Noa is totally, completely, and utterly stuck between a rock and a corporate creep. To keep her precious relationship with Mamoru safe from any fallout, she’s become the company president’s personal puppet, forced to dance to his every tune. It’s a real clown fiesta, and she’s the main attraction.
In front of Mamoru, she’s all sunshine and rainbows, the picture-perfect, eager-to-please girl-friend, fussing over him like he’s a rare Pokemon. But behind the scenes? It’s a whole different story. Her idol life is basically one long, icky schmooze-fest with a parade of greasy sponsors. She has to grin and bear it, feeling more like a rented party pony than a person, all to keep up the charade.
But dang, enough is enough! The ick factor finally hits critical mass. Noa grows a backbone shinier than a new smartphone and goes totally scorched-earth on the prez. “I quit! You can take this job and shove it! I am so done with this circus!” she yells, her voice hitting notes of pure, unfiltered rage.
But just as she’s riding that freedom, she didn’t expect that she catches Mamoru’s gaze, and it’s not on her. Nope. His eyes are still hopelessly, helplessly glued to Rio, tracking her every move across the room.
The president’s slick words slither back into her mind. “Become the top idol. Show them all.” Her eyes, once bright with hope, now glint with a dark. The message is clear: if she can’t win with love, she’ll just have to conquer the world instead. Forget the girl next door; it’s time to become the queen of the heap and make everyone eat her dust. The game is on, and Noa is ready to play for keeps
