SCIAW: Chapter 507/508

Chapter 507: Choosing Between Two Options

On Wednesday morning, the boss of Yoko's agency received a call from the Suzuki Zaibatsu's eldest daughter.

"Mr. Eiichi, Miss Okino may experience some changes in her work in the future, and I hope you won't make things difficult for her."

Eiichi, who received this call, looked at Yoko standing in front of him, drenched in cold sweat.

Now he understood why Yoko, whom he had strongly promoted, had come to him with a contract to discuss termination. Who would have thought she was actually connected to the Suzuki Zaibatsu, and that the eldest daughter of the Suzuki Zaibatsu, who was also the president, would personally call him about it.

He hurriedly stood up from his seat.

"Not at all, I certainly wouldn't make things difficult for Okino."

"You didn't need to call me specifically. Actually, just telling Okino would have been fine."

He had to take this very seriously.

The Suzuki Zaibatsu was a major zaibatsu in the island nation, dominating both heavy and light industries, and still continuously rising. Such a large zaibatsu possessed terrifying power and influence.

Facing competitors in the same industry, a single word from them could cause immense damage to a peer, let alone his small entertainment company.

If the Suzuki Zaibatsu gave an order, he probably would not even dare to resist.

"Mr. Eiichi, you are joking. I believe this matter is very important, so I came to speak with you. Additionally, our Suzuki Zaibatsu also has thoughts of entering the entertainment industry. In this regard, we plan to seriously learn from others, and perhaps there will be opportunities for cooperation in the future."

Suzuki Ayako's voice was very gentle, but her words made Eiichi's scalp tingle.

A major zaibatsu preparing to enter the entertainment industry?

That was the biggest shock to small companies.

It should be known that the Suzuki Zaibatsu did not lack money. As long as there was enough money, what kind of actors and celebrities could they not bring in?

However, the last sentence did help Eiichi relax a little.

"There will still be opportunities for cooperation."

It sounded like a perfunctory remark, but whether it was perfunctory depended on his own decision.

Should he let go of the goose that laid golden eggs in his hand, or should he seek an opportunity for future cooperation?

As the boss of a typical small to medium-sized talent agency, Eiichi knew all too well the importance of such an opportunity.

As long as this opportunity existed, the Suzuki Zaibatsu's entry into the entertainment industry would not necessarily crush his small company.

Therefore, he had no hesitation and immediately made his choice.

"You are too kind."

"If the Suzuki Zaibatsu enters the entertainment industry, I believe you will quickly gain relevant experience. However, if you do not mind, our company would be very happy to provide you with experience in this area."

Eiichi offered flattering words with a smile.

Even a goose that lays golden eggs needs a large enough nest to hide in. If there is no nest, can he protect the goose that lays golden eggs?

Popular idols are not uncommon in the island nation. Some idols are only popular for a short time.

He had promoted one, and naturally, he would have the opportunity to promote others. There was no need to clash with a major zaibatsu.

What is more, by letting go of one Okino Yoko, he gained an opportunity to cooperate with a major zaibatsu. That was not a loss.

"It would naturally be best if Mr. Eiichi could agree."

"Mr. Eiichi, if possible, please cultivate more actors with real acting skills. My talk of cooperation is not just polite talk."

Eiichi's heart warmed. This sentence was like a shot of adrenaline, instantly exciting him.

It also made him realize that the Suzuki Zaibatsu's talk of entering the entertainment industry was not just talk. They were planning a big move and truly intended to make waves.

After a series of thanks, Eiichi finally hung up the phone.

He lost all strength and sank into his chair. He looked up at Yoko, who stood before him, then stood again.

"Okino, you have really gone big this time."

He no longer had the energy to be angry.

The popular idol he had personally promoted was now breaking away to go solo, and she had even pulled the Suzuki Zaibatsu into it. This completely stumped him, the owner of a small talent agency.

"You are really something, even dragging the Suzuki Zaibatsu into it."

"Fortunately, you are not stupid. You know what conditions are needed to jump out of here. Without sufficient background and capital, a popular idol like you would only be swallowed whole by this industry."

Eiichi did not speak in a blaming tone. Instead, he used a joking tone, like a friend.

"Boss, I am not an idiot either."

"If I did not have enough confidence, I would know I could not survive alone in the cannibalistic entertainment industry. It is just that someone supports me in doing this, so I want to see if I can do it."

Yoko's face showed no guilt or unease, only unwavering confidence and a calm smile.

A lover?

Eiichi pressed his lips together. He was not surprised.

Yoko's luck was indeed good. Her lover was even connected to the Suzuki Zaibatsu, and the connection was not shallow.

Of course, some things are best kept to oneself. Eiichi did not want to be caught up in trouble, especially when it was not necessary.

He steadied himself and looked at Yoko, who had become more mature.

"Okino, I do not know what the future holds. I wish you a bright road ahead now, but remember, a woman needs to have her own career. This is my advice, and I hope your final outcome will not be like Yuko's."

This admonition was not given as a friend, but as a former boss offering final advice to his employee.

Yoko accepted it gratefully, then bowed slightly.

"Mr. Eiichi, thank you very much for your advice. I will remember it."

"Well then, I will take my leave now."

"Yes."

Eiichi nodded slightly, then waved his hand.

After Yoko left, Eiichi sat back down.

"It seems Okino is much luckier than Yuko. She found a capable man."

