Tokyo Wingman King

The show is over.

The dinner party is over.

The Death Warriors band, along with their management team and Livehouse staff, a group of over 30 people, crowded at the street corner to exchange greetings and say goodbye.

In the past few weeks, the Death Warriors' fame has grown daily, and their entourage has become increasingly large. Manager, driver, security guard, assistant, legal counsel, logistics staff, doctor, makeup artist, photographer, media planner, band technician, fan specialist. Under Boss Nakaoka's sudden, almost obsessive diligence, the company assembled a 12-person management team within a few days, following the band around.

In addition, with their packed schedules, Death Warriors' performances were no longer limited to a few livehouses, and they needed to contact more and more collaborators.

Mai Majima knew that Death Samurai was no longer just an underground band that needed to focus solely on music. After she joined, she could clearly feel that while the band was rapidly gaining popularity, it was also becoming highly professional and commercialized.

For these reasons, faces wearing fake smiles in the workplace have become increasingly common.

Majima didn't like that kind of smile.

She feels pressured by social obligations, is uncomfortable with obvious fake smiles, and passively and habitually copies other people's smiles, like a drop of water being vigorously stirred into oil.

She admired Okubo and Koyanagi. These two working-class people had been inexplicably depressed for a while, but before she could figure out what was wrong, they had already adjusted themselves. Today, they were also working seamlessly with Shinazugawa, creating a lively atmosphere both on stage and at the dinner table, like a pair of clowns.

Having just finished their dinner party, Okubo and Koyanagi, who each drank at least three glasses of highball sake, hooked up with members of another band they would be performing with next month and prepared to continue their party at an izakaya in Shibuya.

I really envy these people's stamina.

Mai Majima doesn't want to say a word right now; she just wants to go back and lie down.

I have a bunch of classes to attend tomorrow, including the online music theory course I signed up for, as well as vocal and physical education classes that the company suddenly arranged.

She is currently the least professional member of the entire band. Improving her breath control, expanding her vocal range, adjusting her resonance chambers, mastering vocal protection techniques, and designing her stage presence are all areas that require effort.

With so many things to think about every day, she didn't want to waste any time on socializing.

After all, she had known since childhood that she had no talent for socializing. So, compared to the adult members of the band, Majima envied her peer, Rize Shinazugawa, more.

Rize Shinazugawa's charisma makes her feel at ease in any social situation, and more importantly, anyone can feel her sincerity and healing power from her smile.

This is an exceptionally valuable talent.

Even when she is alone, Shinazugawa often wears a smile that is like the eternal ripples on the surface of a lake. If this smile disappears, it will be replaced by an even stronger, more radiant smile that is as moving as her music.

Majima knew that Shinazugawa and Shizumizu were the same kind of people.

They radiate the warmth of the sun, exuding a comforting scent of grass and trees, and stirring up a warm breeze that makes you want to run forward. The moment they smile, the atmosphere around them shifts from gloomy to sunny, from winter to summer.

Perhaps this is why Jing Shui trusts her so much?

Everyone in the Love Counseling Department knew that their dearest department head had entrusted all his philanthropic spirit to this popular idol from the Shinazugawa family.

She possesses both the heart of the sun and the genius of the sun god.

Mai Majima is merely a dull follower, and it's normal for her to feel weary on the path of chasing geniuses.

Perhaps becoming a star is the wrong path.

But Mai Majima also knew that, at least, her destination was right—she was always moving towards getting closer to Shizumi Asama.

An ordinary person, even if allowed to stand next to him, might not stand out as much as the pattern on his sweater.

"What are you daydreaming about? Is Mai going back to Robert's place today?"

The genius idol girl hugged the lost-in-thought Majima and asked with a smile.

"No, I'm going home today too."

"Want to come to my house tomorrow? We can have a pajama party!"

"Hey, isn't that my house?"

Shiina Emi, Shinazugawa's landlord and roommate, complained.

She had a string of thin red and black earrings hanging from top to bottom on her left ear.

