Chapter 22 (Part 1) – Gunjo (From Chihiro’s Perspective)
On this day, I had asked my mom to bring me to the workplace. The reason was that I had learned that this job involved Miko-chan’s company.
As I followed my mom, an unpleasant atmosphere filled the studio.
“Is the makeup not done yet? I’m tired~”
The haughty girl seemed to be around high school age. The adults around her were trying to appease her.
I thought I had ended up in an unpleasant place.
“Mrs. Chieko… I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can photograph that girl well!”
Appearing there was a young and handsome man. He held a camera in his hand, so he might be a photographer.
“Who’s this? This angel.”
“My son.”
“…You had such a big child? I mean, a son!”
“I’m Haru. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Senkawa. But seriously, he’s cute!”
I smiled when called cute because I’m used to it.
“So cute!”
“Miko-sama is head over heels for him.”
“Angel-kun, I envy you! I wish I could be head over heels for Miko-sama too… impossible, I can’t even imagine.”
It seems that Miko-chan might be a very influential person here.
“Isn’t Miko-chan here?”
“Don’t call Miko-sama with ‘-chan’! Angel, you’re a scary one!”
It seems that in his mind, I had become known as Angel-kun.
“Well, since Miko-sama is like a goddess, it’s kind of understandable to use the ‘-chan’ honorific with Angel-kun! Miko-sama is apparently coming later.”
“I hope she comes soon.”
“I agree! If Miko-sama were here, the atmosphere wouldn’t be like this…”
I wonder what’s going on? I was left bewildered, and suddenly, someone grabbed my shoulder, startling me. When I turned around, the haughty girl from earlier was standing there with an extremely angry expression.
“Who are you?”
“This child is my son, and he came here for a social school field trip.”
As my mother tried to intervene, the haughty girl furrowed her brow.
“Don’t bring such an eyesore with you!”
Did you have to say that much?
I didn’t want my mother to be scolded because of me.
“In that case, I’ll go home.”
“Huh? Haru, are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
Just as I was about to leave…
“If you’re going home, why don’t you let this lady go home too?”
It was Miko-chan who appeared there. Near Miko-chan, there were a few men who looked like important people.
“Dad, who is this woman?”
“I’m Iwabuchi, and I’m in charge of planning for this commercial. Your company’s president wanted to use you in the commercial because his daughter is an underground idol, so we chose to cast you.”
Miko-chan looked at the president with a beautiful smile.
“Mr. President, if what I’m about to say doesn’t sit well with you, you’re welcome to cut ties with our company.”
…
The president’s face tightened.
“We take pride in our work.”
“So do I.”
“You’re quite foolish, you know. Right now, you’re unexpectedly missing with the biggest business opportunity.”
“Huh?”
“An underground idol with no fame is trying to use industry connections. The downside is that you’ll remain an underground idol for life. Industry connections are everything. Being harsh on one person here is like rejecting ten jobs. Well, ten is the minimum, but you get the idea.”
“W-what are you talking about?”
“Should I make it even clearer? Everyone working here will probably dislike the idea of you coming here after this. So, if you choose to use her, it means they won’t take on that job. In such a small industry, the moment one person talks about that underground idol, the news will spread like wildfire. And what follows that is no job offers, right?”
Miko-chan approached the president with a smile on her face as she said this.
“I take pride in my work. Mr. President, please make your decision here and now. Will you cut ties with our company to appease your daughter, or will you keep our contract and silence your daughter?”
The president turned pale and remained silent. The photographer standing nearby spoke up.
“If you choose to terminate the contract, I won’t work with your company anymore.”
Similar voices echoed from the people around.
The president lowered his head to Miko-chan and said, “I apologize for my daughter’s actions. Can we quickly arrange for another model?”
“Of course. I’m grateful for the president’s courageous decision,” replied Miko-chan with a gentle smile.
The president, seemingly reassured by Miko-chan’s warm smile, then grabbed his daughter by the neck and left.
“Miko-sama, you were amazing! I’ll follow you for life!”
“Senkawa-kun, you’re an incredible photographer with many awards. You could find work with a bigger company, not just a small one like ours.”
“This job is the only way I get to meet Miko-sama, so please call me for the next one too!”
“Thank you.”
Senkawa blushed and had a big smile on his face.
Then, Miko-chan came over to me and gave me a tight hug.