Chapter 348: Re-Idolize – I
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nPlay: 24 Hour Cinderella – Yakuza 0
nThe makeshift karaoke bar that the Project MirAIs girls had been using for the past few days to unwind. There, flashing disco lights started. And with that, an upbeat synth vibe opening started as well.
nStanding in front of the TV in the room, Yuri took a deep breath and started to sing in a warbly voice.
n*
nAbsolutely I LOVE YOU! Sending all my love
nOh surely YOU LOVE ME, I can’t get enough
nLet’s go on you, and me, it’s our story
nA fairy tale end~
n*
nRin waved a pair of glowsticks and cheered. “Whoo! Go Riri!”
nYuri let out a bright smile and started singing again with more confidence.
n*
nYou and me now STEP AND GO! This love that we know.
nIt will last now for sure, I’ll never let go
nOf all the times, we’ve shared, it’ll still be there,
nkept locked within my heart.
n*
n“Yosh!” Shu jumped out of her chair and pumped a fist in the air. “Go Riri! Go!”
nYuri’s smile widened and she kept singing with more confidence. Swinging her arms out for emphasis, swaying with the song… She was performing just like a proper idol.
n*
nAs surely as ‘equals’, a treasure I always need.
nLike the earth revolves around a golden sun it’s you,
nyes it’s you the one I love~
n*
nSeeing that, Asako chuckled and cracked open a chilled can of oolong tea. “Looks like our Kouhai’s finally letting loose a bit.”
nJanuary 3rd, 2025. The first Friday of the New Year and the last day of their vacation.
nIt had been fun, but all things had to come to an end.
n…Things which sadly included this fun bonding experience of the Project MirAIs girls.
nAlphy smiled as she sipped on her own can of apple juice. “Mmhm. It’s good to see Yuri-chan finally relax a bit.”
nIn the last few days, the girls had spent more time singing together. Solos, duets, group ensemble karaoke sessions…
nIt wasn’t great. After all, the Prototype girls were already experienced with one concert under their belt while the Prodigy girls had only been streaming and not acting as idols. Because of that, it was definitely… an act. Not a class act, but an act.
nNow though…
n*HEY HEY HEY!*
nYuri finished singing, face flushed and a sheen of sweat on her face. Letting out a bright smile, she laughed and said, “D-Did I do okay?”
nHer response was a round of applause by everyone. Even Chihiro, albeit reluctantly.
nSeeing that, Alphy smiled and gave a sideways glance at Asako. “It looks like things are going to be fun from now on, aren’t they, Asa-chan?”
nAsako chugged her tea and then set the can to the side. “Yeah.” She stood up and grinned. “Looks like we’re finally gonna be a real idol group for once. Now…” She cracked her neck and walked up to the TV. “…It’s time to show our Kouhai’s how it’s really done.” Pulling out her phone, Asako tapped on a song.
nPlay: What Sort of Ending Are You Wishing For? – TUYU
nWalking up to the front, Asako closed her eyes and started singing, quickly joined by a somber piano.
n*
nLike the hazy summer days, all the time we have today, it breaks within our hearts forsaking us all again.
nNow more than ever I will go onwards and move ahead.
n(With our love)
nNever looking back, as I’m on this stage carrying all the flowers right here in my heart.
n*
nSeeing Asako perform, Chihiro rolled her eyes and muttered, “Freaking show-off. Always hogging all our screen time…”
nxxx
nHappy New Years! It’s both been a while and yet no time at all. Either way, the girls at Project MirAIs will keep working hard, so please continue to support them on this long journey! – John Smith
nOhanayo! Let’s have a great year together! – Hana Homura
nMy new year’s resolution is to see you all smile. So please, continue to live well for this year too. – Alfi Titor
nYou bastards won the damned bet, but I’m going to get back at you! Don’t think this year’s going to be as easy as last one! – Aoko Ryuusei
nYosh! Nothing’s going to stop us this year, alright? Let’s go! – Kuromi Tekken
nMay blessings fall upon you and grace your new year. – Tsubame Akari
nI-It’s been a bit of a mess, but I’ll do better! Here’s to a great year, everyone! – Miya Musashi
nNFTs are out now, so buy my merch. – Rhea Davinki
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nxxx
nSitting in the back of a black luxury sedan, a young man swiped the screen of his phone, scrolling through the latest megathread on the Project MirAIs subreadit. After reading a few of the more ridiculous comments, he chuckled and shook his head. “These guys are getting all excited about some new year wishes… Heh. Bet they’d never believe I get to meet them IRL.”
n“Stop smiling.” A sharp female voice echoed from the driver’s seat. There, a serious young woman with square-rimmed glasses and curly black hair glared back through the rearview mirror. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be forced to drive five hours to Tokyo.”
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nThe young man laughed and tugged the strings on his blue sweater, causing the dragon-themed hood to shrink a bit. “Come on, Sis. Your little brother’s getting a proper job, so you can do this much, right? And weren’t you begging me to get out of the house?”
nThe young woman clicked her tongue and said, “I was. But I wasn’t expecting to have to drive you all the way to your new job.”
n“I mean, I *was* offered a plane ticket-“
n“You would have taken a trip out of the country while you were at it, so no.”
n“I wouldn’t do that!”
nThe young woman glared at the young man.
nThe young man stared back and then let out a nervous laugh, running a hand through his straight black hair. “…Okay. Maybe a pit stop at Hawaii. But that’s it!”
nThe young woman sighed. “Why do I even bother with you?”
n“Because you’re almost Christmas-“
n“I *WILL* drop you off here.”
n“…Because you love me?”
