Thud!
"Ouch…"
Kamishiro stumbled out of the manager's office clutching his head.
He rubbed the lump on his head—despite all these years, Aunt Kotegawa still packed a punch.
Her personality hadn't changed either… she was just as tsundere as ever—exactly like Chisa!
Thinking about the mother-daughter duo, Kamishiro gave a cold snort toward the office.
No wonder the two of them couldn't have a civil conversation!
They don't even understand how being tsundere ruins your life!
And she dared to hit me? I'm not going to help patch things up! ╯^╰
Well… that's what he said, but honestly, they were his future mother-in-law and sister-in-law. He'd still try to help somehow.
But he needed to carefully think through how to do it.
Thinking along those lines—
Iori and Kohei, Iori and Aina, Chisa and Aunt Kotegawa…
Why the heck was he surrounded by problem children?!
Kamishiro clutched his head in distress. He wasn't Kizaru, so why did he suddenly feel like a kindergarten principal?
This sucks~
Being a principal is exhausting. Just as Kamishiro was about to slack off again—
He saw his three "kindergarten kids" squatting at the store entrance, peering at something.
Kamishiro silently appeared behind Iori, Kohei, and Aina.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Ah!"
Aina let out a startled yelp. When she turned and saw it was Kamishiro, she glared at him. "You scared me half to death!"
(???)
"You guys were being all sneaky! I was about to use the Thousand Years of Death on you."
That pose with your butt in the air was way too tempting.
Aina's face flushed red. Having seen the move before, she naturally knew what "Thousand Years of Death" was. Covering her butt, she snapped, "Pervert!"
"Alright, alright. So what are you all looking at?"
Kamishiro waved dismissively. Besides, even if he did use the Thousand Years of Death, his targets would only be Kohei and Iori.
However…
After everything that happened, Kamishiro was now a little afraid to use that move on them…
He still couldn't tell who was the top and who was the bottom. If he poked the wrong one, he was genuinely afraid both of them would end up enjoying it.
For the first time, Kamishiro felt powerless in front of these two.
"The interviewer's here."
Iori replied a little irritably, possibly out of jealousy~
"It's Ikegoshi."
Aina added—she recognized the celebrity.
"Oh? Let me see!"
Kamishiro perked up with interest, leaning over for a look. Not far away, a slim, black-haired pretty boy was coolly greeting Maki and the others.
"Eh, he doesn't look like much."
He was a bit disappointed—he'd expected someone insanely handsome, but this guy looked just about on par with Kohei.
"What's his background?"
Kamishiro turned to Aina. The corpse-makeup beast had recognized him at a glance just now.
"He's a member of Sips."
"That handsome idol group?"
"You know them too?"
It wasn't surprising that Aina knew these things, but Kamishiro and Iori were both shocked that Kohei did. Wasn't that way too off-brand for a hardcore otaku?
Not just agencies... even pretty-boy idols?
Wait a sec…
Handsome guys? Kohei? Muscles?
Kamishiro seemed to realize something… Frightening stuff.
"His persona isn't very distinct, so he's not very popular right now."
"Persona, huh…"
"Being an idol these days is tough."
"That's why I don't want to be one."
After all, good looks aren't everything. Japan may be a small country, but there's still no shortage of attractive men and women. And if worst comes to worst, there's always technology.
Unless your looks are truly top-tier, audiences tend to care more about your persona.
Nowadays, many entertainers get famous purely based on their public image. Even comedians are unexpectedly popular~
That's why Kamishiro believed Iori might have great success as a comedian.
Comedy plus perversion—under Japan's intense societal pressure, that combo was bound to be a hit.
After checking out the so-called idol, Aina turned to leave. "I'm heading back to work."
Hm?
Aina's reaction surprised Iori a bit, so he followed and said, "Your reaction was really bland."
"Why?"
"Because that used to be your type, didn't it?"
[Kudou-senpai-who-disappeared-for-years.jpg]
"That was a long time ago! Back then, I just wanted to date a hot guy and—"
"Oh really?"
"Really!"
GRAB!
Afraid Iori wouldn't believe her, Aina grabbed him by the collar and spoke seriously, "Anyway, things are different now!"
With that, she turned and went back to work.
Watching the scene unfold, Kamishiro sighed. Poor Iori—he just got kicked out of the "hot guy" category.
Aina sure was a tsundere through and through~
Iori, being totally dense about love, scratched his head, completely unable to figure out why Aina had such a big reaction.
Oh well, better just get back to work!
