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Takeshi Fujimaru:
"Every date that is THE FIRST OF THE MONTH I expect the audition process to be a well oiled machine! I don't care if the translator is sick, this is why we have other English speaking staff in the building Miyoko..." there was a moment of silence as the unamused look on the business man's face grew even more enraged, "I understand that... that is why I am currently speaking to you IN ENGLISH... You could have done the job yourself, so don't blame the illness of Shawn on this lack of forward motion. Look, I was going to do some scouting today since it's the first day that American University in Minato-ku is opening up for Fall semester, but this is a little more important now... I'm on the Yamanote Line right now, so don't even try and tell me you have things under control. No... No... You don't, otherwise you wouldn't have called me in such a flustered state... I'm coming... end of story..." and with that, Mr. Fujimaru hung up. Everyone on the train was staring at him, giving him dirty looks. The train jolted to a stop singing off "Tamachi", as the stop. "This is where I would have gotten..." he eyes fell on a petite brunette girl that was foreign. She was carrying a heavy looking bag as well as a purse that had several snacks in it. He tried to push his way through to get out in time to talk to her, but the doors closed after the rush of more Japanese business men piled on. Damn it...

Sophie Claire:
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! The alarm screamed at the Caucasian girl from across the room. "UGH!" was her response as her small body started to awaken and crawl across the room to shut off the obnoxious electronic. BAM BAM BAM BAM! "Turn that damn thing off!" giggled another girl from outside the door.
"Working on it!" commented Sophie as she smashed her hand on the OFF button of the alarm clock.
"Sophie, are you really excited, classes start today! Oh my god I could just die! How many cute boys do you think we'll see on the train today? Oh, it's rush hour isn't it? That means I might get groped! EW!" continued the voice on the other side of the door.
"Yeah... rush hour..." muttered the other girl in response as she pulled on a clean pair of jeans and a hoody. Slowly she peeled the door open to see the giggly girl on the other side. She was all dressed up, wearing lacy things to the point that she looked like a whore. This girl was tall and very thin, and had dreams of modeling and then just living in Japan.
"What time did you get up?" asked Sophie blinking a few times.
"Oh... I've been up for two hours now..." it was obvious from the amount of make-up on the girls face that this was true.
"Right... okay... lets go then..." replied Sophie.
"Oh... and I wanna stop over at the Lawson before we go so I can pick up some snacks for the two of us... you don't mind do you?"
"No... Now lets go..." Sophie flopped her heavy bag on and continued out of her room, down the hall and to her shoes. It didn't take long to walk up to the Lawson, but of course, the petite girl ended up carrying everything while the tall girl flirted and what not. Soon the two just went different ways, Sophie to school right away to be early, her friend to go mess around with a Japanese boy.
By the time she got on the Yamanote line, it was packed, and she was wedged in tight between a guy that looked like a host and someone that looked like they might be a student. The boy that might be a student was holding a book that was in English, reading as the train continued to go.
Across the train there was an angry sounding business man on the phone, speaking in English. This intrigued Sophie as it wasn't often you saw a salary man yelling in English. At any rate, he stopped yelling right before she got off the train and was on her merry way, following this student all the way to her school.

Riku Ichiniku:
"Oh yes... I had a splendid time with you as well," Riku checked his notes for a moment, "Miss April..." The host slowly brought the woman's hand to his lips and kissed the top of it tenderly, "Have a good day!" Once the woman was out of sight the boy cringed and shook his head, "Why do you always put me with the foreigners?"
"Because you are a pretty Japanese boy that speaks English... A lot of women that are foreign don't want to talk to our foreign hosts because they don't have the same look or charm as you do. They always pay well and buy you all sorts of wonderful things don't they? So don't complain about it Ichiniku..." replied Riku's boss, who was a foreign man himself.
"Fine... can I go home now?" even though he was in his twenties now, the boy still talked like a newbie host that was in high school.
"Yes... you did your job... now get out of here!" teased the boss pretending to kick Riku in the a** to make him move. Riku laughed slightly and hopped the Yamanote line to head home. Muttering in Japanese, he started to count what he made last night on the side before he nearly got crushed into a corner. Slowly his eyes peered down to see not a child, but a foreign girl carrying several bags. He rolled his eyes moderately annoyed. He noticed how much in the way of school supplies she was carrying as well as snacks. A university student? God, don't let her be interested in hosts... To the host's delight, the girl hardly noticed him there and didn't speak a word to him the entire train ride. She got off at Tamachi and the host, elsewhere.
Home sweet home... Yes, a bachelors life he led in a small one room apartment, but it was suitable enough to sleep in, shower in and eat in, so he didn't really care.

