Nico Noir Production (3)

"… But then, wouldn't that defeat the whole point of scouting me?"

"No, no, there is a point. Take a look at this."

At a tap from Managing Director Kuroi, a hologram avatar appeared.

It was a shapely female avatar in a black polo shirt, poised with a golf club at the ready.

"This is the pro-golfer B-Caster our designers are proposing: Karasuba Kurona."

"… A golfer, you say?"

And here, Karona was struck by a sudden realization.

"That's right. We want you to put your Slime Golf skills to full use. And you said you wanted to become an Ojou-sama, didn't you?"

"Y-yes. I wish to become an Ojou-sama."

"Karasuba Kurona is a professional golfer. You said it yourself, didn't you? Golf is the sport of ladies and gentlemen, something you can't do without money — a rich man's sport!"

Here, Managing Director Kuroi threw his arms open with a flourish.

"In other words, Kurona is an Ojou-sama. You will become an Ojou-sama!"

He declared it. Declared it outright. To Karona, who yearned to become an Ojou-sama, he declared that she would become an Ojou-sama.

"I can… become an Ojou-sama…!?"

"Indeed. Of course, we'll need to give you real-world instruction as well. Support for becoming an Ojou-sama. It will be a facade at first, but if you follow our production direction, you can earn plenty of money. The substance will catch up in time."

And naturally, the experiences necessary for the performance (meals, travel expenses, and the like) would all be covered by the company as educational expenses.

"… B-but, what about Kokuyou and Sebas!?"

"We'll line up plenty of maids and butlers. If we blend them in among the rest, no one will think anything of them staying on with you. A little 'hinting' that you can pass off as coincidence is a nice touch as well."

Managing Director Kuroi curled his lips into a low "kukuku" smile.

"Come now, there's no reason to refuse this proposal, is there? Just sign the employment contract, and at last you'll be Karasuba Kurona. A golfer Ojou-sama!!"

"I… I, an Ojou-sama…!?"

"Ojou-sama. Please calm yourself… Our apologies, Kuroi-sama. For the moment we would like to take this home and give it further consideration."

When Kokuyou said that, Managing Director Kuroi scoffed through his nose.

"An AI has no business butting in. This is a matter of business between humans. Know your place and keep out."

"… However, it is reasonable to assume Ojou-sama is currently in no state to make a sound judgment. You are aware that our AI data is transmitted to BCD headquarters, are you not? That would stand as evidence as to whether a contract signed in such a state would even be valid…"

"Tch. You're a sharp little thing for an AI… fine, I'll allow you to take it home for now. After all, no conditions better than ours could possibly exist. Ryutanji-kun, I'll be looking forward to a favorable reply."

While Karona sat clutching the employment contract in torment, the conversation whirled along around her, and she ended up taking the matter home to think it over.