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shivalries) wrote2025-06-29 10:34 pm
shivalries) wrote2025-06-29 10:34 pm
Mesmerizing Modulation - Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 6
Season: Summer
---
Location: New Dimension Lobby
(Meanwhile, in reality)
Leo: I'm back, Suo~!
Tsukasa: Leo-san. ...Hm? Where is Aoba-senpai?
Leo: Mm, well, I let him sleep in the studio.
Tsukasa: In the studio? I had assumed you two went out somewhere together.
Leo: I asked him if anything was bothering him lately, and he said he hasn't been sleeping well, so y'know, I played a bit for him on the piano so he could doze off.
I tried talking to him before I left, but he didn't budge an inch. I think he's completely out cold.
Tsukasa: I see. That is... well, good, but also not...
Leo: Hm? Should I not have done that?
Tsukasa: It's only, er... Aoba-senpai was due to attend the Summit meeting later today.
Leo: Huh, why? I thought he wasn't supposed to be doing any work?
Tsukasa: This is also the president's idea. I believe he wants Aoba-senpai to formally announce his retirement from his position to the other agencies.
This would also double as an opportunity to show off his new haircut, or so I hear. Thus, the president decided that it would be best that the other representatives hear from the man himself, so Aoba-senpai was set to make an appearance.
So, I am sorry to Aoba-senpai, but I must go wake him.
Leo: Whoa, hey. I said he's out cold. I'd feel bad forcing him awake now.
If he's already stepped down, then he can go announce this anytime. Doesn't have to be today, right?
Tsukasa: Oh, but it must. The president has already decided it must, and besides, it is a matter of principle.
The vice president is a position of great responsibility; a simple message will not suffice.
I would assume Aoba-senpai also wishes to show off his fresh new haircut as well.
With time, it would lose its sense of novelty, and then there would hardly be much of a point in showing it off.
Leo: Mmm... It's just a haircut. Is it really such a big deal?
Those guys at the Summit aren't fans, just his peers in the industry. If we had to report every little thing that happened to us, nothing would get done—and it's a pain in the butt.
Tsukasa: ...I don't have a counterargument for that.
However, Switch has updated their promotional photos with Aoba-senpai's new hairstyle—perhaps the president means to assign significance to this change.
Well, this is all my own speculation.
In any case, the primary goal is to announce Aoba-senpai's resignation as vice president—his haircut is only secondary. He does not necessarily have to be there himself, and it only needs to be reported to the president later, so...
I'm thinking I can attend in Aoba-senpai's place and give a brief explanation of his new promotional photographs.
Leo: I'll go, then.
Tsukasa: Huh? You, Leo-san?
Leo: Yeah. It wouldn't make any sense if Oba-chan gets to rest, but more work falls on you, Suo~.
It was easy to see how hard Oba-chan was working himself, but you've got a lot on your shoulders, too, right?
So I'll go! I'll make sure all of 'em know about Oba-chan, don't you worry! ♪
---
Location: Meeting Room
(Half an hour later)
Eichi: It's about time, so how about we get this Summit started?
Ibara: Hm. Normally I'd say we have the usual crowd in attendance, but...
At least one of us has a different air about him—or perhaps, more accurately put, he stands out?
Keito: There certainly is one among us who is more fidgety than the rest.
Leo: Huh? Who?
You don't mean... me? I'm here as a proper NewDi rep, y'know!
Eichi: We know that much, of course. But you seem more the type to say these meetings are too dull for you to sit through.
Keito: I agree. Seeing Tsukinaga here only arouses suspicion that something's going wrong at NewDi.
Leo: I have a good reason for coming here, I'll have you know! I've been entrusted with a very important mission ☆
Ibara: An important mission...?
Leo: Yup! Let's get right into it, shall we? Tsumugi Aoba, member of Switch...
...has retired from being vice presideeeeeent! ☆
Eichi/Keito: ...
Leo: Aaaaaand he's got a brand new haircut! ☆
Ibara: ...Um?
Leo: What's with that reaction?! Oba-chan cut his hair! It's supposed to be shocking!
Here, take a look at this photo! Doesn't he look fresh?
Ibara: Uh... He certainly looks more refined as compared to before... But we've been long aware that he's resigned from his position, and that he'd cut his hair.
This was your "important mission"? Are you sure?
Leo: Yep, this is it! All the meeting's details will be in the minutes, so I was given a strict warning to sit tight and not get in the way.
Rude, though. Even I know how to read an atmosphere.
Keito: If you're that self-aware, then I hope you'll notice how much you're slowing things down right now.
Eichi: Hehe, I don't think there's any harm. We need some entertainment, don't we? We can't be having all our Summit meetings so stiff and formal all the time.
