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The Portal of Zeta: iDOLM@STER Neo Vision

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ZetaFlare:
Hanasaki Emi's Route, conclusion

Over the next few weeks, Emi spends a bit of quality time with her partners. While she learns some new tips and tricks on how to practice and perform more efficiently and gains some extra knowledge of the true nature of the idol world (after learning about one of its horrible truths the hard way), she teaches others to keep on smiling and have fun doing what they do. It’s a win-win for Emi and her partners. Later on, when ZetaPro receives a writ of challenge from NAZO, Emi believes Maya wants to see just how much she has improved. She is so excited to see her again. Unfortunately, not only does she not get enough time to chat with her friendly rival, the performance gets cancelled midway due to a pyrotechnic malfunction. Yamato appears to pick up NAZO and hopefully break Emi’s spirits. “Dun-dun-dunnn! The big bad guy appears!” The fact that ZetaPro hired a 10-year-old girl as an idol is proof of how low middle class companies will sink just to earn a buck. Kids should not be idols at all. They just don’t have any raw talent to be able to compete at a professional level. Yamato believes Emi wanted to become an idol to wear provocative outfits, appeal to pedophiles, and show everyone how “grown-up” she has become. She should do ZetaPro and the idol world a favor and quit her career before something horrible happens to her. Besides, Emi’s concept of an “improv idol” is simply absurd. It basically combines idol-like performances with immature comedy into one big sloppy mess. It is only proof that she thinks this is all just a game to her. Emi is not even shaken from his threats and maintains her usual upbeat self. Her nearly unbreakable smile disgusts Yamato, claiming she is just way too happy for her own good. Kenji defends her, claiming that although she hardly takes her job seriously, she keeps getting better and better as a performer. Her style may be a bit different, but she usually performs very well at this level. Yamato scoffs at Kenji’s defense, claiming he is just spoiling the little girl and has been captivated by her innocent childlike charm. It’s almost as if he is becoming a lolicon for her already. Kenji retorts, claiming he never had any thoughts like that about Emi at all…it’s against his personal principles. Yamato promises to prove Kenji and ZetaPro the error of their ways by crushing them in the IU with NAZO’s full power.

On the day of the IU finals opening ceremony, Emi overhears a conversation between Maya and Yamato. Maya is really eager to see what kind of competition lies in store for her in the finals. She has seen a significant improvement in Hinata’s talents since the IU preliminaries and looks forward to facing her in the final stretch of the tournament. It would be wise for NAZO not to underestimate her. Yamato is angered by her statement. Being around Hinata has made her soft. ZetaPro is the enemy. They hire disabled hacks like Hinata into the idol industry. If Maya really wants to master her dancing styles, she has to have the drive to be the very best…to win by any means necessary…to destroy all enemies. He really doesn’t want to have to fire her after she was able to use her earnings to settle in a nice quiet home away from her old crime-infested slum of a neighborhood full of horrible memories. Maya apologizes and promises him she will win the IU. Emi cannot believe that despite Maya’s outgoing personality, she hides such a tragic past. Emi decides to go over to Maya and cheer her up. Maya is surprised to see Emi like this. Emi claims she could not help overhearing Maya’s chat with Yamato and could not bear seeing her friend and rival look so sad. She once had to put up with a creepy lolicon stalking her during her career, but that didn’t stop her from having fun with being an improv idol. Maya’s loss of her parents and rough neighborhood shouldn’t stop her from dancing either. Emi tells Maya to turn her frown upside-down so they can both go into the IU finals with a smile and have the time of their lives no matter how they finish. Emi proceeds to tell her a joke, which gets Maya laughing. With her happiness restored, Maya tells Emi she may be right. She still does not want to lose, but asks Emi to have fun and do her best if they do happen to face off in the final stretch of the tournament. “May the best idol win,” she says as she turns around and heads back to Yamato’s limo.

After NAZO defeats Ryuuguu Komachi in the semifinals, Yamato expresses his disapproval of Ami being an idol, claiming she is the reason Ryuuguu Komachi lost. The way she promotes herself disgusts him and proves that 765Pro is just another one of those common-class companies who use dirty tactics to win, including producing lolicon bait. Ritsuko backs him off, claiming that Ami (and Mami for that matter) have come a long way since her debut. Even separated from her twin, she has become a very important member of Ryuuguu Komachi. Sure she still acts childish every now and then, but she always seems to find a way to get the job done.

With the situation growing more desperate, Yamato sends an email to a suspicious address. He plans to ruin Emi once and for all.

