I uploaded the chapters quickly, mainly because I was going to change some things in the writing. For example, Akikawa Kyousuke or other names were repeated a lot; in one paragraph, there were three mentions of Akikawa Kyousuke, and I wanted to fix that. I might have also left the thoughts written with a single quotation mark ('thinking this way').
I'm also going to try removing the -Chan, -Kun, and -San suffixes, replacing them with "little," "mister," or "miss."
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"At 1 PM, the opening ceremony of the film festival will take place. The ceremony will last about an hour and a half."
"When the opening ceremony ends, I'll be your tour guide and give Mr. Akikawa a brief tour of the film festival area!"
Suzuki Sonoko, looking quite at ease, spoke to Kyousuke Akikawa and Misaki Itakura.
"The dinner will start at 6:30 PM, and the venue will be the Minato Royal Garden Hotel, which isn't far from here."
"I've also arranged a room for Mr. Akikawa to stay in during the festival."
"That's far too much! There's no need to spend like that, Miss Suzuki! I live in Tokyo; I can return home in the evening."
Kyousuke Akikawa seemed genuinely flustered upon hearing this, as though overwhelmed.
"Oh, it's fine, it's fine! I just reserved two rooms."
"Besides, the hotel belongs to my family, so it doesn't really cost anything."
"Mr. Akikawa, you must enjoy yourself~!"
Suzuki Sonoko waved cheerfully at Kyousuke Akikawa and Misaki Itakura before pulling Mouri Ran along toward the front of the venue.
This left Misaki Itakura dumbfounded by Suzuki Sonoko's extravagance, and Kyousuke Akikawa, who still looked stunned, standing where he was.
After confirming that Sonoko, Conan, and the others had moved to the front, Kyousuke Akikawa turned his gaze to his manager.
He saw Misaki Itakura's wide, black eyes behind her thick-framed glasses, still showing traces of shock.
"She's the second lady of the Suzuki Consortium? What an impressive display!"
After a moment, Misaki Itakura murmured.
"That said, I think Miss Suzuki is very kind and nothing like the stereotypical spoiled chaebol heiress."
Akikawa smiled gently at her.
"Mr. Akikawa, you're far too naïve!"
Misaki Itakura raised her voice involuntarily, almost scolding.
However, she seemed to realize her tone was too loud, glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention, and then continued in a lower voice:
"Mr. Akikawa, do you think everyone gets this kind of treatment?"
"Typically, only the big names in the industry receive such special accommodations."
"If your performance hadn't left a deep impression on Miss Suzuki, we wouldn't even qualify to attend the opening ceremony!"
Misaki Itakura hinted at Akikawa Kyousuke, practically spelling out the opportunity in front of him.
However, Akikawa appeared oblivious to the implications of her words. Instead, his expression remained serene and innocent.
"In that case, doesn't that mean Miss Suzuki is truly a good person?"
"Ugh! Why don't you understand what I'm trying to say, Mr. Akikawa?!"
Misaki Itakura groaned, exasperated.
"I'm saying that Miss Suzuki probably has a soft spot for you. That's why you're being treated so well!"
"I understand; that's why we were invited to the opening ceremony, right?"
Kyousuke Akikawa replied with a relaxed smile before pulling out his invitation card and heading to his seat.
Misaki Itakura stood frozen by his response, staring after him. After a long moment, she covered her face with her hands.
"Oh my goodness. With Mr. Akikawa's emotional intelligence, can he even survive in the entertainment industry?"
"Won't those scheming artists eat him alive?"
"Then again, an artist with such a simple and naïve personality might become quite popular."
"By the way, how did Miss Yoko even fall for Mr. Akikawa?"
Shaking her head, Misaki Itakura consoled herself for a while.
After coming to terms with the challenges Kyousuke Akikawa might face on his journey to fame, she sighed and followed him to their seats.
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Elsewhere.
Conan watched as Suzuki Sonoko, visibly ecstatic, dragged Mouri Ran toward the front seats. He suddenly asked,
"Miss Sonoko, you didn't actually prepare a room for Mr. Akikawa and Miss Itakura, did you?"
"Huh?! How do you know that, kid?"
Suzuki Sonoko stopped abruptly, visibly startled, and turned to look at him.
"Because just now, both Mr. Akikawa and Miss Itakura looked really surprised when you mentioned arranging a room for them. It clearly wasn't part of your original plan."
"Also, if you really prepared a room, wouldn't you have handed them the room key right away to ensure they couldn't refuse?
"Even if they didn't need a key, wouldn't you have at least mentioned the room number?"
"Ugh, you just don't get it, kid."
Sonoko bent down and pressed her finger against Conan's forehead.
"In high-end hotels, you just need to provide your name at the front desk. There's no need for a room key at all."
"Then, was I wrong?"
"Nope. I didn't prepare one."
Sonoko straightened up, not showing any sign of panic despite being exposed.
"I can simply notify the hotel now. It's just a matter of words."
"But why?" Mouri Ran asked, confused. "Why go to such lengths for Mr. Akikawa?"
"Wow—! Isn't it obvious?! Ran, didn't you see how handsome Mr. Akikawa is in person?!"
"He's just as stunning on stage! He's the most attractive guy I've seen in ages!"
Sonoko looked at Mouri Ran incredulously, as if unable to comprehend why she'd even ask.
However, noticing the disdainful looks from Mouri Ran, Sera Masumi, Conan, and others, she hurriedly added:
"I already said, this is called investment!"
"After meeting Mr. Akikawa for the first time, I decided he must be a stock with great potential!"
"Besides, wouldn't having someone so handsome at the film festival make it more enjoyable for everyone to look at?"
"Ran, don't you think Mr. Akikawa is attractive?"
"Well, he is an artist. Isn't it normal for artists to be good-looking?" Mouri Ran replied hesitantly.
"But isn't his appearance outstanding even among artists? Really, Ran, why aren't you excited at all?"
Sonoko sighed, exasperated, then turned to Sera Masumi.
"Sera, don't you think Akikawa is handsome?"
"He's alright. I'm not too into artists."
"Why is everyone like this?!"
Seeing no one agreed with her, Suzuki Sonoko clasped her head in both hands, feeling utterly defeated.
(End of Chapter)