Volume 13 Chapter 250 The Man From States, BERYL Dismantling Operation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
My name is Bernard Aylward.
I’m from a country with French roots and work at the biggest entertainment company in the world, STAR LIGHTS PARTNER.
I like to think I’m a friendly middle-aged guy who could easily become an actor, but lately, I’ve been dealing with high blood pressure and sugar levels, and my belly is getting bigger.
”I’m almost 50 too…”
As I approach 50, I look at my swollen belly in the mirror and make a strange face.
If only this belly fat and sagging cheeks would go away, I think I’d still look pretty good…
My body shape hasn’t changed even though I exercise every day, probably because my wife’s cooking is too delicious.
”Good morning to you.”
”Morning. My honey.”
Wearing a suit, I eat my wife’s homemade breakfast in the dining room.
Until a few years ago, our three daughters were here too, but now they’ve all grown up and moved out.
”You’re early today.”
”Yeah, my boss called me. Probably another problem with one of our male actors or talents.”
STAR LIGHTS PARTNER, the biggest entertainment company, has many male talents.
One of them likely caused trouble, and I’m being asked to handle it.
Many young people joined the company because of Shirogane Aqua’s influence and are honest, but some older members are more sensible, though a few are spoiled or have communication issues.
That’s why someone like me can work at a big company like this.
”Well then, I’m off. My honey.”
”Good luck. To you.”
Seeing my wife’s unchanged smile gives me new energy.
For someone as naturally shy as me, meeting her, who isn’t pushy, was a miracle.
Building a small family with just my wife and kids, and living ordinary days──what could be better?
Of course, when I was young, I wanted adventures too.
But next year, I’ll be 50. It’s the age when I start thinking about the end of my life.
I don’t want to rock the boat now. As long as I can live peacefully, watching over my beloved wife and kids who’ve moved out, that’s enough for me.
I leave the house and get into my vintage German car made in Stars.
I actually wanted to buy a red sports car for two, but since I was about to marry my wife and think about future kids, I chose this car.
If I have one regret, it’s probably not buying that red sports car back then.
”Hey, no way…”
After driving for about 30 minutes in my car.
When I bought a drink at a convenience store and came back, the car engine suddenly wouldn’t start.
”Ah, this engine is completely broken. Even if I repair it, I’d need a new engine, and other parts are worn out, so it’s better to just buy a new car.”
I’ve taken great care of it, but like my body, this car has reached its limit.
I pat my long-time companion and say, “You did well. Thank you for everything.”
After arranging to scrap the car, I quickly call a taxi through an app and head to the office.
”Sorry for being late.”
When I enter the meeting room, I’m shocked.
Not only my boss, but even a director is here?
And the woman next to the director… she’s one of our major shareholders.
Why are they here? Something bigger than I thought is happening. I have a bad feeling.
I take out the handkerchief my wife embroidered for me and wipe the sweat from my forehead.
”Let me get straight to the point. I’m giving you a special mission.”
The 4 members of BERYL are shown on the monitor behind the director.
BERYL, the Japanese idol group that’s taken the country by storm and made waves worldwide.
I heard that with BERYL’s world tour, people in the entertainment industry, including us, are feeling a strong sense of crisis.
”To counter BERYL’s unprecedented rise, our group plans to secretly pull out BERYL members and related personnel.”
My bad feeling hits the mark.
The company president and top executives haven’t approved this.
If we succeed, my boss will move closer to becoming president, and I can rise within the company too.
But if we fail, we’ll be fired. And if the opponent is BERYL, or rather Shirogane Aqua, I might even lose my head.
”Bernard Aylward, you’ve solved many problems with our male talents. I’m asking you to join this mission.”
”…And if I refuse?”
The director smirks at my words.
”If you refuse, I’ll detain you. And not just you. Your wife and three daughters too. This is to protect confidential information about our new project.”
”No way…! I haven’t told my wife anything!”
”You said this morning to your wife that we called you because of us, right? Even without knowing the details, your wife would report to headquarters if you don’t come back.”
Damn it! I’m trapped!
I always tell my wife who I’m meeting.
My boss knows this and is using it against me.
”Still, my daughters shouldn’t be involved!”
”All three daughters are the same. Since you might talk to your boss via chat, email, or phone, we’ll watch all of them.”
That’s impossible, no matter how you look at it.
As I think this, another person speaks.
”One daughter works at a company we deal with directly. Another has transactions with the shareholder’s companies here. They’re probably on a plane now for work we ordered. And the youngest is heading here for an internship. You have no choice, Aylward-dono.”
I turn pale and kneel on the ground.
”Please, I’ll do anything, just don’t touch my wife and daughters…!”
”Aylward-dono, thank you for being such an obedient employee. We’re not asking you to do anything illegal. Just negotiate a recruitment offer to the 4 members of BERYL. Even if you fail, causing a small rift is enough.”
So, you’re trying to create a reason for BERYL’s members to fall out?
You filthy bastards!! No… I can’t say that, considering I’ve worked here so long and am about to be part of this wrongdoing.
”Please, don’t touch my wife and daughters.”
”Of course. If you cooperate, I promise not to harm your beloved wife and daughters.”
The director takes a plane ticket from his pocket and presses it against me.
”Well then, I’m counting on you.”
”…Yes.”
I clench the ticket and take the file from my boss, then try to leave the room.
”Oh, you can contact your wife and daughters, but don’t say anything unnecessary. Remember, we’re always watching you.”
”…Understood.”
After leaving the building, I get into an unmanned taxi and immediately call my wife.
”Oh, it’s you. I heard. You’re on an emergency business trip, right? It must be tough, but don’t push yourself too hard.”
”Ah, uh… yes…”
My boss must have contacted her before I could call.
Given the situation, my daughters have likely been contacted too.
I wipe my pale face with my sweaty hand, then pretend to be normal in front of my wife and end the call.
”I have no choice… do I?”
After boarding the plane with the ticket, I arrive in Japan after a long flight.
First, I’ll contact Mayuzumi Shintaro.
He’s a BERYL member and considered the most ordinary, or rather, the closest to an average person in the group.
”His acting, singing, dancing, charisma… they’re all below average, aren’t they?”
But that’s within the group, including the women. Among men, he’s above average.
Still… he’s not the type to be popular in the States. Being Japanese, women in the States who like boyish faces might find him appealing, but that’s it.
Thinking about it, Shirogane Aqua, with Yukishiro Mikuni’s blood, is in a class of his own. Just by wearing a blonde wig and blue contacts, even racist women fall head over heels. Shirogane Aqua’s debut work, Hana-ata’s Yuujin, was that shocking.
No, since Shirogane Aqua is Yukishiro Mikuni’s child, there’s no need for props. I can feel firsthand that Shirogane Aqua is accepted in the States as she is.
”That Shirogane Aqua’s best friend, huh…”
Having worked with many men, I’ve never had a best friend.
That’s why I’m a little envious of Mayuzumi Shintaro.
I head to the location in the file to meet him.
”Is that him?”
Mayuzumi Shintaro, after a meeting, comes out alone without his manager.
I didn’t expect him to come out exactly on time and alone.
His manager must have been held back by someone.
I follow him.
Then, he sits by a vending machine.
He plans to wait there until his manager returns.
This is my only chance. I stop hiding and sit next to him.
”Hello~”
I speak in slightly broken words on purpose.
He looks surprised but then smiles gently.
”Hello. I didn’t expect a foreigner to approach me here, so I was surprised. Sorry.”
”Don’t worree abowt it.”
I see, he’s an honest and good person.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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