Chapter 594
Whatever makes you happy.
Ten minutes later, the six of them started their somewhat early afternoon tea party.
"Wow~ Sweet! Delicious!"
Tamade Chiyu, thoroughly enjoying the delicious cake, licked the cream from her mouth while uttering cheerful English phrases.
"This Soufflé is so delicious~ Woohoo~ (soft onomatopoeia)" Asahi Rokka pressed her cheek, her expression behind her glasses almost melting.
"Indeed... Did Miss Ogura really make this herself? It's just as good as anything from a high-end bakery." Wakana Rei looked at the creation in her hands as if it were a work of art, her eyes filled with amazement.
It's worth mentioning that, among those present, only her cup didn't contain tea, because she dislikes carbonated Drinks that can hurt her throat, and tea that can leave a foreign Drinks in her throat.
As expected of a professional Songstress, she pays great attention to these things... but not even drinking tea, isn't that a bit too much?
"It tastes even better than Masking's... Ah! I didn't mean your cooking is bad! I'm sorry!!"
After her initial, subconscious judgment, Asahi Rokka realized her mistake and quickly apologized.
"It's alright, it's the truth anyway~" Sato Masuki waved his hand dismissively, then asked Ogura Asahi, "Miss Ogura, which company did you buy the chocolate for your brownies from? The flavor is quite unique."
"I didn't buy the chocolate. I made cocoa powder from cocoa beans through a process of fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding. Then, during production, I would choose the appropriate amount of sugar and milk powder to use, depending on the circumstances. The cocoa beans I used were Criollo."
"Oh, I see. Isn't that too much trouble? I usually just buy chocolates from convenience stores, and occasionally I'll buy high-end brands."
"Yes, I'm used to controlling every step of the process. If I buy it, the sugar content and proportions are no longer something I can control."
"I see, I've learned something new."
"..."
Wakana Rei Asahi Rokka were completely baffled, finding it incredibly profound.
Is this the world of cooking? Wow, amazing!
After a pleasant exchange of culinary knowledge with Sato Masuki, in a moment when the pace slowed down, Wakana Rei interjected, "Um, Miss Ogura, is your purpose in coming here today to evaluate us and sign a contract with us?"
Upon hearing this, even Tamade Chiyu, who was still pouting and chewing on her fermented bread, perked up her ears with a serious expression—even though she couldn't see it because her headphones were blocking her view.
If you were to ask her why she could still hear while wearing headphones, the answer would be because they are noise-canceling headphones with a pass-through function.
Ogura Asahi slowly sipped his Black tea, wiped his mouth with a tissue, and then carefully chose his words: "Yes, basically as you said."
"You don't need to use honorifics... I'm actually only a senior in high school." She gently brushed her hair with her fingertips, her eyebrows slightly furrowed in embarrassment, offering a subtle reminder.
It seems she felt that he used honorifics towards her because he considered her older.
"..." Ogura Asahi paused, staring at her intently with a profound look.
No, you said you're only a senior in high school? Then what grade do you think I am?
If you don't explain yourself clearly today, I'm not done with you!!
Without even asking, it was obvious that she probably thought he was older than her, a grown man... Good heavens! He's so handsome, does he really look that old?!
Of course not. It's actually a matter of temperament. His youthful appearance, coupled with his authoritative and composed demeanor, made it difficult for even Hiratsuka Shizuka and the others to guess his age at first.
Being considered Sakurakoji Luna's brother... well, that's just ridiculous!!!
Chapter 537 Perhaps it's because of love~
He was speechless at the fact that this seemingly reliable "big sister" was actually less adept at handling interpersonal relationships than Hana-dono Tae.
If she weren't gentle, not assertive enough, and didn't often express her opinions, how could her position as Bass, lead vocalist, and band leader have been handed over to Tamade Chiyu?
However, it would be wrong to say that she is not strong enough.
After all, ever since she made a promise with Hana-dono Tae when they moved away as children that she wouldn't cry, she hasn't shed a single tear—what an iron heart!
In another sense, she was also very strong—her fingers were very strong.
Because she was the only one who played fingerstyle Bass the entire time.
