66-70

Chapter 66: The Word "Profit" 

Learning music isn’t cheap, but if you get good at it, the money can roll in. 

Even for a small, no-name band, a single gig can net each member around 10,000 yen. But not just anyone can pull that off. 

To put it simply, it’s a bit like running a renovation business. Each job pays well, but you don’t get gigs every day. Landing one requires not just skill but also a reputation and connections. 

Compared to fame, connections are clearly more crucial. For small bands playing gigs, fame is really just a means to build more connections, which lead to more performances and, ultimately, more money. 

“Risa’s incredible, isn’t she? Snagging a commercial gig during Heavy Gunners’ slot! This one job is worth almost two of our old nightclub gigs!”  

“I know, right? I heard her dad’s some big-shot businessman—gets picked up from school in a fancy car and everything. Her mom’s a professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, and her grandma’s a music department professor. Calling it a scholarly dynasty isn’t even a stretch. How else could a high schooler convince a veteran like Teacher Kawagen to write songs for us? Man, it’s like something out of an anime—a rich transfer student! We’re gonna make it big!” 

At the hotel’s back door, a gal in a JK uniform with dyed blonde hair squatted, puffing on a cigarette, her face brimming with ambition. 

The prospect of making money had the quieter girl next to her buzzing with excitement too. But soon, she lowered her head, a bit embarrassed. “Yeah, but… I think I just saw Aoi. She’s probably feeling awful today. It’s her eighteenth birthday.” 

“…” 

Her words hung in the air, silencing the blonde gal. The other light music club members, packing up their instruments to leave, fell quiet too. 

After a long pause, the blonde gal stomped out her cigarette, frowning and shaking her head in frustration. “Yeah, Aoi’s been good to us. These past two years, if it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t have made this much money. I probably would’ve quit music ages ago. But Saki, we’re not kids anymore! 

What if Aoi goes deaf? What if we can’t find someone as capable and connected as Risa to take her place? We’ve fallen so far behind in our regular studies. Do you think we can just take the college entrance exams like everyone else and get into a decent school? And if we keep going down the music path, you know what kind of life those no-name bands live!” 

Music, like soccer, is a brutal game—one star rises on the backs of countless failures. 

It sounds grand, “one star rises on the backs of countless failures,” because people love imagining themselves as the star. But in reality, most ordinary folks without connections aren’t the star—they’re the countless failures crushed beneath. 

The top dogs rake in the cash. Everyone else? Ninety-nine percent of regular people end up living in dingy basements, scraping by on discounted food, cannon fodder for the industry. 

Silence. Every member of the light music club stood frozen. 

The blonde gal, Mumei, ran a frustrated hand through her ponytail, a fierce glint in her eyes as she scanned the group. “On Monday, I’ll give Aoi some money—for her surgery, as a gesture of thanks for leading me to music these past two years. But after that, I, Mumei, am moving forward for my own future!” 

Her declaration echoed in the quiet alley behind the kitchen door. The club members, who owed so much to Izumi Aoi, bowed their heads. No one argued. 

Sensing the mood, Mumei’s eyes flickered with relief. After all, she was the one who’d asked Izumi Aoi to step aside, citing her “ear problems” and asking her to let Risa lead the club to greater heights. It was a calculated move to let Risa join without guilt. 

If Saki and the others stirred up trouble out of pity for Aoi and Risa learned the truth, things could get messy. 

Good thing that didn’t happen. 

Mumei let out a breath, her gaze firming. She slung her guitar over her shoulder, ready to head back into the restaurant to grab Risa. But as she opened the door, a familiar voice flooded her ears. 

“I once thought of ending it all.” 

“Because apricot flowers bloomed on my birthday.” 

“If I napped in the sunlight spilling through those trees,” 

“Could I turn to dust alongside the husks of dead insects?” 

Aoi?! 

That voice—unmistakably familiar! 