n“Barely.” The young woman rolled her eyes and said, “Just keep reading your damned red posts or whatever until we get there, you bastard.”
nThe young man nodded. “I will. Though…” He paused and said, “…I think you’d get along with Queen a lot.”
n“What?”
nThe young man laughed and said, “Don’t worry about it, Sis.” After that, he shifted his attention back to his phone and logged into a custom group chat setup by John for the latest recruits.
nxxx
n>StraightGarbage: On the road right now with my big sis. I’ll probably get into Roppongi in the evening.
nxxx
nSitting in the Los Angeles airport waiting for boarding, a cute young Asian woman glanced at her phone and sipped on a chai tea. Reading the message that just popped up in her group chat, she laughed and raised her tea up for another sip. “That bastard actually dragged his sister with him? I feel so bad… Maybe I should buy her a gift.”
nAt that time, a notification popped up on her phone. Twotter. And the content of that notification…
nxxx
nAoko Ryuusei @AokoRyuusei · 1 sec
nYou crazy bastards. How the f*ck did you all hold back your horny for so long? Dammit. Hah… Whatever. I’ll put the calendar out when membership opens. Crazy horny bastards…
nxxx
nThe young Asian woman snorted and set her tea down. “Queen calls us crazy, but she’s the crazy one for following through.” She reached up to adjust her fox ear headband and said, “Well. I guess that’s why Mister John wanted us to help manage stuff for her, right?”
nShe shook her head and then went to type a message in the group chat.
nxxx
n>FailureFox: Just sitting at the airport right now waiting to board. Can’t wait to see you all there!
nxxx
nA luxury jet docked in the United Arab Emirates. On that jet, a young man with light brown skin, curled dark hair, and olive-colored eyes yawned, waiting for the pilot to finish the jet refueling.
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nReading the messages on his phone from the group chat and scrolling through Twotter, he laughed and said, “This is really happening, isn’t it?”
n“Prince.” A gruff voice echoed from the side. One of the young man’s bodyguards, dressed in a form-fitting black suit. “Are you certain you want to work in the Oriental? Your father mentioned that some of his business associates were seeking to expand there… Could you not have worked there?”
nThe young man shifted a golden ring on his left finger, one that looked like a whale biting its own tail. After that, he smiled and said, “I could. But I have a feeling that Mister Smith is the sure fire bet… And besides.” He looked up and said, “How could I miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to work for my Queen in reality?”
n“…You could marry any woman and make her a proper queen, Prince. You need not pursue a fictional woman behind a screen. And do you even know what this Queen of yours looks like in-person?”
nThe young man waved his left hand and said, “It doesn’t matter what she looks like. After all, I have no intention to take her as a wife.”
n“…I don’t understand.”
n“Tch.” The young man rolled his eyes and shooed the man away. “You old fogies… It would take too long to explain idol culture, the difference between 2D and 3D, as well as the joy of supporting a young woman’s ideals. Leave.”
n“Prince-“
n“I will not repeat myself.”
n“…Yes, Prince.”
nThe young man watched the bodyguard leave and then turned his attention back to his phone. “…I might as well respond as well.”
nxxx
n>GoldenOrca: Just got on my private jet. Waiting for refueling before we head to Narita Airport.
n>StraightGarbage: You rich oil baron! F.U. and your F.U. money!
n>FailureFox: lol. Can you simp for me too, Goldie?
n>GoldenOrca: My wallet belongs to the Queen, but I can offer you my heart if you wish, Foxie.
n>FailureFox: I don’t think your heart can pay my student debts, Goldie.
n>GoldenOrca: …And you think your lewds will?
n>FailureFox: What?! You calling me ugly or something?
n>StraightGarbage: Get a room already, you damned riajuu!
n>FailureFox: Screw off, NEET!
n>StraightGarbage: Hah! I’ve graduated from that, remember?
n>FailureFox: Yeah, but not from your V-card, dweeb.
n>StraightGarbage: …T_T
n>JohnSmith
n>StraightGarbage: …Don’t fire me?
n>FailureFox: U-Uh…
n>JohnSmith
n>FailureFox: YATTA! You’re the best, Mister John!
n>StraightGarbage: BOSS! You’re my life savior! T_T
n>GoldenOrca: Employment law is a pain? For a man of your resources?
n>JohnSmith
n>GoldenOrca: Ah.
n>JohnSmith
nxxx
nJohn slipped his phone into his pocket after sending the last message and then looked up. “Now… How the hell do I deal with these people?”
nA small cafe in Kichijoji. One that reminded him a lot of a certain high schooler who got framed by a corrupt official.
nHe had suggested it for a meeting spot since it was closest to Alfis_Couch and Alfis_HotCocoa, but…
n“…Those guys can’t be them, right?”
nHe was standing a fair distance away from the cafe. Far enough that he’d be unnoticed by everyone inside. But close enough that he could look in with his eyesight…
nNot that it mattered since he could use his other powers too.
nBut…
nA drop-dead gorgeous young woman with light brown hair and a white t-shirt with a couch printed on it. One that was loose, but couldn’t hide her trained and lithe body.
nA handsome young man with dyed silver hair and crimson contact lenses. Like the young woman, his body was trained, revealing perfect chiseled muscles. And like the woman, he wore a loose white t-shirt, but one with a steaming coffee mug instead of the couch.
nAnd the last person…
nA man with hulking muscles that barely fit at the table. A simple gray sweatshirt, but one with ALFI-SAMA emblazoned on the front and KNIGHT on the back.
nAfter checking with his eyes, checking with his spiritual sense, and then just checking his phone again to make sure he got the right spot and time, John let out a sigh. “…Well. I guess this year’s going to be much more interesting than the last, I guess.”
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