Volume 13 Chapter 276 Oto Rurika, The True Heart Of The Sound
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Aqua-sama looked at my face with an apologetic expression.
”Oto-san, I’m sorry about the beauty contest,” he said. “I made you do so many things for my sake…”
”N-no, it’s fine,” I replied quickly. “I was surprised at first, but there are scenes in movies and dramas where people are filmed almost n*ked…”
Still, I couldn’t help but worry about Aqua-sama. During the beach ball volleyball scene, a girl’s chest had accidentally hit his face. I remembered a case on a variety show where a female talent had bumped into a male celebrity, and it had escalated into a lawsuit. But Aqua-sama just kept smiling and even gently asked the girl who was about to fall, “Are you okay?”
”Ah, God, just a little longer… I watched it while being used as a cushion by Kohina-senpai,” he muttered.
”Ah, thank you.”
God, just a little longer was a drama where I played the role of a junior high school girl engaged in compensated dating to find her place in the world. (T/N: Enjo kōsai, or “compensated dating,” is a social phenomenon in Japan where older men give money or gifts to young women for companionship, sometimes implying more.) Even though my nked body didn’t make it to air, the post-scene bed shots still required filming in a nearly nked state with pasties or nipple covers.
”Oto-san, you often play difficult roles. Do you prefer challenging roles as an actor?” Aqua-sama asked.
”Yes. But… I’m not really in a position to choose.”
I recalled the time the offer for God, just a little longer came in. Back then, the producer, who understood the director’s intentions, had tried to cast an actual junior high school student. But agency after agency declined. Eventually, the offer landed with my agency. The president told me it was okay to turn it down. But actors like me—we don’t get work if we turn down roles like that.
Before I entered this world, my mom had asked me, “You might get offers for jobs that others won’t take, but is that okay?” If I were the kind of person who’d say no to such roles, I never would’ve entered this industry in the first place.
”If you come to us, you’ll be able to choose,” Aqua-sama said softly.
”Eh?”
He met my gaze and let out a light smile.
”BERYL is one of the major shareholders in various TV stations, large agencies, and production companies. If you come here, you’ll be able to play the roles you want.”
Beryl Entertainment, which had started out in a tiny apartment, was now one of Japan’s leading corporations. That meteoric rise was all thanks to Aqua-sama and everyone at BERYL, who had opened up an entirely new market.
I was in a related field myself, but the revenue generated from idol merchandise was incomparable to that of actors or artists. Factoring in the sponsorship contracts as well, it was safe to say they were making quite a profit.
What’s more, BERYL’s live performances, which spared no expense thanks to Aqua-sama’s direction, would normally run at a loss—but they had flipped that around using PPV. (T/N: PPV stands for Pay-Per-View, a video sales model.)
On top of that, I’d heard they were raking it in by launching their own streaming platform and payment systems. Normally, super chats and donations are heavily taxed by the payment processors and streaming platforms, but BERYL had bypassed that.
There were even rumors that President Atori had been investing in prime real estate, gold, and platinum since last year—acting on the advice of Kanon-sama, who predicted a surge in population due to the boom in marriages and an ensuing baby boom, along with a spike in the prices of gold and platinum.
I didn’t know how much of it was true, but the wealth rankings published in May showed Aqua-sama and Kanon-sama surpassing Fuji Shion-san, who had held the top spot for decades. So, it didn’t seem to be just a rumor.
”Um… Aqua-senpai, why did you join BERYL?” I asked.
”Huh?”
Aqua-sama looked surprised by the question.
Ah… maybe I wasn’t clear enough.
”Um, that’s not what I meant… I was curious why, if you had the option to join a major agency from the beginning, you chose to establish BERYL with President Atori instead.”
”Oh, I see.”
Aqua-sama averted his gaze, squinting a little as if remembering something from the past.
”When President Atori came to us, my mom said it would be better for me to go that route. That it would protect me more than a major agency would. That’s the official reason, I guess.”
I remembered hearing on TV that his mom, Shirogane Marin-san, had provided significant financial backing when BERYL was founded. In fact, Shirogane Marin-san was the chairperson of the BERYL Group. Even while being under agency contract, Aqua-sama had deals in place ensuring he received a share of merchandise profits and likeness royalties—thanks largely to the efforts of Mother Shirogane Marin-san and his older sister, Shirogane Shitori-san. Or so the industry rumors said.
