I’m QUELL’s Manager Candidate, Yuzuki Hiro!

[nebulancer]

 I’m QUELL’s Manager Candidate, Yuzuki Hiro!

Shu: It got a little late, but I’m glad we were able to find a replacement for the restaurant.

Eichi: When I heard that customer yelling, I was wondering what mess we’d find ourselves in.

Yuzuki: Umm… It seemed as if everyone were in dire straits, so… I couldn’t hold myself back… from doing something unnecessary.

Shu: Allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m Izumi Shu. It’s an honor to meet you. I had learned of your name previously.

Yuzuki: Eh— N-no, no, nonono! I-I’m not someone that important, really… B-but thank you.

Ichiru: So? Like, Issei and I don’t know this person’s name, though?

Yuzuki: Whuh— A-ah, yes. I’m Yuzuki Hiro. Um, well, I’m sorry for being late in my introductions.

Ichiru: Hey. You know.

Yuzuki: Y-yes!

Ichiru: Why d’you have to apologize for every little thing?

Yuzuki: ...Eh?

Ichiru: Thanks to your help, I found my phone, the customer who was causing a ruckus in the shop left in good spirits, and the other customers were guided to other restaurants. They were super grateful to you, like “You saved me~!” and stuff. There’s no reason for you to be apologizin’ anywhere.

Yuzuki: Well, that… Um.

Eichi: Fufu. That part’s never changed about you, Yuzuki-san.

Yuzuki: Ah… I’m sorry.

Ichiru: See! You’re apologizing again!

Yuzuki: A-a-ah! Um, well, h-how do I say it… I-I’m sorry.

Issei: Pfft— haha! Ah! I apologize for laughing at that. Let me introduce myself. I’m Kuga Issei.

Ichiru: I’m Kuga Ichiru, Issei’s little brother.

Kuga twins: Let’s get along well together.

Yuzuki: Haah…

Ichiru: Hm? Dude, you know… You listening?

Yuzuki: AH, YES! Of course… Umm… I was just thinking that you really do look similar. Exactly alike… 

Ichiru: You said that last time too, man!

Yuzuki: Yes. Looking at you two again, you really are so charming that it surprises me. QUELL’s popularity is also climbing steadily, which I can attribute that to as well. At first, for better or for worse, it was a unit that centered on Izumi Shu. If that were all, however, the number of fans wouldn’t have been the same. In fact, there might have been fans who were worried about the pause of activity from his former unit, thus finding it difficult to support QUELL honestly. Since it was such a sudden announcement… But now, it’s largely shifted to a positive mood of wanting to support you four as you try your best. Although Izumi-san was once the youngest member of his group, he’s grown to have reliable leadership; Eichi-kun’s communication skills that lighten the mood; and the twins’ sense of stunning talent and inborn charm. And, without a doubt, all four of your extraordinary singing skills and teamwork are undoubtedly accumulating popularity.

Issei: Oh… Umm…

Ichiru: Oh, wow. You can actually talk a lot.

Yuzuki: Ah— A-ah, I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself—

Issei: You know QUELL very well, don’t you.

Yuzuki: Aah, yes. I received a message from Eichi-kun asking whether or not I’d like to become your manager, so I searched you up a little… Um, I’m so sorry if it bothers you.

Shu: I’d heard that you had quit the managing profession and were then contracted under another profession.

Yuzuki: Ah, yes. I thought being a manager in the talent industry was impossible for me afterwards…

Ichiru: Impossible…? Why? The part where you look after people’s problems so much that it prompts them to say “you’re meddling too much” is just like Eichi. You seem perfect for it.

Eichi: *stiffly* Icchi~. Um, could you tone that down a little~?

Ichiru: Did you… come to hate the talent that you were looking after?

Yuzuki: Of course not! —Ah… I’m… sorry.

Eichi: Icchi, Yuzuki-san’s an amazing manager who puts his talents first and foremost. The reason he quit being a manager was… because of that same reason.

Issei: ...What do you mean?

Shu: The female actress that he’d been in charge of had to retire suddenly. At that exact moment, Yuzuki-san also retired. That’s what I heard at that time, but…

Yuzuki: ...Yes. I couldn’t stop her retirement, even though she’d been our company’s breadwinner. I was a failure as a manager… wasn’t I? ...Haha.

