"Wahh! Our little Angel's acting is so amazing!"
Her mother squealed through the phone. They were on a family call, her parents and brother watching The Butcher, the film where Raiquèn had performed her very first role.
'I didn't know I'd feel this embarrassed…' Raiquèn thought, cheeks heating as she listened.
"I know, right? Rai's acting gave me goosebumps," Ryo chimed in, laughing.
"You really have such a knack for acting, Estimado," her mother added proudly.
Raiquèn laughed awkwardly. She had already watched the scene herself, and to her own eyes, it seemed… average. Nothing extraordinary. The kind of thing anyone could pull off. She couldn't quite understand what they found so good about it.
'I guess I'll just have to practice harder…'
"Hm, I suppose now we'll need to get you a manager," her father's voice came from the background.
"A… manager?" Raiquèn repeated, blinking.
"That's right! You'll probably need one soon," her mother said brightly.
"But… I think I need to improve my acting first," Raiquèn replied honestly.
"Oh gosh, my little sister is too hardworking—it makes me feel ashamed," Ryo teased, chuckling.
"That is fine too, little Angel," her father said warmly, stepping into view behind her mother.
"But remember—acting on the spot also counts as practice."
"It does?"
"Yes. Many actors and actresses refine their skills while on set. Learning by doing."
"Alright…" Raiquèn murmured softly.
"If it comes to that, I'll ask your Aunt Sera to introduce you to someone!" her mother beamed.
The conversation carried on in that same cheerful rhythm, until the call finally ended.
Alone once more in the quiet house with only the family's maids bustling faintly in the background, Raiquèn slumped into the soft couch.
"A manager, huh…" she whispered, staring at the ornate ceiling.
"Who would have thought I could really… do it."
She exhaled a long sigh, half relief, half disbelief.
The next morning, her phone buzzed. Aunt Seraphina's name flashed across the screen.
"My little Angeeeel~!" a bright, ringing voice greeted as soon as she picked up.
"Auntie," Raiquèn greeted back with a small smile.
"I saw your scene—gosh! You've improved so much, and you've only been practicing for half a year!" Sera gushed.
"You gave me literal goosebumps! Hahaha!"
Raiquèn laughed shyly, thanking her aunt warmly.
"I heard your parents are looking for someone who could be your manager?" Sera teased.
"Yes… Papa suggested it. Though, I doubt anyone would want to manage a kid like me," Raiquèn said with a playful shrug.
Sera laughed on the other end. "Oh, you talk like an adult now, huh!"
"Anyway, I actually have someone in mind. And surprisingly—he's already in Italy. Would you like to meet him?"
"Oh… uhm, sure, Auntie!"
"Don't worry. He's trustworthy and kind. You'll see."
Her Aunt Seraphina had already given her the address of the person she had chosen. Still, Raiquèn couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Whoever this man was, he was coming to the estate today.
"Miss, here is what you requested," a maid said softly, setting down a plate full of delicate sweets.
"Thank you!" Rai beamed, though her hands fidgeted nervously around her teacup.
The sound of the doorbell echoed through the estate. Ding-dong.
"I believe that must be your guest, Miss," the maid said.
"I'll go check on it."
"Okay…" Raiquèn straightened in her seat, forcing a calm smile. Her fingers twitched slightly against the porcelain teacup.
Moments later, the figure stepped in—dressed in a light polo with a blazer draped neatly over one arm. Raiquèn rose at once, bowing her head slightly as a gesture of respect before offering a warm smile.
He was striking. Blonde hair framed his face, and his eyes were a piercing shade of blue—yet his features leaned distinctly toward an Asian heritage.
'A mix..? That's an amazing combination. If I didn't know better, I would have mistaken him for a model,' Rai thought.
The man bowed politely. "Thank you for receiving me. My name is Hachiro Lan—I used to be Ms. Seraphina's manager."
Raiquèn's lips parted in surprise.
"You were Auntie's manager? Oh my, what an honor!" She chuckled lightly, trying not to sound too flustered.
"My name is Raiquèn Xy Ignazio-Kanazora. Please, Mr. Hachiro, have a seat."
Hachiro gave a small, amused smile as they both settled into their chairs.
"Sera was right—you act a little older than your age."
'Oh… I keep forgetting people notice that,' Rai thought, cheeks warming.
"A-anyway, Mister… aren't you a bit young to have been my aunt's manager?" she asked, tilting her head.
"You're not wrong. She only took me on temporarily, as part of training, when I was eighteen," Hachiro explained.
"Was it your dream to become a manager?"
"Hm? Sort of," he said vaguely, brushing the question aside with an easy tone.
"But enough about me. Should we get down to business?"
