it during that summer vacation fine took with UNDEAD. I guess you've finally started acting on that wish?"
"Yes. You see, transfer student is our harbinger for success. She'll be the one to introduce us overseas. You might still be confused about what she really does."
"Yes, all you told me was that she's studying computer science and she's an undercover idol. I don't really understand that last part."
"I do not idols," the transfer student said, "I no idols, uh...hmm...I..do not...want...to be...an idol."
"She's determined not to be an idol," Eichi explained, "she rose to fame by starting a blog, where she used a cartoon drawing as her own persona. And even though she's now an internet sensation, she refuses to show her real face, and opts to instead cover herself with a wig and colored contacts to hide her true identity. Essentially, she's two different people."
"So," Anzu said to the transfer student, "you are an idol?"
"Not now," the transfer student said, "Later, yes. My name is Nemona when I am idol."
"When she is not an idol," Eichi said, "she will be a regular college student. She has also offered to code an app for the Producer Association, and I think it will be especially helpful for you, Anzu."
"How, if I may ask?"
"You have trouble working with other producers, and while the reasons for this are not all your fault, it's something that must be addressed. The Producer Association will not be able to thrive if everyone works alone. The business world lives on the principle of connections, and you need to learn to pick up on it. She has more knowledge on the technical terms, but the summary of what she'll be doing is to create an easy way for you to delegate work to other producers."
"『 It's data science,』" The transfer student said, "『I just need to know what exactly producers do and what their needs are, and I'll be able to create something to help them all.』"
"『I'm impressed you understood all those large words.』" Eichi said.
"『I'm better at understanding Japanese than I am speaking it. 』"
" 『I don't really understand how that works.』"
"『You underestimate how much anime I watched in high school.』"
Anzu couldn't understand everything Eichi and the transfer student were talking about, but with her limited knowledge of English, she got a general idea of what was said.
"Now, then, back to business." Eichi continued, "To be perfectly clear, you, transfer student, will be a normal student for the beginning of your stay here. After you get time to become accustomed to Japan, I'll have you debut as Nemona with my unit, fine. If that goes well, we can open you up to other units, if they so desire to have you collaborate. And Anzu," Eichi paused for a moment to make sure he had her full attention, "you must remember to never speak of this with anyone. I know that you are close with many other units, but this all must remain a secret. I have not even told the other members of fine that we will soon be collaborating with an idol from overseas. We don't want rumors spreading before we're ready."
"Of course," Anzu said, "I'll be sure to keep everything confidential."
At this point, the transfer student let out a small yawn.
"Oh of course, " Eichi said, "Where are my manners? You must have jet lag from your recent flight. Anzu, please take her to your dorm. If either of you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me."
"Yes, of course, thank you Eichi-senpai."
Since women were not allowed in Starmony Dorms, Anzu and the transfer student were staying at an apartment on the opposite side of the ES island. Many other producers were also dorming there. Anzu mentally braced herself for the numerous questions the other producers would have about the new transfer girl, but most of them seemed unsurprised. Sure there were the ocassional gossiping whispers, but they seemed more excited than anything else, as if they had been anticipating the transfer student's arrival.
"I am very tired." the transfer student said as soon as they entered their room. She set her suitcases next to the end of one of the beds, but then suddenly stopped. "Oh, we share, right? Which bed do I have?"
"You can have that one," Anzu said, "We have two sets of the same stuff in this room, because I wasn't sure what kind of things you liked."
"I like it lots! It is a pretty room." She yawned again.
"Okay, you go get some rest now," Anzu walked to the window to shut the blinds, "I'll be right here if you need me. Oh, wait a minute,"- she fumbled around in her pocket - "Here, have this," she said as handed Subaru's sparkly coin to the transfer student.
"Oh, thank you very much!" the transfer student said as she looked at it, confused.
"I mentioned that you were coming to one of my friends, and he wanted you to have this gift. He says it's lucky, so it should keep you safe while you're here."
"It is good! Thank you very much, I love...money?" The transfer student burrowed her eyebrows, trying to search for the right word, "Money? Uh...this...what...ugh, words..."
"Coin?" Anzu asked, offering her a choice for words.
"Ah, yes, coin! I love coin! Thank you very much!" The transfer student put the coin on her nightstand. "Okay! I will sleep now."
Anzu didn't want to leave the transfer student alone just yet, but she also needed to work. She made sure to lower the brightness on her laptop and type softly as she worked out the logistics for an upcoming performance. She wondered what kind of help the transfer student would bring her, and how well she would bring out Eichi's plan. She herself had been part of a trial run, so she understood the sheer amount of pressure it would have on her.
"Good luck, transfer student," Anzu thought to herself. It was funny how she herself had once been called by that name. "No matter what, I'll be here to help. We are one of the same."