A week after reuniting with Amelia and Arsene, Grace has been helping them with the shop through a variety of tasks, mostly at the front desk. Until today.
Amelia is sitting next to Grace with her head on the table: Grace…Grace…Grace, bring in more customers, please.
Grace is reading her book and petting Amelia: I can't, that's the limit of my look. Also, you are not starving for customers. You just did your job really well and fast.
Amelia: I'm shining too bright. Please take away part of my ability.
Grace: Addiction is something that is really hard to fix, you know.
Amelia: Hmmm! I can say the same for your thirst for knowledge, you hypocrite.
Grace: Something that can be used to help humanity can't be called an addiction. The knowledge I possess will make me the world's Savior.
Amelia: Then my passion for the clothes they wear makes me their Mother…
"But I can't be a true Mother."
Grace: Then I'll make sure to give you a niece to dote over as much as you want.
Amelia unenthusiastic: yaaayyy…bored…bored…bored.
Grace: Don't you get tired?
Amelia: I am bored, and it makes me tired. I want more customers.
Grace: ok… where is Arsene?
Amelia: Away…Working.
Grace: Then, why didn't you join him? This is your shop too, right?
Amelia: Nah! It's a business rule between us. Plus, this is neither his nor my shop, was previously owned by our father. Don't know why he abandoned this place for so long, tho.
Grace: Ok… you want to talk about it?
Amelia jumps up from her position: NO!!! I want to Work! WORK! WOORRKKK!!!
Grace: Always so honest. Don't know how I can help you… want me to whore my body for more customers?
Amelia: Hmmm, tempting, but you've already been used, your loose pussy won't be luring anyone in.
Grace: Fair point…
Amelia: Plus, who the hell is buying tailored clothes from a whore like you?
Grace: I mean, who knows? Human desires are a strange thing. It comes in all kinds of colors and takes the shape of a coin.
Amelia:… what are you talking about? *snatch the book from Grace's hand* 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The Birth of Greed', by Kousei Kougami. Huh, they made a book about this.
Grace: You can read it if you're interested.
Amelia: No need, already watched the show. *put the book on the table* On to other stuff, shouldn't you be working at your actual job instead of helping us around?
Grace: Well, I'm just lazy.
Amelia: Wow, what an amazing wife you will be.
Grace: I know, I'm the only one good for him. *stand up from the chair* but fine, I'll see what I can find.
(Not like I've been checking every day and haven't found any interesting job.)
Amelia: Yay, I get to do something.
Grace: What?
Amelia: I'm coming with you!
Grace: Wait… don't tell m-
Amelia: I got my Hero license!
*show Grace her ID*
"Even though it's the lowest rank, it's good enough to use the teleport device."
Grace holding Amelia's ID in her hand, then let out a big sigh.
Amelia: Hey! What's that supposed to mean, huh? Your friend just achieved something big. You should be happy!
Grace: Well, you are one of the few people who should not be granted the power to teleport around so freely.
Amelia: Fair point, but at least be happy for my achievements.
Grace: Yeah, be happy that the rich get richer and don't have to pay taxes.
Amelia: Hey! You're rich too, don't be a hypocrite. Plus, I have no need to fight for scrap.
Grace: So you passed, despite failing two times already… what was the difference-maker for this test?
"Also, this is a Hero-Support license, not a Here license. My eyesight is fuck not blind."
Amelia: You are so mean! Ruin my story!
Grace: Someone has to keep your ego in check.
Amelia: I hate you, well-behaved adult. *kick the floor*
Something launched out of the wooden floor, and Amelia caught it.
"Pity and extra firepower to get that license."
Grace: A… P90, hah… how the hell does someone like you get it?!
Amelia: Oh ho, that is what caught you by surprise. I don't know, brother just gave me this and took me out to practice with it. About a week after training, he went with me to the testing location.
"I did well, most of the results are the same from last time, but a way better firepower overall… and I still fail."