Mumei’s pupils shrank. She shoved through the crowd, racing to the side of the stage. The other club members followed, drawn by the sound. When they reached the stage’s edge, the sight before them left them stunned. 

“How…?” 

Onstage, Izumi Aoi sang softly, her voice low. Mumei’s mind flashed back to their first year together, to Aoi’s birthday. 

“Why form a band instead of going solo? Because, me? If I didn’t have trustworthy friends backing me up, I’d probably get so nervous on stage I’d sing off-key.” 

That day, the sunlight was warm, and Aoi’s smile was even warmer. Mumei knew it wasn’t just Aoi comforting her, the “weak link” of the group. Aoi was genuinely the type to get cripplingly nervous in unfamiliar settings. 

It was something the whole club knew. Once, when they missed a train and Aoi had to perform with random guitarists and drummers, she was so off-key from nerves that the venue owner chewed them out. Aoi ended up a teary mess, sobbing pitifully. 

After that, they always arrived early for gigs. 

“She’s not nervous?!” Mumei muttered, then corrected herself. “No, no, she is nervous, but she’s holding it together!” 

She caught the faint tremor in Aoi’s voice, saw the slight shake in her lowered left hand. Mumei’s eyes narrowed. 

Nervousness grows like a snowball. 

It’s like walking back to your room from the bathroom at night. At first, it’s just a twinge of fear, but it builds until you’re sprinting in panic. 

“Her voice is starting to waver!” 

Hearing the cracks in Aoi’s singing, Mumei’s expression grew complex. There was worry for her old friend, but also… a twisted glee. “Why is it always you who’s the most popular wherever we go? Why does everyone listen to you? Now you’re finally slipping, aren’t you?” 

Chapter 67: Because There Are People Like You in This World 

The song “I Once Thought About Ending It All” is an absolute gem. It once topped Japan’s J-POP request charts on cable radio and even helped lower the national suicide rate for a time. But this song isn’t just a hit because of its catchy melody or well-crafted lyrics—it’s because Mika Nakashima poured her heart into singing it! 

It’s like Angela Zhang’s “A Diao”—the most powerful and resonant entertainment comes from raw, intense emotions. If the singer’s heart isn’t fully in it, no matter how great the song is, it won’t move anyone. 

Not many people listen to a song like that. 

“Guess it’s true… I can’t do this alone.” 

The more nervous Himawari Izumi got, the shakier her singing became. The shakier it got, the less emotion she could pour into it. And the less emotion she showed, the less the audience cared. 

It was like singing at a karaoke bar—belt out your heart, but everyone else is too busy rolling dice or chatting to notice. A sense of being cut off from the world crept over her. As she glanced at the diners below, who were no longer listening, Himawari gripped the microphone tightly, her eyes betraying her growing panic. 

She instinctively looked back, hoping to see familiar faces, but they weren’t there. 

Her gaze dimmed, and a wave of disappointment washed over her. 

Her mind was a mess! 

She started going off-key. The more off-key she went, the more she panicked, and the worse it got. But then, Tetsu Fuyukawa’s words echoed in her mind: “All you can do is carry your past and move forward bravely. After all, there are still people quietly supporting you, right?” 

Her eyes landed on Sayako, who was in the front row, arm-in-arm with Tetsu, watching her sing. A jolt ran through Himawari’s heart. 

Soon, under the shocked gazes of Yumemi and the others, the delighted eyes of Sayako, and Tetsu’s playful “I knew you were a tsundere” smirk, Himawari’s voice began to steady. 

Not just steady—it soared! 

Let’s be real—Himawari Izumi had a natural gift for singing. Her vocal range was incredible. Her low notes weren’t exactly bass-cannon deep, but they were steady and powerful, a stark contrast to her pure, almost delicate appearance. And her high notes? They were like her personality—ethereal, emotionally charged, and piercingly intense. When she hit her peak, even Tetsu could feel a shiver down his spine. 

