[34] Art of the Deal

I woke up at around 7 am, Marin still fast asleep beside me. The events of yesterday played through my mind - the tense meeting with her father, our decision to look at new apartments, and the opportunity for Marin to join an idol group. It felt like our lives were shifting, evolving into something new and exciting, yet also terrifying.

Carefully, I extracted myself from Marin's embrace and padded to the kitchen. As I brewed coffee, I pulled out my phone to set up the apartment viewings. A text from Aqua caught my eye.

"Meeting at 7 PM. Don't be late."

I sent a quick acknowledgment, then dialed the number for the real estate agent. After a brief conversation, I managed to schedule viewings for both apartments in the afternoon. That would give us plenty of time before the meeting at Strawberry Productions.

The smell of coffee must have roused Marin because she appeared in the kitchen doorway, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"Morning, superstar," I said, pouring her a cup.

She grinned, accepting the mug gratefully. "Morning yourself, Mr. Big Shot Actor."

We settled into our morning routine, eating breakfast and discussing the day ahead. Marin was excited about both the apartment viewings and the idol group meeting.

"I can't believe this is really happening," she said, her eyes sparkling. "It's like all our dreams are coming true at once."

I nodded. "Yeah, it's pretty amazing. But remember, we're just looking at the apartments for now. And the idol thing... well, let's see what they have to say first before getting too excited."

Marin rolled her eyes playfully. "Always the practical one. Can't you just enjoy the moment?"

I laughed, pulling her into a hug. "I am enjoying it. I just want to make sure we're not getting in over our heads."

The rest of the morning flew by as we got ready for our busy day. We managed to avoid any fan encounters on our way to school, though I caught a few people whispering and pointing as we passed. It was still surreal, being recognized like this.

Classes dragged on, my mind constantly wandering to the apartment viewings and the meeting later. I found myself doodling floor plans in my notebook instead of taking notes on Japanese literature.

Finally, the last bell rang. Marin and I met up outside the school gates, both of us practically vibrating.

"Ready to go house hunting?" I asked, offering her my arm.

She linked her arm through mine, grinning. "Lead the way, my handsome real estate mogul."

We took an uber to Arasaka Hinokicho Tower first. As we pulled up, Marin's jaw dropped.

"Holy crap," she breathed. "It's like something out of a movie."

I had to agree. The building was sleek and modern, all glass and steel reaching towards the sky. The lobby was equally impressive, with marble floors and a massive chandelier.

Our real estate agent, Tanaka-san, greeted us warmly. "Hoshino-san, Kitagawa-san, welcome. Shall we begin the tour?"

As we rode the elevator up to the available unit, I could feel Marin practically vibrating with excitement beside me. The doors opened, and we stepped into a world of luxury.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of Tokyo. The open-concept living area was bigger than our entire current apartment. Marin immediately ran to the kitchen, running her hands over the gleaming countertops.

"Akira, look at this kitchen!" she squealed. "I could make so many cosplay props in here!"

I laughed, picturing Marin covered in foam and fabric scraps in this pristine space. "I think it's meant more for cooking, but sure."

We explored the rest of the apartment - the spacious bedroom, the luxurious bathroom, the private balcony. It was all incredible, but I couldn't shake a feeling of unease. It felt... impersonal. Like a hotel suite rather than a home.

Marin, however, was enchanted. "This place is amazing," she gushed as we headed back to the lobby. "I can't imagine the other one being better than this."

But as we arrived at Parkhouse Gran Minami-Aoyama, I felt a shift. The building was equally impressive from the outside, but there was something warmer about it. More inviting.

The apartment itself was slightly smaller than the one in Arasaka Tower, but it felt more... us. The layout was cozier, with clever storage solutions that would be perfect for Marin's cosplay supplies. The kitchen was still impressive, but not overwhelmingly so.

What really sold it for me was the small tatami room off the main living area. It was traditional, peaceful - a perfect contrast to the modern amenities in the rest of the apartment.

As we finished the tour, I could tell Marin was conflicted. "They're both so amazing," she said. "How are we supposed to choose?"

I squeezed her hand. "We don't have to decide right now. Let's think about it, okay?"

