Chapter 4

# Chapter Four — "Enter Eimi Inagawa"

### 4.1 Junko

The next day seemed to fly by in a blur. We left the dorm late thanks to a *certain someone* sleeping through her alarm and rushed to Mizoroge High School, both of us nervous that it was a bad omen for how the rest of the day would go. We managed to make it through the school gate just moments before the first bell rang, and the entirety of the school day went by - to our great relief - absolutely fine. In fact it seemed to go by exceptionally fast. In the blink of an eye we were at lunch, sat with some of our friends in the arts program who were - just like Rinko - gushing over tonight's concert while we ate our fish and rice, and then in another blink we were walking back into the dorms, even the train ride home having passed by unusually rapidly.

    Back in the dorm we immediately set about preparing for the concert, tackling the important task of deciding what to wear while rushing through a quick shower - embarrassingly cramped by the number of girls heading to the same event to support their fellow I MY ME idol - and doing our makeup. While I normally give some amount of thought to my apparel - I do like to project a certain image, afterall - selecting an outfit for this particular evening was positively nerve-wracking. For one thing, we were going to be trying to sell ourselves as a serious idol group, and that meant we had to present a very particular look. For another, despite my own reservations, this was incredibly important to Rinko - enough so that as near as I could tell she hadn't even considered I wouldn't be there with her - and letting her down was, frankly, not an outcome I was willing to entertain.

    Our methods of selecting our clothing for a night out are nearly as different as we are. My approach was the one that made sense to me. Open the closet, look at all the things inside which catch my eye, hold them up together in front of the mirror, and ultimately select what I think is a complimentary ensemble. Rinko's approach is much more… hands on. And clothes off. Changing in and out of quite a few different garments - *she has no modesty sometimes…* - before ending up in an outfit not too dissimilar from what she tends to wear every day when she's not in school: a sensible sweater over a plain blouse and a modest skirt - all in neutral, earthy tones - finished with a pair of comfortable brown flats and some of her usual costume jewelry.

    The sort of outfit which, in my opinion, always looks very nice on her, and serves to temper her outrageous personality quite a bit.

    Looking at ourselves in our mirror for one last check, I couldn't help but think that this wasn't too dissimilar from how I'd often pictured we'd be at this age, way back before we'd even decided to seriously try our luck at becoming idols. It's somewhat comforting to know that despite everything going on we were still how I'd always imagined we'd turn out… more or less. With that sorted, we retired to the third floor lounge to await our third wheel. After a short wait on one of the large couches chatting with a few of the other girls who were planning to go out this evening, Dam-Bi entered the room in her usual fashion. Which is to say she was very much the best dressed girl in the room with no shortage of well dressed girls.

    The ravenette was adorned in a black tulle bubble skirt with an ivory long-sleeved blouse tucked into it, fastened tightly with small ebony-black buttons. Her shoes were comfortable looking wedges, and she was wearing a bright pink scrunchie around her trademark bun instead of her usual violet bow. The makeup she was wearing seemed to tie her whole outfit together, subdued except for the vivid pop of her pink lips and a subtle blush on her cheeks. The overall effect was reminiscent of modern takes on traditional suibokuga, with Dam-Bi acting as the pale canvas on which the inky black garments hung, her bright pink lips and bow forming the seal displaying the identity of the artist responsible for the masterpiece - namely, Dam-Bi Han herself. The overall effect was, to put it bluntly, stunning. She immediately glanced at us, and started gushing even as she approached with quick, small steps.

    "Juney, your outfit is so pretty! A sapphire sleeveless criss-cross blouse, lightly distressed skinny jeans, and ankle strap cone heels! That sapphire color looks amazing on you! Really makes your eyes POP! That jacket looks so cool and high quality, too! Look at that stitching! Is it real vintage? Cute! And those accessories! Wow! You're so cute tonight!"