Even including those who play guitar, she's probably one of a kind, right?
Ogura Asahi sighed softly, "Okay, I understand, Layer-san... By the way, how's your neighbor doing lately?"
"Huh? Neighbor?" Wakana Rei was taken aback, wondering why he would say that. "Do you know Ruomai-chan?"
She attended the Tokyo Metropolitan Arts High School, majoring in the Music Department. Her next-door neighbor was Yutenji Wakame, who studied Drama Performance Department.
Unlike other high schools, their school does not require students to wear uniforms, so students have a lot of freedom in their daily clothing choices.
Well... from the school's perspective, RAS is probably the least cohesive band, with five members from five different schools!
"No, I don't know him, I just wanted to ask." He denied it outright.
By now, Yutenji Wakame should have also started buying Drum Kit and beginning his lessons, right?
He didn't know what to say.
If you think that the most talented player among Girls Band Cry is Chihaya Aine, who can learn to play after just a few days of practice, then you're wrong.
The most outrageous one should be Yutenji Wakame, who was able to perform at the Budokan after only three months of self-taught drumming.
--In reality, after playing for a month or two, he was poached by Toyokawa Shoko, and within a few months, he gained the recognition of MASKING, the second drummer for Bang Dream!
No, is there anyone among you who is even human?!
He'll see who dares to say he's cheating now!
With a genius like her and Hiromachi Nanami ahead of us, is it really that much of a problem that he can play multiple instruments? He, at least, has been playing for so many years...
"Hmm?" Wakana Rei tilted her head slightly, not quite understanding his thought process.
Do you mean you want to say it like a line from a TV drama?
"Ahem," he began to unveil the main event of the day, calmly suggesting under the watchful eyes of five pairs of unblinking eyes, "Would you all like to join our entertainment company? We will offer the utmost sincerity within our capabilities."
"..."X 5
The air was silent for two seconds before Wakana Rei broke the silence first. "Miss Ogura's company... is it called [Cherry Blossom Rain]? Forgive my intrusion, but I haven't heard of it before. What kind of company is it?"
Ogura Asahi explained to her, "It's normal that you haven't heard of us, because we've only been open for a short time..."
"It's the company Roselia signed with!" Before he could finish speaking, someone interrupted.
Tamade Chiyu to the side, closed her eyes in deep thought, her tender face showing a mixture of struggle and deep resentment.
"Chuchu, you know that?" Wakana Rei asked in surprise.
"Of course! This is the contract target chosen by Minato Yukina and the others, so of course I have to investigate it thoroughly!" She clenched her fist, her tone firm.
Although they have reconciled now, she insisted on throwing a tantrum, demanding that Roselia be placed under her wing and allowed to play her own music. After being rejected several times by Minato Yukina, she formed RAS with resentment.
He vowed to knock them and PPP out of the game and end the Great Girl Band Era.
Although they didn't succeed, they still consider them their biggest rivals.
She crossed her arms and scoffed dismissively, "I never expected Roselia to choose such a small, newly opened agency. Looks like they're on their way down."
"I'll probably be able to take them down quickly without me lifting a finger! Hahaha~!"
Ogura Asahi was speechless. Fuck, was he being openly mocked?
Although the target was Roselia, it was actually using his own face to belittle them!
Little pink-haired girl, you've angered me!
"Ha, ha..." Wakana Rei smiled wryly at him, hoping he wouldn't mind. "Um, Miss Ogura, I'm sorry, Chuchu is just like that. I hope you don't mind..."
"Oh, of course, why would I get angry with a child?" He smiled "kindly" and spoke in a gentle tone.
Having already figured out a way to control them, I'm no longer going to be polite.
But the cat immediately bristled. "What did you say?!"
Tamade Chiyu bent down and slammed her hand on the coffee table, glaring at him through gritted teeth.
"I'm a senior in high school! I'm a senior now!"
"Oh my god~ What a surprise~ I thought Miss Chuchu was a middle school student~" He deliberately covered his mouth to express his surprise.
"Lord Chuchu is a genius, skipping two grades." Nioh Riona inexplicably proud, puffing out his chest and raising his head.
