_A_NEW_OFFER
(Vol. 2 Track 1)

[sfx: footsteps]

Mashiro: I already told you last time was the last time, didn’t I?

Woman: And yet you still came to see me. So kind! Here, you don’t need to stand, take a seat.

Mashiro: Eh, I’ll pass. Though… I have a bit of advice for you. When you get in touch with a guy right after you break up, it makes it pretty clear what your intentions are. 

[sfx: Mashiro leaning on the counter]

Mashiro: (voice dropping) Well, I guess there’s no harm in going along with it one final time… Alright? 

…

Iwahara: Climbing up the charts with exceptional speed, the rock band creating an entirely new movement within the music scene, RUBIA Leopard. The sensational 11-performance tour coinciding with their new album release took the world by storm, and is still fresh in the minds of the public. A band of talented musicians with a genius at the helm, they’re the image of perfection. However, there’s something that they still lack, that most bands have in spades from the beginning… I wonder what it could be? Just like last time, please, watch closely alongside me as this story unfolds. Right, that’s enough of an introduction, let’s get the ball rolling.

Akane: DIG-ROCK.

RUBIA Leopard: RUBIA Leopard, Volume 2!

[sfx: driving, car door opening]

Iwahara: Sorry for the wait, Mashiro.

Mashiro: No, it’s my bad. Sorry for making you take a detour just to pick me up, Gan-chan!

Kurono: Why were you staying at that place? Your home is in entirely the opposite direction!

Mashiro: Eh, you’re really going to ask that? How impolite of you!

Kurono: Tch..! Ghk… Akane-san! At least for today, please, tell him off!

Akane: I mean… As long as he makes it on time it’s alright, ain’t it?

Kurono: Akane-san! 

Mashiro: How kind!

Kurono: Don’t dare take advantage of Akane-san’s kindness!

Mashiro: He’s right though, I’ve never been late!

Kurono: That’s the bare minimum!

Haiji: Hey, now…Well, actually, we didn’t hear anything from you until the very last minute. I was starting to get worried… 

Mashiro: Sorry~! I had some personal business that I really had to attend to, you see…

Kurono: Why, you…!

Iwahara: Alright, cut it out for now. You’ll get stuck in a loop otherwise.

[silence] 

Iwahara: (sigh) That’s better. Since we’re all here, I have some work-related matters to talk to you about.

Akane: (apathetically) The floor is yours.

Iwahara: Hm? What’s that for, Akane? You have something you want to say first?

Akane: Nah, it’s nothing. I’m just wondering what trick you’ve got hiding up your sleeve this time. I’m getting nervous here is all.

Iwahara: (laughs) You really do think so poorly of me.

Akane: Forget about what I think, go on already, our dear genius manager.

Iwahara: First, about your next single, before you work on the song itself, we have a collab organised.

Mashiro: Oh~!

Kurono: What kind of collaboration?

Iwahara: If I remember correctly, the documents from the meeting said– Ah… Darn, the light’s already green. 

[sfx: driving continues]

Iwahara: Sorry, Haiji, there should be some files in my bag, could you find them for me? They’re in a white envelope.

[sfx: papers rustling]

Haiji: Erm… This one?

Iwahara: Our client is the audio equipment department of a major manufacturing company here in Japan. You’ll be doing a commercial as part of the campaign, and there’s a photoshoot lined up too.^[1]

Kurono: An audio equipment company…? 

Mashiro: Hm…? Oh, wow, they’re the biggest in the business for sure.

Kurono: They make not just headphones and earphones, but stationary speakers too? 

Haiji: The price range is pretty varied too, isn’t it?

Iwahara: Exactly. The idea is just that, to tie the brand to the very experience of listening to music.

Akane: Ah, I remember looking into these noise-cancelling headphones for myself.

Mashiro: Since we’re doing work for them, can’t they give us some free stuff, just because? 

Kurono: Indelicate as always…

Iwahara: As for the visuals, it’s looking like they want to focus on Akane. If you put a word in, they might just be open to that. 

Akane: Why am I stuck being the centre of attention again?

Mashiro: Well, it’s only natural! You are our king, after all.

Kurono: No argument there.

Iwahara: On that note, the clients are also hoping for a love song from you. Something with passion, if you could. 

Akane: Shouldn’t be too difficult. Fine, I’ll get on it.

Iwahara: Alright, one more thing. An offer has come in, just for Mashiro.

Mashiro: Eh…? For me…? Not Akane?

Iwahara: You’re a bassist, seems they’d like you to join them in composing a song. Haiji, there should be something else in that bag, a brown envelope. 

[sfx: Haiji rustling through the bag again]

Haiji: Uhh… Oh, this’ll be it… Ah!

