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

Chaoyang gave a thumbs-up to indicate that the filming was complete.

D-Ji also quickly came over to check the footage recorded on the machine.

"Hmm... Well, it's alright. I was a little disappointed to lose to Kotone last time, but I'm sure I can surpass your play count this time!"

"Last time it was because the guild leader shared my PV, you don't need to worry about it."

Kotone is clear about where her strength lies. Although she thinks she is cute, she doesn't think she is stronger than D-Season.

"Getting the president to retweet this is a testament to your ability. Hmph, it seems I still have shortcomings. But as long as I'm good enough, naturally talented people will pay attention to me and actively share everything about me."

Just then, S Zeguang, who was standing to the side, began to sway and lose his balance.

"Huh? Didn't you say your physical fitness had plateaued? What happened to you?"

She spoke haltingly at this point.

"Well, I did some simple practice in dance class before coming here... but it's still a bit of a struggle."

The kind-hearted D-Sea Flower Sea was already standing next to S-Ze Guang, supporting her arm, and said with a light laugh.

"I just can't do anything with you. Let me take you home."

"Then I'll go with you to take Guangjiang back."

Qinyin immediately followed. Since two people had brought her here, she planned to help them back together. She wasn't too concerned about this PV, since the previous one had already been a great success.

"No need, Qinyin, I can do it all by myself. Don't even think about running away from competing with me!"

"Who wants to run away! ... Since you've said that... then I'll leave it to you, sister."

"Hmm~ I'll take care of it."

After saying that, D-Season had S-Rikuro put his weight on her and helped her leave the park.

Qinyin stared blankly at D-ji's retreating figure.

This guy is too nice... Thinking about it, although her self-introduction seemed a bit exaggerated, it's actually all true... And she's easy to fool; just call her "sister" and she'll happily help you. Don't be fooled by men, especially the shop manager!

Qin Yin's thoughts were naturally known to Chao Yang.

You have no right to say others are easy to fool.

. .

20 minute later.

"Alright... That completes today's filming schedule... Now you can practice hard during this time."

The filming of Qinyin was successfully completed, and Chaoyang put the equipment back in his bag. He planned to take Qinyin back with him.

"...Manager, since it's just the two of you, why don't you sit in the park for a while..."

The shop manager has been busy with his agency lately and hasn't been to the shop much... He's working so hard for me, so let's give him a date!

Upon hearing Pikachu's thoughts, Chaoyang was secretly delighted, but he didn't show it and deliberately spoke with a calm expression.

"Hmm? Sure, that's fine."

In the blink of an eye, the two were sitting on a park bench. The setting sun shone on the lawn, and children who had already finished school were jumping and playing happily in the sandpit not far away, their laughter echoing in the air.

Chaoyang didn't know whether to outsiders they looked like a couple or siblings, but his hand was casually placed on the back of the chair behind Qinyin. He could put his arm around her shoulder if he moved his hand forward slightly.

At this moment, Qin Yin's attention was focused on the children, and Chao Yang understood that she was thinking of her younger brothers and sisters.

"...Do you remember the little ones at home?"

Chaoyang directly exposed her innermost thoughts.

"...Hehe, I always feel like I can't hide anything from the manager. Just how much does the manager like me to understand me to this extent?"

"It's probably just to the point of being the world's number one favorite."

"Lying... Why isn't the hand on my shoulder there? Well, that's a reward for the manager."

Chaoyang did not move his hand forward in the end, but instead spoke.

"Now... is a critical moment for you. An unintentional act of intimacy, if recorded, could ruin you."

"Then why are you still sitting here with me, with your hand still not far behind my back?"

"...This level is still within acceptable limits and can be completely explained. It's just that the filming ended and we were chatting. My hands were just resting on the back of the chair, in a relaxed state."

Chaoyang clenched his fists, but after carefully considering Qinyin's future and her dreams, he ultimately restrained himself. After all, even if he felt good now... Qinyin would suffer later.

"Even the store manager can deceive himself... Ah~ But it's true, Japanese idols aren't allowed to date... But it's okay to have a heart-to-heart talk with the store manager, right?"

