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Chapter 48 – Endo’s Performance and Wakai’s Introduction
The lingering summer heat has finally subsided, making for a more comfortable time of year.
Wataru, who had been wearing short sleeves for so long, switched to long sleeves and was finally able to take off his cool, feathered robe.
That day, Wataru was on the phone with Ryota.
He had finally gone to watch Ryota play in a match and needed to thank him.
“Thanks for the tickets the other day. I never imagined I’d get to watch from such a low vantage point. It’s totally different from regular seats.”
“No, thanks to you for coming. It felt great to play in front of you. Did your girlfriends enjoy it, too?”
“Yeah, it was the first time either of them had seen baseball live, so they were super excited. Especially Aire, the blonde girl. She was really into it. She said she wanted to try it herself, so I took her to the batting center afterward.”
“Haha, if they enjoyed it that much, it was totally worth inviting them.”
It was nothing like the noisy, crowded seats. This was a lounge area with food and drinks included, spacious seating, and great air conditioning.
It was a strange space—quiet yet still loud enough to hear the cheers.
The baseball game itself was fun, but watching Mariel and Aire enjoy it was entertaining, too.
Mariel, who had previously enjoyed theater, watched the performers and athletes put on a show. Though outwardly calm, she was clearly enjoying it internally.
Aire, on the other hand, was the type to fight like a gladiator.
Because of that, even while watching baseball, she viewed it from a player’s perspective, thinking about how she would hit the ball or where she would throw it.
Her emotional expressions were vivid—one moment she’d be overjoyed, the next frustrated—and her reactions became entertainment in themselves.
When Wataru described the scene, Ryota smiled happily.
“So, I’ve got a favor to ask. Ryo-chan, could you introduce me to an actress? We’ve got this new product—a super effective cosmetic.”
“Knowing Wataru, it’s probably some crazy-effective stuff. But I don’t really have connections with celebrities. You’re expecting too much from a pro baseball player.”
“I thought maybe you, being so popular right now, could help.”
“No way. Plus, from what I can tell, this actress you’re talking about isn’t an idol, but much older than me, right?”
“Yeah, that’s about right. The main target, at the youngest, would be women in their late thirties and up.”
“That makes it even less likely. You should ask Wakai-san. He’s got way more connections than I do.”
“Yeah, I know. But I trust Ryo-chan not to introduce me to someone who’s unqualified.”
“Flattery won’t get you anything.”
“That wasn’t my intention. Oh, right. Sorry about that.”
“Well, I’ll introduce you to athletes another time.”
“I’d appreciate it. Next year, aim for the batting title, the most runs scored, and the Golden Club Award.”
“Yeah, I’m going to give it my all. Though it’s tough since rivals are piling up thanks to someone who keeps healing all these talented players.”
This year, Ryota’s team finished third in the pennant race.
Ryota won the batting title.
Considering he was sidelined by injury for a time, it was an astonishing achievement.
〇〇〇
Mitsuru Wakai had a legendary comeback, and from then on, things started moving at a breakneck pace.
He recorded new songs, appeared on TV, received interview requests from numerous media outlets, continued his daily lessons, and made plans for a live tour.
He seemed to have the momentum necessary to regain his peak popularity.
It felt awkward to ask Mitsuru, who was constantly on the move, for an introduction. But Wataru steeled himself, thinking it was part of the job, and sent the email.
Mitsuru was busy that day, too, with interviews and lessons, but he used his travel time to contact Wataru.
It was supposed to be a brief break, a chance to rest.
“Hey, Sakai-san. I hear you want me to introduce you to an actress?”
“Yes, Wakai-san. Is anyone nearby?”
“Yeah. My manager is here.”
“I see. There’s this amazing beauty serum that’s even better than cosmetic surgery, but it’s incredibly expensive.”
He was cautious, afraid his voice might leak out of the phone and someone might overhear.
Wataru was cautious and kept the details vague.
No matter how you looked at it, what Wataru was doing was the kind of business that could get him in trouble with the Medical Practitioners Act or the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act.
Mitsuru’s manager probably wouldn’t suspect that Wataru was operating without a license. However, considering the worst-case scenario, it was wiser to be as vague as possible.
“How much?”
“One million yen per bottle.”
“That’s incredible. Isn’t that more expensive than gold?”
“Perhaps. But for people who sell beauty, I think they’d want it to be worth many times more than the same weight of gold.”
One million yen is expensive if you think so.
But relatively speaking, in terms of price and effect, it should be cheap.
Instead of acquiring more precious metals, which popular celebrities probably already have plenty of, they’d surely want to regain their youthful, beautiful, firm skin.
Wataru thought they would desire that.
Just as Mitsuru desired the potion’s effects more than any other product available for the same price.
Mitsuru’s satisfied voice came through the phone.
“Well, I’ve been helped by you before, so I trust you. How effective is it?”
“Hmmm… It’s effective enough that teenage girls will be all over it, absolutely determined to buy it.”
“That much? Hmmm. What about Ayano Koyuki?”
“Wow, that’s a big name. She’s really famous, isn’t she? I see her in dramas and commercials all the time.”
“Well, it would have to be someone like her to get the money out so easily. Plus, she’s genuinely humble and trustworthy with everyone.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. She never talks badly about anyone, doesn’t gossip, and has never been arrogant. She really gives off that ‘truly good person’ vibe.”
“That’s the biggest help. People with loose lips are the worst.”
“I’ve definitely considered that aspect, too.”
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, she’s got that classic beauty. If everything looks good, I’ll try to have her contact you within the next few days.”
“Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!”
Impressed by Mitsuru’s quick action, Wataru found himself bowing respectfully over the phone.
A few days later, thanks to Mitsuru’s introduction, Koyuki contacted Wataru.
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