idolpro | avante en garde - SATURDAY NOON PST

avante en garde - SATURDAY NOON PST

[ The bar is unit-colored with light unit paraphernalia, although it's all just for show. Fortunately, comfort isn't part of the unit aesthetic this time—all seats are cushioned, whether the booth seats or the bar stools, comfy and lush. Idols can sit anywhere they like, it seems.

There's alcohol available, but everything else is locked behind the wall-cabinet. . . the recipe book is also available to peruse at one's leisure.

Ah—the door opens, and a fuzzy sort of shade steps in. It looks like idols will be serving the Damned, today. . . ? ]

RECIPE BOOK

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In order to help with the margarita... I shall share a memory, then, if that is all right?

[ He supposes he must crush the ice and pass it around. ]

Well then... shall we?

[ But it isn't a memory he's had before or could have expected. ]

[ It's your turn to go inside and receive your orders. But from the look on your classmate's face, pale as a sheet as he steps outside of the suddenly ominous door, a nervous pit forms in your stomach.

SS, an important and well-known idol competition held every year. No one could have expected that this year would be so drastically different from any other. Each unit is to be divided into different regions in Japan. Leaving, once there, is forbidden without a heavy penalty, and every member is expected to be given a secret order that they must not share with anyone off the unit without a heavy penalty or even disqualification.

In the Leader meeting, it was made clear that those at the helms of their units would carry an even heavier order. With each word, the room had descended into uneasy dread by the sudden weight of what they were being tasked with.

And you can't understand it at all. How... is this related to any sort of typical idol competition? Something is beyond wrong, isn't it? But as the leader of your unit... as the one put in charge by your honorable senpai, you will represent Knights and forge ahead- even claim victory for the unit.

Those thoughts are suddenly cut short when you are asked to step inside.

Prior to this, the Gatekeeper, as he seems to be going by, the one responsible for all of this, had made it crystal clear to the entire room that each unit leader carried a heavy burden. And you were to receive your order now.

The room is dimly lit, a little too dark for your taste as you step inside. And the smile that greets you is anything but sincere. Even you can catch onto the lack of sincerity or good intent behind his expression.

. . . . And you were right to worry. You feel dazed, listening to the command and warning, face drawn and pale. Every one of his words is an unpleasant shock- and any protest you make is quickly silenced.

When you step out of the room, it is your turn to look as though you'd just walked off of a battlefield. Your fingers clench at your sides.

You have protect them.

It's fine. This will be fine. You're the leader of not just your unit, but your are now the family head. That means, no matter what, it is your responsibility to see everyone safely through to the end.

Still... you never imagined such a handycap. In a battle between your unit and others, you are not allowed to accept any challenges- despite the fact that your unit is known for its duels. Any challenges declined will result in the loss of your unit's competition currency. It will result, almost immediately, in a loss.

And if you do accept a duel and compete?

Then your cousin... and the rest of the branch family will disappear. And that- that is not a risk you are willing to take in any way shape or form. You don't remember when you made it outside- or that you had been holding your breath. Only that your chest is tight and your stomach in knots.

What... What are you going to do? ]

Edited 2022-03-21 00:08 (UTC)

[That was not what Nemesis had expected when having the ice shared,]

[She looks over to him to see his reaction,]

[ He's very clearly troubled. It's not any memory he's had before, and the entirety of it is a shock. ]

How... is that supposed to be an idol competition?

[ And why is his family being drawn into it... ]

Oh--that part was a surprise to you, too?

[Since honestly she'd thought maybe idols did way different stuff there than in her memories of them,]

...What you think you'll you do?

None of this seems even remotely normal. My unit- we can be rather combative. But only in the context of challenging other units on stage.

If we can not compete... how are we to win? I suppose... we can do talk shows. Or handshake events in order to win more competition currency. But...

[ Not competing in actual lives...? ]

And why has my family been drawn into this...

Was your family maybe bankrolling the competition...?

Or maybe they just wanted to just make it tough for you, specifically...

While my family is very wealthy-- we are the wealthy poor. That is, should someone want to go after a family for greater financial wealth, there would be easier targets. And my family-- I am not trying to make it sound as though I am bragging, but- because we are old money, we have numerous positive connections. Not too many would attack my family so boldly like this.

. . . Especially due to the existence of the branch family.

Could be somebody in the branch family trying to make you squirm. Pretty sure that's how it happens in TV dramas...

Still sucks. Guess you got time to figure it out, at least.

I don't know... the branch family exists to protect us from this sort of thing-- and they rely upon us financially. I suppose... I am a little taken aback that they are placing such an emphasis on them.

You're right, though. While I am unhappily held captive here, it does provide us all the time in the world.

. . . Or it may even be concluded already.

Yeah. Might take another memory and find out how it ends.

Either way, guess this ain't your first shitty rigged competition, huh.

I feel especially spiteful about it actually.

Despite this circumstance...... I was to destroy the competition as well as show up that inelegant man. It makes me want to utterly obliterate his expectations for daring to act this way.