Chapter 78 - To end the conflict 03

Third person Perspective

"Honestly, at this point, you could say we've already won. So I don't think you actually need to meet with Seiryu-san." Miyako spoke to Ai in the car, which took them to a famous sushi restaurant where they would meet one of the Shinomiya family's sons who had connections with Jimina's House Production.

"That might be true, but it seems like people from that side are pretty desperate. So they're trying to negotiate with the idol he spread the secret to. Aren't you curious what he would say? Rather, I find it interesting to see how desperate they are." Ai replied with a rather amusing tone in her voice.

Miyako stared intently at Ai's face before responding while she sighed.

"Ah, Aqua must have asked you for something, right?" Miyako knew Ai for a long time, after all. She doubted that was the only reason for her to agree. It may have helped with this problem, but she didn't need to do that since the sales pretty much wrapped up.

"Geez, that's true. He asked me something." 

"Hm, I wonder what he wanted from that kind of guy." From Miyako's point of view, Seiryu was the worst type of man, especially for women who worked in entertainment, as he was famous as a casanova with many girlfriends and mistresses.

Therefore, she did not understand why Aqua would try to ask something of a man like Seiryu, someone he arguably did not like. She didn't want Aqua to be like Seiryu after all. Especially considering Aqua was a handsome, cute, smart and famous boy. You could say Aqua has fulfilled all the checklists to be a womanizer.

Miyako herself was especially aware that Aqua had more female acquaintances than male, and when thinking about guys her age, Aqua was only close to a kid named Ishiyama at school. Miyako couldn't help but worry a bit about that stuff.

"Wasn't Seiryu interested in you back then, Ai? I remember when he came and tried to seduce you. Even brought up various opportunities that were actually hard to resist. Things that people usually accept."

"Ah, you remind me of unpleasant memories. Why should I spend time with an old man like him when I have two cute kids waiting for me at home…" Ai said with such a big pout on her cheek.

"That's true. So what does Aqua want from him?" 

"Well, he's kinda asking me if I could arrange for him to meet with the head family of Shinomiya by using Seiryuu."

"Ah… That's quite understandable."

"But, well. It makes me need to hear what they want first. I swear they will say something boring." Ai predicted what they wanted and just like she said at that moment because the two of them arrived at the appointment shortly after that conversation.

Of course, they didn't come alone. Drivers and bodyguards accompanied them. Upon arrival at the restaurant, Seiryu waited, and it seemed he was with his confidant. Basically, this was a very personal conversation. 

Seiryu himself didn't get straight to the main topic and only spoke pleasantries about sushi and the restaurant. At the same time, the restaurant served various food and drinks. At first, Ai found it hard to really trust the man in front of her, but after a while, she started eating what was served. 

Honestly, from the tone of speech that came out of this man's mouth, Ai did not feel any feelings of guilt or the like. In fact, even though he spoke as usual, Ai could feel a sense of annoyance from his demeanor and some of the words that came out of his mouth. He must not be happy that things didn't go according to his plan. 

He talked about things that made him look like he was trying to impress people by being impressive with his wealth, power, and connection. This behavior was common to some spoiled rich kids. But seeing Ai didn't look impressed at all, in the end, he stopped before talking about his suggestion and how this would benefit her.

To be honest, Seiryu's suggestion may be quite attractive to someone like Ai if she just wanted to be a top idol. Unfortunately for Seiryu, Ai wasn't just a top idol due to the agreement between Miyako and Aqua, making Ai herself the co-founder of Ichigo Pro. That's why Ai basically doesn't need to be an idol to support herself and her children; she just loves being an idol, and her two children support her in every activity.

That was the reason why Ai was different from the idols Seiryu usually met, which made him not understand why Ai was not interested in any suggestion he gave. In fact, the more he talked, the more bored Ai looked, as if their conversation was meaningless.

"I just don't understand. Why is this small production house important to you? What I offer can already exceed the profits of the small company." Seiryu said in a loud tone.

