"Why the hell are we're here again?" Hachiman asked with disgruntled voice, it was Sunday and he wants to waste the shit out of his time playing games. However, for some reason, papa Hikigaya decided that everyone need to come to 346 Pro.
Hachiman could be rebellious little shit at times, but he had decided to be a good boy to his current parents. If it's nothing completely stupid, he would do whatever orders they told him to do.
"Because father decided it's time to show how he works or something. I don't really mind though." Hachi said, "I'm more worried about you than anything else."
"Don't worry about me, just mind yourself. You're the one with a reputation to uphold." Hachiman said in a deadpan tone.
Hachi wanted to be angry, but she couldn't. In fact, she couldn't possibly be happier now.
Hachiman actually began to talk to her normally again. He still restrained himself and took some distance away from her. But despite that, at least he didn't give her a silent treatment anymore.
Talking with Yui might have helped him to slightly ease his depression.
Hachi knew she will have to tread carefully with him though, so she decided to go soft on him at least for today.
"And why two of you dressed like that?" Komachi pointed that both of them were wearing black formal suits. Meanwhile, Komachi herself dressed in the most colorful dress she had, perfectly appropriate for.
While suits should blend into the busy street of Tokyo, it was Sunday and even people who work on Sunday don't usually wear all black.
"Beats me." Hachiman sighed, "Ask the second year syndrome girl over there."
Though he admits, the suit looked suitably badass. That and Hachi look so good in stocking that his eyes kept drawn into that direction. He might just need to poke his eyes if this kept up.
Of course, Hachi was just indulging her inner fantasy by pretending to be Komachi's bodyguard.
Hachiman always thought Hachi was a perfect girl that can do anything, but in the end, her mind was just as deluded and broken as his own, only in different direction.
Hachi was rather insecure, and that's why she tried to make up for her deficiency by training her body to maximum and styled herself in the image of a delinquent. Her unshakable confidence was not something that others gave her, it was something she instilled in herself.
Cruiser motorcycle, dark and mature fashion, barely any makeup, medium length and practically unkempt hair, those were something that Hachi always show with some exceptional instances, such as when she's getting dolled up during the firework festival.
The image of a sassy, carefree tough girl was the image that Hikigaya Hachi put on herself. It's only a little over two weeks since he got to know her, but he could easily understand her that way.
Normally, Hachiman would hate those kinds of people, but he could not hate Hachi.
Because unlike others, Hachi actually molded her appearance and personality to fit her ideal, rather than pretending to change for the sake of everyone else, Hachi changed herself for her own sake.
Hachiman always thought that such amount of self-serving effort is something that should be emulated. Too many people in this cruel and unjust world changed themselves to go with the flow.
But Hikigaya Hachi didn't like that, she bends the flow to suit her whim. In this world, she's like a force of nature. Untamed.
Of course, if she was deluded enough to think she could change him easily, she'd be mistaken.
After all, they share the same form of stubbornness inside.
"Well, I figure broadening your horizon is a good thing." The father smiled as he walked out from his rental car, the one he used to bring Komachi. The twin-like older siblings, of course, ride their bike everywhere.
"Hachi had her entire career path mapped out, but there's nothing wrong with adding more possibilities and contingency plan." The father said, "But Hachiman haven't thought about it, and you're already a second year. So it's up to me as a father to help you out, right?"
"Ah... yeah."
Second Year students supposed to decide their career path in their second semester, so it's just about time for Hachiman to decide it.
He honestly had no specific goal so to speak. Originally he wanted to take it easy and get into local private university, something he had told the old Yukino and Yui back then.
But as much as he tried to be comfortable with his new parents, he felt like it would be too rude to be casual about everything. So he decided maybe aiming for a better public university isn't so bad. Besides, he could pass Soubu exam in a breeze, it couldn't possibly be that hard right?
Hachiman loudly commented, "I can't believe this is the man who said to work is to lose all the time."
"After he returned to be a producer, he stopped saying that. I'm shocked Mother didn't suspect him of adultery all the time." Hachi laughed, "He's always surrounded by young beautiful idols and staffers all the time."
"Your mother got claws on me, okay. I'm shocked my children have so little faith in me." The father grimaced.
So he says, but maybe he was dumb and struck with her and not knowing where else to go.
"Welcome back Producer." A young woman with hazel-colored braided hair welcomed them. Though she wore a formal suit herself, it's green color made her looked way more casual and refreshing than usual Office Lady.
Hachi blinked, the way she smiled them welcomely, and the casual and bubbly youthful air surrounding her... Hachi was reminded strongly of the former StuCo President, Meguri.
