11 The surprise of Melt Narushima

Melt Narushima was reading the manga he had with him, even though he would normally be hanging out with his friends before HR started in the morning.

The title is "Today is sweet''.

"Hello, Melt. So, are you reading the manga?"

"Hmm, ah. I just needed it for work."

　Usually, he would smile and joke around with his classmates, but there was something strange about Melt today. He was reading a manga with a devilish look on his face---and what's more, he was reading a girls' manga.

"Oh, hey, Melt, are you okay? Are you the type of person who reads manga like that?"

"No, this is special."

"I see...Is that really the case!? What's wrong with Melt!?"

　Melt's atmosphere is so different from usual, and he finally begins to realize that there's something strange about those around him.

Melt, who was always smiling, toying with others, and letting his image as a positive boy and do his own thing, had now transformed into a strange person who seriously read girls' manga.

"――――I met Hoshino Aqua yesterday."

Those words caused a buzz around him. Current junior and senior high school students who don't know about Hoshino Aqua are either extremely ignorant or ignorant of common sense---in other words, he is a required subject for junior high and high school students. If you are in the upper class of the school caste, Shiranui Frill and Hoshino Aqua are compulsory subjects.

　It is said that it was directly to such a person. Even if you don't say anything, your attention will increase.

"Aqua-san is different from us. He is really shined."

　Suddenly giving up on reading the manga, Melt opened his mouth to his classmates who seemed to be curious, remembering what had happened yesterday.

　※ ※ ※

"(Ah, that's so cool)"

　Melt didn't even try to hide his dissatisfied expression as he sat in a chair prepared in what appeared to be a conference room, waiting for the meeting to begin.

　He's a person who has lived his life with a lot of energy, ignoring his good looks. I didn't like this type of meeting format.

That must have been the consensus of everyone gathered here. All the models, except for the managers at each agency, were fiddling with their smartphones or yawning as they waited for the start time.

　Maybe they didn't even know what the people here were gathered for in the first place. Melt has only heard from his manager that he will be appearing in an online drama. It was said that there would be an explanation about what the story was about today, but Melt wasn't interested. As usual, he believed that if he opened his mouth and did what the cameraman and director told him to do, everything would be fine.

　All they always say is ok or nice. It is a drug that also leads to a sense of omnipotence. Melt could only see a future where he would be praised no matter what he did.

"Ah, is everyone here?"

　In the relaxed atmosphere, Masaya Kaburagi, the producer of this internet drama, entered the conference room. With his appearance, even those who had been raised as models became as quiet as if a teacher had taken the podium. This is because I instinctively realized that this project was produced by him. A positive person is a creature that cannot survive without reading the atmosphere. Therefore, it was natural that even in this relaxed atmosphere, there would be a temporary sense of tension.

"Hmm? Kana-chan isn't here. That's rare."

　As Masaya looks around, he thinks of the only woman not present. She is an actor who makes this program watchable. Although she joined Ichigo Productions as a freelancer, she was still paid the same performance fee as when she was a freelancer, so Masaya honestly thinks it was a relief. However, Arima Kana, who is the key to this program, was not there now.

　This is unusual. When Arima Kana was a child actress, she often spoke and acted in a self-centered manner. However, after a while she stopped selling, her attitude completely changed. She placed great emphasis on the relationships between the actors, and to put it simply, she was the lubricant between the cast. That's why she wasn't late for a meeting like this, but--did something happen?

　The moment I reached into my pocket to take out my smartphone, perhaps thinking of contacting her, I heard a clanging sound, and the door that Masaya had just closed opened.

"Excuse me, am i late?"

　The person who said this and took off his sunglasses as he entered the room was a celebrity that everyone in the room knew. No, in fact, in this case, it can be said that Melt and the others know him best. If you open a model magazine lying casually in the rest room of his office, there will always be one page, and there is a person who has appeared on the cover of famous magazines many times...

"Hoshino Aqua! ? "

"Ah, Aqua-kun? Why are you here?"

　For some reason, Hoshino Aqua appeared at the meeting place.

　Melt was not only surprised by Aqua's appearance here. You can see at a glance that his sparkling, flowing blonde hair, his fair features, his branded clothes that even an amateur to a hairy model would recognize, all match him. The real thing that I thought was amazing just by looking at it appeared right in front of my eyes.

