Recently, the entire Sakuragawa Agency had been immersed in an atmosphere of joy.
The reason was simple: the self-titled album Miyani, released fourteen days ago by their online singer Miyani, had dominated the album sales charts for two consecutive weeks.
Beyond the initial 680,000 copies sold on day one, in the following twelve days, sales successfully broke through two million.
This record shocked the entire entertainment industry. Countless people nationwide were speculating, "Once album sales conclude, will Miyani break the 3.729 million sales record set thirteen years ago by the National Diva, Nakami Reimi?"
Though it was still uncertain if Miyani could break the diva's record, based on current trends, everyone at Sakuragawa Agency, from top to bottom, had already accepted "Miyani will break the record" as a fact.
Miyani's album performance didn't just bring massive personal and agency revenue. It elevated both the singer's and the agency's fame to a new tier.
Countless young people chasing dreams and following in their idol's footsteps flocked to the agency, hoping to join the formerly mid-tier Sakuragawa Agency as "singers" or "actors." Even more music companies, production crews, and commercial event organizers turned their eyes to Sakuragawa, undoubtedly propelling the entire company onto a fast-track development path.
This left everyone at the agency experiencing the bittersweet thrill of joy and pain coexisting.
Among them, as Miyani's manager and the one who spearheaded this transformation, Nakamura Maki felt this contradictory "painful yet happy" sensation far more acutely than any other manager or colleague.
"I'm sorry, but Miyani-sensei is currently a student. In accordance with regulations and his personal wishes, he is temporarily not accepting any public appearances."
"Yes, yes..."
Sitting in her newly approved private office from the President, Maki apologized profusely to a big-shot on the phone who had invited Miyahito to a film project.
"Miyani-sensei is currently prioritizing his studies. Aside from accepting a few song commissions, he prefers not to be disturbed. I'm truly sorry."
After smooth talking and careful negotiation, she finally convinced the other party to drop the plan without offending them.
Having secured a movie insert song commission instead, Maki slumped exhaustedly into her spacious executive chair, a pained-yet-happy smile on her face as she let out a long breath.
"...Phew, I'm dead."
It wasn't her fault for feeling tired. From 8:30 AM until just hanging up, in under three hours, she'd already fielded eight invitations for Miyahito to make appearances. These included concert invites, drama theme song singing & acting roles, movie acting roles, and various entertainment industry events.
Without exception, Maki had rejected them all in Miyani's name.
It wasn't that she didn't want to accept them. Though only 26, her five years as a manager taught her exactly how much these resources could boost Miyahito's career.
But she couldn't accept a single one.
"Sigh... What a shame."
Staring at the phone on her desk, Maki muttered regretfully.
"Why can't Miyahito just be like those rebellious young masters in TV dramas? Mou."
Remembering their first meeting when he was still in middle school, and how seriously he'd told her, "I won't pursue a professional singer's path. I'm going home to inherit my father's business."
Sigh, as expected, TV dramas are all lies.
"Right, I wonder how the sound tuning team is doing with Miyahito's new song."
Suddenly remembering the new track he'd delivered yesterday, Maki grabbed her jacket, left her office, and headed toward the sound mixing department.
Speaking of which, should I say it's fitting for the genius singer-songwriter Miyani? His debut album only dropped two weeks ago, and he's already composed another new song.
But... the title Hated by Life Itself... Isn't it a bit too negative? Or just extremely intense?
"Hmm?"
Pushing open the door to the mixing office, the first thing Maki saw was Kiyama, the head sound engineer, wiping tears. A bewildered expression crossed her face.
What's going on? Why is a grown man sitting there crying?
Just as she was about to step forward and ask what happened, Kiyama noticed her entrance. With tear-filled eyes, he walked straight over to her, his tone filled with worry and urgency.
"Nakamura-san, what happened to Miyani-sensei?"
Eh... Wait.
Miyani? Something happened to Miyahito?
"What's wrong?" Maki tilted her head in confusion, looking at him with doubt. "Miyani-sensei is perfectly fine."
"He was even complaining to me last night about starting school."
Hearing this, Kiyama carefully studied her expression. Sensing she wasn't lying, he finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Maki, seeing this, grew even more confused.
"That's good. It's just that the new song..."
"Finally found you, Nakamura-senpai."
Before Kiyama could finish, a voice calling for Maki interrupted him.
"The President requests your presence in his office."
"Understood."
....
Fifteen minutes later.
"Ah?" Sitting in the chair across from the desk, having listened to the President's words, Maki's expression was one of utter shock.
"Miyani-sensei has depression? President, you're joking, right?"
"That's exactly why I called you in to ask."
The Sakuragawa President looked at Nakamura Maki with a grave expression, his tone serious as he advised:
"Miyani-sensei is currently our agency's most important partner. As his manager, you must keep a close eye on his condition at all times, understood?"
"I know that, President."
Finding the situation increasingly absurd, Maki rubbed her forehead and replied with a wry smile.
"But President, aren't you overreacting just a bit?"
"It's just one song. Yeah, I admit the title Hated by Life Itself is a bit... problematic."
"But when I spoke with Miyahito-kun yesterday, he sounded perfectly fine. He was even complaining to me that Toyogasaki Academy doesn't have a dedicated music room."
Hearing this, the President tapped his desk, signaling Maki to hold her thoughts.
After a brief moment of consideration, he looked up at the slightly curious Maki and spoke with utmost seriousness.
"What you say has merit, but I still want you to visit Miyahito-kun in person today."
"We need to make absolutely sure our most important partner is doing alright."
Since you're putting it that way...
Sigh, fine, whatever.
You're the boss. You call the shots.
"Understood. I'll head over personally later."
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