"This is Senkawa Chihiro-san, she's my Secretary and assistant." The father introduced her, "Senkawa-san, this is my children that I've told you. This is Hachi, Hachiman, and Komachi."
"Domo." The Hikigaya children bowed politely.
"Welcome to production office 346." Chihiro warmingly welcomed them, "Even at first glance, I could see them all radiating with talents and potential."
"We are here to see that today. Let's go, everyone."
The Producer's face suddenly became tense, yet his eyes were fiery and full of passion. This actually startled Hachiman and Hachi both, while Komachi just laughed.
"Entering work mode huh."
And so, the father, his secretary, and his children entered the expansive, massive complex of 346-Pro.
"This is huge." Komachi muttered, "This entire building is made for Idols?"
"Yes." The father said, "Our Production house managed roughly 200 idols to our name."
"Holy shit, 200?" Hachi gasped.
"This is not some small time company we're talking, are you even doing any research?" Hachiman asked her in disbelief.
"Well, I thought it was closer to like, dozens?" Hachi pouted.
Even Hachiman did a lot of internet reading for this workplace visit event. Then again, he had always been the more nerdy and studious one between them both.
"Your father's senior expertise as someone who came from the golden age of Idol industry was sorely needed." Chihiro explained, "Of those 200 idols, he was tasked with managing 48 of our flagship idols together with Executive Director Mishiro and many other support staffs. The rest were split between other producers and directors."
"Dad is the chief producer, basically?" Komachi asked.
"One of these days this responsibility will be the death of me, yes." The father nodded, "I am not mentally prepared to raise 48 daughters in addition to my own."
"But he did anyway." Chihiro laughed happily, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you his achievements in the last six months."
"Producer!"
"Oh lordy, it's them." Hachi deadpanned.
"Who?" Hachiman and Komachi both reacted to her disappointment.
"Hi, long time no see. Hacchan." A blue-haired idol waved and throw an air kiss to Hachi, which she deflected at Hachiman's direction who dodged it exaggeratingly.
"Who are they?"
"LiPPS." Hachi said, "I've met them once when I delivered Father's working material."
Indeed, it happened at the end of Summer, before the Fireworks festival.
...
Producer Hikigaya had always been a strange individual.
Whenever he was away from work he would whine and cringe at everything, sometimes to the point of looking like a man-child.
But, once he actually got to work, he became intense and serious. And even frightening at times. That was mostly because of the grim, stiff expression he always seemed to bear when on the job. In reality, he was always working in such a calm tempo that it was soothing.
And that was why his idols always liked to hang out with him at work, simply because being with him was always soothing.
The producer didn't talk much about himself or his family. All they knew that he was married with two daughters. And this made the girls all the more curious.
What kind of girls were the Producer's daughters?
Were they cute? Like an idol? There was a rumor that the Producer had married his idol, forcing them both to quit show business two decades ago. But, it was only a rumor.
The producer always refused to elaborate, which didn't really help his reputation at all. His rivals talked about him being old and a failure of a producer who shouldn't concern himself with the modern entertainment world.
Which made no sense when he was barely like, 45 years old. At most. Either way, his idols and his co-workers respected him. He deemed that enough.
"Producer, are you going to have a lunch?"
"Yes, I'm going to, but first I have to fetch something from my daughter."
The idols perked up in response. So, he was going out to meet his daughter?
"I feel bad since she just returned from overseas, but, well.." The producer sighed, showing his usual whiny self even though it was technically still working hours.
"Producer, you have like, two daughters right?" One of them asked, "What are they like? Are they cute?"
"Very cute."
"Ufufufu, cuter than us?" One of the idols flirtatiously rubbed his chin, but he completely ignored the advances of a girl who was old enough to be his daughter and smiled.
"Well, every girl is cute in their own way." He cryptically answered, "As long as they smile."
The idols wrinkled their collective eyebrows in unabashed curiosity. He had always been on guard like that, whether it was with the idols or other female staff.
And it irritated them.
Improper as it may be, a lot of the women and girls in the agency thought Producer Hikigaya was fairly attractive. Even if he could be scary looking on first impression. He was tall, had broad and solid shoulders, sharp and handsome features, and was an extremely emphatic person. He could easily tell what problems the idols were going through and help them to solve their issues.
Some of the older women even expressed their shame in actually wanting to seduce him. For real. Not just playing around. But, he always rebuffed their advances like a gentleman.
Of course, his excuse was that his wife would kill them before she killed him for being unfaithful. But, perhaps there was something else that made him so distant with everyone not male.
