#tech nsotf

Shine was on a billboard.

Thousands of pixels coordinated in blues and greens to show her girlfriend to hundreds of Tokyo’s passersby through the glare of the midday sun. Whatever brand tie in they had used to get her up there, the over-edited photo staring down as if it was pleading out “look at me.” She had never looked as stunning or as manufactured. Advertisers always cared the most.

The sick push and pull of begging and expected worship from the audience was always how it began. No mistake, she was on her way to the top.