"Michiya-sensei, you're far too modest. I've also read your Love Letter. Your talent is plain for all to see in the entertainment world."
Suo Atsumu spoke with extreme politeness, completely lacking the airs of someone in a high position, and even with a hint of flattery.
"Moreover, you've been truly indispensable to this show's immense popularity."
"I'm honored to have been so well-received by the audience."
Michiya Gōshin knew the man was a major figure in the entertainment industry, but he hadn't expected such a pleasant attitude. Could it be... he wanted to win him over?
Suo Atsumu smiled and quickly steered the conversation in a deeper direction.
"I hear you've been trying your hand at screenwriting recently, Michiya-sensei?"
Michiya Gōshin's eyes flickered. The man even knew about him privately writing the screenplay for We Made a Beautiful Bouquet?
While it wasn't exactly top secret, it wasn't common knowledge either.
This Suo Atsumu had clearly come prepared.
"It's just a personal interest, still in the exploratory phase. Nothing ready for polite company."
Michiya Gōshin offered a casual, modest reply, his wariness heightening.
"Interest is the best teacher. Nenshi has always supported talented entertainers in pursuing diverse development."
Suo Atsumu's smile didn't waver as he spoke in a perfectly natural tone, "Especially an artist like you, Michiya-sensei, who possesses both market appeal and creative potential. You are precisely the kind of person we hope to collaborate with deeply in the future."
"Resources, channels, budget—none of it is an issue."
This sounded like a standard recruitment pitch from a high-level executive, but coming personally from a managing director with the surname Suo, it carried a completely different weight.
They chatted for a few more moments, touching upon industry trends and audience reactions to different types of works.
Suo Atsumu's attitude was very amicable, fully showcasing his knowledgeable and insightful side. His words constantly signaled goodwill and high regard.
What concerned Michiya Gōshin, however, was that the man hadn't made any specific requests or promises, as if this were truly just a meeting born of pure admiration.
After about ten minutes, Suo Atsumu brought the conversation to a timely close.
After exchanging private contact information with Michiya Gōshin, he took his leave politely and blended back into the crowd.
Holding his glass, Michiya Gōshin watched Suo Atsumu's retreating back and took a thoughtful sip of champagne.
The appearance of this Managing Director Suo, and his meaningful words, were definitely not as simple as mere "admiration."
Taking advantage of a trip to the buffet area, he discreetly found Director Aoyama, who was deep in conversation with an advertiser, and pulled him aside when there was an opening.
"Director, that Managing Director Suo Atsumu from earlier..." Michiya Gōshin brought him up, feigning casualness.
Upon hearing the name, the smile on Director Aoyama's face instantly faded a little. He then lowered his voice and said.
"Oh? He talked to you... How did it go?"
Michiya Gōshin frowned slightly, choosing his words carefully. "He was very polite. Just said some things about admiring my talent and offered his support."
At this point, he paused, then continued, "This Managing Director Suo, inside Nenshi, it seems like..."
Hearing this, Director Aoyama's face immediately took on a knowing, meaningful expression, as if to say, "You get it."
"He's the second son of the Suo family. Their father, Suo Fumio, is turning seventy-five this year and preparing to step back, so the internal situation at Nenshi is very complicated right now."
As a director deeply tied to Nenshi, Aoyama Akihiro knew a lot, so he took the initiative to explain a few things to Michiya Gōshin.
Of course, within the entertainment industry, this wasn't really a secret at all.
"Young Master Hayabusa reached the position of managing director at such a young age; his abilities are certainly not to be underestimated."
Director Aoyama paused again, narrowing his eyes slightly before continuing.
"Meanwhile, Suo Fumio's eldest son has been managing Nenshi's practical affairs for many years and has established extremely deep roots in the agency."
"In short, people from their factions have probably all got their eyes on you. It's not strange that they'd approach you."
Director Aoyama looked up at Michiya Gōshin, his gaze holding the profoundness of one who has seen the ways of the world.
"Think about it, Michiya-kun. You're at the peak of your momentum right now. You're not just an actor and entertainer, but also a hugely successful new author who can leverage a literary influence that everyone in the entertainment industry covets."
"So naturally, they both want to win you over as an asset."
Director Aoyama had only given him a hint, but Michiya Gōshin's mind worked quickly, and he instantly grasped the deeper meaning.
Nenshi, a colossal entertainment empire in its own right, had now reached a crossroads in the transition of power.
The founder, Suo Fumio, was advanced in age and about to retire behind the scenes, preparing to hand over his vast enterprise.
The eldest son, by virtue of having been the de facto manager for years, had already formed a powerful faction within the company, firmly controlling numerous important affairs and holding a significant advantage.
Meanwhile, the second son, Suo Atsumu, held a degree of power as managing director and seemed to be secretly gathering potential outside support, ambitiously launching a powerful challenge.
And he himself, as a top entertainer with soaring momentum, immense commercial value, and latent creative ability, had naturally become a bargaining chip and ally that both factions wanted to court.
Suo Atsumu's initiative tonight—making contact, signaling goodwill and support—was a direct manifestation of this struggle extending to him.
Having figured all this out, Michiya Gōshin actually calmed down.
He thanked Director Aoyama for the tip, picked up his plate again, and began calmly selecting food as if their conversation had never happened.
But Michiya Gōshin's mind was racing.
The internal strife at Nenshi was, for him, both a risk and an opportunity.
The risk was that if he chose the wrong side, or got drawn in too deep, it could very well affect the resources available for his future development.
But the opportunity it presented was glaringly obvious.
When the snipe and the clam grapple, the fisherman profits.
The competition between the Suo brothers meant he could potentially obtain more favorable terms and greater autonomy than usual.
Suo Atsumu desperately needed his influence and potential to strengthen his hand against his older brother.
And Michiya Gōshin himself could perhaps use this opportunity to acquire more resources and a greater say. After the blacklist from Johnny & Associates, he had come to understand many things.
Although he had his identity as an author, collaborating with powerful capital was, in essence, another ladder to climb.
Without sufficient power of his own, no matter how glamorous he appeared, he was still an insignificant figure in front of the real titans.
Michiya Gōshin cut a small piece of tender Wagyu beef and put it in his mouth. The delicate texture melted on his tongue as he glanced across the glittering reception, his eyes sweeping past Suo Atsumu, who was currently engaged in conversation.
This dating show was, as expected, far more interesting than he had imagined.
It wasn't just about capturing some heart-fluttering signals in a villa; it extended into this glamorous world of fame and fortune, intertwined with the internal power games of a massive entertainment empire.
He had to think carefully about how to play his next move.
And also...
Michiya Gōshin glanced at his system panel.
[Production Queue 1: All Living Things]
[EXP: 32/100]
[EXP: 33/100]
[EXP: 34/100]
"I can gain experience for the Entry just by talking to Suo Atsumu?"
"Oh, right. He's a capitalist."
________________________________________
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