CHAPTER 6
Kiyomi stood in front of the full-length mirror in the Inferno Talent lobby, adjusting his pink wig. He looked exactly like the girl on the poster—radiant, innocent, and ready to be loved by thousands.
But his body felt heavy. Every time he shifted his weight, the soreness in his inner thighs reminded him of the shower stall a couple of days ago. He glanced at Miyu, who was calmly checking his phone. Miyu looked untouched, professional, and completely unbothered.
(How can he be so calm? We almost got caught… and today we're signing away our lives.)
"Sakura-chan, stop fidgeting," Miyu whispered, his voice high and melodic for the lobby cameras.
They were soon ushered into a conference room.
Sitting at the far end of the table was someone who made Kiyomi's breath hitch.
Tall, with long raven-black hair and eyes like shards of ice, she was dressed in a sleek gothic-lolita ensemble that screamed high fashion. She didn't look up when they entered; she was busy reading a manga.
"This is Renge," a voice boomed.
The Producer stepped into the room. He was a middle-aged man with sharp glasses and an even sharper suit.
He didn't offer a handshake. Instead, he signaled Renge to stand.
Renge didn't simply rise; she drifted upward like a shadow detaching from the floor. She snapped her lace fan shut with a sharp clack, pressing it against her lips as a low, melodic chuckle vibrated in her throat—a sound that felt far too practiced for a girl her age.
"Behold, mortals who bask in the fleeting warmth of the light," she began, her eyes narrowing as she swept a judgmental gaze over Kiyomi and Miyu.
She draped a gloved hand over her left eye, as if struggling to contain a surging power.
"'Tis I, Renge Moonfang, the True Princess of Eternal Night. My soul has traversed the Abyss for aeons just to witness this fated gathering. Do not think your meager 'charms' can withstand the gravity of my dark providence."
Kiyomi blinked, his jaw nearly dropping.
(…Is she serious?)
Beside him, Miyu was stunned into silence for a heartbeat. Then, he started to clap. The clap turned into enthusiastic applause. Kiyomi, sensing the social cue, followed suit.
"Brilliant, Renge-chan... very wonderful... I am moved. I truly am..."
(Eh? Really?)
"Eh? Really?" Renge asked, mixed with surprise and relief.
Miyu rose with a fluid, practiced grace that made the fabric of his skirt swirl perfectly. He clasped his hands in front of his waist, tilting his head at the exact fifteen-degree angle that maximized cuteness according to idol textbooks.
"A pleasure to meet those who gather under this roof of dreams," he began, his voice shifting into a crystalline, melodic soprano that was as smooth as silk. He offered a dainty, flawless bow—low enough to show respect, yet high enough to maintain his "sparkle."
"My name is Miyuko. I may be but a small flower in this vast garden of stars, but I promise to bloom with a radiance that will never wither. I look forward to our shared journey toward the horizon."
(Miyu?)
Kiyomi stood up awkwardly, his hands hanging limp at his sides. After a brief pause, he gave a small, uninspired nod.
"Hi. I am Sakura," he said. His voice was flat—completely devoid of any idol energy.
The producer chuckled and clapped his hands once. The three idols turned toward him.
"Okay… you girls are wonderful." He adjusted his glasses with a satisfied smile. "Oh, by the way, my name is Souta Daichi. From now on, I will be your producer," he said. "Any questions before we continue?"
(Souta? He shares the same name as Izumi. Are they related?)
Miyu raised his hand immediately.
"Are we going to share our LONE address with you, Producer-san?"
A flicker of excitement—and something more questionable—flashed across Daichi's eyes. A chuckle slipped out of him.
"We will… later. All in due time."
Renge raised her hand next.
"Where do you sleep—on the left side or the right side of the bed? The darkness requires balance."
Daichi dismissed her instantly and turned to Kiyomi.
"Sakura, what about you?"
"Do we have a group name yet?"
"Ah! Finally! A professional question," Daichi replied, pointing a finger at him. "You three—together—will now be called Cerb-3ros."
Renge raised her hand again, but before she could speak, Daichi answered preemptively.
"Yes, Renge. Your group is named after the guard dog of hell."
"Do we have to end our sentences with Bau Bau?" Miyu asked curiously.
"Not all the time," Daichi replied. "Only when you're being 'naughty' for the fans."
Daichi then proceeded to lay out the vision. They weren't just idols; they were the guardians of the gateway. Together, they would be the three heads of the industry. He ended by talking about vision and mission.
He paused, letting the weight of the words sink in.
"That is all... and also... one more thing. We will provide you with new social media accounts," he said. "And of course, the agency will also manage them. We expect you to match your behavior according to the character we have designed for you."
"Roger, Producer-chan!" Miyu said, giving a playful, two-finger salute.
"Contract accepted... from now on, the three of us are eternally bound by the chains of fate," Renge added, her lace fan clicking shut.
"Yes," Kiyomi whispered.
After exchanging LONE addresses and signing the final documents, the trio left the Inferno Talent office. The afternoon sun was bright, making Kiyomi squint under the fringe of his pink wig.
