94: Teacher

Jin: ‘Sup. Is everyone here? Then I guess we’ll get the ball rolling. I’m glad you guys’re such good buddies and all, but how ‘bout we all sit down and shut up?

Akiomi: You’re all too loud. How long are you going to behave like children? I could hear your voices from the hallway, even though this room is soundproof.

Jin: Nah... I think your hearing’s just way too good, Akiyan.

I couldn’t hear shit—not like I wanted to anyway. You’re getting a little high-strung in your old age there, don’tcha think?

Akiomi: I am not old, and I’ve already asked you not to call me Akiyan, Jin.

Eichi: (Ah, and so the fearsome P-Association makes its appearance. That is to be expected, since they serve as both supervisors and chairmen of the Summit.)

(A body of mediators composed predominantly of trusted ES executives and producers—)

(That is the P-Association, the ones who manage and operate the idols here.)

(The Association is still nascent and has achieved little by way of concrete results.)

(But it was the consensus of all that such a body was essential, so we’ve granted it as much power and authority as it requires.)

(To use a somewhat misleading analogy, they resemble the Senate of Ancient Rome.)^[1]

(Under no circumstance can I—the ego, the idol—defy or ignore the orders of the Producer.)

(Such a structure could easily become awash in corruption and decadence, but the roster for the P-Association was carefully curated...)

(There are also measures in place to shut down the operation if this does happen, so I don’t foresee any problems at the moment.)

(Idols require a producer, just as sports games need referees.)

(The Association is led by living legend Hidaka Seiya, and beneath him are the teachers who enabled us once-aspiring idols to spend our youth in a meaningful way—)

(These would be former super idol Sagami Jin, as well as Kunugi Akiomi, the advisor for the student council, Yumenosaki’s administrative body.)

(And finally, the model for Yumenosaki’s newly established producer course, and indeed our guardian angel and one of the protagonists from last year’s tale—)

(The producer, Anzu-chan.)

(I have faith that they will handle things well, and we have no complaints on our part about following their direction. I could have taken on the role, myself—)

(But I would prefer to focus on my idol career from now on. I’m tired of being called Emperor and playing pretend at leadership.)

(There is no point in attempting to reshape the industry or even ES based solely on my own opinions. I am no god, and I’m under no delusion that I can always find absolute truth.)

(This is precisely why we’ve created the P-Association, and why we hold these regular meetings, the Summits, with the leadership which functionally runs the Big Four Agencies.)

Ibara: I thank you humbly for showing up, P-Association! Salute!

...I see Hidaka Seiya-shi isn’t joining us today?

Jin: Eh, he doesn’t have as much free time as we do. He’s still going strong in the industry even at his age, way more than anyone else. Guy just never stops...

Looks like he’s spending most of his time overseas lately, but I don’t know what he’s up to.

Akiomi: We’re fairly busy, ourselves, you know.

It’s not as if we’ve lost our jobs teaching at Yumenosaki; we just had work for the P-Association piled on top.

I don’t intend to devote all my time to this P-Association work, so I’d appreciate if you don’t waste the time I am giving you.

I don’t like to smell the roses, so let’s get on with things.

Ibara: Yes, of course. Given what topics are likely to be on the table today, I’d also prefer this Summit be a short one—

And so I would so love for you all to behave yourselves so that this might wrap up shortly.

Yuzuru: Eichi-sama. That thing is a contrarian at heart, so that statement should indicate his intention to drag the meeting out as long as possible.

Eichi: I’m aware. Saegusa-kun is known for always bringing a large amount of paperwork with him, but this time it seems like he’s brought even more than usual.

Ibara: Shut up, Yuzuru... Why don’t you just stick to pouring tea?

Yuzuru: It would be my honor. Would you two, and Anzu-san as well, care for some tea? ♪

Jin: Thanks. You’re a real lifesaver, Fushimi; I was parched. This summer’s way too hot. Feels like it’s getting hotter every year, actually.

Akiomi: Or maybe you’re just getting weaker in your old age and becoming less tolerant of extreme temperatures?

Ibara: (Phew. Was my misdirection successful? I was trying to change the subject.)

Hinata: (whispering) Hey VP~ Heyyy~

Yuuta: (whispering) Here’s that thing you wanted. Take it.

Ibara: (whispering) Thank you. As anticipated, your practical skills are exemplary despite how much you like to goof off.

Rei: (Now, I wonder what Saegusa-kun could be up to. As the rumors say, he is like a snake slithering through the brush and stalking his prey from the shadows.)

Rei: (It’s a stark contrast to Tenshouin-kun, who prefers to survey the situation from above, like an angel, and adjusts things in pursuit of his ideals.)

(So, as the angel and the serpent meet eyes—how will we at RhythLink act?)

(Kukuku. I am yet in my prime; I think I’ll enjoy this just a bit... ♪)