As her singing reached its climax and her voice poured through the restaurant’s speakers, the diners’ attention gradually turned to her. 

Confidence is something you build! In Japanese culture, where group harmony and support are key, people often shine brightest in environments that boost their confidence. 

The lighthouse at Mint Candy Harbor, 

The rusted arch bridge, the abandoned bicycle, 

Standing by the heater at the wooden train station, 

My heart can’t find a place to start its journey. 

Watching Himawari sing with growing ease, Tetsu’s lips curved into a slight smile. Beside him, Yumi Konno—now married—flashed a cheeky middle finger at the stunned Yumemi and her group. But Yumemi wasn’t even paying attention to Yumi anymore; her eyes were glued to the stage. 

The song was amazing, and Himawari was killing it! 

But Yumemi was miserable. 

“When did she write this song?!” 

Anyone could tell “I Once Thought About Ending It All” was a masterpiece. Even with Yumemi’s high standards, she could hear its potential to go viral—far surpassing the song Risa had gotten from a senior songwriter. But none of that mattered to her now. It had nothing to do with her. 

“I Once Thought About Ending It All” was indeed a phenomenal song. On the surface, the lyrics might seem melancholic, but at its core, it was bursting with vibrant life. To convey that kind of emotional backbone, the singer needed intense, almost overwhelming emotional investment. And Himawari Izumi… 

“Himawari—her name says it all. Sayako’s not the only one supporting you.” 

Watching her pour her heart into her performance, Tetsu crossed his arms, a faint smile on his face. 

Honestly, he didn’t have much interest in an 18-year-old kid like her. But maybe it was the shared pain from a past life that made him feel a unique connection to her. Otherwise, with his personality—and given how Himawari loved to tease him—he’d have probably dragged her off for a playful spanking, even if Sayako tried to stop him. 

“With her situation stabilizing, Sayako’s stress will ease up too. That’s good. Now I can focus on finishing the game—” 

His thoughts were cut short as his eyes widened. 

No particular reason—Himawari had gone off-key again! 

And it wasn’t just that—the rhythm was off too! 

Under Tetsu’s gaze, Himawari clutched the microphone with one hand and pressed her in-ear monitor with the other, desperately trying to find the sound. 

“No way, no way, no way, no way, NO WAY!” 

The sound in her ears was fading, and it felt like a giant hand was squeezing her heart. Panic filled her eyes. 

It wasn’t the embarrassment of a “failed revenge” or the fear of never hearing again—it was “Why now, of all times?!” 

Seeing Sayako’s frantic expression in the crowd and thinking of that delicious cherry cake, Himawari clenched her fists, her heart racing with panic. But then, under her wide-eyed stare, Tetsu climbed onto the stage. 

Without a word, he took her left hand and placed it on the vibrating speaker. 

“Relax. We’re all here.” 

She couldn’t hear what Tetsu was saying, but looking into his calm, warm eyes and feeling his gentle grip guiding her hand, the tension in her eyes began to melt away. A sense of reassurance took root in her heart. 

For once, she didn’t snap back at him. Instead, she let him guide her delicate hand to the speaker. The rhythm of the vibrations flowed through her palm, and though she could barely hear anything now, she started to find the beat again. Maybe it was the complete isolation from outside noise, or maybe her heart had finally calmed. As she looked at Tetsu’s handsome face, her eyes blinked softly, and something in her gaze began to shift. But quickly, she raised the microphone again. 

I cried, wanting to be loved, because I felt human warmth. 

I once thought about ending it all. 

Because of your radiant smile, 

I kept thinking about death, probably because I was living too earnestly. 

I once thought about ending it all, because I hadn’t yet met you. 

Because there are people like you in this world, I’ve come to look forward to it. 

Let’s be honest—Himawari, a beautiful girl with a stunning voice, was a force to be reckoned with. And Tetsu was getting his first real taste of Japan’s passionate support culture. As Himawari hit the song’s climax, the entire restaurant erupted. Diners spontaneously raised their phones, waving them like glowsticks in a concert. 

