Chapter 10: The Beautiful Sister's Bold Advance!

Chapter 10: The Beautiful Sister’s Advance!

“Iwata Takeshi?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Well, thank you, Mr. Iwata, for looking after Shinobu.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Um...”

“What is it?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Alright then, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

...

Miho Nakayama was indeed a beauty. Standing next to her younger sister, she utterly outshone her.

But Takeshi Iwata felt uneasy around this woman. Or rather, he sensed something in Miho’s eyes... it was outright disdain.

Shinobu kept insisting that Uncle Iwata was a good person and had been taking care of her.

That little girl was truly well-behaved.

As for himself—being called an uncle? Not a chance! He wasn’t some old man!

Going home, getting some sleep—tomorrow was important.

...

“Sis, how could you do that?!”

“What did I do?”

“You were rude to Uncle!”

“Huh? I wasn’t.”

“Yes, you were!”

“That guy isn’t a good person!”

“No! Uncle is a good guy!”

“Just look at him.”

“What’s wrong with his looks? Uncle is actually very kind!”

“You’re just a kid, you don’t understand.”

“I’m not a kid!”

Miho Nakayama couldn’t believe her little sister was angry with her—and over that Iwata guy no less, who had suddenly stopped paying attention to her.

That little one... did she really think she was grown up?

In truth, as an older sister, Miho understood her sister’s feelings.

Her sister also wanted to debut, just like her.

And, for now, she had indeed caught someone’s eye.

But the agency interested in her was their own.

Miho didn’t oppose her sister entering showbiz, but she didn’t want her to follow the same path she had.

Almost every talent agency in the industry had ties to the yakuza, except for a select few prestigious and established ones, like Toho and Shochiku.

Of course, even Toho and Shochiku had to show some respect to the yakuza, with Shochiku even having yakuza members inside.

Their own agency was backed by the yakuza.

As the elder sister, Miho hoped her sister could debut with Toho.

Toho treated its female talents quite well, better than Shochiku, which demanded stronger skills.

Among Shochiku’s actresses, the representative figure was Chieko Baisho.

Baisho-sensei was truly formidable... As a sister, Miho felt embarrassed to shatter her sister’s illusions.

The skill gap was just too wide.

Toho, on the other hand, was different. This big company had recently clearly shifted toward a beauty-focused approach.

Originally, Toho had the support of the Takarazuka Revue, meaning they never lacked strong actresses. The Takarazuka Revue was considered the toughest school to get into in all of Japan—even harder than the University of Tokyo.

But in recent years, Toho had organized a Cinderella Contest, which had become a huge success.

The first winner, Yasuko Sawaguchi, now enjoyed a smooth career.

The second winner, Megumi Odaka, gained massive attention for her cute image.

With her sister’s looks only slightly less impressive than Miho’s, winning the crown wouldn’t be difficult.

Next year, her sister would turn eighteen and could enter showbiz as the third Toho Cinderella winner, securing her future.

Even if she didn’t win, look at Yuki Saito, the runner-up from the first contest—she still had non-stop film offers... though Saito was quite flirtatious, openly so.

Her sister was nothing like that!

Most importantly, going through the Toho Cinderella route would perfectly cover her sister’s weak singing skills!

Her singing was so poor it was embarrassing to even mention.

Miho hadn’t realized how uniquely harsh her judgment was.

But she had to admit, her plan was pretty good.

She also noticed how eager her sister was—and then there was that uncle...

Iwata Takeshi?

...

The next day, at the Iwata Group.

“Boss, so there’s a chance our movie will get a proper release?”

“It might even hit theaters? That’s amazing!”

“But it seems like more people watch dramas nowadays, and there are rumors of theaters running poorly.”

“Hey, hey! Watch your mouth, you cat!”

“Tsu, who are you calling a cat?!”

“Idiot, I’m talking to you! So, what do you say?”

“Bastard...”

Don’t doubt it: though they were grumbling, everyone was actually very happy.

Yakuza, after all—one has to understand.

