I Will Do Everything In My Power To Bring Happiness To The Enchanting Beauty Who Can No Longer Smile. - Chapter 32: The Manager.

The Manager.

“Is this your first time in Tokyo, Shigure-kun?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that. Surprisingly, it actually is.”

The current location: Tokyo. The so-called big city. Tsubame’s mother had kindly driven us all the way here.

And as it turns out, this was my first time visiting Tokyo. It’s not that far from where I live, but perhaps that’s exactly why I never had a compelling reason to come. As a child, my family and I often talked about visiting someday, but that was as far as it ever went.

“I suppose the area we live in now is urban enough too… but Tokyo is on another level entirely.”

“It depends on the area. But yes, this part of Tokyo is especially metropolitan.”

The towering buildings and sheer number of people here are overwhelming—even just observing it all feels overpowering.

I pulled my gaze away from the cityscape and turned toward Tsubame.

“We’re heading to the agency first today, right?”

“Yeah. I need to talk with my manager for a bit.”

“…Are you really sure it’s okay for me to come along?”

“It’s fine. My manager already gave her approval. Actually, going to the agency today was her idea—she said she wanted to speak with you, Shigure-kun.”

I asked out of concern, but it really did seem like there was no issue. From their perspective, I was technically an outsider… potentially even a source of trouble.

“There’s no need to worry so much,” Tsubame’s mother reassured me gently. “Tsubame’s mentioned you to her manager before, and I’ve explained everything as well. Besides, Tsubame is one of the agency’s top models. They’re usually willing to accommodate her requests.”

“…But, well, I know it’s a little late to ask this, but… what about gossip and tabloids? Are we okay on that front?”

My question made Tsubame’s mother chuckle softly.

“Tsubame, you heard what he said. What do you think?”

“No problem. My manager said the same.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. Like I’ve mentioned before, I’m not exactly seen as a ‘woman’ by most of my fans. Plus, the agency knows how to handle those tabloid magazines that publish nonsense.”

That part, I’d heard from Tsubame before. But what came next was new.

“Also, times have changed. Not too long ago, things like ‘no dating’ rules were pretty strict. These days… well, they’re not gone, but they’re much more relaxed.”

“I see…”

“I’m also not the kind of model whose image is tightly controlled like that. And my manager’s good at dealing with the press.”

“Oh, really?”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice slightly—this was the first time I’d heard much about her manager.

“I saw her once, dealing with a reporter. She’s great at handling negotiations. When it’s a particularly nasty journalist who won’t play fair, she uses voice recorders and legal tactics to expose their wrongdoing. There’s actually a manager from another agency—an idol agency—who’s skilled in that kind of thing. She learned from them. That manager used to handle some really big-name idols, so they had to deal with a lot of media attention. Naturally, that meant dealing with both good and bad reporters.”

“Sounds like she’s incredibly capable.”

“She is. She even brings me better deals than the regular sales team. Honestly, she’s practically my personal agent at this point. And she’s a kind person.”

…A kind person, huh.

I hadn’t heard much about her before. But judging from what Tsubame said, she didn’t sound like a bad person at all. Yesterday, she even arranged the meeting with the doctor.

Well, either way—I’ll find out when I meet her. Seeing is believing, after all.

“Whoa…”

“This second floor is where they handle the modeling work. The other floors are for talent, actors, and actresses. The agency manages everything, but since it’s a big company, it’s all divided by department.”

Tsubame explained as she glanced at the directory near the entrance. I found myself murmuring in awe again—there was so much I didn’t know about her agency.

“I don’t really go to the other floors either. Everything I need is usually on the second floor. Ah…”

Tsubame suddenly looked toward the back of the lobby. I followed her gaze—and saw a woman approaching.

At first glance, I instinctively widened my eyes. She was slightly taller than me—probably around 180 centimeters. …Is she a model too?

She was so stunning that the thought naturally crossed my mind.

“That’s my manager.”

“…Huh?”

“Good morning, Tsubame-san. Sakura-san.”

Tsubame’s mother’s name is Sakura, by the way. I’ve always called her “Tsubame’s mom,” so using her given name now feels a bit strange.

Then the tall woman turned her gaze toward me.

“You must be Yukitsuki Shigure.”

“Y-Yes. Um… are you Tsubame’s manager?”

“Yes. I’m Usui Rinka, the exclusive manager for Sakakibara Tsubame.”

She handed me her business card as she introduced herself. Usui-san, huh.

“I’m Yukitsuki Shigure. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. It’s not ideal to talk out here, so let’s head into the office. It should be empty right now.”

“Got it. Let’s go, Shigure-kun.”

“…Tsubame?”

Tsubame suddenly squeezed my hand. The lobby wasn’t exactly crowded, but there were still people around.

People at the reception desk, those chatting nearby… all of them were glancing our way.

“Tsubame-san. Before we go, may I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“What does he mean to you?”

Usui-san stared intently at Tsubame. Tsubame looked at me for a moment, tightened her grip on my hand, then met Usui-san’s gaze and replied:

“He’s someone very important to me. So please treat him with that in mind.”

“…Understood. Shall we go, then?”

Usui-san began walking, and I followed as Tsubame led me by the hand. Her mother watched us with a warm, gentle expression.