The people around Aqua-sama were all highly capable. They supported him in a way that allowed him to focus completely on being an idol and an actor, free from distractions.
”But to be honest… maybe it’s because I met Ako-san and talked to her,” Aqua-sama said with a soft smile. “I really wanted to work with someone I could trust, and I felt like she was the one. So, I think I was lucky to meet Ako-san.”
Watching his profile, I couldn’t help but smile.
He had that kind of expression—one that said he truly trusted President Atori from the bottom of his heart.
”Kohina-senpai too, like… You’re always wrong, but I’ll give you credit for choosing Akocchi! You really messed up my hair,” Aqua-sama added with a laugh.
”Ha ha,” I laughed aloud, surprised at how charming his impersonation was.
Seeing that, Aqua-sama’s expression softened.
”Did you relax a little?” he asked.
”Ah…”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t realized how tense I was.
It was my first time alone with a man, and maybe I’d been subconsciously stiff the whole time without noticing.
”Well, even if you don’t come to us, if you’re going to Starlights, I’ll ask Mommy Mikuni to make sure Oto-san doesn’t get shortchanged. And if it’s Beyond Production, even without asking, Kohina-senpai will probably butt in. If you stay at your current agency, I’ll do what I can to clear up any rumors.”
I placed a hand over my chest and tightened my fist.
”Why… are you being so kind to me?”
I was an actress, but I never considered myself particularly beautiful.
There were many more striking people around Aqua-sama—like Kanon-sama and Kohina Yukari-san, who had both beauty and undeniable inner strength and charisma.
I didn’t think there was anything special about me that would make Aqua-sama go out of his way.
”There are plenty of reasons,” Aqua-sama replied. “As a person, I can’t ignore someone being slandered by baseless rumors. As a fellow entertainer, I have to protect someone being attacked over nothing but speculation. And as an actor, I don’t want someone like Oto-san to disappear. Also, even though I’m a junior in the industry, I’m your senior at school. Seniors are supposed to look out for their juniors, right? Like our two senpai always do.”
Heh.
Aqua-sama might not realize it, but whenever he talks about Kohina Yukari-san or Tenga Akira-san, he has such a warm, gentle look on his face.
Even from the outside, I could tell how well they got along—and how much he truly respected them.
”And…?”
”…And?”
Aqua-sama turned to face me, looking me straight in the eye with those beautiful eyes of his.
”As a man, it’s only natural to help a girl in trouble, isn’t it?”
Without thinking, I turned my face away from his gaze.
There were things I thought I understood… but hadn’t really grasped until now.
Ah, I see. This is why Aqua-sama is so popular with girls.
As those words echoed in my head, Aqua-sama casually placed his palm over the back of my hand, which was resting beside me.
It was so natural—like he was just closing the distance between us with ease.
Maybe he was just really good at flirting with women. The casual body contact felt almost unfair.
Because… I couldn’t bring myself to pull my hand away.
”Well, anyway. I’m on Oto-san’s side, so… you know.”
It’s like my heart calms down, and I feel like everything will somehow be okay—in a good way.
”Thank you. I don’t have anything I can repay you with, but if there’s anything I can do, please let me know,” I say with sincerity.
”Anything!?” Aqua-sama suddenly blurts out, visibly flustered.
Huh? What just happened? The calm, cool atmosphere from a moment ago vanishes in an instant.
”Oto-san, you shouldn’t casually say ‘anything.’ Hmm… You know, there might be scams or something,” he says with a wry smile.
”Ah, yes. You’re right. Thank you,” I reply sheepishly.
As I reflect on my own words, I realize they may have been a bit careless. Still… if there’s anything I can do, I really do want to repay Aqua-sama.
”By the way,” Aqua-sama asks, shifting the topic, “how was the Cultural Festival? Did you enjoy it even a little?”
”Yes. Not just a little—I had an amazing time,” I say, smiling.
I gaze intently at Aqua-sama’s face. Just being able to talk to him like this makes me want to say what’s in my heart.
”Aqua-senpai, thank you for inviting me to the Drama Club. It was so much fun getting to act again after such a long time. And honestly, the script was amazing.”
