Act 1, Scene 1: Okami

[opening_act]

[ A notification on your phone goes off, letting you know the purchase of your meeting with Exael has gone through.

There is an attachment. Where are you, when you open it? ]

Comments

[furrytailprince]

You are saying you had to compete individually?

[opening_act]

Right, previous rounds you were just judged by yourself.

[furrytailprince]

That sounds more dangerous. Why the change?

[opening_act]

Dunno!

[furrytailprince]

[ Hmmmm. ]

What about the idol selection process? Do you know anything about what goes into that? How idols are chosen from different locations?

[opening_act]

We need representatives from some places more than others, but it's mostly chance. No one gets an unfair advantage that way.

[furrytailprince]

I have noticed that some groups seem to all come from the same area. I was not sure if that was intentional.

... Why did you become a host anyway? If such a thing is not necessary for graduates, why stay here?

[opening_act]

There's two roads open to graduates! Leaving to return home, or getting a graduation gift. Some things are worth it!

[furrytailprince]

[ Brow raises. This is entirely new. ]

Graduate gift? So you are rewarded for being a host? What type of reward?

[opening_act]

You don't have to become a host specifically, you know. But it's a wish granted.

[furrytailprince]

[ Eyes widening and filling with intense curiosity ]

So that is what the assessment is about. Are there any limitation on this wish?

[opening_act]

Probably, but I don't know what this round's are yet.

[furrytailprince]

I see. Though you still have not said why becoming a host was your wish.

[opening_act]

It wasn't!

[furrytailprince]

But it is connected to your wish?

[opening_act]

Security probably will be sweeping the area soon. You should get back.

[furrytailprince]

[ Ears flatten. ]

Surely, we have another moment or two.

[opening_act]

Yeah, I'll start counting down!

[ takes out her phone, actually ]

[furrytailprince]

And you can answer my last question.

[opening_act]

I could! But I won't, time's up!

[ She taps her phone a few times, winks and then

just like, isn't there anymore

And you hear the clatter of footsteps— someone or several someones approaching the alleyway ]

[furrytailprince]

[ Growls in frustration and tries to hurry back toward the staton ]

[opening_act]

[ he runs and turns the corner to find himself back in the empty city of Tokyo-F ]

[furrytailprince]

[ That odd and unexpected. ]