Their wild imaginations wandered strongly, trying to build an image of an upper-middle-class house with a family of four, maybe five. Was it western or eastern styled?
Then they wondered about the daughters. Since they had a father like him, could it be that they were super cute? Or maybe they were more of the cool type?
"Producer, is this the eldest one or the youngest one?"
"The eldest."
"How old is she?"
"She just turned seventeen this summer." He smiled, "The younger one is fourteen, since she has a late birthday in March."
"Same age as us." One of them said.
"I wonder what she looks like." One of the shorter girls yanked his sleeve playfully, "Nee, Producer!"
"Well, my eldest daughter kind of looks like Hayami-san." The producer smiled widely, "Both of you even have similar hair."
"Oh my, I'm not sure how to take that." The idol named Hayami muttered, "Am I being treated like a daughter? Then it would be improper if we kissed."
"It's going to be a problem anyway, you dunce."
The girls laughed in response as they managed to reach the outdoor cafe location where he had arranged to meet his daughter. Originally, he hadn't wanted them to come, but he didn't have the heart to stop them. That, and he was kind of lazy.
"Still, if she looks like Kanade, that means she'd be pretty cool and sexy, huh?"
"Well, I'm not sure about sexy, but my daughter is pretty cool." Mr. Hikigaya nodded sagely, "Almost too cool."
"Hahaha, silly producer. There's no such thing-"
Their banter was interrupted by the low, faint growl of a motor bike. A small cruiser bike stopped in front of the cafe. The rider removed their helmet revealing dark bluish hair on a slightly masculine, yet recognizably female face.
For a moment, the idols froze. The girl on the bike did look like Producer in a way. Mostly her sharp, almost lifeless eyes. However, they were gray instead of brown.
"C-cruiser bike?" One of the girls blinked.
"Delinquent?"
"Nah, she just has weird tastes." The Producer waved his hand dismissively, "Hacchan, over here."
The girl looked at the man who waved at him and then dismounted her bike. That was when the girls realized just how tall the girl was in comparison to them. Almost one head taller than the tallest of the idols present.
At first, they were terrified.
But, the moment Hachi started to walk and approached them, their dread was replaced with curiosity and excitement.
Even the way she walked was firm and beautiful, almost like that of a model. In fact, it wouldn't be strange if she really was a model judging by how tall and beautifully shaped her figure was, even if it was a little too muscular.
Her steps were calm and controlled. The way her slender hips and shapely thighs swayed compensated for her almost nonexistent chest, catching the attention of many of the male cafe goers.
Hachi handed over a bundle of documents that she had taken out from one of her bike's side-bags. "I believe this one is the correct one, Tou-san."
"There's no mistake. Thank you Hachi. And sorry you had to ride all the way from Chiba even though you've just returned." The man apologetically nodded, "Have you had lunch yet?"
"No, I was about to go with my friends over there."
The three girls on motorcycles were each equally as tall and intimidating. Even the shortest, Yumiko, was slightly on the taller side than average, while both Saki and Yuri were at least 170cm tall each.
And unlike the soft, gentle-faced idols, they all possessed similarly aggressive and intense expressions like Hachi's.
"Oneechan, are you a member of a biker gang or something?" One of the younger idols asked.
"Rude!" Her friends chastised her.
"Hah, no, it's just that half the students in my school ride bikes." Hachi scoffed, "My name is Hikigaya Hachi, nice to meet you."
"Well, this is my eldest daughter, she's from Soubu Municipal High."
"Domo." Hachi bowed.
"Well you're right, she resembles me a little bit." Hayami muttered, "My name is Hayami Kanade of the idol group LiPPS. Hachi-san, isn't it?"
"Just Hacchan is fine, Hayami-san."
"Don't call me that, we're the same age after all." She smiled sultrily.
Hachi looked at the shorter but equally mature-looking blue haired girl in front of her. She had a charming, cool aura about her. But, at the same time was also unusually sensual and mature for someone so young.
Hachi felt a little envious to be honest. This Kanade seemed to share every physical appeal that Hachi also had, but with none of the flaws.
"I see, are you interested in the entertainment industry?"
"Not really, I'm not actually that comfortable speaking in public." Hachi looked at her friends again, "But I did some modeling at least."
"Ah! I just remembered." The young, petite idol said, "You often appear in Sensible! Chiba magazine right?"
"I didn't know Sensible was that popular," Hachi muttered. She always remembered Sensible being maybe the second or third ranked teen magazine in Chiba.
"Sensible has a huge cult following in Tokyo. It's a rather unusual case, right?" Her father chuckled.
