So Not my Type of Girl
an excerpt

“Good job, Maki.” She berated herself as she plunked down her usual rightmost corner carrying a plate of okonomiyaki and a glass of soda. She told herself she isn’t someone who will easily follow what others tell her. For in this business, one’s belief, conviction and principles aren’t something to be ignored. Who is he anyway? Why does she have to literally bow low before him when in fact he’s just like any other mortal walking on the face of this planet – only richer and prettier in “packaging”. Besides, she believed she hasn’t done anything wrong. She’s not a Japanese native to know exactly who the hell these people are after all. (He was the one who started everything. If only he hadn’t persevered to return her shoe, then things would have been better; much, much better.) Maki didn’t sense reality until she felt someone sit two inches away from her.
“Looking serious there, eh?” She inched her face on her right only to find the idol with the prominent single eyelids staring back.

“Yo.” He greeted with a swift hand signal, and she drew back.
“M-Mister Koyama!” She exclaimed, almost choking on her food.
“Eh, you don’t have to be that surprised.” He pouted. “And calling me simply Koyama won’t hurt, right?” The welcoming gesture made Maki agree that she nodded. “Koyama? Um, you’re not supposed to talk to staff people, right?”
“I always do.” He refuted. “It’s my habit to talk to everyone here. I’ve been always our group’s ambassador of goodwill to the crew. So, it’s nice to know you!” He grinned, and that broke the ice. However, Maki was still silent, busy chomping off her food.
“You’re pretty young,” He began, and it looked like he was searching for the right words. She sensed he wanted to ask her age.
“Twenty-two.” She replied, drinking her soda.
“Seriously?” Keiichiro looked bewildered. “Pardon to ask, but did you… did you stop college?”
“Uh, no.” Sweat rolled down her cheek. “I graduated from college two years ago.”
“Really?” Maki wanted to tell him to stop being too “eager” in their conversation. He ends up being rather noisy… and annoying at that.
“It isn’t that surprising.” She heard herself mutter flatly and saw Keiichiro’s face flash a hint of embarrassment.
“Ah, I’m sorry.” The idol grinned sheepishly. “I am like this when I’m around new people. I’m easily fascinated with what they’re about to tell.”
“Yeah, because obviously you talk too much. Haha!” Maki had that evil thought. Silence fell as the idol struggled to converse. She thought it would be welcoming if she would give broad openings.
“Nah, I appreciate you knowing us, the staff, better. Go ahead.” She paused, and upon thinking of something, she asked. “So, you guys seem so popular around here?”
“You have no idea!” The look on his face seemed like he’s got lots to tell. Indeed, he does. For the next five to ten minutes, he literally rambled on how fans welcome them everywhere they go. Then he jumped to his opinions about it, hopes for the future and how he loves his work. Maki thought it even exceeded ten minutes, in fact.

“You have no idea at all, it seems.” He ended everything upon seeing Maki with her hand supporting her jaw.
“I don’t because I am not Japanese.”
“Seriously?” He cried out, but he realized he’s over reacting again. “You’re serious?” He whispered. Maki nodded.
“You don’t seem like a gaijin to me. And you speak good Japanese.” The comment made her grin from ear to ear.
“Thanks. I guess my efforts paid off after all.”
Keiichiro looked back; it’s his turn to listen.
“I’m still not confident about conversing, actually. The proper use of verbs and the masculine-feminine tone are still hard to get through. I’m still a bit confused.”
“Looks like it. You converse mostly on male tone.” He added. “Well, no offense for that, okay?”
“I want to stay that way. It’s just I can express myself more using that tone. Besides, people aren’t particular about that in current times, right?” The idol nodded.
“As long as the message gets through, then it’s alright, correct?” He beamed at her, and she smiled in mutual understanding.
“This Koyama guy is really kind.” She told herself. “And talkative.”
“You know.” He began, “You’re nice. I have fun talking to you, and I wonder why Tegoshi’s blood boils when you’re around.” He stopped and clamped a hand on his mouth. “Ahaha, I said too much!” His expression made Maki burst into a giggle fit. Keiichiro laughed with her too.
“No, really I do wonder. It’s not often I see him like that. Perhaps you sound too angry for him so he just returns what you do. You know the karma thing?”
Maki paused to think. At some point, he’s right. She wanted to ask what behavior that Tegoshi “idol” would want to be treated, but footsteps drew closer.

“Koyama! I’ve been looking everywhere for –“
A low-pitched voice yelled, but it stopped upon seeing the other person with them.
“You don’t have to act like a jealous wife, Shige.” Keiichiro laughed as he stood and dusted off his pants.
“We’re going.” He reverted to his usual speaking voice.
“I had fun, Maki-kun.” Maki was surprised. The suffix –kun is used to denote closeness between friends. She’d prefer it mod if he used –chan to denote being the younger between them, but –kun?
“No. Maki-chan is already good, Koyama.” She smiled and bowed promptly.
“Ah, I see. See you next month then, Maki-chan?” He waved and took a sprint to the exit. Shigeaki was about to walk next to his co-member, but he looked back. Maki wondered if he’ll talk to her too. She offered another beam and a courteous bow. Shigeaki in turn nodded and said “Domo.” (A respectful form of “Thank You.”) before exiting.
Maki stood for a few more seconds, savoring the past experience.
“Damn, those idols are really cool after all!” She grinned, still staring at where they exited. However, the image of a grumpy Yuya crossed her mind, and she still wasn’t fully convinced that all of them are. She hugged her empty plate close to her chest.