The energy was unreal—even Tetsu was caught off guard. Yumemi and her group had already slipped away. 

Chapter 68: All Settled 

As the world’s second-largest music market after the United States, Tokyo is teeming with countless bands and singers, both mainstream and underground. Heavy Gunner, a somewhat well-known music restaurant in Shinjuku, often attracts talent scouts who come to dine after work, casually keeping an eye out for promising new talent. 

Without a doubt, as the song “I Once Thought About Ending It All” came to a close, the entire restaurant erupted in excitement. 

Many scouts, thoroughly impressed, eagerly handed over their business cards. However, Izumi Himawari didn’t show much excitement. Amid the cheers of countless onlookers, she quietly followed Sayoko and Tetsu back to their table. 

Though the song was a gift from Tetsu under a pseudonym, out of respect, she felt she needed to discuss with “Senior Beyond” before putting it on music platforms for profit, to get their approval. 

As for contacting scouts to debut… 

Her singing was undeniably captivating, and her image was appealing. Scouts had approached her long ago, and back then, she was thrilled, thinking she could earn her own money and stop being a burden to Sayoko. 

But in the end, most companies backed off after learning about her condition. Launching a singer requires significant resources, and until her hearing was fully treated, even if a company signed her, the contract wouldn’t be favorable. 

Of course, things were different now. With a hit song to back her up, signing with an entertainment company was no issue. Still, her mind was a mess. 

“Life is… really strange.” 

So much had happened today. Sitting back at the table and putting on her hearing aid, Izumi Himawari’s eyes looked dazed, her big, round eyes staring blankly at the bubbling hotpot. 

In the afternoon, she was “forced to abdicate.” At night, while celebrating her birthday, she ran into old friends, feeling like her life had hit rock bottom. Then, out of nowhere, Tetsu, like a magician, pulled out Idol from Sayoko’s bag—a birthday gift, a song destined to be a hit! 

Excitement surged through her! 

But… 

“Why isn’t my mind filled with thoughts of Senior Beyond? Why isn’t it about signing with a music company? Instead, it’s…” 

“Relax, we’re all here.” 

Looking at Tetsu, who was cozily eating hotpot with Sayoko across the table, she recalled the moment on stage when he gently placed her hand on the speaker. His distant voice, paired with the shape of his lips, echoed in her mind. That sense of security from that moment left the eighteen-year-old Izumi Himawari, in the rainy season of her youth, feeling a bit lost. 

Tetsu, naturally, didn’t pay much attention to the young girl’s thoughts. Back at the table, he continued cuddling with Sayoko, eating hotpot and sipping sake. 

Honestly, he’d been pretty exhausted lately. Not only was his work busier than Sayoko’s, but he’d also been dragged into company politics. Dealing with Deputy Director Yamanaka wasn’t too difficult, but it was still a hassle. 

Today was a weekend, and he had half a day off tomorrow, so he let loose. 

However, as the saying goes, “The tree wants to be still, but the wind keeps blowing.” 

At first, many scouts came over to toast and offer their cards. But when they learned the song wasn’t written by Izumi Himawari and that she had hearing issues, their enthusiasm quickly faded. Interestingly, though, when they found out Tetsu was a section chief at NTsoft—and such a young one at that—they flocked back to him. 

The reason? Scouts in Japan, a powerhouse of anime and gaming, often dabble in more than just music. Many also scout for voice actors, and modern games frequently require voice acting. 

Tetsu didn’t turn them away. He smiled, clinked glasses, and exchanged pleasantries with the bowing scouts. It wasn’t just small talk—his game Surrounded by Beauties genuinely needed voice actors. 

The game targeted Japan, China, and Korea, so it required not only Japanese voice acting but also Korean and Chinese dubs. NTsoft had its own list of voice actors, but having more connections never hurt. 

