The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

THE twins got out of the taxi and both looked up at the establishment in front of them.  It was one of the most famous restaurants in the capital.  Probably because it's located at a floating artificial island.  The architecture of the building was a combination of some kind of glass and wood.  It was surrounded by trees and flowers.  Which gave off some kind of eccentric yet fairy-tale like feeling.

When Astrid received the message that they would be meeting here, he searched for information about it online and found that people who wanted to eat here need to reserve at least a month before.  Because the place was not that big and it could only accommodate a certain number of people per meal. 

And yet, they managed to get a reservation for today.  He wondered if it was Miria or her agent who was responsible for it.  Or maybe it's that composer.  Well, whoever reserved this didn't really matter.  What only mattered today was to convince that composer that he was the right guy for the job.

Starring in a music video might not be such a big thing, but for a newcomer, it definitely was.  Even more so for him.  The music video for this song was the theme song for the first movie he'd been a part of in this life.  It would be like symbolic for him. 

At the same time, since it's the theme song of a big-budget movie, sang by an artist from one of the biggest entertainment company, it would surely receive the right amount of promotion.  That's why Astrid didn't hesitate to accept the gig when Miria offered it to him.

"You know, Aster, if you keep getting jobs like this, I think you'll really be needing a, what do you call that?  Right, an agency to handle your activities," Reas said while they were walking towards the restaurant.

This was Astrid's possible second job.  The point was, they hadn't even been in the capital for a month and yet his brother had already booked himself his second job.  If this continued, it would definitely be too hard for Astrid to handle alone.

During that filming, he noticed that all the other actors and actresses in the set had their own assistant while his brother didn't even have an agent or a company to represent him.  And once that movie came out, Reas had no doubt that jobs would just keep on coming for Astrid.  He hoped that at least before then, his brother would have someone to arrange things for him and assist him.

Because he couldn't always be with Astrid.  Especially once school started.  The Imperial Military Academy had strict rules.  He couldn't just go up and leave whenever his brother had a new job or something.

"I'm already thinking about it," Astrid responded.  "Actually, I already have an entertainment company in mind.  I just hope they would have me."

"Why would they not want you?" Reas asked, confused by that statement.  "If they do, then they don't deserve you.  That kind of company is already stupid enough to not even see your worth."

Astrid stopped and then chuckled.  "You're giving your brother too much credit."

"Why wouldn't I?  It's only right because you're that great," Reas said, shrugging. 

Astrid jokingly hit his brother's arm.  "You're making your older brother all shy."

They entered the building and a female AI robot wearing some cute kimono like uniform. 

"Welcome to Sky Bistro!  May I ask if you have any reservation?"

"Yes.  My name is Astrid Townsend, I have an appointment here."

Codes started to appear on the AI robot's eyes, as if she was scanning something.  It kind of looked creepy.  Once she's done, she said;

"Welcome, Mr. Townsend and company.  Please, follow me."

They followed the robot to the second floor of the building.  They stopped in front of a door.  The AI opened it and gestured for them to enter the room.  The twins walked in and the robot closed the door before them. 

The room had glass walls which made the room looked like a whole open area, overlooking the sky and the view outside.  Around the circular table, there were two people drinking tea.  One of them was Miria Lane and the other was a woman wearing a crisp business suit. 

"Good afternoon, I hope we're not late," Astrid said.

"You're not.  Please, do have a seat," Miria said.

Astrid and Reas sat down on the opposite side of the two.

Miria's agent observed the two.

The young man with ice-blue hair looked like the usual handsome guy one could see on the street.  The black-haired teenager, on the other hand, was another matter. 

His appearance was even more impactful in person than in pictures.  Just look at those black hair and black eyes.  The white skin that was almost like porcelain, those natural pinkish lips, even the unusual shape of his eyes, they were all features that could attract people.  He's like a walking star.

She already felt it when she saw the picture Miria's assistant showed her of the teenager.  It's the main reason why she agreed on Miria's request on letting him star on the music video with her.  But seeing him in person had a completely different feeling.  And she heard that he's also very talented in acting.

Her eyes suddenly shone.  She definitely should bring this boy to Kaleido.

"Astrid, right?  Thank you for coming," she said.  "I'm Miria's agent, Jenny Smith."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Smith."  Astrid smiled.  "Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

"Miria saw potential in you that's why she recommended you in this job.  And now that I'm meeting you in person, I can also clearly see that."

Miria glanced sideways at her agent.  She recognized all too well the gleam on the other's eyes.  She wouldn't be surprised if the thing she said next was if Astrid was interested in joining Kaleido. 

Sure enough, Jenny followed, "By the way, do you already have a company to represent you?"

Astrid was slightly surprised by the question.  But hearing that, he kind of already had an idea on why the other asked it. 

He was about to answer when the door to the room opened once again.  And a man walked in.