Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 178 Kiss (Dialogue slightly edited)

Upon hearing Takahashi Mio's words, Fujikawa Shunpei's expression instantly darkened. However, after a moment's thought, he chuckled and delivered his pre-prepared response:

"Hehe, Ms. Takahashi, you and Shiratori-kun are in a relationship, right?"

"..."

Seeing that Fujikawa Shunpei did not answer her question directly, but instead changed the subject, Takahashi Mio's heart sank completely. The joy she had felt earlier vanished, and she frowned without saying a word.

Not receiving a response from Takahashi Mio, Fujikawa Shunpei wasn't angry. Instead, he slowly began to speak:

“I know that you and Shiratori-kun must have a good relationship now. After all, it’s not common to see a man who writes a script for someone these days. But... there have been people who have received the same treatment as you, Ms. Takahashi.”

After a pause, Fujikawa Shunpei continued:
"I don't know if you've been following the recent concert incident involving Ms. Hojo Shione. She's actually Shiratori-kun's ex-girlfriend, and he used to write songs for her, just like he's been taking responsibility for you now."

"I don't know if Shiratori-kun has told you, but he's actually [Friend A]. Shiratori-kun said he's run out of ideas, but you and I both know that with his skill level, it wouldn't be difficult for him to continue creating music. However, he got tired of Hojo-san and broke up with her, so he stopped writing songs. You can probably guess what happened to Hojo-san after that..."

At this point, Fujikawa Shunpei tactically took a sip of water, intending to use silence to put pressure on Takahashi Mio.

He put down his water glass, mentally counted down from three, then sighed and continued:
“I shouldn’t be saying this, but Ms. Takahashi, your acting talent is indeed outstanding. I’ve been a producer for many years and have seen many stars… I really don’t want to see such a promising talent as you ruined in his hands. Since Shiratori-kun can abandon Ms. Hojo, wouldn’t he abandon you, Ms. Takahashi?”

"Ms. Takahashi, as someone who's been through this for so many years, I want to give you a piece of advice: don't put the power to decide your own destiny in the hands of others."

Perhaps feeling he had laid enough groundwork emotionally, Fujikawa Shunpei decided to unleash his trump card:

"Of course, Ms. Takahashi, I won't give you empty promises. Since I'm calling you, I can guarantee that the contract we sign with you won't disappoint you. The contract is at least at the level of a near-top-tier actor. The initial base salary might be a bit low, but after you've filmed one or two movies and accumulated some fame, your contract level can be raised to that of a top-tier or even a first-tier actor. The company will also spare no effort in developing you..."

He outlined the benefits and offered a rosy picture, and sensing the silence on the other end of the phone, Fujikawa Shunpei knew she was hesitant. He asked directly:

"Ms. Takahashi, what are your thoughts?"

Hearing Fujikawa Shunpei's words, Takahashi Mio rubbed her temples and said hesitantly:

"I...I'm a bit confused right now, can you give me some time to think about it?"

"Okay, but I'm quite busy. How about this, I'll be free this Friday afternoon. Please give me your reply by Thursday evening."

"okay, I get it."

"Yes, I hope you can make the right decision, Ms. Takahashi."

With such a response, the probability of success was at least 90%. Fujikawa Shunpei smiled and added before hanging up the phone:
"By the way, Ms. Takahashi, I should remind you that it's best to make the decision yourself in these kinds of matters."

After uttering the last word, Fujikawa Shunpei gave Takahashi Mio no chance to reply and hung up the phone.
-
In the training office's lounge, after listening to Hojo Suzune's words, Shiratori Seiya lifted his head from the girl's warm embrace, leaned back on the sofa, and closed his eyes to calm down for a while.

'They've already guessed it—Seiya, the reason you're dating them is because you're attracted to their talent.'

It must be said that Lingyin's words truly shook his heart.

It's not pleasant to have your secrets, which you've always kept hidden, exposed directly. It's like a vampire being exposed to sunlight, burning Shiratori Seiya's blood vessels.

However, after enduring the initial intense burning, Shiratori Seiya calmed down again.

Regardless, even if things are as Lingyin said, and everyone discovers his purpose, he can't stop.

Stop now. Should you choose Shione or Saori, or abandon Mio and ignore Suzune?
Actually, after learning that Suzune, Shione, and Saori had reached maximum affection for him, Shiratori Seiya felt much more at ease. His worries about their love for him disappeared, and it seemed that he could win their love even without spending money...

