My daily life with the original diva

But to be honest, there's a big problem here. These seasoned reporters naturally wouldn't let it go. "Akina-san, it's so strange that you and Kondo-san are talking about work late at night. Shouldn't you have notified your manager?"

In Japan, artists' managers wield considerable power, and almost all related activities require their handling. Discussing work without a manager present would be seen as an attempt to cover up the truth.

"Ah, it was too late, and Mr. Akiyuki needed to rest, so I didn't call him. Also, I left after only exchanging a few words with Mr. Kondo. The reporter must have taken pictures of me leaving. Please publish them, Mr. reporter. This matter has caused everyone too much trouble."

The words carried a hint of pleading, but this so-called reporter was from Johnny's Entertainment, and all they wanted was a big story; how could they possibly come out to clarify?

Her explanation did not satisfy the reporters present, who continued to ask questions, especially those close to Johnny's Entertainment. They kept asking her if she was deliberately creating hype with Masahiko Kondo, if she intentionally allowed herself to be photographed, and even said that this was to harm Masahiko Kondo.

However, Nakamori Akina felt that she had said everything she needed to say and was unwilling to answer any strange questions. Under the cover of Akiyuki Yoshizawa, she left the hall.

"She just left like that? Ha, she really is a young girl, too naive. The agency's ability to handle this is a disaster. They'll write a story about a popular female idol deliberately hiding her relationship and deceiving her fans when she gets back."

"Heh, they should write that female idols deliberately orchestrate hype by senior figures in order to reach the next level."

The reporters waited for ages, only to receive a denial of the relationship. They were clearly dissatisfied, and in order to create a big news story, they had already figured out how to write their reports.

"Akina-san did a great job today, she was very organized in dealing with the reporters." Back in the car, Akiyuki Yoshizawa praised Nakamori Akina, saying that this was the first time she had faced so many reporters' criticisms directly, and she handled it quite well.

"Oh, really?" Nakamori Akina answered absentmindedly. She was in a bad mood. She had promised Kimura-san yesterday that she would do so, but she hadn't kept her promise.

Kind Kimura-san did all this for her, but she couldn't even do such a small thing, not even tell a lie. This made her feel very bad and that she had let Kimura-san down.

Feeling down, but work still had to go on. In the evening, she went to the radio station to host a program that was supposed to be cheerful. She had to force a smile. At eight o'clock in the evening, the day's activities finally came to an end. After dinner, Nakamori Akina immediately returned to her apartment.

Unusually, instead of immediately taking a shower, she sat down at the phone, picked it up, and dialed Kimura Hiroshi's apartment number. She didn't know if Kimura Hiroshi had returned yet, but she just wanted to call him.

"Moshi, Moshi?" Kimura Hiroshi had already returned. He didn't have any shows to participate in today. In the morning, he went to practice pronunciation techniques with his vocal coach, and in the afternoon, he rehearsed in preparation for the fan meeting in a few days. After the rehearsal, he came back and even cooked himself a meal.

"Kimura-san... I'm sorry." Nakamori Akina called out Kimura Hiroshi's name, but she couldn't say anything else. All the words seemed to be stuck in her throat, and then they turned into an apology.

Kimura Hiroshi naturally knew what Nakamori Akina meant by "I'm sorry." He was slightly angry; this girl was too kind and hadn't followed his plan.

But he quickly came to terms with it. Nakamori Akina was just that kind of person. Even though she was hurt beyond recognition by the people around her in her past life, she never blamed anyone. She just stayed far away from them. This kindness made her suffer a lot of pain and hardship that she shouldn't have had.

If she were willing to lie, then she wouldn't be Nakamori Akina. Without blaming her, he instead asked, "Akina-san, do you like Chinese food?"

"Huh?" Nakamori Akina was already prepared for Kimura Hiro's anger, and she was thinking about how to apologize and make amends, but she didn't expect Kimura Hiro to suddenly say something like that.

"Ah, I made a bit too much Chinese food today. We didn't finish it all. I'll take it to the office tomorrow and ask Akina-san to try it too. There's sweet and sour pork ribs and stir-fried cauliflower, which I made myself," Kimura Hiroshi said softly.

Upon hearing that Kimura Hiroshi could also cook, Nakamori Akina felt like she had discovered a new world, and her attention was completely drawn to him. "Really? Then I will definitely try it. I never expected that Kimura-san could cook. It's really incredible."

"Ah, it's just a simple skill. Does Akina-san not know how to cook?" Kimura Hiroshi asked curiously. Could it be that Akina-san, who dreams of getting married and staying at home to do laundry and cook, doesn't know how to cook?

