Chapter 469

However, a large part of this is also because he is the world's number one homebody, and he doesn't usually have many expenses.

Yachts? No need. Mansions? We already have one. Airplanes? No need for them. Ranches and estates? Our family is too busy to spend time on them... We only spend a fair amount on clothes and food, but most of those are bought by our parents.

Hey, spending money is an art too.

However, we must remain vigilant against this unhealthy trend and nip it in the bud!

Ha! He actually wants money? Does he think his money grows on trees?

You just wait! If you don't produce something that satisfies me within this timeframe, you're dead!

He angrily closed the email, not intending to reply for the time being, and started messaging the Okura Family who had taken over his business, asking them to send over a detailed progress report.

After spending several hours reviewing the submitted report, Sakurakoji Talent Saito glanced at the time, pondered for a moment, and decided to postpone the rest of the work until tomorrow.

He turned off the desk lamp, left the bedroom, and entered the clothing studio.

Gazing at the wall covered with shelves of fabrics inside, he leaned against his worktable, lost in thought.

Since it's just the beginning, he doesn't plan to resume clothing production at his mother's studio for the time being, unless later...

Speaking of clothing, I promised to make new clothes for Kitagawa Marin and Kansai Shizuha last time.

By the way, I haven't watched a single episode of "Flower Princess Fierce!!!!" yet... I'll watch it with Kitagawa Marin next time.

Huh? But it seems Kitagawa Marin doesn't yet know that she's already connected with Chuchu?

"Um..."

How should I put it?

Should we just say it directly? Or should we invite Kansai Shizuha to her house and introduce them?

After all, it was her push; wouldn't it be inappropriate to keep it a secret forever? Besides, Kansai Shizuha already knows about her existence.

As he thought about it, he got a little sleepy.

Although his body should be able to handle it, his long-standing sleep-wake cycle was still urging him to go to sleep.

Never mind, I'll think about it later. I'll take a nap now and then set off again tomorrow morning.

Friday, May 9th.

Early morning, Kawasaki, Takatsu Ward, outside a seemingly ordinary three-story building.

"What... what is this?"

Inoseri Nina leaned forward, her big, bright eyes narrowed, and the corners of her mouth turned down, her small face filled with doubt and skepticism.

This building doesn't look like a record company at all...

"Is this the company you mentioned, Talent?"

Anwa Subaru leaned closer, licking their curious lips.

"To be precise, it's its branch in Kawasaki."

Sakurakoji Talent nodded affirmatively.

"..."

X N.

Out of consideration for his feelings, none of them spoke, but their eyes all held a hint of doubt and worry.

This company "building" doesn't look like it belongs to a well-funded company at all... Could he be kidding them?

Sakurakoji Talent is not incapable of understanding their thoughts, but their doubts should dissipate in a little while.

Considering that Kawaragi Momoka and the others were mainly active in Kawasaki, he decided to set up a small office here.

While it would be possible for them to move to Tokyo, it wouldn't be very convenient for Anwa Subaru's acting classes.

Furthermore, as business grows and the band's tours increase in the future, we might need to use this, so it's good to set one up here in advance.

"Don't look at me like that! I assure you, although my company is a startup, its strength is absolutely not to be underestimated!"

"Real?"

Kawaragi Momoka was the first to question him. Dressed in a casual yet fitted outfit, she stood tall and graceful, but her eyes were full of disbelief.

As the team leader and the person closest to him... she felt it was her duty to speak for her teammates and express their feelings.

"Really, really! Would I lie to you?"

He kept nodding his chin, trying to comfort them, then glanced at her with a playful look in his eyes. "You actually doubted me, which really hurts me. I'll settle the score with you later!"

Kawaragi Momoka's perfectly proportioned legs trembled slightly, and she couldn't help but clench them together. The dye gradually smudged on her earlobes. This guy... does he really think she's someone to him? She's not one of those promiscuous rock musicians out there!

But... whenever she thinks about how she felt then, she has to admit that there was some truth to it...

If it were ordinary musicians struggling between working, practicing, pursuing their dreams, composing and writing lyrics, running a band, and performing, and using this behavior as a daily spice to relieve stress, wouldn't it be forgivable?

Besides, he's so handsome and has a pleasant mixed fragrance. He's been very caring towards them from the beginning, and he has a fun personality. It's his first time for the same reason as her... No matter how you look at it, she's probably the one who's benefiting.

Even if this relationship continues in the future, it seems...

'No, no, no! What am I thinking?! Could it be that I've actually developed feelings for this bad guy?! He's so much younger than me...!'

'This just happens all the time in bands, it's no big deal!'

'Which band with members of the opposite sex doesn't have this kind of relationship?'

'It's just that she lost something that was never really useful; it's not worth her clinging on and becoming unlike herself.'

Under the sidelong glances of Ebizuka Tomo and the others Kawaragi Momoka shook her head vigorously, forcing herself not to think about this terrible thing.