Shinazugawa hugged the punk girl again and rubbed against her smugly.

"Hehe, Emi is mine too."

Shiina Eimi looked at her friend with a slightly disgusted expression.

"You just said something really scary, Rize-san."

"You just said something really hurtful, Emi. Don't try to imitate Robert-kun!"

Shiina, as if struck by a sudden thought, lifted Shinazugawa's chin and gave a wicked smile.
"If I acted like that jerk, would you be tempted?"

"If Xiaoyingmei could grow this tall without even trying to stand on her tiptoes, she really might!"

Shinazugawa deliberately squatted down to create a height difference between the two, then looked up and laughed.

"The height difference between you two isn't that big, is it?"

"Robert is just that great in my eyes."

"Can't you have any self-awareness as the top idol of the new generation, Ms. R1E? Don't you all think that playboys are simply not good enough for you?"

"I wish he were really a womanizer," Majima could only reply with a wry smile.

Shiina Eimi considered it an open secret that the two women had feelings for Asama, but Fushigawa repeatedly emphasized that they could not possibly be rivals for Asama's affections.

"Damn that idiot," Shiina Eimi said irritably.

The bustling Roppongi intersection erupted in noise once again.

Suddenly, the Shinazugawa River next to Majima was surrounded by a group of fans who had been waiting nearby.

Since none of the individuals had their agents or assistants with them at the moment, Majima guessed that this was most likely not an exposure tacitly approved by Nakaoka's boss.

While Majima was worried about Shinazugawa's safety, the ACE of the Death Samurai band showed no sign of trouble.

Shiina Eimi squeezed next to Shinazugawa and took on the role of temporary manager, scolding and reprimanding the unruly fans.

The number of onlookers continued to increase, and even Majima could no longer see Shinazugawa's striking rainbow-colored hair.

Majima shook his head and chuckled. Ever since Shinazugawa took on the commercial, her popularity had skyrocketed.

Correspondingly, the Death Samurai Band's performances are becoming more and more frequent, and this week they are said to be performing at an upscale dinner party hosted by Rena Nijo's family.

Performing rock music at a banquet is obviously suspicious. But the exorbitant appearance fee revealed the truth to the band members: it was probably another scheme by Shizumi Asama.

Shizumi Asama played a crucial role in the transformation of Death Samurai from an underground band into a household name among Japan's new generation of artists.

Unfortunately, the still water won't go.

If it weren't for the fact that it involved charity, Jiandao would have absolutely no desire to sing for those young masters and ladies.

"Rise, I'm going back now."

"Okay! Goodnight, lead singer."

The two shouted to each other from a distance, which diverted some of the fans to Majima's side.

"It's Majima-san! Majima-san is here too!"

"Mr. Majima! Could you please sign your autograph?"

"I will always love Mai Sakurajima!"

"You idiot! You've got the wrong name! Quickly commit seppuku!"

Mai Majima didn't think much of it, after all, she was often mistaken for the popular celebrity Minami Hamabe.

The girl quickly put on a professional smile and earnestly faced the fans who came to ask for her autograph and photos.

Unlike Shinazugawa, who was overwhelmed with requests, she finished signing all the names in just 6 minutes, including the one who deliberately caused the misunderstanding. Of course, to fulfill the fans' wishes, she signed her name as [Sakurajima Mai] and even used a different font.

Seeing that Shinazugawa would probably be unable to leave anytime soon, Majima decided to slip away quietly.

I ate quite a bit tonight, so I'm planning to walk a bit further to the vicinity of Tameike Sannoh before calling a taxi. Of course, just walking a few steps won't be enough; it looks like I'll have to double my exercise tomorrow morning.

In addition, she needed to buy a bottle of mineral water, she rubbed her temples.

"Ms. Majima, why haven't you gone back yet?"

A car pulled up in front of Majima, and a young man leaned out and asked. This man was the owner of the livehouse where the Death Samurai band was playing today.

