Chapter 225: Invitation

'What a simple image for an artist.'

Toru Amuro, who had been secretly observing Akikawa Kyousuke, quietly made this assessment in his heart.

Whether it was the self-introduction between Akikawa Kyousuke and the host when they met or his responses during the question from the host Nakamura Haruna earlier, Toru Amuro noticed that Akikawa Kyousuke, as an artist, behaved far too ordinarily.

---

Although Akikawa Kyousuke could draw significant attention with his appearance alone, the image he presented in this event was nothing remarkable.

He didn't exhibit a unique personality or give the impression of being well-prepared when he spoke.

Compared to the other guests around him, Akikawa Kyousuke truly appeared like someone well-connected who had simply been slotted into place with money.

---

Toru Amuro knew that the real Akikawa Kyousuke couldn't be this straightforward.

But from a biased perspective, observing Akikawa Kyousuke's behavior yielded no detectable trace of brilliance in his mind.

This demonstrated that the artistic persona of Akikawa Kyousuke was maintained exceptionally well.

---

If Amuro hadn't deduced Akikawa Kyousuke's true situation based on existing intelligence, even he might have been deceived by the surface.

---

The hour hand soon pointed to twelve o'clock, and it was time for lunch.

Nakamura Haruna and Matsumoto Kenichi had brought pre-prepared lunches from home.

Seto Rin left the Tokyo International Exhibition Center when the break began to find a nearby restaurant for lunch.

As for Toru Amuro himself, he had the habit of preparing a sandwich for breakfast in the morning.

However, he believed that if a sandwich were left out too long, its ingredients would spoil, affecting the flavor, so he would eat out during rehearsal days.

---

Amuro noticed Akikawa Kyousuke also walking outside and realized he was heading out to eat.

Taking a few steps forward, Amuro decided to follow him.

"Akikawa-kun, please wait a moment."

Akikawa Kyousuke stopped when he heard Toru Amuro's voice and turned around, looking slightly puzzled.

---

"Sorry for calling you Akikawa-kun from the start."

"It's fine. Mr. Amuro is older than me. What can I do for you?"

Akikawa Kyousuke didn't seem to mind being addressed as "-kun" and responded calmly.

---

"Akikawa-kun, are you going out for lunch?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'm heading out to eat too. How about we go together?"

Toru Amuro smiled warmly at Akikawa Kyousuke.

"Of course, it's fine if you'd rather not."

---

"That's okay. I just don't know what to eat."

"That's fine. There's a café nearby. They serve pasta and sandwiches for lunch. What do you think of that, Akikawa-kun?" Amuro asked.

"Alright."

---

Akikawa Kyousuke agreed and followed Toru Amuro to a café chain near the Tokyo International Exhibition Center.

It was lunchtime, so the café was crowded, but the two were fortunate enough to find seats.

---

Amuro ordered pasta and coffee, while Kyousuke opted for coffee and a sandwich.

"Akikawa-kun, is this all you eat for lunch?"

"Yes."

---

Akikawa Kyousuke didn't elaborate further on the topic, but Toru Amuro, who had read his medical inspection report, already knew the reason.

---

'It's a legacy of the liver failure from back then.'

'But now it seems he no longer needs medication to eat, though his food intake is still very small.'

---

Amuro pondered silently.

Japanese restaurants that serve lunch meals often prioritize speed to increase table turnover.

Within a few minutes, the meals ordered by Toru Amuro and Akikawa Kyousuke were placed in front of them.

---

"By the way, why did Akikawa-kun decide to sign up for this job?"

Amuro asked with curiosity.

He wasn't entirely sure how Akikawa Kyousuke chose his jobs.

---

It always felt like Kyousuke's appearance wouldn't lead him to take on work unrelated to the entertainment industry.

It also seemed unlikely that he lacked money.

After all, Akikawa Kyousuke had received a large insurance settlement last year.

---

"Because there wasn't a better job. Ms. Itakura said this one had some opportunities for exposure, so I signed up."

After Akikawa Kyousuke said this, he picked up a sandwich from the table, opened his mouth, and took a bite.

---

Amuro twirled spaghetti coated in red-orange meat sauce with his fork but didn't eat.

Instead, he waited until Akikawa Kyousuke finished speaking before putting the pasta in his mouth.

---

"Why did Mr. Amuro suddenly want to have lunch with me?"

Hearing Akikawa Kyousuke's question, Amuro had already prepared a response.

---

"After all, I usually have lunch with colleagues when I'm at work.

It feels too lonely to eat alone.

And the only other person here who goes out for lunch every day at noon besides me is Ms. Seto.

But since she's a JD (college student), it wouldn't be appropriate to invite her."

---

After revealing this plausible reason to Akikawa Kyousuke, Amuro continued:

"I also want to maintain a good relationship with you, Akikawa-kun.

In my opinion, it's only a matter of time before you become famous.

If we build a good rapport now, Akikawa-kun, when you're famous in the future, you might come and support my work, right?"

---

Amuro spoke to Akikawa Kyousuke with a light-hearted tone.

No matter whether Akikawa Kyousuke harbored suspicion about this sudden invitation, Amuro's words were carefully crafted to dispel doubts.

---

His confident tone, fitting for his identity as an employee of a luxury store, would help him quickly earn Akikawa Kyousuke's trust.

---

In fact, Amuro noticed that after Kyousuke heard what he said, a faint but emotionless smile appeared on his face.

"Mr. Amuro really has confidence in me."

---

"Of course. With your good looks, I think it's only a matter of time before you become famous, Akikawa-kun."

Amuro replied to Akikawa Kyousuke with a smile.

---

Through this exchange, Amuro could clearly feel that Akikawa Kyousuke's defensive attitude had diminished significantly.

The subsequent conversation also became much smoother, lacking the dry tone of their earlier Q&A.

---

For Amuro, this kind of situation was easy to handle.

However, he didn't push further just because Akikawa Kyousuke had let down his guard.

He refrained from directly prying into Kyousuke's privacy.

---

(End of the Chapter)