LU Chapter 12

# Chapter Twelve - "You've Gotta Do It!"

### Junko

    "It's a little strange Ms. Rossi picked Akira to be a team leader, isn't it? Sure she's a great dancer, but does she even know the first thing about fashion? She's usually either in her school uniform or one of those running outfits she loves so much. Shouldn't it have been someone a little more familiar with Ms. Rossi's work? Or maybe with a bigger fanclub, since that's probably why she picked Eimi? Or someone who knows absolutely everything there is to know about her, like I do…"

    I had thought everything was settled this morning. Everyone quickly fell into a rhythm with their new groups while I helped out as I could, and since we're all basically friends everyone seemed fine with it at the time. But then as the day went on and people had time to think about it in more detail, everyone seemed to develop an opinion on the subject. Especially Dam-Bi, who's been in mine and Rinko's room since we got back to the dorm, talking our ears off. Not that Rinko ever minds having company, but these two just talk non-stop whenever they're together…

    Sometimes it's enough to make my head spin.

    "Ms. R had a really good reason for making Akira a group leader though. She has 'significant potential at exceeding…' Uh, Junko, how did it go?"

    "As I understood it, they were mostly afraid that if Akira wasn't kept busy with this that she'd be constantly getting into trouble out of boredom. The fact that Yume and Anette follow her lead is just a bonus, but I think part of their concern."

    "Now see, *that* I can kind of understand. Kira-Kira does have a little too much energy to be cooped up on a soundstage all day. Maybe we'd better start walking her more often, just like my precious little Pom-Bibi." Dam-Bi's voice rose to a slightly annoying pitch just as it usually does when she gets to talking about her puppy. Her puppy, who has made herself at home on Rinko's bed, receiving her fill of pets, kisses, and belly rubs, and who was all but invisible from my top bunk except for the occasional bark, yip, growl, or other admittedly adorable puppy sound. Looking over the edge of my bed I saw the back half of Dam-Bi kneeling next to Rinko's bed as she invaded my roommate's personal space, no doubt to lavish attention onto the little ball of white fluff as the two of them laughed.

    "What did Ms. R want with you anyway, Junko? You never did say."

    "It wasn't really anything important. She needs a personal assistant for the project, but we're already going to be so busy I don't think it would be a good idea."

    "What?!" Dam-Bi popped her head up to see into my bunk and deposited a fluffy little visitor onto my sheets who wasted no time sniffing around for the most comfortable spot. "Caterina Rossi wants you to be her personal assistant and you're thinking of saying ***no?*** Juney, are you crazy? That would be like… like… There's nothing else that crazy to compare it to!"

    Rinko quickly followed suit, peering over the side of my bed. I had been cornered by all three of them, as Pom-Bi found the most comfortable spot to be snuggling up directly against my stomach. "Yeah, after all that nice stuff they said about us, why would you turn her down? She must really need an assistant bad if she's asking one of us."

    "You've gotta take the position, Juney. This is the Saint of Fashion telling you that she wants to tutor you. Nobody turns their nose up at that. No-bod-dee. Two weeks around Caterina Rossi and even Akira would become a fashionista, and you've already got a pretty good sense of style! Plus, you'll be able to teach us everything you learn! Just think of how glamorous we'll be once she's done with you. Maybe you could even get us a private consultation! I'd love to show her some of my designs!"

    Dam-Bi had stars in her eyes as she thought about all the ways this could be beneficial for the group, but also for herself. It would have been so much easier if Ms. Rossi had asked someone like Dam-Bi in the first place. From the moment she proposed some extra responsibilities for a few of us, I had been ready to do what I usually do. Namely, make sure that I was there in case Rinko ran into any problems with any of the others. I can't do that if I'm running notes back and forth from the set to the conference room, or fetching Ms. Rossi's lunch or whatever this position would entail from me. Dam-Bi's also right though in that this isn't the sort of opportunity that someone who's still just starting out their career can pass up on a whim. I'm happy with how things are going. All I really wanted when I started training was to become an idol alongside Rinko, and we've managed to do that more successfully than I had ever hoped. Sure, it took a couple of tries, but what's important is that her dream has come true, and I'm still right here next to her. Wanting more just for myself was never a part of the plan…

    "I don't need to give her an answer until tomorrow morning, so I guess I can think about it some more. But that's enough about me. Dam-Bi, don't you think it's nice that Rinko has gone back to her usual style?"

    "Nice try, Juney, but you're not getting out of it that easily. I for one think it's good that Hanarin is trying new things. Though Hanarin, sweetie, blonde *really* isn't your color. Maybe we should try a red rinse to pull out your natural highlights, and with your cheekbones I bet that you could get away with something that shows your face a little more, not that giant bird's-nest of fake straw."

    "I see…" Rinko thought for a moment about Dam-Bi's traitorous suggestion before ignoring it completely. "Junko you've gotta take the position. Why wouldn't you? Think of how good it'll make you look to everyone."

    "What if you need help keeping the other girls in line? Or if Eimi or Akira need help?"

    "Juney, they only have two girls to keep an eye on each. They could literally lead them around the set by the hand if they need to. And if Hanarin needs a hand I'll be right there to help her out. It's perfect. I'll keep an eye out for anyone who gets out of line, and you can fill me in on all the amazing things you learn from shadowing Caterina!"

    "Yeah! And just think, if we all do a good job then maybe next time we'll get to run the cameras and write the lyrics too! Please, Junko? It'll show Lina how hard we're all working."

    "I'll let you sleep with Pom-Bi if you do it! Not tonight, because Hanarin already called dibs, but any other night you want! Come on, Juney… How can you say no to this furry little face?!"

    I was assaulted by a trick that was entirely underhanded and unfair. It's hard enough trying to say no when Rinko wants me to say yes, but it's pretty much impossible when someone has grabbed a Pomeranian and is holding her adorable little puppy face up to yours as a bribe. Even when Dam-Bi set her down she remained right next to my pillow, standing on her hind legs and trying to bounce close enough to lick my face in that way dogs do. It was like someone had crossed Rinko's energy with our little white cat and set it loose on my bed. Such a dirty trick…

    "Okay! Get her off my bed! I just put on my moisturizer and it's probably not good for her. I'll talk to Ms. Rossi tomorrow."

    "See? My little baby always gets what she wants, doesn't she? Yes she does!" Our invader scooped up her attack hound who proceeded to climb her quickly until she was sitting on her shoulder like Dam-Bi was a pirate and the dog was a parrot. Rinko used to encourage Artie to do that too, and even got to the point where she could walk around the house with our cat perched there the entire time, enjoying seeing everything from a new vantage point. It's not hard to guess where Dam-Bi probably got the idea.

    Having gained my capitulation, everyone went back to where they had been before the subject came up. I'm fairly certain that our guest is staying for the night, seeing as how as the evening has dragged on she's left a few times, each time to return with more supplies in tow. The blanket didn't really raise any suspicions - it is December, and our room can be drafty - but by the time she had set out a bowl of water for Pom-Bi and left to fetch her futon it seemed unlikely I'd get any time to enjoy some peace and quiet tonight.

    Sigh.

    I really miss when it was just me and Rinko…

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