Chapter 104
"My business is none of your concern!"
Just as the mother was speaking, Mai-senpai emerged from the bedroom wearing her pajamas, looking at her mother with a cold gaze.
"Whether it's starting a relationship or anything else! All of this is of my own volition! Even if I have to give up my entire acting career, I won't regret it! At the very least, right now, I am literally doing something I actually enjoy!"
Hearing her daughter's words, the mother—Yuriko—raised an eyebrow. Her voice grew even colder, and her expression turned rigid.
"Mai, do you have any idea what you're saying? Do you know who you're talking to?"
"I'm very aware of what I'm saying!" Mai-senpai bit her lower lip, her fists clenched tight. "Since I was a child, I've followed your plans step by step! I know everything you arranged was truly for my own good! But... but why did you force me to take sexy photos!? Why force me to take ads that were so revealing!? I'm... I'm still a high school student! Why didn't you consider that at all?"
Listening to her daughter, Sakurajima Yuriko's face remained devoid of emotion.
"Since you know I did it for your own good, why don't you try to understand me? I am a professional manager. I know what needs to be done for your development to improve! Back when you were a child, taking the innocent and cute route wasn't a problem. But after that, didn't you realize your popularity was dropping drastically?"
"Your acting skills are good enough, but in this world, there are plenty of people with good acting skills—you aren't the only one! As for other talents, you don't seem to have anything that stands out. Transformation was the best choice! Only through transformation could you have better and broader prospects!"
"High school is just a pit stop in life's journey. Eventually, you'll graduate, and once you enter society, your work becomes your real life! Besides, the clothes I asked you to wear were just for a 'sexy' image. Calling them 'revealing' is an exaggeration! I've always worked hard to make you a top-tier star of the new generation in Japan! But you—how do you repay the hopes and sacrifices I've given you?"
At this point, Yuriko glanced briefly at Mineo before continuing. "You've struggled in the entertainment industry long enough. You should know that once a relationship is revealed, the impact on a female star's career is catastrophic! A drastic drop in popularity is guaranteed; your career might even be erased from the industry entirely! For the past two years, I followed your wishes and let you live the relaxed life you wanted. I naively thought that as you matured, you would understand my hard work. And now, Mai, you've truly made me... very disappointed!"
Yuriko stared at Mai with a look of failed expectations. Mai stared back, defiant and stubborn. Amidst this heavy atmosphere, Mineo's voice cut through.
"Auntie, may I interrupt for a moment? Regarding Senpai's situation, there are a few things I'd like to say."
Hearing Mineo speak, Yuriko's gaze shifted to him. Mai-senpai also looked toward him. Under their dual gaze, Mineo spoke up.
"Actually, the matter of the confession to Mai-senpai was my own personal arrangement! Mai-senpai didn't know about it beforehand. If you want to blame someone, blame me! Perhaps some of my actions have troubled you, but in my opinion, the problems you're worried about don't actually exist!"
After glancing at Mai-senpai, Mineo turned back to Yuriko. "A true star who wants influence and popularity should prove it through their work. Look at the stars who take the innocent or sexy routes—how many of them can maintain their popularity until the end? I believe Mai-senpai's talent is extraordinary. Have you actually tried to understand her more deeply? Her talent... I don't think you've fully tapped into it yet."
A cynical smile appeared on Yuriko's face. "Are you saying I'm unprofessional? Young man, do you know how many years I've been in this management industry? Do you know how many artists have been born from my hands? Mai is my daughter—are you trying to say you know her better than I do? Don't you think your words are a bit absurd and pretentious?"
"Auntie, I don't doubt your professional abilities. What I'm saying is that your mindset might be a bit narrow at times!"
Even though Yuriko was Mai's mother, Mineo didn't hold back. He spoke, emphasizing every word. "I've searched the internet for information on your experience guiding artists over the years. It seems that out of all the artists you've mentored, Mai-senpai's development is the most prominent!"
"What about the others? Perhaps they attracted attention in the short term, but in the end, they couldn't maintain that popularity! Why hasn't a truly influential artist been created? I don't know if you've ever reflected on this! Everyone born into this world is meant to be different, yet you use the same method to educate every artist! I feel that Mai-senpai is actually being wasted in your company!"
"Please don't take offense if I sound arrogant, Auntie. But in my opinion, if I were Mai-senpai's manager, her development right now would likely be far better than anything she's experienced before!"
(The story of Mai-senpai is coming to an end! Food Wars! and Love Live! will begin soon, and then other heroines will appear gradually. Although this book isn't doing great, I will do my best to keep writing...)
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
50 Power Stone = 1 Bonus Chapter (Up to 5 bonus chapters per week).
Read ahead and support the story on Patreon: patreon.com/FaaanzKun
✅ 80+ chapters ahead of WebNovel
✅ 2-6 new chapters every day (Monday–Saturday), exclusive on Patreon
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —