(Third pov)
Flipping through the citizen identity papers, Kaguya read what her people had gathered in a single night: information about Makabe Masamune.
Kaguya then said, "So, he's the grandson of Makabe Hachiro from MIG?" She was referring to the famous Makabe Investment Group, a company everyone knew.
"Yes, Kaguya-sama. However, Makabe Masamune is adopted."
Hearing this from her most trusted servant, Hayasaka Ai, Kaguya hummed thoughtfully.
"So, that's why I've neither heard of him nor met him before. He might just be lucky without anything special about him. However..." Kaguya glanced at Ai, who nodded in agreement.
"He's good at hiding."
Kaguya nodded. "This information isn't enough. There might be something we're missing. I want him fully investigated within two days."
Hearing this, Ai gave a slight bow.
"And, Hayasaka..."
"Yes?"
"Do the usual for me..."
---
(First pov)
Finally, two days have passed, marking the end of the first week.
Nothing big has happened, except that, somehow, Kaguya and I have become friends. Naturally, with Chika as well, the three of us have started spending time together at school.
Today, my class just finished PE, and that boost in talent from Cristiano Ronaldo that I got a few weeks ago has really made a difference in how good I am at sports.
It still takes time to adjust my workout to be similar to his, but I've got plenty of time.
"Hey, you were so cool playing football back there! Oh, by the way, wanna join us for some fun after school?"
"Yeah, Makabe-kun! It'll be fun! We know a great karaoke place!"
Two girls approached me as I was walking out of the locker room. Just as I was about to decline their offer—
"The two of you, there's no way he'd go to some nasty, cheap place."
"Aimi-sama!" both girls said in unison.
Turning my head, I saw a girl with blonde hair walking towards me, hiding her mouth behind a fan.
"Ahem! Makabe, would you like to come and have dinner with us?" she asked shyly.
I sighed. "I don't even know who you are, or your friends. Excuse me..." As I started to walk away, she called out.
"Wait! I'm in the same class as you, Makabe. My name is Shimizu Aimi."
I hummed, "You're from the Shimizu Shipping Company?"
Her face lit up. "Ohoho! That's correct! Actually, if you want to come with us, my family happens to own a sushi restaurant. I promise you won't regret it—the place even has a Michelin star."
I see. I have a bad feeling about this, and besides, I don't have much time.
I smiled. "Sorry, maybe next time."
"What...?"
She looked bewildered that I didn't even flinch at her offer.
"Hey, I heard a rumor that you eat cheap ramen at random shops?"
I stopped and turned back with a frown. "Excuse me?"
She approached me with a mocking smirk. "That's right. I even heard you go there with Fujiwara and Shinomiya. Haha! I can't believe that, even though you're hot, you're just a country bumpkin who likes commoner food. I never expected Ice Princess Kaguya to eat there too."
"And?"
She smiled smugly. "I was trying to be nice since you're my type, and I have a special offer. If you happen to have a photo of Shinomiya Kaguya eating cheap ramen there, I'll pay you a good sum of money."
"Okay, how much?"
"Hehehe~ Let's say... 100 million yen. How about that?"
When I saw her smug face, I couldn't help but laugh. "Bitch. Are you expecting me to be impressed by that amount?"
"Bi-bitch? What did you just say to me?"
I smiled. "You heard me loud and clear. I was testing you to see how much money you'd offer, and I'm disappointed."
"How is that small for someone as humble as you?"
"It's too cheap. I, Makabe Masamune, would never sell out my friends—especially not for such a low price. It's insulting that you'd even think that. Maybe you should squeeze a little more out of your parents' wallet."
"Bastard! Take that back! And don't you dare call me a bitch! You know my family—Shimizu, right? I won't let this slide."
Oh boy, it looks like I triggered her rich-girl attitude. Hmm, let's see what I can do about Shimizu Shipping Company later.
---
(Third pov)
As school finally ended, everyone rushed to leave the classroom.
"That bastard... tch, I'll show him what my father can do."
The blonde-haired girl, Shimizu Aimi, passed Kaguya, who was sitting in the front row. Kaguya's eyes followed her until she left the classroom.
"Kaguya-san, wanna spend the night at my house today?" Chika, who had rushed over, asked with a cheerful smile.
Kaguya sighed. "I'm sorry, Fujiwara. I have something important today."
