Volume 13 Chapter 250-2 The Man From States, BERYL Dismantling Operation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
When you actually talk to someone, you understand things that you can’t see in a report.
Standing next to Shirogane Aqua, who has a strong personality, I thought he would make a well-balanced group.
”Mayuzumi Shintaro-san, to be honest, are you happy with where you are now?”
It’s better to be direct with someone like him.
Thinking this, I stopped using complicated language and spoke to him sincerely.
In our company, we have top earners like Yukishiro Mikuni and Kuga Reira from Japan.
Because of that, I studied Japanese hard. I wanted to help if our male staff caused problems between them. I never thought I’d use it for something like this…
”You…”
”Oh, sorry, this is just how I am.”
I gave my business card to Mayuzumi Shintaro-kun, who looked a bit cautious.
By fully introducing myself, I took another step forward.
”Bernard Aylward, STAR LIGHTS PARTNER.”
”Yes. Call me Bernard. I’m here to recruit you for Beryl Entertainment.”
People from the States don’t like beating around the bush.
But I’ve heard Japanese people are different.
Since I wasn’t sure which way was best, I decided to start with my usual approach.
”You want to recruit me?”
”Yes.”
Mayuzumi Shintaro-kun looked surprised by my words.
”I heard you’re Shirogane Aqua-kun’s best friend. Have you ever thought about standing truly beside him as his best friend?”
When I looked at him sharply, his eyes flickered a little.
Seeing he was shaken, I thought this was my chance and pushed further.
”Even at BERYL, idol Shirogane Aqua will always be by your side. No matter how hard you shine next to him, people might not give you a fair chance. So, why not step away from that for once and stand on your own? We can help you grow.”
I explained honestly that our company plans to fully expand into Japan, and that Mayuzumi Shintaro-kun would be the center of that effort.
This isn’t just about him, though.
Seeing him think for a moment, I felt pretty confident.
”Excuse me. I’m very grateful for this offer, but I have to decline.”
Well, it’s not that easy.
Being rejected is expected.
I took another step forward.
”Are you really okay with that? You’re not happy with how things are now, right?”
I looked into his eyes seriously.
The worry he showed earlier wasn’t fake.
There must be something bothering him.
”I’m not happy with how things are at all.”
”Then, why…”
In response to my question, Mayuzumi Shintaro-kun smiled.
”My best friend is the strongest. As an idol, as an actor, no matter what he does, Aqua is the strongest in my eyes.”
”Staying close to him must be hard for you, right?”
”Yes, that’s true.”
Mayuzumi Shintaro-kun forced a bitter smile, looked away from me, and stared straight ahead.
”Compared to me, he’s cool, shining, and even though I’m trying my best, I can’t keep up at all ── honestly, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt. But still, he believes in my potential more than anyone.”
He turned back to me and looked at me with determined eyes.
”That’s why I’ll never leave his side, no matter what. I’ll stand next to Shirogane Aqua, and someday, I’ll become someone he can rely on. And I’ll say to him, ‘Sorry to keep you waiting, my best friend.’”
I lowered my head after hearing Mayuzumi Shintaro’s words.
Damn. Who said BERYL is only Shirogane Aqua?
This guy is pretty cool too. What was that useless data file from the analysis team?
Plus, characters with glasses are usually cool and distant, right! Why is this guy so passionate and amazing!! Are those glasses fake!!
Feeling my body heat up, I unbuttoned my jacket.
”Bernard-san, thank you for caring about someone like me. Well, the manager is here, so I’ll be going now.”
”Ah, yeah. Do your best. I’ll be cheering for you from afar…”
”Yes!”
No matter what I say… no, I thought no matter what anyone says, Mayuzumi Shintaro wouldn’t leave.
Staying beside Shirogane Aqua takes a lot of determination. If I were in his position, I would have run away right away.
Believing it was impossible to persuade Mayuzumi Shintaro, I went to persuade the next target, Tenga Akira, the following day.
”So, here it is.”
I waited for Tenga Akira, who was riding a motorcycle and stopped at a quiet roadside station for a break.
