Chapter 137

Although Sakurakoji Talent still felt that even after a month, her fame was still far from needing to conceal her identity.

"Let me rephrase the question: Do you have any wishes you want to fulfill, or a wish list?"

"Ah, yes, that's true!" she nodded cheerfully. "Like going shopping with friends, saving up for Häagen-Dazs, cooking at home, going to the Skytree, going to amusement parks..."

"You seem to know quite a bit about this," Sakurakoji Talent chuckled. "Alright, let's finish them all today!"

"Huh? All of them?" Hoshino Ai exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't it too late?"

"How will you know if you don't try? Trust me." He met her gaze, his tone revealing confidence.

"Oh, oh." Hoshino Ai looked away, her skin tense.

For some reason, she always felt that his words were inexplicably convincing.

"By the way, how's your acting and vocal practice going lately? Has the teacher I introduced to you last time been helpful?" Just as the atmosphere was about to fall silent, Sakurakoji Talent changed the subject.

When they went on their last date, she was troubled by this issue, and to prevent her from joining that wicked theater troupe, he introduced her to some professional teachers afterwards. He wondered how her practice was going.

"Haha... that... ah..."

When this topic came up, Hoshino Ai broke out in a cold sweat and awkwardly looked away.

"... Love, you wouldn't..." His eyes were filled with doubt.

"No, that's not it!" she quickly waved her hand in denial. "The teachers all said I practiced very hard!"

"In other words, you work very hard but achieve little, right?" he summarized succinctly.

"Ugh!" Hoshino Ai lowered her smooth forehead, like a schoolchild who had made a mistake, and involuntarily stopped in her tracks. "It's like this... I'm sorry."

Why apologize?

Noticing that she had fallen behind, Sakurakoji Talent turned around to look at her, his expression puzzled.

"Because Mr. Talent was so considerate of me, and even specially invited a famous teacher, but I..." She looked self-reproachful and disappointed at her own incompetence.

"Hmm~" Sakurakoji Talent thought for a moment, then walked to her side and took her Hands in his.

Two pairs of fair and slender hands, like two pieces of warm, beautiful jade stacked together.

"!" Sensing his movement, Hoshino Ai looked up in surprise and met his eyes.

And so, the warmth from her hands seemed to gradually transfer into her body through her vision...

"This isn't your responsibility, there's no need to apologize, is there?"

"But..." Hoshino Ai lowered her striking face again, "I'm clumsy, I always mess things up."

"So what? Isn't it great that you tried your best?" Sakurakoji Talent encouraged her, "Not many people can guarantee that they will succeed just because they tried their best, right?"

"That's a privilege reserved for talented people, but in this world, isn't it the norm that people lack talent in most fields?"

"So even if there are no results, as long as I've tried my best, I think that's already great."

"Of course, it's best to find something you're good at, but even if you fail at everything, it doesn't mean you're worthless, right?"

"At the very least, there is still value in being a human being, and emotional value that one can provide to friends and family."

"You're my friend, and I helped you voluntarily, so don't think it's your fault. Even if there was a mistake, I also bear responsibility for not accurately identifying your area of expertise."

"How could that be! Mr. Talent did it all for me! It's not your fault!" she retorted anxiously.

Excited, she moved her body wildly, subconsciously waving her arms as if to use body language to assist, but her Hands, which were tightly held in his palm, were not so easily freed. Instead, she became even more aware of the fact that she was restrained.

She looked at her small hands, enveloped in warmth, and her flawless, porcelain-like face was tinged with the glow of the sunset.

Mr. Talent, you're holding on far too tightly!

"Then it's not your fault either. Neither of us is at fault, okay?" He looked down at her petite and lovely body, his voice gentle.

"Then, whose should it be..." Hoshino Ai murmured softly, her chaotic thoughts overwhelming her already small brain capacity, making her no longer know what she was saying.

