Bunny Mask person leads Grace and Amelia toward one of the doors in the hallway and into a big room with a mirror wall.
"This dance studio will be your test room, and your examiners will be here in a couple of minutes."
Grace: Funny, I thought you would be the examiner.
Bunny Mask: I am more of a manager than a teacher, and your examiners will also be your future choreographer if you pass.
Amelia: Sir, sorry, Ma'am. Before was a slip-up. What gender are you, and what should I refer to you as?
Bunny Mask: Male and refer to me as Manager.
Amelia: Manager, got it. How much budget are you working with? You seem to know your stuff, despite my lack of knowledge of you.
Manager: A good amount with some connections that want to do something fun.
Suddenly, a woman with long silver, parted hair and light blue eyes walked into the room: For fun, you said? Don't cheapen our help with that type of mindset. We expect greatness from one of the greatest K-pop shadow managers.
Manager: Hello, Monarch. Where is Vivid?
Then a girl about Amelia's height walked in while wearing pajamas: Manager! I told you to put on a better mission. Whhhyyyy didn't you listen to me? All we got are D and C ranks… a couple of B are meh.
Manager: Hi, Vivid. I told you, high-rank Heroes don't want to take jobs that won't get them anywhere unless it's their dream to be an Idol. Besides, after knowing that both of you are here, you'll get your wish.
Vivid: Then get your pieces already. I have a very busy schedule.
Manager: If you have such a busy schedule, we can finish the audition if you already have 3 Fan in your mind.
Vivid:…
Manager: No? Too bad then. So, who is in front of me right now? You or one of your illusions?
Vivid: Me-llusion, a few of them about to wrap up with the test.
Manager: Got it, thanks a lot. *point at Grace* That is the Fan for this test. Fan, these are your examiners, Monarch and Vivid. Their evaluations of you are necessary since they will be training you.
Monarch: No need for that, she got a pass from me.
Manager:… Please take the audition seriously. If she were the one you battled against, good for your reunion. Everyone here is getting a fair chance, no playing favoritism.
Monarch: Just putting some pressure on the girl. *point her finger at Amelia* You get out of here, no emotional support family member.
Amelia: Ok, sorry. *quickly run out of the room*
Manager grabs the door handle: By the way, she is an A-Rank, so you got your wish, Vivid. *close the door on his way out*
…
Standing in the hallway is Manager and Amelia.
Amelia: Manager!
Manager (!): Yes? You were being awfully quiet.
Amelia: I was shocked! How did you get such famous people to help you?
Manager: They are the best in the business, and I have a track record to show… all I did was ask them.
Amelia: Impossible! There must be something else. The Monarch lady is one of the biggest voice actors. I have never heard that she worked in the Idol industry, and I followed her. And that Vivid kid is the best and youngest dancer the world has ever seen, who came from Japan. That second statement, I would expect to come out of your country, but nothing came out of it except for a bunch of pretty boys and girls.
Manager:… That last sentence did not feel like it belonged in this conversation.
Amelia: I know, but like, the two countries have history with each other, and the people in the media always go at each other's throats about how bad the other is and try to be better than the other.
Manager: Just a bunch of children playing on the playground, I have no need to hear their opinion. The world right now has at least 100 individuals who can make Earth disappear, and every day we walk among individual that can just kill us without carrying a weapon. That alone showed me that I can't do anything when the apocalypse comes.
"So, before it can happen, the Heroes will be there protecting people's lives while I will be here, creating Idols to protect people's mental."
Amelia:… You are such a showbiz person, ready for any question, aren't you?
Manager: Tell me, what did I do that made you suddenly feel so comfortable around me?
Amelia: I don't know? I'm bored, I have nothing to do while my friend is trapped in there having fun and talking against you, reminding me of my brother.
Manager: Sorry, kid. I did not remind you of your brother. I reminded you of an authority figure that you respect.
Amelia: Aw, man, you really trap me in my corner. I have nothing to say.
Manager: Yummy, let me ask, does it feel good to trash talk people? Using their country, their gender, their appearance, and the way they talk just for a little kick.
Amelia: Of course it's good. One of the best ways to see how a person will respond, sure, most will act like a barbarian after hearing my insult, mostly due to their small penis, but you, Manager, surely have the biggest dick.
Manager: Such childish behavior. I can't believe that you use me just to test the water… The name Yummy definitely fits you. You just scored your friend a spot in the group and as her assistant.
Amelia:… what? That is not correct. You know that if there were those like me, they would actually ruin the group.