Chaoyang nodded.

"Of course, I can be your dumping ground. You can talk to me about anything."

After thinking for a moment, Qin Yin tilted her head and looked at Chaoyang, asking a question.

Am I the only one?

Chaoyang answered truthfully.

"...including other people."

Qin Yin immediately leaned closer, pouting and looking unhappy.

"This isn't a service exclusively for me? I protest!"

"Protests are invalid. After all, you are all my precious assets... Let's not talk about this anymore. Just tell me what you want to say."

Of course, Chaoyang already knew what she wanted to say.

"Ha... You always change the subject when something like this happens. Speaking of which, the shop manager knows I only want to be an idol for the money, right..."

"I've heard of it... and even incurred debt because of it, haven't I? Although from a personal perspective, idolizing someone purely for money is clearly not a good choice."

Qin Yin rested her chin on her hands and looked up at the sky, as if recalling a distant past, or perhaps a past that did not exist in a parallel world.

"Haha... If I had met the store manager from the beginning, I probably wouldn't have become an idol. To be honest, I also regret becoming an idol... I was such an idiot when I was a kid... Why did I have to think that I could make real money by becoming an idol? If I had met the store manager back then, I could have had you take care of me."

"I'm probably in jail now... although I'd be in jail by now, at your age."

"To be honest, I was much dumber when I was a kid than I am now. Just because I saw the income of top idols on TV, I became obsessed with the idea that all the hardships my family would suffer would disappear if I became an idol. I thought my family's poverty, my parents' troubles, and my younger siblings' futures would all be reversed, and they would have happy lives... Then, in my last year of elementary school, I begged my parents to let me enroll in a preschool... but it only made things worse for my family."

Tuition, accommodation, living expenses... How stupid of me! I didn't even consider that back then. If I had just gone to a public school, maybe my family would have been poor and we wouldn't have been in debt.

Chapter 80 If you don't work harder, I'll sell you to the president!

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, the park appeared tranquil and warm. Qin Yin sighed softly, placed her hands clasped on her knees, and continued speaking.

"...My enrollment placed a huge burden on my family, and my father finally broke down...and ran away from home...I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't met the shop manager. My life was completely on the edge of a cliff, and my future was bleak. I never thought I would actually be able to perform on stage...I'm still afraid it's all a dream, and I'm about to wake up."

Her voice trembled slightly, as if she still couldn't fully believe what she was going through. Chaoyang turned his head slightly to look at Qinyin's profile. Her expression was still gentle, but the vulnerability hidden behind her smile made his heart tighten.

Chaoyang already knew these things to some extent, but because he knew them, he was often surprised that Qinyin could still be happy every day and had no resentment towards society.

If it were him, his heart would probably be incredibly dark; he would probably hate everything around him and wouldn't even want to see his friends.

Chaoyang is self-aware; in reality, he is petty. Back when he was under a lot of pressure at language school, he would feel very dark inside. When he failed, he would unconsciously hope that others would also fail.

Of course, he also hated this side of himself. He considered himself a good person and would help friends when they asked, but sometimes he couldn't stand seeing others do well. However, these flaws gradually disappeared after he graduated from university and started working.

"The most difficult time is over, and things will only get better from here on out."

Chaoyang gently patted her shoulder.

"Manager, you really dare to say that... I understand your situation now... You've mortgaged the store, haven't you...? Honestly, I don't understand why you'd take such a risk? Is it for me?"

Qin Yin looked at him, her eyes revealing a hint of mischief and cunning.

Normally, Chaoyang would definitely say without hesitation, "Yes, it's for you."

But Chaoyang didn't want to lie at that moment.

"Hmph, you're too narcissistic. You're only doing this for myself."

He forced a lighthearted smile, but his gaze drifted elsewhere, concealing the turmoil within him.

"Whatever, it doesn't matter anymore. Whatever the reason, things have already turned out this way. The shop manager and I have walked to the edge of the cliff together now."

Qin Yin revealed a faint smile.