"So, where do you wanna eat?" Miyu asked, stretching his arms over his head.
"WackRonald's," Kiyomi answered immediately. He was starving after the stress of the meeting. "What about you, Renge-chan?"
Renge stopped, turning to them with a look of tragic longing.
"Sorry... I cannot partake in your earthly sustenance."
"You don't like burgers?" Miyu asked, tilting his head.
"No, it is not that. The Princess of Eternal Night never goes hungry. My soul is nourished by the moonlight and the tears of—"
Guuu...
Renge's stomach let out a thunderous, low-frequency rumble that echoed against the glass of the office building. Her pale face turned a violent shade of crimson.
Kiyomi and Miyu shared a look of pure pity.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Kiyomi asked softly.
"No!" Renge squealed, her Dark Princess voice cracking into a high-pitched sob of embarrassment as she bolted down the street, her black lace skirts fluttering behind her.
Kiyomi instinctively started to follow.
"Renge-chan, wait—!"
But before he could take a third step, Miyu caught his hand, his grip firm and grounding.
"Let her be," Miyu said, his eyes watching the retreating figure. "I'm sure she has her reasons."
Inside WackRonald's near the station, the atmosphere buzzed with activity. As they took their seats, several customers stole glances at them—two strikingly cute girls in high-fashion outfits. Miyu didn't flinch; he smiled occasionally at the onlookers, perfectly maintaining his charm even while unwrapping a burger.
"Do you think they'll make us train every day?" Kiyomi asked, munching on his burger. The saltiness felt good after the long meeting.
"No, they won't," Miyu replied, dipping a fry into ketchup with elegant precision. "But they'll definitely expect us to follow the assigned schedule to the letter. Once the contract starts, our time isn't really ours anymore."
"so, mostly evenings?"
"I don't know," Miyu shrugged.
"Miyu-chan..." Kiyomi leaned in, lowering his voice until it was barely a whisper. "Do you think... do you think they know we're boys?"
Miyu burst into sudden, loud laughter. Other guests immediately turned their heads, eyes darting toward the cute girls laughing rowdily in the corner. Kiyomi's face went pale, and he reflexively pressed a finger to his lips.
"Shhh!"
Miyu grinned, reaching out to gently move Kiyomi's finger aside.
"I know, I know... you're worried."
"So? Do they?"
"If you're that concerned, I just want to let you know something," Miyu said, his eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and experience. "There are more femboys in this industry than people want to admit. Most agencies don't care about what's under the skirt as long as the face sells."
"Really?" Kiyomi's eyes widened.
Miyu didn't elaborate; he simply nodded.
"Mhm. We aren't as rare as you think, Sakura-chan."
A sudden, dizzying realization hit Kiyomi.
(That means, I can be with Takumi~)
Kiyomi couldn't hide the sudden, broad grin that split his face. Miyu noticed it instantly, his own expression turning knowing and smug. He could read Kiyomi's thoughts like an open book.
"Yes," Miyu whispered, leaning closer across the table until their wigs almost touched. "You can."
Later that evening, Kiyomi lay on his bed, legs kicked up against the wall. He was back in his boyish pajamas, the pink wig resting on a mannequin head on his desk.
He scrolled through his feed, mind still buzzing from the salty burgers and Miyu's words.
Ding.
A bright, neon notification from LONE flashed across the screen.
Sakura has been added to [Cerb-3ros Idol Group]
Mio: Good afternoon, Idols...
Mio: I'm Mio, your manager. I know this is all new, but I'm excited to see what we can do together.
Mio: This chat is where we'll post rehearsals, reminders, and random updates—so don't hesitate to ask questions or share ideas! Let's have fun and make this journey amazing.
Miyuko: Good afternoon...
Miyuko: Bau Bau~
Sakura: Bau Bau~
Renge: I'm a princess, I refuse to bark!
Mio: Bau Bau~
Mio: let's get back to topic, shall we?
Mio: our training schedule will be from 17:00 to 20:30
Mio: Tuesday to Saturday.
Mio: so starting from tomorrow.
Sakura: question!
Mio: Ask away...
Sakura: When will we get access to our official account?
Mio: Never... Lol
Renge: WHAT? How am I supposed to preach to the mass then?
Mio: When you finally stand on stage?
Renge: When is it?
Mio: A good question!
Mio: May 15th. So... next month.
Renge: Got it!
Miyuko: Thanks Mio-chan.
Sakura: Thank you.
Mio: See you tomorrow, idols~ Bau Bau~
Ding.
Kiyomi clicked the link sent by Mio in the group chat.
[Amateur Idol Competition]
DATE: May 15th
TIME: 18:00 – 20:00
VENUE: Fujimori Grand Park
Join us for a sparkling evening as fresh faces take the stage for the very first time! Watch talented idols showcase their singing, dancing, and charm in this exciting amateur competition.
Free admission! Bring your friends, enjoy live performances, and cheer for your favorite rising stars!
Special performances, fun games, and a chance to meet the idols after the show!
[Click here for more info & tickets]
(I'll send this to Takkun...)