a gilded cage

"Busy?" Kirigiri crossed her arms lightly while addressing the idol in front of her. "I am not busy per say, I do have things to work on, however, I do believe I can spare some time to spend with you Maizono-san. You seem to desire my presence for a short while." 

"Of course I do, Kirigiri-san! We haven't had the chance to get as well-acquainted as I'd like, yet!" Maizono trilled, clasping her hands over her chest. "Would you like to come to the cafeteria with me? I'd love to hear more about your cases, or, if that's confidential, just you!"

Publicity? Not to offend -— and you probably shouldn’t be offended because I’m a total NEET -— but what did you do that got you in the public eye this time? Other than the obvious talent. Did you have a show somewhere, or something? I’ve never been to a concert before, actually. I’ll have to come and check out one of your shows, Maizono-san.

But if you wanted, I could arrange for you and a plus-one!

Oh, yeah. You’re an idol. That’s gotta’ be tiring, right? I could never do something as tasking as that. I mean-— Maybe I could, if the motivation and the opportunity ever arose, but.. What I’m trying to say is, I probably wouldn’t pull of the whole ‘idol’ gig as well as you do. How are you doing, anyway?

As for me--I've been kept busy! I had a lot of publicity to take care of today, but it's all done for right now. 

“…I would expect an idol to have a wonderfully trained voice, but to sing something as youthful as that in such a beautiful way―wait, this reminds me. Oha Asa stated that for third-ranking Cancer, their lucky item is a youthful song! You have given me my lucky item without realizing it, Maizono. I wish I could return the favor, but I do not sing.”

"Ah? And your lucky item; that's fortune at work too! I'm... so glad to have helped you, then. But you shouldn't stop yourself just because you don't think you can sing very well. At least try it with me! Stand up very straight, and don't be afraid to sing from your abdomen. That's where great vocal force comes from! Just one note, a youthful one!"

“You… you are indeed a Cancer, I was correct. You are not only a Cancer, but you are a Cancer born on the same day and in the same year as… me. I have met Cancers before, not one of my same birthday and year of birth as myself…!”

"Ah? We share a birthday! How fortuitous! Did you know that they say 'Monday's child is fair of face?' Next, Tuesday's child is full of grace, then Wednesday's child is full of woe, then Thursday's child has far to go! After that, Friday's child is kind and giving, and that Saturday's child works hard for a living, but that the child that was born on the Sabbath day is blithe and bonny, good and gay! Ehehe! It looks like we're fated to be just a little bit vain."

“…How interesting. Tell me, what is your zodiac sign, Maizono? You seem to have the traits of a Cancer. Am I right? Are you at least a water sign? If you don’t know, tell me your birthday―no, tell me your birthday anyway. I want to know if you may be a cusp.”

"Ah... I can't say for sure that I know what my sign is! I was born on July 7th, on Tanabata! It's a lot of fun to see the lanterns on my birthday each year... It just seems like something a princess would have, doesn't it? Oh! I'll be seventeen this time, by the way!"

“…I am derailing greatly from the question at hand. A dream of mine is to go professional with my basketball career, though I feel it is shadowed by my desire to become a doctor.”

"Don't take me seriously, of course! That's a joke. I'm intuitive, that's all, but it certainly looks like it was justly so! I wasn't lying when I said you have that sort of presence. I'm sure you're even more formidable on the basketball court! Nothing is an obstacle to someone with a dream, I think, and especially not one as lofty as yours! That's very complex, Midorima-kun."

—【♋】“I do not know what a ‘Super High-School Level’ consists of, but your introduction… It obviously says you’re an idol, nanodayo. I am Shintarou Midorima. Please keep your distance―I don’t know if you are one of those touchy people or not.”

"You have the looks of someone who's very talented, too, Midormia-kun! You must be chasing a dream of yours right now, aren't you?"