Chika pouted, "Mou~ you say that all the time. Fine! If you hate me that much, I'll just play with my dog instead!" she said, pretending to cry dramatically.
"What's going on with her?"
Looking up, Kaguya saw Masamune approaching her desk, his bag slung over one shoulder.
"Don't ask me that question," Kaguya said as she packed her things.
Masamune smiled. "Alright then, see you on Monday," he said, waving as he headed for the door.
"Makabe."
He stopped and turned around. "Huh? What is it?"
Masamune noticed that she looked a little sad today, even though her expression remained as cold as ever.
"Can I ask you something?" Kaguya said, looking down.
"Sure..." Masamune smirked. "If you're about to ask me out—"
A book flew at his face.
"In your dreams."
A few moments later, they found themselves walking together down the hallway and stopping at the shoe lockers. Coincidentally, Kaguya's locker was right next to his.
As Masamune opened his locker, he groaned. "Another letter? Is this a mailbox or something?"
"Makabe..."
Masamune shut his locker and turned to see Kaguya's face, looking downcast again.
"Am I your friend?"
After asking such a direct question, Kaguya grew nervous. She had heard about the argument between Masamune and Shimizu Aimi. She was also aware of the rumors she had intentionally spread through her servant, Hayasaka Ai, about her supposedly eating at a cheap ramen shop. It had caused quite a stir, as this academy was full of wealthy students who knew just how rich the Shinomiya family was.
Kaguya had always been cautious, often questioning the motives of anyone who tried to get close to her. To protect herself, she'd test those around her to see if they would betray her. So she wanted to test him, to see if he would turn on her. But what she'd heard was that he wouldn't sell out his friends.
She couldn't help but wonder why he was so kind to her, even though she was often cynical and hurtful with her words. She had even schemed to spread an annoying rumor about him.
"Huh? Of course, we're friends. Don't tell me... was it just me who thought that?"
Hearing this, Kaguya felt a sudden warmth. There was no way she was happy about his answer, right? And yet, it seemed she was. Not that she'd admit it.
"I see. I just wanted to make sure."
"Make sure? That doesn't make sense. Hey, don't ignore me and walk away!"
"G-Get away from me!"
She quickened her pace, determined not to show him her red face as she hurried out of the building.
"Hey, isn't that Chika over there?"
Kaguya stopped in her tracks, and at that moment, "Gotcha!" Masamune grabbed her shoulder with a smirk. Looking at her face, he said, "I see~ you can make expressions like that, huh?"
I want to disappear! I want to disappear! I want to disappear!
"Tch! Let go of me!"
Although Kaguya was athletic and trained in martial arts, Masamune quickly grabbed her hand, holding it firmly.
"Hey, why are you running away from your friend, Kaguya?" he asked.
What is this? His grip is firm but comforting rather than painful.
"Tch, don't call me by my first name so casually."
"Well, I call Chika by her first name too."
Kaguya paused. He was right—Masamune had been calling Chika by her first name. If she admitted it bothered her, he'd probably tease her, saying, "Oh, so you're bothered by it? How cute....."
"Fine..." she muttered.
Masamune chuckled. "But, I've never held her hand like this, though."
"WH—Let go!"
She blushed furiously. She only realized the meaning of his words after he said them.
---
"That guy! How dare she play with me!"
Kaguya just arrive at her room as she then tantrum after what happen. However, sure, she felt regret after testing him that way. If she just trust him, maybe, the outcome will be different.
Sitting on the chair, she then find thick of papers on her desk. It seems, her people manage to collect Masamune's information better than before. She sigh, walk to the fireplace and burn whole papers to dust, a faint smile on her face.
---
It's been seven months since I start my third year.
As I being my self. I just care about what he's going to do with his life without any kind of intervention, including, the being who send him a system.
Yup, that's what I do. Sure, I'm not trying to be big head guy. I admitted that the system is absolutely a banger.
That SSR pack: Cristiano Ronaldo gave me a new perspective on improving my physique. To be specific, I gained his talent in football, his training secrets, and his experience. However, the experience I have is based on his entire career, from his beginnings up to his last day at Madrid.
Seven month since then, I'm really exited to change to my diet and my training routine. Surprisingly, even I got bulkier than before, but I'm not trying to become a body builder because I do it as natural as possible. Therefore, there's no problem for adapting to Cristiano's training.
