John walked through the front doors of Gotaku Headquarters, adjusting his cufflinks on the way in. After the glass sliding doors shut behind him, he raised his gaze and took a look around.
The building was fairly large. Not quite as big as his own office building, but still sizable. About average for a typical company. A front desk, some chairs in the lounge, an elevator and stairs going up... Again, a typical setup for a company.
What wasn't typical were the large amounts of video game and anime memorabilia scattered everywhere. A Kingdom Stars 3 poster, a life-sized figure of Artoria Pendragon from Fate/Stay Knight, a shelf with retro gaming consoles... And employees all around dressed in full cosplay.
John blinked and then nodded. "Right... the place was run by otakus."
He forgot about it since they had gone more mainstream, but the people had always been anime and gaming connoisseurs-
"Wait." John put his hand on his hand to think.
He could have sworn that Ko- Or rather, Gotaku was an electronic media news group based out of America. Did they open up a Japan branch in the years some time after 2020? Or was this one of those other slight difference from John not landing in the proper worldline?
John suddenly realized that it was quiet. The lively chatter and sounds of people going around the place had come to a halt. He blinked and then lowered his hand to take a look around.
Silence. Stares. Specifically, a lot of stares from females. Young women, and even a few older ones were eyeing him. Not only that, but the male workers were wide-eyed, whispering to each other as they looked and pointed at John.
Maybe he shouldn't have worn a suit? Everyone here was dressed in cosplay, so it might have been better to come in something similar... Maybe as Titor? It wasn't too hard to pull off a lab coat. But then he had to do the presentation too, so he wanted to make a strong impression on-
Oh. Right.
John resisted the urge to facepalm.
It had been a while since he went out so he forgot about it, but John stuck out like a sore thumb. Not because of him being a foreigner, at least not *just* because of that.
But because he was, objectively, the most attractive man in the room no matter where he went on Earth.
Cultivation tended to have that effect on people. Even in the Three Realms, it was rare to have an ugly cultivator past the Nascent Soul realm unless they were walking some deviant path.
And since John had reached not only the limits of cultivation but gotten to the level to break out of the Three Realms entirely...
An awkward situation.
From some of the looks he was getting, if his life were an anime he had a feeling more than just a few of those guys would be screaming that a 'riajuu' like him should get lost...
John cleared his throat and then gave a small wave. "Hey. I'm here for the interview?"
Silence.
Just as John was wondering if he should leave and come back in a bit after calling his contact, footsteps echoed from down the stairs. Light tapping, the sound of high heels.
John glanced over... and then he blinked. "Eh?"
"Well, well." A dry female voice. Sandy blonde hair, a slightly masculine face but only enough to make her look sharp instead of too manly. A black blouse paired with a white overalls skirt. Poppy Gloria stepped out into the lobby and smiled. "I didn't think that the CEO of Myth Incorporated was such a hunk."
John chuckled. "And I didn't think that the esteemed and most reliable source of news would work at a small place like this."
Poppy walked over, clutching a pink purse under her right arm. "Oh you flatter me, darling. I'm not *that* big. Appreciate the kind words though." She took a look around the room and then said, "What are you all gawking for? Get back to work! We need those articles out before the winter game awards!"
With that, the spell cast when John stepped into the building was broken.
Well, not really. He still caught more than a few people staring at him, but at least they weren't standing just standing there.
Poppy spun around and waved before walking back towards the stairs. "Follow me, darling. We'll get you settled with the host and then run through what we're covering today for the show."
"Alright." John nodded and followed after her like she suggested. Even so...
It was odd.
Really odd.
Poppy Gloria... When John saw her, he thought it was a bit. Considering how advanced technology had gotten, he thought it might really have been that guy just putting on a show in his free time.
After all, it wasn't the first time that person pretended to be a woman.
But...
Poppy Gloria glanced back and then chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint you, darling, but I'm a married woman."
"Ah, sorry." John shook his head. "I didn't mean to stare, but..." He tilted his head and said, "Are you really Poppy Gloria?"
"Born and raised, darling. Though I've got a feeling that's not what you're asking, is it?"
The two stepped onto the next floor of the Gotaku building. Poppy stopped at a door marked 'Interview Room' and then turned towards John.
John hesitated.
On the one hand, he was curious. On the other hand... if he was right, then things would get really, really, *really* awkward. As well as raise all sorts of questions about what Earth he landed in.
But in the end, he bit the bullet and asked. "Are you... Did you change your identity?"
"Pardon?"
John coughed. "I mean... Well, I suppose the later parts of 2010 were a bit rough, but completely going into the deep end and becoming a woman is a bit..."
Poppy Gloria blinked. And then she laughed. "Sorry to disappoint, darling, but you're mistaken." She adjusted her purse and smiled. "I'm not PewDuhPie if that's who you're thinking of. I just happened to share the name of his character and move to Japan around the same time he did." She chuckled and said, "Funny coincidence though. Really gave me a leg up in the industry when I started interviewing. Though..." She tilted her head and said, "I didn't think a hunk like you would be following UTubers though."
John shrugged. "I haven't for a while, but with Project MirAIs..."
"Ah, yes. Knowing the landscape and all, I get it. Still, I'm really curious... my reporter's intuition is telling me there's a big story there. But we should save the questions for later." She pulled out her phone and said, "A quarter to eight... Almost time." She turned around and pushed open the door.
John followed after her and then took a look around.
It was a small stage. The sort that were common in film studios, only miniaturized. A camera crew was already there, setting things up with the lighting and microphones. And then in the center of the room there was a white table with two chairs on opposite sides.
All-in-all... surprisingly high budget.
Poppy walked over to the table and then gestured towards the chair. "Take a seat, darling."
John did, and then he glanced around. "So, who's going to be the host of the interview?"
Poppy grinned and then sat down in the chair across from John. "Isn't it obvious? I'm the host."
"...Huh?"
Poppy dug in her purse and then placed a pen and notebook down on the table before saying, "I couldn't miss the chance to dig into the mind of Myth Inc's CEO now, could I?"
The cameraman stuck up his hand, and said, "Five!"
Poppy glanced back at John and said, "Looks like we're running close to the wire. Now, before we go live, there's just one burning question I have to get out of the way."
"...You know, you're really a lot different in person than when you're reporting the news."
Poppy waved her hand and said, "It's a character, darling. Now..." She leaned forward and said, "Alfi. Cute, or not?"
John chuckled and said, "She's a hundred times cuter. Everyone's lucky that they're getting it filtered through the screen, actually. I've actually fainted from being caught off guard by it once in real life."
"Oh my!"
The cameraman stuck up three fingers and said, "In three!"
Poppy leaned back and then said, "Well, looks like it's almost time. You ready, darling?"
"I am... but I'm also a bit worried." John glanced at the camera and then adjusted his tie.
"Oh?" Poppy tilted her head. "A hunk like you's worried about an interview?"
"Of course not." John fiddled with his wedding ring and said, "I'm more worried about all the fan girls that I'll have to deal with after this."
An inevitable result that he really should have considered at the start. But one that would probably work in their favor.
Hopefully.
Poppy noticed his action and then waved her hand. "Oh don't you worry, darling. I've got you covered." She smiled and said, "We'll make sure to nip that in the bud before things get too wild for you, alright?"
"I sure hope so."
Just in case, John quietly cast a few formations and spells.
Never hurt to be too careful, especially with his planned reunion with his wife coming up.
"One minute!"
Poppy glanced at the cameraman and then turned back to John. "Looks like we're starting. Ready?"
"As ready as ever."
"Alright!" Poppy clapped her hands. She glanced at the camera crew and said, "Showtime, darlings!"