Chapter 2: Head over Heels for Her

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Chapter 2: Head over Heels for Her

And so the day of Tsubasa's debut came...

>The music video for Tsubasa's debut song "Feel" plays. Once it finishes, Itsuki and Touma are seen in the Hee Ho Mart. Itsuki is reading a magazine.

Touma: Whatcha reading there, Itsuki? Hmm... "Mystery of the Disappearing Models?"

Itsuki: Yeah. Guess I got curious.

Touma: Models disappearing, huh.. Actually, I'm kind of more surprised you read this stuff.

Itsuki: Well, the headline got my attention. I just picked it up for the article on the live concert at the 106.

Touma: Hey, cool! This has an article on Tsubasa too! ... Man, now that I'm seeing Tsubasa in magazines and music videos, it's finally hitting me that she's a real idol now. It sounds too good to be true. Her debut song was the one she sang for Ayaha, her music video was just the 106 craziness...

Itsuki: Ms. Maiko was in danger at the time, but I have to wonder if some of this was all part of her plan...

Touma: Seriously! When did she have the time to get footage of us? She's either really resourceful or just plain sneaky. But I guess for the guys in class, the music video was nothing compared to finding out Tsubasa's become an idol.

Itsuki: Yeah. It seems like she has crowds around her at every break now.

Touma: Sounds like she's giving it all she's got. She's probably over at the lesson studio today, too. Why don't you go say hi? I bet if you drop by, her motivation's gonna skyrocket.

Itsuki: You think?

Touma: Yep. I do. Now go on, go give her a pat on the back or something.

The player is given two choices on how to respond:

• I think I will.
• Sounds like a chore.

If the player chooses option 1:

???

If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: Sounds like a chore.

Touma: C'mon, man, don't say that. She's been your friend since forever, right? Keep that attitude up, and she won't be anymore.

Itsuki: Okay, okay. I'll head over.

Touma: Good.

>Touma leaves; however he sends Itsuki a text. The conversation is as follows:

Touma: don't forget what we just talked about. you gotta help out Tsubasa when she needs it. she should be at uzume lesson studio now Touma: sometimes I worry about you, man. you just have these days where your head is in the clouds Touma: sends a picture of a man with his arms crossed, looking bummed out

>As Itsuki moves in the mart, the salesclerk starts speaking.

Salesclerk: Welcome!

Itsuki: (Hm?)

>The camera shifts to another salesclerk; she is wearing a Black Frost mask.7

Itsuki: (Huh? A-A mask...? She's wearing a different colored uniform... Is she an employee here? She's standing at the register, but the "Registered Closed" sign is still on display... Don't any of the other customers or employees notice her...?)

Editor's note: This is the introduction to the second shop in the Hee Ho Mart.

>Itsuki walks into Uzume. He sees Barry coaching Tsubasa.

Barry: You gotta learn to dance with muscle memory! If you think about it too much, you're not gonna be able to sing too!

Tsubasa: G-Got it!

Barry: Awright, stop. That'll do for today!

>Barry leaves. Tsubasa notices Itsuki.

Tsubasa: Oh, Itsuki.

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• Hey, Tsubasa.
• How's everything going?

>If the player chooses option 1:

Itsuki: Hey, Tsubasa.

Tsubasa: Did you come to watch my practice?

Itsuki: Yeah. Looks like you're working really hard.

Tsubasa: Mhm. After all that stuff with Aya, I just feel like a huge weight's been lifted off my shoulders... I'm enjoying every moment of dancing and singing, now!

>Barry reappears.

Barry: Tsubasa's improved a whole ton from before! Going by Dia Witch terms, I'd say I'd rank her at abooouuut... episode seven.

Itsuki: I... have no idea what that means.

Barry: SHIT! Well, anyhow, I'd say you're good to go now. Oh my god! I just remembered! Tomorrow's the Dia Witch game release date! The preorder bonus... is calling out to me...! I have to hurry and get in line for the midnight release! All aboard the hype train! Choo choo!

>Barry runs out of the room.

Tsubasa: So... wait. Was he actually praising me, or...?

Itsuki: I... think so...?

Man's Voice: Are you done in here?

Tsubasa: Oh, sorry. We were just- Wha-!? Y-Yashiro Tsurugi!? In person!?

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• You know him?
• Who's he?

If the player chooses option 1:

???

If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: Who's he?

Yashiro: ... I asked a question, if you don't mind?

Itsuki: O-Oh, right. Sorry about that. Her lesson just finished, so we'll be out soon.

Yashiro: Lesson...? It looked more like children at play than anything else.

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• That tone is unnecessary.
• It's not play.

If the player chooses option 1:

Itsuki: That tone is kind of unnecessary, isn't it? Tsubasa's giving it her all.

Yashiro: Hm...? I'm only giving you my honest appraisal.

Itsuki: ...

Yashiro: In any case, you two are getting in the way of my own training. If you wish to play your little games, do it somewhere else. This is a training room for professionals, not an amateurs' playground.

Itsuki: Amateur... She's not an amateur. Tsubasa is an idol of Fortuna Entertainment, at the very least.

Yashiro: Fortuna... ... And that would make you a member of Fortuna as well?

Itsuki: Huh? What's this all about?

Yashiro: Once again, answer my question.

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• Yeah.
• I'm not really a performer...

If the player chooses option 1:

???

If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: I'm not really a performer or anything like that... But I am a member of Fortuna.

Yashiro: ... You're a rather strange one.

Itsuki: It's complicated... and none of your business, anyway.

Yashiro: Perhaps.

Tsubasa: C-Come on, Itsuki! Let's go! We really shouldn't be interrupting Mr. Tsurugi like this!

Yashiro: Hm...? Just a moment. You. Have we... met before?

Tsubasa: M-Me!? N-No... I... don't think we have... I mean, maybe seen on TV, but...

Yashiro: ... Never mind, then. You can go now.

Tsubasa: Y-Yes, sir!

>The two leave Uzume and have a conversation outside.

Tsubasa: Phew... That got me scared for a second... Itsuki, what was with all that hostility?

Itsuki: He's the one who started it. So... he's Yashiro Tsurugi.

Tsubasa: Because of that Mirage attack, we never saw him at that joint concert... But the show he's starring in right now, "Labyrinth of Love," is this season's number one hit. And he even sings the main theme! He's an amazing person! He's always at the top of the charts as a singer, and as an actor he's called the Prince of Ratings!

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• Wish I could've seen him perform...
• Doesn't make him less of a jerk...

If the player chooses option 1:

???

If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: Doesn't change the fact that he's kind of a jerk... But if he's really as good as you say, I'd want to see his performance.

Tsubasa: Heh heh heh... Tadaaa!

>Tsubasa gives Itsuki a Yashiro's Ticket.

Tsubasa: I got them from Ms. Maiko. I've got one for you too, Itsuki! She told me that as a Mirage Master... and a member of the entertainment business, I should try to experience all the good things.

Itsuki: That's pretty generous of her.

Tsubasa: Let's go watch it together! Oh, I just remembered! I need to head to the office now! I'll see you later, Itsuki!

>Tsubasa leaves. Maiko sends a text. The conversation is as follows:

Maiko: Hey, Tsubasa? I know the lesson should be over by now. I've been waiting for a while you know? Maiko: sends a picture of a sighing man looking unimpressed Maiko: If there's nothing going on, I need you to hurry back to the office! I've got something important to tell you.

To be added...