My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

As the granddaughter of the academy's headmaster, Hoshina enjoys many privileges at Hatsuki Academy, one of which is having a spacious and private, luxurious room away from the regular student dormitories. A few days ago, Asahi discussed this with Hoshina, suggesting that she tutor Fujita Kotone, since Kotone's grades hadn't been particularly good. However, Hoshina wanted to use the tutoring to strengthen their relationship.

However, Chaoyang added a condition: if you want to tutor Qinyin, you must bring another person along.

Xingnan didn't care at all, as long as he could play the piano and guide the music, he wouldn't mind having a few more conditions.

They walked in silence until they arrived at the entrance of Hatsuhoshi Academy, where Nina was still completely bewildered. She stopped and looked at Asahi with a slightly confused expression.

"...First Star Academy?... What are we doing here?... Huh? You're not planning to send me to school here, are you?! I hate idols the most, no way!"

"You'll find out later."

Chaoyang remained calm, glanced at the time, and then made a phone call.

A few minutes later, a familiar figure rushed over from the direction of the dormitory—it was Fujita Kotone. She was wearing a loose coat and looked somewhat tired, clearly having been summoned by Asahi at the last minute.

"...It's so late, and you're still calling me, manager..."

Qin Yin rubbed her eyes, her tone revealing a hint of dissatisfaction.

"It's impossible that I brought this guy with me on a date, right?... Hmm? He looks much better than a few days ago, what happened?"

She glanced at Rencai and said casually.

Chaoyang helplessly spread his hands.

"Of course we're here to learn! You two need to catch up on your studies, Xingnan will teach you."

Renna felt completely bewildered; she didn't even know whether the person named Hoshino was male or female.

"...Tutoring?"

Qin Yin paused for a moment, her expression instantly shifting from weariness to disgust. "Are you serious? I don't want to be tortured this late! And by the student council president no less!"

"Besides tutoring, you had another reason for calling Kotone... to clear up the misunderstanding between you and Hoshino. I added Nina as an extra; I originally wanted Hiro to tutor you, but Hiro is too smart and might not be suitable for teaching. It's a bit late today, so I just came to say hello. As for Nina... well, you don't have to go to school or go to bed early, right? Besides, Nina, you're not the kind of person who breaks promises, are you?"

"..."

Ren Cai, of course, has nothing to say.

Chaoyang even specifically stated in the contract that she would attend school and take the college entrance exam normally. The fact that they've only arranged for someone to tutor her is already considered lenient.

Just as Chaoyang finished explaining his purpose, his phone suddenly rang. It was a familiar number.

"Hey, producer! Please bring Qinyin over!! I'm ready!!!"

The slightly excited voice of Wang Xingnan came from the other end of the phone, which was quite different from her usual calm and elegant image.

Chaoyang was stunned for a moment.

"...Uh, what did you prepare? I remember it was just to help you clear up the misunderstanding and have a meeting, right?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a soft cough. The previously excited voice instantly returned to its usual calm and elegant tone: "Ahem... I just asked the chef to come here and prepare some dishes. I heard that the producer's children just got off the Shinkansen and probably haven't eaten yet, so I specially prepared some food... Please bring them directly to my room."

Chaoyang was both amused and exasperated after hearing this. Although Xingnan tried her best to maintain her "cool idol" image, her emotions just now were obviously exposed too thoroughly. Where was the demeanor of the school's number one idol?

"...Okay, we'll head over now."

After hanging up the phone, Asahi sighed helplessly and turned to Kotone and Nina.

"Xingnan is all ready and waiting for you. She even prepared some food for you. Let's go, don't keep her waiting."

Qin Yin frowned slightly.

"I really don't understand the president... But, since the store manager is here, I'll let it go."

Although they complained, they clearly didn't mean to refuse.

So the three of them headed towards the independent residence on the southern side of the Ten Kings Star.

. .

"Um... thinking about it carefully, why is the meeting place the student council president's room...? Couldn't we have gone to the school cafeteria?"

Qin Yin said somewhat awkwardly, glancing around at her surroundings.

