Shiginomiya lowered her head in silence. She couldn't even voice the slightest refusal, yet this arrangement still filled her heart with a melancholy ache.
Akira-kun had already indulged her selfishness once, agreeing to her request to avoid public exposure, and that was precisely why Shiginomiya was now walking the path of becoming a seiyuu.
She understood that she no longer had the right to be selfish again. Any more demands would only trouble him further.
No matter what path she chose, as long as she pursued a career in entertainment, the situation would be the same... He would inevitably keep his distance from her.
But—is there some way to secretly be with him, hidden from the eyes of the world?
Shiginomiya wasn't completely despairing. She began to think deeply, searching desperately for a way to both fulfill her love and avoid interfering with her work.
The influence Akira had on her wasn't limited to giving her dreams and motivation—he'd also given her a determination never again to sit around waiting helplessly.
Think, Shion, think! If things continue like this, Akira-kun will drift further and further away from you!
Shiginomiya plunged deep into thought. Meanwhile, having finished explaining why he couldn't personally serve as Shion's manager, Akira once again offered an olive branch to Benika.
"So as I was saying, Shion's manager must be female. And that's why I immediately thought of you, Benika-san."
"But I've never been a manager before… Aren't there more professional options out there than someone like me?"
"Professional experience actually doesn't matter here. If you agree to become Shion's manager, you wouldn't need to handle every little detail the way professional managers do. After all, you'd have me as her producer."
"Oh, so Akira, you're her producer?"
"Yes. The agency Shion joins in the future will be my choice, as will business negotiations, brand promotion, career strategy, crisis management—all of that will be entirely on me. Benika-san, you won't have to worry about any of it."
"So what exactly would I do? Hypothetically, if I did become Shion-chan's manager, I can't possibly just sit around doing nothing, right?"
"Your main job, Benika-san, would be to arrange her schedule, accompany Shion to work sites, and look after her physical condition."
"That sounds like I'd be little more than someone handing water to an athlete…"
In truth, it was closer to being a caretaker.
Or, you might even call it a personal maid.
When Benika had gotten drunk before, she'd even said she wouldn't mind being a maid. Clearly, she was willing to serve others.
Although it was slightly disappointing he couldn't make her his own personal maid, having her serve Shion wouldn't be bad either.
"But today, Benika-san, I also discovered that you have another unique advantage that I don't—your talent in image design."
"Hm… you mean like picking clothes for her?"
Of course, there was also makeup, Benika's true specialty.
But a voice actress wouldn't really need makeup unless attending concerts or variety shows, especially since Shiginomiya was already so naturally beautiful.
Akira wasn't really concerned with makeup either; mentioning "image design" was just bait to draw Benika in.
"Yes. Even if Shion doesn't take modeling or gravure jobs, dressing her stylishly would still leave a good impression with agency staff and anime directors. So, Benika-san, you could freely style Shion's outfits whenever she goes out for work."
"Freely… styling her outfits!"
This was extremely appealing to Benika.
Today, when shopping for Shion, she'd become utterly absorbed in the fun of dressing her up. She'd wished desperately she could buy even more clothes; sadly, they'd only ended up with three.
But just seeing Shion in various outfits had already made Benika feel the money spent today was well worth it.
If dressing Shion could now become part of her actual job description, she simply couldn't refuse!
Seeing Benika's clear interest, Akira struck while the iron was hot.
"Most importantly, I don't trust anyone else—but I trust you, Benika-san."
"Akira…"
If it were a typical professional manager who encountered a promising talent like Shion, they'd inevitably exploit her looks, pushing her toward acting or provocative photo shoots—even "pillow business"—doing everything possible to squeeze every last drop from this cash cow.
Thus, choosing an outsider like Benika was actually "safer."
Moreover, after learning Benika's past experiences and her current employment, Akira knew everything there was to know about her.
And Benika herself clearly liked Shion very much. A person wouldn't deliberately harm someone they genuinely cared about.
Besides, people often told the truth when drunk, and Akira remembered clearly everything Benika had confessed while intoxicated.