She nodded, then glanced at her watch. "Oh! We need to get going if we're going to make it to Strawberry Productions on time."

We thanked Tanaka-san and headed out.

The taxi pulled up in front of a nondescript office building. "Strawberry Productions" was written in small, elegant script on a plaque by the door.

"You ready for this?" I asked Marin as we stood outside.

She took a deep breath, then nodded. "Let's do it."

We stepped into the Strawberry Productions building, the cool air a welcome relief from the humid Tokyo evening. The lobby was understated but elegant, with sleek furniture and a few framed posters of past productions. A receptionist directed us to the third floor.

As the elevator doors opened, I caught sight of a familiar face - Kana. She was sitting in a conference room with Ruby and a woman I didn't recognize. Kana's eyes widened when she saw me.

"Akira? What are you doing here?" She stood up, confusion written across her face. "Did they trick you into joining Strawberry Productions too?"

I shook my head, guiding Marin forward with a gentle hand on her back. "No, this is for Marin. She's thinking about joining as an idol."

Aqua, who I hadn't noticed at first, stepped forward. "Ah, good. You made it." He turned to the woman with strawberry-blonde hair. "Miyako, this is Akira Hoshino and Marin Kitagawa. Akira, Marin, meet Miyako Saitou - president of Strawberry Productions and our adoptive mother."

I blinked. "Oh? So this is like a family-owned agency. That's nice."

Miyako smiled warmly, her red eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hello, Akira, Marin. It's a pleasure to meet you both. Why don't we sit down and go over some information?"

We settled around the conference table. Miyako pulled out some papers and began explaining the basics of their idol program. I half-listened, more focused on observing the dynamics in the room. Kana kept shooting curious glances my way, while Ruby seemed to be vibrating with excitement.

"The good news," Miyako was saying, "is that Marin's non-exclusive contract with Rising Star Agency means she'd be able to work with us as an idol."

Marin nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds great! I've always loved idols, but I never thought I'd have the chance to become one."

As the conversation continued, Ruby and Marin naturally gravitated towards each other, chatting animatedly about costumes and dance routines. I watched Marin's face light up as she talked, a warmth spreading through my chest.

"Akira," Aqua's voice cut through my thoughts. "Could you join Miyako and me in the other room for a moment?"

I nodded, following them into a smaller office. As soon as the door closed behind us, I felt a shift in the atmosphere. My friendly, professional mask slipped away, replaced by something harder, more calculating.

"You used Marin to get to me." It wasn't a question.

Miyako's warm smile faded, replaced by a more businesslike expression. "We had hoped to speak with you, yes. But we're genuinely interested in Marin's potential as an idol."

I leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "What do you want from me?"

Aqua and Miyako exchanged a look. "We have a proposition for you," Aqua said. "One that could benefit all of us."

"I'm listening."

"We want you to join Strawberry Productions," Miyako said, her voice steady. "Your talent is undeniable, and we believe you could achieve even greater heights with our support."

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm already doing pretty well as a freelancer. Why would I give that up?"

Aqua leaned forward, his eyes intense. "Because we can offer you resources and connections that you can't access on your own. We're not just talking about acting roles - we're talking about music, variety shows, international markets."

"Let's say I'm interested," I said, choosing my words carefully. "What exactly are you offering?"

Miyako pulled out a contract. "We're prepared to offer you a very generous package. Exclusive representation, top billing on all projects, a significant salary increase-"

I held up a hand, cutting her off. "I'm not interested in being just another talent on your roster. If we do this, I want part ownership of the company."

Their eyes widened. Aqua opened his mouth to protest, but I continued.

"And I want to own the masters to any music I create. Full creative control."

Miyako's brow furrowed. "That's... a lot to ask for, Akira. We've never offered anything like that before."

I shrugged. "Then I guess we're done here. It was nice meeting you both."

I turned towards the door, my hand on the knob. Three... two... one...

"Wait."

I looked back. Aqua was staring at me with a mixture of frustration and admiration. "What exactly are you offering in return for all this?"