After stammering for a long time, Nakamori Akina still couldn't get a complete sentence out. She could cook, but her best dish was cabbage; she wasn't very good at anything else. But it was too embarrassing to say that all she could cook was cabbage.

"Haha, then Akina-san will be the taster. Alright, I still have some things to take care of. Akina-san, get some rest." Kimura Hiroshi hurriedly hung up the phone because he still had to continue doing what Nakamori Akina hadn't finished. He had to notify the middleman to include what hadn't been revealed today in the report.

"Okay, thank you, Kimura-san." Nakamori Akina hung up the phone, her face flushed. She had been teased by Kimura-san again, but she didn't feel embarrassed at all. Instead, she found it very amusing.

After a while, she realized something was wrong. She had called to apologize, so how did the conversation turn to food?

"Kimura-san, you don't want to blame me, do you?" Nakamori Akina murmured to herself, her mind filled with Kimura Hiroshi's gentle smiling face.

Chapter Forty: Photos Featured in the Media

"Ah, this Ms. Nakamori is indeed a delinquent. She actually went on a date with our Yan Yan late at night. She's so annoying. I'm going to boycott her and make her leave the entertainment industry."

"Ha, what nonsense are you talking about? It was clearly Mr. Kondo who used his senior status to ask Akina out, saying it was to talk about work, but actually it was to confess his feelings, which Akina rejected."

If you were to ask who pays the most attention to idols in the entertainment industry, it would undoubtedly be students and young working professionals who have just graduated. Yesterday, the media exposed that Akina Nakamori and Masahiko Kondo met late at night, causing quite a stir.

Today, more information has been revealed, and more people are paying attention. However, those who are following this matter are receiving completely contradictory information. Some media outlets are saying that Akina Nakamori denied the relationship and said that she was just talking about work, which is obviously an attempt to ride on Masahiko Kondo's popularity.

Some media outlets reported that Masahiko Kondo used his senior status to arrange a meeting with Akina Nakamori, attempting to confess his feelings using that status. However, he was rejected by the assertive Akina Nakamori. Afterward, Kondo went to a bar for drinks and picked up two girls.

In this situation, it's natural for the fans on both sides to start arguing. Fortunately, the internet age hasn't arrived yet, otherwise, the argument between the fans of two top idols could probably paralyze an online platform.

"Baka, what nonsense are you talking about? How could our Yan Yan do such a thing? He is a sunny and filial young man."

"Ha, you're really stupid. This is all fake. Look at this newspaper. He doesn't look as sunny as you say. He's in a bar with two women."

When this was mentioned, the male student was inexplicably envious. If he were a male idol like that, he might be able to hold two women in his arms. Unlike now, he was still a single dog.

The female fan snatched the newspaper, and sure enough, it contained photos of what happened after yesterday's meeting, including one of Akina Nakamori getting up and leaving alone.

There are also photos of Kondo Masahiko leaving the coffee shop, going to a bar, drinking, and carrying a woman into a private room. Compared to the media reports that only included text and yesterday's photo, this report is obviously more authentic, since there are pictures to prove it.

The female fan was devastated. She felt dazed, dropped the newspaper, and shouted, "Impossible, absolutely impossible, my Kondo-kun!"

Then she ran away in a panic, leaving the male fan completely bewildered. He never expected the female fan to be so crazy. Was she driven mad by anger?

"Ha, our Akina-san is truly an amazing female idol. I hate those seniors the most; they always try to use their status to find pretty juniors as girlfriends. It's just too despicable." The male fan felt that he liked Nakamori Akina even more, while at the same time, he extremely disliked Kondo Masahiko.

As the two reports spread widely in the media, various discussions increased, but most of the opinions were in favor of Akina Nakamori, especially among young people, who saw her as a symbol of independent and strong women who dared to refuse their seniors.

Originally, she had a predominantly male fanbase, but at this time she attracted a large number of young women who often experienced harassment and unwanted physical contact from male seniors at work or school. Many times, they didn't have the courage to fight back, so they particularly admired those who dared to resist.

In Mary's office, Johnny's face was contorted with rage, and she was on the verge of a breakdown. She glared at the reporters and threw the newspapers she was holding at their faces.

"Tell me what happened, why such photos appeared in the newspaper, who secretly followed Yan Yan and took them? If you can't find the mole, then you should prepare to find another job."

