Mash-up Anime World: Creating the SCP Foundation to Contain Anomalies

When asked why they had come, Miyako tilted her head and looked at Haruto. Haruto nodded, signaling that it was fine for her to speak openly.

So, she spoke directly,

"It's because the president... that is, our boss Haruto, listened to your performance and thought the stage effects were great. And coincidentally, our company has an upcoming event and is looking for a band to collaborate with. So, the president dragged me here to watch your performance and decide whether to extend an invitation."

These words made the four girls widen their eyes in disbelief.

They had just completed their debut performance, and they were already getting an invitation to perform?

And not just any performance, an offer from the company that nurtured a national idol!?

Ikuyo reached out and pinched Hitori on the waist.

"Oww!" Hitori yelped.

"Huh? Why?"

Hitori asked pitifully, confused as to why her bandmate had just attacked her.

Ikuyo coughed lightly.

"Uh… I just wanted to check if this was a dream. Since you felt pain, this must be real, right?"

Hitori: QAQ!

She really wanted to ask, why not pinch yourself instead of pinching her?

But because of her personality, she couldn't bring herself to complain. She could only cry silently in her heart.

At this moment, Ryo, who had remained calm, asked,

"So, after watching our performance, what is your decision, Miss Miyako?"

Only then did the other three react.

Oh right, she had only said they came to watch before deciding. She never actually confirmed that they would be invited.

Had they gotten ahead of themselves?

Miyako took a deep breath before speaking seriously,

"To be honest, when the president first brought me to an underground band venue like this, I was completely against it. In the entertainment industry, underground bands don't exactly have the best reputation."

"It's not just about publicity and fame, the bigger issue is talent and professionalism. To put it bluntly, many underground bands lack the skills to operate professionally. Worse, their attitude is often lacking."

"And when I first listened to your performance, my opinion didn't change. In fact, it only reinforced my doubts."

her words made the four girls lower their heads instinctively. Not just because of the pressure of facing a superior figure.

More importantly, because she was right, their attitude had been a problem at the start of the performance.

Yes, the storm had reduced their audience to a pitiful number.

But there were still people in the audience.

People who had paid money to see them.

Yet, because their first performance didn't go as expected, all four of them had been emotionally shaken.

The result? A performance that was nowhere near acceptable.

Forget stage presence, it was worse than their regular practice sessions. With such an attitude, they had no right to complain about criticism.

They couldn't even argue against it, they could only lower their heads in guilt.

However, at this moment, Miyako's tone shifted.

"But... the second half of your performance completely shocked me. Not just a pleasant surprise—a revelation. A flawless performance, an immersive stage presence that even I, with years in the industry, couldn't find a single flaw."

"It was incredibly moving. You used a niche style and, through sheer talent, forced the audience to love it. Something I have rarely seen in my life."

"As a token of appreciation for such a perfect auditory and visual experience... I believe it's only right to extend this invitation."

"At the very least, it's my recognition of your talent."

Her words made the four girls raise their heads once more, their eyes gradually filling with light. After a brief moment of silence, the four exchanged glances, then broke into smiles.

"Thank you very much for your recognition."

Led by Ijichi Nijika, the four bowed deeply in unison.

Miyako waved her hand with a smile, then glanced toward Haruto.

And when she saw Haruto smile slightly, she understood exactly what he meant. To be honest, if not for the president, Miyako might have considered signing the band.

But she never would have invited them to collaborate with Hoshino Ai.

A single perfect performance?

That wasn't enough to prove their overall level was flawless.

After all, even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Not to mention, for every brilliant moment, there was often a stumble beforehand. Pairing an unproven underground band with their top idol was simply too risky.

She might take a chance on offering them a contract, but not on such a high-profile collaboration.

But... if it was what the president wanted, then so be it.

"So, what do you think? Here's the collaboration contract. And, of course, the contract to officially join our company. You can review the terms and decide at your own pace. Even if you refuse, there may still be opportunities to collaborate in the future."

Saito pulled out two contracts from her bag.

She had prepared these in advance.

She had assumed they would be useless at an underground band event.

Yet, here they were, being used for real.

One contract was the collaboration with Hoshino Ai. The other was an artist contract under the 'Umbrella' company.

Even though it was a "rookie contract," the terms were so generous that even established artists would be envious.

And there were no hidden traps.

After all, 'Umbrella' Entertainment wasn't created just for profit.