'He really does seem like a good guy… someone I could get along with,' Rai thought, her nervousness softening.
"Please do take care of me!" she said brightly, bowing her head slightly.
Hachiro's smile widened, though he didn't reply immediately. Instead, he drew out a neat folder from his satchel and placed it gently on the round table between them.
"I've already watched your scene from The Butcher," he began.
"Oh…?" Raiquèn's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the mention.
"It was good—better than good, actually. I didn't expect it, but it gave me goosebumps."
His expression softened, a playful glimmer in his eyes. "You're quite an amazing cookie, you know that? Hahaha!"
Raiquèn laughed nervously, lowering her gaze. "It's only because I had an amazing instructor…" she said shyly.
"Your Aunt Sera already told me about the details," Hachiro said.
"She did? Hahaha, well… Aunt is very talkative, so I'm not that surprised," Rai replied with an embarrassed chuckle.
"Mhm. Since we've gone over the contract now… do you have any agencies you've set your eye on?"
"Agencies?" Rai tilted her head.
'Oh… the companies where actors get their day-to-day deals.'
"I only acted once, so I don't think anyone would be interested in me," she admitted honestly.
"Huh?" Hachiro looked confused.
"Huh? Why, Mister?" Rai asked, mirroring his tone.
"Well… your Aunt gave me access to the email she set up for you."
'Right… Aunt made my email so anyone from the entertainment world would have to contact her first, since I'm still a child…'
"Uhm? What about it?" Rai asked curiously.
"There are already a lot of agencies offering you contracts. I thought you knew about it."
"What?" Rai blinked rapidly, her face blank in shock.
'Oh gosh… Aunt never told me about this!'
"I… I never knew about it," Rai muttered, flustered.
"Pft—Hahaha! Your Aunt probably just forgot to mention it," Hachiro said, amused.
"Well, I could show you the offers if you want."
"Oh, uhm… I don't really have any agency in mind that I'd like to join."
"Do you want me to choose the best one for you, then?"
"Please do, Mister!" Rai beamed, her nerves easing a little.
Hachiro took out his tablet and unlocked it. With a few quick taps, a list of names appeared, and he began reading them aloud one by one.
"Hm… I don't really know any of them," Rai mumbled as she reached for a cookie.
"Hahaha, well, some are just average agencies looking for actors to bring in quick money," Hachiro admitted honestly.
"But there's one here that might suit you best."
Rai glanced up at him, waiting for him to continue.
"They're called Roskow Agency. It's led by Leora Del Oro."
Rai immediately choked on her tea. "ROSKOW!?"
"Oh? So you've heard of them?"
Her lips parted, stunned at the name.
'Of course I have!' she thought, her heart racing.
'They're the rival of Mediaset TXP Agency—the most famous agency here in Italy!'
"Y-yes… I do know them," Rai admitted carefully.
"Hm. Judging by your reaction, you weren't expecting this either," Hachiro said, leaning back as he scrolled through the details on the tablet.
"Haha! It seems you've caught their eye."
"Haha…" Rai forced out a nervous laugh.
Is that a good thing… or a dangerous one?
"Well, they're one of the best agencies out there," Hachiro said firmly. "My advice? We should pay them a visit and see exactly what they have to offer."
Their chatter stretched on until evening shadows filled the estate. By the time the clock chimed late into the night, they had reached a decision: Rai would give Roskow Agency a chance and see what they had to offer.
'Hachiro said he would handle everything—the contacting, the schedules. He'll just let me know once an appointment is set,' Rai thought as she stepped out of the bath, towel wrapped around her damp hair.
She sat cross-legged, laptop resting on the desk before her. The faint hum of the device filled the quiet room as she idly scrolled through the homepage.
"Oh? There's a new clip of Yeira," she whispered, her curiosity piqued.
Without hesitation, she clicked the thumbnail. The video opened to reveal the familiar young star, seated comfortably before an interviewer. The studio lights made Yeira's features glow, polished and practiced, but her smile still carried a shy warmth.
"Everyone adores you and calls you the genius child actress. How do you feel about that?" the interviewer asked.
Yeira chuckled softly, her eyes lowering as though embarrassed.
"I don't think I'm all that much, haha. But I'm truly grateful to everyone who supports me…"
Rai leaned back in her chair, the towel slipping slightly down her forehead.
She's really humble… Rai thought, admiration softening her features.
'Even with all the fame and recognition, she still speaks like that. No wonder so many people adore her.'
She rested her chin in her hand, watching the screen closely. The way Yeira carried herself—the calm, the modesty, the quiet aura of someone already used to the spotlight—felt worlds apart from Rai's own fumbling innocence.
Her lips pursed slightly. 'Can I really stand on the same stage as someone like her?'