The VIP lounge was bustling with activity.
Fans flooded in conversing loudly about bitter rivalries and fan wars between groups, the next big thing, and a few questionable rumours.
A couple of corporate suits present as well; there to do business rather than enjoy the spectacle below. But they couldn't damper the mood with their talks about gate resource this, gold credit exchange that.
The true fans were eager to watch the show.
'Too many people...' Eren stuck to the corner like glue.
Keeping away from the crowds; to him every single person in the room was a nuisance to be ignored.
To everyone else, the worst kind of buzzkill.
A dark aura radiated from the corner where he stood. Those who approached, turned back around to avoid whatever vibe killer he was.
"Hey... I got us some drinks. You look like you could use it?" Hana, the former idol handed over a glass of expensive wine. The only person able to cut through that aura and get a word in.
"No thanks." He kept brooding. He really was out of place here.
At least until an announcement echoed through the arena. A woman's voice commanded the attention of everyone.
'The show will begin in 20 minutes. Please head to the seating area in an orderly fashion.'
The room erupted with excitement. Fans quickly shuffled out of the VIP lounge to get in to the VIP viewing area.
'Way too many people...' Eren joined by the tide too the platinum area. A regal seating area with royal red couches. And a full view of the stage from high in the grandstand. It was certainly the best seats in the house. A grand place to watch the battle of the idols.
The arena itself seemed vastly bigger than it did from the outside. A perfect rectangle viewing arena with stands that reached all the way to top of the dome. Corporate boxes on all sides.
The stage itself was massive; 200x200 meters squared of pure artificial battlegrounds. Its theme set to the stock standard idol stage; white masonry and large blocks that acted like walls and platforms. An arena fit for the gladiators of Rome.
'100,000 maybe? No 200,000 surely...' Eren looked out to the sea of people. A tide of humanity that filled the stadium. So much noise and so many glowsticks that began to bounce to the sounds of the pre-show music.
The buzz and the anticipation had the crowds in a frenzy.
"Do you have a girlfriend?" Hana broke his analytical study of the situation.
Her sudden voice was filled with curiosity. But her face remained a blank slate. Trying not to show any interest.
"What?" Eren turned to Hana; who seemed to be intently on Eren rather than the show.
"Well now that I'm not an Idol I can start dating again. You have a very good-looking body and a cute face, even with those dreary fish eyes and edgy getup." She looked up to Eren, her smile was a little cheeky. Was she hitting on the reaper?
"I do. She would kill you and bury you in a ditch were you to even touch me." His face went from neutral to a grimace. Imagining what Kaori would do if she even saw other women speak to her partner. That girl most certainly had an ugly jealous streak.
"Lucky girl. It was worth a shot." A slight chuckle and a small blush on the cheeks of a former idol. It was a bold move, and one that would have been frowned upon in her time as an idol.
But to Eren, a confident woman could make the world go round.
As soon as he turned back to the main stage; the world went black. Two hands pressed against his eyes.
"Gueeeeeeeesssssss whooooooooooooo?" A song of annoyance that could only belong to the mighty Lucifer.
"What are you doing here?" A sigh of resignation.
"Oh, I wanted the best seat in the house with the best view." A simile that could light the world on fire.
Although not talking about battle idol. Taking a seat directly next to Eren, sitting so close that the reaper had no choice but to shuffle to the left. It really was the best seat in the house.
"Hello Mr. Mayuzumi." Hana greeted. Feigning politeness towards her former tormentor and manager.
"Hello Hana, are you enjoying your freedom? Already making moves on my little dove I see." Those red cheeks returned at Lucifers insinuation. She thought she was discrete about it.
"But alas, I am here for our beloved Dusk roses. We have been given our opening honours tonight."
"Already? You only filmed the MV yesterday-"
"And found a replacement dancer for Hana as well. The Idol industry moves at a breakneck pace my dear."
Hana turned her head away from her former manager. A little hurt at how fast she was replaced.
She may have hated every moment of it; but being told you were just a cog that had been easily been filled by another was a bitter pill to swallow.
'Battle Idol!!!!'
Music blasted from the stage; a male voice reverberated throughout the arena. The audience began to scream in excitement. The lights of the stage dimmed; quickly replaced by several technicolour lights that began to dance and swirl on the stage.