However, Ai seemed unaffected by Seiryu's attitude and returned the question with the familiar one. "It's not like it's the same with you either. I don't understand why you rejected our offer even though it was over two or almost three times the price. Isn't that weird? There must be something, right? Well, it got suspicious at some point."

When Ai said that, Seiryu could be seen clicking his tongue. 

"Honestly, we are all aware of what happened in that place. The very thing that makes you try to defame me. Which was a successful one, but you didn't expect me to fight back this well…"

"I wonder about that…"

Well, whatever Seiryu thought didn't matter to Ai. As Ai said, they had actually tried to find evidence of what happened in that place, thanks to the help of Roboco. Evidence that arguably helped them corner the camp of Jimina. It's just that they couldn't accurately prove Seiryu's involvement, which made their position like this.

"Anyway, there's no point in trying to negotiate with me. I came trying to hear what you had to say, but all I heard was the same boring stuff. In the end, we end up at the same place."

Seiryu didn't look happy at all, but his plan wasn't working at this point. Then, what he feared the most was that if this controversy came out, his position as one of the successors of the Shinomiya Family would be endangered. However, he knew that the eldest son would most likely continue the family company. However, his brother did not have the charisma of their father. Or, in other words, he still had a chance, albeit a very small one.

Ai herself looked at Seiryu, reading the expression on his face and remembering Aqua's words. Honestly, she didn't feel like this was all that important and worthy to her. If Aqua hadn't experienced anything supernatural, she probably wouldn't have sacrificed to this extent. It was only after seeing and hearing what Aqua said to her. Ai, who understood her son, believed that if she refused, Aqua could have done something as drastic as when he saved her. Therefore, she could not refuse his wish on this one.

Well, Aqua was so serious about taking over the company that he told Ai himself that he was okay with sacrificing something. When she saw Seiryu's expression, she knew that it was only a matter of time before he agreed. However, if it continued like this, it would make their relationship with Shinomiya complicated. Given that Aqua also wanted to meet with the head of the Shinomiya family, which showed that she wanted to have a good relationship with the Shinomiya Family. 

Therefore, Ai decided to offer an offer that was arguably hard to refuse and probably too good for Seiryu to resist asking Ai.

"Why this far!?"

Yeah, Ai is talking about giving a game produced by the company to be published by one of the companies in Seiryu's hands who happens to own a horse racing-related company, which is the theme of the new gacha game they are releasing, a union between horse racing and idols. It's really a combination of things that Japan loves, isn't it?

Not only that, Ai boldly said that she would even help Seiryu cover up anything related between Jimina and him. She even told Seiryu that she could make him look on the good side rather than the other people doing bad things. In essence, Ai didn't have much hard evidence to show that Seiryu was really involved with the various crimes that happened there. But it was still bad press for him. That's why she gave him another way out as long as he let her get what she wanted.

Seiryu still couldn't believe it. He didn't think that he needed to think twice about accepting Ai's offer. It was the best offer he could accept. There was one thing that bothered him a little, though. Even he couldn't help but ask.

So far, most of the people working in the entertainment world that Seiryu knew were two-faced and always tried as hard as possible to please themselves so that they could maintain and increase their fame. However, Ai was not like that. He wondered why.

Then Ai, who heard the question, gave Seiryu a smile before giving him the answer.

"Well, it's because of love~"

"Love?"

"Yeah, It's love. I don't want to disappoint him, and I want to fulfill his wish. And I want him to be happy, and I will do anything to make it happen."

It's just a short answer that should be heartwarming. However, when Seiryu heard that answer, both the tone and expression Ai gave sent chills down his spine. Ai gave a sweet smile but somehow the look in her eyes, as well as the tone that should have sounded heartwarming, was actually putting pressure on and warning him.

"Love… Huh, I don't understand that, but I think it's an understandable answer, I guess. Fine. I agree with this."

