Only Makoto is having hangover the next day. Miki steps out of the washroom looking fresh. The trio plan to spend the morning out for breakfast and shopping since they only need to be in the studio for Hello! Morning skit recording at 2pm. However, the plan is ruined when Yossi and Miki each received an email from their manager requesting them to turn up for a meeting at 10am.
In the cab, Yossi keeps checking out Miki’s expressions. It seems Miki really had no idea what happened, she must be dead drunk last night. Yossi secretly feels relieved.
“So how? Makochan.” Miki asks.
“I’ll drop you guys off at Upfront, then I’ll go to the studio.”
“No, you should head off to Konkon’s place and ask her out for lunch.” Yossi grins.
Miki makes a slight point at the driver. They realize the driver is listening attentively, not to mention his constant checks on the rear mirror. It will be bad if he passes information to gossip magazines so the trio stop talking.
Before Yossi and Miki get off, Yossi stuffs some cash to Makoto to pay for the fare and closes the cab’s door.
“That was sweet of you.”
“Standard senpai behavior, besides I earn more.”
“Oh! That means I must always pay for you from now.”
“Geez! What are you implying…”
*** *** ***
They are early. Seated alongside each other around the long meeting table, Yossi checks out on Miki once again.
(Ok, confirmed she can’t recall a thing.)“Your smirk irks me, what are you thinking just now?”
“Oh, I was wondering if this could be another announcement on adding new members.” Yossi lies.
“I see you always leave your brains at home. Makochan wasn’t called in and there are no cameras around.” Miki quips.
“WHAT! Sometimes I wonder why Rikachan and you always pick on me? Do I always make silly comments?”
There is a knock on the door, Rika walks in, speak of the devil, Yossi and Miki laugh out spontaneously.
Rika: “Nani?”
“Nothing.” Yossi smiles “By the way, ohayou.”
Rika: “Ohayou gozaimasu.”
Rika chooses the seat next to Yossi much to the later’s surprise. But when Maki is the next to come in, Yossi starts to panic.
(Rika, now Maki, did the management know something about us?). Then Aya enters the room, Yossi nearly falls off the chair. It definitely spells trouble this time.
***
Manager: “… More members will be added at a later date. Meeting dismissed, Yoshizawa-san, please stay behind, need a word with you.”
When all her friends had left the room, it suddenly becomes so quiet, Yossi can hear her own heart beat. Looking stern, the Manager asks Yossi “Can you define the word ‘Idol Group’?”
“Appealing…”
“Do you in any way looks like an idol now?” the Manager clears his throat.
Yossi’s face turns bright red.
Manager: “Your merchandise doesn’t sell, your fanbase is declining, and you’re becoming a liability to the company. SO what you think the company should do?”
“moushiwake arimasen deshita.”
Manager: “You’ll be given three months to produce some results. Make good use of your futsal training, it’s the reason why we include you in the team. Buck up, ok?”
“Yes.”
Before the Manager leaves the room, he turns and says one last sentence “You’re a very beautiful girl. Don’t ruin it.”
**********************
ok, an update, nothing 'happening' in this chapter, nevertheless, hope you guys like it.