"Hey, Hacchan." Kanade whispered, "Have you kissed before?"
"Define kiss." Hachi requested.
"Well, on the lips." Kanade smiled, "I'd like to kiss you now."
"Oh, but is that really fine, with another girl?" Hachi gently grasped Kanade's chin and the distance between their faces shortened to only inches apart. "Personally I don't mind since you're cute."
Kanade looked aside teasingly, "Well, Producer always refuses so-"
Hachi froze.
"Mom isn't going to like that if she hear-"
"I'm a perfectly loyal, morally upstanding husband and father." The father quickly cut her off, "And I'm also a perfectly professional and ethical Producer. Just so we're clear."
"Yeah yeah, and I'm a Disney princess." Hachi released her fingers from Kanade, only to find she was being sniffed.
Yes.
Sniffed.
Hachi's terrified and disgusted expression said it all when one of the idols went to grab her coat and sniff it.
"Ichinose-san, please don't sexually harass my daughter." Mr. Hikigaya commented drily with a tired voice, "By the way, that's Ichinose Shiki-san, she's a member of LiPPS as well, and there's also two others. Mika Jougasaki and Shuuko Shiomi."
"Nice to meet you." The other two said, offering friendly smiles.
One of them possessed tan skin and bleached hair, which reminded Hachi of Anko. The other one was unhealthily pale skinned with pale white hair, and looked a bit tense.
"So, Ichinose-san, what are you doing?"
"Hmm, I smell a man." The idol girl, Shiki, muttered, "Did you spend some time with your boyfriend before you came?"
"..." The father wordlessly looked at Hachi with disbelief, even if she was furiously waving her hand in dismissal with gritted teeth.
"Hell no! I just use masculine cologne because I like it." Hachi snarled, then glared at her father accusingly. "This idol group's literally asking for scandal aren't they?"
"Hahaha." The father just weakly laughed. It wasn't as if Hachi was wrong. As a group, LiPPS was composed of the older girls in the agency, generally 17-19 years of age, and put a huge focus on sex appeal over the usual innocent charm of younger idol groups.
Because of this quirkiness, they could be problematic to deal with. "That's just how they are."
They walked slowly as the father escorted Hachi back to her parking spot.
"But I believe in their potential." The father smiled gently, "They will become famous and ascend to true starhood."
"Heh, since when did you become such an all-knowing playboy? I'm wondering how mom could bear to watch it all." Hachi teased.
"Well, she knows I don't trust women."
"You say you don't trust women, but if you ask me it seems that no one has more faith in women than you." Hachi grinned, "Foolish Dad."
"You're wrong." The father snorted, "Because I don't trust women I try to understand what they have and what they need. Those who are blinded by the outer charms can never hope to see the addictive yet poisonous beauty inside their hearts."
"A dream with the scent of ashes, that's the Project Cinderella that I've envisioned." He said confidently, "I decided to continue it again since I got the chance to do better now than I did in the past. Your mom's helped a lot as well."
Just like the story of Cinderella, where a hardworking, enslaved girl was granted miracles to allow her to attend a high-class party and meet her true love. Perhaps, Hachi's father wanted to fill the role of fairy godmother and grant these idols the miracles they needed to make a big debut.
Hachi knew life was no fairy tale. But perhaps, with enough hard work and thinking, miracles could be made. Hachi's father always said "To work is to lose", and yet, he was still working hard in the end because he believed in the fruits of his hard labor.
"A dream with the scent of ashes." Hachi repeated, "Well, then, good luck."
Hachi never knew she had such an amazing person for a dad. He had always been a whiny, naive, pain-in-the-ass to deal with for as long as Hachi had known him.
But perhaps, knowing the fact that he was always a loser, made him look all the more cool at work when he could actually do a job that he was truly good at.
Perhaps that was the reason why he had told his children to pick a job that they were good at. Not only was it realistically the easiest path to success in life, but it also meant you could be passionate about it as much as you could.
"Well, I'm going to lunch with my friends now."
"Take care."
やはり, 俺の関係の値はリセットされました
As Expected, My Relationship Values had been Reset
Disclaimer:
Original Story by Watari Wataru
Chapter 7 - Storge
"Oh." Hachiman hummed when Hachi finished summarizing the event and introduced the members, sounds like the type of Idols he would take distance away as much as possible.
That said, he never knew his father was that much of a cool guy. No wonder he's surrounded by all the girls. With the way she looked at him, Hachiman suspects that the cute secretary woman is also longing for the father's attention, definitely knowing he's happily married with children.
