Chapter 39

—————— Today is New Year's Eve, wishing everyone a prosperous and auspicious new year. May you be filled with joy and good health. This is the third update! —————— After following Endo to Ueda Ken's office, Kawauchi Hane saw a short-haired middle-aged beautiful woman and a girl who looked to be only eighteen or nineteen years old... He recognized this girl... Horikita Makoto!

"Mr. Kawauchi, let me introduce you... This is Ms. Okada Naoyumi, the president of SWEETPOWER..." Ueda Ken and Okada Naoyumi quickly stood up, and Ueda Ken introduced Okada Naoyumi to Kawauchi Hane.

"This is Miss Horikita Makoto."

"Hello, President Okada..." Kawauchi Hane took the initiative to shake hands with Okada Naoyumi.

He then nodded at Horikita Makoto, whose eyes were slightly red; "I really enjoyed your performance in 'Always: Sunset on Third Street.'"

"Thank you..." Horikita Makoto nodded slightly, looking a bit shy.

"Mr. Kawauchi... This time, I have invited you here rather presumptuously... There is something I would like to discuss with you." After inviting everyone to sit down, Ueda Ken got straight to the point.

Kawauchi Hane nodded gently.

"Let me explain this matter." Okada Naoyumi took over the conversation.

"I hope that Miss Horikita can sign with you..." Okada Naoyumi's words did not surprise Kawauchi Hane.

From the moment he saw Horikita Makoto, he knew this would be the case.

"Why... You must know that Miss Horikita is currently at the beginning of her career, and she is doing very well. Changing agents would be a significant risk to her career... I don't want to hinder her." Kawauchi's attitude was very serious.

Okada Naoyumi glanced at Horikita Makoto beside her, wanting to say something, but Kawauchi Hane stopped her.

"I know this might be impolite... but I want to hear your true intentions. I don't believe in vague reasons like potential and foresight. I want to hear your real reasons." Kawauchi Hane's stance was clear, and his expression was stern.

Ueda Ken and Okada Naoyumi exchanged awkward glances, and finally, Ueda Ken spoke up.

"Mr. Kawauchi... It's like this... We value not only your personal talents and potential but also the connections behind you..." Before Ueda Ken finished speaking, Kawauchi Hane already understood his meaning and felt a bit puzzled...

These people were interested in the background behind him, which explained why the recent turmoil had such a significant impact... Someone must have been fueling the fire...

"I understand..." Kawauchi Hane nodded gently. Okada Naoyumi had been watching Kawauchi Hane closely, hoping to see some reaction on his face, but she was disappointed. Kawauchi Hane's expression remained very calm.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Kawauchi..." Ueda Ken apologized with a full heart.

"It's nothing... Ms. Okada, do you really want Miss Horikita to sign with me?" Kawauchi Hane shifted his gaze to Okada Naoyumi.

Okada Naoyumi hesitated slightly and said, "Yes, I hope she can sign with you."

Kawauchi Hane's lips curled into a bitter smile. He glanced at Horikita Makoto, whose eyes were slightly red, and his heart stirred.

"Miss Horikita looks like she's about to cry... It seems she doesn't want to sign with me. Miss Horikita, don't worry... I won't sign with you if you don't agree." Kawauchi Hane focused on Horikita Makoto, who had been listening quietly.

Horikita Makoto was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected Kawauchi Hane to speak to her directly.

Actually, she had been reluctant to speak to Kawauchi Hane... But after seeing his final speech backstage, she couldn't bear to refuse this man who didn't seem much older than herself.

"I don't oppose signing with you..." Horikita Makoto glanced at Kawauchi Hane, then lowered her head.

Okada Naoyumi, sitting in front of her, smiled slightly.

"Ms. Okada, Miss Horikita... I think you should reconsider... My current focus will definitely be on those few girls... This might delay Miss Horikita's career, and since her career is already on the rise, changing agents might have a negative impact on her and her related partners... Please consider carefully..." Kawauchi Hane declined again, but this did not make Okada Naoyumi and the others think he was indecisive; instead, they found him very thoughtful and responsible... Kawauchi Hane would probably be frustrated if he knew this... He really didn't want to sign with Horikita Makoto.

"If Mr. Kawauchi declines again, it will be seen as a lack of respect for our SWEETPOWER agency... And if this gets out, it might greatly damage Miss Horikita's confidence..." Okada Naoyumi stared straight at Kawauchi Hane.

Kawauchi Hane felt uncomfortable under her gaze, "Alright... But I have a few conditions."

"Please, Mr. Kawauchi..."

Kawauchi Hane glanced at Horikita Makoto and said, "First, once Miss Horikita signs with me, except for necessary work matters, I will have the final say in her personal image and packaging. You cannot interfere for any reason."

Okada Naoyumi thought for a moment and nodded gently.

"Second, I don't know what agreement your agency has with Mr. Ueda, and I don't want to ask... But if we collaborate, I hope you can give priority to my artists." Kawauchi Hane continued.

"Do the artists under your management include the three girls from AKB48 and Miss Aragaki?" Okada Naoyumi asked.

When Kawauchi Hane heard Okada Naoyumi refer to the "three girls from AKB48," he felt a bit displeased and frowned, "I hope that next time, Ms. Okada and everyone else can call my other signed artists by their surnames or names... Even though they are still unknown, I hope they can receive the respect they deserve."

Okada Naoyumi's face turned slightly red, and she felt a bit angry, "I'm sorry, Mr. Kawauchi... It was my mistake... Please state your third condition."

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