I'll post an extra chapter every 300 Power Stones. Good luck with that!
Goal for the first extra chapter: 83/300
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The three girls always walked together. They were the classic "gyaru" friend group, even at such a young age. After hearing their questions, I started answering everything with a smile, trying to be as polite as possible.
"I recently started my career as a model. I was approached on the street by someone from a company," I explained to Aiko Tanaka, the tallest of the group. She had black hair like her friends, but wore it in a ponytail.
The second question I answered was from Mei Nakamura. She was just as pretty as her friends, with shoulder-length hair.
"What was it like taking the photos? I guess it was normal? I just acted like it was something ordinary—it was pretty easy for me."
I answered honestly. I didn't want to pretend it was difficult.
The last question came from Sakura Fujimoto, the one with the most youthful appearance among the three.
"How does everything work? What do you mean?" I asked, looking at her.
"I want to know how you got recruited and ended up in such a big advertisement. I know you're handsome, but still…"
"Like I said, a man approached me while I was walking on the street, and I signed the contract. It all happened very quickly. I guess he's just really good… that's all." I smiled bitterly.
That guy named Rikuya definitely has a lot of connections.
I was pretty lucky to land a job like that so easily.
"Ooohh, I see! When those photos showed up on my feed, I couldn't believe it. I shouted, 'WAAAAH! THAT'S MY CLASSMATE!' My mom thought I was going crazy."
Her friends laughed, and my classmates were watching us.
"I can imagine it was a surprise. It was a surprise for me too."
"Did you dream of becoming a model, Kyo?" Mei asked.
"A dream? I wouldn't say that. Actually, I want to become an actor—that's my goal."
"An actor!?" The three of them shouted at the same time, and my classmates started murmuring about it.
"Have you ever tried acting before? They say it's really hard!" Mei asked.
"I've never tried, but I know I have talent for it." I do have the system, after all.
The girls looked at each other. I must have sounded pretty arrogant, right?
"I believe in you, Kyo!" Sakura, the shortest of the group, said while raising her fist in support.
"Thanks, Sakura."
"Sakura…?" Her face immediately turned red. "He called me by my first name…" she murmured, taking a step back and lowering her head.
Japan really is strange…
After talking a bit more, they left my desk.
I guess I made three friends, right?
But so far, all my "friends" are girls. Isn't that… strange?
####
When lunchtime came, those girls approached me again. Even though I wanted to be alone, I ended up eating with them. However, I mostly just listened as they talked about random things and stayed quiet.
I didn't really like that situation.
And when classes ended, they approached me again…
"Hey, hey, don't you want to go to karaoke with us?" Besides the three girls, there were two boys standing behind them. Both looked pretty average—I probably wouldn't even remember their faces.
"I can't today, I have something to do," I replied to Aiko.
"But you never go out when someone invites you. Come on, just today~~"
Everyone looked at me expectantly—except the two boys behind them.
Do they like these girls or something?
Kids these days…
Well, if I didn't have to meet the Shonen Jump editor, I'd probably go with them just to experience it at least once in my life.
"I can't, sorry," I said, keeping my usual neutral expression as I picked up my bag. "I can't go today, but I can tomorrow."
Hearing that, the three girls smiled.
"Alright! Then we won't go today, we'll go tomorrow!" Aiko said.
"Yeah, that's right!"
"Tomorrow is better."
Mei and Sakura agreed.
As for the two boys?
"What? We're not going anymore?"
"Hey, I said I'd pay, didn't I? Come on."
But the three girls ignored them, and I held back my laughter.
'Sorry, guys.'
####
I arrived outside the school and waited for my father. He drove a simple black sedan that soon pulled up and opened the passenger door.
"Let's go. The editor already contacted me and is waiting."
As soon as I got into the car, I started remembering the day my parents took me to the hospital.
My father hadn't changed cars since then.
Without thinking, I said, "I think you should change your car."
My father stayed silent for a moment, then said, "This car is good enough. I don't want to spend money on that."
"You have a lot of money saved, don't you?"
"A lot of money? Of course not. I bought that house with an inheritance I received from your grandparents. My job doesn't pay that well." My father laughed.
This was the first time I'd heard that, since I never talk to my father about money. The only time we talked about it was when he created a bank account for me to receive my royalties.
I knew my grandparents had passed away, but I didn't know they had left him an inheritance.
"My mom always says she has a lot of money."
"Well, we're not poor, but I don't have as much money as you think."
"I see. Mom said she wants to retire soon. I told her to take some of my money to travel and enjoy herself with you, but she refused."
"Of course she refused, Kyo… No mother would want to spend her child's money like that."
"But I don't mind, you know?"
"You'd better not say that to your mother again. She'll get angry."
Angry because I offered money?
Well, I don't need to give them money.
A gift is enough.
After some time, we arrived at the café and met with the Shonen Jump editor.
As soon as we met, the man named Kenji stood up and shook my father's hand.
"It's an honor to meet you, author Aoi Haruki. I didn't know you were a foreigner—what a surprise. And who is this? Your son?"
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Next Chapters: Chapter 36 - Contract signed. Focus. / Chapter 37 - New job. / Chapter 38 - A new audition? / Chapter 39 - Series. / Chapter 40 - I'm definitely going to get that role. / Chapter 41 - Black Car. / Chapter 42 - Agent and Driver.