"This is my twin brother, Hachiman and this is our little sister, Komachi." Hachi introduced them both, and then the father introduced the members of the group to his two other children.
"Komachi-chan cute." Mika commented, "You're going to be an idol?"
"I'm considering it, Mika-san." Komachi said humbly, "I guess it depends on what school I ended up in."
"And this one, Hachiman-san?" Shiki sniffed Hachiman, "You smell alike."
"I need an adult, call the police." Hachiman said in a monotonic voice, while the father pulled a whistle out of his pocket and blow it.
"Cease and desist, no sexually harassing my son for today." He said sternly.
"Hey, you're allowing it next time?" Hachiman protested.
"Anyway, Hachi, I want you to help LiPPS with their next gig." The father said, "Their next audition would be a romance movie with the setting theme being ballroom dancing, so I want them to get accustomed to as many leaders as possible. You're not a pro or anything, but you should be good enough as it is for their training leader."
"I see." Hachi grinned wickedly as she cracked her fingers full of confidence, "I'll make women out of you."
Hachiman actually horrified by Hachi's declaration, while the members of the LiPPS themselves were none the wiser. Nonetheless, he doesn't want to get involved.
"What is a leader?" Komachi asked.
"They're basically the man in man-woman dancer pair, who decide the next steps and pattern of dance, making use of all the potential in their female partner." Chihiro explained, "Up until junior high level, however, it's not entirely uncommon for the lead to be female as well making it a female-female pair."
"Ballroom Dance isn't all that popular with boys, so around that age, the vast majority of dance couples are girls." Producer added, "But Hachi had a uniquely strong and flexible body, she's a perfect leader figure despite her inexperience."
Hachiman blinked, while that reason was understandable wouldn't it be easier to simply call a professional male dancer? Why start with relative inexperienced Hachi?
"Senkawa-san, for today I want to try a test recording session for Komachi, and after that, please take her to the vocal lesson class." The father said, "Hachiman will take over your work."
"What, me?" Hachiman pointed himself.
"Don't worry, you just need to put marks on checkboxes." The father casually pats his shoulders, much to Hachiman's ire.
Hachiman received an electronic tablet, which rather weighty and yet at the same time felt so fragile that Hachiman was afraid of breaking it, any second.
It doesn't take him too long for him to get used to it, and simple instructions were told to him on which section to be filled and which software to be used.
"Alright then, everyone, let's move on. We have no time to waste." The producer clapped his hands, and everyone went to do their assigned jobs.
Hachiman then followed his father, who walked across a vast amount of the idol training and management facilities.
He saw Hachi dancing with the LiPPS members, one by one, as they took turns with her, and Hachi's stamina ensured that she will never out of breath as a Leader. This location would be dance and general fitness studio, where the idols also trained in aerobics and gymnastics to make sure their body stay flexible and in shape, as well as Yoga and other meditative exercises to calm their psyche.
In other section, Hachiman saw Komachi doing a test recording, with the recording staff completely flabbergasted with her beautiful voice and natural talent, even though this was Komachi's first official recording, she could do it smoothly with a minimal amount of mistakes.
"This is Executive Director Mishiro. Mishiro-san, this is my son Hachiman."
Hachiman bowed more than usual. This woman was supposedly his father's boss after all.
Her strikingly beautiful, goddess-like face and non-nonsense tone reminded Hachiman of his first encounter with Yukino.
"Why don't you plan her debut soon? Not like she would say no."
This overwhelmingly self-centered and prideful aura, there's no mistake in the slightest.
"I thought you said you would not interfere with my job, Mishiro-san?"
"I did say that, but you're wasting her time."
The Producer scoffed, "Not everyone gets detached easily from their normal lives. Our jobs are finding those who were willing to shine brighter on the stage on their own terms."
"Nonsense, wasn't it you who claimed that every girl can earn their place in this castle?"
"I never heard there's a version of Cinderella being coerced by her parents to go to the party." Producer snarked in response.
Hachiman furrowed his eyebrows, if anything, it's like looking adult Hachiman and adult Yukino interacting seemingly in real time. And it disturbs him so much because as much as he considers himself cynical, Hachiman knew how toxic adult environment can be, and it shows.
Hachiman and Yukino interaction didn't have the borderline sexual vibe of strangling each other to death like this.
Oh come on, this just screams hate sex all over. Just get a room, both of you.
"So, I heard your other daughter are into modeling with the possibility of going into professional Tennis. What about your son?"
"He's still trying to find it, things that he's good at." Producer calmly replied.