Judging by how the Suzuki Zaibatsu's eldest daughter personally called to request on her behalf, the man Yoko met was definitely not like the freeloading man Yuko met.

"If Yuko knew about this, tsk-tsk... Yoko has far surpassed her in luck with men. Yuko's luck is truly bad."

Stepping out of the agency, Yoko finally breathed a sigh of relief. She checked the time, then excitedly dialed the person she most wanted to share the news with.

"Ren, I am finally free from the company."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 508: Let’s Celebrate Properly Today

"I thought it would take a bit longer on your end."

He suddenly received a call from Yoko during lunch break, and the topic was her departure from her original agency.

He had always thought Yoko's side would need more time to prepare before leaving, but he had not expected it to be today.

"Actually, it was about this time anyway."

"Everyone's wrap-up work has pretty much finished recently. After wrapping up, everyone also reached the time to proactively request leave. During this period, we've been tidying up the studio too."

"It was going to take a little longer, but the actions on the other side were noticed, so we moved it up a bit."

"Were you discovered?"

That reason made Ren understand why it was moved up.

"Then it is not much of a difference, right?"

"Yes, it is about done. So I contacted Miss Ayako, and we ended our contract with the old agency early."

"Our internal contract was settled, and we also had Lawyer Kisaki help draft a contract. It is just that the studio still has a lot of things that need time to be fully prepared."

The studio still needed to wait until next month to officially start work. This month was indeed everyone's last chance to relax.

After the studio is established, there will be more work.

Not just work, but also more systematic learning. If they want to film the big productions he mentioned in the future, they definitely cannot do it without a certain level of acting skill. Although they all have some basics, simple fundamentals will not be enough.

Ren agreed with what Yoko said.

Acting skills do need refinement, especially for an actor and idol star. In the future, he will definitely shift toward acting, since idol popularity does not last for many years.

"So, are you all going to have a good get-together today?"

"Yes. After everyone deals with their own matters, we plan to go to the studio to celebrate. Since it is the place where we will all work in the future, everyone feels this is a new beginning."

"That is great."

Considering that they will be working together in the future, it is a good time to envision the future at the start of the studio.

"Ren, are you free this afternoon?"

"Today I should be busy. After school I am going to a concert with Miyano and her friends."

"A concert... Ah, the TWO-MIX concert. Right, I gave Miss Ai three tickets."

"They just bought the villa on Monday and moved some things in. They are about to get busy, so when she mentioned the concert, I accepted."

"True. Miss Ai will probably be busy with us from now on."

The work of a studio manager is not easy, especially during the initial startup phase.

Perhaps Miyano Akemi's abilities are not quite enough yet, so she needs to adapt to the overall work and understand its key points, so she can formally take over as manager in the future.

After understanding Ren's plans, Yoko gave up on inviting him to her gathering with friends.

"In that case, I will celebrate with them today."

"Okay, be careful going home."

"Do not worry, our plan today is to stay overnight at the company."

Just like during their training, it had been a long time since she had a heart-to-heart with them. She did not want to miss this, especially since they did not have to worry about work tomorrow.

Yoko was clearly excited.

Like a middle schooler staying overnight at school, the thought of spending the night with friends made her excitement a bit uncontrollable.

"Staying overnight at the studio? Then why did you call to ask if I was free?"

"Hehe, if you were free, I would have dragged you along."

Ren's face twitched slightly.

"Forget it. You know I am not very good at interacting with the opposite sex."

On the other end, Yoko almost could not hold back her laughter.

If she did not know Ren's usual demeanor, she might have thought he was being modest.

He attracted an unusually large number of girls.

Although she really wanted to share this excitement and happiness with him, since he already had plans, she would share it with her friends first.

"Alright, then I will go contact the others."

Yoko hung up, then dialed the others.

"Terumi, have you resolved things on your end?"

"Resolved. As expected of the Suzuki Zaibatsu, just a word from them scared our management company stiff."

"After all, the entire entertainment industry combined is not enough to withstand a single word from the Suzuki Zaibatsu. Plus, this time their move into the entertainment industry is not a joke. It is a serious decision."

Yoko knew best why the Suzuki Zaibatsu made that decision. It was for spreading faith and quietly increasing her brother's followers.

Besides, Sonoko is her brother's girlfriend, Ayako is her brother's follower, and even the current head of the Suzuki Zaibatsu counts as her brother's future elder. So what is wrong with investing in the entertainment industry and helping her brother broaden the path of faith?

In the past, the Suzuki Zaibatsu did not enter the entertainment industry because they looked down on its meager profits. Now that they have a clear goal, the situation is naturally different.

And what can ordinary small and medium-sized management companies do?

Even the largest entertainment company, can it really go against a true major zaibatsu?

Unless that company has a major zaibatsu of the same level backing it.

Otherwise, knowing they cannot win, they need to back down obediently, or there will be nothing left when the major zaibatsu rolls over them.

"Then, as agreed, buy some things and have a good drink at our future studio."

"No problem, Yuki and Kaoru have already gone to buy things."

"But I thought you would be with your boyfriend today."

"Actually, I arranged it a bit late. He has an appointment with Miss Ai to go to a concert today."

"...Ah, those TWO-MIX tickets we got a few days ago."

"What a pity. We thought we would not have time to go, and then something unexpected happened on our end."

"Never mind, never mind. He is not very good at interacting with girls. Besides, we set this up a while ago, and we did not expect this to happen. So tonight will be our impromptu celebration."

"That is true."

(To be continued.)