Shuu walked through the city streets, flexing his wrist to shake off the lingering pain. He felt satisfied after he had beaten up some thugs that had gotten too close to his territory.
It wasn't anything serious-just the aftermath of beating up a bunch of idiots who thought messing with Nee-san's business was a good idea. He had taught them a good lesson.
Not that Nee-san knew. And that was for the better as well.
Because, if she did, she would smack him upside the head and tell him to stop causing trouble….and maybe do something more.
"Tch… annoying bastards. Just because I heal fast does not mean I am a punching bag…"
Shuu muttered, rolling his wrist again. It still throbbed, but it wasn't enough to bother him.
As he kept walking, a familiar buzzing sound hit his ear. That buzz was the reason behind half of his headaches.
[-bzzt… Host… mission alert…-]
"Oi, shut up."
Shuu snapped, waving his hand around like he was swatting a fly.
"Not now."
The buzzing continued, as if the system didn't understand human language at all.
That blasted, cursed thing had been with him ever since he reincarnated in this new life. He, Shuu Kuharaba used to have a different name in his past life.
He used to be Lee Minho…The Lee Minho, the biggest beggar-to-star story that was out there. Due to his…rough way of speaking and non-delicate way of acting, he was not very popular among the staff. But the public liked his talent (*cough* face *cough*) enough to forgive him.
But at the height of his career, he had died in a shooting accident. And because he was an orphan and had no close acquaintances, the cause behind his death had not been found.
The reason given for his death were health complications. But when Lee Minho died, he was completely healthy.
[-bzzt… Host… mission alert…-]
"Anyway, that life and that industry is no longer my concern. In this life, I have found a purpose for my fists and strength. It is to increase the influence of Nee-san's mafia…."
He kept walking, jaw clenched, until a woman in a clean, expensive-looking suit stepped right into his path. Before Shuu could tell her to move, she held out a card.
"Excuse me, but can you let me have a look at your face? Hmm, just as I expected. You have the making of a star."
She said, eyes bright like she'd found some rare treasure. Her non-consensual touching made Lee Minho uncomfortable, and he took a step back.
Shuu blinked.
"Hah?"
No matter how much he tried to step away, that woman kept closing in on him, her sharp eyes looking him up and down.
"Your face, your sharp features, even the way you move-it's exactly the talent I've been searching for. You will certainly be the next big star. Have you heard of the global audition for the XX show? If you participate, I am sure you will pass the interview and make a debut."
Shuu stared at her like she'd gone insane. Becoming an idol was not that simple. People spent years in training, honing their skills.
And all Shuu currently had was a good-looking face.
The system buzzed even louder.
[-Mission detected. Host must accept this opportunity to redeem your past-]
"Shut. Up….Ugh, fuck off-!"
Shuu snarled at the air, making the lady jump.
Instead of backing away, the scout leaned in, eyes sparkling even more.
"Oh wow, this is incredible! That rough attitude-you're just like Lee Minho used to be. You might be able to get to the same height…no, even higher than he ever could. What do you say? Won't you like to try?"
She said.
Shuu froze. His eyebrows twitched.
"…What did you just say?"
"Lee Minho. Your aura is exactly like-"
Shuu clicked his tongue hard, his irritation shooting straight up.
"Don't compare me to that guy. I am nothing like him. Now, get out of my way, woman."
He turned to leave, ready to storm off before she said something even dumber. He did think about pushing the woman away as well, but ultimately decided that it would be better not to give her a chance to engage with him.
But the woman was fast-she shoved the card right into his hand before he could dodge.
"With a face like yours, it's destiny. You're meant to be an idol."
She said proudly, almost as if she were under a spell.
Shuu glared at the card as it had personally insulted him.
"Yeah, right. Destiny, my ass. I don't believe in that crap. Now out of my way."
He muttered, stuffing it into his pocket only because littering would make Nee-san scold him later.
Still grumbling under his breath, he stalked off down the street, ignoring both the buzzing system and the starstruck scout behind him.
The scout watched him leave for a second before she snapped out of her daze.
"Huh-! What was I doing? I think I just saw a person of incredible talent…but…"
She whispered before shaking her head and heading toward her next target…ehmmmm, potential star to recruit.
