In the empty restroom, Matsuoka clenched his fists, psyching himself up with whispered encouragements, bolstering his confidence. After a long exhale, he strode out, brimming with resolve.
Two minutes later, a stall door creaked open. A man peeked out cautiously.
Earlier, while squatting, someone had barged in, muttering cryptic phrases like a chant to summon ancient shadows from distant stars. Though he'd long finished, legs numb, he didn't dare pull up his pants and leave…
Matsuoka returned to the lounge, greeted by lively chatter.
"If Shinji were a girl, she'd be the ultimate game-changer."
"What if the Einzberns summoned Archer Heracles in the Fifth War?"
"EA'd wipe him out."
"Wipe what? Whose Noble Phantasm is EA, yours?"
"Can the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception cut fate's threads?"
"Sure. Didn't Shiki-boy slice a blonde girl into pieces along her thread to start her route?"
"Gatekeeper Kojiro's swordplay can warps space. Imagine Musashi—a wild, middle-aged rogue radiating pressure. Wonder if we'll voice in that world. It's full of regrets and sorrow—I'd jump in to save them!"
"Got a plan to win the Grail War?"
"First, be a cute girl Servant's Master. Non-negotiable."
"Solid!"
Two animated young men sat shoulder-to-shoulder at the arcade machine, buttons clacking relentlessly. They fought fiercely in-game but bantered harmoniously in reality, like a piano duet.
What a pair… not!
"What're you doing rocking out in their office?" Matsuoka gaped. "And who's this?"
"Back? Feeling fresh? Meet our team's final piece—Shimazaki Nobunaga!" Takizawa introduced warmly.
"We're tight teammates now. Nice to meet you," Shimazaki stood, waving.
"No, I mean, I'm Matsuoka Yoshitsugu. Let's work hard together," Matsuoka said.
"Got it, Matsuoka-kun," Shimazaki nodded, clearing his throat with earnest zeal. "Here, we vow our group shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven. We shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell!"
"Huh?" Matsuoka blinked, lost.
"?" Shimazaki paused.
"From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power?"
"What??"
"You know the Protector of the Balance…?" Shimazaki asked, clinging to hope.
"Uh, Libra, I think?" Matsuoka strained to answer.
"NANI?!" Shimazaki staggered back, his fiery enthusiasm fading like a receding tide, his face shifting to a polite, stranger's smile.
"I'm Shimazaki Nobunaga from Aoni Production. Pleased to meet you."
"Why's he so distant now? Did I mess up?" Matsuoka asked, fragile.
"He's just hyped," Takizawa soothed, patting his walled-off friend. "Since we're all here, slacking's no good. Agent's probably free—I'll check."
He dialed. No busy signal this time, just the clatter of a lively game in the background.
"Hey?" Kashiwai Ippei answered.
"We're at the company, but no one's here."
"Alright, I'll call them. Hang tight."
Soon, a suited man strode in—oddly, from the same direction as Matsuoka, but details didn't matter.
"Sorry for the wait. Staff's moving stuff next door; I just got free," The man said, adjusting his trousers with a smile. "Let's head to the meeting room."
The four sat across from each other.
"I'm Matsui Shimei, handling production. The main planner from Namco was supposed to come, but time's tight, so I'm meeting you first. By the way, game audio and songs are mostly recorded here," Matsui said, pouring tea.
"Idol King starts with the game, especially the hyped second gen. Live shows and albums come later. You're all debuted voice actors—pros. Voicing roles is your forte, and early work stays in your wheelhouse. You're confirmed for the roles, so no need to stress."
"The first game pushed teamwork, like a big family. We and the players unite for one goal. Virtual idols need everyone. Questions? Ask away."
"You've got your character sheets from the agent, right? Let's share your roles to bond. Shy guy, you start," Matsui pointed.
"Y-Yes. Uh, I'm the national kouhai—no, I play him, Oda Moritaichi, a naive teen, grumpy when waking, a dance prodigy…" Matsuoka said, thinking.
"Ichinose Natsumo, an elegant, mature member, skilled with instruments, great with women, aiming to make everyone happy," Shimazaki said.
"Tennouin Haruma, a 17-year-old pure boy controlled by capital, singing for freedom, cherishing every fan, ace at card games," Takizawa said. "Also, leader of Idol King 2's rival crew! Are we the charm-villain squad?"
"No villains, just admirable dream-chasers," Matsui nodded. "Battles are through song and popularity—noble clashes!"
"Sorry, I'm not confident about singing… never tried," Matsuoka hesitated.
"Worrying's normal outside your field. Rest easy. First, your voices are trained—naturally better than most, great for singing. Second, the focus is Idol King 2's game, maybe one or two group songs with pros backing you. No issue," Matsui reassured.
"Before stage performances, we'll hire coaches. And 'idols are roles, not you'—we and the fans know that. Of course, if you and the role become one, that's the dream."
"Rational yet passionate—what a boundless dream project!" Takizawa said, moved.
Players supporting creators, fans and makers uplifting each other—pure fantasy.
Japanese fans were this noble?
"Welcome to this dream-making journey," Matsui said, arms open like an embrace.
"One last question, really curious," Takizawa said.
"Ask away."
"Why's our group called Mars?"
"To shine as grand as planets!"
"Pretty cool…"
***
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