imeeji_frontstage | HANDSHAKE EVENT: FANS EXIT STAGE LEFT

Who: You! Not them!
Where: Tokyo-F
When: Day 427, midnight & early morning

[ In the middle of the night, an alert suddenly goes off—not on idol phones, but rather, fan phones. Idols nearby can hear fans talking about the contents anyway, or otherwise whatever gossip they're talking about.

Even idols who aren't interested will understand, broadly, what the alert means: from now until the sun rises, fans will be either shuffling off, disappearing upon crossing doorways while holding what looks to be ticket stubs, or knocking on unit doors to ask for final requests before they have to leave, or otherwise write a list of requests for idols to fulfill after they've gone.

Either way, by the morning of 427, the fans have left Tokyo-F, and the ominous counter on every idol's phone has reached 000000.

Transferred idols and Hell Graduates are still here, though, with the mirror hotel still accommodating them. Their time will surely come soon, but until then, they can enjoy Tokyo-F for a little longer.

Idols receive a text message as well: ]

Producers: Well done on your first fan meeting, idols!
Producers: Please note: while parting is bittersweet, fan requests are still valid. Don't disappoint your fans and keep working until the last request has been fulfilled~~~!

[ And indeed, idols will still be able to fulfill requests (and experience the consequences of rejecting enough requests) for some time longer. ]

??? GOSSIP | TURN-IN DUE @ DEC 17TH

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

But that's an identity the production gave you.

It made the most sense when you're on a team that had brainy boys like yourself on it.

Right. Because we created an image of what they wanted future is now to be. But that is still within the realm of the production. It still ties you to Imeeji.

So what if you were able to get clout beyond that?

What, break out of the idol group and go solo?

Not solo.

Duo.

I don't trust you on your own.

That's rude and a terrible way to ask me to be your partner if that's the case.

Of course it's rude, I'm rude. And no, I'm not asking you to be my partner. Hell Queen isn't exactly your style.

And you already have a much better partner available.

[ EYES HIM, but it's not until they're in Intensity's lab does he let his expression be more honest. ]

I take it you're referring to the partner I already have and not some new match?

No offense... Actually--- extreme offense to her prior partners - you've seen her memories -- but I don't trust them as far as I can throw them.

And I don't trust anyone else to handle you except Bell or Infinity.

I do try my best to be a handful.

What's this idea floating about in your head?

If belief is the root of all power here, then unfiltered belief is the most advantageous. Do you not agree?

Probably? I'd imagine it'd be more wildly fanatical but.

Correct. And I doubt there is a way to get around the fanatical part. At least in the beginning.

But what if your adoring fanbase were to see you as entity that persisted within Future is Now? What if Shogun itself was a brand?