　However, Masaya seems surprised as to why he appeared here, and it seems like he doesn't know either.

　Everyone's eyes are drawn to the sudden appearance of a celebrity, and no one notices Arima Kana, who appears behind him to hide.

Ignoring everyone in the room who was shocked, Aqua and the girl who appeared from behind went to the empty seats that would have been given to them, Arima Kana sat on the chair Aqua had pulled out, and Aqua sat next to her.

Originally, now that everyone was here, we should have started the meeting.

However, everyone in the room couldn't help but notice Aqua sitting next to Kana. That includes Masaya, the producer.

However, Aqua was sitting in the conference room calmly, waiting for the meeting to start.

"What's going on, shall we start?"

"N-No, before that, I would like you to explain to me why Aqua-kun is here ?"

　Masaya asked Aqua something that everyone would be curious about.

Everyone is curious.

"Oh, is that so? Arima Kana , who was invited to play the lead role, belongs to Ichigo Productions, and this is her first production. I thought it would be better if someone came along with her, so today I'm Arima's manager. "

"(...Hoshino Aqua is your manager?)"

　Aqua says this with an expression as if he's saying something obvious, but everyone can't believe it.

You're a model and an actor, and you're at a high level!

I'd like to say that, but there's no particular reason why Aqua can't be a manager. There's no sense of discomfort, though.

"I-I see... well, fine. Well then, let's get started."

　After swallowing Aqua's seemingly unreasonable excuse, Masaya finally remembers his role as a producer and announces the start of the meeting.

　From there, the story progresses as if nothing happened.

The performers --- two from each of the three model agencies plus seven from Arima Kana -- will begin with self-introductions, hand out scripts, and explain the schedule.

However, Melt ignored most of it. He thought he could later ask the manager sitting next to him for more information.

　More than that, it's Hoshino Aqua.

I'm sure there will be very few opportunities to see him in person from now on. So I was watching it carefully.

I wonder if he was lying when he said he was a manager, as he was listening intently to the story while making notes on the script and schedule he had received.

　All he does is sit, listen, and occasionally write something down...but that's all he does, but perhaps because he has a beautiful posture, or because he himself is just too pretty, he always comes off as a picture.

Melt wonders if he could take a photo with this composition and end up in a model magazine.

"――――That's all for the explanation, do you have any questions?"

"I have a question, or rather a suggestion."

　As the staff next to Masaya finished explaining the materials and asked for questions, it was Hoshino Aqua , who was attracting attention, who raised his hand.

"Huh? Ah, yes, Aqua-san, please."

　The staff member was a little surprised, as they didn't expect to hear a question from Aqua himself---or according to what he said, he asked him to proceed.

　At this prompting, Aqua looked as cool as he did when he was sitting on the stage at a variety show, his mouth resting on his folded palms on the table, and he made a proposal that surprised even Melt and the others.

"Could you please give a thorough acting guidance to the six performers there?"

"Huh? "

　That's an incomprehensible suggestion. Melt, who has become the perpetrator of this, can't help but raise his doubts.

In the first place, he had heard that the condition for appearing in this drama was that all he had to do was appear.

Melt doesn't like his efforts, partly because he's lived his life based solely on his good looks. As a model, you just get your picture taken, and the photographer also encourages you, so I like it.

However, when it comes to dramas, he has to memorize his lines. Even that was a hassle, but he knew he couldn't say no, so he kept the border to a minimum.

"We can't do that. This drama has a small budget. We don't have enough money to give acting guidance to these six people."

　It's called acting instruction, but it requires instructors, lesson locations, time, and money for everything. In other words, it's the budget.

This drama will be aired as an online drama jointly financed by three agencies, and the purpose is to promote the six cast members to a female audience that likes good-looking guys. Acting was secondary, and my purpose was to appear.

"I'll lend you a lesson room from Ichigo Productions. Well, it's empty somewhere, so it won't be a problem. Ichigo Productions will also provide a lecturer. Oh, it's free since it's a cooperation for the drama. Yo"

　Managers at each agency are shocked by Aqua's proposal. In the first place, since they are an agency whose main focus is on models, they don't have the luxury of letting newcomers use such facilities.

