Strategy Meeting

[nebulancer]

2. Strategy Meeting

 

Mitsuru: Well, then! The IN-YO series, is it? Let’s finish up this meeting, chop-chop!

 

Makoto: Yeah, sure. Do you know the direction the agency wants to take it in?

 

Mitsuru: Heard from the manager~

It’s about how they want to structure it the same way as Tobari and hype it up, right?

 

Makoto: Yeah. One solo, one duet each based on Yin and Yang. We’ll release one CD containing both for each theme. What do you think about it?

 

Mitsuru: Hmm~... It’s not bad.

What say you?

 

Makoto: Not bad.

 

Mitsuru: Figures. Isn’t it unique to have both our units being taken in the same direction? If the prices and structures end up too different, we won’t be able to make use of the basic, core factor of how our concept’s “shared” within the agency.

 

Makoto: We’ll end up being compared to them.

 

Mitsuru: Bring on the challenge. It’s not like I plan on losing, either way.

 

Makoto: True. Then we’ll also do a two-CD concept, with a solo and duet for each.

We’ve settled on the structure.

 

Mitsuru: Sure thing~! No objections here~

 

Makoto: I’ll go bring it back to the manager.

 

Mitsuru: Yeah, go ahead!

 

Makoto: ......

 

Mitsuru: Hm? Makoto? ... *chuckles* What’s the matter?

 

Makoto: It’s nothing, just... I remembered the time our manager mentioned that our meetings finish fast.

 

Mitsuru: What’s fast~? The speed of our progression or the speed at which we make our decisions?

 

Makoto: Both. It’s rare for our opinions to differ.

 

Mitsuru: Aah~ You’re right, I guess~?

 

Makoto: And because we quickly progress through the topics we have to deal with, our decisions are settled instantly.

 

Mitsuru: Like we just did now.

 

Makoto: Plus, the number of times we disagreed with how the agency handles things has been few and far in between.

 

Mitsuru: Well, that’s because... The chairman’s just really good at doing his job, y’know~ He has a clear grasp on the things we want, or don’t want, to do. He even sends us LINE messages going, “I don’t mind,” from time to time.

The most he’s ever argued about stuff was... around the time our unit was formed, I think?

 

Makoto: I thought so too.

Regardless, the manager mentioned that every single thing about it was unexpected.

 

Mitsuru: Huh, really~

Is that how it seems from an outsider’s perspective?

...Well, yeah. Both you and I have very strong opinions and egos... We’ve got totally different personalities, too. We’re not promoted as being buddy-buddy best friends in the first place...

I guess... it wouldn’t be strange for us to give off the image that we clash frequently.

 

Makoto: He said something along those lines, too.

 

Mitsuru: That’s fair. Still, our perceptions of business and our visions for the future are incredibly similar.

 

Makoto: ...I guess.

 

Mitsuru: Hey, come on, Makoto~? Why do you seem so disgusted~?

 

Makoto: Well, it’s just... The idea that you and I are the same in any way, is just...

 

Mitsuru: Ahhhh~!! How rude!

...But... ...hmm. If someone told me I was the same as you, I guess I’d also respond with disgust.

 

Makoto: Hey.

 

Mitsuru: Ahahaha! Before I disagree or agree, there’s this strange... chill that goes down my back. Right?

 

Makoto: ...Yeah.

 

Mitsuru: I know, right!? I wonder what this sensation is.

For example, if it were Growth, they’re forming their unit with the idea that they’re “all together as one~”

There’s a complete lack of togetherness for us, though.

 

Makoto: In the first place, our agencies are different. And wouldn’t this be normal for a two-person unit?

 

Mitsuru: Whaaat? But don’t the two in Tobari give off this strong sense of closeness?

 

Makoto: Well, they’re... ...I guess so.

 

Mitsuru: Even though they’re a polar-opposite duo, just like you and me.

It feels as if their gears are firmly and smoothly meshed with each other. Which is why they’re the words “mis” and “matched” personified?

 

Makoto: What about us?

 

Mitsuru: Hmm~... Spikes on one side... spikes on the other?

 

Makoto: *chuckles* Basically, we have no hopes of ever merging into one.

 

Mitsuru: Kyahahahaha~! Exactly that!

Our togetherness is zero! Zilch! Nada! And it’s not like we give off the vibe that we’re the best of friends on our days off, either.

But we’ve been together this long. *chuckles* I wonder what this is?

 

Makoto: Don’t ask me something I don’t know.

 

Mitsuru: That being said, you’ve never once considered breaking up the unit, have you?

 

Makoto: I haven’t.

 

Mitsuru: Heheh...! Well, I guess the term “business partners” suits our relationship most solidly.

 

Makoto: We technically are partners for business. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

Mitsuru: Aheheh! You’re right about that.

 

Makoto: ...We don’t have any issues about making it the same structure as Tobari’s... There.

I’m done messaging.

 

Mitsuru: Gotcha, thanks~ And here’s where today’s meeting comes to an end... right?

 

Makoto: Yeah.

 

Mitsuru: Then we’re done~

I think we might’ve set yet another new record for our meeting finish time~? Whoop!

 

Makoto: ...... What plans do you have after this?

 

Mitsuru: A photoshoot for a magazine. You have... a drama to do, right?

 

Makoto: Yeah, it’s in a studio in Minato ward.

 

Mitsuru: The... bad-boy detective, was it?

But in the past, you were the one being arrested~

Makoto: Oh, shut it. I’ve never been taken in.

 

[The phone buzzes.]

 

Makoto: Oh.

 

Mitsuru: Hm?

 

Makoto: Ah... Mitsuru, before we leave, there’s one more thing.

 

Mitsuru: What is it? From our manager?

 

Makoto: Yeah. Yin and Yang. He wants us to answer which one of us is which.

 

Mitsuru: Huh!? Isn’t that obvious!?

 

Makoto: Yeah, I suppose so.

 

Makoto, Mitsuru: I’m Yin, you’re Yang.

 

Mitsuru: ...Huh...

 

Makoto: ......Huh...

 

Makoto, Mitsuru: What?

-

(part 1) (part 3)