Eichi: That’s not it at all… Didn’t you just become the company’s scapegoat, for her sake?

Yuzuki: E-Eichi-kun!

Ichiru: Scapegoat?

Eichi: Yuzuki-san wished for her happiness when she wanted to follow her lover who had been relocated overseas for business. He kept quiet about it and was kicked out as a result.

Issei: Her lover… It would’ve been a big mess if it had gotten out.

Shu: The company must not have wanted her to retire, either. If that had slipped to the top brass, they could’ve stopped her from leaving without a sweat.

Eichi: But that’s why! It’s just plain wrong that you had to become the victim of it all! I just know it.

Yuzuki: Umm… I’m not a victim. Eichi-kun, I asked to retire, and they let me go. I asked it of my own accord. Since it’s the unshakeable truth that I had dealt the company a loss.

Eichi: But…!

Yuzuki: Managers work to help out their talents’ jobs. At the same time, it’s a precious job that has to consider the profits of their company. ...But at that time, I couldn’t think of anything to do except retire. I really… was so powerless.

Eichi: Yuzuki-san…

Yuzuki: Because she’d retired, I might have had a hand in destroying what future she could have had. If I were to speak the honest truth, there was a side of me that wanted to see her flourish and achieve success as an actress.

Shu: I see. So you have lingering attachments toward being a manager, don’t you?

Yuzuki: Eh— ...Yes, I do.

Eichi: Yuzuki-san. Even now, you like the entertainment business, right?

Yuzuki: Of course I do.

Eichi: [Clutches his chest.] Haah, I’m glad to hear that. I wondered what I’d do if you said you had absolutely no interest in it…!

Ichiru: But basically, if you screw up, you gotta make up for it, right?

Issei: Yuzuki-san, if you’re the way you are now, you might be able to choose a different path. Giving up before you give it a shot is a complete waste.

Yuzuki: Ah—… Make up for it… with a different path…?

Eichi: Plus, we have to return the happy things that we received from you!

Issei: Mmhmm. We have to let there be twice as many smiles!

Ichiru: Looks like it reached the person himself way faster than I thought!

Eichi: Yep!

Yuzuki: Um… What do you mean by, twice…?

Shu: All of us want to help you out. That’s what we mean. Yuzuki-san, please let us introduce you to our company’s managing department. Please. [He bows.]

Yuzuki: I-I-Izumi-san!? P-p-please lift your head!!

Ichiru: You know what’s more important? Your response. You don’t hate it, do you?

Yuzuki: Well… of course not… It’s an honor, but…

Ichiru: But?

Yuzuki: But that incident from the past had happened, so I can’t seem to think that I have a good reputation in the business…

Eichi: That part is something we’ll properly explain to the president! Right, Shu?

Shu: Yes, of course. It’ll be fine. He’s not someone who will judge others based on rumors and word of mouth. Though he’s a bit strange.

Issei: ...How about it, Yuzuki-san?

Yuzuki: Ahh… Mmh. ...I look forward to working with you!

—

[In QUELL’s dorms. The plates clink.]

Ichiru: [Walking into the living room.] *yawning* Hrrgh… G’murrning…

Shu: Hh. [Cracks an egg.] Good morning, Ichiru. This is great. Perfect timing. I had just been thinking of going to wake you up.

Ichiru: Hrmm… Shu, whatcha doing?

Shu: I’m making fried eggs.

Ichiru: Wheh? YOU?

Shu: Isn’t it okay for me to do it once in a while? I have to try new things every day, too.

Ichiru: The new thing you’re trying out is… frying eggs.

Shu: More specifically, the new thing is making breakfast for someone.

Ichiru: I see! All right, I’ll help out too!

Shu: Thanks. Then, could you toast the bread?

Ichiru: Okay~ [He puts the bread into the toaster.] This is good! *yawns*

Shu: You still sound tired.

Ichiru: Hrrmgh… ‘Cuz my schedule’s been real busy recentlrrghh… *yawns*

Shu: You’re not used to it?

Ichiru: Hrmm… I’ll get used to it over time.

Shu: That’s reassuring to hear. Where’s Issei?

