My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

"Hey~ Can I meet the producer today?"

Hina's eyes lit up, and she whispered excitedly, "That's great! He seems to have a knack for talking to girls. I want to discuss with him how to start a conversation with my sister."

Hina's lighthearted tone made Maya laugh, and she gently reminded her.

"Haha, Hina-kun, the producer might not have time. After all, there are many idols to manage. There are four or five idols at Hatsuhoshi Academy, and we can only see them occasionally. But that's good, having more idols means we won't have too much pressure."

Maya's words eased the atmosphere somewhat, while Aya hesitated slightly before lowering her head, seemingly gathering her courage before speaking.

"...Um...I don't know if everyone has time...I couldn't go to the festival with everyone last time, but since the producer is here today, how about a team-building activity? It'll also be a good opportunity for Hina-chan to discuss her sister's matter with the producer."

"That's right! Samurai also celebrate their victories with drinks!"

Eve clenched her fists, looking very serious. "Everyone has been working really hard lately, we should celebrate!"

"Alright, ladies, it's time for class."

The coach clapped his hands, his expression serious yet kind, and reminded her, "Especially Cai, you still have a lot of projects to finish. Celebrating is important, but don't discuss it now, or I'll have to keep you behind for extra tutoring."

Upon hearing this, Maruyama Aya panicked slightly, her cheeks flushed, and she quickly straightened up.

"Yes, sorry!"

Her slightly nervous appearance made Hina chuckle softly, but she didn't say anything more.

The following practice session lasted for more than an hour in a relaxed yet serious atmosphere.

"Very good, we have basically achieved today's targets."

The coach checked the time and nodded in satisfaction. "Cai did well too, her progress is obvious. However, you still need to be more in sync with everyone. As the lead singer standing at the front, you must strive for perfection, so I will be stricter with you. You need to practice more in private."

"Yes!"

Maruyama Aya nodded in agreement, a little embarrassed, but her eyes shone with determination.

"That concludes today's practice. Everyone, remember to head to the agency; don't forget the producer has something to tell you."

"Yes!"

The four answered in unison, their voices filled with barely concealed anticipation.

As the coach left, the tense atmosphere in the practice room eased, and everyone took out dry towels from their backpacks to wipe their sweat and casually sat on the floor to catch their breath and rest.

"Speaking of which..."

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Yamato Maya suddenly spoke up, "This morning, a colleague at the agency told me an interesting story. They said the agency seems to have received new investment, and it's rumored to be related to Toyokawa-san. Apparently, Toyokawa-san is actually the daughter of the Toyokawa Zaibatsu."

Hina tilted her head in confusion.

"Huh? I'm not quite sure, but they seem really rich. Why would someone from such a wealthy family have to work?"

Maya nodded and continued.

"Yeah, and don't you find it strange? She's clearly the daughter of a wealthy family, yet she comes to study at Haneoka. Normally, someone of her status should be going to Tsuki no Mori, right?"

Maruyama Aya then thought of a blonde heiress at her school who always seemed to flip over in the hallways and jump from the third floor without getting hurt, always smiling. "...Well, you never know... Rich people's tastes are hard to define..."

"That's right."

Maya shrugged, then lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "However... there's another rumor that our producer is going to become the son-in-law of the Toyokawa family."

"Hey?!"

Maruyama Aya was shocked upon hearing this, her eyes widening in astonishment.

Seeing this, Hina immediately grinned mischievously and leaned over, gently nudging Aya's arm with her elbow.

"Oh dear, isn't Xiao Cai's reaction a bit too much?"

"No... I, I just..."

Cai waved her hands in a flustered manner, her voice broken and hesitant, "If... if we go to such a big conglomerate... will our agency be abandoned...? And... our career has only become so successful since we met the producer... I'm a little reluctant to leave..."

"Well, I'm a little reluctant to part with it too."

Japanese girl spread her hands, maintaining her relaxed and cheerful demeanor, and said with a grin, "Actually, I quite like the producer. If I were to find a boyfriend, someone like the producer would be nice~~"

"Hina-kun!"

Maya scratched her cheek awkwardly, giving a wry smile as she advised, "Never say things like that in front of everyone, otherwise... you and the producer will be the subject of rumors..."

"Yes, yes!"