…
Three hours later
The four-person crew, treated like manual laborers, looked utterly exhausted.
This really was high-intensity work—they didn't even have time to check their phones!
Suddenly, the salary didn't feel so "high" anymore.
Kamishiro stared blankly out at the sea. He could understand the first day being busy—but the second day too?
This wasn't what he signed up for at all!
Was the workload in Izu really this heavy?
Kamishiro hadn't worked a full day back at "GB," but even so, it had been way more relaxed!
After all, no matter how capable Nanaka was, she couldn't possibly do the work of four people all on her own.
So where did things go wrong?
Kamishiro had overlooked something important.
While Izu had its share of tourists, compared to Palau, it was like comparing a kid to an adult!
People came to Palau purely for travel—many specifically to experience the diving here.
Izu?
Much fewer came for diving. It was more of an occasional thing.
So the workload between the two wasn't even remotely comparable.
(?????)
Kamishiro regretted everything. If he'd known, he would've stayed in Izu. He'd rather have a boring summer (flirting, writing) than this!
Ughhh~
Just then—
Everyone who had gone out filming finally returned.
But…
They didn't look too happy?
Due to the distance, Kamishiro and the others couldn't hear anything.
But judging from their expressions, there seemed to be some sort of argument?
They walked over.
"What happened?"
"Oh, you're here."
Chisa looked a little stunned seeing Kamishiro and the others, then turned to look at Ikegoshi worriedly. "Actually, after diving, Mr. Ikegoshi…"
He?
Was he being a diva?
They'd heard some idols were like that. Curious, they all turned to look at Ikegoshi.
And saw…
The once-handsome Ikegoshi now had half his face wrapped in gauze.
Uhh…
This was the start of a disfigurement arc, wasn't it?
"Was it a jellyfish sting?"
"No, apparently he scraped it on some coral."
"That's a pretty serious injury, then."
"Then he can't appear on camera for now, right?"
Everyone seemed to understand what the argument was about now.
Looking at the injury on Ikegoshi's face, the TV station manager looked serious.
"So next—"
Before he could finish, he noticed Kamishiro nearby and his eyes lit up instantly.
He hurried over. "Hey kid, wanna debut as an idol?!"
{{(°△°; "}}!
"Eh?!"
Kamishiro was dumbfounded. Wasn't this guy a TV producer? Why was he acting like a talent scout now?!
…
"Ahem…"
Kamishiro subtly pulled his hand out of the older man's grip. "Uh, sir, I don't think your station even runs an idol business."
"That's no problem. I've got contacts at every agency. If you're interested, I can recommend you anywhere!"
The station manager's eyes sparkled as he sized up Kamishiro like he was a gold nugget, practically drooling.
With his years of experience, he could tell at a glance—Kamishiro had the looks to become a top-tier celebrity!
There was no agency in Japan that would turn down a future top star!
And as the one who referred him? He'd be raking in money by the sackful!
(;?＿?)
Watching the producer giggle like an idiot, Kamishiro quietly stepped back.
In that man's eyes, he saw the word "greed!"
Greed for money!
Well, to be fair, Kamishiro often had the same look in his own eyes.
But having someone else look at him that way was unbearable! Especially a middle-aged man!
As for this whole "idol" thing—yeah, no thanks.
He'd already explained to Iori and the others before: it was way too much trouble.
Just as Kamishiro was about to refuse, something the producer said earlier suddenly came to mind.
He had all the talent agency contacts…
Didn't that mean he also had the one Kamishiro really wanted?
Hiss…
Sure, he could find it himself, but if someone vouched for him, it'd save a ton of time—and maybe even land him a direct opportunity!
Here is the complete English translation of the text you provided:
Swoosh!
Kamishiro's eyes lit up, and the brightness in them was no less than that of the TV station director standing before him.
He glanced at his two best friends beside him and silently pulled the bearded man to the side, away from the others.
(′｀;)?
Iori and Kohei exchanged a glance, and their expressions gradually turned sinister.
Their buddy must be hiding a little secret~!
Ignoring the injured superstar, they directly followed along!
Seeing this, Chisa and Aina were also curious and quickly followed to see what kind of scheme Kamishiro was up to this time.
{{(°△°; "}}!
Mr. Ikeyue, who was injured, stood there confused. What… Why did everyone suddenly leave? Weren't they just talking about me?
And what about my follow-up? You haven't even given me a clear answer yet!
So!
For the sake of his idol career, Mr. Ikeyue followed along too!
