Chapter 497

"No need, thank you."

The man in sunglasses clearly hadn't expected such a blunt refusal; he froze for a moment before hurriedly adding:

"Ah? Are you sure you won't reconsider? We are the very famous 'Nijiesu Agency'!"

"You don't have to rush to refuse. You could go back and look up our company's information first; it won't be too late to make a decision after you've thought it over seriously!"

Natsume Chikage shook his head again, his tone calm but leaving no room for negotiation:

"Really, there's no need. I have no interest in becoming a model or a star."

After saying this, he gave a slight nod as a gesture of courtesy and stepped sideways to bypass the man.

He reached out to gently usher Natsume Ruri and Kaga Reina, who were still a bit bewildered, and continued walking forward with them.

The talent scout from Nijiesu Agency stood where he was, watching the backs of the three as they left, his face full of regret.

He couldn't help but mutter a complaint:

"Young people these days... they really don't know how to cherish an opportunity..."

"So many people would sharpen their heads just to get into our agency, and he actually refused just like that..."

"When he's struggling to make a living later on, earning only a million or two yen a year, he'll understand what he missed out on today..."

He shook his head repeatedly, his sigh filled with pity and frustration.

As a veteran talent scout, his eye was sharp.

That boy's looks and that natural, refreshing aura were rare in the industry today.

He could almost conclude that with just a little packaging, that boy standing there would be a perfect "money-printing machine" in himself.

However.

Until Natsume Chikage's back completely disappeared into the surging crowd of Shibuya, he never once looked back.

The scout could only put away his business card in frustration and turn to leave.

Some time later.

Eight high school students walking together were chatting and laughing on the street.

Among them were Kondo Miki, Akita Sana, Shankou Hakuta, and Asagiri Kazuya.

The sharp-eyed Akita Sana suddenly lowered her voice and excitedly tugged at Kondo Miki's sleeve.

"Miki, Hakuta, look over there!"

"Is that guy in sunglasses a talent scout from the famous Nijiesu Agency? I've seen him on so many social media platforms!"

Kondo Miki followed her gaze and nodded.

"It really seems to be him. I heard he has very picky taste."

Akita Sana stuck out her tongue and giggled:

"But it seems Nijiesu Agency only recruits boys."

"For us two girls, at least we're spared the trouble of being pestered by a scout."

Beside them, Shankou Hakuta and Asagiri Kazuya, who had been walking casually, straightened their backs subconsciously upon hearing this.

The two of them simultaneously adjusted their collars, their gazes drifting as if unintentionally toward the scout walking in their direction.

In their eyes, there was a faint, imperceptible hint of anticipation.

The Nijiesu Agency scout was still immersed in the frustration of missing out on a "good talent."

As he walked, he was replaying his own clumsy phrasing from earlier, feeling deeply annoyed.

Just then, he noticed the eight high school students walking toward him.

Professional habit made him scan them quickly.

The two girls, Akita Sana and Kondo Miki, were indeed delicate and cute.

But his agency didn't recruit females, so his gaze swept past them.

Among the remaining boys, Shankou Hakuta and Asagiri Kazuya could be called handsome, the type that would attract attention walking on campus.

But having seen the level of "stunning" that Natsume Chikage possessed, looking at these "mildly handsome" boys, he only found them plain and uninteresting.

He had no interest in stopping and even frowned with some irritation.

When passing by this group of high school students, he didn't even give them an extra glance.

He walked straight past.

Shankou Hakuta and Asagiri Kazuya, who had been completely ignored, saw the expressions on their faces stiffen instantly.

The two slowed their pace simultaneously, the atmosphere becoming somewhat awkward.

Shankou Hakuta gave a dry cough, his tone carrying obvious bitterness and defiance:

"No wonder Nijiesu Agency has never been able to outperform the other big ones; I think it's because these scouts are incompetent."

Asagiri Kazuya nodded in agreement immediately, trying to regain some face:

"Indeed!"

After walking further away.

Kaga Reina raised her face to look at Natsume Chikage's profile.

In her shy voice, there was undisguised admiration:

"Big Brother Natsume... you're amazing. Even walking on the street, such an impressive scout would take notice of you."

Natsume Ruri also felt a small surge of pride in her heart.

After all, he was her dearest brother.

But she was more curious:

"But Brother... why did you refuse so bluntly just now? You didn't even take the business card."

Natsume Chikage shook his head, his tone flat:

"I really have no interest in being a star."

Upon hearing this, Natsume Ruri seemed relieved instead, smiling with her eyes curved:

"Mm-hmm, actually, I don't want Brother to be a star either."

Natsume Chikage looked at her with some curiosity:

"Oh? Although I didn't plan to anyway, but... why?"

Natsume Ruri wrinkled her nose and started muttering in a low voice, listing the reasons as if they were treasures:

"Because I've seen many entertainment reports and programs saying that the entertainment industry is very chaotic."

"And, the vast majority of minor stars and models can't make any money at all; it might not even be as good as being an ordinary office worker."

"Only by climbing to the third tier or above can you really earn a considerable income."

"But to become famous, you have to go through several years of hard training and operational packaging. If there's no splash in the first year of debut, there's a high probability of being shelved by the company later."

"By then, tied by the contract, you can't find a formal job and can only do odd jobs."

"Some companies are even worse; to force worthless newcomers to propose contract termination themselves, they will deliberately arrange a bunch of impossible tasks, like making you be in the east of the city in the morning and the west of the city by night, working continuously without giving you a chance to breathe..."

The more she spoke, the more serious she became, her little face full of disapproval.

"Using these methods to force people to collapse and voluntarily terminate the contract, the company can then turn around and claim a breach of contract penalty."

"So, I am a million times unwilling for Brother to enter any entertainment industry. Less money, more trouble, and deeper pits."

Natsume Chikage looked at his younger sister with some surprise.

He didn't expect her to understand the dark side of this industry so clearly.

He nodded approvingly:

"You know it in great detail. The situation is indeed mostly like that."

He then turned to Kaga Reina, his tone gentle but with a warning:

"Kaga-san, you should be careful in the future too. In a place like Shibuya, don't easily trust so-called 'talent scouts' who approach you."

"Many are scams, especially targeting young girls like you."

"Remember, when encountering such a situation, the best way is to leave immediately and not get entangled. This will absolutely not be wrong."

Kaga Reina listened with some fear and nodded vigorously and obediently:

"So... there are so many dangers in this."

"It's my first time knowing... Thank you for the reminder, Big Brother Natsume."

Soon.

The three arrived at their destination—in front of the spacious and bright QLOUNI store.

In the huge glass display window, the latest casual outfits for the season were on display.