The reporters exchanged bewildered glances. After filming at the coffee shop that evening, they left separately, of course. They couldn't be sure if there was a mole among them who was secretly filming Kondo Masahiko's antics.

“I didn’t. I went home after completing the mission, and my wife can vouch for me.”

"Vice President, I didn't have any either. After that, I went to a brothel and found a student girl. I still have the receipt here if you don't believe me."

"..."

The remaining people also produced evidence to prove they weren't the mole, though whether it was credible was another matter entirely. Mary scanned them, trying to glean something from their expressions, but she couldn't discern anything.

But when something like this happens, someone has to take the blame, which is a tradition in Japan, and these reporters are the most suitable. Since they can't find the mole, they should all be fired.

Before she could speak, the office door was pushed open. It was Hiroshi Kitagawa. He didn't knock, his face was gloomy, and he walked straight in. Seeing the reporters, he said coldly, "Get out, all of you. If you do this kind of thing again, you'd better prepare to change industries."

Some famous figures might not be able to be taken down by Johnny's all at once, but these unknown nobodys can be wiped out in the media industry with just a word from Johnny's.

The reporters dared not stay, bowed respectfully, and ran out, leaving only the brother and sister in the office. Kitagawa Hiroshi looked his sister over and said calmly, "It seems my sister really doesn't take me, her brother, seriously. I warned you not to use any more tricks on that newcomer named Kimura."

However, Mary remained calm and composed, sitting in her seat. She said, "President Kitagawa, I did not lay a hand on that newcomer. This was just a publicity stunt. I've used it before, but this time something unexpected happened."

Kitagawa Hiroshi couldn't refute this. Almost every agency has used the tactic of creating a romantic relationship, and they were no exception. It just so happened that the person they used this time was Nakamori Akina from Kimura Hiroshi's agency.

"Only a fool wouldn't see what you're up to, sister. Don't you really care about your bad reputation spreading throughout the entertainment industry?" Kitagawa Hiroshi said angrily. For so many years, he and this sister had worked together harmoniously, but she had become increasingly outrageous and reckless in her actions.

"Bad reputation? What bad reputation? My dear president, the entertainment industry is all about profit. I will handle this matter properly and will absolutely not let Johnny's suffer any losses," Mary said nonchalantly.

Seeing his sister like this, he really wanted to kick her out of Johnny's, but her connections and methods were indispensable to Johnny's. Without her, Johnny's development might face serious problems, which was why he was so hesitant.

"Then I'll have to see what my sister's methods are. If things can't be resolved quickly, don't blame me for banning Kondo Masahiko from all events. He's damaging Johnny's image." With that, Kitagawa Hiroshi slammed the door and left, leaving the Johnny's staff outside speechless with fear.

Mary watched her younger brother leave coldly, then made a phone call to her assistant, "Have Yan Yan come to my office."

Chapter 41 A Foodie

Dejected, like a castrated rooster, Kondo Masahiko slumped into Mary's office. He had several events scheduled for today, but after this incident, Johnny's Entertainment canceled them all, citing his illness.

There are countless reporters outside preparing to interview him. If he doesn't handle it well, it will be a devastating blow to Masahiko Kondo's image, and he may have to leave the entertainment industry. Japanese fans have an extremely low tolerance for scandals, and when an idol's image collapses, their speed of losing fans is definitely the fastest in the world.

Upon entering the office, Masahiko Kondo sat silently on the sofa with his head down. Despite his seemingly arrogant demeanor, he would become a coward when faced with a problem.

Mary wanted someone with that kind of personality—submissive, obedient, and someone she could be her gigolo without fear of him gossiping. So when she saw Kondo Masahiko looking like he was about to die, she didn't think anything of it.

Suppressing her anger from Kitagawa Hiroshi's earlier outburst, Mary calmly asked, "Didn't you say you'd already taken care of that girl that night? Why did she leave early, and why are there so many rumors circulating?"

"I...she..." After muttering for a long time, Kondo Masahiko couldn't say a word. He couldn't very well say that Nakamori Akina left in anger because he said a few bad things about Kimura Hiroshi. Wouldn't that make him seem even more useless and inferior to that Kimura kid?

"What a useless piece of trash. He can't even handle a young girl. If it weren't for your good looks, your skill in bed, and your stamina, I would have kicked you out long ago," Mary thought to herself.

"Okay, I understand. I will hold a press conference tomorrow. You can say that this meeting was just to discuss work and to completely reverse this unfavorable situation. As for that girl, I will talk to Yan Yin and have her make a movie with you. Then we can use that to create a scandal and throw all the previous negative news at her."

