100: Subcurrent

Umm. What you say makes sense, but I doubt that Nii-san would change his ways even if he were laid off. He was raised to be a chief, after all.

He will not listen to anyone he considers to be of the “lower class.” He will never obey, no matter who orders him around.

Jeez, he’s like a tyrant. Even if you’re a chief—or even if you’re a king, you still gotta listen to your subjects, y’know?

Sigh… You clearly don’t understand what it means to be a king.

Huh—What? Hiro-kun, did you just make fun of me?

Oh, you’re so annoying!!! You’re way too cocky!

Fufu. I believe the monarchy Hiiro-san is talking about is not a modern one, but rather that of an antiquated despot…

I feel if we try to apply our modern values to this, it will only lead to confusion.

Right. And to begin with, even just the premise of what Aira-san is talking about would be difficult to carry out.

We already have our hands full just taking care of our situation. It would be hard to do anything about Crazy:B.

But wait, didn’t Amagi Rinne—or Crazy:B, I guess, didn’t they just get in touch with us?

From the way he was talking, it sounds like they want to use us for something—

‘Scuse me~ Do you mind if I take your plates now?

No, that’s fine. Sorry, we finished eating a while ago, but we stayed here to talk.

Nah, it’s the middle of the day so it’s no problem. If it were around a mealtime, I’d ask you to take it outside, but there’s no rush right now ♪

Fufu. Thank you. Please let the chef know that the meals today were excellent.

Yes, I’ve definitely become a fan of this cafeteria.

…Is that the right way to use the word “fan?”

Huh? No, that’s so embarrassing. If I went around introducing myself as a chef, people’d get mad at me for sure ♪

Hm. From what you just said, does that mean you were the one who made the food today?

Sure am~ ‘Cause there’s a shortage of workers everywhere. But I’m sure the staff will increase as soon as ES gets itself going.

Outside of the idols, everyone in the industry’s still pretty skeptical about ES, or I guess you could say they’re waiting to see what’ll happen.

Hang on! Hey, aren’t you that guy from Crazy:B? Why are we all just talking about how the food was?

Isn’t there something else we should be saying?

Huh? Uh but, there’s nothing more important in this world than talking about food, is there?

Just kidding. Unless…? Well anyway, I’m definitely part of Crazy:B, but really I’m pretty sure I’m just giving Rinne-kun a hand.

So if you ask me any difficult questions, I’m not gonna have an answer for you.

Wait, you guys reporters or something? Lately I keep getting myself tangled up with them, and it’s real annoying. You’re seriously getting in the way of my work, y’know?

Th–they’re getting press coverage… That’s amazing, it’s such a huge difference between the attention ALKALOID’s getting.

Ohh, you guys’re ALKALOID! Come to think of it, HiMERU-kun did say something about taking a look-see through all those documents he gave me.

They might’ve had your pictures on them.

Yes, we’re ALKALOID.

Gotcha~ Nahaha, well for now I’m Shiina Niki of Crazy:B.

For now…?

Yep. Well, I’m only gonna be an idol up through summer vacation~ So I thought I’d try introducing myself all fancy like that.

You guys look like you’re really going through it too, but we just gotta stick it out ‘til summer’s over. Ahh, it’s gonna be so refreshing to finally quit this useless job… ♪

…Um. You’re Niki-san, correct? You want to quit being an idol?

That’s right! I’ve been saying it for forever, but no one would listen to me… So I’m stoked about this whole layoff thing~

The other three can’t really stomach the whole thing, though.

Well obviously, that’s the normal reaction, isn’t it? Everyone worked so hard to become an idol, right…?

Nuh-uh, not “everyone.” I wasn’t even scouted; Rinne-kun forced me into this industry against my will.

Being an idol is more like a side gig. I consider my main job to be cooking.

…Even so, you’re a pretty rare type here at ES.

Looks like it~ Makes me feel like a fish outta water. Everyone else is like this elite idol…

Day and night it’s all like “What’s an idol?” or “What kinda idol should you be?”

They’re so crazy about it, like the followers of some cult religion. It’s kinda scary.

What is it about idols that make you guys take it so seriously?

……