The next day
Morinomiya Revue - Corridor
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Management Staff Member
Thank you for helping me put everything away like this, Ms. Otori...
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Emu
(I guess every company is different, but you have to help set up meetings, keep track of all the equipment in the building and all sorts of other stuff...)
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Emu
What do I do...?!
I think I went the wrong way while I was thinking about everything I've been learning...!
I think I went the wrong way while I was thinking about everything I've been learning...!
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Board Member
Try not to worry too much.
These sorts of decisions are sometimes necessary to ensure the longevity of a company.
These sorts of decisions are sometimes necessary to ensure the longevity of a company.
Board Member
Please let us know if you'd like to speak with me again. For now, you'll need to excuse me.
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Byakkomachi
But things haven't been fully finalized yet.
So, please refrain from telling anyone else.
So, please refrain from telling anyone else.
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Byakkomachi
In order to give a proper explanation, I'll probably need to start with how the Kikyogumi troupe initially came to be...
Byakkomachi
The Morinomiya Revue and Suzurangumi were simultaneously established a hundred years ago.
Byakkomachi
This company has spent decades establishing the Morinomiya brand of shows. As such, its fan base has become rock solid.
Emu
Wait, so... They have a lot of fans coming to see their shows, but not many new ones...?
Byakkomachi
Exactly.
Nothing serious has happened yet, but we'll slowly but surely keep fading from the public eye if we let things go on like this.
Nothing serious has happened yet, but we'll slowly but surely keep fading from the public eye if we let things go on like this.
Byakkomachi
Kikyogumi was established two years ago with the precise intent of getting ahead of this issue.
Byakkomachi
The goal was essentially to bring in a new set of fans and breathe new life into Morinomiya by forming an all-male troupe.
Byakkomachi
Compared to Suzurangumi, they're lacking in terms of quality... Showgoers have seen reviews of that nature going around, and as a result, the troupe is struggling to bring in the expected earnings.
Byakkomachi
If a product fails to hit sales targets, then the company must cease producing it.
Byakkomachi
All of Kikyogumi's leads and star-level talent just keep leaving for greener pastures.
Byakkomachi
You push yourself to the absolute limit during practice, but it doesn't fill the seats. On top of that, you're seen as lesser than Suzurangumi. I honestly don't blame them for wanting to leave.
Byakkomachi
Improving the brand while short-staffed is impossibly difficult. As such, there's no reason to expect an increase in earnings. In other words, the board was right to disband them.
Byakkomachi
The younger fans find a slight lack of refinement actually charming. When it comes to reaching a new audience, this troupe has been able to produce results.
Byakkomachi
Plus, the remaining troupe members and the male students are all very passionate about what they do.
Emu
(It's always hard when you can't reach your goal or protect the things you care about...)
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Emu
I mean, they put on these amazing performances that feel totally different from the ones Suzurangumi does...
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Emu
There were empty seats, but the people who did come to see them all seemed to really enjoy themselves!
Emu
We started losing guests...
We tried doing a lot of new things, but nothing worked at first.
We tried doing a lot of new things, but nothing worked at first.
Next Chapter: Afraid to Step Forward