Chapter 207 Sponsor
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”It was pretty busy today,” Haruto said, stretching his shoulders.
”Well, Nana-chan had the day off,” Harue replied, glancing at the clock.
”Think we should add one more person at the reception? Everything okay on your end, Mom?”
”Most of my clients come by appointment, so it’s manageable… But isn’t that girl supposed to be coming soon?”
Harue was referring to Yoshimi, the one who had agreed to take the job in the countryside.
She’s set to graduate next March, so her move here is still a few months away.
”It’ll still take a while,” Haruto said, rubbing his neck. “Besides, I want to hire someone who can do massage too.”
”You mean like an anma or shiatsu therapist?”
”Yeah. Or someone with a medical license, like me.”
”Hehe, someone as strange as Haru-kun isn’t exactly easy to come by,” Harue teased.
”Haha, yeah, you’re right,” Haruto said with a small laugh.
Later, in the manager’s office after work, Haruto’s phone suddenly rang.
RRR… RRR…
”It’s Sasahira-san,” Haruto muttered, picking up the call. “Hello? What’s going on?”
”Sorry to call out of the blue, but actually…”
The call was about a new system involving the idol group Yuna belongs to.
The agency’s debts were still a complete mess. They’d given up trying to make the girls pay them back individually, so a lawyer set a single lump-sum total.
Sasahira-san planned to pay it off all at once, using a new company she had just set up.
But the reality was harsh.
Almost all the idols had taken advances, and the total debt had grown huge.
The new company didn’t have the capital to cover it yet, so they came up with a new plan.
Each idol would be assigned their own sponsor.
For example, if a drink company sponsored an idol, she’d regularly promote and drink their products.
If a fashion brand took the role, she’d wear their clothes, bags, and accessories.
Instead of sponsoring the whole group, sponsors would back individual idols directly.
”Not just commercials,” Sasahira-san said. “If the idol’s image matches the brand, it could be really effective.”
”Hmm… I get the idea,” Haruto replied. “So, what’s the main point?”
”That’s the thing—Yuna said she’ll only accept your clinic as her sponsor.”
”…That’s ridiculous. I told you before, I don’t have that kind of money,” Haruto said, his voice flat.
”W-well… it’s fine to pay later…”
”Haa~…” Haruto let out a long sigh.
Harue, who had probably been listening to the conversation through the door or the voice leaking from the phone, quietly offered a suggestion so Sasahira wouldn’t hear.
”Haru-kun, what if you say your illness got cured because an idol supported you? That might sound convincing, right?”
”Cured by an idol, huh…”
It was strange, but maybe believable.
People were more likely to accept something extraordinary if it came from someone like Yuna.
Still… there had to be a line somewhere.
”Also, why not hold an event at Ayase-san’s gym? The one you mentioned the other day.”
”Hm… That might actually work,” Haruto said, thinking it over.
Miyoshi Clinic, Rin’s gym, and his own massage parlor—
These three locations were all crucial, and Haruto had to get them running again no matter what.
If using Yuna’s influence helped, then maybe…
”Alright. I’ll do it. I’ll be a sponsor,” Haruto said at last. “But I’ll need permission to pay later.”
”Thank you so much! Then… could you come over once to finalize things?”
Becoming the official sponsor of a top idol wasn’t something that could be settled by phone.
Haruto agreed to go to Tokyo, and the call ended.
”Hehe… This might actually get interesting,” Harue said, a playful smile on her lips.
”I thought sponsors were the ones giving money… But a sponsor who pays later?” Haruto muttered with a tired laugh.
A few days later, Haruto temporarily closed the massage clinic and set off for Tokyo—alone.
Notes:
• Nana – The one dating Haruto before she goes to Hokkaido.
• Yoshimi – Female. A high school girl who guides Haruto to her grandmother’s house. She is wary of doctors due to past experiences and becomes agitated when Haruto reveals her grandmother’s condition. Her relationship with Haruto is tense, and she sides with her family in distrusting him.
• Yuna – Female. A famous idol. She has well-defined features and is described as idol-like in appearance. She is a member of a popular idol group known for intense dance and singing performances. She is considering an AV job, which is unusual for a current popular idol. Her relationship with Haruto is that of a customer seeking assistance.
• Rin – Second-year member of the swimming club; currently experiencing a physical problem that Haruto may help solve.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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