Cai quickly nodded in agreement, her cheeks flushing again. "Idols absolutely cannot talk about dating or marriage. Even if they do... they have to say they like their fans!"

"G is so troublesome..."

. .

Inside the firm's meeting room.

The conference room door opened, and Asahi and Chisato, who had just finished filming the exterior scenes, walked in side by side. As soon as they entered, Hina immediately complained with a grin.

"It's so slow~ Producer, Chisato-chan! We've been waiting for ages!"

Faced with Hinata's harmless complaint, Chisato quickly stopped and put his hands together apologetically.

"I'm sorry... the outdoor photographer was a bit too focused on details, taking one set of photos over and over again, which delayed the shoot."

As soon as she finished speaking, she raised the paper bag in her hand, a faint smile appearing on her face. "However, I brought back cream puffs and milk tea this time. Everyone just finished training, you must be very tired, right? Although idols need to manage their figures, I think it's okay to relax occasionally, right, producer?"

"Yes, everyone has always been very good at maintaining their figures, but I don't like people who are too thin."

Chaoyang smiled and nodded, glancing around. "It's okay to eat high-calorie foods occasionally. Let's eat while we have the meeting today."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Originally, I hoped all the idols could come together, but because Chuxing's practice location is different from yours, I had to notify them separately. Okay, Qiansheng, please sit down."

Qian Sheng nodded slightly after hearing this and gracefully sat down in the chair next to Chaoyang. As cream puffs and milk tea were distributed to the table, the atmosphere in the meeting room became much more relaxed, and the aroma of desserts filled the air, dispelling the fatigue from before.

Chaoyang coughed lightly, attracting everyone's attention, and his tone became slightly serious.

"...Um, well, you've probably all heard some rumors, right? But let's put the gossip aside for now. Today I want to confirm one thing: the agency has indeed received new investment. That's a fact, so we'll be expanding our operations... Of course, this has nothing to do with you guys... I'm planning to create a special online variety show for you... After that, we'll restart the trainee program and select promising talents to form your sisterhood. But that's all for later. You'll be getting busier and busier, so be prepared! You'd better make a lot of money for me!"

"Hey... Producer, how can you speak so bluntly?"

Qian Sheng immediately pinched Chao Yang and gave him a disapproving reminder.

At this moment, the perceptive Hina directly voiced her feelings.

"Huh? Aren't Chisato and the producer being a little too close...? Could they be dating?"

Chapter 182 Watch Your Talk! I'm a senior! (Qian Sheng, Xiang Zi)

The air seemed to freeze for a moment as soon as he finished speaking. Qian Sheng paused for a moment, but quickly regained his smile and said with a light laugh.

"Hehe, Hina-chan, I just can't do anything with you. But you can't just say these kinds of jokes in front of outsiders. It's not just my job, it will affect all the members of Pastel*, and even the agency."

She maintained her smile as she spoke, but it was a classic forced smile that made Maruyama Aya and Yamato Maya clearly sense her dissatisfaction and hidden anger.

"Nina-chan! No, please don't say things like that again!"

Upon seeing this, Maya immediately stepped forward and tried to gag Hina.

Hina blinked innocently, and before she could refute, Asahi teased her, half-jokingly saying...

"Well... I'd be really happy to date Chisato. Chisato, why don't you actually go on a date with me?"

"Seriously, even the producer is spouting nonsense..."

Qian Sheng sighed helplessly and frowned slightly. "I'm really going to get angry."

Chaoyang pretended to be sad, covering her face with her hands and feigning tears.

"Waaaaah... Xiao Cai, please comfort me! I was rejected by Qian Sheng, I'm so sad O(ini)O..."

As he spoke, he lay down directly on Maruyama Aya's lap, who was sitting closest to him, and nuzzled against her with his head.

"Hey!? Wait, wait a minute! Producer, no, don't rub against my legs!"

Maruyama Aya's face immediately turned as red as a ripe persimmon. She was at a loss, not knowing whether to push him or not, and was completely flustered.

"It's about time to stop!"

Qian Sheng suddenly grabbed Chao Yang by the collar and pulled him up, her voice filled with anger, "Producer, this is already considered sexual harassment of an idol!"

"Hmm... I also think the producer's behavior just now was inappropriate..."

Yamato Maya shrank back slightly and added in a low voice.

