Chapter 2023: Trouble comes after

SS Music, the music label that signed Yue as Mabushisa Asahi is one of the most prominent in the music industry. They have already produced many singers and even idol units that topped the charts.

But behind that label was a bigger hegemon called SS Entertainment which encompassed everything related to it.

And the place we're going to was actually the company's 50-story skyscraper located in this special ward of the capital.

When Kaoru-san drove into their compound, the security was quite intense. Although we didn't get interrogated, they pried upon our objective for coming even if Yue and Kaoru-san already provided them with the details.

Then, when we got into the lobby, it was another interrogation from the reception desk before we got a temporary ID Pass that would allow us to continue into the building.

Yua and I only got a visitor pass but Akane and Miho got a special one. It's a pass that would allow them to be inside the recording studio or rehearsal rooms.

And since someone was always checking those passes, it would also save them the hassle of being barred from entering.

Our visitor pass was more limited. We're not allowed to wander on our own and have to always be around the vicinity of someone with a staff pass like Kaoru-san. If there's an artist or talent with us like Yue, we're prohibited from blocking their way or getting too close to them unless we get tacit permission.

Unfortunately, even though Yue also wanted to get us a special pass, the security management that oversees that department was that strict.

Well, it's not really a problem for me or Yua since we're only going to watch over them, and with Kaoru-san accompanying us, we wouldn't get into trouble unless... trouble itself found us.

Yes.

Just like at this very moment.

"Hey. Why are you not backing away? Did the receptionist not brief you about how you should behave? And why are you on this floor???" snarled the pompous guy with dyed moss-green hair and an outlandish outfit who bumped into me.

Our group had just left the elevator that led us to the 23rd floor of the building. As we were about to turn a corner with Kaoru-san as a guide, the idiot suddenly popped out from one of the rooms before I got past it.

I managed to stop before I bumped into him but given that we were of the same height and the guy had the air of superiority in him, he immediately acted like this when he saw the visitor pass slung over my neck.

He could be an actor or another singer like Yue for all I care but this dude... he's embodying the rumors about the arrogant artist that are rampant on the internet.

He could've asked nicely and yet here we are.

I matched his gaze calmly before taking a step back.

I know he's power-tripping but retaliating will not just trouble me but also everyone with me. That's why I can still let this pass.

However, even though I already retreated, the guy's stance remained the same.

With a raised chin, he stared me down as though he was looking at an insect. He's still not satisfied that I took a step. He clearly wanted me to get out of his way.

Really, why do I keep running into this type of guy? Can't I encounter some reasonable ones for a change?

Anyway, to not escalate this further, I stepped to the side.

However, I forgot my girls' temperament.

Before he could be pleasewithat himself for lording over me, Yue grabbed the guy by his collar at the back, preventing him from taking a step.

"Oi, you. What did you just do?"

Although the volume of her voice was relatively normal, the tone she used was bone-chilling as though she was about to freeze all hell.

The guy visibly shivered as he slowly turned his head back.

"A-asahi-san... F-fancy meeting you here..."

This... Judging from his reaction, Yue must have been someone who outranked him in this place. On top of that, he's scared of her.

What kind of existence is she here? Where's the timid Yue who couldn't even say something when we reunited back then? I never expected her to be this fierce.

On her side, Kaoru-san was already facepalming. As for the other three, they're all showing a faint smile approving of Yue's actions.

"Answer me. What did you just do? Are you trying to act important again? Did Kakine-san not remind you yet? Also, did I ever give you permission to call me by that name?"

As Yue's words continued to drop at his head, the guy convulsed like he was being struck by thunderbolts.

By the time she finished that, the idiot's knees were already about to give up.

And sure enough, when Yue let go of his collar, he immediately prostrated himself on the floor.

"I... I did nothing wrong! I was only upholding the rules. He... He blocked my way, didn't he?!" As he blurted out those excuses, he pointed back at me, trying to pass the blame on me.

Unfortunately for him, he still failed to realize that Yue acted because of me.

"Shoya. Shoya. This is why you're not gaining any fans. Just because you gained recognition for one song, you're thinking you're already above the masses. Honestly, I'm ashamed to even consider you my senior in this field. Do you not know humility?"

Weirdly enough, I couldn't help but applaud Yue's act. She must've already dealt with this guy's shenanigans many times over. He might even be someone who also tried to lord over her when she was just starting.

But now, her popularity had already streaked past him and their standing in this company was already reversed.

Anyway, like Yue said, where is his manager anyway? Shouldn't they be with him?

"Shoya? Is he the guy who mocked his own fans during their meet-and-greet? Ugh. No wonder his popularity is declining. He's really an insufferable idiot. Good thing I never listened to his songs."

"Oh! He's a singer? Why didn't I hear of him before?

"Serves him right."

Yua, Akane, and Miho then simultaneously commented. Their words seemingly stabbed at his back which further put him down.

At this instance, it was Yue's turn to give them a thumbs up.

Following that, all four turned their gazes at me and made a peace sign.

I responded to them with a shake of my head before also giving them a thumbs up.

I mean, even though I didn't feel offended, I appreciate my girls acting out for me. That was reason enough for me to praise them.

As for the guy, Shoyo or Shoya? I already forgot his name. I couldn't care less about his plight.

I never heard his name before but I could attribute that to my lack of interest in other singers unless my girls mentioned them. Besides, he must've been always rude to people.

If what Yua said was true, mocking his fans during a meet and greet was simply stupidity. It's a surprise his contract hasn't been terminated yet.

Anyway, since we weren't really alone on this floor. I quickly walked over to their side to put an end to this.

Following down, I winked at the girls before looking down at him at the guy on the floor.

As our eyes met, I put on an amiable smile and offered my hand to him.

Of course, he was confused. So, I continued with my act and said...

"People can make mistakes. I think he didn't do it intentionally. Let's calm down, alright?"

"What are you saying, Ruki? He's being unreasonable to you." Having understood what I was trying to do here, Yue replied apprehensively. Her voice was even tinged with her concern for me.

"I know. But it's not something that warrants someone to kneel down like this, right? Dude, I apologize on her behalf."

My hand continued to hang in front of him like a bait waiting for a fish to bite.

"Okay, if you say so. But I won't apologize. His behavior is... problematic." Yue puffed up her cheeks and stared down at the guy again, causing him to cower once more.

"Mhm. I believe he's aware and will reflect on it. Am I right?"

"Y-yes... I s-should be the one apologizing."

And there we go. Hook, line, and sinker.

The guy tried to grab my hand but before he could do so, I retracted it slightly, causing him to miss it and lose his balance. His face fell to the floor.

Thump!

As the sound of him crashing there rang out, we all immediately acted like we were scrambling on our feet in panic.

"What's happening there?"

"Huh? Is that Shoya? Why is he kissing the floor?"

"Did he offend Asahi again? He never learned his lesson."

"Yeah... That looks like it. I've been watching it since earlier. Shoya started it. He blocked their way and acted up as usual."

"Quick. Call Kakine-san!"

As those voices from the onlookers started to fill the corridor, I immediately helped the guy to sit up.

However, the guy already lost consciousness.

"What just happened?"

"Ruki, you devious brute."

Behind me, I heard Kaoru-san lamenting in slight disbelief followed by Yue's amused whisper and the other girls' silent giggling.

Why did I do this? Well, I can't just let the girls take responsibility for what happened. I'll shoulder it with them.