Chapter 10

The next day the school bell rings signifying the end of the school day as well as another day Rin is approached about the contest. 

Rin is seen running through the hallways in order to catch the next tram before it leaves the stop. 

As she is running Coconoko is on her phone giving her pointers. 

“In this new article it is said that woman are deemed more attractive when they seem weaker and more petite. So I guess you act the exact opposite of everything you already are to impress this guy.” said Coconoko condescendingly. 

“Will shut up! Damn I got this under control already. I ask you for one outfit idea and here you are trying to be my damn counselor.” Rin as she looks at the time. 

“Well I’m just trying to make sure you make a good impression. You know me having a more in depth picture of you. You can sometimes be an ass—.” *click* That does it; his constant bitching is going to make me late. 

She gets around the corner almost making the front entrance; before she is stopped. 

She sees Santana waiting by the school entrance. She slows down her pace and casually glances at him. 

“Hey Rin!” he shouts. 

“Oh. Hey Santana. Uhm Sorry about what happened yesterday. I should—“ Rin tries to confess before she is interrupted. 

“No reason to apologize that was something between me and Brad. Before you leave I have something I need to talk to you about.” Santana says boldly. 

Flustered by the sudden switch of the conversation. Rin says “Well; I wasn’t expecting you to have anything to ask me. I thought you were still upset about yesterday.”

“No, No, No. I’m here to ask you about the contest you entered a couple of days ago.” Santana said in an eager manner. 

“Oh that; I was just there on a whim. I had no idea that would be a contest. I actually rather not talk about it.” she said with a look of embarrassment. 

“Well, I looked at the footage and I thought you were crazy good. I never seen somebody be able to trigger an Optical Dazzle so effortlessly.” said Santana in awe. 

Rin blushes from the compliment as it came out of left field as to what she originally wanted to talk about. 

“Uhm. If you have some time I—“ Santana said before Rin interrupts. 

“Oh! Damn it look at the time. Uhm nice talking to you but, I have to make this tram.” Rin says before she takes off running. 

Well she definitely was in a hurry it’s better to wait instead of rushing into it. 

Rin makes the tram and as soon as she sits down on the seat. She gets a call from Mari wanting to talk. She picks up the phone and answers. 

“Hello!” says in a confused tone of voice. 

“So have gotten there yet? Did you get signed?” says Mari in a impatient tone. 

“Uhm. We literally got out of school just 3 minutes ago.” Rin says confused. 

“Oh just making sure you don’t get kidnapped on your way there. Also, when you get signed as an idol is it possible that you can vouch for maybe some free tickets to an Kona Kollou Reunion show as an advancement. I’m looking on his website and they’ve gone u—.” *click* Rin hangs up the call and pouts annoyed. 

Meanwhile at Quiblo’s Cafe; the nervous Shishijima lies in wait for his potential client to get there.  He wears a green plaid top with a navy two-piece suit on top. Stirring his coffee and adding a bit more sugar to it as it isn’t as sweet as he likes it. 

“We only have five more minutes before we meet each other. I have to find what I’m going to say before she gets here.” he thinks to himself. 

“Hmph. Hmph. I heard your singing and I just have to represent you. No, that’s too excited! She’s going to think I’m some amateur looking to use to make it big.” Hunter thinks to himself. 

Even though he knows in his heart of heart’s that is essentially the situation at hand. However, it can’t be so obvious as it can impede her trusting him enough to sign an exclusive contract. 

Suddenly Shishijima looks up from his glass to see Rin is walking through the door. 

Behind the counter a work gives a customary  “How do you do?”

However, Shishijima can seem to focus on what’s going on in the background because all his mind is focused on is getting this contract signed. The knot in his thought began to tighten even more so he takes a sip of water and gulps it down. 

He is hesitant to wave at her as it is a sign of him being excited to see her. So he opted to raise his hand slightly to get Rin’s attention as to know where to sit.

“Wow! This guy cleans up pretty nicely! He looks way more put together than he did the other night” Rin thought to herself. 

“Hello, Mrs. Finsterwald glad you could make it!” Shishijima said with acold and robotic tone. 

“Alright it’s time to work magic! This is it!” thought Shishijima nervously. 

“So how have you been since our first encounter.” said Shishijima. 

“Wow! This guy seems like a totally different person compared to how he was the other night!” thinks Rin. 

“Uhm—Uh. Well I’ve been getting some attention from my classmates. You know asking me about the competition. I mean it doesn’t really bother me that much though. Heh hehhee” says Rin jokingly. 

