NEW Chapter 15.2 aka Chapter 15 part 2

Both Rin and Shishijima sit and stare at each other as Shishijima struggles to find the words he wants to say next. He then glances over towards Shanshira standing by the ocean; scared of the waves, so she gradually takes to steps back every time the water approaches her feet. 

“Well— after the amount of rejection I received when mentioning you were a human.  I—I—I stopped mentioning it altogether.”  said Shishijima with a very dour expression. 

“WHAT!?! You mean to tell me that the only reason why I even booked a gig is because they think I’m a EV-Idol?” said Rin with a look a shock. 

“Well—I—guessss?” said Shishijima looking down. 

“What do you mean, “Well I guess?” Forget guessing you should know!” said Rin feverishly. 

She gets up and begins to walk off. However, when she leaves Shishijima grabs her wrist.

“What are you doing? Let go of me. If you don’t I will scream bloody murder. I’m so serious.” said an agitated Rin. 

Shishijima looks down and remains silent like a spell’s been cast upon him. 

“So you won’t let go? Fine then. Ah—“. just as Rin’s about to scream Shishijima rebuttals. 

“I WON’T LET YOU RUIN THIS!” screams Shishijima. 

“Huh?” said a bewildered Rin. 

“I SAID I WON’T YOU RUIN THIS. You see I completely understand that I am screw up! I’ll even admit that myself. However, you—you. You have what it takes to really be something. 

“So yes. I told a fib but I’d rather tell a fib to help us get in the door versus telling the truth while we wait for a chance that seems like it’ll be an eternity before we get it!” Shishijima says with the most sincerest look he’s ever given. 

“See—it’s been a long time coming since I’ve had this feeling. I have this feeling that if we just stay on the path that right so set us on that maybe just maybe we can make something of it.” says an emotional Shishijima. 

He releases his grip from Rin’s wrist and says “Please think about it! If anything don’t let yourself down; as someone who knows what it feels like. The pain doesn’t go away that easily.”

Rin runs up the stairs that lead to the bridge before looking back and seeing a lone Shishijima take a drag from his vape. Staring out at the sea like he couldn’t bear to see the sight of her leaving. 

She walks onto the bridge leaving what may have been the most awkward encounters she’s ever had. 

“WAIT! WAIT! WAIT!” said a despondent Mari. 

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN WAIT? I’M TELLING YOU WAIT HAPPENED!” said a flustered Rin. 

“SO THIS IS WHY YOU CAME TO MY HOUSE?” said a confused Mari. 

“WELL YEAH! I WANTED YOUR OPINION ON IT.” said Rin, in a frustrated tone of voice. 

“HOLD UP WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING?” asked Rin. 

“I’m sorry. I just think you are being a bit nonchalant. I honestly wanted some more support from you.” Rin looks down in disappointment. 

The room goes quiet for a minute as both look for each other’s response to the  recounted events. 

“Well? What do you think about this?” posed Rin to Mari, as she turns in her direction. 

However, before Mari can answer; she gets up from the floor of the closet. She reaches  for the green light highlighting the pair of pants that Rin could fit. 

“Thanks Wander!” says Mari. 

“No, it was my pleasure. Master!” said Wander39. 

She walks over to Rin and hands her a pair of pants. 

“Here; put these on while I go look something.” Mari says while handing Rin the pants then heading out her closet.

Rin begins to take off her ripped pants in the closet. She pauses as she see’s the locket she got Mari for her birthday a year ago. It’s was nothing fancy but it was one of the first gifts she had given to anyone outside of her immediate family. As, Mari is one of the very few friends she had over the course of her 17 years. 

She smiled and began to put on the other pair of jeans Mari gave her. She notices that they are about more fitted than what she’s used to.

Right as she was about to button her new trousers. Mari comes by the door of the closet.

“ARE YOU FINISHED IN THERE!” she said to Rin in order to make sure she was unclothed.

“Uhm. I’m almost done you can come in.” Rin says as she finally hooks the button. Signifying her finally putting on the pair of trousers.

As she does that Mark rushes in with something placed behind her back. Rin is confused as to what is going on here but knowing how Mari gets she acquiesces and looks in her big eyes.

“Well? What do you think about the whole EV-Idol thing?” asked Rin trying to parse though Mari’s strange behavior.