"I see, pity. So what he's going to do now? Wandering around following you like a lost child? If you have time to babysit your son I suggest you're going back to work."
Hachiman sharpened his eyes in response, this really feels like the worst aspect of Haruno Yukinoshita with none of her charming facade jammed into cranky thirty-year-old woman's body.
But nothing Hachiman could not handle.
"She's not wrong." Hachiman smiled at his seemingly worried father, "I'm also wondering why I am here, but I think I get the gist of it."
"Alright. Let's continue to work, don't forget the report."
"Yes, yes."
Hachiman obediently followed his father, while watching his surrounding attentively and even as far as making multiple mental notes deep in his memories.
Strange, so many young handsome men everywhere. It was the first thing Hachiman noticed, indeed. The idols have all the eye candies they could get from these support staff to the hairdressers.
But there was something really-really fishy going on.
He was this close to finding out...
"Kya! Is that Producer's son?"
"He's super handsome, look."
Please? Hachiman knows he's handsome, but that reaction was completely unwarranted. He's not quite as handsome as... say, Saika or Hayama.
Hell, even Tobe and Zaimokuza look attractive when they can shut up, Hachiman probably could say they're his equals in the look department.
He did notice that one of the idols has an entirely different reaction. She wasn't as enthusiastic or hysterical when Hachiman, his father, and Mishiro came.
Her short silver hair glimmered under the spotlight, her pale skin looked even less hueful than Yukino's own, almost albinic. Her eyes glistening with half-hearted passion and full of doubt, such beautiful eyes, Hachiman couldn't turn away himself from her gaze.
She reminded him too much of someone else.
"Totsuka..."
"Извините?" She squeaked in surprise when he suddenly said that, "Totsuka?!"
"Ah, no, nevermind." Hachiman apologized, "You reminded me of someone."
Specifically, the old Totsuka, before Hachi and Yumiko trained him to be tennis machine in the last semester. Totsuka that would make heterosexual boys nearby swoon and feel insecure about their sexual orientation.
But this time around, it was a real girl.
If it was any normal, mundane situation, Hachiman might just fall in love at first sight.
"This is my Son Hachiman, he's attending Soubu at the moment as in his second year. Hachiman, this is Anastasia Romanovskaya, she's half Japanese and hailed from Russia."
"I see."
"Soubu High? Second year?" Anastasia jumped out of her seat and grabbed his hand, "My cousin also attend Soubu High, he's in the second year."
"Anya, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be resting." Mishiro crossed her arms and asked sternly.
"I'm... I'm just training, Director." Anastasia reasoned, "I'm very sure there's something I can improve-"
"There is no reason to do so by breaking apart your carefully adjusted schedule." Mishiro cut her off, which frighten the much younger girl immensely.
"Mishiro-san." The producer said with a cold tone, "Let me take over from here."
"Suit yourself, but don't mess up," Mishiro warned and took few steps back, and proceed to debrief other idols nearby instead.
"So, your cousin is in Soubu High." The Producer smiled, "Can you tell me?"
"Yeah, Totsuka Saika. Saika-nii is older than me by a year, but people always mistook us for twins."
"No wonder, you do look alike." Hachiman scoffed, "He's my classmates."
"You are?"
"Ah, but we're not that close, however, I just transferred recently and haven't known everyone that well." Hachiman clarified though.
He lied, more like he avoiding everyone all the fucking time, to boot. But Anastasia doesn't need to know that.
"I see. How was Saika-nii these days? I haven't talked to him for months since..."
For a moment, Anastasia hesitated.
"Project KRONE huh." The Producer hummed, "You've been busy acclimating with the new group that there's no time to connect with families outside."
"Прости." Anastasia blushed and nodded, "I don't want to make producer worry."
As Anastasia talked more and more about Saika to the producer, Hachiman grinned in realization.
"I see." Hachiman finally found the answer to his nagging mental question at last, "So it was like that huh."
"And what answer you've found?" Mishiro asked.
"Well, I don't think it's proper to say that in front of your precious idols," Hachiman muttered, "It might cause a riot, strike, and boycott. Not necessarily in that order."
Mishiro was actually skeptical, but she had learned the lesson that Hikigaya kids were simply not to be underestimated and can be surprisingly useful potential assets in the future, for the purpose of this corporation's well being.
Just like their seemingly unreliable father.
Mishiro cares not where the money flows from, only that money does indeed flow.
"Would you like to take a rest and a snack?" Mishiro asked, seemingly more cordial than before.
Hachiman followed her out of the room as his father was too busy talking with the idols.
