Tokyo's Most Affectionate - Chapter 132

Coming for You

“It’s posted.”

Summoning courage, Ichinose, after selecting the photos, hesitated for a while but eventually clicked on the “post” button.

She didn’t just post it on Twitter but also on Instagram. 

“Now, let it ferment slowly.”

Kurosawa also let out a sigh of relief. Seeing that it was finally posted, he felt like he was handing in an exam paper and leaving it to fate.

“Hikaru-kun, it’s only 3 PM now. What should we do next?”

After posting, Ichinose glanced at the time. While waiting for the results, she also asked.

Because they met early in the morning, even though they did a lot of things—such as makeup, buying shoes, shooting, eating, harmonizing, selecting photos—there was still plenty of time.

“We wait for the results.”

Kurosawa glanced at her and then said after some thought.

The dating mission was completed, and without a specific goal or direction, he was momentarily at a loss.

3 PM, this time of day, it was neither too early nor too late.

Shopping—today, he bought several pairs of shoes for Ichinose and some clothes. It was unlikely she would agree to go shopping again.

Watching a movie—they had done that before. Going again would be just a way to pass the time.

“Hikaru-kun, are you coming to see me at work tomorrow?”

Ichinose put down her phone, thought for a moment, and then asked.

“I have something to do tomorrow, so I won’t have time to come.”

Kurosawa shook his head. 

Tomorrow, he had to go to the agency and formally shoot a video playing the piano.

“What are you going to do?”

Realizing he had plans for the weekend, Ichinose couldn’t help but ask.

“I’m going to participate in a club activity, the archery club.”

As he stated this reason, Kurosawa suddenly realized that joining a club was indeed a convenient excuse.

“Hikaru-kun, are you still participating in the archery club?”

“Didn’t I tell you before that I practice archery?”

“But in the month and a half that I’ve known you, you’ve never mentioned club activities…”

Facing his surprised gaze, Ichinose innocently remarked.

Indeed, she and Kurosawa had known each other for a month and a half now. Although they had only met four times, they chatted every day through their phones.

Moreover, each of their meetings was a date, and surprisingly, they always had a great time. Their relationship continued to warm up.

Until today, they even shared a kiss and confessed their feelings, officially establishing a romantic relationship.

“I don’t go there often; I just participate occasionally.”

Kurosawa felt it was necessary to lay the groundwork for this matter.

He couldn’t keep it a secret forever, or else it would be challenging to come up with a plausible excuse if it suddenly came to light.

“That’s nice. I haven’t joined any clubs.”

Ichinose sighed, hugging her knees and looking up at the ceiling.

In order to become a hot girl, she didn’t join any clubs after entering high school.

Back in junior high, she used to be part of the dance club to enhance her beauty and cultivate her demeanor.

However, after being falsely accused and becoming the target of bullying, she quit the club and never joined one again.

“By the way, how much time is left on the contract you signed with Miss Ayata?” Seeing her complex expression, Kurosawa realized she might be thinking about something unpleasant, so he changed the subject.

“It started with a monthly contract, then became quarterly, and now it’s an annual one. This current contract expires on August 13th, so there’s about half a month left,” Ichinose thought carefully before answering.

“Don’t renew the contract after it expires.”

Realizing she indeed had a contract, Kurosawa immediately suggested.

“Why not? This part-time job is great; I earn over a hundred thousand yen a month,” Ichinose didn’t quite understand.

“If you become popular on the internet and start gaining fame, there might be people actively approaching you for collaborations or endorsements,” Kurosawa said, having specifically researched the treatment of models in recent days to understand the market.

Indeed, for Ichinose, an unknown high school student, earning 30,000 yen per shoot and even getting free access to a gym was already a very generous reward and treatment. 

However, it wasn’t because Ayata Mari was an exceptionally generous person; it was because the other party recognized Ichinose’s attractiveness and figure, deeming her deserving of such treatment.

If Ichinose truly became popular with tens of thousands or even more fans, her value would far exceed the current rate.

“It’s not that easy to become popular, and Mari-nee is so good to me,” Ichinose hesitated, lacking confidence.

“Parting on good terms is fine. Just because someone treats you well doesn’t mean you have to stick with them forever. Life is about moving forward, not staying in one place forever,” Kurosawa tried to convince her, seeing her hesitation.

“Hmm…” Ichinose remained silent, feeling conflicted.

“If you’re grateful to her, help her when she asks for it in the future. Or is it that you only want to earn a maximum of 150,000 yen each month like this?” Kurosawa continued, not surprised by her response.

At her age, someone like Ichinose naturally placed a heavier emphasis on emotions, and for the sake of relationships, she could overlook personal gains. 

Moreover, having experienced bullying and dark moments in her life, encountering an older sister figure like Ayata was undoubtedly a source of gratitude.

However, no matter how one looked at it, Ayata wasn’t unconditionally kind to her. The kindness was driven by profit, valuing her appearance, figure, and demeanor.

“Of course, I don’t want that. It’s just that Mari-nee and everyone in the team has been so good to me. If I don’t renew the contract, won’t it be unfair to them…”

With only 150,000 yen each month, Ichinose naturally couldn’t be satisfied. She shook her head.

