"I'm not trying to convince you. I just wanted to say... it seems Takashi might also be on that show."
Sakurajima Mai: "...Really?"
"Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you about this?"
Her mother sounded confident, but honestly, it wasn't yet certain whether Takashi would agree.
Still, now that he had signed with Ogitsu Yoshiko, the celebrity's own opinion didn't matter much.
As long as Ogitsu agreed, it was settled.
In Japan, celebrities rarely have more say than their managers.
And with Ogitsu's skills, Mai's mother was convinced it wouldn't be hard to persuade Takashi.
"That... romance reality show..."
Sakurajima Mai hesitated to finish her sentence.
She admitted to herself that she might've spoken a bit too strongly earlier.
Her mother pretended not to know.
"The next drama I'm in won't air for another six months. My biggest fans keep complaining that I've been too passive lately, not appearing in variety shows enough.
They've been begging me to be more active."
Her fans were the ones complaining.
Sakurajima Mai was just trying to meet their expectations.
She was that devoted to her fans.
"Variety shows can't have scandals, can't be too aggressive with pranks, no revealing clothes... With your conditions, there aren't many shows you can do."
"If it really comes to that... I guess I could sacrifice a little for my fans and join the romance show."
Mai looked visibly uncomfortable and shy as she said that.
"You're not doing it just for Takashi, are you?"
Her mother tried not to laugh, pulled over to the side of the road, and looked at her suspiciously.
Sakurajima Mai reacted like a cat with its tail stepped on, turning red and lashing out like a flurry of kitty punches.
"Mom! What nonsense are you spouting?! Why would I go on a romance show for him? It's not like I like him!"
"I was saying—you're not doing it just because you're a fan, right? Why are you getting so defensive?"
Her mother stared at her precious daughter suspiciously.
She'd only been guessing before, but now she was sure.
Her precious daughter actually had feelings for that golden pig Takashi.
"I'm not being defensive! You're the one making it sound misleading!"
Mai's voice lowered as she said that.
Now her mother wasn't so sure about letting her daughter go anymore.
Takashi was great, but... he was a womanizer!
At first, she only wanted to create a fake ship between Mai and Takashi to help boost their popularity.
She never planned to actually offer up her daughter to him on a silver platter.
But now, even if Takashi wasn't interested, it seemed her daughter certainly was.
Maybe I should say no... no, wait, Mai's career is already hitting a plateau...
The idea of rejecting the offer flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
Sakurajima Mai was very popular—but only within Japan.
More importantly, her follower count had stopped growing, and that was making her mother anxious.
With me and Yoshiko watching over things, it should be fine.
Ogitsu Yoshiko had raised Mai's career from scratch—she was like half a mother to her too.
What kind of sane person would hand over their precious daughter to Takashi?!
But with the two of them monitoring closely, surely nothing would happen.
Elsewhere, after finishing the call with Ogitsu Yoshiko, Takashi raised his phone, ready to smash it.
"Alright, calm down. Your manager just wants what's best for you."
Yasuraoka Hanabi stepped forward to stop him, "considerately" speaking up in defense of his manager.
She believed that by being this understanding, Takashi's affection for her would surely increase dramatically.
"You're so kind, Hanabi."
Takashi said, "moved," as he suddenly hugged her—while subtly shifting his gaze behind her.
He hugged her so she wouldn't realize what was really happening—he was being photographed.
Hidden in the shadows, the paparazzi had already arrived. The sound of camera shutters—click click!—filled the air.
You had to admit, when it came to celebrity scandals, those guys were fast.
Truly deserving of the title "paparazzi elite."
So warm... and his chest is so firm... wait, wait, Hanabi, what are you thinking!
The sudden hug made Hanabi lose focus for a moment.
He's just a tool to get your brother's attention and mess with that wretched woman!
You mustn't fall for him!
At first, Yasuraoka Hanabi saw Takashi as nothing but a dull little puppy to tease.
But once he became successful, her goal shifted.
She planned to pretend to date Takashi, flaunt him in front of Narumi Kanai and Akane Minagawa.
Showing off in front of Narumi was to get his attention, to make him realize that she had people chasing after her, that she wasn't just a kid anymore.
As for flaunting Takashi in front of Akane—well, that was simpler.
Knowing Akane as she did, she was sure the woman wouldn't let a man like Takashi go.
She would definitely make a move.
And Takashi, the playboy that he was, would surely fall for her charms.
When the two of them ended up in bed together, she'd storm in with Narumi Kanai and expose everything.
Once Narumi saw Akane's true colors, he would be heartbroken and disappointed—and then, Hanabi could approach him as a "betrayed girlfriend."
Narumi wouldn't let his guard up.
A man and woman alone together in their grief... sparks would fly, love would blossom. They'd be together naturally.
That was Yasuraoka Hanabi's plan.
To her, it was absolutely flawless.
What she didn't know, though, was that Narumi Kanai was the kind of green-haired turtle who'd forgive his girlfriend even if she cheated on him—and still want to stay with her.
"Takashi, calm down."
Hanabi tried to push him away.
But Takashi had no intention of letting go.
On the contrary, he hugged her even tighter.
"Hanabi, you might see rumors of me and other girls in the future, but believe me—it's just for publicity. The only one I truly like is you."
Hurry up and snap the photo!
You useless paparazzi, hurry up!
"Promise me, okay? Don't leave me."
Listening to Takashi's heartfelt confession—and thinking about how much he liked her—Hanabi suddenly felt guilty.
Her plan was perfect in every way...
Except it involved using Takashi.
Fine... think of this as compensation.
With that, Hanabi gently wrapped her arms around him. "Mm."
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