However, since Ichigo Productions focuses on the acting industry, it is natural that they are blessed with such facilities and human resources, so this proposal is possible. Even so, it's not free.

Normally, they would at least charge an instruction fee.

"B-but I can't use their time――"

"You're still a newcomer, so you have plenty of time in your schedule, right? If you include holidays, there shouldn't be any problems."

　When I was about to say that I was kidding when it seemed like my after-school schedule and vacation schedule were being decided on my own, I was surprised to find out that he was somehow trying to honor my contract, or that I was a model from my own agency.

Perhaps because he didn't like being trained on his own, Aqua made a suggestion to silence the managers who were against it.

"Okay. If you accept this offer, how about I take them to my filming location? It would be a nuisance if there were too many, so I'll just have two people at a time."

"――――It's not just about showing a handsome faces , it's all about connection..."

"If you get a high evaluation from me, you might even get a bonus."

　Melt didn't understand what Aqua was saying, but it seemed his manager had noticed. Unlike his earlier response, which was all about the opposite, he looked a little thoughtful.

"Manager? I don't like practicing..."

Feeling a sense of danger that if things continue like this, Aqua's proposal will be accepted, Melt whispers to the manager so that Aqua can't hear.

However, the manager, who was deep in thought, looked surprised after hearing Melt's statement, and then heaved a sigh.

"Melt...Aqua-san's proposal is to introduce you to the people at the filming set where Aqua-san appears. Please be introduced along with Aqua-san's high praise. Depending on the situation, you might be able to get a job all at once."

"Is that so?"

"That's right... After all, in the entertainment world, just because you're Aqua-san's praised model, others will say 'let's try using him.' "

"Wow...that person must be amazing."

　He is a model who can influence people's jobs just by telling them his name. That was Hoshino Aqua.

"That's the connection Aqua-san is talking about. And the bonus is..."

"Do you mean whether or not we will take acting lessons?"

"Of course, it probably includes improving their technical skills, but when they put their faces together, they'll probably tell them who's a good guy or who's a serious guy."

　The model has an image that suits the clothes. He seems mischievous, serious, or playing around. The true nature of Aqua's bonus is that it conveys that atmosphere to the other party, making it easier for them to be hired.

　To be honest, from the manager's point of view, he felt like he could sell Melt and the other person at this point. His reputation as a model comes with an introduction from Aqua.

In addition to this drama, it is a perfect result for the first dash. However, if you are greedy, push it one more time――――

As if reading the minds of those managers, he let out a sigh and opened his mouth.

"Everyone is greedy.

Okay, if Arima or I judge that if you participate in this, you will see good performance and technical improvement, we will give you points.

The performer with the highest number of points will be given a chance, I'll put up a conversation interview with me in the magazine.''

"...Is that so?"

"If I bring my project to them, I have a few magazines in mind that will do it."

　Apparently, the person named Hoshino Aqua is a model and actor, and can even write recommendation.

Melt didn't really understand the existence of the recommendation, but since the managers were surprised, he thought it must be something amazing.

　And that was probably the final push.

All the managers from the three agencies who had been deep in thought raised their hands and said in unison,

"We're on board!"

　It was the moment when Melt and his friends were sold their freedom by the agency.

　※ ※ ※

Melt, whose freedom had been sold, was following Aqua with his eyes, thinking that he would have less time to play.

　Now, with Aqua's schedule displayed on his smartphone, his managers are coordinating who should be taken to which filming location. Of course, the new model Melt and others didn't join in the conversation, and quietly waited for the conversation to end while drinking water from the bottle of water that had been prepared for them.

　Naturally, I followed Aqua with my eyes, and after handing over his smartphone to the managers, Aqua approached Masaya and his friends, who had not been able to keep up with the sudden developments, with Kana in tow.

"Thank you for your help this time.

Masaya-san."

"No, this is it.

I was prepared for it to be a rough scene, but it looks like it's going to be a little better. ...

And Kana-chan seems to have done well."

"It's not like that."

"Oh, but it seems like you were doing a pretty big deal for Kana-chan?"

"I just want to see a good performance from Arima."