"Hmm... if I had to say, it would be the fault of those teachers, wouldn't it?" After pondering for a moment, Sakurakoji Talent shifted the blame to those who weren't present, "They can't even teach according to students' aptitudes, yet they dare to call themselves famous teachers? They're utterly useless!"

"Pfft!" Hoshino Ai couldn't help but laugh out loud. "No, it's not the teachers' fault! They were very responsible!"

"That means their professional skills aren't up to par. I'll introduce you to someone more famous another day."

"More famous? Who is it?" Hoshino Ai curiously.

She had looked up the professors and lecturers that Sakurakoji Talent had introduced to her before, and they were all well-known professors and lecturers in China. Were there any more accomplished than them?

"Ah, but those teachers' teachings were really helpful! I feel like I've gotten a lot stronger than before!" she explained to the teachers who weren't there, while also feeling a little embarrassed.

"However, although I do feel that I have improved a lot, I am still far from being a true professional."

"What? Oh, I see." Sakurakoji Talent's eyes widened in realization. He released her hand and sighed helplessly, "Of course, right? It's only been a month. How much improvement do you expect?"

"You can't get fat overnight; the most important thing is to accumulate knowledge and experience gradually, Ai-chan."

Feeling the cold air enveloping the back of her hand again, Hoshino Ai suddenly felt a pang of disappointment.

Hearing his sigh, she didn't have time to think about it further and picked up the conversation, "I know, but I just feel really anxious~"

"What's the rush?" Sakurakoji Talent, surprised.

"Um, it's just..." Hoshino Ai touched her hair through her hat, her face flustered. After hesitating for a moment, she finally blurted out, "I want to become famous quickly, so I can get a higher salary and stuff..."

"Pfft, hmph!" Sakurakoji Talent couldn't help but chuckle.

"No! Don't make fun of me!" Hoshino Ai blushed and kept gently tapping his shoulder, feeling extremely embarrassed.

"Sorry, sorry!" He suppressed a smile and grabbed her cute, waving pink arm.

He never expected it to be such a practical problem. But upon reflection, it made perfect sense.

Although she has a conservative and restrained view of money, and her initial goal in becoming an idol was not to make a lot of money, she is certainly not a saint without material desires. If possible, she would naturally like to earn and save more money.

Not to mention, Underground Idol in Japan are notoriously poorly paid before they become famous. Some even have to take on extra jobs to supplement their income and continue their activities.

Although she joined the agency and had a fixed salary every month, it wouldn't be much, and it might not even be as high as the salary of an ordinary office worker, even though she was a core member of the group.

In this situation, it's easy to understand why she wants a higher salary.

However, because he's been surrounded by rich and eccentric women lately, he almost forgot that for ordinary people, money is the most important thing.

He looked at the Shy, delicate girl in front of him with amusement, never expecting her to have this side to her.

"I understand. I'll try to find a solution for you later." Sakurakoji Talent's gaze was calm as she readily agreed.

For him, the easiest thing to resolve was the money issue.

"Really?" Hoshino Ai asked reflexively, but quickly refused, "No, no, no, I can't trouble you any further, Mr. Talent!"

"And it's about money! I already owe you a huge favor for not charging me the guidance fee last time!"

"What are you still saying now? Hey!" He flicked her forehead with his finger.

"Ouch! It hurts!" she cried out, clutching her forehead.

Volume 1: Her the Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies - Chapter 177: Who said she didn't die?!

"I helped you because you're my friend. It's normal for friends to help each other."

"If you say something like that again, I'll keep flicking your wrist, understand?"

He continued snapping his fingers, waving them in front of her as a threat.

"I... I understand." Faced with his tyranny, Hoshino Ai had no choice but to submit.

"Yo-ho-shi." Sakurakoji Talent nodded in satisfaction, continuing the previous topic, "Since the previous teacher's instruction was effective, then you should continue to study hard. However, I will also try to introduce you to the new 'teacher' I mentioned earlier when I have time."

"A new teacher? Who is that?" The pain in her head quickly subsided, and she lowered her hand to ask.

