27 Opportunity

--- Ren's POV ---

The act of thinking is an innate part of human instincts, whether done consciously or subconsciously.

It's a trait that has evolved over thousands of years, not just in my old world but in this one as well.

There was a time when thoughts were seen as mere hindrances, overshadowed by the primacy of physical strength. But in the present day, things are vastly different.

I scrolled through my contacts, a smile gracing my lips as I located Honoki Suzuka's number. She was progressing as I had intended, garnering attention from the media as a rising star. However, it seems I had to change my plans.

---

Ai Hoshino, a wildcard I couldn't take care of, as I had to make things harder for myself.

Why did I do that instead of trying an approach that would've made it easier for her to like me?

Well, most of it was because as I already stated, I want something genuine in this life.

But, part of it is also because of my teenage body. You know, would I feel satisfied if she ended up falling in love with an empty character I was wearing over myself? The answer is no. I would probably feel even worse by the end of my life.

Then, what did I even live for? 

Was it to satisfy the Goddess' demand? Was it because I just wanted to fall in love and live like a normal person?

My heart knew I would question my life until the bitter end.

Anyways. Who knew when she might fall for Hikaru, or when their paths might cross? I had eyes and ears all over him now, but I was no God; I couldn't be omniscient.

Still, there was a possible solution. Make Honoka a much more enticing prospect.

Even if Hikaru grew suspicious, his focus would shift toward her, aligning with my plans.

It's riskier, but I can at least avoid the worst-case scenario.

Probably.

I don't want to bother reflecting on fate, destiny, and all that bullshit, to be honest.

However, I couldn't place my entire trust in this half-assed plan. I had to make some huge and risky moves myself...

---

On an ordinary day, I found myself in an upscale dining room, savoring sushi. Across from me sat a man with brown hair and eyes, his age probably past thirty, who appeared eager to speak but awaited my lead as after some pleasantries, silence filled the room apart from the sounds of us eating.

Well, it's normal, I guess.

Who wouldn't feel awkward over a sudden and weird invitation from someone you've never spoken to before? Not to add our huge age difference.

Still, I knew this man was the one for the job I had in mind. His singular motivation was crystal clear.

"Well, Masaya Kaburagi," I began, my gaze fixed on a piece of nigiri held delicately in my chopsticks, "tell me, do you... want to make money?"

His expression danced with a mix of confusion and hidden intrigue. He was still somewhat rough around the edges, given his "lack" of experience, but that didn't concern me.

"...It's certainly intriguing...Ren-kun. Asking for a meeting and presenting me with this proposition out of the blue, considering we've never crossed paths before..."

Of course, his initial query revolved around the most fundamental question: how much?

For now, he didn't concern himself with the intricacies; he was all about the bottom line that couldn't be crossed.

He would not be down for anything outright illegal, or that could possibly get him in trouble, even if you gave him lots of money. He was smart, after all.

I knew the man's future. He remained untouched by the troubles and conflicts of those around him, a reputation he'd earned for one simple reason.

His sole driving force has always been money.

Still, he was often misunderstood by others. If the sum was substantial, there was no need for trust or personal connections. He was perfect for what I had in mind.

"Don't be so guarded," I reassured him. "I need you to take both me and Suzuki Honoka on the cast of that show you want to produce as of late. We both possess talent, so it's an advantageous offer for you. Moreover, I'm certain you've heard of her and were hoping to use her yourself, so I'm just making your job easier..."

Even if it was risky to involve myself with her business more than I did already, I had no other way to quickly make her shine as easily as possible.

The shift in his gaze did not go unnoticed. Yes, I was well aware that it wasn't proper etiquette to casually reveal that I had been keeping tabs on him. But in this world, sometimes unconventional methods were necessary.

"To ask to be offered the lead role in a show when you have numerous significant offers landing on your desk every week... You're planning something, aren't you?" he inquired, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

True, I could easily have approached any other producer for the job. But, as I had emphasized before, it was far wiser to collaborate with what was familiar rather than venturing into the unknown. Of course, I couldn't openly admit that.

"Why would you think that? It's just that I can't openly disclose my connection with that girl. So, the only way for us to naturally collaborate is to enlist the help of someone I can 'trust', offering us an individual contract while keeping my personal request under wraps."

I'd be pleased if he naively believed that I was acting out of "love" but I knew him too well. He wouldn't be swayed by such a ruse. However, since it wasn't his own concern, he would likely...

"Well, I can certainly leverage your reputation to generate easy promotion. Additionally, you could utilize your social media presence to create sparks. I'm confident your fans would be more than willing to pay for the chance to see a show starring you..."

Setting aside his contemplative tone, it was clear that he wouldn't fuss over trivial details. The allure of easy money was simply too irresistible for him.

And so, I found myself on the cusp of participating in a show. If only I had known the true nature of what lay ahead, though, I might have considered alternative approaches...