    Her assessment of my outfit, while perhaps a bit overly technical, was also a bit much flattery for me, and I could tell that this was showing even despite my best efforts to stay calm and cool. I'm used to a bit of praise - I've managed over the years to make myself into something that isn't entirely unappealing to others - but it usually goes largely unnoticed where I'd prefer, and it felt especially strange when I was standing next to someone who was, quite naturally, much more deserving of the praise than I am.

    Looking over at that person, she was looking down at herself, her face almost but not quite curled into a dissatisfied frown as she took in the red sweater and ruddy skirt she had settled on.

    *Ah, Dam-Bi just likes my clothes more. That makes sense for her…*

    "Hey, what's the matter?" Dam-Bi had finally stopped providing narrative on my clothing, and Rinko's mood seemed… off.

    "Ah, it's nothing. I was just thinking… maybe I should've dressed up a little more for Eimi Inagawa?" She was still smiling, though I knew her well enough to know that it was an "idol smile", and not the genuine article. Dam-Bi suddenly clapped her hands together enthusiastically and started moving her feet quickly in place.

    "Rinko! Rinko! Rinko! Do you want me to give you a makeover? Come to my room! I have a super cute outfit in mind! It's perfect for you!"

    Rinko's eyes lit up as the excitement spread to her as well. Her smile became noticeably more real - at least to me, who had become well accustomed over the years at telling the difference.

    "Really?! Okay, but we don't have much time! Junko, be right back!"

    "I can come and-"

    The two girls rushed to the elevator, ignoring my offer to help entirely in their rush, Dam-Bi getting dragged along by the hand by my much more sensibly shod roommate. An elevator opened almost as though it had been waiting just for them, and they were soon out of sight. I looked around the lounge, glad to find that nobody's attention was much focused in my direction, and put on a smile. I sank back into the large, worn couch and kept to myself, waiting for my friends to return.

    Ten minutes, give or take, passed before the girls reemerged from the elevator. I stood up as soon as I recognized Dam-Bi, taking a few steps in the direction of the elevator, only to stop when I realized that the girl two steps behind her was Rinko. She looked almost nothing like the Rinko I knew. Not that this was, necessarily, a bad thing. She looked great. Really, really great, enough so that she had - quite literally - stopped me in my tracks. She just didn't look entirely like Rinko, which made the flush of heat that washed over me all the more confusing, causing me to half cover my face with my hand over my nose and mouth until it passed.

    This Rinko was dressed in a long-sleeved, light tan peter pan blouse and a long, flowing red broomstick skirt. She had on a pair of brown oxfords - evidently the two friends wear the same size in nearly everything - and was clutching a red, apple-shaped shoulder bag. As she got closer, I noticed that Dam-Bi hadn't skimped on the details one bit. Rinko's slender neck was wrapped in a thin choker, the small bauble dangling off of it turning out to be another small apple. Her lips shone glossy in the fluorescent lights, slightly pinker than they had been not long ago, making them a focal point I couldn't help but dwell on. Even her hair was different than it had been, a neat French braid now prominently positioned off to the side. Rinko seemed a tad embarrassed - she isn't used to wearing these kinds of clothes like Dam-Bi and I - however, she instantly gained confidence when a few of the other girls in the lounge started complimenting her as she walked past. Reinvigorated, she skipped over to me, twirling around so I could get a complete view

    "How do I look?"

    How *does* she look? Her smile shone second only to the sun - even more brightly than her lip gloss could be given credit for - and I couldn't help but be enamored by her light. As her skirt billowed, it was as if she was no longer the girl I knew, but someone new and wonderful in completely different ways. Though underneath it all, like Dam-Bi had put every ounce of her masterful skill in selecting exactly this outfit for exactly this moment, there was still the playful glimmer of my best friend, unmistakable after our years together.

    *How on Earth did Dam-Bi accomplish this in so short a time? She really is a miracle worker.*

    Even the air around Rinko smelled of fresh red apples. This girl wasn't my Rinko, not exactly, but she wasn't *not* my Rinko. And as I had recently learned: change is not inherently a bad thing. Sometimes.