　She stood behind Aqua, her face turning bright red, and pulled Aqua's hem. Kana was protesting, but Aqua was talking to Masaya with an innocent look on his face.

"――――Let's leave it at that."

　Masaya looked at Aqua, who was standing calmly, and Kana, who was blushing, and then gave up on his face, as if he had realized everything, and gave up on pursuing him further.

"(Eh, eh, eh!? Seriously? Seriously!?)"

However, when Melt heard this story, he was nothing but surprised. No matter how you look at it, the answer that Melt can derive from the current conversation and attitude is...

"(Huh? Arima Kana is Aqua-san's lover!?)"

　Unfortunately, it was just a misguided guess.

"(Aqua-san, did you try to get us to give you technical guidance by doing all kinds of things, even if it meant having to go through a lot of trouble for your girlfriend?)"

　Furthermore, Melt has no idea how difficult what Aqua tried to do as a reward for them was.

However, looking at the manager's attitude, I could understand that it was a difficult task. He didn't seem to understand why Aqua would go to such lengths, but considering Melt's current situation, it made sense.

"(It's a manly way...)"

　Nowadays, it may be said that this is gender discrimination, but a man who can do his best for his girlfriend is highly regarded.

　And that's because it's Hoshino Aqua, which is exciting right now. However, to put it the other way around, if I were to perform poorly with Aqua's girlfriend...

"(Usshi, I'll try my best)"

　Melt, who was afraid to think about what would happen to him if the ratings for the drama in which Aqua supports his girlfriend, who is working hard even at the cost of sacrifices, is low, decides to get serious about this drama.

　※ ※ ※

"Hey, if it's a social gathering, I can too."

"Then it's just me. You want to read the script, right?"

"That's true, though."

　Melt and six others watched from a short distance away as a man and a woman were shouting at each other at the taxi stand as if they were having a flirt argument.

　Of course, the two are Hoshino Aqua and Arima Kana.

　After the meeting was over, on the way home as the sun was about to set, Aqua invited the model group to go out to eat if there was nothing else to do.

　Of course, that doesn't include managers. It was a dinner party that could be called a get-together or a get-together for people of the same generation.

　At first, Kana also wanted to go, but Aqua stopped her and tried to make her take a taxi home.

"Then go home. I'll talk to them first."

"――――Mmm, don't go to a naughty shop just because it's only men."

"What did you say?"

　Aqua chops Kana in a light reproachful way, and Kana accepts that, smiling happily and obediently getting into the back seat of the taxi, as if she's just given up.

　When I saw her getting into the taxi, I stuck my head into the taxi and pulled out a 10,000-bill bill from my wallet in my back pocket, apparently telling him where to send her to the driver.

After finishing that, Aqua moved away from the taxi a little, and after the door closed, Kana inside the car probably waved at him, and Aqua waved as he saw the taxi leave.

"It's his girlfriend."

　I don't know who said it. However, one of the models, looking dumbfounded, couldn't help but mutter, and everyone nodded in agreement.

"Sorry, it took a little while to send her."

　Aqua approaches me while saying that.

Is the current exchange normal? It seemed natural, and he didn't seem to care. As Melt and his friends, we would really like to hear more details.

"Um, where are you going then?"

"There are seven guys, so we've decided where we're going, right?"

　Someone exclaims,

"What?"

Perhaps the words Kana had said earlier had crossed his mind. I wonder if I was half hopeful and half surprised by that voice.

　And the destination Aqua told her was――――

"Today is my treat. Let's Eat."

　cheers! The glass of oolong tea clinked. The meat and charcoal grills are lined up in front of you.

Yes, Melt and his friends had come to the Yakiniku restaurant following Aqua's guidance.

　However, it is not the all-you-can-eat 2,500 yen yakiniku lunch that these high school students usually go to. It's a private yakiniku restaurant where each plate costs as much as an all-you-can-eat lunch.

　When Melt and his friends were first shown around, they were a little hesitant about the unusual space, but once they had meat and charcoal, they were just normal high school boys after all.

Eventually, expensive meat!

As if to say that, I started grilling the meat.

"Delicious!"

"Wow!"

"Amazing..."

　In other words, does delicious meat make you lose your vocabulary?