Yuuki Osai:
"Let's have some fun this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick!" Yuuki's ipod started to sing to him to wake him up in the morning. With a slight groan, he sat up and turned it off before rising to his feet to get ready for school. He had called off work for this day specifically since he knew, to get all his classes, he had to attend the first day. Moving no faster than a snail, the boy made it to the kitchen to pack a lunch and eat breakfast before embarking on his commuting adventures during rush hour. Oh Tokyo rush hours... you are a kill joy... he thought to himself as he found himself squished on the Yamanote line.
After some time, the boy pulled out a small book "Brave New World" and started reading it. It was recommended to him by one of his teachers to read over break, but he had so little time over break to study, it was crazy.


God... another orientation meeting... why do I have to go to these things? Oh yeah, because it's your first semester living on your own, truly... The girl let out a soft sigh as she sat down in one of the many rows of chairs the school had set up for this meeting. She felt like such a hoarder, carrying so much stuff to school, but it was her friends stuff mostly that was causing this problem. So help me God if she asks me to update her on what she missed today... I'll her train of thought was broken by the cute asian boy that sat down next to her. He didn't say a word, just tapped away at his phone for now, a book plopped in his lap. She blushed slightly and glanced away, knowing she had stared a bit longer than she should have, but he didn't seem to notice.

Snap! He flipped the phone shut and returned his attention to the book, that is, before he noticed the awkward gaijin sitting next to him. He arched a brow at her, but didn't really say a word before turning back to book. BAKA! "Hi... erm... I'm Sophie..." she said awkwardly peering over at the boy. He slowly peered up from his book, not really being able to read at the moment anyways since he foolishly tried without his glasses, and over at Sophie.

"Hi Sophie..." he replied in a rather blank tone. It wasn't that he wasn't interested in talking to the girl or anything, he was just so tired at the moment. Sophie stared for a moment, worried she might have said something to offend him. He didn't seem very friendly in the way he spoke, and this thought could be read all over her face. The boy blinked a few times before his eyes got wide in fear, "Oh... um... I'm Yuuki..." he said in an awkward tone, as if he wasn't sure if he was saying the right thing to keep her from crying. Sophie seemed a little more relaxed at this point, but was now aware he felt as awkward as she did at least. "So... Sophie... Is this your first time in Japan?" his tone was will so awkward as he was forcing conversation at this point, not really sure what to talk about.

"Uh, yeah... My family didn't really have the money to send me at all before hand..." she replied rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. This was just not a good situation... Why did she initiate this conversation? It was clearly going to go nowhere at this rate, and they'd be stuck sitting next to each other this whole assemble! Sophie couldn't bare the thought of awkward air through this entire assembly.

"Oh... So... do you like it?" he asked still in that same strange tone. It was almost humorous. Was it possible he was getting amusement out of this? No! That would terrible. Cute Japanese boys didn't think like that did they?

It was too late to answer the question. The assembly already started.


"So Sophie, you really gonna try and get into a talent agency like that? You're so brave! I would never have the gull to go somewhere when I can't speak Japanese... I mean, I'm fluent and all, but you... wow..." muttered Sophie's friend who had ditched her the first day of school, and was now back because she wanted the things she'd picked up on the way to school. "I'm super sorry for running off on you this morning... but I've got some connections now..." she winked, "if you ever want in to modeling..."