Eve, standing to the side, raised her hand seriously and said solemnly.

"This is not in accordance with the way of the samurai!"

As the firepower was focused on Asahi, Hina remained relaxed and spoke with a grin.

"Hmm? Is this not enough? You guys are so stingy~ After all, we're always taken care of by the producer, so this is alright, isn't it? Want to rub against my leg? Or how about a lap pillow?"

"Ah, well, it's not impossible!"

Maruyama Aya lowered her head in a panic, her cheeks flushed, her pupils almost turning into mosquito coils, and she added in a trembling voice, "If... if no one sees us in private... or, perhaps... it's possible..."

“Hmm…”

Seeing the atmosphere getting increasingly out of control, Chaoyang was about to speak up to ease the situation when he heard Qiansheng say in a calm but undeniable tone, "Everyone, please calm down... The topic is getting further and further off track. Producer... could you please leave for a moment?"

Although Qian Sheng's tone seemed to be asking a question, Chao Yang knew he had no room to refuse. He could only stand up helplessly, shrug, and walk towards the door.

. .

"Chisato, needless to say, is already 95... Aya is 60, and Hinata is 65..."

Chaoyang glanced at the data and muttered to himself, "With a little more effort, I feel like we could throw a silver party..."

Just as he was pondering something, the meeting room door opened, and Pastel* members walked out one by one. They looked relaxed, their steps light, bowing to the surrounding employees as they left: "Thank you for your hard work! We'll take our leave now!"

Just as everyone was gradually dispersing, Qian Sheng suddenly turned around and walked towards the rising sun.

"...Hmm? Have you finished training everyone?"

As Chaoyang watched Qian Sheng approach, a playful smile played on his lips, and his tone was laced with a hint of teasing.

Qian Sheng stopped, sighed softly, crossed his arms, and spoke with a hint of helplessness.

"Producer, please don't use words like 'reprimand.' We are all equal idols. I was just offering some advice. Besides..."

She frowned slightly, her tone becoming more serious, "Producer, please don't make those kinds of jokes again, especially those involving physical contact. For girls our age, it's easy to cause unnecessary misunderstandings."

Chaoyang paused for a moment, then scratched the back of his head and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"Ah... I'm sorry, I didn't think it through."

Seeing his attitude, Qian Sheng shook his head slightly, his tone softening a bit, but his eyes still held a complex expression.

The producer has been with everyone for too long... and has almost always been responsive to requests. Over time, everyone's feelings towards the producer have become complicated.

She silently analyzed the situation in her mind.

Little Eve and Maya are alright; they haven't developed feelings for the producer yet... But Hina and Aya... we need to be careful. Especially Hina... Aya is still mindful of being an idol, but while Hina has improved recently, she's still headstrong and will say anything that interests her.

"Huh? Is there anything else?"

When Chaoyang saw Qiansheng staring blankly in front of him, he asked her what was wrong.

"...No, I'm just worried about whether everyone can maintain their level of performance as Pastel*'s workload increases."

"Hmm? That's easy."

Upon hearing this, Chaoyang seemed to stand up without hesitation and shouted loudly towards Zou.

"Ms. Sato, please reduce the Pastel* workload by half from now on."

"Wait, wait a minute!"

Qian Sheng quickly reached out and grabbed Chao Yang's arm, her expression showing a mix of helplessness and surprise. "I was just worried about everyone's condition, I didn't say anything about reducing workload..."

Chaoyang stopped and looked back at Qiansheng, his face full of doubt.

"Aren't you worried that too much workload will affect everyone? Can't you just reduce it a bit?"

"Producer..."

Chisato sighed, released her hand, and said with a hint of seriousness and admonition, "After all, you are also the president of the agency... We are really happy that you are thinking of everyone like this. But if you ignore the agency's financial situation and keep reducing the workload, and if the agency is burdened with debt for a long time, everyone will be uneasy and always worried that the agency will not survive."

She paused for a moment, then looked up and stared directly into the rising sun's eyes.

"Furthermore, we can't just satisfy all the idols' demands. Otherwise, it would be terrible if they acted like big shots when they weren't actually that high-status. Idols can't grow without experience; only by constantly pushing their limits can they truly stand at the top."

Chaoyang paused for a moment, then smiled slightly, his eyes showing a hint of appreciation.