Returning Transcendent Opens an Idol Agency

[Play: 24 Hour Cinderella - Yakuza 0]

The makeshift karaoke bar that the Project MirAIs girls had been using for the past few days to unwind. There, flashing disco lights started. And with that, an upbeat synth vibe opening started as well.

Standing in front of the TV in the room, Yuri took a deep breath and started to sing in a warbly voice.

*

Absolutely I LOVE YOU! Sending all my love

Oh surely YOU LOVE ME, I can't get enough

Let's go on you, and me, it's our story

A fairy tale end~

*

Rin waved a pair of glowsticks and cheered. "Whoo! Go Riri!"

Yuri let out a bright smile and started singing again with more confidence.

Spoiler

[collapse]

*

You and me now STEP AND GO! This love that we know.

It will last now for sure, I'll never let go

Of all the times, we've shared, it'll still be there,

kept locked within my heart.

*

"Yosh!" Shu jumped out of her chair and pumped a fist in the air. "Go Riri! Go!"

Yuri's smile widened and she kept singing with more confidence. Swinging her arms out for emphasis, swaying with the song... She was performing just like a proper idol.

*

As surely as 'equals', a treasure I always need.

Like the earth revolves around a golden sun it's you,

yes it's you the one I love~

*

Seeing that, Asako chuckled and cracked open a chilled can of oolong tea. "Looks like our Kouhai's finally letting loose a bit."

January 3rd, 2025. The first Friday of the New Year and the last day of their vacation.

It had been fun, but all things had to come to an end.

...Things which sadly included this fun bonding experience of the Project MirAIs girls.

Alphy smiled as she sipped on her own can of apple juice. "Mmhm. It's good to see Yuri-chan finally relax a bit."

In the last few days, the girls had spent more time singing together. Solos, duets, group ensemble karaoke sessions...

It wasn't great. After all, the Prototype girls were already experienced with one concert under their belt while the Prodigy girls had only been streaming and not acting as idols. Because of that, it was definitely... an act. Not a class act, but an act.

Now though...

*HEY HEY HEY!*

Yuri finished singing, face flushed and a sheen of sweat on her face. Letting out a bright smile, she laughed and said, "D-Did I do okay?"

Her response was a round of applause by everyone. Even Chihiro, albeit reluctantly.

Seeing that, Alphy smiled and gave a sideways glance at Asako. "It looks like things are going to be fun from now on, aren't they, Asa-chan?"

Asako chugged her tea and then set the can to the side. "Yeah." She stood up and grinned. "Looks like we're finally gonna be a real idol group for once. Now..." She cracked her neck and walked up to the TV. "...It's time to show our Kouhai's how it's really done." Pulling out her phone, Asako tapped on a song.

[Play: What Sort of Ending Are You Wishing For? - TUYU]

Walking up to the front, Asako closed her eyes and started singing, quickly joined by a somber piano.

*

Like the hazy summer days, all the time we have today, it breaks within our hearts forsaking us all again.

Now more than ever I will go onwards and move ahead.

(With our love)

Never looking back, as I'm on this stage carrying all the flowers right here in my heart.

*

Seeing Asako perform, Chihiro rolled her eyes and muttered, "Freaking show-off. Always hogging all our screen time..."

xxx

Happy New Years! It's both been a while and yet no time at all. Either way, the girls at Project MirAIs will keep working hard, so please continue to support them on this long journey! - John Smith

Ohanayo! Let's have a great year together! - Hana Homura

My new year's resolution is to see you all smile. So please, continue to live well for this year too. - Alfi Titor

You bastards won the damned bet, but I'm going to get back at you! Don't think this year's going to be as easy as last one! - Aoko Ryuusei

Yosh! Nothing's going to stop us this year, alright? Let's go! - Kuromi Tekken

May blessings fall upon you and grace your new year. - Tsubame Akari

I-It's been a bit of a mess, but I'll do better! Here's to a great year, everyone! - Miya Musashi

NFTs are out now, so buy my merch. - Rhea Davinki

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xxx

Sitting in the back of a black luxury sedan, a young man swiped the screen of his phone, scrolling through the latest megathread on the Project MirAIs subreadit. After reading a few of the more ridiculous comments, he chuckled and shook his head. "These guys are getting all excited about some new year wishes... Heh. Bet they'd never believe I get to meet them IRL."

"Stop smiling." A sharp female voice echoed from the driver's seat. There, a serious young woman with square-rimmed glasses and curly black hair glared back through the rearview mirror. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be forced to drive five hours to Tokyo."

Spoiler

[collapse]

The young man laughed and tugged the strings on his blue sweater, causing the dragon-themed hood to shrink a bit. "Come on, Sis. Your little brother's getting a proper job, so you can do this much, right? And weren't you begging me to get out of the house?"

The young woman clicked her tongue and said, "I was. But I wasn't expecting to have to drive you all the way to your new job."

"I mean, I *was* offered a plane ticket-"

"You would have taken a trip out of the country while you were at it, so no."

"I wouldn't do that!"

The young woman glared at the young man.

The young man stared back and then let out a nervous laugh, running a hand through his straight black hair. "...Okay. Maybe a pit stop at Hawaii. But that's it!"

The young woman sighed. "Why do I even bother with you?"

"Because you're almost Christmas-"

"I *WILL* drop you off here."

"...Because you love me?"

"Barely." The young woman rolled her eyes and said, "Just keep reading your damned red posts or whatever until we get there, you bastard."

The young man nodded. "I will. Though..." He paused and said, "...I think you'd get along with Queen a lot."

"What?"