"I'm quite fine Erin..." replied Sophie with a sigh, "I'll see you back at home base, okay?", and with that, the petite brunette was on her way. She didn't know what she would really say when she got to this place, but OSS had apparently set things up for her to go to this place. Apparently, there was supposed to be a speaker from the company at the school that day, but strangely, he called and said he couldn't make it after all... something about the auditioning process not going well since the translator was sick. Maybe when I'm better at speaking Japanese I can work as a translator... in the mean time, why the heck am I going to a talent agency... The girl was still very unsure about all of this, but hopped off the train at the right stop and went inside.

Apparently, she was expected, and got ushered in to a room with a large meeting table, and a bunch of other foreigners. There were some people in suits there as well, clearly working at the company already, and at the head of the table was a broad-shouldered Japanese salary man. That man was Takeshi Fujimaru, the owner and pretty much, ruler of this company. He made all the big decisions and kept a close eye on all of his staff. He was like a father to his company, making sure everyone is happy, but not spoiled. Sophie, the petite foreigner that she was, caught the man's eye when she walked in. I saw that girl on the train this morning... she must be... he glanced down at his paper, Sophie?. Apparently the school had sent her to do some acting, a little singing as well... She had a bit of a reputation back in her home town for being good at those kinds of things, but why they wouldn't tell her was confusing.

"Okay, so this is how it's going to work everyone... each staff member here has been assigned an auditioner, so everyone, please find who you are paired with and start the process!" called Takeshi from the front of the room. Sophie had been the only one they were still waiting on, and so, when everyone broke up into groups, she was left for Takeshi to handle. This should be interesting... the man thought to himself as he walked over to Sophie, "since you were late, you have to deal with me..." he said with a warm-hearted smile, as he could tell the girl was a little on edge.

"Oh... okay..." the girl replied as she followed Mr. Fujimaru's lead to their interviewing area.

"So, it's my understanding that no one's told you why you're here? he asked in a cool tone. The girl nodded in response, waiting for him to go on. "Well pretty much, the school sent over the tapes you sent in for scholarships, as well as a few they found on your youtube channel, and I wanted to meet you with, as well as a few other students from your school about joining our company. You wouldn't be working as a talented actress or singer just yet though. Everyone has to climb up the ranks, so you'd be starting doing backstage work, and odd-jobs, but it's enough to keep you well supported through school..." the man explained.

Sophie let out a huge sigh of relief. She had been so worried about her financial situation, it made her a little sick in the evenings before she went to bed. Someone was out there looking out for her... Takeshi raised an eyebrow at how relieved the girl was. Most people weren't happy to just have a job that would pay the rent. If they were here, they wanted to be superstars, and they wanted it right then and there! It was refreshing to see really. "So hours, salary, paperwork..." the two went over all of that in the following hours, swapped a few stories and laughed it up a bit sometimes. It seemed like such a relaxed atmosphere, when under regular conditions, this would have been a very strict shut down of someone's ego. After the time passed, they parted, Sophie as happy as could be and Takeshi just entranced, I wonder what that one is going to do with her life here in Tokyo...



This is only a little obnoxious... Riku thought to himself as he stood out in the rain with his clear umbrella. He was told to go out and find guests, and they they wouldn't let him back in without a lady on his arm. Let's see what we've got here... looks like two foreign girls out celebrating something... I'm guessing from the shopping bags and junk, as well as obvious drunkeness... the bout thought as he spotted Erin and Sophie. They both had jobs now, so they both had to go out and celebrate... However, they missed the last train, and now had to stay out all night.

"Erin... where are we going?" asked Sophie as she peered around, noticing all the hosts in the area.

"I told you, we're gonna have some fun..." she replied with a drunken grin.

"Well if it's a good time you're after, I'd recomend you follow me back to my club..." said Riku with a smirk and wink as he walked over to the pair.