Before she could answer, the man continued,
"Ms. Majima, you live in Arakawa, right? I happen to be going that way, how about I give you a ride home?"

Even though it was our first meeting, he still managed to ask where she lived.

Majima resisted the urge to look at the man with the same eyes one would use to look at vomit on the floor, and politely declined his request. Even if she weren't worried that this man had ulterior motives, Majima wouldn't agree to get into the car of this man she had only met once. She naturally disliked troubling others, and besides, her early life had taught her to be wary.

Jiandao hailed a taxi, got in, and said goodbye to the young livehouse owner with a clearly fake smile.

The plan to take a walk to digest food is canceled; I'll just go home.

Anyway, Boss Nakaoka said that the taxi fare could be reimbursed, so the lead singer didn't seem to have any sense of saving money for the company.

Mai Majima bought a bottle of mineral water at a nearby convenience store.

He took out a painkiller from his bag, put it in his mouth, and swallowed it with slightly cool mineral water.

She couldn't wait to get home to take her medicine.

Her headaches had been getting worse these past few days, feeling like several cold metal picks were slowly embedding themselves in the back of her head, and a frenzied heavy metal drummer was pounding on her temples.

This drummer is not Asama. Therefore, she was completely unable to enjoy herself and had to resort to medication to alleviate her symptoms.

She knew the main reason was that she hadn't rested well.

However, having fallen far behind, she had no reason to slack off.

Majima returned home.

"Meow meow--"

A small black cat with four white horns sat at the doorway, welcoming Mai Majima.

The kitten jumped down from the entrance and rubbed its head against Majima's shoes.

"Xiao Zhenzhong, I'm back."

This is a stray cat she recently found in the weeds in front of her house.

She's only been caring for him for four days, but he's like a family member who raised him from childhood.

She initially intended to give the cats to Yamashita, who loves kittens and is even more knowledgeable about cats than many pet shop owners. But for some reason, the thought of the sea of ​​cats in Yamashita Rei's apartment building made her decide to keep them herself.

This is one of the reasons why she stopped living with Sister Boqi and Erjian.

Knowing full well that Jing Shui is allergic to cats
I'm such an idiot.

However, in the process of raising [Zhenzhong], she began to understand Jingshui's thoughts a little better. She also wanted to know what conditions were needed for a redeemer to transform a sense of responsibility into love; and whether a redeemer would feel annoyed by the redeemed.

She's a bad woman for treating a baby as an experimental subject.

With a touch of tenderness, Majima cradled the kitten, which was curled up and smaller than her phone but only slightly heavier, in her arms, then turned and sat down in the entryway to change into slippers.

The kitten obediently retracted its paws, using its still calloused paw pads to support her arm as she held it, and then nestled comfortably into the space between her arm and chest.

I took the kitten to its cat bed in the second-floor bedroom and zipped up the ventilation window at the entrance of the cat bed.

"Stay in bed and be a good boy/girl. Mommy will be done taking a shower soon."

Majima tidied up his things and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

Taking a bath is certainly more relaxing, but a shower saves time. If you turn up the water temperature and use a foot massager, it can also relieve stress.

The shower gel and shampoo have been changed to the same ones used in the Asama Apartment, which have a fresh and gentle woody scent.

She had seen Asama's reply before the performance, but unfortunately she was too busy to reply in time. Now it's too late. Although she knows that Asama usually reads until 2 a.m. before going to sleep, what if he falls asleep first?
I'd better not trouble him anymore and reply to him first thing tomorrow morning.

Hmm, let's choose the first pattern for the sweater.

She knew very well that Asama chose the first option to save her time.

He always reveals a captivating tenderness in these details.

I need to speed things up a bit.

Majima recalled the conversation at the dinner party about the news that the temperature would drop next week.

Stepping out of the bathroom, Mai Majima tucked her short hair into a hair drying cap and immediately released the kitten, Manaka.

"Meow-"

It doesn't seem like he's expressing dissatisfaction, but rather reluctance to part ways with the person he just separated from.
What a clingy little kitten.

