"Three times left, three times right, then clockwise up and then down…"
Hasegawa Saori guided his hands, drawing circles back and forth in front of her. Shiratori Seiya followed the movements of her hands, turning a few times until he had completely learned it. Saori had probably been troubled by this matter for a long time, so her tone and movements were very serious and focused when she spoke—as if she were performing a sacred ritual rather than a dubious beauty regimen.
Shiratori Seiya felt that her level of concentration was similar to when they practiced kendo, perhaps even more serious? The intensity in her eyes, the furrow of her brow—she approached this task with the same dedication she brought to perfecting her strikes.
However, after a series of movements, Hasegawa Saori looked down at the two treasures in front of her for a while, a hesitant expression appearing in her eyes. Then, she looked up at Shiratori Seiya, asking with some uncertainty: "Seiya, do you think they've gotten bigger?"
"…"
Meeting her expectant gaze, Shiratori Seiya nodded reassuringly: "They've gotten bigger, right? But this isn't something that happens in a day or two…"
Hearing this, Hasegawa Saori's eyes went blank for a moment, then she nodded vigorously and said, "Then it seems I'll have to do it often from now on!"
"…"
For a moment, Shiratori Seiya regretted encouraging her. After some thought, he advised, "Saori, you still need to go home and rest at night, don't you? Last night was a special circumstance. After all, we're not married yet, so it's not good to keep doing this."
"Eh? But Seiya's illness isn't cured yet, is it? Saori can't go back until Seiya is well…"
"I'm already well." Shiratori Seiya said, grabbing her hand and placing it on his forehead, looking into her eyes and saying, "See, I'm already well. It was just a small cold after all."
She touched Shiratori Seiya's forehead with her finger, then, imitating a TV drama, she compared his temperature to her own. Saori's face showed a regretful expression as she said, "Alright…"
"But Seiya, you like big ones, right? If Saori stays like this, will Seiya still like her?" She said, biting her lip lightly, her face full of dejection. The vulnerability in her voice cut through him like a blade.
Shiratori Seiya was stunned, completely not expecting Saori to say this. In fact, leaving Takahashi Mio aside, the only other person he had touched besides Saori was Shione. It must be said that Shione's chest was indeed much deeper and broader than Saori's, probably to the extent that it would take two hands to cup them. And Shione's waist was very slender, her buttock shape was also very beautiful, truly the peach-buttock type, with well-proportioned legs, a perfect golden ratio from top to bottom.
Shiratori Seiya subconsciously recalled his past days with Shione, when she would occasionally sit on him, and he could fully feel her delicate fullness… The memory rose unbidden, vivid and warm, stirring something he'd rather keep buried.
"Seiya? Seiya?" Seeing Shiratori Seiya's eyes lose focus, Hasegawa Saori blinked and called his name twice.
"Ah, what is it, Saori?"
"Are you thinking about them?"
"Ah, no…" Shiratori Seiya instinctively denied it, then felt guilty for the lie he had told. Before Saori could speak, he threw back the covers and said, "Alright, let's get up."
"Oh."
"…"
After washing up, Shiratori Seiya cleared his throat. Although his voice wasn't as hoarse as yesterday, his throat still ached a bit, and one side of his nose was still blocked. That's how colds are—you just have to wait for them to get better on their own.
Speaking of which, only Saori would believe that a cold would get better if your head temperature was roughly normal. But this was also normal, after all, he and Saori had known each other for so many years and he had never seen her get sick, so he could only marvel at her unusually strong physique.
For breakfast, he simply fried a bag of toast and a few eggs, and heated a carton of milk to make do. The simple meal felt almost domestic—two people sharing a quiet morning, the sun slanting through the windows, the scent of toast and coffee filling the air.
While Hasegawa Saori was clearing the dishes, Shiratori Seiya sat at the table and began to think about his next steps, as usual.
First and foremost was Mio's acting career. However, both her training and improvement, as well as her upcoming acting projects, had already been planned in advance; he just needed to follow the plan. Then there was the matter of his school exams this semester. But to be honest, too much had happened to him this semester, so much so that he hadn't completed the part of his original plan related to studying.
Ultimately, Saori and Shione's affairs had taken up too much of his time. This was probably what they meant by 'plans can't keep up with changes.' Of course, there was still plenty of time until the exams in February; at least passing the final exams wouldn't be a problem.
However, compared to the above, Shiratori Seiya was more interested in the 'money-making business' that Fujikawa Shunpei had mentioned to him yesterday. Unlike him, who was currently studying in school, Fujikawa Shunpei had been working in the workplace for many years, and at over forty years old, he had long since established himself in society.
What was more interesting was that he had now risen to the position of a television Producer. To be in this position and still not be satisfied, and to be able to propose a money-making business, Shiratori Seiya felt it couldn't be small-time.
Although he could still make money by following the established path, if he wanted to establish himself in Tokyo after graduating from university, he absolutely couldn't give up any opportunity to make money. Especially now that he had Saori and Mio to support. Mio, of course, goes without saying; whether it was packaging her or providing for her life later, it would not be a small expense.
As for Saori… compared to Mio, she hadn't asked him for anything, but precisely because of this, Shiratori Seiya had even less way to fool her, less way to fool her genuine feelings for him. The weight of her wordless devotion pressed on him like a physical force, demanding that he be worthy of her trust.
