As the world's second-largest music market after the United States, Tokyo is teeming with countless bands and singers, both mainstream and underground. Heavy Gunner, a somewhat well-known music restaurant in Shinjuku, often attracts talent scouts who come to dine after work, casually keeping an eye out for promising new talent.
Without a doubt, as the song *"I Once Thought About Ending It All"* came to a close, the entire restaurant erupted in excitement.
Many scouts, thoroughly impressed, eagerly handed over their business cards. However, Izumi Himawari didn't show much excitement. Amid the cheers of countless onlookers, she quietly followed Sayoko and Tetsu back to their table.
Though the song was a gift from Tetsu under a pseudonym, out of respect, she felt she needed to discuss with "Senior Beyond" before putting it on music platforms for profit, to get their approval.
As for contacting scouts to debut…
Her singing was undeniably captivating, and her image was appealing. Scouts had approached her long ago, and back then, she was thrilled, thinking she could earn her own money and stop being a burden to Sayoko.
But in the end, most companies backed off after learning about her condition. Launching a singer requires significant resources, and until her hearing was fully treated, even if a company signed her, the contract wouldn't be favorable.
Of course, things were different now. With a hit song to back her up, signing with an entertainment company was no issue. Still, her mind was a mess.
"Life is… really strange."
So much had happened today. Sitting back at the table and putting on her hearing aid, Izumi Himawari's eyes looked dazed, her big, round eyes staring blankly at the bubbling hotpot.
In the afternoon, she was "forced to abdicate." At night, while celebrating her birthday, she ran into old friends, feeling like her life had hit rock bottom. Then, out of nowhere, Tetsu, like a magician, pulled out *Idol* from Sayoko's bag—a birthday gift, a song destined to be a hit!
Excitement surged through her!
But…
"Why isn't my mind filled with thoughts of Senior Beyond? Why isn't it about signing with a music company? Instead, it's…"
*"Relax, we're all here."*
Looking at Tetsu, who was cozily eating hotpot with Sayoko across the table, she recalled the moment on stage when he gently placed her hand on the speaker. His distant voice, paired with the shape of his lips, echoed in her mind. That sense of security from that moment left the eighteen-year-old Izumi Himawari, in the rainy season of her youth, feeling a bit lost.
Tetsu, naturally, didn't pay much attention to the young girl's thoughts. Back at the table, he continued cuddling with Sayoko, eating hotpot and sipping sake.
Honestly, he'd been pretty exhausted lately. Not only was his work busier than Sayoko's, but he'd also been dragged into company politics. Dealing with Deputy Director Yamanaka wasn't too difficult, but it was still a hassle.
Today was a weekend, and he had half a day off tomorrow, so he let loose.
However, as the saying goes, "The tree wants to be still, but the wind keeps blowing."
At first, many scouts came over to toast and offer their cards. But when they learned the song wasn't written by Izumi Himawari and that she had hearing issues, their enthusiasm quickly faded. Interestingly, though, when they found out Tetsu was a section chief at NTsoft—and such a young one at that—they flocked back to him.
The reason? Scouts in Japan, a powerhouse of anime and gaming, often dabble in more than just music. Many also scout for voice actors, and modern games frequently require voice acting.
Tetsu didn't turn them away. He smiled, clinked glasses, and exchanged pleasantries with the bowing scouts. It wasn't just small talk—his game *Surrounded by Beauties* genuinely needed voice actors.
The game targeted Japan, China, and Korea, so it required not only Japanese voice acting but also Korean and Chinese dubs. NTsoft had its own list of voice actors, but having more connections never hurt.
Tetsu handled this kind of socializing—saying the right things to the right people—with ease, keeping everything perfectly balanced as he drank with the scouts.
Watching this, Yumi Konko, Izumi's best friend, widened her eyes across the table and nudged her. "Hey, hey, hey, what's the deal with this guy? Why is Mr. Ogami from Starry Sky so respectful toward him?"
Starry Sky was a moderately well-known entertainment agency in Tokyo. Mr. Ogami, known for scouting high schoolers, was a respected figure in the industry. Normally, they looked up to him, but…
Glancing at Mr. Ogami, who was bowing and smiling obsequiously, then at Tetsu, who sat calmly raising his glass with one hand, Yumi was stunned.
She wasn't the only one.
At home, Tetsu wasn't the type to put on airs. His casual clothes and relaxed demeanor gave Izumi the impression—despite Sayoko always saying he was an impressive corporate elite—that he was just a sleazy, unshaven guy in baggy shorts, smoking and gaming.
This was the first time she'd seen him in a slightly serious, work-mode state. Izumi blinked unconsciously but quickly shrugged it off. "Just some stinky gaming uncle."
"…Come on, don't treat me like an idiot! But seriously, don't let Kohana see him—she's totally into mature, masculine guys like him. Though, from the way he acts toward you, he doesn't seem interested in young girls like us. Guess a mature woman with a full figure like Sayoko is more his type."
"…"
As her best friend rambled on, Izumi rolled her eyes. But her gaze lingered subtly on Tetsu, dressed sharply in his suit.
He did seem… a bit more mature than usual.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, she noticed Sayoko beside her, helping cook lamb slices. Her pupils shrank slightly, and she shivered, shaking her head and focusing on eating the lamb.
Dinner lasted past 8 p.m. As Tetsu waved goodbye to the bowing scouts and stepped out of the restaurant, Tokyo's night sky was already glittering with stars.
November in Tokyo was a bit chilly at night. Izumi, slightly drunk, rubbed her arms, goosebumps rising on her fair skin.
"Told you to wear more," Sayoko said, draping her light blue shirt over Izumi's shoulders. Before she could grumble further, Tetsu placed his suit jacket over Sayoko's shoulders.
"You're one to talk—caring about style over warmth."
"What? Always ruining my moment. No hangover soup for you tonight!"
"Haha, just take a bath with me later."
"Hmph, no way I'm bathing with a perv like you~"
Slightly tipsy, Tetsu, in his white dress shirt, smoked a cigarette while waiting for the designated driver, teasing Sayoko with a grin. Sayoko pouted playfully, then laughed and hooked her arm around his, leaning in for warmth.
Nearby, watching the two flirt under the neon lights, a flicker of complicated emotions passed through Izumi's eyes. But in the end, a faint, happy smile curved her lips as she tightened Sayoko's shirt around her.