Perfect match, with the touring route and the rest spot.
I got out of the rental car and spoke to Tenga Akira, who was in front of a vending machine.
”Hello. Nice weather, isn’t it?”
”Hmm… Hello.”
Tenga Akira, who I spoke to, looked cautious.
Well, at this place and time, if a stranger, especially a foreign man, talks to you, you’d be careful too.
”I hope you don’t mind me being cautious. Though, I guess that’s impossible. I just came here to talk with you.”
”…I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if it’s about work, please go through the office. If it’s something you can’t go through the office about, sorry, I’d rather not.”
I clicked my tongue lightly inside.
Unlike high school students, they’re quite serious about this.
But, since I can’t do that, I came here to talk.
So, even if told to back off, I can’t just do that.
”However, if it’s a personal matter, I can listen. Because helping lost people is also our job!!”
I almost stumbled backward.
Even here, normally, they would say it’s impossible without going through the office!
Celebrities shouldn’t casually try to talk to regular people!!
Completely… I thought maybe this guy is just genuinely kind.
From the start, I was caught off guard and scratched my head.
”I see, then how about your personal story? Tenga Akira-kun.”
”About me?”
I nodded strongly at his words.
”Ah, you’re aiming to be a full-fledged action star, right? If so, come with us. If you join, I promise a lead role in a big action movie with a budget of over 200 million dollars.”
If it’s a Hollywood movie costing over 200 million dollars, it will have a big cast and crew, and the advertising budget will be huge, making it almost certain to be a hit.
I slowly approached him and offered my business card.
”With your build and look, there’s no doubt you can become a star in our company. You have that much talent, but if you stay at your current agency, big roles will probably go to Shirogane Aqua-kun first. Are you okay with that?”
What I’m saying isn’t a lie.
In the actual filming of the Formula movie right now, except for our Yukishiro Mikuni and Kuga Reira, the Japanese cast, including him, were chosen just because they got a share from Shirogane Aqua.
Even Yukishiro Emily, who is already popular in the States, and Kohina Yukari, Tsukimachi Ayana, Tenga Akira──these are just placements made with promotion in Japan in mind.
But with us, it’s not tied to Shirogane Aqua, and I can prepare a solo lead movie for actor Tenga Akira.
”That’s because I still don’t have that much ability. I know that better than anyone.”
”Is that really true?”
I took another risk.
”I know many actresses who grew after being cast as leads in big movies. Just as one’s position shapes a person, the roles might help you grow even more. That’s what I believe. So, why not work with us and try your hand in the land of action movies?”
I’m not lying.
Plus, I’ve watched the dramas and movies he starred in, and he has enough skill for action.
Maybe because he has been training his body, he has lost the thin build he had in the early days of Heaven’s Sword. If he hired a personal trainer to build up his upper body more, his appearance would improve even further.
And also, I thought he shines more in our movies and dramas with lots of action scenes than in Japanese dramas and movies with fewer action scenes.
”Certainly, that sounds appealing. But, I cannot leave this place.”
”Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for BERYL, for your work as an idol, and for your juniors?”
Honestly, I don’t feel the same passion for idol Tenga Akira as I do for the other three.
So, I thought this was the point where I should push harder.
In response to my question, he shook his head.
”No. I am not sacrificing anyone. Rather, we are standing on the sacrifices and expectations of many people.”
”What do you mean?”
In response to my question, Tenga Akira took a serious step towards me.
”There are staff members supporting what we started on our own. Also, there are fans cheering for us, and family guiding our backs. Everyone uses their limited time, spends money, and supports our activities within their lives. Who can cheer for someone who dismisses those people and throws away what they started for personal reasons? At least, the coolest man I admired wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Ah… I looked away from Tenga Akira’s words that sounded almost like a curse.
Maybe I’ve been in this job too long.
The most important part had completely slipped my mind.
”I believe a true star is someone who responds to the expectations of those around him. What I want to become is not just an action actor, but a genuine action star like my juniors!”
When he said that, I was at a loss for words.
I bowed my head to Tenga Akira.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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