Besides, losing a vice president is a significant affair. I'm sure NewDi wanted to give us proper disclosure on the matter.
Leo: Yeah, you get it! Suo~ said something similar!
Ibara: ...I see. Well, now that NewDi's important announcement is out of the way, shall we proceed to the topic at hand?
In today's Summit, CosPro wishes to propose a joint performance between the four agencies of ES. Now, if you'll look at the documents I've given you...
You should see the plans for a theater for the arts that is due to open this summer.
This theater is located near ES, so our idols will have ample opportunity to make use of it.
Now, the core of CosPro's plan is to take advantage of our unique four-agency setup to stage a joint performance and firmly establish the theater's presence in the area.
Eichi: I see. A grand opening is certainly a juicy opportunity. I think this plan is attractive, however...
Why let the other agencies have a slice of pie? There would be greater gains in claiming this success for CosPro alone.
Ibara: Ah, yes, Your Eminence, you have my gratitude for your sharp observation! We can skip the preamble ♪
All agencies working together could reach wider audiences for this theater than one would alone.
Rather than a single agency staking a claim on it, having all of ES participate would generate more energy, more attention, and more trust.
And besides, with other agencies in play, that makes it much easier to acquire raw data concerning the theater's facilities.
There's only so much one can glean from the blueprints, after all. I hope you all can help verify how it feels to actually use its perks.
Keito: ...Hm, so the latter part is your true goal.
You have an opportune moment—the grand opening—and four agencies working together. You'll be able to share the burden of costs and labor with us to some extent.
Depending on how it turns out, you could even forgo profit and allow the rest of us the credit for this project.
Eichi: I see now. Rather than test everything out yourself, you've cooked up a scheme to collect data using other agencies' investment and labor.
Ibara: That's exactly it. Taking on an event of this magnitude alone comes with great risk.
But with everyone's cooperation, we can divide fees, responsibilities, and even results into equal portions.
Naturally, I will share any data I get with you all as well.
If the industry as a whole flourishes, that prosperity will spread to us. So, let us have a warm and constructive partnership, shall we? ♪
Eichi: Warm, you say... Tsukinaga-kun, what do you make of this?
Leo: Huh? Me? I was told to stay quiet.
Eichi: Yes, I understand that you cannot make executive decisions. However...
I'm just a little curious how Saegusa-kun's suggestion looks in your eyes.
Leo: Oh, okay, hm... Well, if I'm gonna be honest...
You guys work way too much!!
---
< Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 5 || Masterlist || Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 7 >
---
Location: New Dimension Lobby
(Meanwhile, in reality)
Leo: I'm back, Suo~!
Tsukasa: Leo-san. ...Hm? Where is Aoba-senpai?
Leo: Mm, well, I let him sleep in the studio.
Tsukasa: In the studio? I had assumed you two went out somewhere together.
Leo: I asked him if anything was bothering him lately, and he said he hasn't been sleeping well, so y'know, I played a bit for him on the piano so he could doze off.
I tried talking to him before I left, but he didn't budge an inch. I think he's completely out cold.
Tsukasa: I see. That is... well, good, but also not...
Leo: Hm? Should I not have done that?
Tsukasa: It's only, er... Aoba-senpai was due to attend the Summit meeting later today.
Leo: Huh, why? I thought he wasn't supposed to be doing any work?
Tsukasa: This is also the president's idea. I believe he wants Aoba-senpai to formally announce his retirement from his position to the other agencies.
This would also double as an opportunity to show off his new haircut, or so I hear. Thus, the president decided that it would be best that the other representatives hear from the man himself, so Aoba-senpai was set to make an appearance.
So, I am sorry to Aoba-senpai, but I must go wake him.
Leo: Whoa, hey. I said he's out cold. I'd feel bad forcing him awake now.
If he's already stepped down, then he can go announce this anytime. Doesn't have to be today, right?
Tsukasa: Oh, but it must. The president has already decided it must, and besides, it is a matter of principle.
The vice president is a position of great responsibility; a simple message will not suffice.
I would assume Aoba-senpai also wishes to show off his fresh new haircut as well.
With time, it would lose its sense of novelty, and then there would hardly be much of a point in showing it off.
Leo: Mmm... It's just a haircut. Is it really such a big deal?
Those guys at the Summit aren't fans, just his peers in the industry. If we had to report every little thing that happened to us, nothing would get done—and it's a pain in the butt.
Tsukasa: ...I don't have a counterargument for that.
However, Switch has updated their promotional photos with Aoba-senpai's new hairstyle—perhaps the president means to assign significance to this change.
Well, this is all my own speculation.
In any case, the primary goal is to announce Aoba-senpai's resignation as vice president—his haircut is only secondary. He does not necessarily have to be there himself, and it only needs to be reported to the president later, so...
