Tokyo's Most Affectionate - Chapter 86

It’s Impossible to Be an Employee

Unlike the relaxed and pleasant mood when entering the company, the two remained silent throughout the journey until they got into the car.

“Sorry,” Itsuragi, who had been silent for a long time while gripping the steering wheel, spoke up.

“Why apologize?”

Kurosawa was also feeling upset, but he didn’t understand why she said sorry.

“I should have clarified things from the beginning. After knowing your preference, I should have adjusted the plan promptly. Instead of going through the audition, I should have directly signed you as a new talent. I lacked professional competence, and you ended up being scolded by that old lady.”

Itsuragi shook her head, feeling that she had neglected her duties.

With Kurosawa’s abilities, even if he chose to be a mysterious singer under a mask, not aiming for super stardom but gaining moderate fame, it would have been achievable.

“Sigh…”

Itsuragi rested her head on the steering wheel, looking dejected. She had lost the spirited demeanor she had when they first met after school.

Kurosawa sat in the passenger seat, observing her silently. As time passed, he gradually calmed down.

“Miss Runa.” After thinking for a while, Kurosawa called her by her name.

“Sorry, let’s go. Let’s grab a meal to relax.”

Itsuragi snapped out of her thoughts, straightened her posture, tightly gripped the steering wheel, and forced a spirited smile.

Although the difficult situation was quite unpleasant, it was not something Kurosawa should be concerned about; it was the consequence of her own actions.

Even if he needed to worry, he would wait until he got home at night and figure out a solution on his own.

“Do you want to become a boss?” Seeing her troubled expression, Kurosawa made up his mind and spoke.

“A boss?” Itsuragi, who was about to start the car, looked up at him in surprise.

“If you want to be a boss, be a manager, sign me as your first artist, and let’s collaborate.” Kurosawa nodded slightly, affirming his proposal.

“You mean, start my own agency?” Itsuragi doubted if she had misheard.

Was this some kind of unexpected turn of events? She had just been scolded by her boss, and now she was being suggested to fire the boss and establish her own agency?

“You are a golden manager respected by others, but in front of the board, you are still an employee. You have to do whatever the boss tells you to do. If the venture is successful, you won’t have to be at the mercy of others anymore.”

Kurosawa nodded decisively, expressing his opinion based on the recent experience. He had already sensed that working as an employee had no future.

“Working as an employee is not a viable option. If you don’t want to rely on others and act according to their preferences, then you have to become a boss, relying on your abilities to dominate everything.”

“Starting an agency is not that easy… This industry has long been saturated. In recent years, hardly any new agencies have emerged. They either go out of business or get swallowed up.”

Itsuragi shrugged, finding the proposal unrealistic.

“Listen to me first.” Seeing her disagreement, Kurosawa continued.

“Okay.”

“How much is your current annual income?”

“My basic salary is eight million yen per year, plus the performance commission from Fujiwara Rika, it’s around twenty million.”

“Within two years, I can help you reach or even exceed this salary.”

“Tell me more.” Seeing his seriousness, not like he was joking, Itsuragi felt a bit intrigued.

“What do you think of my abilities?”

Kurosawa didn’t immediately reveal his plan; instead, he asked a question.

“According to Ms. Hamada’s assessment, you have top-tier potential. But aside from looks, I can’t say for sure. I don’t understand piano, but I feel you’re quite impressive.”

Leaning on her hand, Itsuragi recalled Hamada’s reaction earlier and spoke.

In fact, this was the first time she had seen Hamada so out of control.

Perhaps the old lady genuinely thought Kurosawa was a good prospect, even more promising than the former Fujiwara Rika, only to find out that he was making demands before even debuting. 

Furthermore, the conditions included not showing his face and not prioritizing his career, which infuriated her.

“What if my singing skills are really better than the Karaoke Song deity?”

Kurosawa nodded, adding another point for her to ponder.

“Then that’s impressive. With a few good songs, you could become popular at any time.”

Itsuragi commented without hesitation on this possibility.

In reality, singers are more likely to become popular compared to actors in films, TV shows, stage performances, or dancers.

This is because other performers require specific platforms and entry barriers to be known to the public.

However, singers are different; with just a few exceptional songs, they have the potential to become nationwide or even global sensations.

After all, music can be listened to anytime and anywhere, such as during sports, work, or study, making it present in most situations, unlike other forms of entertainment that require a specific time and attention.

Moreover, Neon was very enthusiastic about music, and so far, the physical music market is the largest globally.

The greatest advantage of singing and music, compared to other mediums, is that they are more easily captivating.

“Are you serious?”

After her subconscious response, Itsuragi suddenly came to her senses when she realized the potential in this.

“I am confident in saying that I’m better than the Karaoke Song Deity after hearing his songs.”

Kurosawa understood her skepticism; after all, he hadn’t sung in front of Itsuragi until now.

“You said you usually just hum a few lines.”

Itsuragi, feeling a bit intrigued, couldn’t help but say.

Kurosawa didn’t know how to explain this, so he just said, “Isn’t it possible that I’m a genius?”

“Let’s go to a karaoke place tonight. After I hear you sing, we can discuss the plan.”

Thinking about his piano skills, Itsuragi bit her lip and decided to explore this further.

If she could become a boss, who would want to be an employee?

“No need. I can sing for you right now. Let’s go with a song that the Karaoke Song Deity sang. I’ll imitate him, and you can listen.”

“Are you going to sing ‘Lemon’?”

“Ahem, ahem!”

Kurosawa didn’t say anything and just cleared his throat a few times.

The next moment, his mouth slightly opened, his Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he started singing.

“How I wish it were only a dream

Even now I still dream of you”

As he began to sing, the deep and magnetic voice stunned Itsuragi on the spot. 

She stared wide-eyed, her lips, adorned with bright lipstick, forming an ‘O’ shape.

This guy wasn’t kidding. His singing was almost identical to the Karaoke Song Deity, or even better!

Oh my god, where did Chizuru find this treasure?

This Kurosawa was handsome, had a good personality, dressed well, was well-read, played the piano, and could sing! How could there be such a talented man!

“Do you want to request a song? Any song is fine. Let me listen, and I can sing it for you.”

After finishing the song, Kurosawa smiled at her shocked and excited gaze.

Just now, he was a bit angry, so he intended to show his real skills.

“You can sing anything, sing a few more.”

Itsuragi clenched her fists, her body trembling, not out of fear but out of excitement and joy.

In this state, she departed from her seriousness at the company and the demeanor of an elite older sister as a gold-class agent. She looked like an excited girl.

Seeing her adorable appearance, Kurosawa smiled and sang a few more songs, showcasing different styles and genres, letting her know that he could sing in any style.

This was a fact; the entry-level vocal ability was formidable, and his singing skills surpassed the majority of singers.

“Alright, I’m quitting this job. I’m eloping with you!” After he finished singing five songs, Itsuragi suddenly threw a punch, determined.

“Eloping? Isn’t that a bit strange?”

“Just kidding. I wouldn’t say that in front of Chizuru.”

“Let me tell you the plan.”

“Speak, speak!”

Itsuragi was already too excited; she could almost see Kurosawa becoming wildly successful, and herself counting money as a boss behind an office desk.