I grinned. "I'll become the number one entertainer in the world. I'll elevate Strawberry Productions to heights you've never dreamed of. And I'll make sure your new idol group succeeds beyond your wildest expectations."

Miyako and Aqua exchanged glances. I could practically see the gears turning in their heads.

Aqua stood up abruptly. "We need to discuss this privately. Can you give us a moment?"

I nodded, stepping out of the office. As I closed the door behind me, I caught a glimpse of Aqua and Miyako leaning close, whispering urgently.

Back in the conference room, Marin was deep in conversation with Ruby about costume designs. She looked up as I entered, her face glowing with excitement.

"Akira! This is amazing. Ruby's been telling me all about their plans for the group. Can you believe they want to debut in just three months?"

I smiled, genuinely happy to see her so enthusiastic. "That's great, Marin. I'm glad you're excited about it."

Kana sidled up to me, her voice low. "What's really going on here, Akira? Why are you suddenly interested in Strawberry Productions?"

I met her gaze steadily. "Just exploring my options. Nothing's decided yet."

Before she could press further, the office door opened. Aqua and Miyako emerged, their faces unreadable.

"Akira," Miyako said. "Can we speak with you again?"

I nodded, following them back into the office. As soon as the door closed, Miyako spoke.

"We're willing to agree to your terms, with some conditions. You'll get a 10% ownership stake in the company, and you'll own the masters to your music. But we want a five-year commitment from you, and we need to approve any major decisions regarding your career."

I considered this for a moment. It was a good offer, better than I'd expected. But I wasn't done yet.

"Make it 15% ownership, and I want a clause that allows me to buy more shares in the future if I choose. As for approving decisions - I'll consult with you, but final say has to be mine."

Aqua looked like he was about to argue, but Miyako held up a hand. "Agreed. But in return, we want your full commitment to making this idol group successful. That includes mentoring the members and possibly collaborating with them."

I nodded. "Done. Now, about Ai..."

Miyako sighed. "We'll provide you with information about her career and her time with our agency. But there are some things that must remain confidential. You understand?"

I did understand. They were hiding something, something big. But this was enough for now. I'd find out the rest on my own.

"Deal," I said, extending my hand. "Let's make some magic happen."

As we shook hands, I caught a flicker of something in Aqua's eyes. Respect? Fear? Maybe both. Whatever it was, I knew one thing for certain - the game had changed, and I was holding all the cards.

We returned to the conference room, where Marin and Ruby were still chatting animatedly. Kana watched us with narrowed eyes, clearly sensing that something significant had transpired.

"Everyone," Miyako announced, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I have some news. Akira has agreed to join Strawberry Productions as both a talent and a partner in our company."

The room erupted in a cacophony of reactions. Marin squealed with delight, rushing over to hug me. Ruby clapped her hands, her eyes shining with admiration. Kana's mouth fell open in shock.

"Partner?" Kana echoed. "What does that mean exactly?"

Aqua cleared his throat. "It means Akira will be taking an active role in shaping the future of Strawberry Productions, including the development of our new idol group."

I nodded, wrapping an arm around Marin's waist. "That's right. And I couldn't be more excited to work with all of you."

[Aqua's POV]

The door clicked shut behind Akira and Marin, leaving Miyako and me alone in the conference room. The silence stretched between us, heavy with the weight of what we'd just agreed to.

Miyako sighed, sinking into a chair. She massaged her temples, her eyes closed. "That Akira… He's something else, isn't he?"

I leaned against the wall, shoving my hands in my pockets. "He sure is. Looks like Ai, talks like Ai, but…"

"But he's tougher," Miyako finished. She opened her eyes, fixing me with a penetrating stare. "He played us like a fiddle in that negotiation."

I couldn't argue with that. Akira had walked in with all the cards and played them masterfully. Part ownership, creative control… He'd gotten everything he wanted and then some.

"Do you think we made the right call?" I asked, hating the uncertainty in my voice. "Giving him so much power?"

Miyako was quiet for a moment, considering. "I don't know," she admitted. "But there's something about him… When he said he'd make Strawberry Productions the top agency, that he'd take the idol group to the top… I believed him."