An easy job, a monthly salary of just 200,000 yen, even willing to become a maid—
Easy. He could grant every last one of those wishes!
"As for the compensation, Shion and I already agreed on a fifty-fifty split, so your pay, Benika-san, would come directly from my share—about twenty percent."
"Um… Akira-kun, Benika-san's payment can come from my half!"
Hearing Akira was paying Benika out of his own earnings, Shiginomiya immediately protested.
She didn't want the money Akira received through her to become smaller.
Because if that happened… wouldn't her value in his eyes also diminish?
But Akira shook his finger, firmly rejecting her suggestion.
"No. Since I'm the one who proposed hiring Benika-san as your manager, I must be the one paying her. And anyway, how much money we can each get ultimately depends on how high you climb, Shion. As long as you earn enough, splitting half between me and Benika-san will still be a considerable income."
"Mm…"
Shiginomiya lowered her head again. What she really wanted to say was that she'd be fine taking nothing at all—as long as Akira continued being her producer, just having him watch over her was enough…
But taking nothing at all would be suspicious. It might reveal her feelings—and if that happened, their relationship would surely end there.
Akira felt this sharing of profit was necessary. Offering a fixed salary alone probably wouldn't motivate Benika.
Right now, no one could guarantee Shion's success, making this a risk investment.
Besides, Akira didn't even have enough money now to pay a manager's salary—he was actually just bluffing, pulling off another empty-handed swindle.
First, he'd secured a future star, then an exclusive manager. After Shion's debut, he wouldn't need to run himself ragged following her everywhere; he'd simply set a goal, sit back, and wait for the cash to flow in…
This was the true joy of living off someone else's talent!
Akira chose comfort at the expense of profit margin.
"Although I can't yet guarantee exactly how much Shion will earn, I can assure you of one thing, Benika-san—Shion is a one-in-a-million super genius."
Akira was subtly hinting to Benika that he'd already clearly seen Shion's talent—and that talent was top-tier. He'd already explained his ability to her, so he was certain Benika would understand exactly what he meant.
Hearing these words, Shion felt her heart overflow with joy. Knowing Akira was proud of her filled her with immense satisfaction. She deeply enjoyed the sensation of being needed by the person she loved.
Benika closed her eyes, eyebrows furrowing slightly. She hesitated for a long moment, then opened her eyes again, looked Akira seriously in the eyes, and replied,
"This matter is very significant… Could you give me some time to carefully consider it?"
"Of course. Shion's debut is still a while off, so take your time thinking about it, Benika-san. Just give me a definite answer sometime this year."
"I won't need that long… I'll give you my answer within this month."
"Alright. Then I'll wait for your good news."
Having wrapped up his attempt to recruit Benika, the waitress conveniently brought their food to the table.
In high spirits, Akira began eating. Across from him, however, neither woman touched their chopsticks, each lost in their own thoughts.
He could tell he'd mostly convinced Benika. Now, all she needed was one last push to firmly decide.
After going back to suffer another round of abuse from her black-hearted company and idiot boss, she'd probably resign in anger, fleeing into his welcoming embrace.
Hurry and say goodbye to your wretched wage-slave life, Benika-san! Together, we'll cling to this genius's thigh, living happily off her future earnings!
As long as Shion debuted smoothly and became a top-tier seiyuu, their future would be absolutely golden!
Be a good girl and become mine, Benika-san!
---
T/N: woah there fix ur wording tehre man
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl
Okay, real talk: I am extremely hungry for money, so I'm raising membership prices soon.
BUT.
If you're already subscribed before the change, your current price stays the same as long as you remain subscribed.
So for example:
Person A is already subscribed at $7/month
Price later goes up to $14/month
Person A still pays $7/month if they stay subscribed
Meanwhile:
Person B was not subscribed before the change
After the price becomes $14/month
Person B has to pay $14/month
So yes, prices are going up, but existing members get to keep their current rate if they stay in.
Which means:
If you want the cheaper price, join before the change. Otherwise, if you subscribe later, you'll be paying the new higher amount.
Price changes happen on Monday 16th, North America time.
last day of ads