"Come on, Hiromi! We haven't hung out in a week! A week!"

"Ugh, I know! It's your contract with your future record label... They're evil, I tell you, EVIL! It's all clauses and sub-clauses, and sub-sub-clauses, and... I might need another week. I don't want them screwing you too much with the contract, you know?"

"Don't worry Hiromi! I have an idea!"

And she hung up.

Kuroiwa was smoking a cigar. One with real tobacco, not the synthetic crap. Meeting with the talent was always a pain, and now he had to meet with that 'Motoro' or something before she even signed. Still, that wasn't even in the top 100 of the weird requests coming from the cows, or "artists" as they called themselves, so he would deal, as always. That didn't mean he had to talk, thankfully. One of the assistants was handling the introductions.

"So, this is everyone?"

She was oddly focused, looking at everyone one by one as if sizing them up.

"Ah, well... yes? With Kuroiwa-sama and the lawyers, and... well, that's everyone who will be working with you... did you perhaps want to sign early ?"

There was hope in his voice. Kuroiwa pitied the fool, it was never that easy with the talent, never. He would learn.

"Nope! I just wanted to deliver a warning!"

She was beaming. Such positivity should be illegal. Kuroiwa raised one brow.

"You see, I know that once I sign, it's iron-clad and nobody can win against a record label, that would be silly!"

She was still smiling, but that smile was turning more and more predatory.

"So I had an idea! Even if I can't win against the company, well you guys are another thing entirely, see?"

Kuroiwa did not, in fact, see.

"Because well, you guys are used to dealing with just Rockerboys, and I'm not just that. I'm Ghost In the Shell, and I've killed more people than my brother the Oni."

She looked oddly proud of that, Kuroiwa noted.

"I have worked for a few fixers, but my favorite is Wakako! Rogue is nice too, I guess."

Kuroiwa looked upon her small frame with disbelief.

"Anyway, now you guys know! And now, I know what you look like. So if you trick me with the contract, I will kill you all. See you for the signing!"

And she just left.

There was a moment of silence before Kuroiwa snorted.

"Well, at least it was short ... that was the most pathetic attempt at intimidation that I've ever seen."

Everyone else in the room agreed instantly, of course. They knew their place. Still ...

"Look her up anyway." He was an old hand at this and wasn't about to take any risks.

Later, Motoko was tinkering with her Tachikoma when Hiromi barged in, without knocking.

"MOTOKO! Why did the record label amend the contract and cut it in half?!"

She started laughing. Just according to Keikaku.

(Keikaku means plan).