"Pe...pervert!!!"
If you hadn't seen it on YouTube, that would be been a normal reaction...
I nodded in response to Kana-chan, who was quietly screaming.
Miyako had some business and left the company early to meet Ichigo. The remaining people were me, Ruby, Kana-chan, and Biyong—four of us.
"Ah! It's Biyong!"
"Huh? Who did you say!?"
Ruby definitely watches a lot of YouTube, so she knew. Well, it's better to know than not...
"Huh? Senpai, you don't know!? He's super popular with elementary and middle schoolers!!! The masked fitness YouTuber Biyong!"
"I bet he's the top earner at Yume's company after Hikari-senpai!"
"Yeah. Probably...?"
In terms of standing in the entertainment industry, that might be true...
If I had to rank it, first would be Hikari, second Biyong, third me, and fourth Miyako.
Miyako only worked in the early days and deliberately reduced her workload as she got older...
Even outside the entertainment industry, the money from our original jobs is overwhelmingly more for me and Miyako. That's important.
"More than that, could you stop flexing your chest muscles like that?"
You're corrupting our Ruby's eyes.
"Wow, the Director is unexpectedly sharp, huh?"
I'm still not used to your voice, you know.
"Hah!? I've never even heard of this 'masked fitness' genre!"
"Anyway, I don't really watch YouTube much... So this is really popular with kids these days?"
When I first scouted him, it wasn't like this... If this change is fate, then so be it...
More than that, why do elementary and middle schoolers like that muscular duck...? It's still a mystery to me.
"This world is just weird..."
"Hah!? Senpai, what kind of attitude is that towards Biyong...! Biyong-san, give him a piece of your mind!!"
I can roughly guess what he's going to say...
"Ultimately, the internet is all about impact, or you could call it a character business using TV broadcasting companies..."
"My annual income is '100 million yen.'"
So, Kana-chan, he's the second-highest earner in our company's entertainment side...
"I'm sorry for being rude!!!"
Kana-chan's resolve crumbled instantly in the face of money.
"Get it? To increase subscribers, you need some techniques! What do you think?"
After calming the situation, I decided to just listen quietly from the back, and Biyong's real lecture began.
"Daily uploads!!"
"Original recognition?"
"Yeah, right? But you guys don't have the patience for daily uploads or the rec~ognition!"
"Wow, he's sharp."
Yeah, Biyong's comments are really sharp. Not that he's wrong.
"But!!! There's one super easy way to increase subscribers more than anyone else!!!"
Normally, you'd think it's a collaboration with a famous YouTuber, which is why I brought Biyong...
"I've been waiting for that, sensei!!"
"Tell us, tell us!!"
"Well, it's..."
"Oh, I got a call, so I'll step out for a bit. Biyong, take care of things."
"Yes, Director~!!"
I had arranged for another person just in case, so when a call came from that side, I had to leave temporarily.
"Hello."
[What's going on? You left a message asking for help.]
"As you know, Ruby is starting a new idol group at Ichigo Production, where Ai is signed. So I called to borrow your name, Hikari-san."
[Isn't that a bit shameless...? I haven't retired yet, but my worth is significant, you know?]
"As a favor for a junior, isn't it worth considering?"
[Ugh, how shameless... Well, so you want help now?]
"Biyong is here for now."
[Ah~ you mean that muscular guy who always wears a weird duck mask?]
"Yes, currently, among our company's entertainment jobs, aside from Hikari-san..."
[That guy probably earns the most. You and my sister aren't really in it for the money anyway.]
"Wasn't that the same for you, Hikari-san?"
[Ah~ well, that's true... But the earnings are decent, so it just happened?]
"Well, if you help, I'd appreciate it. But Biyong is here for now."
[Then I'll come in about three hours.]
"By then, it should be wrapped up. Understood. Just let me know when you're coming."
[Alright~]
"...Well, by now, they should be done preparing?"
Wondering what to do when Hikari-san arrives, I headed to where the three people preparing for filming were waiting.
What I saw there was...
"..........What am I looking at right now?"
The sight of Ruby and Kana-chan, looking drained and resigned, and Biyong filming an intro for YouTube upload... was... pitiful. Ruby and Kana-chan's expressions, that is.
"Biyo biyo biyo~~!!!!! It's Biyong!! Channel!!!!!!"
"Wow..."
What kind of situation am I seeing now.....?
"Alright, alright, this time it's a homework broadcast!!"
Ah... so that's it?
I somewhat grasped the situation. He's trying to make Ruby and Kana-chan do his usual Biyong dance, isn't he?
"It's not something our company does, but my Director's wife's agency is making an idol unit? Something like that, so they asked me to feature it on my channel."
"At first, I was determined to refuse......!"
"But, since it's the Director's request, I figured I had no choice..."
"So this project is!!!!"
With those words, the intro seemed to end, and after setting up the filming equipment, Biyong pushed Ruby and Kana-chan into a corner with a green screen and stood between them.
[Peep peep, the goal is bulging muscles!]
[Peep peep, even if you're a hatchling, don't give up, fighting!]
[Peep peep, now's the time, soar up, muscles!]
[Peep peep, break the shell, muscles!]
[Peep peep peep peep peep]
"Biyong Boot Dance!!!! If you keep up for an hour, I'll reveal my face, okay!!!!!"
"An hour!? Are you trying to kill them!?"
Oops!? I said it without thinking...!?
But despite my words, it proceeded anyway.
[Biyong biyong! Just Do It! Biyong biyong! Just Do It!]