"Speaking of snacks." Hachiman muttered, "I noticed that this office is extremely well stocked. The number of amenities is incredible as if it was designed to be completely self-sufficient."
"It was designed that way, indeed." Mishiro responded, "What about it?"
"So the idols will never have to come out of office for anything they might need. And I do mean anything, everything they need is available."
Oh.
"And this incredibly tight schedule." Hachiman looked at the tablet in his hand, "No time to let Idols go out unsupervised, heavy emphasis with on-site rest and relaxation."
Mishiro raised her eyebrows, Hachiman definitely up to something.
When they entered the cafeteria, everyone's eyes fixed at their direction, until Mishiro glared at them in response. Then the other patrons immediately decided to ignore their presence hastily in fear of the Executive Director's wrath.
"Max coffee please." Hachiman asked, and he got what he wanted., "The tab is on Producer Hikigaya."
And they got out as soon as they're done.
"And I noticed that there are a lot of young men working in this Production. In a first glance, I wonder why is that. Isn't it the best interest of the studio to make them far away from the idols as possible?"
Hachiman popped the can out, took a sip, and sighed in relief.
"Then I noticed something. Many of the young men always accompanied by other female staff, while others were let to roam free around on their lonesome."
The corner of Mishiro's lips twitched, no, she wasn't nervous or anything. She was actually intrigued.
Hachiman found that out simply by looking around?
"Idols aren't machines, they're human beings too. And more than that, most idols are teens in their prime. At the beginning, middle, and end of their puberty. Their mind, body, and soul demand the company of men. And so, the studio let them have it, as many handsome young men as you can afford."
"But they cannot be let alone with the company of some random men because that would simply ask for scandals to happen." Hachiman removed his glasses, his dead-fish eyes pierced right through Mishiro's hard as ice expression. "The answer is that those good looking men who were left alone to work and play with the young, hormonal idols to their heart's content... they're gays. Am I right?"
"So you did notice that." Mishiro finally, for the first time since their meeting, smiled. "I guess you're not as naive as your father."
It was a sinister smile, but better than her sour, unfriendly and suspicious reaction to Hachiman's arrival.
"Pretty sure my twin sister would have noticed that as well. She was invited here as Leader substitute because gay ballroom dancers aren't that plentiful and aren't always available for hire. Your other choice would be heavily screened Leaders, disregard of their orientation." Hachiman guessed as he slipped his glasses into his suit's pocket, "And some of your idols, definitely noticed that too."
Mishiro shook her head calmly, "It doesn't matter, the stone had been cast and KRONE is ready to break out of its current shell and metamorphose. It's going to be our finest project as of yet, certainly better than what your father may bring to the table. Including LiPPS next audition."
"KRONE's member also included Romanovskaya." Hachiman checked out again on the tablet, "And I don't see how she would metamorphose in that state."
Hachi leaned on the corridor wall and grinned. "The magic is going to run out soon and Cinderella's true self will be exposed. And in this cruel and unjust world, there's no such thing as happy fairy tale ending. I'm sure Mishiro-san knew that as well."
"She will get around that hurdle." Mishiro said, stone cold, "All that matter is that she can consistently sing well."
It's not as if the Otaku fanbase, which composes the vast majority of Idol demographic market, would care what happened behind the curtains.
The smiling idols that they saw on the stage were the only thing that matter the most.
"That's not something you can call metamorphose though." Hachiman father came out from his hiding place, "A larvae pretending to have wings are still larvae, not a Butterfly."
"So, what are you going to do?" Mishiro asked him frankly, "Producer? or rather, what would your son do?"
"It's simple." Hachiman pulled out his phone, "Let me show you, the magic called the power of true love."
...
One hour later...
Anastasia sat on the mock-stage, seemingly dissatisfied. She was surrounded by her concerned friends.
"Anya, you need to rest."
"No, just a little more." Anastasia shook her head, "Just a little more, and I might be able to break through."
Hachi and the members of the LiPPS watched from the side with concern, but Hachi especially so. This girl reminded herself too much of Saika, and not just in appearance.
Their inability to give up, and willingness to follow any advice to surpass their own limitations and change themselves for the better. If she was left alone like this, then she might burn herself out.
"Sorry for calling you up so suddenly, it must be tiring riding all the way here on your own," Hachiman said coldly.
"It's fine, besides it's such a rare chance for us to meet."
Hachi froze when she realized who the owner of that voice just now, and then slapped her face in regret.
"Ah, I need to go somewhere." Hachi quickly bailed out of the scene, much to the confusion of the idols beside her.