The next day a mysterious figure begins raiding ZetaPro’s dressing room. When the time comes to get dressed, the ZetaPro idols notice their room is a huge mess. What’s worse, Emi discovers her outfit is missing. When Kenji hears the news, he begins to worry. Security should have been beefed to the maximum, yet they somehow manage to let a vandal slip past them undetected. Emi confidently her stage outfit shouldn’t have gone very far and goes back into the dressing room to double check. All of a sudden, the figure from earlier, holding her stage outfit, catches her attention. Emi is shocked beyond belief to find out that the figure is really the twisted lolicon who stalked her before! He stole Emi’s stage outfit because of its “heavenly aroma.” It smelled particularly sweet. Frightened, Emi tries to run for the door, but the stalker blocks the way, locks the door, and grabs her tightly, claiming he will return Emi’s outfit if she spends some “quality time” with him. Outside, Kenji hears a familiar voice screaming and frantically heads back to the dressing room. He tries to open the door, but it is locked from the other side. The lolicon has stripped Emi of her clothes and is rubbing all over her body, even down her underwear. Emi is helpless, shivering, and crying, too scared to act back. Hearing the commotion on the other side, Kenji pounds the door hard and threatens to knock it down, but the stalker threatens to slit Emi’s throat if he does. Emi tries to tell Kenji the man really does not have a knife on him, but she is quickly silenced by the desperate lolicon. Kenji believes all hope is lost, but then he starts thinking. What would Emi do? Even in the worst-case scenario, Emi would always stay happy and optimistic. When she thinks the best will happen, it usually happens. Suddenly, a group of police officers come to Emi’s rescue, asking Kenji to step aside. Just as the lolicon is about to drop Emi’s panties, the police batter the locked door down and catch him red-handed, much to his shock. Emi is relieved as the officers slap the cuffs on the creeper, take him away, and give Emi back her stage outfit. Kenji cannot believe who the culprit was. He thought the creeper learned his lesson, but he let his dirty thoughts get the better of him once again and wound up overstepping his bounds, even after he banned him from all of Emi’s future events. Emi runs up to Kenji and hugs him, crying tears of joy. It was one of the most horrifying experiences she ever went through. However, even during all of that harassment, she kept looking up and thinking a miracle would happen…and it did. Kenji tells her he thought the exact same thing, knowing her and her boundless optimism all too well. Emi feels slightly embarrassed with Kenji seeing her with crying…tears do not become of her. Now that the nightmare is all behind her, she plans to get her head back in the game, perform like she has never performed before, and turn Tokyo Dome into a sea of smiles and laughter. Kenji laughs a bit and shields his eyes (Emi is still in nothing but her underwear), telling her to get dressed and meet back at the stage. Emi wipes her tears and joyfully gets herself prepared.

Just before the performance, Yamato is both shocked and annoyed that Emi has quickly and miraculously restored her bubbly, silly improv idol persona. Emi tells Yamato that even after what she has been through her smile will never be broken as long as clouds of sadness still loom over Japan. Maya speaks up and tells ZetaPro what happened. Yamato knew that this particular lolicon had a thing for Emi and has troubled her in past events. Posing as his father, Yamato sent the lolicon an email, apologizing for his harsh treatment of him, removing his ban on attending Emi’s events, and (to show there are no hard feelings) allows him to attend Emi’s performance at the IU finals as a VIP. Yamato also altered the schedules of the guards and stage crew, replacing them with his own workers, allowing the lolicon to breach security. Yamato planned to use the creeper to permanently destroy Emi’s happiness and innocence and keep her from performing that evening, thus giving NAZO a surefire victory. Not only that, but Yamato also wanted to teach Emi that kids should not be idols and that the whole concept of a childish comedian-idol hybrid is ridiculous. Besides, the idol world is cruel, full of sick-minded freaks (like that stalker) who claim to be their fans but want them for more than just their works. Wanting to face Emi’s unit at their full strength, Maya called the police to rescue Emi and foil her producer’s twisted plans. Yamato cannot believe one of his idols would backstab him, but Kenji finds it even harder to believe that his respected rival would pull such an underhanded move as to send a lolicon after Emi. Emi claims the idol world is far from cruel. In fact, despite all the hardships she has been through, it’s been tons of fun! Now that her smile shines brighter than before, she is ready to show everyone what a playful improv idol can really do!

ENDING

A couple of weeks after the IU finals, Emi invites Kenji into the practice room of ZetaPro to show him something special. The whole concept of Emi’s unique performance style has become intriguing nationwide. In fact, she is now teaching a couple of apprentices—the twin idols Ami and Mami Futami, who have both been amazed by her super-cute performances—in the improv idol style. As the twins sing through some lyrics, Emi tells them to emphasize the feelings of the lyrics. If not, just add some slurs and make them sound as cute as possible, but not too cute. Kenji laughs at the sight…everyone just looks so cute performing like this! Emi tells Kenji that even though she might not appear to be serious at all during big concerts, it was thanks to the time she spent with him and the other two idols that she learned so many new tips and tricks on how to be a better performer. Taking all that in mind as well as a couple of ropes she learned from her parents, she has truly become the idol she always wanted to be. However, she will not stop there. Even if the sadness in Japan is banished, smiles aren’t forever. Emi will continue being a special improv idol to continue to rain down smiles, laughter, and inspiration to the people of Japan!