The idea of her being shy and romantically involved with a young boy... it just doesn't seem like the kind of thing she'd do with, given her love of men's clothing and her free-spirited nature.

I'd rather not think about it anymore...

After teasing Kawaragi Momoka for a moment, he glanced at Inoseri Nina and asked, "By the way, Nina, where's your sister? She didn't come back with you. Does she not want to work here?"

Last time he invited Inoseri Ryone to be their manager, she said she would go back and discuss it with her parents, I don't know if she has made a decision yet.

"Ah, um."

Inoseri Nina stood with her Hands clasped in front of her, looking very quiet and refined.

When she's not talking and is throwing a tantrum, she actually acts quite like a well-bred young lady.

If he grows his hair long in the future, it will probably reinforce this impression even more—it's definitely not because he's a long hair fanatic that I think this way.

"After discussing it with Mom and Dad, my sister agreed, saying that it would put my mind at ease that way... There's really no need for so much trouble!"

Towards the end, she lowered her voice and muttered to herself twice.

"That..."

"But she needs some time to sort out her work there. She'll come over after she's resigned and completed the handover process."

"I see, I understand now."

Sakurakoji Talent, clearly impressed, pointed to the building's entrance and waved to the five people. "Come on, let's go in! You'll see just how good I am to you in a moment!"

You should really thank me in your hearts! Really!

"This is getting more and more unsettling. What if they blame us if we go bankrupt later?"

Ebizuka Tomo crossed his arms and frowned.

As the only arrogant person in the team, she was practically the only one who didn't give him any face.

"It's alright, I trust Mr. Talent. Since we're already here, let's go in and take a look!"

RUPA took her little hand and comforted her with a natural smile.

"RUPA, you... never mind, it's nothing."

Ebizuka Tomo sighed softly and followed her inside.

"Let's go in too!"

Anwa Subaru greeted the remaining two excitedly, looking around curiously.

Chapter 431: The Punishment of the "Sister".

One hour later.

Sakurakoji Talent walked out of the unassuming little building, dusted off any dust that might be on his sleeves, and looked calm.

Hmph, just as he expected.

He easily won over a few poor, naive girls who had never seen the world!

Behind him, a few steps behind, came out a group of five people, their faces Togenashi Togeari and their expressions numb.

Even RUPA, who usually wears a mask of gentle smiles, now had a look of confusion on her tanned skin, and her eyes held an empty aftertaste of surprise and helplessness.

They looked up blankly at the sunlight scattering across the sky, feeling as if the world was so unreal.

The only slightly better case is Anwa Subaru, who haven't yet experienced the harsh realities of being short of money and have enjoyed a relatively stable life.

"Hey, Talent, is this really a good thing?"

Anwa Subaru nudged his arm with their shoulders and asked the question that had already been asked repeatedly.

The sudden sound drew the attention of the remaining four people involuntarily.

They knew that Sakurakoji Talent initially led her to join because of Kawaragi Momoka —but later they said she was a fan of their group as a whole.

But this is on a completely different level from the previous assistance. What reputable company would offer such outrageous terms?

"Now you know why I wanted you to thank me properly."

Sakurakoji Talent managed a regretful expression, as if he had lost hundreds of millions.

"If you treat me badly in the future, I'll go crazy! I don't even dare to imagine what I might do!"

"Do you understand?"

"Um!"

Honest and kind-hearted Inoseri Nina vigorously, her voice filled with sincerity. "We will definitely practice hard and create new songs, and strive to ensure that you, Mr. Talent, don't lose money!"

"Me too!"

"Ah, I suddenly feel so much pressure..."

"I have no choice but to work hard now!"

Despite saying that, the excitement and anticipation in their eyes couldn't be hidden when they looked at each other.

In any case, they have all taken a new step forward from today.

How high and far they can fly in the Mirai depends entirely on their own will and efforts.

This sense of freedom and exhilaration, with a safety net yet no constraints, made them eager to improvise a song right there and then.

"But,"

Kawaragi Momoka touched the side of her head, walked to his side with some concern, and said slowly, "This is too unfair to you. Why don't you change the terms? At least lower the base salary..."

"Don't worry, this is already the result after the price reduction."

He smiled and stepped forward, affectionately stroking her hair and pressing it firmly. "Besides, it's not just your band that gets this treatment, so don't get any strange ideas."

"Huh?"

X 5.

The five of them turned their heads at the same time, staring blankly at him.

"Why are you so surprised? I never said you were the only band in the company. You know that's impossible, right?"

"But, however..."

Inoseri Nina's expression remained unsettled.

She was thinking, "Signing one is already likely to result in a loss, why are you signing multiple? Are you just throwing money away?"

"Don't worry, I'm not stupid. I would never do something that loses money. You'll see in time."

Just by having the backing of a large corporation and taking on business squeezed out from their operations, he could make money effortlessly. How could he possibly lose money?