Tokyo's Most Affectionate - Chapter 83

Not Playing Basketball

Walking to the elevator in the parking lot and waiting for a while, the elevator arrived.

“Itsuragi-senpai.”

As the elevator doors opened, a beautiful woman with long wavy chestnut hair, wearing glasses and a windbreaker that obscured her full appearance but still revealed an extraordinary temperament, nodded in greeting to Itsuragi.

Beside this beautiful woman, there were several people, both male and female.

While exchanging greetings, they walked out, forming a small team.

“Miss Kurokawa, where are you heading?”

Itsuragi glanced at her and responded, swiping her work ID, activating the elevator.

“I’m heading to Kyoto for a shoot. Is this the new talent you recommended? He looks quite handsome; he would be perfect if he were a bit taller.”

“Why would an artist need to be tall? It’s not like he’s playing basketball.”

“Good point.”

“Have a safe journey.”

“Wishing you a smooth workday.”

After some polite exchanges, they went their separate ways.

In this unfamiliar setting, Kurosawa didn’t speak without permission.

Following the footsteps, entering the elevator, Kurosawa turned around and saw Kurokawa outside waving at him, a welcoming and friendly gesture.

“Do you recognize her?”

As the elevator doors closed, Itsuragi adjusted her attire and asked.

“She looks a bit familiar.”

Kurosawa felt like he had seen her somewhere but couldn’t recall where.

After all, he wasn’t very familiar with the artists and celebrities of this world, having only researched them during his childhood.

The artists and celebrities of this world had some similarities with the previous one, although there were differences, mostly in names rather than works, which were often quite similar.

Of course, the two worlds were not entirely identical, so not all works were the same.

“Her name is Kurokawa Yumei. She’s an actress who has starred in many popular TV dramas. You’ve probably seen her posters at bus stops, subway stations, and places like that.”

“What level of resources does she have?”

“First-tier.”

“How many people have top-tier resources?”

“Two, namely Fujiwara Rika and Souma Ayume, each representing the top level in the male and female factions.”

“One of them is under your wing.”

Kurosawa wasn’t familiar with the other name.

“Yes, as the major contributor who signed Fujiwara Rika, my reputation and influence within the agency is not insignificant. So, you better perform well later. I’ve already made an appointment with the reviewer in advance, and I confidently said that you will definitely become popular.”

Itsuragi nodded, adding another word of caution.

Honestly, she felt a bit uneasy because Kurosawa excelled in various aspects, and yet he wanted to be a masked singer. She wasn’t sure how the inspector would react.

“Do your best.”

Seeing that she was a bit anxious, Kurosawa also felt a bit nervous.

As the elevator ascended, several staff members entered along the way. When they saw Itsuragi they politely greeted her and called her senior.

Finally, they arrived at the seventeenth floor and walked out.

“Wait a moment.”

Standing in front of a door labeled “Inspection,” Itsuragi stopped in her tracks.

“What’s the matter?”

Kurosawa seemed a bit puzzled.

“From the moment you enter, the review begins. There’s no special method or secret. When it’s your turn, just do as you’re asked.”

Itsuragi turned around, lifting her arms to help him adjust his coat and tie, all while giving instructions.

“…”

With her helping to tidy up his attire and tie, Kurosawa’s body tensed up. This behavior, whether described as intimate or casual, was a bit unusual.

The key point was the somewhat unique feeling of having the opposite sex help tidy up his clothes.

“Relax.”

Itsuragi didn’t seem particularly conscious of it, just giving his arm a pat after finishing.

“Alright.”

Kurosawa took a deep breath and nodded.

Prepared for the inspection, Itsuragi pushed the door open, and Kurosawa followed closely behind.

The room was spacious, equipped with various tools. On the wall nearby, seven people were seated on a long bench, waiting.

After surveying the surroundings, Kurosawa noticed Itsuragi in action and took a seat, awaiting his turn.

Taking a moment to rest, Kurosawa also seized the opportunity to observe the situation.

On the left side of the room, there was a long table with four people seated, two men and two women. 

They were generally older, around their thirties or forties, emitting an extraordinary aura.

“Akiuna!”

Before he could observe for long, an unexpected shout drew Kurosawa’s attention.

In the center of the room, within a two-meter circle, a delicate-looking young man was performing.

He knelt on the ground, arms outstretched, with an expression of despair and sadness. 

There were tears in the corners of his eyes, as if he was holding an injured woman.

“Akiuna, don’t fall asleep. I’ll take you to the hospital right away; you’ll be fine.”

He was alone there, performing as if in a scene of crying. Because there was no one else to play along with, and his acting skills were mediocre, it looked quite awkward.

Although not very familiar with the audition rules, Kurosawa, watching him, had a thought… this probably wouldn’t pass the review.

“Stop here.”

At that moment, a woman with gold-rimmed glasses, black hair with white streaks, wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, with a serious and strict demeanor, spoke.

She appeared to be quite old, around fifty or sixty, but still retained traces of her past beauty, indicating that she was a beauty in her youth.

Following that, a stern-looking middle-aged man with neatly combed hair, projecting an aura of authority, stood before a tablet. His hands were crossed as he sternly spoke.

“You didn’t pass the audition. Your acting skills haven’t improved at all compared to three months ago. Come back after a definite improvement.”

“Mr. Omu, I haven’t finished my performance yet.”

The young man who was emoting was taken aback by the statement and quickly responded.

“Crying scenes need to be on point in a second. You haven’t developed it even after ten seconds. If you want to move up to the top level, you’re just not qualified enough.” Omu tapped the table with his pen, indifferent to the actor’s plea.

At that moment, Kurosawa light suddenly felt a cold and smooth sensation on his arm.

“Mr. Omu Maeda, although he rarely acts now, was a well-known actor with great skill in the Showa era.”

Just as he turned his head, he noticed that Itsuragi’s slender and fair arm was pressed against his own. She quietly introduced Omu to Kurosawa, and due to her close proximity, he even caught a whiff of her pleasant perfume scent.

However, Kurosawa remained calm and composed, merely noting her introduction without any wandering thoughts.

“Mr. Omu, I…”

The young actor, unwilling to give up, tried to plead again.

“Let’s go.”

However, it seemed his agent couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She stood up from her seat, walked over, and pulled him up by the arm.

“Next group.”

As they left, the woman with glasses spoke.

Upon hearing this, five individuals stood up together. They all looked quite young, probably around eighteen years old, and were beautiful young girls.

As they rose, the scrutiny of the auditioners instantly focused on them.

These individuals not only held high positions for many years but also seemed to have experienced numerous storms and grand occasions. 

They exuded a certain aura, giving off a strong sense of oppression, causing the bodies of the five beautiful girls to tense up.