Tetsu handled this kind of socializing—saying the right things to the right people—with ease, keeping everything perfectly balanced as he drank with the scouts. 

Watching this, Yumi Konko, Izumi’s best friend, widened her eyes across the table and nudged her. “Hey, hey, hey, what’s the deal with this guy? Why is Mr. Ogami from Starry Sky so respectful toward him?” 

Starry Sky was a moderately well-known entertainment agency in Tokyo. Mr. Ogami, known for scouting high schoolers, was a respected figure in the industry. Normally, they looked up to him, but… 

Glancing at Mr. Ogami, who was bowing and smiling obsequiously, then at Tetsu, who sat calmly raising his glass with one hand, Yumi was stunned. 

She wasn’t the only one. 

At home, Tetsu wasn’t the type to put on airs. His casual clothes and relaxed demeanor gave Izumi the impression—despite Sayoko always saying he was an impressive corporate elite—that he was just a sleazy, unshaven guy in baggy shorts, smoking and gaming. 

This was the first time she’d seen him in a slightly serious, work-mode state. Izumi blinked unconsciously but quickly shrugged it off. “Just some stinky gaming uncle.” 

“…Come on, don’t treat me like an idiot! But seriously, don’t let Kohana see him—she’s totally into mature, masculine guys like him. Though, from the way he acts toward you, he doesn’t seem interested in young girls like us. Guess a mature woman with a full figure like Sayoko is more his type.” 

“…” 

As her best friend rambled on, Izumi rolled her eyes. But her gaze lingered subtly on Tetsu, dressed sharply in his suit. 

He did seem… a bit more mature than usual. 

Just as the thought crossed her mind, she noticed Sayoko beside her, helping cook lamb slices. Her pupils shrank slightly, and she shivered, shaking her head and focusing on eating the lamb. 

Dinner lasted past 8 p.m. As Tetsu waved goodbye to the bowing scouts and stepped out of the restaurant, Tokyo’s night sky was already glittering with stars. 

November in Tokyo was a bit chilly at night. Izumi, slightly drunk, rubbed her arms, goosebumps rising on her fair skin. 

“Told you to wear more,” Sayoko said, draping her light blue shirt over Izumi’s shoulders. Before she could grumble further, Tetsu placed his suit jacket over Sayoko’s shoulders. 

“You’re one to talk—caring about style over warmth.” 

“What? Always ruining my moment. No hangover soup for you tonight!” 

“Haha, just take a bath with me later.” 

“Hmph, no way I’m bathing with a perv like you~” 

Slightly tipsy, Tetsu, in his white dress shirt, smoked a cigarette while waiting for the designated driver, teasing Sayoko with a grin. Sayoko pouted playfully, then laughed and hooked her arm around his, leaning in for warmth. 

Nearby, watching the two flirt under the neon lights, a flicker of complicated emotions passed through Izumi’s eyes. But in the end, a faint, happy smile curved her lips as she tightened Sayoko’s shirt around her. 

Chapter 69: The Worn-Out Himawari Izumi 

By the time they dropped off the overly friendly Yumi Konno at her place, it was past 9 p.m. Tetsu Fuyukawa and Sayoko, both able to hold their liquor, sipped some sobering soup and cozied up on the couch to watch a movie. Meanwhile, Himawari Izumi, still a bit tipsy, slipped into cute pajamas and headed upstairs. But… 

Despite the buzz in her head, Himawari couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned on the tatami mat, the faint smell of mothballs lingering in the cotton blanket that half-covered her flushed face. 

Honestly, the day’s events had been an emotional rollercoaster for an eighteen-year-old like her. 

“How am I supposed to face Yumemi and the others now?” she muttered to herself. 

“No, no, no! They’re the ones who should worry about facing me! I didn’t do anything wrong!” 

“Ugh, stop thinking about it! That guy’s got way more life experience than me. I’ll just follow his advice: don’t forget the past, but don’t look back either. Just keep moving forward. Yeah, I’ll listen to him this time!” 

