Tokyo Soft Rice King.

"Up to now, the only person I have wronged is Akiko, and that is also the reason why I was punished by the gods... because I did not instill a 'thought' that had nothing to do with her demonic thoughts in order to solve my own troubles, but rather for Akiko's sake."

Kuroba Akira was completely shocked by these words.

He had always thought that Saotome Fuyumi gave Takanashi Akiko specific guidance on subdivision in order to make her famous, but now it seems that it was just a 'coincidence'.

"Could it be...! You've been instilling in her the idea of ​​becoming a mother?!"

"...That's right. At the time, I was looking for a foster mother for my newborn son, because I was unable to raise him myself for some reason, so I left this responsibility to him. This led to me being punished by the gods and losing my right eye."

This is why Miss Akiko's maternal love is so overflowing.

That's also why she readily accepted this crazy plan!

Saotome Fuyumi is the real culprit!

"However, things turned out completely unexpectedly. I originally hoped that she would gradually realize that she had no hope of becoming famous. I even arranged some jobs for her that others were unwilling to do, hoping that she would give up her obsession with her career and instead focus more on her daughter and family..."

"Who would have thought that she would actually become famous through such a narrow path as 'wife and mother'? As a result, her long-held wish came true and her obsession naturally disappeared... It can only be said that fate really likes to play tricks on people."

"Akiko still thinks that I arranged for her to meet Ms. Takagi, the main voice actress for 'Miss Umihana,' but I was just arranging work for her normally. She was able to get this connection because she made a good impression on the other party herself, and it has nothing to do with me."

"Although the result was good, it was just that Akiko was lucky and worked hard enough. I am not the kind of 'talent scout' that you and she think you are. I am just a bastard who arbitrarily changed her life."

"So after that, I vowed in my heart to take care of Akiko and for the rest of my life... I will give them whatever they want."

Akiko Takanashi feels a deep sense of guilt towards her daughter because she chose to become a mother for the sake of her career.

Saotome Fuyumi also felt guilty towards Takanashi Akiko, because she had her own reasons for choosing to let Takanashi Akiko become her mother.

Therefore, they all confessed their selfishness to Kuroba Akira, who happened to be able to listen.

"So, things like the house and various job opportunities are all 'compensation' you gave to Aunt Qiuzi?"

"...That's right."

Perhaps Saotome Fuyumi told him these things hoping someone would criticize her and tell her that even if the outcome was good, it didn't mean her actions were right.

However, even after Akiko Takanashi's obsession disappeared, the gods did not return her right eye, which may indicate that the gods did not consider it her achievement.

So Kuroba Akira didn't say anything more, just nodded to indicate that he understood the whole story.

"So, let's get back to the main point. I've been telling you all this for two reasons. First, I've been keeping these things to myself for a long time, and I wanted to confide in you since I've finally met someone like me. Second, I also want to tell you that this isn't a 'normal agency.' You should understand what I mean, right?"

"……I see."

In fact, what Saotome Fuyumi was trying to tell Kuroba Akira was that she had no interest in making money or expanding the agency; these were just incidental achievements.

Her motivation for nurturing talent was completely different from Kuroba Akira's. She didn't want to see talent blossom and bear fruit; she was simply helping the other person eliminate their obsession.

As she had already explained, Ziyin had no obsession with fame, nor was she a fanatic who needed her to instill ideas in her, so she had absolutely no reason to accept Ziyin as a 'troublesome' person.

Yes, in any other agency, Shion would be a highly sought-after talent, but in this unique Shiki Agency, Shion is just an 'unnecessary nuisance'.

Saotome Fuyumi doesn't need to waste her time on someone who isn't a target.

But instead of seeing him off, she kept Kuroba Akira, her kindred spirit, and even started a private conversation between the two of them, telling him so much information for free, and even talking about her own past... This was not because she had taken a liking to Kuroba Akira.

What she said was actually a way of asking him for 'compensation'.

I can accept Murasomiya Shion, but what will be the price?

Kuroba Akira hadn't expected to have to spend some money. He originally thought finding an agency for Shion would be an easy task, requiring no effort at all. He thought that as long as he brought Shion to the agency, they would definitely come up to her and beg her to join. But here, he had to beg them to take Shion in.