Grace: So, the pity comes from the Hero-Support license.
Amelia: Yes, but since I was using an unauthorized weapon, I am also being registered under my brother's license.
Grace: Well, that's easing everything up.
Amelia: It does not. I'm now a liability to him, if I do anything bad, they will take his license.
Grace: You plan to do something bad?
Amelia: No!
Grace: Then ignore it and put the gun at home. Let's go and see what mission they have, or at least interesting to you.
Amelia:… WAIT! You letting me pick?
Grace: Of course. You look so pathetic when you're not shining brightly.
Amelia: YAY! This is gonna be so fun!
…
…
…
Later at the Hero Corp mission hub.
Amelia: This is so nerve-racking. *whole body shaking*
Grace grabs Amelia's hand and drags her along: Come on, bring out that cocky personality of yours… there an empty one.
*pull Amelia in front of the machine*
"See and choose."
Amelia standing in front of the machine with her hand nervously scrolling through all of the missions displayed before her eyes… slowly her hand stops shaking, and a fixated focus is displayed on her face.
Grace (Good. Keep it like that?)
*pull out her phone and check her last message between her and Sunz*
"It's been a while… probably not, have nothing to talk about anyway… or I can call him… maybe no."
*start mumblings*
(But if we both don't do anything, our relationship will deteriorate… well, he did initiate the sex, so that probably can last for a while.)
Grace's brain cell (Shut up Bitch! That fucker won't leave you unless you leave him. You are only thinking about this shit because you fucking bored. This is what happens when you don't bring your book with you.)
Grace (shut up…) *staring at Amelia* (please find something good!)
*5 seconds*
Amelia: I think I found something good.
Grace (Hah?… I should wish more.): Show me!
Amelia scoots aside and lets Grace check the mission.
-Mission: IDOL AUDITION
+Context: Join the audition of the upcoming Idol Group – MEDARU.
+Requirements: Have a strong Desire.
+Durations: As long as you want to stay.
+Payment: Between 0 – Unknown.
Grace: Hmm… you sure about this?
Amelia: Yes! Also, it is for your benefit.
Grace: Huh? My benefits… what are you planning?
Amelia: Not planning, just luck, convenient, and your pathetic lazy ass.
Grace: I don't want to make new friends.
Amelia: Don't worry, even if you accidentally make new friends, you can always just ghost them and slowly fade out of their lives.
Grace: Fine, let's just do this for fun, no way in hell I can join this idol group.
*place her ID on the machine card slot, then press the 'Assign Mission' text on the screen"
After a few seconds, her phone buzzes... checks her phone to see the message about the mission.
"That was fast… ok."
Amelia peeking at Grace's phone: What does it say? What does it say?
Grace: Well, nothing much. Just the mission confirmation, cryptic location code, and additional message… actually, how do I put you on my mission?
Amelia: I on't know.
Grace: My card is still on the machine. Let's see *navigating around the menu* ok, this then that. Hand me your ID *receive Amelia's ID*
…
"Ok, that should be it."
Amelia pulls out her phone and sees the text that is labeled as 'Assistant Needed': Got it… so bland, all I got for my confirmation is your ID.
Grace: Makes sense, since you are not the main Star like me.
Amelia: If you are the main Star, you better get a spot in that group and pull some strings for me to be the outfit designer for the group.
Grace: So that's the plan. I should have figured it out sooner.
Amelia: You really should have. Welp, since you know it, better get that spot for your adorable sister.
Grace pat Amelia's head: Sure, we'll see.
Both get to the teleport lobby and, after asking for assistance from one of the employees there about the duo teleport. They then appear in an empty white room.
Amelia: Wow, empty.
Grace: It sure is. You would expect more people to come to this audition.
Amelia: Well, you instantly got the ok to go. Either they are really fast at judging or something else is at hand… and I have nothing on my hand *check her phone* or the direction.