"Why don't you go back alone so you don't ruin your hair you spent hours working on?" replied Sophie in a sharp tone. She was no mood to deal with phony host flattery. Hell, she was annoyed that she missed the last train. She just wanted to go home and sleep in her nice comfortable bed... but no, Erin had to get one more thing... ONE MORE THING!

"Ouch... that hurt... aren't you out celebrating something?" replied Riku as he continued to walk with them.

"Actually, she just got a job at a talent agency... and I got a modeling job today... so all is GENKI!" replied Erin, nearly falling over onto the host.

"Woah... easy there champ... I wouldn't want such lovely skin as your to get damaged out here from a little walking mishap..." since the girl was shiftfaced, he could lay it on thick and not get slapped.

"Aw... that's so sweet... Sophie... we should follow him..." whined Erin.

"Only if you're paying for the both of us... he's a host..." muttered Sophie in response. Was it really that obvious, or was Sophie just fast to catch on to the tricks of these streets? She had read a lot about this kind of thing before she came, in hopes of avoiding it. Deep down, she knew the boy standing in front her would end up throwing up blood a few hours from then, and frowned a little. "By the way... mind if I ask how many you've had tonight? Drinks I mean..." she didn't mean for the words to come off sounding dirty or anything, but some how it slipped there from recalling the texts she read.

"Does it matter?" replied Riku with a smile. What is with this one... wait... she was the chick I saw on the train this morning... I think... I don't know though, I was still feeling a little funny from my adventures with that... oh god, what's her name again?

"Throw up much blood in the past week?" she continued as they walked towards the club.

"No..."

"Wow, it's true, you guys will just lie straight to people's faces to try and keep them happy..."

"Why would you say that?"

"Because it's obvious you've been a host a while since you aren't in your teens... You guys drink a lot, so your liver has to be completely shot by now..."

"Well read I take it? You need not worry about little old me... but how old do you suppose I am, if you're really that good at telling I've been working the business for a while?" he smirked, waiting for a response.

"You're fluent in English and know how to pick easy targets, which means you're lazy... you've been around the block a few times, and clearly do this just about every night... I'll guess you're about 23. Then you're old enough to have been legal drinking age for 3 years, but I'm willing to bet that didn't stop you from underaged drinking..."

"I'm flattered you would think me to be that age... but you're wrong..."

"And you're lying..."

"Problemo Sophie... I don't have enough for the both of us... so... I could like... pay you back tomorrow?" rambled Erin as she fished through her purse.

"Forget it... I'm going to go wait by the station till I can go home..." and with that, Sophie stomped off. Through the entire night of all those horrid affairs Riku went through every night, he couldn't help but wonder how that girl knew so much about him. How could she tell he was lying? How could she tell how old he was, that he'd been working there long, and further more that he'd thrown up blood just the other night? It was creepy to say the least, and when he found her half asleep at the train station when he got off work, he couldn't help but sit down next to her.

"How did you know?" he asked clear and simple.

"Know what?" the girl grumbled in response before peering at the host. "Oh... it's you again... where is Erin?"

"Taxi... she passed out..." he replied with a sigh.

"Why are you talking to me, all high and mighty Mr. Host sir..." replied Sophie, moderately annoyed that once again she had been ditched, and for the likes of this douche-bag...

"I'm curious... and you can call me Riku... You're, Sophie, right? I think that's what Erin called you?"

"Very well Riku... I know you're a host, so I know you're paid to lie to make people feel better... that's why I assumed just about everyone you said was lie, even when you denied my age guess... which I'm guessing is right since you bothered to come talk to me again..."

She was right, he was a host, and he did get paid to say pretty lies... She was also right about he age.

"Do yourself a favor Riku, quite being a professional liar and move on with your life... and further more... leave me alone.." the train station has just opened up, and so she took her leave, but ended up on the same train as him for most of her stops. He got off before she did, luckily, so she didn't have to worry about a stalker... Or did she