[Biyong biyong! Just Do It! Everyone starts as a hatchling muscle!!]
[Biyong biyong! Just Do It! Biyong biyong! Just Do It!]
[Be born, be born, new muscle!]
[Chirp chirp, quack quack, before speaking, Do It!]
[From today, you too wear a mask and peep peep, bi!!]
[This world is survival of the fittest, Do it!]
[Power is strength! In this harsh industry, Let's Survive!!]
[Sit and stretch both legs, lift your heels tight, Keep!]
"At this point, keep your feet together!!"
How Spartan is this....
"The 'can't-cry cicada' pose!"
The kids are going to suffocate....
"The 'sleepless bear' pose!"
At least pay attention to the kids' breathing!?
I could only keep thinking to myself until those kids finished.
[Meanwhile, back at the office when Yume left...]
"Alright, since the Director's gone, let's talk again! The best way to promote is ultimately a joint broadcast!!"
"Collaborating with a famous YouTuber is the fastest way!!"
"Well, this time you're appearing on my channel, but what should we do for the content?"
"You're idols, so how about we try waking them up secretly in the morning?"
This idea was impossible. The reason is that in society, Yume and Ai are married, and Ruby and Aqua are their children, so it must not be known that they live together.
Of course, it hasn't been revealed so far because we've thoroughly concealed our location and only people affiliated with Yume's company live nearby.
"Ah, that might be okay?"
"Huh...? But..."
Kana and Ruby's reactions were mixed.
"If we tell them in advance that we're going to wake them up, it won't be a surprise camera anymore, right?"
At Ruby's words, Kana looked at her with a baffled expression.
"Are you serious? What if we really go to wake up an idol and she's sleeping with a man?"
That was true.
"That's why you always inform them in advance."
"Really!?"
At Biyong's words, Ruby was very surprised.
"But... this is our first job. I hate lying!"
Thanks to that, we ended up in this situation.
[Back to the present...]
"Hmm... I wonder if Ruby's stamina can hold up... Maybe I should have made her exercise..."
In Ai's case, she always followed me when I exercised, so she had decent endurance and strength, but Ruby, unfortunately, didn't exercise much, so I thought she'd be lacking.
"It's hard! I'm dying from the effort!!"
".....As expected, she's Ai's daughter, Ruby."
I was wearing a duck mask, so I couldn't see Ruby's expression, but from that one line, I could vaguely guess what face she was making.
"Really... enjoying it even when it's hard is the best talent."
Still, just in case, should I call an ambulance...? No... call our company staff...?
"The hatching pose!! The hatching pose!!!"
With those words, I checked the camera's recording time—it had passed an hour. I signaled Biyong appropriately, and seeing the signal, he ended the dance and came to my side.
I wanted to approach Ruby and Kana-chan, who were half-unconscious, but since they're both still students and, more importantly, girls, it might be uncomfortable, so I didn't approach.
I had an oxygen tank ready just in case, holding it in my hand.
"Good, well done! Now, both of you, take off the mascot heads and introduce yourselves!!"
"Haa... haa... Ichigo Production affiliated... Hoshino... Ruby...!! Self-proclaimed... idol...!"
No, Ruby, you're a real idol... I can't believe you really lasted an hour. I have to acknowledge your perseverance, our daughter...
I was so proud of Ruby. I wanted to run over and hug her right then, but I didn't expect the background interference to be this bothersome.
When we get home, I'm going to pat your head for a full hour—this father won't be satisfied otherwise!!!
After Ruby's introduction.
"Alright, you too!!"
"Arima Kanaaa!!! Self-proclaimed idol!! Nice to meet you!!!"
Haha... Did Kana-chan gain some confidence thanks to Ruby?
"Yeah, yeah, I've heard of the name."
"You've only heard of it!?"
With that, the filming ended, and I handed the oxygen tank to Kana-chan, who took it and placed it over Ruby's mouth.
"Wow, that's really impressive."
Biyong glanced at me once.
"To be honest, Director, I was planning to just edit it to look like an hour?"
"But?"
"Who knew they'd actually succeed?"
"Of course. I don't back just anyone—only those who show potential to grow. That goes for you too, Biyong."
"How embarrassing!!! Well... honestly, it might not get through to the viewers, but..."
"But people on the scene are watching. I liked you guys too. At first, I thought it was just for the Director's wife's agency, but you're the 'real deal.'"
"Wait, didn't you forget the most important question?"
I pressed the camera's record button again.
"Whoa!? I almost forgot the important question!!! Do you two have a unit name?"
""Ah.......""
"Pfft hahaha"
I laughed at Ruby and Kana-chan's reactions, and Biyong looked at me curiously.
"Director, you laugh more than I thought?"
"Well, I was originally like this."
"No, no, Director, you usually don't laugh much at the company, right?"
"....Was that so?"
"It was, wasn't it?"
I see... I learned another fact I didn't know.
My and Biyong's gazes turned to the two slumped on the floor. Ruby cautiously looked at Kana-chan, who subtly changed the subject.
"Why don't you decide, Ruby? That might be better."
"Is it okay?"
Kana nodded in response, and Ruby looked at the camera with sparkling eyes.
"Um, then our name is..."
"B-Komachi!!!"
"What? Is that okay...?"
"As expected."
I understand Kana-chan's concern, but originally, B-Komachi is from Ichigo Production, right? It's only natural.
And if Ruby, Ai's daughter, wants to do it, who would stop her?
I'm sure you'd think the same, Ai.