The early afternoon sun filtered through the tinted glass of the Velora Talent Agency as Rikuto Kazehaya stepped through its modern glass doors. The building wasn't massive, but it was well-maintained and gave off an air of quiet efficiency. The agency, now mysteriously listed under his name thanks to the system, operated with automated financials and a lean, professional staff.
He had no prior experience in business management—especially not in the entertainment world—but the system ensured everything was running like clockwork. Still, curiosity pulled him in.
"Mr. Kazehaya?" a soft, clear voice called out.
He turned.
A woman in her early twenties walked toward him, tablet in hand. She had a striking presence—sharp eyes, long wavy black hair, and dressed in a pencil skirt and fitted blouse that matched her elegance with authority. Her ID tag read: Mika Tanabe – Agency Operations Coordinator.
"You're younger than I expected," she said with a polite smile, offering her hand. "I'm Mika. I've been overseeing daily operations here. The previous owner instructed us to report to you going forward."
"Nice to meet you," Rikuto replied, shaking her hand. "And please, just call me Rikuto."
Her lips curved slightly. "Of course, Rikuto-san. Would you like a tour or just a summary?"
"Let's start with the summary," he said.
They settled into a cozy lounge in one corner of the building. Mika sat across from him, crossing her legs gracefully as she tapped through reports on her tablet.
"We've recently signed three mid-tier influencers and a rising music duo. Thanks to algorithmic scheduling and a small content team, we've maintained steady growth. Our projected income this quarter is about ₲18,000—roughly ₲6,000 per month, as expected."
Rikuto nodded, impressed. "Not bad for something I didn't even lift a finger to build."
She smiled knowingly. "The previous owner said you'd prefer a hands-off approach. I'll handle all decision-making unless you want otherwise."
"I trust you," he said sincerely. "Though I might visit now and then. Who knows? Maybe I'll learn something."
Their eyes met for a beat longer than necessary, but Rikuto kept it professional. He wasn't here to flirt. Not today.
As Mika returned to work, Rikuto walked through the halls, glancing at photo boards of agency clients—models, actors, musicians. A thought lingered in his mind: "If I really want to make this agency famous… what could I do? Should I recruit someone high-profile? Or maybe… tie it with the system somehow?"
The possibilities stirred him.
But before he could entertain them further, his phone buzzed.
---
Meanwhile…
Across town, a girl stood in front of her closet, biting her lip as she considered what to pack.
Rina.
Aya's younger sister, vibrant and impulsive, stared at her suitcase with a determined look in her eyes.
It had been weeks since her last visit. The quiet awkwardness between her and Rikuto had grown into something more charged—unspoken but undeniable.
But now… she'd decided.
Aya won't suspect anything. And mom has been staying there a lot anyway.
She picked up her phone and called Aya.
"Hey, Nee-chan!"
"Rina? Everything okay?"
"Totally. Just… kind of bored lately, you know? At home, I mean. I was thinking of crashing at your place for a few days. If that's okay?"
Aya laughed. "Of course! You don't even need to ask. Rikuto's here too—he'll be happy to see you."
Rina smiled slyly. "Yeah… I'm sure."
She packed a few extra outfits—ones that showed just the right amount of skin—and zipped her suitcase with a sense of finality.
Her mind wandered briefly to Rikuto.
It's time to figure out what this feeling is.
---
Back at the agency, Rikuto stepped out onto the sidewalk, the sun warming his face. His thoughts still lingered on Mika, the agency, and now… Rina.
He had no idea the next few days were about to grow even more complicated.
But strangely, he welcomed it.
The game had only just begun.
---