Kuroba Akira could easily turn around and leave, sending Shion to another voice acting agency, but the fact that Saotome Fuyumi doesn't care about Shion at all has become the agency's advantage.

Other agencies wanted Shion because they were after her beauty and talent.

Only at this Four Seasons Agency can Shion be free from financial entanglements and from any interference or coercion.

Kuroba Akira was well aware that the entertainment industry also had a dirty side, with unspoken rules everywhere. How to protect his Ziyin in such an environment was a question that required long-term consideration.

Her personal safety can be guaranteed here.

In fact, this was also a bargaining chip held by Saotome Fuyumi.

She has already explained the basic logic behind her agency's operations, which is also a tacit way of telling Kuroba Akira...

I know you cherish that girl, but you're also afraid she'll be harmed. I can raise and protect her without treating her as a money-making tool, but you have to give me a reason to take her in.

Therefore, Akira Kuroba has to pay the price.

"Let's make a deal, Director Fuyumi."

"Heh, tell me about the details of the deal."

“Ms. Arisugawa just complained to me that you are short-staffed here... My abilities allow me to see talent, so I will help you find suitable candidates. In return, you will need to dedicate the agency's resources to Shion.”

"Oh, you mean you want to join Shiki Productions too?"

“I’m still a high school student, so I can’t officially join the company yet. But I can work part-time. For example, when recruiting, I can assist Ms. Arisugawa and help the agency recruit suitable talent.”

"How are you going to recruit people?"

“I use the ‘zero experience’ label to attract recent graduates, then I select those with suitable talents from among them and send them to the corresponding departments where they are trained by your ‘deeply dedicated veteran employees’, forming a ‘mentor-apprentice’ relationship and a community of shared interests.”

"I see... So talent is cultivated through obsession?"

"Yes, in this way, even if you start from scratch, under the devilish training, talented people will quickly stand out and use their talents to give back to their teachers. The great sense of accomplishment brought by cultivating a genius disciple can mostly dispel the master's obsession. This is a double blessing for you, Miss Saotome."

"Okay! Deal! It's settled!"

Kuroba Akira was very surprised that she agreed so readily.

Of course, she readily agreed. She was afraid that Kuroba Akira might change his mind at the last minute, so she must have agreed quickly.

From the very beginning, Fuyumi Saotome's goal was Akira Kuroba, and she wanted to keep Akira Kuroba around.

Saotome Fuyumi can see the contents of her obsession.

So she could tell the moment she entered her office.

The four women in the room all harbored an obsession with the man in the middle.

Especially the mother and daughter takanami, all they want is 'love'.

In the future, she seeks her father's love, while Akiko seeks her husband's love.

She had once vowed that she would help Takanashi and her mother get whatever they wanted.

Kuroba Akira is what they want most right now.

Then... I'll help you get the man you want.

Chapter 259 I Will Always Be Watching You

An unexpected Allied force appeared.

Takanashi and her mother had no idea that Saotome Fuyumi would go to such lengths for them.

Because most of the time, she acted more like the 'aunt next door,' and didn't have a deep personal relationship with the Takanashi family.

This is mainly because Saotome Fuyumi doesn't want certain people with ulterior motives to find out about Takanashi Mirai through her, so she keeps a certain distance from the Takanashi family, but tries her best to meet their material needs.

It's like when parents divorce, the child stays with the mother, and the father works away from home. He can only see his daughter occasionally, and he cherishes every meeting. He also takes out a large sum of money to support his ex-wife and daughter.

In reality, Saotome Fuyumi is the true 'father figure' of the Takanashi family.

However, because she was a woman and not a lesbian, no one really considered her part of the Takanashi family.

Akiko Takanashi knew that Fuyumi Saotome had given her a lot of help, far exceeding what a director would do for his artists. However, she only thought that she was benefiting from Fuyumi's influence, because Fuyumi was the one who brought the child into the future, and the child's origins were very mysterious. The child was likely the illegitimate child of a powerful figure, which was why he received such meticulous care and protection.