“Hey there, do you know that the buffet is reserved ONLY for the guests?” Ken’s correcting tone boomed behind her. She almost dropped her plate in surprise.
“WHAT? You haven’t told me that again!” She roared.

------

"It’s surprising how even foreigners can be very fluent with our language, isn’t it?” Keiichiro concluded after relaying his gathered information. The six idols were already inside their service van, driving within the still busy streets of the city drowning in lights.
“I knew it.” Ryo entered the talk. “She has an accent that is stiffer than ours. Though she can speak well, her accent isn’t good enough.”
“Yes it’s amusing.” It was only Takahisa who directly replied to Keiichiro’s conclusion
“I thought she’s younger than twenty-two.” Tomohisa added.
“Because she’s short.” Shigeaki finished. “I think some high school girls are even taller than she is.”
“You speak as if it’s a bad thing, four-eyes.” Ryo fought back, and Keiichiro was highly amused of his seatmate’s silent yet offended reaction.
“Aren’t you going to talk about something else?” Yuya, who was at the front seat, raised his voice. “There are more important things to get busy with than that. What about our concerts two weeks from now? Koyama-kun, have you finished the write-up for the MC? Shige, your dance isn’t polished yet. You have to do something about it.”

Awkward silence enveloped them. Takahisa fought the urge to laugh.

“Yes, Master Yuya. I am doing something about it.” Shigeaki put a stress on the word Master. It irks him when Yuya has this brat mode going on.
“Tegoshi, why don’t you stop yapping and sleep instead if you don’t want to listen to our talk?” Ryo pampers Yuya very well, but as the Bosschan (Little Boss) of their group, he should be a bit punishing even to his favorite.
“Oh, someone’s getting moody here.” Tomohisa grinned before setting his back on his seat.
“Tegoshi, we have proper time for everything.” Keiichiro, being the peace lover of their team, explained in his calmest manner. “Our practice continues tomorrow, so we’ll have more time for that. For now, let’s just wind down a bit. We have to talk about things outside work once in a while.”
“He’s tired after repeating those poses. Just let him.” Tomohisa’s words ended it all. They weren’t mistaken when they heard a “hmph” from their youngest member seconds later. Everyone has his own down and grumpy times, don’t they?
Yuya stared outside instead. He saw a motorcycle running at top speed pass on his side. He looked and saw the driver’s side profile.
“It’s that girl again!” He hissed in his head, and he wondered if another from their group had seen her too. He blinked many times to rub that illusion off his eyes.
“You’re tired, Yuya. Believe what they just said.” He chanted, plugged in his earphones and fired the music up.

------

Uchiwas and pins – both round things with the idols' faces printed on it – are fangirls’ weapons of mass domination. They go parading around town carrying these, expressing their love for the artists by screaming and incoherently rambling words to each other – as if it’s a code of some sort. Like magazines, these sell like drinking water to the fans in every concert since they are necessities to show their support. Uchiwas are fairly easy to make; paste an idol’s picture on a round fan and that’s it. However, fans need to buy those in order to provide the head of the ever prestigious Johnny’s Entertainment, Johnny Kitagawa, money which he will give away as salary to the idols. Sounds ridiculous, but it is happening.

With less than a week before a round of concerts, it’s once again time for NEWS to visit an uchiwa factory. Primarily, their reason is to check if they look good on each fan or poster going to be released. Because they always have to look good in everything, whatever the cost or manipulation may be.

“Good morning.” Their standard greeting sent screams from the female fans waiting outside the building. Thank goodness they are idols; they are already used to this type of hearing abuse. The guides dispersed fast to lead the way and to control the hyperventilating crowd. They walked to the innermost part of the factory where peace can be found. Peace, in the sense that only the steady hum of the machines can be heard. The workers were pretty much oblivious to their fame as they are absorbed with designing and manufacturing their merchandise.
The guides picked up sample products of the uchiwas, posters and pins then presented each for approval. Ryo however walked to that person editing his face for another uchiwa design.
“You smudged the face too much.” He stated calmly, but as the person turned to look at him he grumbled, “I know you –“
Being in two groups, Ryo had met so much people that it took him a while to recognize her. But in the end, he got the name right.
“Maki-chan from Myojo?”
The girl in turn gulped and replied, “Uh, yeah?”
“This is not good.” He thought as he looked at Yuya who was still busy inspecting a life-size poster of himself.
“You smudged my face too much!” He repeated.
“Because you have too many moles, sir!” The girl exclaimed in return. He almost laughed aloud.
“It’s part of my charm, you know. I look ugly in there…” Ryo ended the conversation, but he heard her mutter, “But you look ugly in real life too.” with a faint chuckle.
“What did you say?” He asked again.
“You heard Mr. Nishikido. Re-edit!” The team head also bellowed at the worker, which made everyone look their way.
“Maki-chan!” Keiichiro walked towards her in recognition.
“You’re also working here?” He greeted.
“Mr. Koyama, you know her?” One of the guides questioned.
“Yes sir.” He smiled and Maki grinned uncomfortably.
“Koyama, you should keep your voice down. It’s embarrassing.” She whispered.
“You again?” Yuya stood beside Keiichiro who signaled him to lower his voice.
“What are you doing here?”
Maki looked up to meet his glare. “I just said it. I work here too.”
“Well why do you?” The follow-up question made her vein snap.
“And you, why do you care? Just who are you to ask me WHY I work here?” She raised her voice as she stood up. A coworker’s hand held her back. Keiichiro did the same to Yuya.
“You are really disrespectful, you know that?” The young idol broke free from the grasp on his arm.
“And so you are.” Maki snapped back and looked away.