Manager: Listen here Yummy, you have common sense, so I trust that you will act professionally with strangers and act like yourself with friends and coworkers.
Amelia: Manager, don't lie to me with such a common phrase. There is no way you would trust someone like me, and I know my rotten personality.
Manager: I don't lie, not when these masks are on my face.
Amelia: Yeah, right, wait… Oh! I see. Does neutral sentence affect it?
Manager: Only affect it if I truly don't know. On your ID, it shows that you are a tailor. How confident are you in your skill?
Amelia: If I had more customers, I wouldn't need to be here. Just too fast and good.
Manager: So, you are also bored like them.
Amelia: Yeah, I guess so.
Manager:…
Amelia: Wait! Them! The two celebrities? How?
Manager: They are very good at their job, combined with their ability version that is similar to Mitosis. So good at their job and very efficient, leading to boredom. The same goes for you.
Amelia: I don't think comparing me to them feels right. Also, where is this conversation heading to?
Manager: You asked how I got those two celebrities to help me with this project. The answer is they are bored and want something to do… like you with this mission.
Amelia: Oh, hehe sorry. It seems I forced you to take the long road.
Manager: I don't mind. Besides, conversations don't need to lead to something special or important. They are just conversations to gather information or to act like a normal human being.
*reach into his outfit pocket and pull out a silver medal with the X symbol on it*
"Final question to start a new conversation. Are you ready to join the group as a Yummy?"
*reach out to Amelia with the X silver medal in his hand*
Amelia: Well, since you are that determined. *grab the medal* but I'm not the group Yummy, I'm her Yummy. (This is so cool!)
Manager: Glad to have you on board. A few more to go.
Amelia: Indeed… what role are you playing as Manager?
Manager: Same role as you, Yummy, but with more responsibilities and a different title.
Amelia: Got it.
…
…
…
An hour later, both Manager and Amelia return to the front of the room where Grace is taking the test.
Amelia: Finding the next member is so hard.
Manager: You did nothing and just watched.
Amelia: I know, but I can feel the pressure from it.
Manager: Then this will be less pressure for you *knock on the door*
Amelia: Getting excited.
Both can hear the door unlocking from the other side, and come out to greet them was Grace.
"Oh, you two are back. I'm getting bored in here."
Manager and Amelia walked into the room and saw the wall mirror was split into two halves, one half was streaming a video while the other was the mirror.
Manager: Bored? Did they leave you alone?
Grace: Yes, but they did test me, I think they did. We practiced for a bit… I think I did, well? Then the Monarch Lady told me to practice alone, and they would be back for my evaluation… never came back, as you can see…
"Did she cause you any trouble?"
Manager: She did not. What about you? Any trouble practicing alone without guidance?
Grace: No, I guess? Just follow the dancing silhouette in the video, nothing hard about that.
Manager: Well then, we'll play the video, and you will dance for us to judge.
Grace: Us? Like you and her *point finger at Amelia*.
Manager: Precisely, if any of the Fan here get to join the group. Their friend will be their personal manager while I oversee them.
Grace: Got it, please shower me with your harsh criticism.
Manager: Ok, let's start.
…
…
After the five-minute performance from Grace. Both, Manager and Amelia have little to no expression to show her.
Grace: So how did I do? Bad? Decent? Don't know much at all, so go all out.
Manager: Yummy, she is good, isn't she? But.
Amelia: Of course she is good, that choreography should be no problem to an A-Rank after an hour of practice. Only thing missing is her expression, so bland, just nothing. Next time, smile a bit more or be serious.
Grace:… Noted… want me to go again?
Manager: That won't be necessary. You are a great Fan maybe the best I have today. Excellent traits across the whole table, and you seem like the type that is quick to learn, so we'll overcome your weakness easily. Now, just need to do a final Q&A to see if you are willing to join.
Grace: Wow, didn't expect you to respect my decision.
Manager: Just because you sign up for a mission and pass doesn't mean you are ready for that mission. Also, this is the moment for me to explain more about this mission and for you to see did you wasted your time.
Grace: You do know I can leave the mission anytime I want, right? So this feels unnecessary.
Manager:…
Grace: Unless this is also not to waste your time on me and ruin everyone's schedules and roadmap of this mission.
Manager: Correct. Now, let's go into more detail. Your friend will be your assistant, mini-manager during the mission. Do you trust her with that?
Amelia: Of course, she's gonna say. YES!
Manager:…
Grace: Well… maybe. I don't know if she can handle working as my assistant and at her tailor shop.
