Chapter 17

Orthodox

As if the starter's pistol was shot, things started to pick up as soon as Richie arrived. Quick introductions were made, and Jordan was addressed as being their Promoter. For a moment Iori imagined sparks of electricity spraying in the background when those two shook hands, but she knew if that were true the student translator would be quickly defeated. Of the two, her savior was taller, more handsome, stronger, and better dressed then the one who answered Kotori's Wanted ad. Actually, Iori flirted with the idea of just firing this youth, but she had enough of translating everything. Richie had already been paid, so he may as well stick around. Quickly did the young idol establish that she knew English, so if he was going to continue to stick needlessly close to Azusa (he found Ritsuko too much of a shrew), he wasn't irreplaceable. It wasn't exactly a bluff, but Iori didn't want the extra work put on her table.

Originally Team Ryuuguu Komachi planned to take a taxi from place to place, but because the search for Iori warranted rapid transportation, they were forced to rent a vehicle. A large four door, six seat, gas guzzling, SUV. If they had reserved in advance they could have gotten something more practical. As the only one with a driver's license (excluding Richie and Jordan), Ritsuko was forced behind the wheel. In that monster her feet could barely reach the peddles. Jordan openly laughed upon seeing the spectacle. Pushing her aside he offered to be their driver. Iori was worried because he only rode a bicycle around town, but he assured her he had his license. In Japan they called that a "Paper Driver." She wondered why he didn't own a car.

Their first destination was a mandatory one. Pictures needed to be taken. These photos would be used for multiple purposes. Some of them were for banners, advertisements, magazine articles, and the like. Ryuuguu Komachi had to go through additional makeup, costume changes, and multiple sessions. By the time this was checked off the list, half the day was gone.

"I really wish these kinds of things didn't take so long," Jordan complained.

"We tried to hurry up," Iori's tone compassionately agreed, "but with the photographer yelling at us, and Richie trying to translate, it was harsher than it should have been."

"Don't blame me," Richie tries to defend himself, "that guy was a total spazz and kept changing his mind every other second!"

Iori knew this was true, and honestly, even she didn't know what he was saying and they spoke the same language.

They had the leisure of shooting the breeze because Azusa and Ritsuko had to stop and use the bathroom, leaving the men and the two youngest to simply wait.

"Iorin, Iorin," it was Ami calling, "(What are you talking about?)"

Shooting a glance at Richie, it was supposed to be his job keeping everyone in the loop. That meant normal conversations too. The hired help sighs painfully and translates. At that moment Ami realizes that at this point she can communicate freely with Jordan, and not having to worry about Iori messing things up. Actually, Iori realized that as well only moments later, and mentally kicks herself of not keeping the notion hidden. If only she translated when asked.

"(Hey, Jordan-oniichan, what kind of girls do you like?)" apparently, Ami wouldn't let the issue drop.

Somewhat taken back by the question, Jordan didn't really bother much with the answer, "I don't know, someone shorter than me."

Most woman were shorter than him, so Iori knew that his response was teasing.

"(So, Jordan-oniichan has a complex about his height I see. What about cooking?)"

"She's gotta suck. I can't eat anything but my own food."

Ami was starting to frown, as if shes to catching on to what he's doing, "(What type of hairstyle do you like?)"

"They gotta shave. I don't like me no hairy women."

That wasn't what she was asking, "(What about personality?)"

"Only if they don't do what they're told."

Ami grumbles, realizing she wasn't going to get any straight answers out of him. Instead, she needed to be even more direct, "(How do you feel about Ricchan?)"

"Total future cat lady."

While that was funny, Ami couldn't back down. He was answering her questions without a second's hesitation. She needed to do the same. "Azusa-oneechan?"

"Closet masochist. I don't like pain."

"(Me.)"

"I get a cavity just looking at you."

"Iorin."

There was nothing.

Was it hesitation, surprise, or unsure? For whatever reason, Jordan simply stood there staring into space. Iori too had perked up her ear once Ami started asking about the girls individually. Obviously he was messing with her, like he'd done Iori so many times, but when he paused at her name, even she was on-edge. Was he actually giving it thought?

"They're done," he says and begins to walk away.

Confused, Iori looks around and immediately sees what he meant. Azusa and Ritsuko are standing there, somewhat trying to hide. The manager seems very angry.

"(Cat lady?)"

He knew they were standing there. Everything that was just said was meant to rile them in one way or the other, thanks to Richie's translation. Perhaps this was his way of relieving stress.

Their next stop was an interview for the weekly Vegas magazine that highlights all the upcoming shows. Normally this would have been seen as a solid move, but normally these kinds of things were done about a week in advance, not a day. Jordan didn't hold very high hopes.

