The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best

A certain program producer was at a loss after receiving a call from a major talent agency.

“Replacing someone now…”

Yes, she is Kimino Eiko, the producer of the year-end music program “King of Songs Night.” She is 37 years old and has a 14-year-old daughter named Karin.

As is customary every year, the negotiations for appearances with 40 groups, including the major traditional-style Japanese popular ballad singer Houjou Mariko, popular singer Ueshima Yukimi, top idols Hoshino Hikari and Tsukikage Yozora, the popular band group YOARUKI, and Awatsu Motoko, who transitioned from being a netTube streamer to a singer, were completed by the end of November.

When it was decided that Sawakaze Kazuya, who has now become a super popular male idol and is being pulled in various programs, would appear, it felt like I was on cloud nine.

Until I received a phone call that day…

“Why…”

It was about Houjou Mariko, the major traditional-style Japanese popular ballad singer who was supposed to be the grand finale, getting seriously injured and hospitalized during the recording of a hidden talent show. Despite her age (late 60s), she attempted an escape magic trick and failed. Compared to the producers of that show, it’s still better, but just thinking about how to fill this gap (being the grand finale, it had the airtime of two people) gives me a headache.

The timing is bad. Today is a Happy Day, and there are only five days left until the show airs.

From Happy Day to the New Year’s holiday, there are many events, so popular singers probably won’t have any free time in their schedules.

That said, our standards (King of Songs Night) are not low enough to let an unknown newcomer perform.

“Haah, I guess I have no choice but to try everything…”

*****

“As expected…”

Due to the emergency situation, we reached out to all the candidates we had in mind, including popular singers, band groups, and even idol groups, but we received rejection replies saying that their schedules were all full.

Of course, it’s us who are being unreasonable.

There’s no way they would approach a singer who isn’t getting any work at this time for an appearance.

Clunk.

To change my mood for a moment, I bought a can of coffee from the vending machine, sat down on the lobby chair, and took a sip of the coffee.

“…Phew… I’ll have the MC do their best with the talk, and then…”

It’s really disappointing for me since it’s the show that wraps up my year.

Due to my profession, whenever I have even a little bit of time, I can’t help but check my smartphone for the trending music rankings on netTube.

“Huh?”

At that time, I was holding a can of coffee in one hand, so I was operating my smartphone with one hand.

The live ranking that I happened to come across there.

“The Masaka Company idol group… Eh!?”

I was surprised when I saw the thumbnail at the top.

“Masaka Company Idol Group. Happy Day Event! Four Ears Singing Contest. Special guests will also be coming.” The viewer count is displaying an unbelievable number of 2 million. Moreover, that number continues to increase.

*****

“That’s great! Really great!”

“Four Ears.” These kids are going to be popular. My intuition tells me so. We should negotiate for their appearance.

But more than that, the Armed Girls. Taketo, the vocalist, easily stole my heart, which, due to my profession, I was not allowed to become a fan of anyone.

I fell for his beauty and singing voice, despite my age.

It’s fine if he has a bad personality like Sawakaze Kazuya. I will support him.

“Taketo-sama…”

I immediately subscribed to the Armed Girls channel from the overview. I was disappointed to find that there were only three videos uploaded, but that thought vanished as soon as I played “By Your Side,” and I was instantly captivated by that video.

“Damn it…”

When I was suddenly struck by the time after repeatedly watching “By Your Side” and “A Smile to You,” it was already 11 PM. There’s no way I can negotiate an appearance at this hour.

The day after I quietly returned home, I immediately moved to negotiate an appearance.

“Four Ears” has an affiliated agency, so we were able to contact them immediately and received approval to appear.

The problem is the Armed Girls. After looking into it, it seems she still doesn’t belong to any agency.

Why? Once I start questioning, more questions arise one after another, and then I remember, “Oh, right.”

Armed girls are nothing special. They’re just copying Sawakaze Kazuya. They’re getting views because they’re male. Their singing is terrible, etc…

I often heard such rumors within the TV station, so even when I saw it in the top rankings, I thought it was because he was a man who was at the top, and I had no desire to watch it.

I was raised not to expect anything from men, but I regret not taking rumors with a grain of salt.

“Please, Taketo-sama.”

Desperate, I sent comments offering to appear in all the videos (there are only three) and waited for a response… but no reply came.

“Maybe, just maybe, they haven’t seen it yet…”

Contrary to my expectations, I didn’t receive a reply the next day (the 27th) either.

Since I wanted a response right away, was it wrong to ask for a reply on the same day I sent the message? Just when I started to think that, I noticed they also have an account. And they even uploaded photos.

Taketo-sama… even though you’re still a student, how alluring you are…

If I were ten years younger… No, that’s not it. What am I thinking? Shaking my head to dispel the stray thoughts, I quickly send a DM to that person as well.

“I wonder if it’s no good…”

I didn’t get a reply from you either.

“Yeah, that’s right…”

I had been too carried away. Just like Sawakaze Kazuya, men are indeed difficult to deal with. The next day (the 28th), when I had almost given up hope, a reply came. It was a short message saying he would appear, but I couldn’t help but jump for joy, despite my age.