The Director was sitting at his desk. When the door opened and two people walked in, he didn’t even raise his head. Instead, he continued to write calmly, seeming completely unperturbed by the sudden commotion. Only after he finished what he was working on did he place the pen down and looked up.
Kyota Rikatsu was a man in his late-twenties, who, just like Asakura, had risen to his position due to his exceptional talent for business. Despite working in the entertainment industry, he always had a stern, almost aloof air around him. His appearance was above average, with a handsome face and a well-toned body, but the downside was the fact that he didn’t like to smile much. Sato had always wondered how could a person such as this be so successful as an artist agency Director. But then again, perhaps that was his individual charm that made him so appreciated by everyone.
The fact that he was honest and blunt, while offering exceptional quality services, helped in winning a large clientele. From clothing brands to hotels and even sports apparel manufacturers, there were a lot of companies who appreciated his flawless business style.
Kyota Rikatsu never said no to an offer as long as it played well with his interests and he always took good care of his artists.
Moreover, he was famous in the industry for his strict control over the performers’ lives. He didn’t tolerate the smallest rumor that could risk the agency’s image or the actors’ reputation, regardless of the matter. By keeping a firm grip on the young people’s behavior and appearance, he managed to uphold a positive image, creating something close to a brand. Even so, he was never unjustified in his decisions and always took action after carefully analyzing the situation.
This was the person who now stood in front of Sato and Kyosuke. A pair of penetrating eyes stared them down from behind black-rimmed glasses. Kyota’s ink-black hair was flawlessly styled, the color contrasting nicely with the dark blue costume he was wearing. He was looking so dashing that he could pose as a model himself. No wonder all the women in the company were always goggling at him with heart-shaped eyes.
Just as Sato and Kyosuke were about to take a seat on the large sofa, a group of three young women burst inside the office in a storm of color and mirth.
“Kyota-san! Kyota-san, is it true that we have been approved for a debut?” One of the girls asked, excitement blooming on her beautiful face.
“Ne, ne, Kyota-san, is it true the big event is next week?” Another one interjected.
“Kyota-san, what are we going to do?! I’m so nervous, I’m sure I’ll do something wrong and make a fool out of myself while on stage.” The third girl wailed, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, looking positively dramatic.
Hearing all this ruckus caused Kyota to frown and rub at his temple. He could feel a headache coming.
“You three, stop squealing like a bunch of monkeys and listen to me! The debut concert is two weeks from now and if you perform like you always do while practicing, then you’ll be amazing.”
“Really?” The third woman asked unsure, still clutching the handkerchief in her hand. She was gazing at Kyota with big, trembling eyes.
“Really. I’ve seen you practice and there is nothing to worry about.” Kyota sighed deeply and patted her head for a second, before regaining his strict attitude. “Now off you go! I still have work to do.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Alright. We’ll leave for now. But we’ll come to visit you again soon.” One of the women chirped.
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“Pa’r ws pby ab xcbk atfrf atlcur. Rbk ub!” Bsbaj gflafgjafv, qblcalcu ja atf vbbg.
Seeing him so adamant and also knowing when they should stop teasing, the hyped females turned on their heels and walked out.
As they left the office, they kept giggling and smiling brightly until their cheeks were flushed red. They really looked just like a group of high school girls fangirling after their crush.
Now that the noisy group was gone, the remaining three could carry on with their conversation.
“I see you’re as popular as ever, Kyota-san.” Sato began by saying, a small smile gracing his lips.
He truly admired this man for his ability to be so well liked without showing any trace of affection in return.
Kyosuke, on the other hand, scoffed. The sight of those women fawning over Kyota like some brainless creatures made him want to gag. He wore a grimace of displeasure as he sat cross-legged on the sofa.
“If being popular means being surrounded by those kinds of headless chickens then anyone can do it.” He grumbled in an undertone.
Unfortunately, Kyota had keen ears as well as sharp eyes. Hence, he heard everything Kyosuke said and saw every change in his expression. This caused Kyota’s lips to curve into a deep smile. He traced his chin with a finger, looking pensive.
“Is that so?” He asked softly.
