Chapter 58

It has been several days since things escalated between Chizuru and me like that. She hasn't even replied to my messages.

"I've sent you the daily report, sir," my secretary, Nishimiya Yaeko, said as she placed a cup of coffee on my desk.

I nodded. "Thank you," I said, taking a sip of the coffee.

Today, I'll decide who will become the CEO of the Hayase Group.

When I took over my father's company, I had to fill that vacant seat. Now that I've cleaned things up, it's time for me to find someone to run it.

"Nishimiya-san, you've been working for my family's company for twenty years, correct?" I asked the woman sitting in front of me. She nodded in a strict, professional manner. "Yes, sir."

When I needed a secretary, I considered both external candidates and senior employees within the company. During a brief interview with Yaeko, I realized she was the best choice. She knows the ins and outs of the company and has the vision to make it better.

"Have you found someone to fill the position, sir?" she asked.

"I have several candidates in mind, and I was actually considering you, Nishimiya-san. What do you think?"

Yaeko looked startled. "Uh, sir, I don't think that's—"

"I was looking through old files and noticed that you were once a board member, right?"

Yaeko looked at me before sighing a little. "Yes, but it was only for a short period before I resigned. Even then, your father still wanted me to stay, so I took a senior manager position in the marketing department when he offered a generous salary and bonus."

I hummed thoughtfully. "You resigned but then chose to be demoted intentionally... Was there a reason for that? If it's personal, you don't have to share."

Nishimiya smiled slightly. "It's fine, sir. I found it difficult to be productive when my ex-husband was working here. But when you took over the company and began restructuring, he was one of the people you let go."

I sighed inwardly. "I see. Well, please consider the offer for now, Nishimiya-san. As of now, you are my top candidate."

She nodded. "Yes, sir. May I ask a question?" I nodded, and she continued, "Is that why you placed the young intern from the Fujiwara family under my supervision?"

I simply nodded. "How is she doing?"

"Fujiwara has been performing well so far. I personally don't mind; I think she's the top student in her year, as expected from Tokyo U student."

"Alright, thank you, you may leave now," I said, watching her exit before leaning back in my chair.

Suddenly, I heard a soft plop! under my desk. As I glanced down, I found a woman with pink hair panting, a strange look in her eyes. Her shirt buttons were undone, revealing a large boobs with black bra.

"Did I do a good job, boss?" Toyomi asked seductively, her face close to my dick.

I chuckled at the sight. "No. Keep going, intern."

Instead of being offended, Toyomi responded, "Understood, boss..." clearly turned on, she suck it faster.

[Name: Fujiwara Toyomi]

[Age: 21]

[Rating: B]

[Likability: 79%]

[Current Status: Delicious.]

[Spoiler: - ]

[Unused x1 Rare Package: [Typing] Shiba Tatsuya]

When the first we have meet. Toyomi kept seducing me and taste her own medicine. But to think... I was still confused why Chika was fine me have another woman beside her. But then she told me 'I can't handle you alone,' with straight face.

But, what the heck is this [Typing] skill was all about? So it'll make me type faster? Just like that? I want to extract it but Toyomi's likability still below 90%.

"Hm?" When I grab her head, Toyomi look at me confused by then I pull her head by force.

I chuckled. "You like it rough right?"

Slurp! Slurp! Slurp! Slurp! Slurp! Slurp!

[Likability: 83%]

Bullseye.

After a moment, she gulped it all down, her body trembling as her eyes began to blur.

"Now, bend over."

---

On the following Saturday morning, Arima Kana sent me a LUNE message asking if I had some free time. She probably wanted to discuss tomorrow's shoot.

As time passed, I met Kana in the afternoon at a karaoke spot in Shinjuku. After walking a bit, I noticed a cute girl in a sporty outfit—Kana stood out, though, with her beret hat.

"Yo, Kana," I greeted her.

She looked up and cynically said, "You're late, junior. That's not the best thing for a man to do when he's meeting a cute girl."

I looked at her, unamused. "Sorry. But I wonder if all celebs like you enjoy boasting about themselves."

She smirked. "That's natural, right? I mean, my face is as pretty as a model's."

Even though she's short, she's very competitive. Soon, we found ourselves in a karaoke room and ordered some snacks—instant ramen for me and ice cream for her.

"Kana, why don't we start going over the script now?" I suggested.

"Huh?" She looked at me, puzzled. "Oh, don't worry about it. It's not good to stress out the day before the shoot. Besides, it's not like we've been slacking off."

I hummed in agreement. "So, we're just hanging out, then?"

Kana snapped a selfie with me and then said smugly, "Oh, I get it—you thought this was a date. Sorry to disappoint, but I'm busy, Masamune."

I raised an eyebrow. "The heck? Well, I didn't know you were that busy, Kana-senpai. I'd expect no less from you."

She shot me a glare. "I hate to admit it, but actually..." Kana looked away, her expression turning emotionless. "I haven't had many jobs in this industry lately," she said with a long sigh.

I nodded. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

I sighed. "Are you okay with all of this? I mean, everyone's been talking shit about us and criticizing the first episode."

Kana replied, "It can't be helped. I hate to say it, but my golden age has ended. I'm just trying to survive, and that's enough for me."

She sighed and continued, "This drama is targeting a female demographic that's into handsome male cast. That's why there are so many rookies in this show. And to make it worse, their acting isn't great. I'm glad the producer chose you as the male lead—I can't imagine anyone else in the role. You saw it yourself, right? When the author of the manga visited the set? It really hurt to see her disappointed face."

"I know," I said quietly.

I recently found out that Kana was quite famous as a child actress. It's a shame, really—she's incredibly talented, but she had a reputation for being difficult to work with.

However, after spending time training with her whenever we had the chance this week, I realized that either the rumors were completely untrue, or Kana had changed and learned to adapt to the reality of the industry.

"I was surprised by you, Masamune. Most of the other actors are cocky, but you're different. I wondered if you had any experience with filming before."

"No, I don't have any prior experience. But I'm doing my best," I replied.

She chuckled. "That's cute. Is there a reason behind it?" she asked curiously.

"Not really. My little sister is the sole reason I'm doing this troublesome job."

Kana looked at me with mild disgust. "So you're a siscon, huh? Gross. Nevertheless, as a partner, I'm counting on you, Masamune. Even though we're lacking in many areas, let's do it, I don't care about my reputation. Let's just do our best and make this a good show."

Arima Kana held my hand, determination shining in her eyes. What she said was true about this show, Sweet Today. There have been many changes from the original manga, and the acting hasn't been great. But she's not the one who's lacking—it's me.

My acting skills, as others have told me, are just okay. However, for a big title like Sweet Today, where I was cast as the male lead, the show itself is mediocre at best. We're simply not meeting the expectations set by the manga.

I opened the system and saw Chizuru's um, stats:

[Name: Ichinose Chizuru]

[Age: 19]

[Rating: A]

[Likability: 86%]

[Current Status: Tired]

[Spoiler: Rent-a-Girlfriend S1, S2, & S3]

[Unused x1 SR Package: [Acting] Ryan Gosling]

I smiled at this. Hmm, 86% likability—should be fine, I guess. Anyway, let's set things right with this gacha.

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