"You'll see when the time comes, I guarantee you'll be satisfied." He smiled mysteriously, then breathed into her delicate ear, "Besides, she can also introduce you to more jobs, so you can earn more money."

"Real?!"

Starlight burst forth from Hoshino Ai's starry eyes, instantly unleashing a powerful and dazzling smile.

"..." Sakurakoji Talent felt that his defenses had been shattered by that smile, his expression froze, and he stood there stunned for a moment.

It wasn't until ten seconds later, when she urged him, that he came back to his senses, staring at the girl in disbelief, and touching his heart with lingering fear.

Good heavens! This child's smile is poisonous!

Who exactly said she was just an ordinary person who didn't fail?!

Even someone with countless film viewing experience, top-tier aesthetic sense, and absolute standards of beauty was momentarily stunned by her; you're telling me she's just ordinary?

This kid has Mirai that shouldn't be underestimated! He has a very high chance of becoming a super popular idol!

But why hasn't she become a big star yet? Sakurakoji Talent wondered.

If she could display such a captivating smile during her performances, she would have become an internet sensation long ago.

After recalling the information he already knew, he roughly had the answer. Ultimately, it was because she wasn't empathetic enough, right? He glanced at her, causing her to tilt her head in confusion.

Before this, she didn't know what an idol was, let alone how to love someone. To her, being an idol was just a job. So the person she was on stage and in front of the camera was just a false image she created based on her own understanding, and naturally, there was no sincerity involved.

Coupled with her abysmal acting skills, expecting such a facade to move people is nothing short of wishful thinking.

Sakurakoji Talent couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that there seemed to be quite a few problem children like this around him.

His mask is worn on his face, but their masks are worn in their hearts.

If Hoshino Ai could one day understand this principle and apply it to her career, its power would be unimaginable.

Let alone Budokan, even the Tokyo Dome wouldn't be a problem for her, right?

But on the other hand... the joy of a pay raise was enough to make her show this expression for the first time... He looked at her with a complicated and enigmatic expression.

Indeed, the power of money is the most powerful ability in this world!

"Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you?" He answered her question, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

"Yata!" she jumped up excitedly, "Finally, I can buy more desserts to eat!"

Seeing her genuine joy, Sakurakoji Talent also took on a touch of ease and happiness.

Making her this happy makes all the sacrifices he made worthwhile, right?

The new teacher he was referring to was, of course, the person he had met that morning Yōkadō Sakuri.

As one of the most sought-after top stars in the film and television industry today, and being around the same age as Hoshino Ai, who could be more suitable than her to be her senior and mentor?

With her guidance and by leveraging her connections to get her involved in more variety shows, Hoshino Ai's fame and salary will naturally rise.

If the process goes smoothly and she manages to utilize her natural talents along the way, she might already be a household name and a top idol before he even heals her.

The reason he changed his mind in the morning and agreed to Yōkadō Sakuri's proposal was because he had thought of this.

Anyway, Yōkadō Sakuri had already promised him, so even if she kept him busy and complained afterwards, he wouldn't feel guilty—who told her to be so cool and deliberately not ask about the details?

"So where should we go now?" he steered the conversation back on track.

The main task today is to help her relax, not to discuss work.

"I want to go home first. I didn't change my clothes at the agency, so I want to change out of this outfit first." Hoshino Ai pointed to her pink and red idol outfit decorated with stars.

"Alright, let's go."

The two emerged from the building's shadow onto the sunlit sidewalk. They had stopped right after leaving the office and hadn't gone very far.

"We're here. This is my apartment."

"Wait a minute! I'll open the door!"

In an apartment building some distance from the agency, Sakurakoji Talent followed Hoshino Ai to a door and waited for her to take out her key and open the door.

Clatter

"Please come in! The room is a bit small, please excuse the small size." The door opened, and Hoshino Ai walked in.

Sakurakoji Talent stepped into the room, which didn't seem much different from the other apartments, and, as usual, looked around curiously.