Ijichi Nijika took the contract, while Ryo and Ikuyo immediately leaned in to read. Hitori also wanted to look, but the three mercilessly shoved her aside.

Contracts should be reviewed by calm, rational minds.

And given that Hitori was the kind of person who could say, "I'm willing to be scammed by him," they figured it was best not to let her near such important paperwork.

Despite their usual camaraderie, for the sake of Hitori's future, they decided…

She could cry on the sidelines for now.

Hitori, now banished, looked lost.

And somehow, she ended up falling into Haruto's arms.

A moment later, she realized what had happened and quickly scrambled away.

"U-Um… thank you…"

Hitori lowered her head slightly, her bangs covering her eyes as she mumbled.

Haruto didn't respond with words, he simply reached into his Kamui space and pulled out two hair clips, then gently adjusted her bangs.

"Aren't your bangs a little too long? They're covering your eyes. Doesn't that make daily life inconvenient?"

As he carefully adjusted her soft pink hair, Haruto casually asked.

Hitori: !!!

Too close! Ah! I can't even respond! No one besides my parents has ever fixed my hair before!

Her mind was a chaotic mess.

But in reality, she was completely speechless.

Haruto, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind. He swiftly clipped her bangs aside, tucking the excess behind her ear.

With that, her brilliant sapphire-blue eyes were finally revealed.

She was adorable, yet her bangs had been hiding it all along.

What a waste.

Haruto nodded in satisfaction.

Then, his gaze shifted downward.

If he remembered correctly, Hitori actually had an amazing figure. But since she always wore that oversized pink tracksuit, no one could tell.

Huh… now that he thought about it, Hitori was a hidden gem.

If he didn't have a system or supernatural powers…

Marrying Hitori wouldn't be a bad choice.

She was easy to pursue, just getting close would make her panic. And if he confessed? She was too socially anxious to refuse.

Even if he became a househusband, she'd probably never ask for a divorce.

…Wait.

No, stop right there!

Haruto realized, being around Hitori made him want to tease her way too much!

Is this what they call the aggressive power of cuteness!? (No, it's just your corrupt mind!)

At that moment, Bocchi, having finally calmed down, sneaked a glance at Haruto.

Then, on impulse, she softly asked, 

"Haruto… senpai, do you like my music?"

Haruto was briefly stunned, then smiled.

"Why call me senpai? I may be a boss, but I never debuted as an artist."

Bocchi: Ah… then… I…

Seeing her flustered expression, Haruto waved his hand.

"Just call me Haruto. Or Haruto-senpai, if you prefer. As for your music… I already told you, didn't I? I'm Bocchi's fan. I really like your music. That song, Loneliness, Guitar, and the Blue Planet, though tonight's performance was… let's just say complicated, but I really love it."

Hearing this, Bocchi, who had been panicking, finally calmed down. A bright light shone in her blue eyes.

"Thank you… I'll keep working hard!"

She said softly.

Haruto smiled and ruffled her pink hair.

Meanwhile, the other three, having finished reading the contract, were not pleased.

"She totally fell for it. I can see Bocchi's entire future already."

"Yeah, not letting Bocchi see the contract was the right move… but at this rate, she's doomed anyway."

"Feels like she's about to be carried off to bed."

For the record, the last line came from Ryo.

And because their whispers were so loud, Hitori heard everything.

In an instant, her pupils quaked, her face turned crimson, and steam started rising from her head.

Boom! Hitori exploded.

(Ahem… figuratively.)

After this, the four signed the collaboration contract. However, they did not sign the Umbrella contract just yet.

Perhaps they still weren't sure about fully going pro.

"By the way, who exactly are we collaborating with?" Nijika asked curiously.

The contract only mentioned a collaboration with an idol, without naming them.

The other three also looked on expectantly.

Miyako, having collected the signed contract, smiled and said,

"It's our company's star, Hoshino Ai."

The four: ?!

At the moment Miyako revealed this, they froze.

Hoshino Ai?!

Performing alongside the rising national idol?!

Even after receiving the invitation, they never imagined such a thing.

It was simply too outrageous!

They were still newcomers! Their first gig was immediately followed by a performance with a national idol?!

Saito glanced at Haruto and smiled bitterly.

It was the president's idea to keep this information hidden.

And they still had no idea that their performance would take place in Tokyo Dome.

Once they found out… how would they react?