Now, I don't need money as much anymore, and I don't need money to guarantee that I'll have a way out even if they don't love me.

However, every step of taking responsibility for them requires money.

Knowing that their motives for loving him were impure, yet still choosing to love him, Shiratori Seiya felt he couldn't bring himself to abandon any of them, nor could he reciprocate with love of equal value. The greatest response he could offer them now was to give them a life that was dazzling enough.

The best course of action right now is to continue along the original path.

Before he knew it, Shiratori Seiya realized that there was no turning back...

As for how to face Mio and the others afterward, Shiratori Seiya hadn't figured it out yet. Now, looking at Hojo Suzune's tearful appearance, he decided to appease her first, no matter what.

Thinking this, he sat up, paused for a moment, turned around, took Lingyin's soft hand, and said:

"Lingyin, I'm not lying to you. Lingyin, you're just as good as them in every way..."

"?"

Upon hearing this, Hojo Suzune slowly turned her head. She had cried a little too hard, causing her face to be slightly flushed. A charming smile appeared on her face as she looked at Shiratori Seiya and shook her head, forcing a smile:
"Kiyoya, you don't need to comfort me anymore, Rin is alright..."

Seeing her on the verge of collapse, Shiratori Seiya's heart tightened, and he patiently said:
"Actually, is the reason you doubt yourself because I haven't dated you?"

Touched on her most vulnerable spot, Hojo Suzune's thin shoulders trembled. She bit her lip and lowered her head, remaining silent.

'Pat-pat.'

Tears, like beads from a broken string, dripped onto the sofa.

Seeing her acquiescence, Shiratori Seiya opened her palm, slipped his fingers between hers, grasped hers firmly, and whispered:

"I've always liked Lingyin a lot, really. As for your talent... I don't really need to tell you, do I? Since I met you, you've won just as many honors as your sister, haven't you? So many people praise you, how could you be bad?"

Shiratori Seiya paused, hesitated for a moment, then lowered his gaze and said:
"I also said I'd compose music for you in the future. If you stop playing, who will I write for? Not to mention Saori and Mio, even your sister can't play the piano, right? Rin is one of a kind..."

Hearing this, Hojo Suzune felt a warm current surge through her heart. She instinctively pressed her legs together, raised her chin, and stared into his eyes for a long time. Then she sniffed, gently pinched the back of his hand, and whispered:
"Then why doesn't Kiyoya date Suzune...?"

"that is because……"

Shiratori Seiya sighed and said, "Rinne, do you expect me to start dating you right after breaking up with your sister? I can't do that."

No matter what, he couldn't tell Lingyin that he had only dated her to make money. On one hand, he didn't want to reveal the existence of the system, and on the other hand, how could he say such a thing? "I dated you just to make money?" Saying such a thing would only hurt her more.

"So I lied to myself and treated you like a younger sister, but I really never thought your talent was inferior to your older sister's, I can swear on that."

As Shiratori Seiya spoke, he was about to raise his hand.

However, just as her arm was raised halfway up, Lingyin yanked it down.

"Rinne doesn't want to be Seiya's sister!"

Her small chest heaved as she cried. She stood up, straddling Shiratori Seiya's waist, and sat down on her bottom. Her slender arms stretched out, supporting her on his shoulders. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at his face, a choked sob escaping from her throat:
"Actually, actually... Rinne waited for a long time, really a long time. Rinne felt very wronged, really wronged. Why was it them and not Rinne? After learning why you chose my sister, Kiyoya, Rinne was really sad... No matter how many times Rinne is praised, it's meaningless if she's not chosen by Kiyoya."

As Hojo Suzune spoke, she grew even more distressed, tears welling in the corners of her eyes. She grasped Shiratori Seiya's hand and placed it against her chest.

"Rinne is indeed not as big as her older sister... But, but Rinne has tried very hard! She's been drinking milk, eating papaya, and doing breast enhancement exercises regularly, but it just doesn't work..."

"If Rinne is no worse than them, Kiyoya, wouldn't you love Rinne a little more?"

"Just a little, even just a little more would be enough..."

She murmured, her voice growing softer as their cheeks drew closer, until Shiratori Seiya's eyes were filled with her image, and he slowly lowered his head, offering his cherry lips.

……
-
(End of this chapter)