Mary said almost viciously, she would never let go of the person who had humiliated her, and she even hated Nakamori Akina, whom she had originally only intended to use against Kimura Hiroshi.

When he heard that Mary was going to stand up for him, Masahiko Kondo, who had been acting like a castrated rooster, suddenly came to life. He rushed to Mary excitedly, grabbed her hand, and said, "You are really amazing, my mother. Thank you so much."

"So how are you going to thank me?" Mary grabbed Kondo Masahiko's hand and looked him up and down.

Seeing Mary like this, Kondo Masahiko felt a chill run down his spine. He knew he couldn't escape it tonight. Every time he went to Mary's apartment, he was exhausted, his back ached, and he felt like his body was being hollowed out, which filled him with fear and dread.

In the break room, in front of the microwave, Hiroshi Kimura, Akina Nakamori, and their assistants all stared intently at the food containers heating up inside.

This morning, Akina Nakamori went to choose outfits for the single's cover shoot and discussed the cover design with the producer. She also has a TV program tonight, so she had a rare chance to rest this afternoon and made a special trip back to try the Chinese food brought by Hiroshi Kimura.

"Ding!" With a crisp sound, the food was ready. Everyone's eyes lit up. Kimura Hiroshi, wearing heat-resistant gloves, took out the lunchbox and placed it on the table.

Upon opening the lunchbox, steam billowed out, carrying the aroma of food. Kimura Hiroshi sniffed it, frowned, and said, "Chinese food really does need to be eaten fresh. The aroma has already faded."

The food changes overnight, even if it's kept in the refrigerator.

"Ah, it smells so good, why aren't you satisfied, Kimura-san?" Foodie Nakamori Akina smelled the aroma and made a very satisfied expression.

"Because according to Chinese tradition, leftovers are considered 'leftovers,' and even the most delicious food will taste bad if left overnight," Kimura Hiroshi explained.

"Is that so? Then let me try it, Kimura-san, I'm starting." Nakamori Akina didn't care about any of that and picked up her chopsticks to start eating.

The remaining two also picked up their chopsticks, clearly not intending to fall behind. Their choice of food was remarkably consistent: sweet and sour pork ribs.

With her little face puffed out, Nakamori Akina took a big bite, her eyes narrowed as she chewed slowly, looking quite satisfied. After finishing the rib, she gave Kimura Hiroshi a thumbs up, "It's so delicious, Kimura-san! It's sweet and sour, and has the aroma of meat. It's so satisfying."

"Yes, Akina-san is right, it's so delicious. I never expected Kimura-san to cook such delicious food."

"Yes, yes, that's great, it tastes amazing."

All three praised him, which made Kimura Hiroshi a little embarrassed. Actually, his cooking skills were only so-so; he just cooked more carefully for himself, and there were no strange tastes.

Since he was eating alone, he didn't make a large portion, leaving even less for the three of them. Each person could only eat four or five pieces, and that's when it came down to speed. As a little foodie, Nakamori Akina naturally wouldn't fall behind, and she managed to grab eight pieces, which displeased Noriko and Michiko.

“Well, Kimura-san gave this to me to try, so of course I have to eat more,” Nakamori Akina said quite naturally, leaving the other two speechless.

However, it was clear that Nakamori Akina hadn't had enough. She licked her lips slightly, her eyes shining as she looked at Kimura Hiroshi. She took small steps to Kimura Hiroshi's side and grabbed his arm.

"Kimura-san, your cooking skills are simply expert level, it's so delicious! You just said that leftovers don't taste good, so what would freshly made dishes be like?" Nakamori Akina asked, feigning curiosity.

Not knowing what kind of tricks this girl was up to, Kimura Hiroshi answered truthfully, "It should smell even better, and the taste will be more authentic. Chinese cuisine places great emphasis on the freshness of ingredients."

“Ah, is that so? Then could I try some freshly made? I’d really like to know what Kimura-san’s best cooking skills are like, wouldn’t you agree?” Nakamori Akina gestured to Noriko and Michiko with her eyes.

The two of them immediately understood what it meant and nodded vigorously.

"Are you just trying to mooch more meals? Why make it so complicated?" Kimura Hiroshi patted Nakamori Akina's head lightly. "Just say you want to eat. I can't stand you guys doing this. When we're all off work, I'll invite you to my apartment and I'll cook for you myself."

"Hooray! That's great! Long live Kimura-san!" Nakamori Akina jumped up excitedly first; she really was easily pleased.