Staring at the bright moonlight filtering through the glass door, her clear eyes flickered with shifting emotions. Her mind replayed the day’s events, but it all kept circling back to that moment when he took her hand and placed it on the speaker. 

“Ahh! I’m gonna lose it!” she groaned, her heart racing with an overwhelming sense of security—and a blush creeping up her cheeks. But soon, she grabbed the edges of the blanket in frustration, sitting up and ruffling her already messy hair. “No way, I can’t sleep at all! He’s a game developer—he’s gotta have tons of manga around here, right?” 

In her cute pink pajamas, her pale, delicate feet padded across the cool tatami. Still a bit drunk, Himawari stumbled to the glass-fronted bookshelf. “Dragon Ball? Why are guys so obsessed with this punchy-punchy stuff? Total violence nut!” she huffed. 

“Hunter x Hunter? They should lock Togashi in a room until he finishes it. No way it’s wrapping up in my lifetime!” 

“Hm? After the Rain Short Story Collection by some flop author named Abin? Never heard of this one.” 

The alcohol was hitting her hard. Spotting an odd-looking manga, she swayed, her slender arm pulling open the glass cabinet. She yanked out the book, plopped onto the floor, and propped the oversized manga on her lap. With a small hiccup, she figured she’d kill time with it. But after flipping through a couple of pages, she slammed the book shut, her face turning as red as an apple, her eyes wide and trembling. 

“Of course he’s a huge perv! Keeping that kind of manga right out in the open!”  

She shoved After the Rain back into the shelf with a loud thunk, crossing her arms indignantly, cheeks puffed out in a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. Just then, a wave of post-alcohol thirst hit her. “This house is tainted! No one can live here anymore!” she grumbled to herself. 

Muttering complaints, she slipped on her bunny-shaped slippers and wobbled downstairs to grab some water. But as she reached the staircase landing, her eyes widened in shock at the scene before her. 

The living room was dimly lit, the wall-mounted TV casting a faint glow from some movie. Tetsu lounged on the soft couch, a beer can in his left hand, sprawled out comfortably. And in front of him, in Himawari’s stunned gaze, Sayoko, dressed in a red silk nightgown, was kneeling on the plush carpet. Her sleek black hair was pinned up, revealing a refined, almost magnetic profile. 

“Wha—what is this?!” Himawari stammered, her clear eyes reflecting the heart-pounding scene. Just then, Tetsu moved, reaching out to grab Sayoko’s head. 

Did he see me?! 

Panicking, Himawari didn’t dare linger. She spun around and bolted back to the study, leaning against the door as her heart pounded. Thump, thump, thump! She let out a shaky breath, but her heartbeat only grew louder. 

“Sayoko’s gonna die out there!” she whispered frantically. “No, no, I need to calm down!” 

She ruffled her hair in a frenzy and headed toward the balcony, but just before pushing open the glass door, her reflection caught a glimpse of the bookshelf. That manga, haphazardly stuffed back into the shelf, made her heart skip a beat. 

Her hand, poised to open the door, dropped. 

The next morning, the crisp autumn air filled Tokyo. It was mid-November, and a chill had settled in. 

Normally, the tight production schedule for Surrounded by Beauties meant working through weekends. But after an intense stretch, Tetsu had given the team a rare half-day off. Don’t underestimate a half-day break—having no work tasks, no looming deadlines, and the chance to sleep in was way better than those “weekends” where the boss dumps last-minute tasks on you Friday night. 

Still, maybe because he was naturally disciplined or because his body had adapted to the high-pressure schedule, Tetsu didn’t sleep in. Sayoko, on the other hand, was a different story. 

Sunlight streamed through the window onto the bed. Tetsu cracked his eyes open, glancing at Sayoko, still fast asleep, her ample figure half-draped over his chest. He checked the clock on the wall. “Time to start breakfast,” he murmured. 