I remembered the look in Akira's eyes when he'd made those bold claims. There was no arrogance there, no empty boasting. Just a quiet, unshakable conviction.

"Yeah," I said softly. "Me too."

Miyako stood up, pacing the length of the room. "He's not Ai, though. We can't forget that."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

She stopped, turning to face me. "Ai was… special. One of a kind. She had this way of making everyone fall in love with her, on stage and off. But she was fragile, too. Like a porcelain doll."

I thought of Ai's delicate features, her soft-spoken demeanor. She'd been ethereal, untouchable. A goddess among mortals.

"Akira's different," Miyako continued. "He's got Ai's charm, her gravity. But there's a steel in him, a resilience. He won't break like she did."

A chill ran down my spine at her words. We never talked about how Ai's story ended, the tragedy that had ripped her away from us. It was an unspoken rule, a wound that had never fully healed.

"So what now?" I asked, more to break the heavy silence than anything else. "We've got Akira, we've got Marin… What's our next move?"

Miyako's eyes gleamed with a familiar fire. "We do what we always do. We make stars."

She crossed the room to the whiteboard, grabbing a marker. "First, the idol group. Ruby's got the vision, but she'll need support. Choreography, vocal training, the works."

I nodded, my mind already spinning with possibilities. "We could bring in some of the old B-Komachi team. They know the ropes."

Miyako jotted down a few names. "Good thinking. And costumes, we'll need a concept…"

"Marin could help with that," I offered. "You saw her portfolio, right? The girl's got talent."

"True. Plus, it'd be a good bonding experience for the group."

She tapped the marker against her chin, thinking. "We'll need to figure out a debut timeline, book some variety show appearances, start generating buzz…"

Akira's words kept echoing in my head: "Make it 15% ownership… As for approving decisions - I'll consult with you, but final say has to be mine."

He'd been so confident, so self-assured. Like he knew something we didn't. Like he had a vision that went beyond what even we could see.

"Miyako," I said, interrupting her mid-sentence. "What if… What if Akira's right? What if he really can take us to the top?"

She paused, the marker hovering over the board. For a moment, I saw a flicker of something in her eyes - fear, maybe, or hope. Then it was gone, replaced by her usual steely resolve.

"Then we'd better be ready to keep up," she said simply. "Because I have a feeling he's not the type to wait around."

I huffed a laugh. "No, he definitely isn't."

Miyako circled a few key points on the board, then capped the marker with a decisive click. "Alright. We've got our work cut out for us, but we've handled worse."

I nodded, my mind already racing ahead. "Speaking of work, don't forget about 'LoveforReal.' The first recording is in three days."

Miyako raised an eyebrow. "Ah, yes. Akira's big debut under the Strawberry Productions banner. You'll be there to make sure he gets the screen time he deserves?"

"Of course," I assured her. "I'll be his guardian angel, watching from the wings."

As the words left my mouth, a sudden realization hit me. Akira's arrival at the agency wasn't just a boon for business - it was a golden opportunity for my own personal mission.

The man I wanted to destroy, the one who had taken everything from me... He was probably sitting pretty at the top of the entertainment world, untouchable. But with Akira by my side, I had a fast pass straight to the summit.

I could use Akira's star power to open doors, to get close to my target. And while everyone was dazzled by the bright lights and the cameras, I'd be working in the shadows, pulling strings and gathering intel.

It was a dangerous game, one that could blow up in my face if I wasn't careful. But the alternative - letting that monster continue to thrive - was unthinkable.

Miyako must have seen something in my expression, because her eyes narrowed. "Aqua? What are you thinking?"

I schooled my features into a neutral mask. "Just strategizing. Akira's got the potential to be our biggest star yet. We need to make sure we play our cards right."

She studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "You're right. There's a lot riding on this. On him."

"Don't worry," I said. "We've got this. Akira's going to take the world by storm, and we'll be right there with him, every step of the way."

Miyako's lips curved into a small smile. "I hope you're right, Aqua. For all our sakes."

Akira Hoshino. The boy with Ai's face, the rising star of Strawberry Productions. My ticket to revenge, and maybe, just maybe, to redemption.

End of Volume 2