Iwata Takeshi didn’t hold back; he told his subordinates about his achievement, namely securing a chance for their film to screen at the Iwanami Theater.

With their performance, what else could be said?

“Boss! Let’s celebrate.”

“Red Romance! Red Romance!”

“Red Romance” was a well-regarded pleasure house among yakuza circles... that explanation should suffice.

And what about Takeshi Iwata?

“Idiot Yarou!!”

The scolding was so professional that the gang fell silent. Iwata was getting more skilled at being a boss.

No choice—a boss had to be tough. That’s how dealings with the yakuza went.

Now, Iwata had to arrange things properly. The movie was about to start, and many tasks couldn’t be delayed.

For the set, they needed an office, a police station, an abandoned warehouse as the battleground, and a home. The rest could be filmed on the streets of Tokyo.

“Fierce Man,” the protagonist was a policeman.

They also needed some equipment.

Thankfully, the Iwata Group had a business renting out equipment, which explained how they survived on just 30,000 yen on paper.

Next up was casting...

Just as Iwata was making plans, a blond-haired youth burst in flustered.

“Boss, boss, a great beauty just arrived!”

Who?

Iwata furrowed his brow and saw the office door being pushed open.

First came a red high-heeled leather shoe stepping in, followed by a slender leg encased in black stockings—sensual yet mysterious.

The great beauty was none other than Miho Nakayama.

...

“Everyone out.”

The cat, the fish, and the blond youth hesitated. After all, such a beauty was usually only seen on TV.

But the boss had spoken, so they dared not linger. They glanced a couple of times before leaving.

Whether they eavesdropped outside was no concern now.

Once the room cleared, only Iwata Takeshi and Miho Nakayama remained.

Neither rushed to speak.

In showbiz, atmosphere was often everything—like warriors sizing each other up long before the fight.

This woman looked truly formidable.

“Director Iwata, my apologies for intruding.”

Iwata didn’t feel triumphant. “I’m not sure why you came here.”

“What’s wrong? Is this place scary?”

“Not scary exactly, but...”

“Isn’t this the Iwata Studio?”

“Oh, yes, that’s right.”

Iwata took a slight hit. Though it was officially the Iwata Group, on the surface it was now an entertainment company—a direction set since the Fumi era.

But this woman still called him “Director”!

Then Miho added, “I heard Suo-san is also quite familiar with you.”

No wonder. This beauty had some backing. She seemed to trust Suo.

Iwata remained calm. “Ms. Nakayama, regarding last night, I believe I behaved properly.”

What was this woman’s intention?

Then Miho said bluntly, “My little sister is still a child who doesn’t understand much. If Iwata Director felt offended in any way, I’m willing to apologize.”

Iwata frowned. “What do you mean?”

Miho smiled. “I respectfully ask Director Iwata to seek someone more suitable, alright?”

So that was it.

Miho intended to refuse the film offer on behalf of her sister.

In truth, there had been no formal invitation last night—Iwata had been somewhat impulsive.

There were many rules here. For an undeclared girl like Shinobu Nakayama, it was perfectly acceptable for her sister to decline.

Moreover, Iwata’s so-called invitation was rather abrupt.

But to be treated so lightly by me, “Oni no Takeshi”!

You beauty don’t know that Suo, that old scoundrel, is my enemy—he’ll pay sooner or later!

Iwata was about to make sure Miho knew how many eyes he had when suddenly a commotion came from outside.

Not long after, the door opened, and an old man walked in with a cheerful smile.

“You...” Iwata was stunned. This was the same old fellow he had met at Iwanami Bookstore.

That old guy dared to show up at the Iwata Group?

But seeing Miho’s face change, Iwata held back.

The beauty was shocked, but her surprise was nothing like Iwata’s.

Why was this teacher here?

The old man chuckled, “I heard there was a great beauty here. How could I not come see? Oh, I should introduce myself first—I am Akio Jisshoji. Pleased to meet you.”

(End of chapter)