Grace puts on her glasses and immediately sees an arrow leading her in a direction: Ok, follow me.
Amelia: Roger!
Both of them walk through the white wall and step into a lobby that is familiar to Grace.
Grace whispered to herself: Well, let's hope nothing like that time.
*drag Amelia to the front desk*
The front desk lady and Grace immediately recognized each other.
Front desk Lady: It's great to see you again Miss, and you brought another friend this time.
Grace: Great to see that you are safe after that event.
Front desk Lady: Thank you. Anyway, how can I be of service to you?
Grace: I'm not here for any games today. *put both her and Amelia's ID on the counter*
Front desk Lady: I see, give me a minute *checking and scanning their ID*… ok, all done. Thank you and good luck.
Grace received both ID back and sees that there is a golden circle printed on each of them: Thank you.
Then she takes Amelia inside the elevator. After it closed, a card tray appears from its metallic wall and starts moving. Grace put both of their ID inside the tray. After a few seconds, the tray retracted into the wall, then the elevator stopped. After a minute, the tray reappears from the wall with their card, then the door opens. Grace grabs their ID, sees the golden circle is gone, then takes Amelia out of the elevator and into a floor with many hallways with door separate evenly from each other.
Amelia tugging on Grace's outfit: We are in a horror movie, get your weapon ready.
Grace:… I didn't bring mine, and don't worry, this building itself is weird on its own.
Amelia: Hope you are correct. Where are we anyway? You and that lady from before seem to know each other.
Grace: Korea, and in the building that got attacked a few weeks ago.
Amelia: Oh… just protect me, that's your order.
Grace: That's not an order, it's a rule I must follow when taking on this job.
Then an unfamiliar voice spoke up from an unknown location.
Unfamiliar voice: Hello. Are you here for the audition? At least one of you is. Please turn around.
The elevator behind them closes and disappears into the floor. Both turn around and see another identical hallway where the elevator was, and standing in that hallway is someone wearing a bunny mask covering their whole head down to the neck.
Amelia whispers to Grace (Now that is just lame.)
Grace: Agree… So, are you the person who posted the mission?
Bunny Mask: I am, and you must be a Fan.
Amelia: Hey! She is not a Fan of you! You creepy bunny!
Bunny Mask: I suggest you behave since I'm the one choosing who gets to become an Idol.
Amelia lightly tugs on Grace's outfit:…
Grace: Go ahead.
Amelia (YES!): FUCK YOU!!! *FLIP THE MIDDLE FINGER WITH BOTH HANDS*
Bunny Mask: Unacceptable… I'm giving you another chance. You can stay for the audition, but your friend must leave.
Grace approaches the Bunny Mask person: I'm sorry, did this little girl somehow pissed you off? Then you should really change your method of approach. I know you want to be treated with respect, but the creepy aesthetic does not help.
"Also, pardon my friend's small brain, but loudmouth. Fans are just people who look up to Idols and want to become them one day. Plus, using Fan instead of Contestant sounds a lot more on theme with this mission you posted."
…
Bunny Mask: Perfect, a person with no desire manifests their desire through others' desire. Easy to read as a book, I've been in this industry for a long time, so it is good to see actual humans rather than a bootlicker. But, please keep your behavior somewhat professional, most people are not as thick-skinned as I am.
Amelia: Sir, this audition concept was stolen from a different show, so you can't apply your professionalism to me.
Bunny Mask:… You watched that old show?
Amelia: Of course!
Bunny Mask: Ok Fan, maybe your Friend here might be able to bump you up a few notches.
Amelia: That's lame, give me a different title than Friend.
Bunny Mask: Assistant?
Amelia: No, that still bland… Yummy!
Bunny Mask: Well then, Yummy. If you have a chance to work for us in the future, that will be your name.
Amelia: Yes! I can't be more satisfied.
Grace: I'm regretting standing up for you.
Bunny Mask: Enough time has been wasted. Please follow me to your test room.