“I’m totally lying right now but I can’t let him know that.” thinks Rin to herself.  

“That’s good. A burgeoning star will always be noticed out in public so it’s best to get used to now. So that you will be more comfortable later.” says Shishijima.

“Well, I guess so! It’s always been rather interesting seeing people go so hard for E-V Idols these days. You know seeing as though they are AI; they will never feel that love and admiration back.” said Rin. 

“Well; not necessarily. AI is so advanced that bio-chemists believe that the AI data banks has been filled with so much data from only the last decade that they can somewhat feel emotions. It’s like giving a novice cook the right tools and training for a decades on and off. At the end of it; the person may not be able to become a chef but the knowledge and experience will make close to it than they were before.”  said Shishijima in a serious and philosophical tone. 

All Rin could do was stare in bewilderment on the other side of the table. 

“Oh no don’t tell me this serious act is making her weary of me. I have to wrap this up!” thought Shishijima frantically. 

“Well enough of that. So Ms. Finsterwald; I would like to offer you a deal. I am willing to represent you as my client. You must wondering what they may entail? Well I as a seasoned Dolseller have many connection with big names in the business that can prove to be very instrumental in putting you places that you need to be. When and if you become successful in this industry I can ensure that you career will not be overly stressful as I will be with you every step of the way from meeting to scheduling. You can count on me to be you confidant and ally. So what do you say?” says Shishijima unmovingly. 

“Well, that’s great and all but I’m moreso worried about money and how much of it am I looking to make?”  said Rin. 

“Uhmm—yes. Well that’s dependent on how much you bring in from endorsements, partnerships, as well as the number of tour, album, and merchandise you sell. So if you opt for career that does well in touring you would see the most but there are some artists that can do well in all categories which maximizes the amount you would pocket.” said Shdhijima in a stale tone of voice. 

“OMG why is she asking this? I mean yeah anyone whose looking to go in the business will ask that but does she know my position?” thinks Shishijima in a puzzling manner. 

“Oh. So you don’t sign my check?” said in quiet tone. 

“Umm. No I am only her to negotiate and to foster relations with you any outside parties. The person you are looking for is an A&R or better known as a Record Exec. That’s the one who you would negotiate that with Ms . Finsterwald.” said Shishijima in a low plodding tone. 

“WHATTT! So you had me come down here dressed up to negotiate a contract for you who would essentially be representing me.” said Rin in an agitated manner. 

“Well; Ms. Finsterwald I—“ before he was interrupted by Rin’s rant. 

“No. You’ve said enough. I’m sorry for wasting your time but I thought that this could bring about some needed money for me. Sorry for wasting your time I’m going.” said Rin disappointed.

Just as Rin is about to walk away; Shishijima stand up from his seat.

“Hey! Please don’t go! I’ve been waiting for this for the last three days. Actually my entire career!” Shishijima shouted.

Rin turns around in shock as he was calm and poised a minute ago.

“I lied. When I was watching you I was really down on my luck. However, when I heard your voice you literally made me forget everything that had happened prior.” said Shishijima with a vigorous yelp.

Rin too stunned to speak; sits in silence while the distraught Shishijima pours out his heart.

“Yes; I did ride the tram for 15 minutes from here to the Dol Fest to find you. I was sure that if you weren’t selected to be a EV Idol muse you would’ve been scouted sooner or later. So I knew that was my only chance to talk to you.” Shishijima says breathily.

“The most important thing that drew me to you was I believe that you have something special and I think you have massive potential.” Shishijima says picking up his head.

He then sits at the table and says “ SO PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE.”

Rin is in total shock and is lost for words. She glances over to the worker. Then back over to Shishijima; she then slowly walks over to the table.

She then says faintly; “80/20.”

Shishijima responds with “What? I can’t hear you.”

Rin sighs and takes deep breath and says” I said 80/20 is how we’re going to split the earnings. Now where do I sign?”

“Wow! You are so kind. I was thinking 50/50 but I can you the money so 80/20 if is.” says Shishijima.

“Hey! The 80% is for me thank you! Don’t make me walk out of here.” says Rin.

“OK!OK! Sorry I was just joking. Here you go!” Shishijima says placing the contract in front of Rin. Then he reaches in his coat pocket and givers her a pen.

“Don’t make me regret it!” says Rin snidely.

“I promise; I won’t let you down!” Shishijima says while bowing.

From this moment forward Rin and Shishijima must work together to make it in an industry that has many hurdles to jump. Will they be able to pull it off?