In This World That Favors Men, I... ~Starting a Sweet School Life in a World With a 1:8 Gender Ratio~ - 72

Chapter 72: The Rumored Pudding

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After changing into my casual clothes, I headed down to the living room, where I found two familiar women waiting.

“Yuusei-kun, long time no see!”

“Thank you for having us today.”

It was Yoriko Rokkaku-san and Jun Tsuitsui-san, whom I’d met during the planned ski trip. Unlike back then, both of them were dressed today in sharp pantsuits. Since I was invited to join them, I took a seat in the single chair across from the sofa where they were sitting.

“Yoriko-san, Jun-san. What brings you here today?”

“Do you remember, Yuusei-kun? During the ski trip, we talked about EXA’s new product, didn’t we? We’re here to follow up on that discussion.”

“My visit also has to do with that.”

Ah, right. The thing from Pudding Quest.

“We immediately pitched the idea in the company, and the green light was given in no time. So, we’re going to hold a secret audition very soon.”

“Huh…”

“The target for the audition is amateurs or relatively fresh-faced young men around eighteen years old. That’s why we really want you to participate, Yuusei-kun.”

“Some of the participants have already been selected through talent agencies, but personally, you’re my top pick, Yuusei-kun. So, pretty please?”

Even if you say that… Showbiz? I wasn’t interested in that kind of thing at all.

“If there are other candidates, then I don’t see why I need to—”

–participate, right? That’s what I was going to say.

“Image is everything when it comes to commercials. This new ‘Ultimate Hexagon Pudding’ is a product EXA is extremely confident in. We’re expecting a huge hit.”

“If it’s that important of a product, then wouldn’t it be even more inappropriate for someone like me, a complete amateur, to be involved in it…?”

“The problem is, we can’t find anyone who fits the image. Not at all. We’ve gone through all the profiles the casting agencies sent, and there’s no one—no one—who embodies the elegant sweetness of the ‘Ultimate Hexagon Pudding,’ the rich vanilla aroma that spreads in your mouth, or the unprecedented deliciousness that surpasses the limits of convenience store sweets like you do, Yuusei-kun!!”

Ah… She flipped the strange switch inside her again, didn’t she?

“Exactly. Given our line of work, we’ve reviewed every rising male talent and rookie out there. But not a single one stands out. There’ve been a few lucky years for female talent lately, but for men, it’s been a drought.”

Jun-san leaned forward as she said that.

“But I’m really not interested in a career in the entertainment business…”

“That’s what everyone says at first. Especially guys—most have lived protected lives and aren’t used to stepping out of their comfort zones. But once they start working, they all say it’s fun, rewarding, and exciting.”

No, thanks. I just want a normal life. A cute wife or two, some delicious meals… That’s all I need.

“The audition is simple, really. Just a casual interview and a photo shoot. We just want to see how well you match the product image. So don’t stress about it.”

That’s not really the point…

“You’re naturally super handsome, Yuusei-kun, so you just need to show up as you are. If that’s still too much trouble, we could even arrange transportation for you. Would that help?”

“That’s a good idea. If needed, we could send someone from our agency to pick you up. Should we do that?”

Even Jun-san had flipped her switch on.

“Honestly, I’d feel more comfortable having you join Youshun Agency from the start. Better than letting some shady agent snatch you away.”

This is starting to sound like I’m going to get kidnapped on the day of the audition. Isn’t that a little dangerous?

“Um…”

“Oh, right! We brought samples to get you interested in the product. Yuusei-kun, want to try some?”

“Samples? Of the Ultimate Hexagon Pudding?”

“Of course! EXA’s Luxury Sweets First Edition—The Favorite of Handsome Men! ♡ Everyone’s Smiling ‘Ultimate Hexagon Pudding’!”

《PON!》

《Pudding Quest “Let’s Promote the Ultimate Hexagon Pudding” Part ① “Taste the Ultimate Hexagon Pudding” has begun. Enjoy this delicious pudding and take part in the audition!》

Hey, hey! Don’t start the quest on your own! I said I’d think about it! Think about it!

“I heard from your mother earlier that your little sister also loves pudding. That’s wonderful. We brought plenty, so please enjoy them with your mother and sister.”

They’re so pushy!!

For now, I decided not to give a clear answer. I called Yui down so we could all try the Ultimate Hexagon Pudding together.

“Wow, this is so fancy and it looks delicious too!”

“A tall container like this is pretty unusual for a convenience store sweet.”

Inside a clear hexagonal container was a richly colored caramel sauce and beautifully golden pudding. If you took off the gold foil seal, you might not even realize it was a convenience store product.

“This product puts great importance on the container, too. The name ‘EXA’ comes from the French word for hexagon, hexagone. This pudding is expected to become the flagship product of EXA… It reflects those hopes.”

“That’s what ‘EXA’ means? Now that you mention it, the convenience store’s logo has a hexagon too.”

“Oh, that. EXA is under the Hexagon Holdings umbrella. All their company logos are based on hexagonal designs.”

Hexagon Holdings… If I remembered correctly, that company was famous in distribution, online banking, and online supermarkets.

“Wait, Yoriko-san… Your surname is ‘Rokkaku,’ right? Does that mean…?”

“Yes. Yoriko-san is a direct descendant of the founding family of what used to be the Rokkaku Group, which later became Hexagon Holdings. She’s actually a future major shareholder—an actual rich young lady. Surprising, right?”

“Jun! I told you not to say that!”

“Sorry, sorry. But I couldn’t lie and it’s only a matter of time before someone figures it out. ‘Rokkaku’ is a rare name, after all.”

“That may be true, but… I didn’t want Yuusei-kun to have any preconception about me. Geez!”

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