She wants to avoid meeting him, especially in a place like this. Because he was super persistent and Hachi didn't want to cause any misunderstanding.
Walking beside Hachiman was a young man, with near identical face to Anastasia, but with rougher, sharper facial outline, and shorter boyish hair. Pretty much not unlike Hachiman was to Hachi.
He was quite short by the standard of a Japanese seventeen years old young man, but his hard-carved lean yet solid arm muscles made his presence much more masculine.
His piercing blue eyes meet Anastasia's own.
Anastasia practically leaped out of the mock rehearsal stage and hugged him. "SAIKA-NII!"
"Whoa, hey, long time no see Anya." Saika caught her with absolutely no effort on his part, "Are you doing well?"
"Yeah!" Anastasia quickly lets three small kisses on his cheeks, two to the left and one to the right, much to everyone but Hachiman's shock, and then let him go. "I'm doing just fine, everyone had been helping me every day."
"I see, good for you." Saika nodded approvingly, "I'm sorry I've lost contact as well because I'm pretty busy with tennis these days."
Kanade expressed her shock and envy. As she pouted, she grabbed Hachiman's sleeves and shook him. "Did she just kissed him like that? I want to do that too."
"Russian tradition, please don't do it." Hachiman pointed with no-nonsense tone, and the idols sighed in a mix of relief and disappointment. Of course, Hachiman might just be incorrect and talking out of his ass, but better than being ravished by these sex-starved idols. He will have to google it later.
"Who is that Anya, is that your twin brother?"
"Nyet, he's my older cousin from father's side." Anastasia introduced him to all of her teammates from KRONE. Anastasia looked much more lively than before as if something that burdened her had been lifted.
"What, so her crush which just happened to be her cousin is here. So what's next?" Mishiro asked, completely miffed by the outrageous development unveiled in front of her.
"You still don't understand anything, Mishiro-san." Producer Hikigaya commented and looked at Hachiman gleefully.
Hachiman said cryptically, "Not even a loner can survive without familial love, don't you know?"
"By the way, this is a bit of lunch from Mom, so please share it with your friends if you want."
Hachiman handed the bundled, massive package of bento which more or less resembles family picnic set to Saika, who gave it to Anastasia. However, the bento bundle was big enough that she needed to be helped by her friends to carry it.
"Heavy!" They cried in chorus.
It's amazing that Hachiman and Saika lifted it on their own as if it was nothing.
"Thank you, Saika-nii!" Anastasia said, "But it's not lunchtime period yet, could you stay for a while and watch us rehearsing instead? There should be enough food for all of us!"
"Sure." Saika nodded, and then switched to Hachiman. "Hikigaya-san too, thank you for calling me."
Hachiman didn't look back at Saika and walked away wordlessly as the members of Anastasia's group stood on the rehearsal stage and began singing.
Anastasia shine brighter than ever, her voice was soothing yet powerful. Her love, thoughts, and emotion flow out, unrestrained, knowing that someone she held dearly was watching her through the whole thing.
Everyone who stood outside the stage was enchanted by her performance. They were quiet, from beginning to the end.
And then there was applause.
"That was amazing, Anya!" Her teammates hugged her, "You made it! Your breakthrough!"
"Спасибо!" Anastasia happily exclaimed, even as sweat began to flow down her chin, she looked more energized than ever. "I wouldn't be able to do it without everyone's support!"
"What was that again about metamorphosis, Mishiro-san?" Hachiman asked smugly, "A caged bird may sing, but they will never show themselves fully unless you gave them a suitable company."
"Hmmp." Mishiro huffed in annoyance, "Next time you came here, don't just randomly invite an outsider without my explicit permission."
"As if there will be a next time, biatch." Hachiman looked away and stuck out his tongue cheekily, as he wore his glasses again.
He felt like he lost ten years of lifespan just roaming around here for half a day as Assistant to his father. No wonder his father looked like a zombie whenever he came home.
No wonder he quit this job twenty years ago. It was both physically and emotionally draining. Grudgingly, Hachiman felt like his respect for his father slightly increased.
Hachi, who was hiding right on the hidden edge of the stage so Saika wouldn't be able to see her, quickly sneaked out and punched Hachiman's chest jokingly. "Way to go and get yourself noticed."
"That means Mishiro-san acknowledged your potential." Producer ruffled Hachiman's hair, "I'm proud of you, Hachiman."
I'm proud of you.
Producer never knew how long Hachiman waited, to hear such simple, yet meaningful praise from his father.
Thankfully, his thick glasses were really good at hiding tears.
"Father, Do you know where's the closest music store is?" Hachiman suddenly asked.