Tokyo Sick Girlfriend

Chapter 4 Brother-in-law, I'll take care of you!
Hojo Shione made a mistake: Shiratori Seiya didn't have the ability to compose songs, so making money by writing songs was simply impossible.

Only when the trainees' relevant skill levels continuously improve can they redeem the corresponding permissions.

Beginner level unlocks LV1, Apprentice level unlocks LV2, and Expert level unlocks LV3.

And so on, only when she reaches the perfect level will she have the opportunity to exchange for the LV5 masterpiece.

Moreover, it only unlocks the permissions; to actually obtain the full functionality, a large amount of money is still required.

A single song at LV3 costs 50 million yen, and even if the song performs as expected after its release, it takes time to recoup the investment.

For example, those songs I wrote for Hojo Shione before, judging from their current popularity, even if I sold the copyright, I could only barely afford a mediocre house in Tokyo, let alone live off them for the rest of my life.

Shiratori Seiya understood that love without material support is like a pile of loose sand; even if they did get married, how long could it last?

Moreover, people tend to like different people at different stages of their lives.

Just because 18-year-old Hojo Shione fell in love with him doesn't mean that she would fall in love with him at 28 or 38.

After deep reflection, Shiratori Seiya realized that he seemed to have been terribly wrong from the very beginning.

Hojo Shione didn't have any particularly grand dreams, nor did she reach the level of becoming a top star.

She seems to have an inexplicable obsession with relationships.

So much so that later on he devoted a lot of time to his relationship with me, often staring at me while singing, wanting to hang on me while resting, and even hoping to sleep with me every night.

Not only that, but later on she even used her singing practice time to study cooking and flower arranging.

Someone who didn't know better might think it was some kind of bride training program.

Shiratori Seiya thought that this was probably what it meant to have one's mind completely occupied by love.

It's easy to foresee that if she continues down this path, not only will she fail to make money, but her career will also be ruined.

After much consideration and several fruitless talks, Hojo Shione remained unchanged; her skill proficiency had not increased at all in two months, and even showed a tendency to regress.

Shiratori Seiya felt it was time to break up.
This is a good thing for both of them.

She can cultivate her next goal to make a lot of money and become Japan's richest person as soon as possible. Without the constraints of romance, she can also face reality and develop her career.

Shiratori Seiya left the other person with a breakup letter and a few songs before disappearing from their life.

They didn't tell each other which university they went to, and there wasn't even a single argument.

With her talent, even without her own songs, she could still become popular by singing other people's songs.

However, after two unfortunate encounters with the wrong people and setbacks, Shiratori Seiya was determined to find a like-minded mentor at university.

You don't need to be overly ambitious, but you must at least be obsessed with money.

After searching for a while, he met Mio Takahashi.

At first, Shiratori Seiya was only attracted by her S-class performance potential.

After exchanging 100,000 yen for the system's appraisal card, he discovered that Takahashi Mio was simply the perfect candidate for training.

Not very intelligent, likes to compare himself to others, has borrowed two million, is good-looking, has top-notch acting talent, and is single and has never been in a relationship...

This kind of woman is definitely not love-struck.

As for whether he dreams of becoming a star?

It doesn't matter, as long as she wants money.

If you guide her slowly, her desires will gradually push her to the highest point.

She will walk the path she wants to walk.

I'm absolutely certain I won't mess this up...

'Buzzing.'

As Shiratori Seiya was thinking, his phone, which was on the table, suddenly vibrated.

He snapped out of his daze, picked up his phone, and glanced at it. It was an unfamiliar number from Tokyo.

His brow furrowed, a sense of foreboding creeping over him. After a moment's hesitation, he pressed the call button.

He didn't speak, and the other person remained silent as well.

After a few seconds of this standoff, just as he was about to hang up, a soft voice came from the microphone.

"Brother-in-law?"

Shiratori Seiya's lips moved.

really.

That distinctive voice—you can tell who someone is even without hearing how they address themselves.

Hojo Suzune, Hojo Shione's younger sister, is one year younger than him and is a senior in high school this year.

"Brother-in-law? Brother?"

Not receiving a response, Hojo Suzune called his name twice more.

Still receiving no response, her voice became pitiful, even tinged with tears:
"If I don't say anything, are you going to hang up?"

Shiratori Seiya didn't answer, but asked directly, "How did you know my number?"

"Ah~ Brother-in-law, I haven't seen you for months, aren't you going to catch up first? You look so pitiful, Lingyin..."

She seemed to be really crying; the girl's sobbing could be heard through the microphone.

"It's a bit impolite to slurp noodles while making a phone call, isn't it? Ringtone."

He had barely finished speaking when the slurping sound on the other end of the phone abruptly stopped.

Then came the sound of a young girl's silvery laughter:

"Hehe, as expected of my brother-in-law, you're so clever. If it were my sister, she would definitely have been fooled by me."

"She might not be fooled by you, right? Maybe she loves you more?"

"Love more? Does that mean my brother-in-law loves me very much too?"

"It seems you've been doing really well in math lately, but that won't be of much use in a place like this. How did you get my phone number?"

"Yeah, I've been doing really well in math lately, so I should be able to easily get into the university where you are next year."

"If you get into my university, you're doomed. The principal will probably be jumping up and down in a panic."

Since he devoted almost all his attention to Hojo Shione during high school, Shiratori Seiya's studies were only mediocre.

With a deviation score of around 50, even with an exceptionally good performance in the college entrance examination, I barely managed to get into a mediocre public university.

