"Nee-san, about that contract you mentioned last time, let's talk about it."
Fresh off the roller coaster, Toru hands Seika the bottle of water he bought.
"Thanks…"
Seika takes a small sip and shoots him a side glance.
What a terrible boy.
She never imagined a boyfriend would actually drag his girlfriend onto a roller coaster.
And earlier, when he heard her scream, Toru laughed so hard he kept smiling for three whole minutes.
Absolutely awful.
Once she catches her breath, she recalls what he said a moment ago. "Contract?"
"The agency thing. You told me about it yourself."
"Right."
"First of all, I prefer you carefree and unrestrained. If you don't sign, I'll be happy."
Then he adds, "But if you really want to sign with an agency, I won't oppose it. I looked at the contract. A ten year all inclusive deal. The agency handles your image, commercial shows, career planning, everything. A manager takes charge of your work."
Seika nods.
So that's how it is. Since the simulator only shows the key events, she cannot see all the small details.
Signing with an agency comes with pros and cons.
Most big bands have an agency anyway.
"This is basically a contract selling yourself, my silly nee-san."
Toru sounds helpless. "If your band stays popular, the agency will support you for profit. But if your popularity drops, you know what they'll do, right? Shelving artists is the easiest thing."
"But chasing a dream means giving up something, doesn't it?"
Seeing she doesn't want to back down, Toru offers a middle path. "Then how about this. I'll be your band's manager?"
"You don't have any connections. You can't get us commercial gigs. And you're only sixteen. Who would take you seriously?"
Seika shoots down the idea with the simplest fact, his age.
"Alright then, if you're that confident, I won't say more." Toru laughs lightly.
Connections?
He actually has some.
All these years, relying on his divine tier computer skills, he built a small network in the tech world, serving as a consultant for several companies.
The internet doesn't require complicated maneuvering. If you want to boost someone, you just give them visibility.
If you stand in the right wind, even a pig can fly.
Besides.
In reality, he debuted as a child actor for ten years. He has plenty of industry connections.
Unfortunately…
In the simulation, his life is different, so none of those connections are available.
"Nee-san, after resting this long, feeling better now?"
"Much better."
Seika stands up.
"Time waits for no one. Let's go line up for the haunted house."
Toru takes her hand, amused. "I heard the staff inside are everywhere, all dressed up, and they chase the guests."
Hearing her boyfriend's description, Seika whispers, "Can we not go?"
"Nope~"
Ugh, bully.
…
Two hours later.
After stumbling out of the haunted house, Seika sits on a bench hugging Toru, trembling slightly, traces of tears still under her eyes. The older sister dignity is gone.
"I told you I didn't want to go."
"Alright, my bad. Want to hit me to vent?" Toru apologizes with a grin that makes it clear he doesn't feel guilty at all.
Seika gives him a pitiful look.
She's supposed to be the adult, yet somehow the high schooler is bullying her.
"Nee-san…"
"What now?"
"You're so cute." Toru lowers his head and kisses her.
A few seconds later.
Face flushed, Seika pushes him away.
Barely louder than a mosquito, she mumbles, "I told you to warn me first."
And he kissed her again.
"Sorry, you're just too cute, I can't help wanting to kiss you."
"But you still can't…"
She trails off, unable to finish.
Toru leans in again.
"Nee-san, can I kiss you?"
Hearing that, Seika blushes, nodding softly. "Yes."
With her permission, he bows his head and lightly bites her soft pink lips.
Another kiss.
A few seconds longer than the last.
He lets her go.
Toru laughs. "Nee-san, your kissing skills are terrible."
"Really?"
"Way worse than yesterday."
He presses his forehead gently against hers, checking her temperature this way. "Nee-san, did you get enough sleep?"
"I… I guess."
Looking at his face so close, pure hearted Seika feels steam rising off her head from embarrassment.
She tries to maintain her older sister composure.
But Toru keeps making her heart flutter.
"Let's go eat lunch."
"Okay."
She finally escapes the danger zone.
◇
[After lunch.]
[The two of you spend the whole afternoon playing in Fuji Q Highland and leave with full hearts.]
She exits the simulation.
Seika looks at the window of her room, emotions tangled.
Twelve kisses from a high school boy in one simulation. She feels unclean.
Her first kiss was given away far too casually.
She didn't even have time to savor it properly.
And worse, her first kiss ended up being that kind…
Seika falls back onto her bed and murmurs, "His lips were so soft."
Recalling the feeling of kissing.
Ahhh, what am I remembering.
She quickly covers her head, rolling around her bed several times, then clutches a teddy bear tightly.
Buried in it, her cheeks flush a bright red.
She really wants to date him in real life.
After personally experiencing such a romantic date.
Seika is becoming a full romantic fool.
Hard to blame her.
Toru is simply too good at flirting.
…
After calming down, Seika continues checking the simulation.
[Ignoring Toru's advice, your band signs the contract. Soon, a female manager takes charge of your career. With professional guidance, everything starts running smoothly. You feel relieved that you didn't blindly listen to your younger brother.]
This sounds like a flag.
Is it just my imagination?
[That winter, the band's workload increases. You attend various commercial events. Your fanbase grows rapidly. Your popularity reaches new heights, and it feels like you are only one step away from becoming a phenomenon.]
[Because of your busy schedule, you spend less time talking to your boyfriend and family.]
[You begin traveling all over Japan, only able to hold your boyfriend a few days each month. Your dates visibly decrease.]
[Even during holidays, you still have events. Only during New Year can you rest for a moment.]
[The agency will not give you breathing room. It will squeeze the band's remaining value for profit.]
[Sometimes, staring at the moon, you wonder if this life is really what you wished for.]