Akane: Hm? Oh, this is big too. 

Kurono: She’s a far more established musician than us, right?

Haiji: I have a ton of her albums myself! Though, she hasn’t been active recently, I don’t think…

Iwahara: Exactly. It’s her first new release in a while. Since it’s so highly anticipated, they’re bringing in musicians from all over.

Mashiro: Oh…?

Kurono: A female musician… Surely you haven’t some kind of intimate relationship with her…! 

Mashiro: … Huh? (floundering) Uh, now, wait – hold on, guys, what’s with that look?! 

Haiji: I mean… You started off as a studio musician, and I’m just thinking, maybe she’s someone you got involved with, back then? 

Akane: No, Haiji, we need him to answer clearly this time around… Hey, Mashiro. This girl, she isn’t one of your old fuck-buddies, is she?^[2] 

Mashiro: (nervously) Now, your highness, you’re asking far too bluntly…!

Kurono: Suspicious… 

Mashiro: I’ve never seen her in my life! No connection whatsoever!

Iwahara: You sure about that?

Mashiro: What, even you, Gan-chan?! C’mon, gimme a break!

Iwahara: Knowing the truth of the matter is part of my job. So, is she?

Mashiro: She is not!

Iwahara: Great. If there are no issues with past relationships, assuming you accept the offer, we can move forward with the discussions.

Akane: Still, Iwahara-san, it’s the first I’m hearing of this, so when–

Iwahara: Before you say anything else, I’m letting you know, I won’t tolerate any childish jealousy on your part. That’s part of my job too.

Akane: …I didn’t even say anything.

Iwahara: Schedule wise, the single doesn’t release until after. So, even if Mashiro is absent for a while, it shouldn’t interfere with our own release too much. As an added bonus, it’ll definitely get people talking about Rubire too.

Mashiro: Makes sense. Alright, sure, I’ll do it. Backing bands, studio musicians… Those kinds of makeshift groups always have a nice carefree atmosphere, I’m a fan~

[sfx: playful notification sound]

Mashiro: Ah, that was me. (talking to himself) Uhh… I’ll answer later.

Haiji: Mashiro-san, your nails!

Mashiro: Hm? Oh, these? Cool, ain’t it? It’s a gel manicure.

Haiji: Very stylish! Did you get them done at a salon?

Mashiro: Nah, booking salon appointments is too much work. I got them done by a friend of mine~

Akane: A friend, huh?

Mashiro: Yup! A friend. 

Kurono: You insatiable playboy… 

Mashiro: Oh, Kurono, you want your nails done too? How about I paint them for you~?

Kurono: I’ll have to decline.

Iwahara: Mashiro, we’ll set up a time and date for you to meet with the other musicians sometime soon. I’ll lend you some of her previous albums, so give them a listen before then, alright?

Mashiro: Gotcha. 

…

Iwahara: Haiji, we’re home.

Haiji: Ah, sorry… I must have dozed off. Where are the others?

Iwahara: I dropped them all off at Akane’s place. 

Haiji: I didn’t even notice… 

Iwahara: Good work today. Don’t wait up for me, get some sleep.

Haiji: Eh? Gan-chan, you’re not coming in?

Iwahara: As much as I’d like to, I’ve got to head back to work.

Haiji: I wish you’d said earlier, I would have made you bento for dinner…

Iwahara: (amused) Are you my wife or something?

Haiji: At least eat three proper meals a day before you start complaining.

Iwahara: So diligent…

Haiji: That’s just how I am. I’m repaying the favor when you’ve given me food and a place to sleep. 

Iwahara: You’ve already repaid me tenfold! Isn’t that right, Rubire’s kasugai?^[3]

Haiji: (laughing) Oh, stop it… That was just Mashiro teasing me, it doesn’t really mean anything.

Iwahara: Really, you’re still saying that?

Haiji: Doesn’t matter anyways. From the start I was always just here to pad out the numbers…

[sfx: Iwahara smacking him lightly]

Haiji: Ow!

Iwahara: (short laugh) You idiot. Even if I’d recommended you a hundred times, if your music didn’t resonate with Akane, he never would have agreed. 

Haiji: But that’s… I mean, still…

Iwahara: Definitely don’t go telling Akane you’re just there to pad out the band. He’ll sulk.

Haiji: I dunno…

Iwahara: (sigh) Run yourself a bath and get some sleep. People don’t think clearly when they’re tired. 

Haiji: Alright. You too, Gan-chan. Don’t overdo it, alright?

Iwahara: Will do. Thanks.

[sfx: driving away]

Haiji: I hadn’t even meant to say that kind of thing out loud… Gan-chan’s right, I must just be tired. 

[sfx: door opening]