“Those women don’t know squat about anything.” Kyosuke continued to grumble, completely unaware of the amusement his attitude was giving Kyota.
Meanwhile, Sato was watching this exchange from the sidelines. He was already used to Kyosuke acting like a kid most of the time, but when Kyota was involved, it was like his immaturity obtained new levels with each encounter.
“Well, then.” Kyota suddenly said, arousing Sato from his thoughts. “Kyosuke-kun, I guess you’ll have to show me how it’s done. You have a modeling session in three days and I expect an impeccable performance from you. Since the photoshoot will probably take all day, make sure to clear your entire schedule.”
“Ooh! A photoshoot!” Kyosuke cried out, suddenly looking very excited.
His eyes were sparkling gratefully at Kyota, not very different from how those women had appeared earlier. It was as though their previous quarrels never existed and they were the best of friends again.
“I haven’t done that in quite a while. Who’s the client?”
“X brand.” Kyota replied simply. There was no special inflection in his voice, but a strange look flashed through his eyes.
“X brand? I’ve never heard of them.” Kyosuke said thoughtfully.
“That’s because you don’t like to buy underwear from them. You always complain they have ugly designs.” Sato stated calmly.
Silence fell inside the office. Kyota and Sato both waited for the information to sink into Kyosuke’s brain, while the man himself resembled a stone statue rather than a living human. As soon Sato’s reply clicked inside his brain, the young man sprang to his feet like a bowstring.
“What and what?! You want me to photoshoot for an underwear brand?!” He shouted in disbelief.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you a model as well as an actor?” Kyota asked, looking unperturbed by this sudden outburst.
“I am, but when I signed the contract we made a deal. We agreed that I will never have to take my clothes off!”
“You are a professional, so you should be able to adapt.” Kyota retorted, his words sounding harsh and cutting like the edge of a blade.
“That’s a breach of contract!” Kyosuke gritted out raucously.
“Actually, it’s not. What we had was only a verbal agreement. We never signed on it.” Kyota continued to deal blows at Kyosuke with each sentence.
“Even so, we agreed! You gave me YOUR WORD!” Kyosuke strongly emphasized on the last part of his sentence.
“I did the same for my client and they are the ones paying. Therefore, you’ll have to do it, whether you like it or not.” Kyota concluded mercilessly.
“But… But…”
“If you don’t, then I’ll have Sato do it instead.”
“WHAT?!” Both Kyosuke and Sato cried out at the same time.
Wait a minute. What does your quarrel have to do with me?! Sato wondered silently.
With that last sentence Kyota finally dealt the maximum possible damage. He knew very well just how much Kyosuke cared for his cousin and he was counting on that affection and friendship to force Kyosuke into submission.
Just as expected, as soon as those words fell he could see the puffed up Kyosuke gradually deflating like a balloon without air. Even though his teeth were still gritted with terrible frustration, Kyota was almost certain that the young man wouldn’t refuse now.
“You’re truly despicable, Kyota-san.” Kyosuke struggled to breathe out. His fists were so tightly clenched that his knuckles turned white.
“Yes, yes, but you’ll thank me later. Since it’s a full body photoshoot make sure to eat lightly these next few days. No grease or junk food. After all, you want to look your best and show me how a ‘really popular’ man handles things, isn’t that right?” Kyota smirked, pushing his glasses up with his index finger.
“I’ll remember this, you know!” Kyosuke threatened. His entire body was now trembling due to suppressed frustration.
“I sure hope you will. It was such a pain to get you this job that I’d feel cheated if you were to forget about it so easily.”
A/N: New character entering the story. Kyota Rikatsu sure is something 
Wonder how young Kyosuke will handle this hurdle. 😏🤭 There is also a reason for his strong reaction and his reticence to take on such projects, so I hope you won’t be too harsh on him
Thank you for the chapter (๑°꒵°๑)･*♡
💜💜💜
Haha I like this Kyota-san already~
Thank you for the chapter 💛
I am happy to know that because he will appear again 😉🤭
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I lwant to like him but I rly hate the dirty trick he pulled in this chapter.
thanks for the chapter <3
<333