"PAREO! Shut up!" Tamade Chiyu, clearly annoyed.
Isn't this just telling others that you're really only a middle school student?
"Oh, really! That's impressive~~~" he said, his eyes darting around, offering a perfunctory compliment.
"Gunununu!!!"
Wakana Rei quickly interrupted, acting as a peacemaker. "Speaking of which—is Miss Ogura a manager at [Sakura Rain] company?"
"No."
His answer stunned them all, "If you're not my agent, then what are you doing here?"
"Eh? And who are you?"
"He's the boss and president." Ogura Asahi leaned back on the sofa with her arms crossed, her eyes intentionally revealing three parts disdain and three parts dissatisfaction... leaving them to guess her feelings.
"Ah..."
The group froze instantly, feeling extremely uncomfortable as they recalled Tamade Chiyu's insolent words.
To say to someone's boss that their company is small and that employees are going to decline... they were so embarrassed they wanted to dig their toes to the ground!
Even if it was Tamade Chiyu saying those words, they're still a band.
A sharp silence enveloped the rather spacious hall.
After a long while, Wakana Rei finally managed to speak with difficulty, "Miss Ogura, you're so young, and you're already running your own agency? That's amazing!"
"It's nothing special, it's all thanks to my family."
"Uh..." She wanted to continue trying to smooth things over and ease the tension, but she wasn't exactly a smooth talker or a social butterfly, and after a couple of sentences, she didn't know how to continue.
Sato Masuki was standing very close to the two, chimed in, "Right, right! Didn't we say we were going to do an evaluation?! How about we go to the recording studio now and play a piece?!"
"NO!" Tamade Chiyu interrupt, objecting, "Why should I join the company that Minato Yukina and the others joined first? Wouldn't that make people say that RAS is just following Roselia's lead?"
The other four turned their faces away and covered their foreheads, hoping she would say less.
Since the boss is here, at least give him some face...
"Eh~~~" Asahi Rokka crossed her index fingers in confusion and looked at her, asking, "If that's the case, why did Chuchu-san agree to this meeting?"
"It was her insistence! I also wanted to see what Roselia's situation was like!" chu2 stomped his foot.
Ogura Asahi clapped his hands, taking over the conversation. "Well~ let's talk about the performance later, let's discuss the contract terms first?"
"Huh? Didn't I say I didn't want to join the company Roselia and the others work for?" Tamade Chiyu and looked over.
"Well, it can't hurt to listen, can it?" Sato Masuki interjected.
"Yasuka is right. If the conditions are right, it would be nice to work in the same company as Minato-san and the others, wouldn't it?" Kanade Wakana Rei nodded in agreement.
"You! Have you forgotten that we and Roselia are rivals?!"
"Even within the same company, there can be competition, right? And you still see each other often."
"This..."
Seeing that their internal communication was almost complete, Ogura Asahi smiled and added her trump card, "It's really touching that Miss Chuchu values 'our' Roselia so much~"
"In that case... I'm sure you don't want to be left behind by 'our' Roselia in terms of contracts, do you?"
"If people find out that the terms of your contract weren't as good as Roselia's, they'll probably just assume that RAS is weaker than Blue Rose, right?"
[Note: Roselia is derived from "rose" (rosehip) and "camellia" (camellia flower). The band's logo is based on a blue rose, whose flower symbolizes accomplishing the impossible.]
"What did you say..." Tamade Chiyu's eyes widened, as if she had discovered something more important, then she added with a snort:
"Of course! RAS will definitely find a brokerage firm or agency that can offer a better contract than the one Roselia signed!"
"They've taken the bait, "Ogura Asahi thought with a disdainful smile.
Children will be children; with just a little trick, she jumped into the pit herself.
"Then I wish you success. By the way, these are the conditions I offered to Yukina others, for your reference later."
He took a folder out of his bag, took out a contract from it, and placed it flat on the coffee table.
"..." Upon hearing that this was Roselia's contract, Tamade Chiyu couldn't wait to step forward and grab it.
Although their contract information can be investigated, such private documents as contracts cannot be found online unless you ask one of them directly.