At this moment, she and Renna were already standing in the luxurious and spacious room of Shiwangxing Nan. In addition to the room's own high-end atmosphere, everything in front of them had obviously been carefully arranged. Warm lights hung around the room, and the various exquisite dishes on the table were like a banquet in a top hotel. Each dish was so beautiful that one was reluctant to eat it.

"Hehe, the people the producer brought aren't even students from Chuxing, so how can they use the cafeteria that's provided for Chuxing students?"

Xingnan stood in front of Qinyin with a faint smile on her face, her tone gentle yet somewhat matter-of-fact.

"It's a big no-no to blur the lines between public and private matters."

Rencai didn't pay much attention to what he said. Her attention was almost entirely drawn to Xingnan in front of her. His exquisitely sculpted face, his perfect makeup and clothing, and his natural elegance all made her a little stunned.

So beautiful... Her figure is so well-maintained... Compared to her, all the so-called school beauties in my previous school were a joke...

Rencai sighed inwardly.

Hoshino noticed Nina's gaze, turned her attention to her, and smiled slightly.

"...You must be Ms. Iori Rina? Please take care of me from now on."

She paused, then said in a gentle yet friendly tone, "You can just use my room as your own."

Rencai then came to her senses and responded somewhat nervously.

"Ah... Yes, it's me... Thank you so much!"

At this moment, Xingnan looked at Qinyin with burning eyes and said.

"As for Qinyin, just call me Xingnan. Aren't we friends?"

"No, no, I can't accept that..."

Chaoyang knew that Qinyin was a little scared, but Qinyin was able to have so many fans thanks to Xingnan's selfless use of his influence to promote her. This was something Qinyin needed to know.

"Your ability to become a topic of conversation is largely thanks to Hoshino. I've talked to her quite a bit, and now she's willing to assist me... In short, she's like a partner in our firm. I understand you're afraid of Hoshino, so today's main purpose, besides meeting her to get to know her better, is also to help her clear up any misunderstandings."

At this moment, Qin Yin looked fearfully at the corner of the room... where her own grain was piled up, and then said in a fright.

"Hmm... I think there shouldn't be any misunderstanding..."

Chapter 184 Hoshina Joins the Team!? (Hoshina, Nina, Kotone)

"The president tried to recruit me several times... I jokingly refused each time... Then she pulled out bundles of cash and put them in front of me... Hmm, that was super suspicious!"

Qin Yin recalled her past "encounter" with Shi Wang Xing Nan with a look of fear on her face, as if she had just experienced a terrifying adventure.

As Chaoyang listened, he couldn't help but rub his forehead, the image of Xingnan, that "aloof idol," trying to poach someone but completely ignoring boundaries flashing through his mind. He turned to the person in question and asked with a slightly helpless tone.

"Xingnan, did you really do that?"

"Of course~"

Xingnan showed no remorse, and proudly placed his hand lightly on his chest, as if it were a great achievement worthy of praise.

However, Qin Yin continued her narration, her tone filled with complex emotions.

"And this wasn't the first time! Several times she barged into my classroom, and she even found out where I worked!"

Hearing this, Nina was completely stunned, her gaze constantly shifting between Koto and Hoshino, her face clearly saying, "What kind of chaotic scene is this?"

"......ah......"

Chaoyang recalled seeing Hoshino's scene at an izakaya and couldn't help but mutter a complaint under his breath.

"Come to think of it, I did see Hoshino once before at an izakaya... Hmm, looking at it this way, she's a bit of a pervert..."

"The producer was being a bit rude!"

Upon hearing this, Xingnan puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction, her tone carrying a hint of defense, "I was just trying out the work of a producer."

"However, from a common-sense perspective, they are generally referred to as stalkers..."

Chaoyang retaliated without mercy.

"ah......"

Upon hearing this, Hoshino looked utterly devastated, her eyes filled with shock and grievance. She then turned to Nina, as if seeking her last bit of support: "Um... Miss Iigo... do you perhaps think the same thing?"

Nina was startled by Hoshino's sudden question and stammered, "...Uh...Well, anyway, we're all girls...it's nothing, what kind of relationship is it...maybe."

