The character who appeared at the very end was Lacus Clyne—PLANT's songstress, and the future leader of the Clyne Faction.
Back in the day, she'd been the reigning popularity queen. In another world, the undisputed champion of the doujin scene.
Thanks to all manner of conspiracy theories, she'd also become the poster child for "sweet on the outside, scheming on the inside"... though the official line had always denied it.
Inori hadn't expected the Stage to give Lacus screen time at the end.
But this bit of "buzz-building" was quite effective. After Lacus's appearance, the show's popularity had already skyrocketed.
By the time Episode 0 finished airing, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Songstress of the Void had hit one million Popularity Points.
But based on her experience from the Naruto world, Inori knew that the first wave of hype during a "debut" was always the peak. Down the road, the momentum wasn't guaranteed to stay this high.
And once Episode 0 was over, the show would be entering its regular run.
That meant Inori couldn't make any major moves behind the scenes.
A story had to follow internal logic. If the audience couldn't see the logic, many plot points would end up as deductions instead.
From Episode 0 to Episode 1, Inori couldn't afford to mess around.
—It would cost her money.
Still, the characters within the set's world had their own agency, so—just as she'd done in the Naruto world—she could gradually reshape the story from within.
[Episode 0 broadcast concluded]
[Comment section now open]
[Premiere compensation settlement in progress—please wait]
Once the show ended, Inori immediately dove into the comment section.
The external audience world was the Gunpla world—more precisely, the world of Gundam Build Divers.
But this world had already been conquered by idol culture. And since it was a near-future setting to begin with, SEED's original formula obviously wouldn't work here.
As it turned out, Inori's strategy had been effective.
But in terms of the market itself, Gundam was still niche.
The hottest thing wasn't even the show—it was Inori's music.
"Wait—the GINN model and GAT-X105 Gundam Frame are already on sale?"
The Client knew how to seize a business opportunity.
Even though only Episode 0 had aired, the Client had already started selling Gunpla kits.
Three MS kits total: the standard GINN, the Black GINN, and the Gundam Frame.
But despite the merchandise and the buzz, Inori discovered that the hottest topic wasn't the plot or the Gunpla—it was the MV from the opening.
Sure enough, this was a world that had already been claimed by girl-band culture.
[I need full details on the opening song!]
[Does anyone know what's up with the OP?]
[I don't think that was an OP. It's more of an insert song. This track isn't suited for an OP, and it doesn't quite work as an ED either—it's perfect as an insert song or a special OP/ED. Total trump card material]
[Holy crap, did I miss something by not watching Episode 0?]
[No worries, the new series premieres in a month. Episode 0 will go up on the platform then, so you can catch up]
[Is there a single release? I want to buy it!]
[My money's right here—don't you dare pass on this!]
The comment section was absolutely buzzing.
And right then, a message came through from the Stage.
[Negotiation with the Production Team complete]
[The Production Team gave a five-star review]
[Compensation rewards issued]
[1. MV distribution rights—all MVs you produce may be distributed in the Client's world]
[2. OP/ED 1, center role]
[3. Exclusive storyline production opportunity]
Not bad—the Client was playing ball. Three compensation rewards, straight up.
But Inori immediately recalled the Client's eagerness to sell Gunpla.
That first reward was looking awfully suspicious.
—Can't wait to monetize, can you?
[Client has submitted an additional request]
Another message from the Stage.
"An additional request?"
[Client wishes to license the rice-cooker (strikethrough)]
[Client wishes to license Fyu-Neru model sales]
—You definitely said "rice-cooker" just now! You absolutely said "rice-cooker"!
"What's in it for me?"
[In addition to providing a revenue share, the Client commits to furnishing lead-character-level screen time as needed]
"That's actually not bad."
Although this Client was just as fixated on selling Gunpla and model kits as a certain other franchise—as long as the merchandise was taken care of, everything else seemed negotiable.
The type who had their eyes on the prize (the money) and nothing else.
Hmm... looked at that way, this Client might actually be pretty easy to work with?
Back at the apartment, Kira let out a sigh of relief.
"Will it really be okay...?" Kira was still worried.
"All data has been erased," Inori said.
"Um, what are you planning to do after this?" Kira asked.
Inori looked at Kira. "You are my master. I will follow your instructions."
"D-Don't say things like that." Kira stammered. "I mean—what you want to do."
Inori looked at Kira. "Shoot an MV. Would you like to join, Kira?"
"You mean, that video?" Kira really liked that song.
The MV had been incredible.
Almost as if drawn by some invisible force, Kira nodded.
"Mm."
Inori took Kira's hand.
Kira's face instantly turned red.
"Then—please become my manager, Kira!"
Kira's head was spinning.
Perhaps because she'd finally relaxed, Kira started yawning.
"Please get some rest. Leave the rest to me."
"Mm... okay..."
Kira drifted off almost immediately.
Inori lifted Kira up and placed her on the bed.
"Now then—time for vocal training."
She had the processing power of an AI, but her "software" still needed work.
Since the Client had said all of her MVs could be distributed in the audience's world, the more she produced, the better.
In that case, professional training from a proper instructor would be ideal.
Conveniently, Inori still had her "Actor Benefits"—one free training session per quarter.
[Actor Benefits issued]
[Training category: Vocals]
[Recruiting instructor]
[Reviewing résumés]
[Conducting negotiations]
[An equally matched partner has been arranged for you (strikethrough)]
[Instructor is ready]
[Please put on your Stage Outfit, focus your mind, and—in a space with no one else present—open the door]
Inori closed Kira's bedroom door.
She was already wearing the Goldfish Outfit—her Stage Outfit—so no need to change.
She opened the door and stepped through to the other side.
On the other side was a space resembling a talent agency. A girl with green twin-tails stood facing the entrance.
Upon seeing Inori, the girl smiled:
"Welcome! I'm Hatsune Miku."
Hatsune Miku was a virtual idol. Inori was also a virtual idol... seemed about right?
"Um, Miku-sensei, hello...?"
Inori had expected a robotic voice, but instead it was a smooth, gentle Japanese.
"Leave it all to me! I'll teach you absolutely everything I know about singing!"
"Hai. Then I'll be in your care, Miku-sensei!"