"Young Master Kitahara, we've arrived."
Soon, the car pulled into the destination.
Takashi put on a cap and mask, got out of the car, and took the elevator directly to the top floor from the underground parking lot, entering a restaurant.
It was a luxurious restaurant filled with well-dressed, dignified people speaking with elegant manners.
"Hello, do you have a reservation?" a waiter stepped forward to ask.
"Yes. Ogitsu Yoshiko."
Hearing the name, the waiter gestured for Takashi to follow.
Guided by the waiter, they walked down a dazzling corridor and entered a private VIP room.
The room was carpeted in rich golden hues, with a massive chandelier hanging overhead.
Whether in his past life or this one, Takashi had never been to such a place.
His wallet never allowed it.
But now, having often accompanied girls like Utaha, Eriri, Hiratsuka Shizuka, and Maki—these little rich girls—into places like this, Takashi no longer felt nervous or out of place.
He walked in calmly.
"Hello, Kitahara-kun."
At the long table, a middle-aged woman in a white suit with neat short hair approached with open arms.
"I arrived this morning. Made it here in time, right?"
She wasn't tall and not particularly pretty, but her presence was poised and sharp—she exuded professionalism.
"Hello, Ms. Ogitsu Yoshiko."
Takashi shook her hand briefly and the two of them sat down.
After a few pleasantries, the food was served and the waitstaff left. Only then did they get to the real business.
"Ms. Ogitsu, forgive me for jumping ahead, but I'd like to ask: What can you offer me?"
Takashi took the lead.
Ogitsu Yoshiko put down her chopsticks, knowing the test had begun.
"What is it that you want?"
"I need you to bring me a lot of money. And when necessary, handle problems for me."
Takashi wasn't the type to let an opportunity pass him by.
When it came, he would seize it.
In his past life, he had been part of the internet industry.
He had seen countless people who exploded into popularity overnight, then got cocky and assumed they'd stay famous forever—until they faded into irrelevance, broke, and were forgotten.
Originally, his plan was to ride the Koshien championship hype to start livestreaming, drag in some family members, do a few donation battles, and cash out quick.
But he had underestimated the sheer magnitude of this wave of popularity.
If it was a small wave, he'd just cash in once.
But with a huge wave like this, he had to keep milking it.
And that's why he was here today to meet Ogitsu Yoshiko.
He needed a professional manager.
Takashi had turned down invitations from major talent agencies.
The commissions were too brutal—he'd work hard only to have his earnings bled dry.
Plus, he had backing from powerful conglomerates. Why would he go be someone else's lapdog?
"If you let me be your manager," Ogitsu Yoshiko said, swirling her wine glass elegantly,
"I guarantee that all you need to do is follow my instructions, wait for contracts, salaries, and endorsements that match your worth, and then smile, sign your name, and rake in limitless money."
This woman might've sounded arrogant, but she had the confidence to back it up.
After all, she had personally launched the careers of many top-tier celebrities, including Sakurajima Mai.
And she wasn't affiliated with any agency.
"Kitahara-kun, I have a dream—or maybe a wild ambition: I want to create a star who can rival Kimura Takuya."
"That's a tall order."
Takashi chuckled.
Kimura Takuya's fame came from a perfect blend of timing, environment, and personality—take away any of those, and he wouldn't have become the icon he was.
"I know. That's what makes it a challenge, doesn't it?"
"I'm betting everything on you."
Her gaze pierced straight into Takashi's.
"I can't sing or compose songs, and I still have to attend school."
"Being a fan-favorite isn't exclusive to the entertainment industry. Sports fans are just as passionate, aren't they?"
Ogitsu smiled, sipped her wine, and added, "You know Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James, right?"
"Of course."
Anyone with basic awareness knew how massive their fan bases were.
"No one denies they're top athletes—but their current fame also owes a lot to the marketing teams behind them."
"Kitahara-kun, you have striking looks, prodigious talent in baseball, and—most importantly—you're a flirt."
That last part made Takashi frown. He had to interrupt her.
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm actually very loyal."
"It's just… I've been hurt before. My heart shattered into many pieces, and each piece fell for a different girl, that's all."
How could that be called unfaithful?
Search "Tokyo's Most Devoted Man," and his name would be the first result!
Ogitsu Yoshiko shrugged and smiled. "If you say so."
"But your flirtatious nature gives us tabloid content—interviews, gossip, rumors. That's media gold."
"Gossip is human nature."
"Most people are curious about celebrities. They want to peek into their lives—what they're like off-camera, how they act in relationships."
Takashi interrupted again:
"So what you're saying is, I should keep dating girls, strategically leak details to the press, and let the media spin the rest?"
"Exactly."
Ogitsu handed him a little notebook.
Takashi flipped through it—and was dumbfounded.
It detailed which girl he'd be dating on which day, where they'd meet, where the date would take place—everything planned out.
All that was left was for someone to go on the dates for him.
Even a self-proclaimed time management master like Takashi could only gasp: Now that's a pro.
For a moment, his gaze toward Ogitsu became that of Liu Bei meeting Zhuge Liang: A soulmate, at last.
Together, they were going to kill it.
They kept talking, growing more and more satisfied with the partnership.
Takashi had never met someone who understood him so well.
After carefully reviewing and signing the contract, he extended his hand again. "Ms. Ogitsu, looking forward to working with you."
"Kitahara-kun, trust me—you won't regret this."
"I already don't."
After shaking hands, Ogitsu suddenly thought of something. "Kitahara-kun, would you mind dating Mai-chan?"
Even someone as thick-skinned as Takashi was momentarily stunned.
If he remembered correctly, Sakurajima Mai was one of her biggest successes.
Didn't the saying go, "Don't eat the grass by your own burrow"? Yet here she was offering her own rabbit to feed him.
"I'm your manager now."
Ogitsu was a highly professional manager—but also ruthlessly pragmatic.
If something could be used, she'd use it.
Even if it was a star she had personally raised.
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