Marketing「営業, Eigyō?」 is the one-hundredth chapter of Oshi no Ko manga series. It is written by Aka Akasaka and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari.
Summary[]
Kana Arima and Masanori Shima continues talking over messages after they exchanged contact previously, and he asks her to meet up with him. Kana wonders if she should notify her manager, thinking about rules or lack thereof regarding idol agency's involvement in an idol's personal relationships.
In the meantime, Ruby finds out that her social media accounts are managed by Ichigo Production, Inc, and she has to give up her Instagram password. Miyako further explains that Ichigopro has trademark over Ruby's name, and that would prevent Ruby from using her own name in case she switches agency, which freaks Ruby out since she is using her real legal name. Miyako explained that major agency has even stricter policy than the one Ichigopro uses.
She along with Shun Yoshizumi begin explaining the amount of control a major idol agency have over their idols, such as controlling who they exchange contact with, monitoring their social media accounts for anyone that contacts them, and preventing their idols to be seen with men at any cost. They would even edit their social media picture posts to make them look better, or break up their friendship and relationships if needed.
A stunned Ruby wonders if an idol even have a basic human right, and Kana chimes in saying that idols have the least amount of human rights in the entertainment world. Shun explains that VTubers also have similar level of human rights as well. Miyako then reveals that Ichigopro in the end still have less restriction compared to other agencies in the idol industry, as she will allow anyone under their banner to date someone, as long as they tell Miyako about it. Mem-Cho lastly chimes in to support Miyako's claim by saying that if Ichigopro is as strict as other agencies, it might threaten her livelihood since she depends on collaboration with other content creators.
Miyako concludes the discussion by saying that she won't interfere with their love life since they're all adults already, but urges them to come to her or any of the Ichigopro staff if something happens, since their job is to protect their talents. Miyako, however, would have to interfere with Ruby's love life since she is not yet an adult, and still in her care, which makes Ruby pout. Listening to the explanation, Kana agrees that she can decide for herself, and resolves to tell them only when something happens, and decides to meet up with director Shima.
Kana and director Shima meet up in a restaurant to talk, as Shima discusses the differences between actors overseas and actors in Japan. He specifically mentions about how actors' rights overseas are protected by unions, whilst in Japan, actors are often treated like blue-collar workers and often become pawns in the internal politics of the distributors without any chance to grow and mature. Kana seems to be surprised by Shima's passion in actor's welfare, and how it all seems truthful, and gets along with him well. Kana finds herself enjoying talking to him, without the pretense of being an idol, and feeling glad that she is able to return to a familiar world of acting.
At some point, Shima mentions subtly that he wants talented actors like Kana to be appreciated more, and starts talking about his next production. Kana realizes the opportunity and jumps at it, but Shima says that he wants to know more about Kana beforehand. Before they can start to get to know each other more, they are interrupted by a server saying that the restaurant is about to close. Shima, at first, wants to continue the discussion in a bar somewhere, but then remembers that Kana is still a minor. Kana stubbornly refuses to let the chance go, knowing that getting a role here would help her get a better footing in her acting career.
Kana claims that she is an adult already, even if she can't drink, and she wants to continue their discussion. Shima thinks for a second, and finally says that his home is nearby, inviting her to come by. Kana agrees and follows suit, thinking that it would be fine to drop by since Shima is married, and they are going to talk about work-related topics.
Meanwhile, a car is parked outside the building where Shima lives, and the person inside the car sees both Kana and Shima walking in together with a camera in his hand.
Characters[]
