>>5608170<span class="mu-g">“Then why?”</span> you ask Matsui, <span class="mu-g">“How come she retired so early?”</span>
Matsui raises a singular eyebrow, as if you asked a question you already know the answer to.
<span class="mu-g">”Kitabayashi Yui manifested scandals through sheer force of existence,”</span> says Matsui, <span class="mu-g">“She had a public relations manager dedicated entirely to her and would’ve had two if the first one hadn’t quit because of burn-out. It still wasn’t enough. The company tried really hard to protect her, she was just that good, but no luck.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“She would endorse some brand during a commercial, forget about it, and complain about that very same brand when acting as a guest star on some talk show,”</span> adds Matsui.
<span class="mu-g">“At some point there were so many liability fees due and lawsuits against her that the only thing the company could do was cut ties with her as an idol,”</span> concludes Matsui.
That’s harsh, but somehow not surprising.
Despite the fact that this is something she done to herself, you feel a pang of regret for her sake.
Kitabayashi has always been incredibly expressive and unrestrained with her opinions and feelings, but it seems that’s what did her in as an idol.
You wrinkle your nose and grimace, <span class="mu-g">“All those scandals, were there any, like, you know – romantic ones?”</span>
Matsui shrugs, <span class="mu-g">“A few, but most of them were misunderstandings. Just Kitabayashi-san being herself and being physical with other idols has a lot of people spinning in today’s society. They always assume something was up. Idol fanatics love to gossip.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“That must’ve been hard on her fans,”</span> you say, thinking back to the reaction of Maki Sumi’s fans.
<span class="mu-g">“Well, they got numb to it as some point,”</span> replies Matsui, <span class="mu-g">“I remember that the slogan of one of her fan clubs was: Here we are, getting hurt again!</span>
You give Matsui a look.
<span class="mu-g">“Really,”</span> replies Matsui with a shrug, <span class="mu-g">“They would carry banners with things like: 0 days without heartbreak.”</span>
You whisper a quick prayer of gratitude that most of Kaiba’s fans aren’t weird like that.
<span class="mu-g">“Does a past like that just go away?”</span> you ask.
Kitabayashi’s performance comes to an end before long.
Matsui applauds and smiles at Kitabayashi, before leaning in towards you for the final time.
<span class="mu-g">“Kitabayashi isn’t her original name,”</span> she says casually, then goes back to applauding.