'Are you ready!!!!!!'
The crowd erupted in a chorus of cheers; the energy was infectious. Even the wet blanket, Eren felt the tiniest spark of excitement.
'LET THE SHOW BEGIN!!!!!!!!'
"YEAHHHHHHHHHH!" A roar of 200,000 strong, a wall of noise that was deafening.
'Our first act tonight!! The Idols of dusk rose will perform their hit new single 'Through the heart and beyond!!!!'
The crowd went wild, even for a middling idol agency. Anything to start the show was worthy of thunderous applause.
A spotlight fell upon a group of ten. Dressed in blue and white dresses, a mix of modern armour and frills. All lined up ready to sing.
A large hologram took the edge of the stage; Monolith, almost a one-to-one recreation too. Even the masked Saku at his feet. The MV was projected to the world.
"Let's go!" Iwato roared as the song began. The idols moved with choreographed precision, dancing and singing to the beat of the song.
Eren was only half paying attention; One eye on the spectacle the other on the mission taking place backstage.
***
Megi; disguised as a staff member, walked around with purpose. A clipboard in her hand. Wandering from corridor to corridor, looking for the first target of this new hunt.
The girl that would have been sacrificed to the altar of El Rey Sol. To be a victim of one of Idol cultures greatest taboos.
"Excuse me. I'm looking for Miss... Hayashi." Megi stood by a door guarded by a sumo sized man. Deep glare towards the staff member.
"Move along..." He gestured to the left and right. Not to be disturbed.
"I would but... Well." She stood on her tippy toes just to reach the man's chest. "The cherry blossom queen wants this one put on ice... Can't risk any injuries before the 'meeting' tonight." Megi spoke quietly.
"Fine, give it here." He snatched the paper away. Reading over the order, a scowl on the fat face of a pig.
"Go and tell her, she's getting ready." The doorman moved slightly.
"Thank you." She entered the door.
"Excuse me, Miss Hayashi." Megi entered, greeted by the smell of perfume and make-up. The idol in question. Still dressed in high school uniform with an oversized pink coat.
"Yes?" A cherry red smile, eyes as sweet as the candy she took in every day.
Megi's heart sank. This poor girl was to become another victim of the cartel.
Not this day though. The fox spirit would do all she could to protect her from the fate worse than death.
"I was sent by the cherry blossom queen herself; she says to not worry about tonight's performance and just enjoy the show."
"Really? But what about the meeting with the sponsors? They really wanted to see the rising stars-"
"Unfortunately, the meeting has been postponed. Some of the members won't be able to make it tonight."
"Oh, that sucks..."
"Don't worry, if you keep performing well; you'll definitely get your shot." An endearing smile from the hidden kitsune. Really the only shadow that retained some of her former humanity. A mystery that not even the ring could answer.
"Can you tell Miss. Kaguya I said thanks." A nearly 90-degree bow. Respectful and polite, a perfect idol that didn't even know what she had gotten into. Or what she was being saved from.
"I will." Megi turned around and exited the room. Her heart felt heavy. That poor girl was so sweet. Yet the world would be cruel to her if they let her walk down that road.
"Excuse me? Where can I find the rising star talent manager?" Megi asked the sumo sized man. With a face that could bring a smile to an angle.
He grumbled as to why a staff member wouldn't know where to go.
"It's the third door down..." A fat finger pointed down the corridor.
"Thank you, sorry to ask again. This place is a maze." She waved goodbye, turning left down the corridor.
'Now for the rest of these bastards...'
As she walked by however, the many screens caught her attention. The show began with the Idols taking on her comrades in battle.
"Look, Saku. You're getting your boney ass kicked on this small box." She turned to the shadow that waited by the door.
"You keep your mouth shut fox; I did only as my master ordered." It glared back; how dare this insulant fox besmirch the orders he followed without question.
"YoU KeEp yoUR MOuTH SHut FoX." A mocking tone that cut the shadow deep.
"I'll tell master that you've been disrespectful..."
"AnD I"Ll TeLL... You are such a suck up. You hate it when master doesn't give you any attention."
"I do not!" Another lie from the shadow, Saku didn't like the way the little fox kept poking at it, with a mischievous grin. She knew just how to get under its skin. Or rather lack thereof.
A rivalry that was