    "Hey, you don't look so good. Are you sure you're feeling okay, Juney?" I snapped out of my haze, shaking my head a few times and moving my hands onto my hips, drawing myself up straight as the spell that had been cast over me broke just the tiniest bit.

    "I'm fine! I'm fine. Don't worry about it. It's just a bit warm in here. Are you warm? Look, people are leaving already. Let's get going or we're gonna be late!" I latched onto Rinko's hand and started to rush towards the elevator, being the one to drag her along for a change.

    Once we left the lobby, we made a dash towards the train station. Not running, exactly, but walking more rapidly than we usually would. Most likely this could be chalked up to the high level of excitement on the street. Our trio, obviously, weren't the only girls from the dorm attending the concert. Eimi Inagawa - despite the list of reservations I may personally have about her lately - is by all accounts a top-notch performer. That was evident by virtue of her position near the top of the I MY ME hierarchy, and *certainly* at the top for performers our age. Even her stunning looks and impressive, um, *physique* - if you're into that kind of look - couldn't possibly be enough on its own for her to climb to the top of one of the most competitive industries in show business. The chatter coming from the other girls as we practically mobbed toward the venue indicated as much, and a few girls were bragging that this was their second, fourth, or for one girl eleventh Eimi Inagawa concert. So, from a purely professional standpoint, I should have been thrilled about attending tonight's concert.

    I held onto Rinko's hand as we walked - something which wasn't entirely common among our peers but, looking around, also wasn't entirely unique. In my hurry to get moving I had simply forgotten to ever let go, and at this point it seemed more embarrassing to draw attention to it than to carry on as we were. Glancing at her I suppose a bit too frequently, the surprise of her new look had worn off enough that I could now think about it objectively. She still looked great - beautiful even - and I can't say that I would mind seeing Rinko like this again… if the situation warranted it. For something that was actually special. But for a concert like this, or day in and day out?

    "Hey…" I half whispered to get Rinko's attention. She turned to me, still over the moon with all the praise she'd been getting from our dormmates.

    "What's up, Juney?" A small giggle followed the nickname she was trying out. She was even starting to *sound* like Dam-Bi in that getup.

    "Before I forget, you look really great in that outfit."

    "Thanks!" She sauntered back and forth, enjoying the way the skirt flowed with her movements, as though it were a new toy rather than a garment.

    "I think I prefer seeing the real you though." The words came out a bit fast, and a bit quiet. I turned my face back toward the sidewalk in front of us, just a little embarrassed by what I'd said - which could be mistaken as an insult - when I was here tonight primarily to support her. Rinko let out a genuine laugh though, as she grasped firmly onto my hand and raised it above our heads, then spun around in a fancy twirl.

    "Me too! But this is still a lot of fun!"

    "Then let me know whenever you want to do it again, Hanarin! I've got so many ideas I think would look great on you!" Dam-Bi, evidently tired of schmoozing with the other girls, popped her head between us and weighed in. "You too, Juney! As if you need my help."

    Our friend was all smiles - I actually may have been the only one among the gaggle of idols who wasn't - as she dipped around Rinko and grabbed her other hand.

    "This way, we won't get split up!"

    A few minutes more and we arrived at the venue, the entire I MY ME clump having gotten caught up in the excitement and pretty much jogging the last few blocks. Panting as we got in line for entrance, we caught our breath by the time we got to the front of the line. Rinko reached into her bag and retrieved the tickets, handing one to each of us.

    "Alright girls, this is it! After the show we'll go backstage and ask Eimi if she'll join us!"

    Dam-Bi and I exchanged a look of concern - something that had been happening increasingly frequently recently - but neither of us acted on it. We'd followed Rinko this far, and it's much too late to stop her now. Once we were in our seats, Dam-Bi pulled out three penlights from her bag and passed one over to each of us.