Amelia: I CAN! I CAN! PLEASE DON'T ABANDON ME!
Manager: Quiet down, Yummy. Fan got a point, and an even bigger point is I'm not paying you anything… not yet until you are famous.
Amelia (Come on, what do I need to worry about? My family is rich, I can stop being a tailor for a while.): I'll be able to handle this. Some hardship in life is how we learn to balance work-life, and this is my once-in-a-lifetime chance to be in this situation.
Manager: Your call, Fan.
Grace: Hmm… ok, I trust her as my assistant, but *turn to Amelia* don't speak with such a calculated answer. It creeps me out when you are actually able to behave like a normal girl and not a foul-mouthed creep.
Amelia: Got it, normal girl during work and normal me when with you alone.
Manager: Next question. On your ID, it shows that you are 18. Planning to study further and having a dream job in mind?
Grace: Study for fun, no dream job as of now, but plans to be a Hero for a long time.
Manager: Ok, next question is an important one, so answer truthfully. Currently have a boyfriend?
Grace:… No! What kind of question is that? Just because I'm a girl, I need to have a boyfriend?
Manager sighs (This Generation.): Sorry, perhaps you have a girlfriend?
Grace: No! Why should I? I want a child but can't with another woman since biology says I need to have X and Y.
Manager (She is playing with me.): Then what do you have that normal social norms can't describe?
Grace has a slight smirk on her face: Well, my partner is a bit different, but not that far from social norms. He is my Husband and other times he is my Servant.
Manager:… Did you summon him from another world for an upcoming war?
Grace's smirk immediately drops into a confused state: What?
Manager: That's a no then. I'm only asking that so you can be careful with how you act with that Servant of yours in public.
Grace: Would that be necessary tho? Since privacy is like a myth in this world.
Manager: Citizen privacy is definitely a myth, but with masked identity like yours, we have protocols and connections to conceal it.
Grace: Ok… what if I ignore your advice?
Manager: We can intercept third-party, not your negligence. Since we are on this topic, do you want this to be your appearance, or do you have another in mind?
Grace:… *look at herself in the mirror* this one is good.
Manager: Ok… that should be enough. Then final question, are you sure you want to join my Idol Group?
Grace: Of course, and I even know that I'm going to do well.
Manager: Then you have to prove it. Now, for your icon.
*reach inside his outfit and pull out a handful of colorful medals*
"Choose, then think about what symbol you want on it."
Grace looking at the medals in Manager's hand: No, no, not fit, bland… Purple and with a snowflake.
Amelia: Wow… that is way too on point.
Manager: I must agree that is the only thing surprised me.
Grace: Sorry for saying this, but how well did you two weirdo bonds within an hour? Also, snowflake is my symbol, I have Ice power.
Manager and Amelia just glance at each other for a few seconds, then look at Grace.
Amelia: None of your concern.
Manager: I'm going to ignore that. Here is your medal, and we will engrave your symbol on it next time. That will be all for your test. Yummy, please show her the show, it might help with her characterization.
Amelia: Already on it!
Manager: Good. Fan, for now, you are Purple Idol. I'll have your stage name ready for the group next meeting. You can also think of a name you want, as long as it doesn't match your real identity.
Grace: Ok… Manager.
Manager: Great.
*knocking sound on the door*
"Looks like your escort is here. We will meet again."
Outside the room was the building's bodyguard. Grace and Amelia said their goodbye and were escorted out by the bodyguard.
…
…
…
Both returned to the Shop safely, and still no sign of Arsène.
Amelia: So tired, but wonderful result.
Grace: You did nothing but blabbering your mouth.
Amelia: So? *approaches the pink stuffed Alligator on the front desk* Good job protecting the Shop! I'm going to make you some outfits, can't have you present your naked body to the customers.
Grace: Hey, that's mine!
Amelia: So? *hold up the pink stuffed Alligator* You love your aunt more than your mother, right?
*shake its head up and down*
"It loves me!"
Grace chuckled: So moronic. Come on, you're supposed to help me by showing me a TV show? Don't understand at all, but that man trusted you, so let's see.
Amelia: On it! *hold the pink stuffed Alligator between her arms and walk upstairs*
Grace watches Amelia walking up the stairs (So adorable!) then pulls out her phone and looks at her last message with Sunz.
Grace text:…
"Have you been enjoying your Summer?"
"Nothing much from me, but feel free to call for update."
"Also, don't be shy to ask for…"
"Other intimate requests."
"I'll reward you handsomely."