During the credits, Emi, Ami, and Mami play through what they have practiced—a super-cutesy, silly, improvised version of Nana Iro Button.

ZetaFlare:
Whew! Five more to go!

Isshiki Nagisa’s Route

Kenji first encounters Nagisa at the practice room rehearsing one of her cheers from school. Kenji can really see she has a lot of energy and is pretty skilled as a dancer and cheerleader. However, he never expected her to look so unique with her sand-colored hair and skin the hue of amber. Putting his curiosity behind him, he opens the door and says hello. Nagisa puts her pom-poms down and turns to Kenji, happy and eager to see a new face and make a new friend. Once she hears she will soon hold a mic rather than pom-poms, she knows right away her debut is near. Nagisa jumps for joy and hugs Kenji, looking forward to working with her new producer. She may look different, but Kenji figures she’s just as cute and perky as other girls her age.

While Nagisa is eager to take lessons and meet with her two partners, she begins to show slight doubt just before her unit is set to audition for the first time. Nagisa asks Kenji if the judges will disfavor her because of her foreign looks. She is in fact half-Brazilian. Her darker skin color is natural…she did not get it from a tan. Kenji assures her that while their standards are high sometimes, bias because of skin color or foreign blood is almost always frowned upon among nearly all judges. If anything, it will be her talents and determination that will ultimately speak for themselves. Nagisa then wonders…if these judges really are that biased, there is no way that her biggest inspiration, Hibiki Ganaha, would have passed her first audition and become as popular as she is today. With her confidence restored, Nagisa passes her debut audition with flying colors.

Later on, Kenji notices Nagisa always wearing a white seashell around her neck even during promotions and live concerts. Nagisa has always loved the beach ever since she was a baby. When she was eight years old, she found this particular shell that just washed ashore. Feeling something special in the shell, she picked it up and made a necklace out of it. Ever since, Nagisa wears it everywhere she goes as somewhat of a good-luck charm. Her friends, especially those in her school’s cheerleading club, love her seashell necklace so much she eventually began making her own shell charms for them. Kenji is glad she has something special she can hold on to. Nagisa soon wants to make some necklaces for Kenji and her partners as well, knowing they will soon become even more special to her than her own lucky shell. The following week, Nagisa arrives with self-made shell necklaces for everyone, hoping they bring them as much good luck as hers.

One week after Nagisa reaches Rank E, she arrives to practice in her cheerleading outfit. After she is finished with work today, she will head to school to cheer in a basketball exhibition match. Ever since Nagisa watched her elementary school’s cheerleading club perform during a sports festival one day, she was amazed by their abilities and decided to try to join herself. Nagisa had the talent and energy to pass on her very first audition. Three years later, Nagisa still loves to cheer. She became one of the club’s most talented members. She has made several new friends. Her happiness and enthusiasm delighted and inspired her fellow cheerleaders, the teams she cheered for, and the audience alike. One day when her middle school cheerleading club went out for a beach party, Nagisa saw Hibiki giving a live concert nearby. She was dazzled by Hibiki’s singing, dancing, smile, and energy, but was more amazed by the excitement of her audience. All of the other cheerleaders suggest Nagisa become an idol too. She’s a great dancer and has the ability to really get the crowd fired up just like Hibiki did with her audience. In fact, some of them even think Nagisa and Hibiki are almost alike. Inspired by the concept of building on her talents and using them to the fullest for the enjoyment of others, Nagisa studied Hibiki’s performances and decided to audition with ZetaPro, passing on the first attempt. Kenji is impressed. To him, Nagisa really has the talents and personality to become both an excellent cheerleader and idol. Still, Nagisa seems to have a different look of determination in her eyes. It’s almost as if she is hiding her true motives…

(to be continued)

Amazing_Grace:
Emi~~~

Oh my gosh she's so cute. XD I just love her! You keep being an improv idol, Emi! Spread smiles to the world! I wish more people were like her.


But I'm just honestly disgusted by what that creeper did to her. I just can't even believe people stoop that low. Even though it's just a game, it really just bothers me, so much, because this happens in real life too and it is NOT OK. Ugh.

ZetaFlare:
I knew Emi with her unique performing style would become a hit. Still, I said before, "you're probably going to hate me for what I'm about to do to her..." using ZetaPro's youngest idol to spark awareness of a sad truth...lolicons. They're out there, even in real life.

ZetaFlare:
Isshiki Nagisa's Route, cont.