Ichiru: He was fast asleep, so I’ll wake him up later. When’s Eichi supposed to be back?

Shu: I just got a message from him that he just left the agency. I’m pretty sure Yuzuki-san’s coming with him, too.

Ichiru: Whew, finally? He’s stubborn in the weirdest ways. Saying stuff like “I want to first learn from watching!” even though he can just be an official manager at this point…

Shu: Now, now, don’t say that. It’s what the person himself wants.

Ichiru: He’s taking a bunch of unnecessary detours even though he can already handle jobs, no sweat. He’s losing out. All the time.

Shu: I wanted to leave QUELL to him exactly because he’s like that. Even if he did wander around by taking detours, he’ll stay with us as he thinks up a way for everyone to keep on smiling.

Ichiru: Well, that’s… I get that, I guess. I asked him about why he was in front of the studio when we first met him. He said that, since it was his final job with his company, he wanted to offer up his thanks and apologies to the related companies. He went there in person to do that.

Shu: I see… 

Ichiru: Also, Eichi said this before, but he doesn’t have a dad and his mom’s hospitalized. He’s got a lot to deal with, right?

Shu: Seems so. And I’ve heard that he’s an only child, too.

Ichiru: Like, I’ve never had a mom, so I wouldn’t know how that feels, but… if Issei ever fell ill, I’d just straight-up not care about anyone else. I think I’d say something like “Tell me the best way to get money, fast!”

Shu: I see. If anything had happened to any of you three, I might say the same.

Ichiru: Even though he’s struggling enough on his own, he’s helping out others all the time. He really is one weird dude. But… he’s that sorta person, so that’s why Eichi’s trying to support him with all he has, too. Right? I’ve never seen Eichi asserting something so strongly as when he said “Yuzuki-san, you did nothing wrong!”

Shu: Me neither. Apparently, Yuzuki-san had helped him out a lot back when he wasn’t used to the workplace.

Ichiru: The joyful things that you get from other people won’t disappear, no matter how much time passes, huh? I wonder if that guy will ever think something like “I’m so glad I became QUELL’s manager~!” It’d be really nice if that day ever came.

Shu: I think so too. Let’s all work hard together so that he can say it someday.

Ichiru: Um, uh… Also. Shu… have you ever… thought that you were glad… that we became QUELL?

Shu: Hm? Haha. Yes, of course I have. I’ve never gone a day without thinking that.

Ichiru: Gh— Dummy! That’s too much.

Shu: Because it’s the truth.

Ichiru: Hmmgh… Fine. Then, in that case, let’s settle this by saying I’ve returned one happy thing back to you.

Shu: Ichiru…

Ichiru: But there’s still one that I gotta give back, okay? Prepare yourself.

[The bread finishes toasting.]

Ichiru: Ah, the bread’s done! Shu, you gotta finish cooking the eggs or else it’ll burn.

Shu: Oh, that’s right. I forgot.

[He removes the eggs from the frying pan as footsteps walk in.]

Issei: *yawns* Hmm… Good morning…

Ichiru: Ah, Issei!

Issei: Sorry about before… I’m still sleepy…

Ichiru: It’s totally fine. You’re just in time for breakfast.

Issei: Mm, I see… *stretches* Ahh! I’ll help with putting out the plates.

[The door to their dorms opens.]

Eichi: I’m back~

Issei: Ah, Eichi… Welcome back.

Eichi: Oh, this smells good! I’m hungry~

Ichiru: It’s newly made! *teasingly* But the fried eggs might’ve gotten a little burnt~

Shu: I’m sorry, Eichi. *stressed* Wait a moment.

Eichi: Eh— Are you okay? Should I help out?

Shu: It’s fine. I want to do it. Let me do it.

Yuzuki: ...Ah— Ah, um… Eh… Excuse me…

[Yuzuki walks in.]

Issei: Oh. Good morning, Yuzuki-san. 

Ichiru: What’re you so nervous for? Also, let’s eat together if you’re hungry!

Yuzuki: …! Yes, gladly! Allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m Yuzuki Hiro. As QUELL’s manager candidate, I’ll do all I can to do my part. I’ll be in your care!

QUELL: I’ll be in your care!

[End.]