That's right!
Totally for the idol career!
It's definitely not because he's curious about which agency that boy, who's even more handsome than him, will end up in...
He just hopes it's not Sipps (*?????)
Ikeyue silently prayed in his heart. He already doesn't have a strong persona—if someone even better looking joins, won't he have even fewer opportunities?
Bro!
Please join a rival agency!
…
Back to Kamishiro Shiro
Seeing that he couldn't shake off Iori and the others, he simply stopped running. As long as they kept their voices down, it'd be fine.
When Kamishiro stopped, the TV station director eagerly asked, "So, kid, have you decided where you want to go?"
"Shh!"
Kamishiro put a finger to his lips, signaling to keep it down and pointing to the group following behind them.
"Uh, okay…"
Although the director didn't quite understand why this needed to be kept secret, he respected Kamishiro's wishes and lowered his voice.
He thought this was completely unnecessary—if Kamishiro really made a choice, there's no agency that wouldn't advertise it like crazy…
So why hide it?
Seeing that the bearded director understood, Kamishiro nodded in satisfaction.
Then, in a voice only the two of them could hear, he asked, "Old bro, you said you have contacts for all the entertainment companies, right?"
The director proudly lifted his chin. "Of course! Kid, do you know who I am? Even though our TV station isn't a top-tier one, we've got solid connections with the agencies!
Just tell me your ideal target, and with my decade-plus of experience, with your looks—unless you commit some huge scandal—you'll definitely become top-tier talent!"
And then, once they collaborate on a few programs, maybe he could even retire early!
The director already envisioned his idyllic retirement life waving to him.
Should he travel to the US or China?
Such a tough choice~
Watching the director once again show that creepy smile, Kamishiro's mouth twitched.
Why does this guy feel so unreliable?
Is this really okay?
For the sake of his career, Kamishiro cautiously asked, "Um, bro, if you help me get in touch, I wouldn't be treated like a total newbie, right?"
"Of course not!"
The director patted his chest in assurance—if he couldn't even manage that, what had he been doing all these years?
And with Kamishiro's looks, as long as it's not some exploitative agency, he'd get excellent treatment!
Hearing that, Kamishiro was completely at ease.
"Then I'll tell you, bro."
"Go ahead! Don't hold back!"
He was curious—which agency would be lucky enough to land such a ridiculously good-looking kid?
"Hoo…"
Kamishiro took a deep breath and said the name of the company he'd always wanted to join.
"I want to go to IP Company!"
"Oh, I see, IP Company huh…"
"Mmhm, IP Company."
"Haha, I see…"
The director laughed, but cold sweat was already forming on his forehead.
"Is it the IP Company I'm thinking of?"
"Most likely the one you're thinking of!"
"IdeaPocket?"
"That's right! That one!"
Kamishiro looked a little excited. "I've always wanted to work with Momonogi, Aizawa-sensei, and the others on a film!
You can help me make this happen, right, bro?
Don't worry!
My skills are absolutely top-tier! Not only that—I'm also a light novel author. I can write custom scripts!
Trust me, bro, it'll be a groundbreaking production! Might even break sales records!"
"..."
The director silently freed himself from Kamishiro's grip, stepped back two steps, and gave a deep bow. "Sorry for bothering you!"
Then he turned and left without a second glance.
This guy's an idiot!!!
With looks like that, and he doesn't want to be in the idol world, but instead wants to go into porn?!
There's no way the AV industry makes more than the idol scene!
Are there even more beautiful women in AV than in the idol world?
Not really! Their main edge is just that...
Although, yeah, that particular edge is pretty enticing to men.
But he just couldn't accept this!
Why throw that face into the adult world?!!
A "phenomenal work," my ass!
Hasn't he noticed how there are rarely good-looking male leads in AV?
That's because most AV buyers are men—if the male lead is too handsome, how are they supposed to self-insert?
With Kamishiro's face on screen?
People wouldn't even feel like watching the female lead anymore!!!
Refusing to accept this reality, the director chose to flee. He couldn't bear to watch the promising boy he'd set his hopes on jump ship.
However...
Kamishiro, who had finally seized this opportunity, wasn't about to let him go that easily!
Grabbing the director's clothes, he started pulling him back.
"Don't go, bro! Let's talk more."
"Let go! I'm not helping you with this, period!"
"C'mon, at least give me the contact info—I'll submit the resume myself."
"Not a chance! Don't even think about it!!!"
The director shouted.
No smut allowed!!!