I was surprised at how soft and flavorful the meat was, which was different from the meat I usually eat, and I increased my cooking and eating pace.

　Melt was looking at the menu and trying to choose the next meat, even though he was nervous about Aqua sitting across from him.

"Look, it's burnt."

"Uh, ah, thank you."

　Melt was surprised when the meat that was grilled directly from Aqua in front of him was placed on a plate.

The person in front of me who was giving off an aura was grilling yakiniku---and what's more, it was quite a heart-wrenching sight for him to pick up tongs and grill the meat himself.

By the way, when my family went out to yakiniku, Aqua was always in charge of grilling, so I ended up grilling it out of habit.

"You don't have to be so nervous. We're the same age."

　Aqua asked him an unreasonable request, but Melt decided to follow him since Aqua would probably be taking care of him until he left the drama.

"Um, why are you going to this length?"

　I had seen the answer earlier, but I wanted to hear it from Aqua's mouth.

　Melt's question was probably what everyone was thinking.

He had been talking among his friends until just now, but his eyes were focused on Aqua.

"Huh? Ah, this is Arima's first lead role after joining Ichigo Productions, and she needs it in order to give a good performance."

"Is there any point in teaching us how to act?"

"Yes. If she were to act seriously, she would be too different from you and the work would be ruined.

That's why I want you to raise your standards even a little and give Arima a good performance."

"Is Arima-san really that great of an actor?"

The model group had never heard of Arima Kana.

At least in recent dramas, the name Arima Kana should not have appeared.

They are a collection of good-looking person, and her faces are in good shape and beautiful.

In School caste she should also in a high ranking.

If that's the case, She can't miss any of the popular dramas, so I should have heard of the actress Aqua falls in love with...

　As if to answer their questions, Aqua raised the corners of his mouth slightly and smiled.

"Yes, she is a woman who has been called a genius, although not recently."

"genius----"

　There was the sound of someone gulping. I think it's Arima, where Aqua, who is known as the nationall handsome actor, is said to be a genius.

If anything, then why is it anonymous? That's what we all thought, but when we got home, we decided to do some quick research.

"That's why Arima is giving you acting instructions so that you can act comfortably."

　Aqua looks at each of Melt and the others as if to say I'm serious.

　There wasn't a hint of a joke in those starry eyes, and you could tell even if you didn't like it that he was being serious.

"At least you have to work hard to pay for the yakiniku here. If you act poorly, you'll have to pay it back."

　---I wonder how many months' worth of Melt's salary will be. The shooting period is about half a year. It's not a big deal, but there are people who don't feel like they can give back if they fail.

"Huh... I'm just kidding. Talk is fine, but eat. You never know when the next one will be."

　No, you were serious, I wanted to say, but no one wisely said anything, so they continued to grill the meat while listening to Aqua about everything about the entertainment world.

　Impressed by the way a man of Aqua's level would do his best for his girlfriend, they unite to do their best to avoid being abandoned in entertainment world.

________________________________________

It was a meet-and-greet and yakiniku meeting.

This time, Melt-kun is the main character. This character has completely different roles in the ``Today Sweet'' and ``Tokyo Blade'' editions, so it's a problem...

　In addition, in the main story, he seems to have succumbed to Aqua's aura. He is a person who are sensitive to caste.

　You know? After this, at the launch of ``Today Sweet'', Aqua has to tell Masaya Kaburagi that ``I really want to appear'' in the show.

　Next time, we will finally start shooting.

Thank you for reporting any typos. Thank you for your help.

If you like, please give us your impressions in comments and ratings in reviews.

It would be a great encouragement to me, so I would appreciate it if you could give me even a few comments.

Melt Narushima

- I ended up appearing in a drama even though I joined an agency that mainly consisted of models

- I unexpectedly encountered Aqua at a face-to-face meeting

- What's more, Arima Kana, who co-starred, was his girlfriend (misunderstanding)

- After returning home, I looked up Arima Kana and realized that she was a genius I learned that she was called a genius child actor.

Note :

・It reminded me of green pepper exercises.

・In this work, Aqua is a completely superior person, so his attitude is quite polite.

- Kana, who is the girlfriend's and lover (by misunderstanding), also begins to act cutely.

It's 4,382 words count guys and gals.