Meanwhile, Shuu made it back to the base before he entered the gates. He put his mask back on to hide his face from others around.
The well-maintained, high-class building welcomed him. The guard outside bowed in front of him, showing him respect he had earned by defeating a lot of people. His Nee-san, the queen of the underworld and its iron-fisted ruler, stood in front of her desk.
Her face looked worried, and took a rather…complicated look when she turned to face him.
"Ah, Shuu, just the person I wanted to see. And what is that in your hand? Let me see. A scouting offer? How…useful"
Alarm bells started ringing in Shuu's ear as soon as he heard his 'Nee-san's' voice. They might not be related by blood, but the older female had all but raised him. He knew that tone of voice anywhere.
Shuu took one step back. Then another.
Nope. No. I don't like that tone. I'm leaving."
He turned on his heel immediately.
"Shuu."
Every muscle in his body locked. That was the voice. The "you move one more inch, and I'll break your legs myself" voice.
"…Yes, Nee-san?"
He asked, not turning around.
"Come here."
"No, thank you. I suddenly feel… sick. Really sick. Terminal, maybe. I should go lie down before I die-"
He clutched his stomach dramatically.
"Shuu."
He bolted.
He didn't make it three full steps before a hand grabbed the back of his collar and yanked him so hard he nearly choked.
"A-Ack-! Nee-san! Let me go! I swear I'm dying-"
"You're fine. You can die after the mission. No, I will personally kill you if you want me to after this is over."
She said flatly, dragging him back like he weighed nothing.
"That means you want me dead-!"
His protests were ignored as she pulled him right in front of her desk again. He stood there stiffly, like a kid caught stealing.
She lifted the card he'd been holding earlier.
"A scouting offer… how convenient."
Shuu felt cold sweat run down his spine.
"Convenient for what-?"
"We have a problem. One of our targets has fled into the entertainment industry."
Nee-san said calmly. Too calmly.
Shuu felt his stomach drop. Hard.
"…And?"
He asked, praying-begging for her to say literally anything else.
"And we need someone to go in and bring him back alive. Someone with enough charm, looks, and presence to climb high enough to get close to him."
She folded her arms. Shuu stared at her.
Nee-san stared back.
Shuu pointed at himself.
"Nee-san. Please. I am begging you. Pick literally anyone else."
"You're the only one with a face that doesn't cause panic. The rest of our inner circle looks like walking crime scenes."
She said bluntly.
"I am a walking crime scene!"
"But you're pretty."
"That does NOT help me!"
She continued as if he hadn't spoken.
"And you already have a scout interested in you. Perfect timing."
"It's NOT perfect! I don't wanna be an idol! I can't sing, I can't dance, and I'll punch someone on live TV!"
"That's fine. Just don't kill anyone ... .well, even if you kill someone, we would be able to clean up after you."
She said.
"You're missing the entire point-!"
She placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Shuu. You're the only one who can do this."
"That's not true-"
"It is."
"I'm busy-"
"No, you're not."
"I'm sick-"
"You're perfectly healthy."
"I'm emotionally unstable-"
"I raised you. I know that's normal for you."
Shuu sucked in a breath, ready to run again, but Nee-san was faster. She grabbed his arm, marched him toward the exit, and shoved the building's doors open.
"Wait-Nee-san-Nee-san, let me THINK-!"
"There is nothing to think about."
She dragged him across the courtyard while he scrambled for any solid surface to cling to.
"STOP! I don't wanna debut! I'm not idol material-I'm criminal material!"
"That's why this works. No one will suspect you."
"That's exactly why I shouldn't go!"
She reached the car, yanked open the door, and shoved him inside with one clean motion.
Shuu bounced off the seat, hair a mess, eyes wide with betrayal.
"Nee-san… how could you…"
She leaned down, smiling sweetly-the scariest smile he knew.
"Do well. Make me proud. You, keep an eye on h
im so that he does not run away. If he does, then it will be your life on the line, alright?"
Then she shut the door.
______
Updates will be seldom. This will be reposted in WSA based on the feedback
Also, MC comes off as a bit whiny here, but he'll get better and more determined at the end of ch 3-4. He's just doesn't want to step in the industry he died in...