"They are professionals," he said as he drove, Richie translating, "but I don't think they're going to think we're as serious as we are. We're going there in person, the concert's tomorrow night, and your company doesn't have a large enough Public Relations department to get much of this done over the phone and emails. This interview could simply have been done over a conference call or web-meeting, but you're just waiting till now to do it. I understand there are such thing as distance and language barriers, but this could have been so much better if it really were done in advance."

Ritsuko tries to explain, "(I understand that, but it took us a very long time just to have this interview scheduled. Ours is a small company.)"

"And that's why you'll receive second treatment. It's all a peeing contest," and that received a gasped breathe from the girls, "out here, so you have to make a show of force in one way or another. Unfortunately this isn't doing it."

"(Then tell me, why should we bother then?)"

"Well, they might not be willing to help you out that much, but if you brush them off they can do a lot to harm us. It's like kneeling down and kissing the ring, or whatever yakuza equivalent that is. Vegas is cowboy country. You have to give them their dues just so they'll leave you alone. So we kind of don't have a choice. We could've gotten by if you never scheduled the interview, but now that you have we have to waste the time with them. Just, don't forget to smile."

After pulling over once so Azusa could get some air, they arrived at the magazine's business office, which by coincidence, was only a block away from their hotel. Jordan grumbled about miss-scheduling and wasting time. According to him, this was the last thing they needed to do from Ritsuko's original itinerary.

Being led around by the receptionist had them waiting in a small room with white walls and roundish furniture. Jordan and Richie were talking about the student's hometown in Phoenix, how his home was far warmer then it was here in Vegas, and Jordan arguing that Vegas always has the hotter summers. Pretty much useless banter.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," a woman in half-casual/half-professional attire said as she walks in. Short and a little heavyset, she was still pleasant to look at with her cute face and strawberry blonde hair. Perhaps only a few years separated her and Jordan. "Normally we send our reporters to the musician, not the other way around." (Jordan grumbles again, though it escaped the notice of everyone except the two closest to him, Iori and Richie.) "Is that a cultural thing?"

Ritsuko took over, "(We thought it was most appropriate seeing as we have the privilege of being hosted by your wonderful city.)"

This woman with the brilliant hair and bright gray eyes listened to the translation intently, and seems to lack no small amount of interest.

"Really? Well, let me say that Las Vegas is really gracious to invite you. My name is Michelle Peterson and I'll be conducting the interview."

While introductions were being made, Iori couldn't help comparing Michelle to Noah the event coordinator. Is this new woman also putting up an act, or is she genuine?

"Excuse me, did you say you were their promoter?" Michelle was asking Jordan.

"Ah, yes. I won't be intruding on your interview. Just think of me as a fly on the wall."

Now that Iori thought about it, Jordan's current presence serves no purpose. He'd just said he had nothing to contribute to the interview, so was he listening in only to pass the time? Not that he would ever admit to this, but this act was merely childlike curiosity. Certainly was this in-line with his personality.

"First I would like to get to know some of your members, as you are a diverse collection of girls. The youngest of you is Ami. You're currently 13 years old, but you actually started over a year ago. What drove you to enter showbiz at so young?"

Ami answers as playfully as she always does, and Ritsuko cringed at some of the responses given. Honestly, they were not very different from some of the questions asked from when she first debuted. Being introduced to a completely new audience could be like that. Even Ritsuko was somewhat surprised by the familiarity she had to these questions, and the predictability of the on-coming new ones.

Next was Azusa, who had attracted the most attention from the moment she stepped foot into these offices. Some of the questions presented probably would have been more suited to Iori, and Michelle was honestly surprised by how down to earth this Idol was. Azusa was quiet, soft spoken, and nearly inhumanly polite. "Charming" would be the word Michelle would use to fit Azusa to a T. Even the interviewer herself was slightly blushing at the woman's warm aura. Actually, Iori noticed that this received a curious stare from Jordan.

"And finally, Iori Minase. Actually, you are the leader of this group, are you not? How did you come into such a role despite not being the oldest member?" Michelle was somewhat trailing off when she noticed Richie ceased translating, but she continued regardless.

"That wasn't something that was decided at the beginning," Iori surprises her with her answer. "When we first began as a group, it was Ritsuko who was mainly in charge. I guess the role of leadership fell to me because I was always the first one to step forward. The first to practice, the first to criticize my fellow idols, and the first to lend a helping hand. Somehow it just happened, and everyone started looking at me to take the lead. Naturally I accepted the role, but I did so with a sense of humility."

Actually, that wasn't exactly how it happened. From the very start Iori insisted that she be the leader, but her effort thus far has been exemplary. Slightly out of order, she proved worthy of being a leader after the responsibility was bestowed upon her, not the other way around. Still, her told version makes for a better story.

"Wow! You speak really good English. Have you spent time before in English speaking countries?"

"Why yes!" Iori energetically explains. "I've visited America many times, as well as England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, India, China-" she was on a roll.