Jiandao felt a mix of guilt, gratitude, and heartache.

If I were this clingy, would Shizumizu-kun think the same way?

She then held the kitten, Manaka, in her arms and placed it on the bed. Majima then found a ball of yarn with the ends tied tightly together and placed it in front of the kitten, Manaka.

The kitten was quickly drawn to the ball of yarn, curiously waving its paws over it before losing its balance and falling back onto the bed.

The kitten played a crucial role in curing headaches.

Majima smiled slightly and began to catch up on her knitting.

By the time the sweater was finished, it was already 2:30 a.m. The kitten was still awake, but it seemed to have gotten tired of playing with the yarn ball and, like a cave explorer, crawled into the thin blanket on the bed to play.

After playing with the kitten for two minutes, Majima began previewing her vocal lesson, gently warming her voice. Every morning and evening, or whenever she had free time, she would do vocal exercises. Shinazugawa's new song had a wider vocal range, and singing such a difficult song without proper vocal technique would damage her vocal cords.

Of course, practicing her singing in the middle of the night would bother the neighbors. She familiarized herself with the rhythm of the new unit exercises in class, memorized German vocabulary for half an hour, reviewed her schoolwork, and read a bit of the bilingual Chinese-Japanese version of "Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk".

Before we knew it, it was already 4:30.

I need to get up at 8 a.m. to exercise at home. That means I have half an hour to rest.

Let's take a break then.

Majima rubbed her temples and opened the notebook Asama had bought for her. With practiced ease, almost instinctively, she opened the YouTube page and clicked on the account [AsAmAsAmA@5A Scenic Area].

Has it been 24 hours and there's still no update?
So let's revisit some classics and contribute to the click rate.

What was supposed to be a half-hour relaxation session turned into a decision after watching a video. Instead, Majima decided to sleep half an hour less and just have an extra cup of coffee tomorrow.

The kitten, Shinichi, is still awake.

It nimbly hopped in front of Majima's notebook, its tail wagging, and rubbed against Majima's arm.

"Good boy, you're such a sweet child, not like your dad at all. But you and your dad are a lot like night owls."

The kitten, Manaka, seemed to truly understand what was being said and responded.

"Meow————"

With a smile, Jiandao picked it up and held it in his arms, then clicked on the movie clip of "Falling in Love with a Non-existent Man".

The computer screen emitted a cold light, illuminating Majima's face.

The electronic screen was devoid of warmth, and the man she was acting opposite in the video didn't have the same presence as when he was speaking to her. All she could feel was her own breath, and the faint milky smell and scent of bath gel from the kitten, Manaka.

However, flipping through these things and seeing how he was recorded, there was a kind of warmth that made her wait by the campfire on a winter night, and a kind of romance that made her receive a beam of light sent by a distant star in the past.

Mai Majima longed for the campfire and the light.

Even though these things were constantly draining her, the emptiness in her bones, blood vessels, and cells was filled to the brim with love, giving her the illusion that she was healthier and stronger.

The girl's mind and tongue repeatedly echoed the pronunciation of "[Still Water]", which was more important than her name, and could be said to be the most important noun, adjective, and verb in the world.

The literal meaning of the verb is "[go to love him!]", but its actual meaning is nominal—"[a superior self-love that surpasses even self-love]".

The night was too short; the one-hour time limit passed in the blink of an eye.

I need to get some rest.

By the way, Jing Shui probably went to sleep around this time yesterday too, right?

I experienced the same thing with him again. Of course, watching videos is much easier than writing scripts.

The kitten, Manaka, had already fallen asleep in her arms and was gently placed into its cat bed.

In order to fall asleep quickly, Majima took half a dose of melatonin before bed.

Before going to bed, I sent Asama a reply and a good morning text message.

Go to sleep.

Mai Majima.

I don't have much to do tomorrow, so I'll try to go to bed before 2 AM. (End of Chapter)