Therefore, Akiko Takanashi had no idea that Fuyumi Saotome, who possessed special abilities, could see through her 'desire' for Akira Kuroba at a glance and even planned to help her win Akira over.

Saotome Fuyumi has always wanted to find an opportunity to make amends to Takanashi Akiko, because she was the one who led Takanashi Akiko's life astray to such an extent, preventing her from having a normal family.

Actually, after Akiko Takanashi became famous and her demonic thoughts were eliminated, Fuyumi Saotome told her that it wasn't too late and that she could go find her own happiness, marry the man she loved, have a biological daughter, and become a real mother.

She has maintained her single mother persona for over a decade, and now that she has remarried, no one will criticize her for being unfaithful. Even if someone tries to smear her, she will use all her resources to suppress it and try her best not to affect her current career.

However, after being instilled with the idea of ​​becoming a mother, she became an absolute doting mother, overflowing with maternal love and only caring about her daughter's growth, having no interest in men whatsoever.

This time, it turns out she's actually developed a sexual interest in this young man, Kuroba Akira. This is truly unprecedented, and we have to add fuel to the fire!

Besides, Akiko Takanashi has finally returned to a state where her obsession has been eliminated, so we can't let her develop that demonic desire for unfulfilled desires again.

And even the future is seeking fatherly love from him... so we must win him over and send him to Takanashi's house!

Saotome Fuyumi wouldn't consider worldly questions like 'suitability' at all; she would only consider whether Takanashi and her mother liked it.

Anyway, in this industry, it's not uncommon for men in their fifties or sixties to keep young idols who are just starting out, so even if Akiko Takanashi just wants to keep a younger man at home, she's happy to help.

However, the most difficult point is that 'Kuroba Akira is one of his own kind'.

She knew that everyone chosen by the gods was extraordinary, because gods usually chose people whose personalities were similar to their own 'divinity' to act as their agents. This way, the agents' behavior would be more in line with the gods' preferences, thus gathering high-quality faith for them.

Saotome Fuyumi is decisive and efficient, and has an excessive sense of justice, which is why she was chosen by the gods.

As a director, she was not qualified, but she was definitely the kind of director that everyone liked.

Who wouldn't like a boss who would never abandon their subordinates, would stand by their side, and would even stand up for them?

Therefore, many of the long-term employees who joined Shiki Studio are a united front, determined to stay until retirement. Unless the studio goes bankrupt or a new director is appointed, no one can poach them.

Among voice acting agencies with a high turnover rate, Shiki Agency's cohesion is unmatched by other agencies.

Then these people's 'faith' in Saotome Fuyumi will be transmitted to the gods through her, which is the 'faith supply chain'.

In short, if Kuroba Akira were just an ordinary young high school student, she originally planned to use money to get him to agree to be her sugar daddy, saving him fifty years of detours and letting him start living off her and Takanashi's family now.

However, generally speaking, agents of the gods are not particularly short of money. After all, the abilities bestowed by the gods allow agents to move freely in human society. As long as they are not fools, they can make money by exploiting information gaps.

Therefore, it's unlikely that money alone will be enough to sway Kuroba Akira.

Fortunately, Kuroba Akira was a 'lost person' who had no knowledge of gods, and he also 'had something to ask of himself'.

This is the bargaining chip that Saotome Fuyumi holds.

So she came up with this 'performance' to lure Kuroba Akira into her trap.

First, pretend to be completely uninterested in Shion Murasaki, then explain to him the source of his abilities that he doesn't know, and show him a small favor. After that, hint to him that your agency is a rare one that can protect Shion Murasaki's personal safety, and finally, make him use yourself as an additional condition to facilitate the deal.

In this way, both Shion Murasaki and Akira Kuroba will be on my side!

In fact, she wanted to take Shion Murasaki no Miyako as a girl the moment she saw her. She couldn't possibly let go of such a super beautiful girl, and who cared whether she had demonic thoughts or not!

Moreover, not everyone in the agency is a fanatic; in fact, only a small portion of them are fanatics, and the proportion shouldn't be too high, otherwise the agency would have been emptied out long ago.

It's because of normal people like Xue'er who act as a lubricant that the agency can continue to operate normally!