    "I figured, if we're here, we might as well cheer on our potential new member!" We each laughed at her comment, though I imagine for different reasons. Dam-Bi, at least, seemed to have a more realistic grasp of the situation, and it was good to know that if things went wrong - like I imagined they almost certainly would - that we'd be consoling Rinko two-on-one instead of the other way around. If Chiyo had come with us instead…

    "My, this looks like it's going to be quite the event, doesn't it?" It took a moment and a tap on my shoulder to realize that someone was addressing me.

    "Megumi?! What are you doing here?" I cried out in momentary confusion. Somehow, our trio had become a quartet despite possessing only three tickets.

    "Where else would I be? I wouldn't miss our first group outing. It wouldn't be proper if I could at all help it."

    "Whoa! Megumi! You made it!" Megumi got caught up in a big spontaneous hug from my roommate. Dam-Bi and I shared a look. What's going on?

    "To address your confusion, I got my ticket the same way as all of Eimi's coursemates. I hoped to find a way to bring Ms. Watanabe as well, but with such short notice it regrettably proved quite impossible. None of the girls in our course had a ticket left to spare."

    "Then that means you can help convince her to join us!" Rinko had to be practically pried off of our new friend by both me and Dam-Bi, she was hugging her so excitedly.

    "Oh, not at all, Ms. Hanazawa. I'm afraid I would be scantily any help at all. We've barely exchanged a dozen words all year, and none have been particularly familiar. But I have learned so much just by watching her technique. I do consider myself very lucky in that regard."

    "Oh… Well, I'm still really glad you're here!"

    "Yeah! It's great to have you here Megumin. I love the kimono! It's so classy! We need to go out together like that sometime and get tea!"

    Before long, the lights began to dim and the crowd exploded in excitement. An audience-wide chant began to form and all four of us couldn't help but join in - after all, we had each started as idol fans of one sort or another before becoming idols ourselves, so this kind of thing was second nature to us. Honestly, I didn't even realize I was doing it most of the time, that's how many concerts Rinko and I had attended in the last few years. As soon as the chant began to die down, as though it had been timed to achieve maximum excitement - and it almost certainly had been, since I MY ME's stage managers and show coordinators are some of the best in the business - a shimmering yellow figure made its way on stage, lit by more spotlights than I'd ever seen on one stage at one time. That figure struck a pose and announced itself as…

    We all know who it is.

    "Hiya everyone! It's me, Ei! Mi! Inagawa! Everyone's favorite idol! Here to steal your heart with my cuteness! I hope you all had a safe journey here tonight! Let's have lots of fun, ok?!"

    Her energy was off the charts, and her way of talking was like having cotton candy gently melting in your mouth, leaving you with a sugary aftertaste and a craving for more. It wasn't too childish, or too sultry, or too much of any one thing, but struck a perfect sort of harmony that made you have no choice but to hang on her every word.

    "This is my first time performing my newest single, ***Milk Tea Galaxy!*** It's one of my favorites, so I hope your eyes will be on me the whole time!"

    The concert felt like it was over in no time at all - even though there was a full set followed by two encores - and Eimi was slowly lowered under the stage, smiling and waving to her adoring fans until she had melted away completely out of sight. Everything felt like it had ended too soon, despite the fact that it was right on schedule. Despite my initial misgivings, I was as entranced as the rest of the crowd. It had been one of the most impressive idol concerts I'd ever attended. Maybe even *the* most impressive. As the lights came back on, the crowd quickly started to get up and shuffle towards the exits, buzzing and gushing over what they had just experienced. Rinko jumped up, ready to infiltrate the backstage area and make her pitch. She began weaving through the crowd, my group mates and myself following behind as closely as we could, wishing that at least one of us had remembered to grab Rinko's hand again before she'd made her break.

\_\_\_\_

# Chapter Navigation

* Next Chapter
* Previous Chapter
* Back to Contents