He is an idol and a childhood sweetheart.

"But there's no 'practical meaning' left, is there?"

Kento Watanabe smiled and shook his head:

"This world is not so gentle that you can gain something with just your intentions and hard work...and I know it myself. The next WING will probably have nothing to do with me."

"..."

There are still five days left before the time limit that Ken Watanabe leaves for himself.

As for the girls who accepted Kento Watanabe's business card, there were only five of them in total.

Considering the uneven qualifications of those girls and the worrying current situation of the office, it is probably difficult for anyone to make up their mind to contact Kento Watanabe within these five days.

"If they contact you again five days later...will there still be a chance?"

"Probably not possible."

Kento Watanabe slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Our competitors are all just like me, hungry for this opportunity. Most of them don't have difficulty recruiting people, and they must have started preparing for WING earlier than me. .Already lagging behind, if I don’t even have two months for a surprise attack, then I really can’t guarantee that I can pass the first review.”

In fact, even this two-month time limit seems a bit too idealistic to Kento Watanabe.

Considering that most of the people who would join his firm would be pure newcomers with zero foundation, he really couldn't say the word "absolutely".

It was precisely because of this that he felt so painful about Asakura Toru's speech.

After all, in his opinion, there is no difference between him and failure now.

but……

"Don't look like that, Higuchi."

Looking back at Higuchi Enka, and seeing the troubled expression on her face, Watanabe Kento couldn't help but smile.

"Although I do plan to give up WING, I don't plan to give up my goal right away. After all, there are various activities coming next this year. Even if I miss this, I still have many opportunities."

Having said this, Kento Watanabe took out his portable ashtray and put out the cigarette butt that he had only taken a few puffs into.

He remembered that Higuchi Enka didn't like him smoking.

"The reason why I think this way is precisely because you are by my side. Without you, those children would definitely not accept my business card, and I would never want to continue to persist... So in a way, you are my savior."

"...It's just that at this level, he can't be called a savior at all."

"It's already great. Breaking through from zero to one is often the most difficult, let alone going from zero to five."

"I obviously didn't do anything."

"Your existence is already a salvation for me."

"…………"

It can't be called redemption at all.

This kind of concession, this kind of compromise, this kind of attitude that seems to accept fate... is not what I want to see.

Such a desperate person shouldn't end up like this!

I hope he can achieve his goals, I hope he can achieve his ideals.

I really want to tell him "Don't give up WING", but...the more I understand his efforts and situation, the harder it is to say these words of encouragement.

Now he needs practical support more than such empty words.

That is...

……

Taking out the business card from his pocket again, under the bright lights outside the window, the business card with black characters on a white background also flashed with colorful colors.

Then, there is only one last question left.

Chapter 30: Step onto the zebra crossing at the yellow light

After that, Higuchi Enka began her five-day life as a "talent scout assistant".

Get up at nine o'clock every day, wash up and have breakfast within an hour, and then start scouting activities that last for about eight hours.

In the first two days, Higuchi Enka was still the same as before, but

He followed Kento Watanabe silently, observing the person whom Kento Watanabe spoke to without saying a word.

However, three days after that, Higuchi Enka began to occasionally answer the questions of the person he was talking to.

And this kind of proactive response immediately made her become more like a member of the "Watanabe Firm", thus attracting more children to accept Kento Watanabe's business card.

"Would this...will make them think that I am cheating?"

Looking at the leaving figure of the girl in front of him, Kento Watanabe asked with a worried look:

"Obviously many of them accepted the business card because of you..."

"...It's not necessarily a scam."

"...? Higuchi, what did you just say?"

"It's nothing."

Higuchi Enka shook her head.

"Are your feet okay?"

"Ah, it's fine."

Kento Watanabe nodded.

"Maybe it's because I've adapted to it, but I haven't felt much lately."

This is not Kento Watanabe trying to show off, but his true feelings.

Especially when calluses began to form on those parts that were prone to wear and tear, he no longer had the excruciating pain he felt a week ago with every step he took.

"Speaking of which... today is the last day."

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Kento Watanabe, who had just walked out of the dessert shop, looked at the increasingly crowded crowd in front and said with emotion:

"I've really worked hard on you this week, Higuchi. I'll take you back tonight and you can just have a good rest for a while."