”Haha, thank you. I also had a great time co-starring with you, Oto-san,” he replies, then pauses. “Oh…”
Aqua-sama’s eyes widen as if something suddenly occurred to him.
”By the way, you said you’d do anything for me, right?” he asks, smiling slyly.
”Ah, y-yes,” I respond, startled.
What on earth is he going to ask of me? I do my best to keep my expression composed, even though my heart is racing.
”Then how about this? Let’s practice acting together. Right now.”
”R-right now?” I echo, hesitating.
Aqua-sama nods firmly. “Yes. I want you to fully embody the parent-child relationship from that piece—and throw all of Rinon’s unspoken feelings at me. I’ll take it all.”
I stare into his eyes. They’re serious. Steeling myself, I close my eyes and take a soft breath.
Okay… I can do this. I’m ready.
”…I don’t want to be alone,” I say quietly.
”Yeah,” Aqua-sama nods, his expression gentle.
”Because… being alone is sad.”
”Ah, that’s true,” he murmurs in agreement.
I thought that if I got too involved, especially while being at the center of so many rumors, it would cause problems for my classmates. So I tried to keep my distance, living school life without drawing attention to myself.
But… that didn’t mean I wasn’t lonely. I wasn’t mature enough to rationalize it when I saw my peers having fun together.
”Honestly… I wanted to be spoiled like this,” I whisper.
Gently, I rest my head against Aqua-sama’s chest.
My family, the people in the shopping district… they were kind. I think the president and the staff at the company did their best, too.
That’s why—I couldn’t show anyone my weakness.
Even though everyone supported me, I kept telling myself I had to stay strong.
”Hey… can you tell me I did my best? Praise me…”
Aqua-sama silently wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. His hand gently pats my back in a calm, steady rhythm—rocking me like a cradle.
Even without words, I can feel his warmth, his kindness… It wraps around me like a blanket.
”I’m sorry. Just for now…”
”Ah, it’s fine. After all, this is acting practice,” he says softly.
With that one line, the tears won’t stop.
”Why…! Why is it only me…!”
I cry, sobbing against Aqua-sama’s chest.
Ah… how long had I been holding it all in?
Tears I’d bottled up, emotions I’d swallowed for so long, finally spill free with those words.
”I’m sorry. I got your clothes dirty, and… thank you for lending me your chest,” I murmur, pulling away and wiping the tears at the corners of my eyes with the back of my hand.
Ah! His clothes are soaked… because of me! I’m so sorry!!
”Don’t worry about it. More importantly, do you feel a bit better now?” Aqua-sama asks with a gentle smile.
”Yes!” I nod.
He gently pats my head and softly strokes the pearl barrette.
”After all, it really suits you well,” he says.
”Eh?”
When I look up at Aqua-sama’s face, he suddenly averts his gaze, a faint regret in his eyes.
”Um… it seems that ‘pearl’ means ‘harmonious.’ So I hope the problem can be resolved harmoniously.”
(T/N: In Japanese culture, pearls often symbolize harmony, purity, or peace.)
…Why hadn’t I noticed it before?
Though the eye color is different… those gentle eyes, the curve of his mouth—they’re just like his.
My heart starts pounding as I realize the truth.
The person behind the mask was Aqua-sama.
”Oh, sorry. Oto-san probably wants to fix her makeup too. Well then, see you at school!” he says quickly.
”Ah…”
Realizing I’d figured it out, Aqua-sama stands up and hurries off.
”I see… so Aqua-sama was like that…”
So this is what it feels like to fall in love.
My heart sways gently with an emotion I’m feeling for the first time.
Yes—just like being rocked in a cradle.
I suppress my racing heart, touch up my makeup to hide the tears, and leave the room.
”Ugh… ugh… ugh…”
When I return to the venue, Yamamoto-sensei from student guidance is crying.
What happened?
As I wonder, Hisui-chan leans in and whispers to me.
”Yamamoto-sensei won the grand prize in the bingo game.”
”Grand prize!?” I exclaim.
What could the grand prize possibly be?
I look up at the list posted on the bingo stage.
> [Shirogane Aqua’s frozen sperm]
Whoa!! Yamamoto-sensei, that’s incredible!!
