*** = listener speaking

Can be monetised, just please link back to either this post or my YouTube!

Any gendered language/names can be switched if needed!

~~~

[set in a bar; can be background chatter to set the scene]

Hey there~ konmemu~!

Sorry to call you out on such short notice! I’m glad you had the time to meet up. Work isn’t beating you down too much from the looks of it!

***

Good, good! But still take this time to relax, okay? That’s what special spots like this bar are for, after all~

[speaker laughs]

Don’t worry, this place is known for being a good spot for influencers to hide away~ the owner of this bar is an influencer himself! Oh, but he shoots his mixing videos at another location.

His skills aren’t just for show, by the way! Take a look at the menu and order whatever you want – it’s all great!

***

How’d I find out about this place?

Just the usual way~ we did a collab together. Non-alcoholic drinks since, you know, everyone online thinks I’m below the legal drinking age… but he still let me know about this place ‘cause he guessed I was lying a little bit.

Lucked out, didn’t I?

[speaker laughs]

I’m starting to think more people know than they’re letting on.

I mean, there’s you, obviously, and the bar guy, and now my new manager…

***

Ah… yeah, that’s what I want to talk with you about.

***

No, it’s nothing too serious like that! I haven’t been dropped by that agency I’m partnered with!

I’ve just had some… changes, in my career.

***

W-Why don’t we order drinks first? Or we’ll forget!

Two of your most popular drinks, please!

***

Oh, no, we keep a tab and pay afterward. And everything’s on me!

Why don’t you have a look at the menu so you can decide what you want to drink second?

***

You’ll take a look later…?

***

Oh, uh… y-yeah, I guess we can talk while we’re waiting for the drinks…

…You saw right through that, didn’t you?

***

Sorry, I know stalling’s bad…

It just…

[speaker grumbles, then sighs in frustration]

Okay, I’m just going to rip off the band-aid okay?

***

[speaker breathes in]

I… I’m going to be an idol!

***

Yes! Y-You know the blonde guy on my season of LoveNow…?

***

Well, his mother runs a talent agency, and though they usually work with internet personalities, they’re branching out into idol activities…

***

No, they aren’t a shady company!

Actually… you remember that group I told you about ages ago? B-Komachi?

***

Yeah, the group Ai Hoshino was a part of! They’re the company that managed them.

***

Uh… I don’t know why they switched to internet personalities… probably cause of the tragedy.

***

I promise, they’re fine! You don’t have to worry about me.

I’ve dealt with plenty of businesses before, remember?

If sponsorships have taught me anything, it’s how to sniff out the sketchy companies!

***

You’re… really happy for me?

…Thank you.

***

Hey, you’re making it sound like I’m an annoyingly loud person!

***

Jeez…

***

Is it really that weird to say thank you?

***

Well… I’m just glad that you don’t think I’m weird.

***

Not like that! I already know you think I’m a weirdo regularly.

I meant… that you don’t think I’m weird for still wanting to be an idol at my age.

The fact that this agency even took me on is a miracle in itself… and I bet the only reason they did was because I came on a recommendation.

Actually, I guess it’s more pathetic than weird, huh?

Even to someone like you who’s known me since we were in middle school and been around for all the ups and downs… I’m sure you’re at least surprised.

***

You aren’t?

***

Pffft… okay, lines like that are super cheesy, you know? ‘I always knew you would make it someday’.

You sound the same as when you were praising me for my streaming career.

***

[speaker laughs]

…I’m really lucky to have you by my side, you know?

Even though we’ve both gone down such different paths in life, it’s nice to have someone around who understands what I’ve gone through… I’d feel bad talking to my mother and brothers about this.

They’d just blame themselves, even if it was my choice to walk the path that I did.

***

Yeah, I really mean it. Thank you for always sticking by my side.

Oh, but this goes both ways! If you ever have any troubles, just shoot me a message!

Even if I’m in the middle of stream- or now, even in the middle of practice or a performance… er, I’ll help you as much as I can!

***

Oh, thank you! Sorry, you weren’t standing there long, were you? Oh, phew…

***

Here you go! This bar’s specialty – hope it’s to your tastes!

***

A toast? That might be a little embarrassing…

***

Ah, you’re right! May as well make this a proper celebration!

Cheers to my new idol life!