It was shameful to admit, when Saori and he were dating, he rarely took her shopping, and rarely took her out to play. They had only been to an amusement park once, and never gone on a trip. The only gifts he had given her were lipsticks, and no perfume… At least he should buy her an apartment in Tokyo and save some money for her. The less she asked, the more Shiratori Seiya wanted to give—a strange alchemy of guilt and affection that transformed her selflessness into his determination.
As for the second person he would bind, as things stood, Shiratori Seiya believed there was no better choice than Shione, apart from herself. Although he couldn't be sure if her emotions would again focus on her career after binding her again, after half a year apart, her personality had changed a lot.
Perhaps by utilizing a reward-based psychological mechanism, he could guide her to focus on her career…
Shiratori Seiya considered all possible money-making channels, and finally his thoughts returned to Fujikawa Shunpei. Of course, he didn't rule out that Fujikawa Shunpei might have set some kind of trap for him, intending to use him to make money…
Shiratori Seiya clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and rested his forehead on them, deep in thought for a long time. The silence of the room wrapped around him like a blanket, broken only by the soft sounds of Saori's movements nearby. After a full ten minutes, he opened his eyes, glanced at Hasegawa Saori, who was standing by the table pondering the calming incense, then averted his gaze. He took out his phone and called Fujikawa Shunpei.
Presumably, he had stayed up all night drinking with the crew again, as the first call didn't connect. Shiratori Seiya called again. It wasn't until the third try that it finally connected.
"Hello?" As Shiratori Seiya had expected, Fujikawa Shunpei's voice was hoarse and muddled, clearly not fully awake.
"It's me, Shiratori Seiya."
"Ah… just a moment." Fujikawa Shunpei responded, rubbed his temples, took the hangover soup his wife handed him, and took a sip. Feeling his consciousness clear, he then smiled and said, "Shiratori-kun, I drank too late with Sakai and the others last night, I'm sorry…"
Hearing him speak so politely, Shiratori Seiya unconsciously narrowed his eyes. Japanese workplace society places great emphasis on 'seniority' and 'rank.' Considering their respective statuses, he felt that Fujikawa Shunpei didn't need to be so polite with him. After some thought, Shiratori Seiya also said with a smile, "Producer Fujikawa, I should be the one apologizing. I wasn't feeling well yesterday and spoiled everyone's fun."
"Shiratori-kun shouldn't say such things. In fact, everyone understands. After all, anyone can get sick. You weren't there yesterday, so you don't know, but we talked about you…" He paused, then Fujikawa Shunpei leaned against the headboard, lit a cigarette, and sighed, "Shiratori-kun, your talent is truly enviable."
In fact, although someone had mentioned Shiratori Seiya last night, it was only a word or two. The focus of the meal had largely revolved around Fujikawa. Moreover, Director Sakai Taji was relieved that Shiratori Seiya hadn't come. He just felt that with Shiratori Seiya, who couldn't drink, they definitely wouldn't have a good time.
Shiratori Seiya naturally knew that Fujikawa Shunpei was just being polite and didn't take it to heart. He politely exchanged a few words with him, and feeling that the atmosphere was sufficiently set, he directly asked, "By the way, Producer Fujikawa, I remember you told me yesterday before you left that there were some things to discuss. Do you still remember?"
Hearing this, Fujikawa Shunpei touched his chin. Shiratori Seiya's caution was somewhat unexpected to him. So young, yet he understood the ways of the workplace quite well. Shiratori Seiya didn't directly use the word 'business,' and even asked if he still remembered. This was clearly giving both parties a way out.
Fujikawa Shunpei thought for a moment and smiled, "Of course, there is indeed a profitable business. I was planning to ask Shiratori-kun when you would have time today so we could have a good chat."
"Hmm, I was also considering that. After all, Producer Fujikawa, you know I'm still in school, and besides writing scripts, I also have school matters to attend to…" First, he set the initiative for the meeting time on his side, then Shiratori Seiya continued, "So I looked at my weekly schedule, and unless it's next weekend, this week I only have time today."
"Is that so? Then let's arrange a time for this afternoon. The location will be…"
…
After hanging up the phone, Shiratori Seiya tidied up. He took Saori to eat hot pot for lunch, bought her some clothes, and after dropping her off at home, he headed towards the location arranged by Fujikawa Shunpei. Due to traffic, he arrived only twenty minutes before the agreed time this time. However, as soon as he sat down in his chair, he saw Fujikawa Shunpei walk into the restaurant.
Upon meeting, Fujikawa Shunpei's face showed an expression of 'I knew it.' He put down his briefcase, ordered coffee with the waiter, then looked at Shiratori Seiya and smiled, "I knew you'd be early."
"Isn't Producer Fujikawa the same?" Hearing this, Fujikawa Shunpei waved his hand and said, "Shiratori-kun, let's not address each other by our titles today."
"Alright." Shiratori Seiya gave him a deep look and nodded in agreement.
Seeing him nod, Fujikawa Shunpei took a sip of water, then, with a smile, stared at Shiratori Seiya for a while.
"Is there something wrong with my face?" Hearing him ask this, Fujikawa Shunpei stopped beating around the bush and directly asked, "Shiratori-kun, do you want to start a company?"