"You're exaggerating. At least in my opinion, you're still a long way from the cliff. Instead of thinking about this nonsense, you should practice more. Otherwise, you'll soon fall out of favor with me. I don't intend to show you any favoritism in idol-related matters."

Qin Yin's lips have changed into the playful W shape they used to have.

"Don't worry! After all, I don't intend to lose to anyone. I will become the best idol under the store manager. I must produce results before summer, become famous, and get more work. Otherwise, I won't be able to pay for next year's tuition and the debts my family owes."

"Don't worry about that. If you don't make a name for yourself, I'll pay for it. I'll just use your body to settle the debt."

"Masaka... Manager, is this a confession of love?"

"No."

"...Really...the denial was so decisive..."

"What I mean is, I want you to become another idol's lackey... like being sold to Shi Wang Xingnan. That beautiful blonde student council president in black stockings is very interested in you."

"Hmm... President Shi, President Shi... Speaking of which... lately... she's been trying to invite me to dinner."

"Hmm? Then I'll accept it."

Chaoyang would definitely accept it; there was no reason for him to refuse.

To be honest, Chaoyang initially thought that President Xingnan was a lesbian, but after doing some research, he realized that she wasn't just trying to poach Kotone. It seems that she has the ability to discover people with idol talent.

In some ways, things might have gone more smoothly if Kotone had actually sided with Hoshina. However, it seems that Hoshina, the Tenth Prince, has more charm than emotional intelligence, and her clumsy attempts to poach him immediately alerted Fujita Kotone, who felt that Hoshina had ulterior motives and was plotting something.

"I refused because I felt there was personal danger involved. By the way, store manager, you actually wanted to sell me to the chairman!!! That's outrageous."

"This is all predicated on you not making a name for yourself, so you'd better work harder. If you don't want to be kept by the Ten Kings' guild leader..."

"I'd rather be kept by you, store manager! The last time we met on the street, the president even made me strike a cute pose."

"If you say you're going to set up a stall, then give me the money... I have a feeling our school's number one idol might be a pervert, right?"

As the topic shifted to a more cheerful direction, the initially heavy atmosphere completely dissipated.

The two chatted for a while longer until the sun had completely set.

Chaoyang also decided to return to the shop, since he had been leaving Taoxiang and Qinyin to take care of things for a while, and it wouldn't be good if he didn't go to his own shop.

. .

"What's going on? Why are there so few customers?"

When Chaoyang entered the store, there were only three tables of customers scattered around.

This time is usually almost full.

Rencai greeted everyone as soon as they met.

"Ah! Mr. Hiraishi, good morning. Are you here for work today?"

"In this situation, I'd probably just be standing there in a daze."

Chaoyang lifted the curtain and walked straight into the kitchen.

Tao Xiang had moved a chair and was taking a nap in front of the barbecue grill.

"Momoka?"

Upon hearing Chaoyang's voice, Taoxiang opened her eyes, indicating that she hadn't actually fallen asleep but was simply keeping her eyes closed.

"Oh, you're here? I'm sorry, it seems that without Xiangzi and Qinyin, the shop will have far fewer regular customers."

"Is that so? Losing the two of them is a bigger problem than I imagined. Qinyin is alright, but I've already put Xiangzi in charge of the paperwork, so we can't do without her now. Qinyin will still be coming."

Tao Xiang nodded after hearing this.

"Yes, when Qin Yin was there, the flow of water wasn't much less than before."

"Forget it, I'm not greedy. As long as the shop doesn't go out of business, that's fine. I'll think of something after this month is over."

If all else fails, I could have the idols take turns working at my shop... But an izakaya doesn't seem quite right. How about turning it into a coffee shop?

Having seen countless debts totaling tens of millions, Chaoyang wasn't actually that concerned about the current 20 yuan in revenue. Instead, he brought in a stool and decided to chat with Taoxiang since that was the case.

"How have you guys been lately? The three-person band."

"Thanks to you, it was pretty good. You just performed once. Want to see it?"

"Do you have a video? Let's take a look."