"Well, that's good. Ah, by the way, my son actually quite admires your father. As you've heard, I spoil my son quite a bit, so I hope you can help him."

Seiryu never expected those requests, and he wondered what she was trying to do.

"Well, if it's difficult, how about you recommend him to become your little sister's fiance or something? They are at a similar age, right?"

"Hm, if that's the case. I think I can do it."

With that, Jimina's production house was taken over by Ichigo Pro.

***

Jimina initially worked at a gossip and entertainment magazine before he mysteriously became successful in handling underground idols. It started with one underground idol before becoming a decent-sized production house that was neither too small nor too big. You could say they had several underground idols in Jimina's hands. However, his company usually has one that is very famous or big.

It was an unusually fast time as it only took six years to achieve this kind of success for Jimina. However, a closer look reveals that the rapid progress happened when they worked with a subsidiary of the Shinomiya Family. Honestly, Roboco doesn't know how Jimina was able to work with such a big family. However, one thing that entered his mind was how their cooperation happened simultaneously with his friend's death a few years ago. Was it just a coincidence or not. It was because of this that Roboco went further to find out about Jimina, even though Aqua told her to stay put.

Perhaps because of the various problems that occurred in the company, Jimina, who should have been careful, became more careless. Maybe because Jimina was losing control of the company. Roboco could even see he was angry and emotional and was also making phone calls here and there. Sometimes, she could even see Jimina begging for the company to be saved to the point of bowing his head deeply, something that Roboco rarely saw. He was really desperate.

In the end, Roboco did not feel the slightest bit of pity for Jimina after what Roboco knew and found this man doing. Especially to the various underground idols before she came here. Although basically, Roboco and Azki had only been underground idols for two years. Well, Jimina's production house usually has three to four underground idol groups that have their own schedules and their own fans.

It felt like Roboco could feel revenge for the death of her childhood friend. However, it was difficult for Roboco to actually prove that the cause of death of her friend was Jimina. However, she could pin all crimes, especially those related to drugs, on Jimina.

Well, soon, what she did in the past two years could end up with Jimina behind bars. Unfortunately, it will not be comparable to the deaths of idols mostly due to overdoses and various complications of diseases that are rarely possessed by people as young as the idol who died.

"From what I've gotten from Aqua, it seems that they're going to take care of the takeover of this production house soon?" Roboco whispered to herself.

"Hm!? What have you been doing?" Azki asked Roboco while wiping her sweat because she had just finished practicing dancing. The two of them were in the dormitory, where there was a special practice area for them. "It feels like you're always busy with your smartphone and seem to be texting with someone. Huh, you don't have a boyfriend, right!!!? We're not allowed to have boyfriends, you know!" She added as she put her hand on Roboco's shoulder and shook it.

"You don't have to worry about it. I don't have a boyfriend or anything like that. I am just talking to… Hm, a business partner, I guess."

"Really… Well, that's good because the company seems to be very restless. Especially the boss who is getting angry a lot. According to the news I heard, it seems that the company will be bought by one of the big companies."

"Ah, yeah."

"Hm, to be honest. It's a relief that I don't have to worry about the boss telling us to accompany those old men like a waiter at a cabaret, you know."

"Well, I guess we don't have to worry about that nasty thing."

"Yeah, that's true. Hm… Wait."

Azki stopped talking as she heard her ringtone ring, and she walked towards her phone. Roboco could see Azki talking to someone, and from her tone, it sounded respectful. Roboco could guess the possibility of who was contacting Azki.

"Geez, looks like I got called by the boss." 

"What!? At this hour? Maybe I should accompany you?"

"That sounds like a good idea. But the boss told me to go there alone." 

"It's not that. It's getting suspicious. Alright, I'll wait outside, and if anything happens, you can message me directly."

"Yeah, I think that's much better."

Ultimately, they both went to the production house even though they were forced to.

[author]

Don't forget to read my other fanfic. Stealing Heroine: Honestly, I never thought this far [Smut Warning!]

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