"What does it matter? I don't like studying anyway, and I don't want to find a job in the future. Brother-in-law, will you support me?"

Unlike Hojo Shione's gentle and elegant voice, Hojo Suzune's voice sounds delicate and charming. If you're not on guard, it might seep into your bones and leave you feeling so alluring that it takes a long time to recover.

"I can't afford to support you. Also, you should change how you address me now. Your sister and I have peacefully broken up." "Really broken up!?"

Hojo Suzune's voice suddenly rose two octaves, causing Shiratori Seiya to frown and ask in confusion:

"You seem happy that your sister and I broke up?"

"Uh, no, I'm just a little surprised..."

Hojo Suzune put down her chopsticks, cleared her throat, and sighed:

"Ahem, how did you break up? What was the reason? Your relationship seemed so good..."

Unable to see Hojo Suzune's barely suppressed smile, Shiratori Seiya explained softly:
"It's nothing, we just broke up, a peaceful breakup."

"Really? But I've never heard my sister mention it before. I was wondering, she doesn't even seem to know which university you go to? She even went all over Kyoto during her recent vacation..."

"My sister is a bit silly; she doesn't even know you went to Tokyo too."

"..."

"However, I think they broke up. My sister has been listless lately, and her mental state is very bad. Even when she came back, Mom cooked a whole table of dishes, but she only ate one bite before going back to her room and crying. When we asked her what was wrong, she wouldn't say..."

"Brother-in-law, how could you be so heartless?"

"..."

Upon hearing Hojo Suzune's words, Shiratori Seiya closed his eyes, rubbed his temples, and said:

"Then you, as her younger sister, should try to persuade her to think more positively. It's just a breakup, not the end of the world. Don't do anything foolish that will harm your health."

"Can you still be friends after breaking up?"

Hojo Suzune blinked her bright eyes and asked tentatively.

"……Maybe."

"But if we can be friends, why change all our contact information? Brother-in-law, if the number I called you just now showed Kyoto as the source, you probably wouldn't have answered, right?"

"I just want us to cool off for a while."

"Okay, but it still sounds a bit cruel. Sigh, brother-in-law, if you do this, I won't dare to date anymore."

"If your sister said that about me, I would accept it."

"Huh? But I really do like guys like my brother-in-law. What if I can't control myself later? Aren't you going to take responsibility?"

"..."

Shiratori Seiya fell silent.

In fact, when he first met the two sisters, he did consider whether or not to train Hojo Suzune.

Her potential in playing musical instruments is also S-level, and when I met her, her piano skills were already at the proficient level.

But after thinking it over, Shiratori Seiya decided to give up.

On the one hand, it's because she's too young, and on the other hand, it's because the ability to monetize music in the short term can't compare to that of mainstream music.

Therefore, Hojo Shione was ultimately chosen...

Unconsciously, Shiratori Seiya's thoughts had drifted far away. He suddenly snapped back to reality and realized that she had led the conversation so far astray.

It must be admitted that unlike the love-obsessed Hojo Shione, this younger sister has a high IQ and EQ, and it's easy to be led astray by her.

"So, how exactly did you get my contact information?"

Seeing that there was no way to fool her, Hojo Suzune pursed her lips and said softly:

"I begged Ms. Mami to tell me. I even promised her I'd be in the top three of the grade in the next mock exam before she'd tell me..."

Did you tell your sister?

"No, since we've broken up, I think it's better to end it quickly than to suffer for a long time, right?"

"Yes, you should comfort her and help her get over it as soon as possible. At least make sure she eats and sleeps well..."

Upon hearing this, Hojo Suzune narrowed her eyes, pursed her pink lips, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.

"I think my sister would be even happier if she could hear you say it to her own ears."

If she heard that, she'd probably be even more unable to let it go.

When Shiratori Seiya thought of Hojo Shione's face and how she looked when she was crying, he suddenly lost his appetite.

"By the way, brother-in-law, did you know that my sister is having a concert in Tokyo next month?"

"know."

Of course he knew; he knew Hojo Shione's announcements better than anyone else, he was even more of a manager than her manager.

"Oh, are you going or not? If you are, I'll get you a ticket."

"no need."

Shiratori Seiya refused without even thinking.

He would go to the concert, after all, she was a singer he had nurtured all along, but if he asked Hojo Suzune to help him get tickets, she might find out.

"Also, don't call me brother-in-law."

"Okay, I got it, brother-in-law."

"...Is there anything else? If not, I'll hang up. I'm busy here."

"Busy? Isn't university supposed to be easy? You're not busy dating, are you?"

Whether it was Shiratori Seiya's imagination or not, he felt that Hojo Suzune's tone seemed a bit off.

"We've talked. Is there anything else?"

Hojo Suzune pursed her lips, not believing it at all, but saying aloud:
"Then you absolutely can't let your sister know where you are... otherwise, who knows what might happen?"

"She won't know if you don't tell her."

"Hehe, then you'd better try to please me, brother."

"What do you want, a specialty from Tokyo? I can send it to you..."

"Who wants local specialties? I'm not as greedy as my sister. I'll be on vacation soon, how about you take me to Tokyo then?"

"Oh, your girlfriend in Tokyo now shouldn't be jealous of a high school girl, right, brother?"

“…We’ll talk about it when the time comes.”

"Hehe, okay, it's still early anyway."

"Oh, right, brother-in-law, it's okay even if you don't have the money to support me and my sister. I'll definitely become famous in the future, and then supporting you will be a piece of cake."

……
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(End of this chapter)