"..."

Higuchi Enka did not speak after hearing this, but looked at the crowd together with Watanabe Kento.

Kento Watanabe continued:

"Thanks to you, I have the confidence to persevere again. Even if I can no longer keep up with WING, I will continue to prepare for other activities."

"..."

"By the way, we have also visited many clothing stores and drug stores in the past few days. Is there anything you want to buy? As a reward for this week, I will buy it for you no matter what it is!"

"..."

"...Higuchi?"

Kento Watanabe, who didn't get a reply for a long time, couldn't help but look at Enka Higuchi strangely.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? If not, it's okay to end it now. It's the last day anyway, so it doesn't matter if it ends a little earlier."

At this point, probably in order to dispel Higuchi Enka's concerns, Watanabe Kento put on a vigorous look:

"In the past five days, we have sent out a total of 34 business cards. As a result of the talent scouting activity, it can be said to be a great victory! Even if we miss two or three hours of shopping, the result will not change, so Higuchi, just go and rest with peace of mind——"

"Watanabe."

"……kindness?"

"Although asking you this kind of question at this time may seem very unclear, but... can you tell me, what kind of idol do you need most right now?"

"…………………………Eh?"

(What kind of... idol?)

Kento Watanabe couldn't help showing a blank expression when he heard this question.

"Big, probably... human."

"...Is it possible that there are still non-human idols?"

"What if? After all, anything can happen these days, right?"

"Oh...I'm not kidding you."

Higuchi Enka sighed, then raised his head and asked again:

"I'm asking again seriously...what type of idol do you need most right now?"

...............................

Kento Watanabe has never considered this unfathomable problem.

The reason why he wanted to become a producer was entirely out of his love and admiration for idols.

It's just that... before Toru Asakura left, he did have the lofty ambition to make Asakura a top idol.

However, after that, his ambition was completely shattered by the departure of Toru Asakura.

After his ambition was defeated, he only had one idea left in his mind.

As long as there is an idol who can identify with him...and always believe in him.

Even if she is not as outstanding as Toru Asakura, even if she is just a child with average qualifications.

He will definitely use his own efforts to discover all the charm of that child and let her get on the stage that suits her best.

To this end, he spent a year and a half learning various things related to the stage and idols.

As long as it is an activity that is helpful to idol activities, he will spare no effort to learn and participate.

In this way, when he waits for the next child who is willing to believe in him, he will definitely be able to show her his sincerity!

That's right, that's all.

Don’t ask for a bigger stage or any lofty goals.

He just needs to do his best to be good to that child and pour all his efforts into that child.

In this way, his next idol will probably not betray him again...

..............................

"Now that things have happened...I no longer have such arrogant thoughts."

Kento Watanabe smiled freely.

"As long as someone is willing to believe me,

Just be with my kids.No matter what kind of child she is, I will devote all of myself to her and train her to be an outstanding idol. "

"...That's it."

After hearing this answer, Higuchi Enka was not surprised.

Although the experience of the past year and a half has not made Kento Watanabe give up his principles and original intentions, it has also dispelled his expectations for others.

He will still try his best for his ideal, but... he no longer expects the other party to respond to his efforts.

Producers and idols should support each other and work side by side.

However...Kento Watanabe no longer even expects this most basic relationship.

So, for this poor man who has almost closed his heart, what kind of idol does he need most... exactly?

After five days of thinking, on the last day that Ken Watanabe restricted for himself, Enka Higuchi finally got the answer.

So immediately after, Higuchi Enka took out his mobile phone, and under the astonished gaze of Kento Watanabe, he crossed the zebra crossing in front of him alone——

"Eh? Wait, wait? Higuchi?"

As if she didn't hear Kento Watanabe's call, Higuchi Enka just followed the flow of people and walked straight to the other side of the road.

Seeing this, Kento Watanabe immediately took steps to catch up with Higuchi Enka. However, it is unknown whether Higuchi Enka had calculated the time in advance. The moment he was about to step on the zebra crossing, the traffic light stopped. The light has changed from yellow to red.

Jingle bell--