I had guessed the grand prize would be something amazing—something beyond even the fourth prize—but this is wild.
The students burst into applause for Yamamoto-sensei, but the teacher herself looks absolutely bewildered.
”Sugita-sensei, Nanahoshi-sensei, Nemoto-sensei, is this really okay!? I mean, as a teacher, shouldn’t this go to one of the younger students who still have a future ahead of them…?”
Yamamoto-sensei speaks tearfully, but the three teachers exchange knowing looks and smile.
”Congratulations, Yamamoto-sensei. Just accept it honestly. You won it fair and square,” says Sugita-sensei warmly.
”Exactly as Sugita-sensei said! Congrats, Yamamoto-sensei! Use it boldly! Yay!” cheers Nanahoshi-sensei.
”Yes, yes. In fact, as a student guidance counselor, wouldn’t it be good to experience pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting firsthand? So—congratulations, Yamamoto-sensei!” Nemoto-sensei adds with a nod.
They all pat Yamamoto-sensei’s shoulder with genuine warmth.
Students and teachers alike begin calling out with cheerful voices.
”Yamamoto-sensei, congratulations!”
”I’m so glad, Sensei!”
”Sensei, it’s sweet that you care about us, but you should think about your own happiness too!”
”That’s right! Yamamoto-sensei deserves to be happy!”
”All right, let’s lift Yamamoto-sensei up together!”
”””Ooooh!!”””
We all join in lifting Yamamoto-sensei up.
Aqua-sama really is amazing. He can make so many people smile.
The day after the Cultural Festival wrapped up, I visited the office to talk about my future.
”Rurika-chan, is that true…?” the president asked quietly.
”Yes. I want to work with the president who picked me up,” I replied with a small bow.
I truly feel sorry toward Aqua-sama, who reached out to me… and to President Atori of Beryl.
But just as Aqua-sama chose Beryl after placing his trust in President Atori, I chose this office because I trust the president who welcomed me in.
Besides, when I think about how everything began, it’s only right to show gratitude to the one who took care of me first.
If someone asks me whether my choice is the right one… maybe it isn’t.
But I don’t want to keep losing to unfairness and misfortune.
Besides, I’m okay now.
After all… I’ve cried enough in Aqua-sama’s arms to last a lifetime.
”However… if my being here causes trouble for the office or for everyone working here, then I will leave.”
When that time comes, I’ll respond to Aqua-sama and Beryl, who extended a hand to me.
Yes—that will be the right thing to do.
”I see… Thank you for thinking about me and everyone else, Rurika-chan. Thanks to you, I’ve made up my mind too,” the president says, gazing at me with a steady look.
In the depths of their eyes, a flicker of resolve shimmered—a refreshing clarity after making up their mind.
”I think I’ll sell this company to Beryl and President Atori,” the president said quietly. “If I can’t even protect one of the children belonging to this office, then I must be unfit as a manager.”
”That’s not true…” I murmured, but the president shook their head firmly, cutting off my words.
”Such things happen. I’m an adult, and I have responsibilities as a manager.”
With deliberate grace, the president placed their hands on their knees and rose slowly from the sofa.
”Shall we call everyone and explain? It’s okay—Rurika-chan doesn’t have to say anything. Just as acting is your job, this is mine.”
When they put it like that, I had nothing to say in return.
An hour later, the president gathered the staff and the talent under our management, bowed deeply, and apologized for selling the company and for their own shortcomings.
In response, we gave a warm round of applause. Of course, no one voiced any complaints.
”Everyone, thank you so much. And… I’m sorry I couldn’t take care of you all until the very end,” the president said, head still lowered.
I watched them silently, clenching my fists tight.
If I’m going to resist this unfairness, then I need to become stronger. I never want to see anyone sad because of me ever again.
I made up my mind, then and there—to succeed even more as an actress, to become a top-tier actress, someone no one could ever criticize.
By the way, the president has decided to resign—but it seems Ako-san was left at the company, now just working as a manager. I figured I’d mention it here, since it might not be covered in the main story.
Side note
Hagetoru: “Hehehe, Tashinami-san, please increase the contents of my wallet too!”
Tashinami: “Hagetoru… no matter how much you spend, 0 is still 0.”
Hagetoru: “Gah!!”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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