“Well. If you must know. I think you are a person who isn’t really comfortable with performing. I can just tell by looking at you on the stage during the audition.” said Mari as she peered into the closet.

“WHAT! I told you not to watch it!” scolded Rin.

“Come on Rin! My friend has a viral moment that everybody has seen and you thought I wouldn’t at least take a peek?” said Mari with a look of innocence on her face.

“Well, Mari is the type to try and keep up with all the gossip and current events. So I guess that tracks for her.” thought Rin to herself.

“So what does that have to do with what’s going on with Shishijima?” posed Rin.

“Well, I think what he did was wrong. I think if he were going to do something like that. You should’ve had a choice in the matter. I mean it is your likeness that will still be used in this performance.” said Mari with a look of disapproval.

“EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING! SEE I KNEW I WASN'T WRONG HERE!” Rin said with a jovial smirk on her face as to signify that her position was in the right.

“However—“ said Mari with poignancy.

“HUH! WHAT DOES SHE MEAN BY “HOWEVER?!?” thought Rin to herself.

“I think this could be a good opportunity for you!” said Mari cheerfully.

The energy and the room ceased; it felt like the entire world stopped spinning in Rin’s head when she heard those words leave Mari’s mouth.

“WHAAAAAT?” she said with her lower dropping like a like anchor on a cargo ship.

Well, just hear me out. I think this could be good for you because you clearly have stage fright. I don’t know why because you aren’t that shy. Well, maybe a little bit because you do seem to be timid around certain people.

However, I know you need the money and also most importantly you need the experience. You need to be able to sell something pretty well if you want to be an art director or creative director. You need to interact with the masses to truly see what they really like and how they think. This is one way to observe them and to get some money doing it. It works out!” said Mari calmly.

“Umm like —no. That would be A-OK. You know if I was doing it as a human but; as a EV-Idol. It seems like a hard task to achieve.”said Rin in a defeated tone.

“Well; actually I’m pretty sure you would have a harder time being yourself than being an EV-Idol in this industry. While you are a pretty great friend to me. You’re very demanding, picky, and sometimes pretty careless when it comes to people’s opinions.” said Mari.

“HEYYYY THATS DEFINITELY NOT TRUE!” said Rin with her nose up in the air.

“SEE?” Mari pointing at Rin.

“Well—I mean that—Hugh.” huffed Rin.

Thats what I’m talking about. However, if we have you become an EV-Idol that shifts the blame from you to something else entirely. Plus, whose to say that you even want to continue this career. It would be easier retire as an EV-Idol than to do it as your self.” Rin said in a dexterous tone.

“Well—now that you mention it. If I become a director for a company. I wouldn’t have time to be an idol.” said Rin with her hand up to her chin.

“EXACTLY! THIS ONE OF THE LEAST COMMITTAL MUSIC CAREER’S IN HISTORY! Well—you know besides Chilly Barilli. But let’s not make it about them.” said Mari in a exciting tone.

“WHAT DO YOU SAY?” says Mari pulling a blue wig from behind her back.

“IS THIS THE WIG I LENT YOU FOR YOUR STREAM!?!” asked Rin confused.

“Well—uhm-yeah. I thought if you didn’t think the whole EV-Idol thing was a bust. At least you’d have it back.” said Mari.

Rin looks as the blue wig with hesitation. Pondering in her head if this could really work.

Rin stares for a few seconds longer until she relentlessly takes it of Mari’s hands and says “Let me call the creepy Dolseller.”

“YAY!” says Mari as she jumps in the air.

Soon as that happens her mothers bursts into the bedroom.

The girls become quiet and stop dead in their tracks.

“Mari who are you talking to. I heard you on the house’s audio system while I was washing dishes.” she says in a puzzled manner.

She glances at the two girls and says “Oh! When did you get here Rin? I just put up dinner and Mari never told she would be having guests over.” she says as she looks at both the startled girls.

Wellllll—I guess I’ll be going but can you keep it down me and Mr. Martin are trying to have some quiet alone time for our Yoga session.” she says as she shuts the door behind her.

The girls both look at each other with bewilderment.

“Hey don’t look at me like that! Your the one who insisted on coming through the window.” said Mari.

Rin shrugs her shoulders and begins to call Shishijima.