Sayoko had taken over cooking duties at home, but Tetsu didn’t want to wake her. Carefully, he shifted her soft, curvy frame aside, slipped into a comfy gray tracksuit, and tiptoed downstairs. 

“We had sobering soup last night, but then drank more anyway. Good thing we’ve got some bone broth left—perfect for noodles,” he said to himself, rolling his shoulders as he headed down the hall. But as he passed the study door, it swung open. 

“Up this early?” Tetsu greeted with a grin, spotting Himawari in her cute pink pajamas, her hair a chaotic nest as she rubbed her eyes. 

“Morning,” she mumbled, her voice hollow, her face marked by massive dark circles. She shuffled past him, zombie-like, leaving Tetsu dumbfounded. 

“What’s up with her? She looks like she’s been up all night partying,” he muttered, watching her listless figure. “Or maybe yesterday’s drama is still messing with her?” 

He couldn’t quite figure it out and decided not to overthink it. Without another word, Himawari beat him to the bathroom. Tetsu headed to the kitchen, pulling the bone broth from the fridge and setting it to heat on the stove. Gotta get a place with two bathrooms when I can afford it, he vowed silently. 

The lard began to melt in the pan, and as Tetsu chopped green onions and the broth started bubbling, Sayoko wandered downstairs in her sexy nightgown, yawning. Seeing Tetsu in full domestic mode, a happy smile spread across her face. But when she caught sight of Himawari, sprawled listlessly on the couch staring at the TV, she jumped in surprise. Sidling up to Tetsu, she whispered, “What’s wrong with Himawari?” 

Tetsu glanced at the zoned-out teen, leaned in to give Sayoko a quick kiss, and chuckled. “No idea. But don’t high schoolers always crash like that when they get a day off?” 

“Hmm, fair point,” Sayoko nodded, convinced. 

Chapter 70: Nurse Outfit 

The ramen cooked by the old master was absolutely delicious. 

As the bowl of white-broth ramen, garnished with a sprinkle of green onions and thin slices of beef, was set on the table, its rich aroma filled the room. 

“Aoi, are you heading to the Takenouchi music shop this afternoon?” 

It was the weekend, but Izumi Aoi, now a third-year high school student, was facing college entrance exams next year. There was no room to slack off. 

Sayoko placed a small dish of pickled mustard greens in front of Fuyukawa Tetsu, smoothed the floral skirt over her full figure, and sat down, looking across at Aoi. 

“Yeah, I’ll head out soon.” 

Slurp, slurp, slurp. Maybe she was starving, but the zombie-like Aoi from earlier was now devouring her ramen with gusto, shoveling it into her mouth. 

Seeing her regain some energy, Sayoko sighed in relief. Tetsu, adding some pickles to his broth, smiled and said, “Studying’s important, but have you thought about what to do with the entertainment companies?” 

The song “I once thought of ending it all” hadn’t been officially recorded or released yet, but with today’s internet, videos of Aoi’s performance from last night were surely already uploaded by netizens to video platforms. 

Aoi was still a nobody, far from the influence of someone like Mika Nakajima, who performed nine times at the Kohaku Song Festival. Without big capital backing her, she wouldn’t skyrocket to fame overnight. But information spreads fast these days. With a bit of patience, that song was bound to blow up. 

When that happened, the entertainment companies—currently hesitant due to her hearing issues and fear of a bad investment—would come knocking like carp swimming upstream, chasing the massive online buzz. 

Aoi, of course, had no clue about Tetsu’s thoughts. 

Meeting his gaze, she recalled the shocking moment from last night, a flicker of shyness in her eyes. But when the conversation turned serious, she frowned slightly, slurping her noodles while mumbling, “You saw those scouts yesterday, right? Once they heard about my ear problems, they all backed off.” 

“That’s normal. They’re businessmen, not your family. They won’t touch something where the risks outweigh the profits,” Tetsu said with a grin, eating his noodles. 