Nagisa keeps improving her skills and is doing a great job as an idol. However, it is not enough during the Sunny Beach Festival as her unit is singlehandedly defeated by Maya. Maya is a little disappointed from the lack of a good challenge, but she finds Nagisa exotic and absolutely adorable. Her outgoing nature, high energy, and talents in cheerleading and dancing give her the potential to really become a top-class idol. Still, Maya believes Nagisa’s skills could still use some polishing. Maya asks Nagisa to continue doing her best in her lessons and performances so she can be ready for their next encounter. Nagisa may look different, but she is too cute and talented to let what others say stop her from doing what she loves. Nagisa is so glad to meet Maya, admiring both her amazing dancing abilities and her outgoing personality.

Back at the office, Nagisa is quick to brighten the mood of the unit once again, especially after she hugs her partners and Kenji. Nagisa says she has cheered for the losing team several times, but they were fighters to the end, even against seemingly unbeatable teams. Much like her school’s sports teams after a big loss, Nagisa’s unit should just shake it off and move on. Moping about it will not get them anywhere. Kenji and the other two idols (even a couple of the more serious or emotional ones) seem to agree with her statement.

The unit regains its strength after a couple of successful outings. The night after Nagisa’s unit faces 961Pro/Ryuuguu Komachi, Nagisa happily walks out of the office and heads for home, hoping to rest up after a long day. Suddenly, she is ambushed by a pair of bullies who have apparently caught wind of her origins. Believing that “dirty” Brazilians should not be idols (and should not belong in Japan for that matter), they torment her and threaten her to stay off the stage for good. Kenji suddenly hears the commotion and manages to scare the bullies away. Poor Nagisa was almost scared out of her wits when she saw the bullies’ piercing eyes and heard their hateful statements. She was also left with a hand print across her left cheek after being slapped. Nagisa hugs Kenji, sobbing and trembling in fear. Kenji really wants to squeal to the police on them, especially after they badly hurt Nagisa physically and emotionally, but he is glad that she is safe. To make sure her the rest of her journey home is a safe one, he offers her a ride home with him and Kaito. As Nagisa gets into the van, she gives Kaito some directions and tells Kenji everything that happened. She never expected to be harassed by racists during her idol career. Kenji assures her that he will not let anything like that happen to her again. Besides, there are thousands of people who love and support her whether they have known her as a cheerleader or an idol. She should not let one or two people spoil her high spirits. Once Kaito arrives, he is surprised by the sight—Nagisa lives in an orphanage. Nagisa tells Kenji and Kaito this has been her home for almost 12 years now. She was born in Hiroshima from a Japanese father and a Brazilian mother. Two years ago, the manager of the orphanage told Nagisa the story of her parents. Her mother fled to Japan after years of harassment, assault, torment, and near rape from cruel men in Brazil. However, jobless and strapped for cash, the only way she could escape her hellhole was to desperately stow away on a plane to Tokyo. Once she arrived, she met with a fisherman in Hiroshima who loved the sea and its natural beauty. Contrary to the other men she encountered in the past, this man was very kind and caring for her despite her differences. He knew she has suffered so much and was willing to do whatever he can to ease her pain and show her true happiness. They eventually got married and gave birth to Nagisa. The couple couldn’t be any happier. When Nagisa was only five months old, everything changed. Word that Nagisa’s mother immigrated to Japan illegally spread too far. A group of protestors had the authorities capture Nagisa’s mother and deport her back to Brazil. Risking everything to save the love of his life, Nagisa’s father tried to do his best to stop the authorities, but angry activists mercilessly beat him to death, believing he was corrupt and stupid to fall for the spell of a filthy “witch.” However, Nagisa was safe in the house and out of the protestors’ sights through the whole affair. Because she was legalized as a Japanese citizen, the authorities decide to send her to an orphanage in the capital region. Years have passed and no one has even thought about adopting her. Some prejudiced people thought she was a demon born from the blood of a “witch” and refused to adopt a “dirty” half-Brazilian child. However, Nagisa did not seem to mind. She was still a very happy, upbeat girl with a ton of energy. She especially loved the beach (possibly because she was born very close to one) and doing cartwheels. Even after she heard the truth about her parents, she quickly got over the pain and did not change very much. Once she was allowed to go to school, she developed a passion for cheerleading, which later evolved into her desire to become an idol. Nagisa never knew idols were professional and get paid for their work. With that in mind and believing her mother is still out there waiting to see her growing daughter once again, Nagisa hopes to earn enough money to be able to bring her mother back to Japan as a legal citizen. Kenji can hardly believe that underneath Nagisa’s cheerful nature lies such a painful history, but he is still glad that Nagisa continues to look forward while still caring about her mother even though she’s more than an ocean away right now. Nagisa thanks Kenji and Kaito for the ride. Kenji waves to her as she walks through the door. Nagisa waves back with both hands just before it closes.

(to be continued)

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