1 Termination Without Reason

Julie White,

We're sorry but we do not think you fit with our company's standards for becoming an idol. Please pack your things and move from the dorms by the end of the week.

James Allen

Splendid Group Director of Recruitment

"What kind of bullshit is this?" Julie tore up the letter in frustration. "Ever since the audition for the music video last month I've gotten nothing but the cold shoulder from the company. Someone must be trying to drive me out. Fine! So be it, I've wasted enough of my time here. Everyone knows that spot should have been mine. If they're going to shut me out like this it's time to move on."

Although her words were resolute, Julie couldn't stop the tears that flowed from her sky blue eyes. This had been her dream and she was so close to reaching it just to get terminated without reason. Julie quietly packed her few belongings and left without a word to anyone.

A week passed.

A sudden phone call awoke Julie early in the morning. She answered with a mumbled "hello?"

"Jules, did you hear? Finale of Fantasy's MMO launches today. You going to play?"

"Might as well, I've got nothing better to do these days," she responded half-heartedly. She grew up playing the single player games in the Finale of Fantasy series, this was her secret passion that nobody knew except her closest friend Amy.

"Maybe you should consider streaming? I've heard that famous streamers in the past were able to become idols after getting big online. Meet me at the shop, I've been standing in line for half an hour waiting for the game to release."

"Alright, I'll be there in 15 minutes."

Julie hung up and tossed on a random shirt, pants, and jacket before heading out the door.

Fifteen minutes later, Julie got off the bus just down the street from "the shop." This is the game store that Julie and Amy always went to when they were younger to inquire about new games. Although buying from a physical store was mostly a thing of the past Amy had bought out this store since it was the place where the two met for the first time.

Walking up to her friend, Julie sighed. "Why do you bother standing in line at your own store?"

"Are you kidding me? Feel the excitement in the air, it's not the same when you skip the line. It's like completing a difficult quest and only getting a potion as opposed to getting new equipment or a level up."

"I guess if you put it that way it makes sense. I have missed this now that you mention it. Are you working today or do you want to come over and hang at my place once we're done here?"

"I took a week off from the company for the game, I'll come over and help you set up a streaming account today. I'm so excited! Now the whole world will get to see the leet skills of my best friend!"

"Do people still say leet Amy? This is why I don't let people know I'm a gamer, the terminology is just too embarrassing."

"Oh hush," Amy chided and shoved Julie playfully causing her to accidentally bump into the person behind them.

Julie turned around and apologized to the man. "I'm sorry sir, my friend was just horsing around, we didn't mean to bump into you."

The man nodded but didn't say anything as he adjusted the mask that covered his facial features.

"I wonder if he's here for the game too, what do you think Jules?" Amy whispered to Julie.

"He doesn't look like the gaming type, short hair and a business suit he looks more like someone from a big corporation than a gamer. Maybe he wants to buy the store for redevelopment?"

"Over my dead body! If that were really why he was here though, I would have known about it and he wouldn't be standing in line, besides you're one to talk. You were mere steps away from becoming an idol, even when you throw on random clothes you still stand out way too much. Stupid Splendid Group threw away the best trainee with no explanation."

"It's in the past Amy, I just want to relax and play videogames right now." Julie turned to the man from before, "excuse me, sir, my friend was wondering if you were here for the new Finale of Fantasy MMO too?"

The man nodded again. As Julie was about to turn back around the man spoke, "pardon my curiosity, but I overheard some of your conversation just now. Your friend said you were terminated from Splendid Group's idol training camp?"

"Yeah, it was a week ago, they sent me a termination letter and refused to explain why."

"I'm sorry to hear that, could I inquire as to your name miss?"

"I'm Julie, this is my friend Amy. What about you?"

"You can call me Xavier."

Ah! Jules the line is moving!" Amy grabbed her arm and tugged her along. Within a few minutes, they reached the counter. "Two copies of Finale of Fantasy, please! Oh, and company L's new headset and gaming mouse and company R's new keyboard."

"Right away! Oh, boss, it's you. You didn't need to stand in line we could have put these aside for you and got you through earlier."

"Nonsense, does no one understand the atmosphere on new game day anymore? Here quickly, put this all on my card, I need to go help set up a stream account for my friend."

"Boss, you mean she's the one? The one that holds the speed run records for every Finale of Fantasy game?"

"Yup! It's not official since she's never gone to a competition, but every one of her records is at least five minutes faster than that Mr. X guy. Not only that, her record in number 8 is 20 minutes faster."

"Boss you must send us the link to her channel once it is set up!"

"Eh he he, will do. After all, I want the whole world to see my Jules' skills. Don't bother with the receipt, I don't need it." Amy grabbed the bag and started pulling Julie towards the exit.

"Wait, miss," Xavier called out. "If you don't mind, I would also like to receive the link to your stream once it is set up. Here's my personal email, sorry if it's a bit sloppy I didn't want to miss the chance to get it to you before you left so I wrote it in a rush." He handed the folded paper to Julie and turned to the workers at the counter. "I'll take one copy of Finale of Fantasy and a set of the same accessories that your boss just picked up."

Amy dragged Julie out to the employee parking lot to her car. Julie slipped the paper into her pocket and followed Amy helplessly.