As we passed through the hallway, everyone we passed seemed to stare and greet us, eyes following us closely as we headed up to the second floor.

“The office is on the right. The room on the left is for administrative work. No one should be in the office right now, but there’s a meeting room nearby we can use, just in case.”

Tsubame and the others probably already knew the layout, so this explanation was likely for my benefit.

We headed to the meeting room and stepped inside.

…As expected of a meeting room—it was quite a luxurious space. The sofa was huge.

“Please, have a seat. I’m afraid we only have bottled tea today, but we do have some quality sweets prepared.”

“N-No need to go out of your way…”

Usui-san pulled several bottles of tea from a small fridge and retrieved a long box from a shelf.

“Tsubame-san.”

“What is it?”

“I heard your sense of taste has returned. …I know I don’t have the right to say this, but… I’m truly happy for you.”

“Thank you, Usui-san.”

She took out some plates and opened the box inside—revealing a whole Baumkuchen cake.

“…!”

“It’s from Shinko Akitoraya. I remember giving it to you as a gift once, and you looked so sad then. You once told me you liked sweets, so I stood in line yesterday to buy this.”

“For me?”

“…Half of it. The other half is… a sort of atonement.”

Shinko Akitoraya—I’ve heard of it. A famous confectionery featured in magazines and on TV, known for attracting long lines.

And those last words were spoken softly. Tsubame opened her mouth to reply, but Usui-san continued first.

“I’ve also heard your taste isn’t fully recovered yet. When it is, I’ll bring you another.”

“…Thank you so much, Usui-san.”

“And truly—thank you for everything. Also, I’m sorry for the sudden call-off yesterday.”

“Please, don’t worry about it. Nothing matters more than your daughter regaining her taste. …Also, this Baumkuchen is quite large, so feel free to take any leftovers home. Think of it as a little apology.”

Usui-san sliced the cake and served it onto plates. …She really doesn’t seem like a bad person.

“Also—thank you for earlier as well, Usui-san.”

“It was something we had discussed ahead of time. Don’t mention it.”

“…Huh? What do you mean?”

I couldn’t help but ask. She must have been referring to that earlier exchange—when she asked what I meant to Tsubame.

As I pondered, Usui-san offered a calm explanation.

“Regardless of the tabloids, people have noticed a man around Tsubame-san lately. Are you aware of that?”

“Ah, yes. I’ve heard.”

Unlike earlier, her tone was more casual—this was likely her natural demeanor. Honestly, it made things easier for me.

“It’s been a topic inside the agency too. A lot of people have asked me directly. We can’t keep hiding it forever. So, we needed to clarify your position.”

“He’s someone very important to me. That way, even if Shigure-kun stays by my side, he won’t be treated unfairly.”

“We can’t do it today, but eventually he might accompany you to the studio. That moment earlier was necessary groundwork. Tsubame-san told me as much.”

…So that’s what it was. I see now.

“Of course, I’ll make sure you aren’t inconvenienced. We’ll keep the reporters in check. If a freelance journalist happens to barge in, I’ll be the one to deal with it.”

“Y-You’d go that far for me?”

“As a manager, my capabilities are limited. Precisely because of that, I have to give my utmost within those limits. Especially as a dedicated manager, I can focus on just one person or one group… That’s something a very important person once taught me.”

Usui-san looked straight at me—her gaze unwavering and sincere.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ve always been able to live up to everything I’ve promised. …There have been many times I’ve fallen short. That’s my own inadequacy. So let me apologize in advance. I’m sorry.”

“N-No, just hearing you say that means a lot to me.”

Usui-san bowed her head and said “thank you.” …She’s far more thoughtful and full of heart than I’d imagined.

Tsubame was watching her quietly, as if trying to take it all in.

“Usui-san… have you changed a bit?”

“I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. …I have my own regrets too.”

A shadow fell across Usui-san’s expression. …Regrets. I didn’t know what she was referring to. Tsubame seemed just as puzzled, tilting her head slightly.

“…Ah, but we’ve been talking too much. You should try the baumkuchen. It’s really good.”

“Okay. Thank you, Usui-san.”

At that moment—finally—Tsubame let go of my hand. We’d been holding hands the entire time.

But instead, she shifted her position and leaned right up against me.

“…Tsubame, you’re a little too…”

“…?”

“No, I don’t mean you’re too far. It’s the opposite.”

I tried to hint at it gently, but for some reason, Tsubame moved even closer. From zero distance to negative—she was practically leaning on me.

“Opposite?”

“Y-You’re too close.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I do… Plus, it makes it hard to eat.”

“It’s a little harder, yes. But I’m happier this way.”

The corner of Tsubame’s lips curled up ever so slightly. …It felt nostalgic. Back in elementary school, she used to do the same thing—hugging me with that same expression whenever I got shy.

She really loves these kinds of playful antics.

“…It feels like it’s been a long time since I saw Tsubame-san smile like that. Are they always like this?”

“Fufu, yes. They’re very close.”

Seeing that, Usui-san’s eyes widened, and Tsubame’s mother laughed warmly.

Then we all tried the baumkuchen… Moist, richly sweet, and incredibly delicious. It melted softly in the mouth.

Tsubame, though her sense of taste was still dull, seemed to be enjoying the sweetness and ate it with delight. She even went back for seconds. Usui-san watched her with a warm, contented smile.