The young man laughed and said, "Don't worry about it, Sis." After that, he shifted his attention back to his phone and logged into a custom group chat setup by John for the latest recruits.

xxx

>StraightGarbage: On the road right now with my big sis. I'll probably get into Roppongi in the evening.

xxx

Sitting in the Los Angeles airport waiting for boarding, a cute young Asian woman glanced at her phone and sipped on a chai tea. Reading the message that just popped up in her group chat, she laughed and raised her tea up for another sip. "That bastard actually dragged his sister with him? I feel so bad... Maybe I should buy her a gift."

At that time, a notification popped up on her phone. Twotter. And the content of that notification...

xxx

Aoko Ryuusei @AokoRyuusei · 1 sec

You crazy bastards. How the f*ck did you all hold back your horny for so long? Dammit. Hah... Whatever. I'll put the calendar out when membership opens. Crazy horny bastards...

xxx

The young Asian woman snorted and set her tea down. "Queen calls us crazy, but she's the crazy one for following through." She reached up to adjust her fox ear headband and said, "Well. I guess that's why Mister John wanted us to help manage stuff for her, right?"

She shook her head and then went to type a message in the group chat.

xxx

>FailureFox: Just sitting at the airport right now waiting to board. Can't wait to see you all there!

xxx

A luxury jet docked in the United Arab Emirates. On that jet, a young man with light brown skin, curled dark hair, and olive-colored eyes yawned, waiting for the pilot to finish the jet refueling.

Spoiler

[collapse]

Reading the messages on his phone from the group chat and scrolling through Twotter, he laughed and said, "This is really happening, isn't it?"

"Prince." A gruff voice echoed from the side. One of the young man's bodyguards, dressed in a form-fitting black suit. "Are you certain you want to work in the Oriental? Your father mentioned that some of his business associates were seeking to expand there... Could you not have worked there?"

The young man shifted a golden ring on his left finger, one that looked like a whale biting its own tail. After that, he smiled and said, "I could. But I have a feeling that Mister Smith is the sure fire bet... And besides." He looked up and said, "How could I miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to work for my Queen in reality?"

"...You could marry any woman and make her a proper queen, Prince. You need not pursue a fictional woman behind a screen. And do you even know what this Queen of yours looks like in-person?"

The young man waved his left hand and said, "It doesn't matter what she looks like. After all, I have no intention to take her as a wife."

"...I don't understand."

"Tch." The young man rolled his eyes and shooed the man away. "You old fogies... It would take too long to explain idol culture, the difference between 2D and 3D, as well as the joy of supporting a young woman's ideals. Leave."

"Prince-"

"I will not repeat myself."

"...Yes, Prince."

The young man watched the bodyguard leave and then turned his attention back to his phone. "...I might as well respond as well."

xxx

>GoldenOrca: Just got on my private jet. Waiting for refueling before we head to Narita Airport.

>StraightGarbage: You rich oil baron! F.U. and your F.U. money!

>FailureFox: lol. Can you simp for me too, Goldie?

>GoldenOrca: My wallet belongs to the Queen, but I can offer you my heart if you wish, Foxie.

>FailureFox: I don't think your heart can pay my student debts, Goldie.

>GoldenOrca: ...And you think your lewds will?

>FailureFox: What?! You calling me ugly or something?

>StraightGarbage: Get a room already, you damned riajuu!

>FailureFox: Screw off, NEET!

>StraightGarbage: Hah! I've graduated from that, remember?

>FailureFox: Yeah, but not from your V-card, dweeb.

>StraightGarbage: ...T_T

>JohnSmith <ADMIN>: ...You *do* realize that I can see everything you all post, right?

>StraightGarbage: ...Don't fire me?

>FailureFox: U-Uh...

>JohnSmith <ADMIN>: JK. Well, not the reading part. But you guys are already on payroll and employment law is a pain in the neck, so relax. I'll treat you all to a meal when you guys get here.

>FailureFox: YATTA! You're the best, Mister John!

>StraightGarbage: BOSS! You're my life savior! T_T

>GoldenOrca: Employment law is a pain? For a man of your resources?

>JohnSmith <ADMIN>: Japan is too damned traditional.

>GoldenOrca: Ah.

>JohnSmith <ADMIN>: Anyway, gotta set up a meeting with Alfi's team. I'll send people to pick you all up when you arrive.

xxx

John slipped his phone into his pocket after sending the last message and then looked up. "Now... How the hell do I deal with these people?"

A small cafe in Kichijoji. One that reminded him a lot of a certain high schooler who got framed by a corrupt official.

He had suggested it for a meeting spot since it was closest to Alfis_Couch and Alfis_HotCocoa, but...

"...Those guys can't be them, right?"

He was standing a fair distance away from the cafe. Far enough that he'd be unnoticed by everyone inside. But close enough that he could look in with his eyesight...

Not that it mattered since he could use his other powers too.

But...

A drop-dead gorgeous young woman with light brown hair and a white t-shirt with a couch printed on it. One that was loose, but couldn't hide her trained and lithe body.

A handsome young man with dyed silver hair and crimson contact lenses. Like the young woman, his body was trained, revealing perfect chiseled muscles. And like the woman, he wore a loose white t-shirt, but one with a steaming coffee mug instead of the couch.

And the last person...

A man with hulking muscles that barely fit at the table. A simple gray sweatshirt, but one with ALFI-SAMA emblazoned on the front and KNIGHT on the back.

After checking with his eyes, checking with his spiritual sense, and then just checking his phone again to make sure he got the right spot and time, John let out a sigh. "...Well. I guess this year's going to be much more interesting than the last, I guess."