I'm thinking I can attend in Aoba-senpai's place and give a brief explanation of his new promotional photographs.
Leo: I'll go, then.
Tsukasa: Huh? You, Leo-san?
Leo: Yeah. It wouldn't make any sense if Oba-chan gets to rest, but more work falls on you, Suo~.
It was easy to see how hard Oba-chan was working himself, but you've got a lot on your shoulders, too, right?
So I'll go! I'll make sure all of 'em know about Oba-chan, don't you worry! ♪
---
Location: Meeting Room
(Half an hour later)
Eichi: It's about time, so how about we get this Summit started?
Ibara: Hm. Normally I'd say we have the usual crowd in attendance, but...
At least one of us has a different air about him—or perhaps, more accurately put, he stands out?
Keito: There certainly is one among us who is more fidgety than the rest.
Leo: Huh? Who?
You don't mean... me? I'm here as a proper NewDi rep, y'know!
Eichi: We know that much, of course. But you seem more the type to say these meetings are too dull for you to sit through.
Keito: I agree. Seeing Tsukinaga here only arouses suspicion that something's going wrong at NewDi.
Leo: I have a good reason for coming here, I'll have you know! I've been entrusted with a very important mission ☆
Ibara: An important mission...?
Leo: Yup! Let's get right into it, shall we? Tsumugi Aoba, member of Switch...
...has retired from being vice presideeeeeent! ☆
Eichi/Keito: ...
Leo: Aaaaaand he's got a brand new haircut! ☆
Ibara: ...Um?
Leo: What's with that reaction?! Oba-chan cut his hair! It's supposed to be shocking!
Here, take a look at this photo! Doesn't he look fresh?
Ibara: Uh... He certainly looks more refined as compared to before... But we've been long aware that he's resigned from his position, and that he'd cut his hair.
This was your "important mission"? Are you sure?
Leo: Yep, this is it! All the meeting's details will be in the minutes, so I was given a strict warning to sit tight and not get in the way.
Rude, though. Even I know how to read an atmosphere.
Keito: If you're that self-aware, then I hope you'll notice how much you're slowing things down right now.
Eichi: Hehe, I don't think there's any harm. We need some entertainment, don't we? We can't be having all our Summit meetings so stiff and formal all the time.
Besides, losing a vice president is a significant affair. I'm sure NewDi wanted to give us proper disclosure on the matter.
Leo: Yeah, you get it! Suo~ said something similar!
Ibara: ...I see. Well, now that NewDi's important announcement is out of the way, shall we proceed to the topic at hand?
In today's Summit, CosPro wishes to propose a joint performance between the four agencies of ES. Now, if you'll look at the documents I've given you...
You should see the plans for a theater for the arts that is due to open this summer.
This theater is located near ES, so our idols will have ample opportunity to make use of it.
Now, the core of CosPro's plan is to take advantage of our unique four-agency setup to stage a joint performance and firmly establish the theater's presence in the area.
Eichi: I see. A grand opening is certainly a juicy opportunity. I think this plan is attractive, however...
Why let the other agencies have a slice of pie? There would be greater gains in claiming this success for CosPro alone.
Ibara: Ah, yes, Your Eminence, you have my gratitude for your sharp observation! We can skip the preamble ♪
All agencies working together could reach wider audiences for this theater than one would alone.
Rather than a single agency staking a claim on it, having all of ES participate would generate more energy, more attention, and more trust.
And besides, with other agencies in play, that makes it much easier to acquire raw data concerning the theater's facilities.
There's only so much one can glean from the blueprints, after all. I hope you all can help verify how it feels to actually use its perks.
Keito: ...Hm, so the latter part is your true goal.
You have an opportune moment—the grand opening—and four agencies working together. You'll be able to share the burden of costs and labor with us to some extent.
Depending on how it turns out, you could even forgo profit and allow the rest of us the credit for this project.
Eichi: I see now. Rather than test everything out yourself, you've cooked up a scheme to collect data using other agencies' investment and labor.
Ibara: That's exactly it. Taking on an event of this magnitude alone comes with great risk.
But with everyone's cooperation, we can divide fees, responsibilities, and even results into equal portions.
Naturally, I will share any data I get with you all as well.
If the industry as a whole flourishes, that prosperity will spread to us. So, let us have a warm and constructive partnership, shall we? ♪
Eichi: Warm, you say... Tsukinaga-kun, what do you make of this?
Leo: Huh? Me? I was told to stay quiet.
Eichi: Yes, I understand that you cannot make executive decisions. However...
I'm just a little curious how Saegusa-kun's suggestion looks in your eyes.
Leo: Oh, okay, hm... Well, if I'm gonna be honest...
You guys work way too much!!
---
< Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 5 || Masterlist || Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 7 >