She wanted to earn more money so that she could buy gifts for Kurosawa and keep up with his spending level when they were together. 

However, breaking away from the current situation and making a complete change wasn’t something she could easily decide on.

“In truth, you haven’t let them down.”

Seeing her appreciative and grateful mindset, Kurosawafelt relieved, understanding that this wasn’t a flaw. However, after some thought, he continued.

“Haven’t let them down?”

“Do you know the usual rates for other models who make it onto fashion magazine covers? It can range from 50,000 to 100,000 yen, and for more famous celebrities, their prices can’t even be estimated, likely reaching millions. Considering the effects of your magazine appearances, which are no less impressive than theirs, and you’ve been on the cover over fifty times in a little over a year.”

“What does the price of other models and celebrities have to do with me?” Ichinose’s head was a bit slow to catch up.

“You’re able to surpass those models with higher rates and make it to the covers, indicating that your photos are valuable. In reality, you’ve been a somewhat famous model for a while, the flagship model for YG Magazine. It’s just that you were unaware, and your value has already increased.”

Kurosawanodded, speaking with great certainty.

This was a fact, and he found it strange the day he saw Ichinose’s part-time modeling gig.

Why would a part-time model like her receive such good treatment, with a dedicated filming team and makeup artist accompanying her to various locations for shoots, rather than having her go to the shooting locations by herself?

Noticing this, when Kurosawaconducted his investigation, he also looked into the company where Ayata worked, a fashion agency called YG.

The main business of this agency was the weekly fashion magazine “YG,” which accepted requests from various mid-range and low-end clothing brands, seeking suitable candidates for shooting fashion magazines to promote their products. Both sales and reputation were good.

Usually, to save costs, they often hired good-looking amateurs for these shoots.

Ichinose was one of the few models long-term signed by this agency, appearing in every issue of the magazine—a designated model.

He even checked the official social media accounts of this company and found that Ichinose, under her stage name “Ichinose Miyuki,” had consistently high popularity with quite a number of fans.

“Is that so…”

Ichinose seemed a bit taken aback.

“You really don’t understand your company… Anyway, if you can’t bring yourself to say you won’t renew, I’ll do it next time. If they’re willing to improve the terms, and the conditions are acceptable, we can continue to collaborate.”

Seeing her bewildered expression, Kurosawa wasn’t surprised. After expressing his thoughts, he advised her.

This girl usually dressed as a hot girl, so it was normal that her classmates didn’t recognize her. 

After all, in her photoshoots, she often portrayed a sweet and cute girl, with a completely different makeup style.

Even if a fan were to see her, they would probably think she looked very similar but wouldn’t recognize her as the same person.

After all, who would expect that their favorite model was a hot girl, and moreover, one with a not-so-good reputation?

“Is there a chance for us to continue collaborating with Mari-nee?”

Ichinose perked up at this, suddenly energized.

If possible, she didn’t want to part ways with Ayata. After all, it was Ayata who discovered her, and she enjoyed being a model. 

Before this, a monthly salary of around 150,000 yen allowed her to spend freely without much concern.

Every month, she could buy new clothes, makeup products, and accessories, and she had also learned a lot about fashion.

“If they’re willing to improve the terms and cooperate seriously,” Kurosawai nodded when he saw her nostalgic feelings.

“Am I really a bit famous… should I change my Twitter name? Maybe use a stage name?”

Ichinose nodded with some anticipation and then asked curiously.

She was aware of her stage name; after all, both her real name and stage name were included in the contract when she signed it.

“There’s no need to change it. Just use your own name; it sounds good enough,” Kurosawa thought for a moment, then shook his head.

Although her current stage name had gained some recognition, considering she was signed with the YG agency, there was uncertainty about whether she might lose this stage name.

“Okay, I’ll follow your advice for everything,” Ichinose nodded obediently.

Just then, her phone suddenly vibrated, ringing aloud.

“It’s Miss Itsuragi’s call… that agent. Hikaru-kun, what should I do? Should I answer? Didn’t she say to wait for good news? Why is she calling me?”

Ichinose picked up her phone from the side and, after taking a quick glance, became flustered.

“Answer it. Try to make her completely give up,” Kurosawa, seeing this, also felt a bit nervous and after a pause, said.

“Hello, how are you?”

Realizing his stance, Ichinose nodded and opened the speaker, answering the call with a greeting.

“Hello, how are you, Miss Ichinose?”

Itsuragi responded to the greeting from the other end of the phone.

“Miss Itsuragi, didn’t you say last time that you were temporarily giving up? Unless the Karaoke Song Deity wants to be a singer, you won’t bother me anymore. Honestly, he finds your persistent pursuit very troublesome. Please, give up completely.”

After the polite greeting, Ichinose took a deep breath and spoke with determination.

“Miss Ichinose, you’ve misunderstood. I called this time not for the Karaoke Song Deity, but for you.”

Hearing this, Itsuragi chuckled.

Ichinose was stunned, lifted her head, and looked at the Karaoke Song Deity in front of her, Kurosawa Hikaru.

“For me?”