“You know that and still bring it up? Hmph, you just love getting under my skin!” Aoi rolled her eyes, pouting, but then added, “Still, even if scouts come knocking, I want to… finish college first. Yeah, even if I become a singer, I don’t want it to mess with my university plans.” 

“College?” 

Tetsu raised an eyebrow, a bit puzzled. 

For artists, a high education was a bonus, but not as critical as in other fields. Many stars like Mika Nakajima or Ayumi Hamasaki dropped out of high school or barely graduated before diving into the entertainment world. 

Noticing his confusion, Aoi nodded, poking at her noodles with her chopsticks, lacking her usual confidence. “Yeah. I don’t just want to be a performer. I want to sing my own songs. So… I want to learn more about music theory.” 

A songwriter, huh? 

Tetsu hadn’t expected this girl to have such big ambitions. Slurping his steaming noodles, he nodded with a smile. “That’s a good goal, but… you’re not planning to keep mooching off Sayoko forever, are you?” 

“Tetsu-kun~” 

The topic was a bit touchy. Sayoko lowered her head, her delicate foot brushing against Tetsu’s leg under the table. But Tetsu ignored her, his eyes teasing as he looked at Aoi. 

“No way! I’m eighteen now! I’m gonna make sure Sayoko lives a happy life, and I won’t need you, you stinky old man!” Aoi shot back, hands on her hips, chin raised defiantly. 

Honestly, she had reason to be confident. Her band had done decently, earning good money per gig, but freelance performances weren’t steady. On average, her monthly income was modest, barely covering music lessons after tuition. 

Still, the lack of cash wasn’t just due to scarce gigs. Being under eighteen, she couldn’t get into many venues. Plus, her ear treatment costs were high early on, though they’d tapered off. If she worked hard, with lower expenses and more income, Aoi’s life could indeed get sweeter. 

Seeing her smug attitude, Tetsu popped a boiled egg into his mouth, teasing, “Oh, looks like Aoi’s gonna make it big, huh? So, starting tomorrow, can I start charging you rent? Hey, Sayoko, how much is rent for a two-story house like this in Tokyo?” 

“You!” 

Tetsu and Sayoko had grown closer, and at his suggestion, Sayoko planned to move in permanently once her current lease ended. They were both thrilled at the prospect of carefree days together, but for Aoi—who often crashed at Sayoko’s place due to family issues—it was a headache. 

Glaring at Tetsu’s cheeky grin and catching Sayoko’s stifled laugh, Aoi trembled with frustration. She wolfed down her ramen in a few bites and stormed upstairs. “I’m done talking to you guys! I’m going to study!” 

“This kid’s so rude, Tetsu-kun…” Sayoko started, bending over to clear the dishes, but before she could finish, Tetsu gave her a playful smack on her full figure. 

Jiggle. 

Sayoko’s eyes shimmered with mischief as Tetsu laughed. “No need to be so polite. I’m not gonna bicker with a kid. But… you’ve been getting a bit bold lately, haven’t you?” 

“Hmph, and whose fault is that, Tetsu-kun?” Sayoko murmured, her cheeks flushing. Tetsu grinned, pulling her into his arms. “What was that? I didn’t catch it.” 

“Hey! Aoi’s still upstairs!” Sayoko’s face reddened, her figure squirming unconsciously. Just then, Aoi’s voice rang out from above. 

“Sayoko-chan, help me move this desk! I can’t do it alone!” 

“This kid…” Sayoko sighed, planting a quick kiss on Tetsu’s cheek—much to his chagrin—before heading to the sink with the dishes, her hips swaying. 

“She’s gotta move out eventually!” Tetsu muttered, his morning fun ruined. But as Sayoko reached the stairs, she turned back, whispering in his ear, “Be patient. The nurse outfit I ordered online arrives this afternoon.” 

“You little minx!”