Upon hearing this vague reply, Chaoyang couldn't help but sigh. He felt that if he didn't step in to mediate, things would likely escalate to an even more outrageous point. He straightened his expression, looked at Qinyin, and spoke with a hint of persuasion in his tone.

"Qinyin, although Xingnan's behavior is indeed somewhat lacking, she definitely doesn't intend to do anything strange to you... well, probably. She genuinely hopes that you can become the idol she has personally nurtured."

Qin Yin paused slightly, seemingly puzzled.

Chaoyang continued.

“I’ve talked to her before, and she wants to be a producer rather than an idol. And you are definitely the talent she has her eye on. Although her methods are somewhat problematic, her intentions are not bad.”

He paused, then added in a relaxed tone.

"Of course, I didn't intend for you to return to Xingnan. You are one of my important members, and she knows that very well."

Xingnan looked at Qinyin tenderly, a hint of apology in her eyes, and said softly.

"Actually, for you, I would do anything I can... even though it's too late to say that now."

Chaoyang said with a smile.

"It is indeed late. Xingnan, you still have a lot to learn as a producer."

Xingnan didn't refute her words, but nodded, her expression slightly downcast: "No matter what, when you were in the most pain, it was the producer who helped you, and all I could do at the time was help with some promotion... I'm sorry, I didn't know your situation was so serious. I should have helped you much earlier."

Nina listened silently, a complex mix of emotions welling up within her. She watched Hoshino and Kotone's conversation and couldn't help but think...

If I had met a kind and understanding senior like Xingnan at school, perhaps my loneliness and grievances wouldn't have been so unbearable... Although it is indeed a bit twisted.

Just then, Chaoyang whispered something to her.

"There's no need to be envious. Haven't you already met companions with whom you can walk together? And you also have me."

Hmm, I feel like what I said was a bit cheesy.

Rencai was taken aback, then her face flushed slightly. She quickly turned her head away and stubbornly said...

"I, I'm not envious at all!"

Her reaction drew the attention of Kotone and Hoshino. They exchanged a glance, then looked at the strong-willed Nina and laughed in unison.

. .

In the blink of an eye, everyone was seated at the dining table.

The food on the table was not only exquisite, but also exuded a rich aroma that made one's mouth water. Rencai and Qinyin were initially a little reserved, but after taking a bite, they were completely impressed by the high-quality cuisine.

"Oh, it's so delicious!"

Qin Yin ate and exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

"Enjoy your meal, there's no need to be shy."

Xingnan smiled and said, "If that's not enough, we can have the chef make more."

Rencai quickly waved her hand.

"No, no need, don't bother them so late at night!"

"It's fine."

Xingnan remained calm, "There are chefs on night shift in the kitchen, so there's no need to worry about trouble."

"No wonder they come from a wealthy family..."

Upon hearing this, Xingnan smiled slightly, his tone carrying a hint of humility.

"He's just enjoying the temporary protection and blessings of his elders... As a producer, he'll definitely be able to make something of himself in no time."

"Being too modest is an insult to someone as incompetent as me."

Xingnan shook her head, her expression becoming more serious. "It's not modesty, my talent has reached its limit. That's why I want to become a producer..." As she spoke, her gaze slowly shifted to Qinyin, her eyes alluring... "...and because I've discovered people with top-tier idol talent..."

Qin Yin was carefully cutting a piece of meat with her fork when she suddenly felt Xing Nan's gaze. Her hand trembled, and she almost dropped the food. She looked up and saw Xing Nan's slightly seductive eyes, and couldn't help but feel a sense of pressure.

"...Uh, um, president?"

Xingnan did not look away, but continued speaking.

"My goal is to entrust my dreams to others and cultivate top idols myself."

Qin Yin began to have doubts.

Hmm... Do I really have that much talent? Rather than becoming some late-blooming top idol, I'd rather be like President Hoshino... someone who can easily complete idol work.

Just as the atmosphere became somewhat awkward, Chaoyang suddenly spoke, his tone calm but carrying a hint of deeper meaning: "...Would you like to come to my office, Xingnan?"