After comeback from the gym. I decide to help mom in the cafe to serve as waiters. This cafe open more earlier than most, therefore, it also closed earlier at 7. It's still an hour until it closed. But, this place sure is packed with customer.
I didn't know anything about the cafe since I left everything to Kinue decision. She said that she never trying to promote this cafe either. The menu is sure delicious, meanwhile, the customer like the coffee moms made. But, it's mostly because of me. Yup, most of our customer here is women.
"It's delicious. I enjoy the coffee."
"Thank you sir. Please come again."
I said to the middle age man who paying his bills, also, he's the last customer for today.
"Young man. Are you interested to become an actor?" He said.
I calmly smile at him, "That's flatter me, sir. However, I don't have such goals to become one."
"That's a shamed. I could felt that you've potential beside seeing your looks."
I chuckle a little, "There's no way but I'm honor to hear that."
"If that's the case." Suddenly he gave me his business card, "My name Kaburagi Masaya, a producer. Currently, we'll be working on a new TV Drama. Have you heard a shoujo manga call II'l Go With Sweet Today?"
"I'm sorry, I think this is the first time I heard it."
I said as I wish this man could fuck off now, however, as a professional, I've to remind calm.
The man smile, "Just in case you are interest. There'll be casting for protagonist role within two weeks."
I laugh politely, "Even so, I don't have any experience nor talent in acting."
"That won't be a problem. This show exist for stepping stone to find a new talent. Right then. Thank you for your time."
I nod at him as he walks out of the cafe and sigh. I've lost count of the people trying to recruit me into the entertainment industry.
After that, we close the cafe, and Kinue, my mom, starts cooking while I sit at the dining table with Chinatsu, who is reading a manga.
"What's wrong, Onii-chan?"
"Nah, there's a man whom trying to recruiting me again."
"Ah... I see. Well, it's hard to be attractive isn't it? Anyway, did he offer you to be a model?"
"No. He claim he's producer then ask me if I was interest to become actor and offer me to casting for TV drama if I interest."
Chinatsu hummed, "I see... hmm, what kind of show is that?"
I shrug as I lean my back and staring at the ceiling with a sigh, "I forgot. Hm... maybe it's called, Sweet Today or something."
"WHA?!!!!!"
Bang!
Suddenly, Chinatsu bang the table.
"Chintasu! Don't do that in dining table."
"Sorry mom, it's very important! Hey, Onii-chan. Did you just said, Sweet Today?"
Looking at my sister I quirk my brow, "Yeah."
"You mean this?" She said while tapping something, I glance on it as she pointed at the manga she held, "You said Sweet today right? You mean, II'l Go With Sweet Today?!"
"Chill sis, and what the hell is this go sweat today?"
"IT'S SWEET TODAY YOU DUMBSASS! Onii-chan, why you didn't realized most popular shoujo manga I read now? Anyway, you have to take it!"
I see. So, it's something like adaptation or something like that.
"No."
Suddenly Chinatsu sat beside me and then trying to shake my body, "Please Onii-chan! That's one of my favorite manga! If you don't take it I won't be able to shake it off out my head for the rest of my life!"
"Ara, what you both talking about?~~"
When Chinatsu keep nagging me, mom giggle at us as she place dinner she just made.
"MOM! Convince him to take the roll! Please help me!"
"Hm?" Kinue titled her head, and then Chinatsu explained what happen.
"I see... so someone offering Ma-kun a roll in TV drama. But, Ma-kun is so busy now. He even have to sacrifice his school life to manage his company. It'll be selfish to force him like that Chinatsu."
Hearing this Chinatsu lower her head a little, "I know I understand that already."
I sigh. That part might be the reason, however, the important thing is that, I have no clue about acting. It'll be horrible if I destroying the manga's reputation with my shitty acting. However, the producer said I don't have to be good at acting either. Should I try the casting and hope I'll get eliminated?
The reason that, I don't really want to make them sad. I mean, mom being reasonable but still, she's looking at me with sense of pride.
"Alright, I'll try it."
When they heard it, Mom look at me in concern meanwhile Chinatsu instantly hype.
"FOR REAL?!"
I nod, "Well, don't expect me to pass the casting alright?"
.
.
.
.
The next day.
"Honestly.... I have no idea it'll be this bad, Onii-chan. It made me think it was a bad idea."
---
If you'd like to read advanced chapters ahead, you can visit patreon.com/Livice