After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

Kagura Hikaru already knew Mr. Sagami was not lying.

He could judge lies and truth through an almost olfactory sense, and he hadn't detected any misleading scent from Mr. Sagami, who was a sincere person.

Yet, to be cautious and to reassure Ai Cheng Hua Lian and the others, he still followed the number on the business card and called the music company to confirm the talent scout's identity.

The receptionist on the phone provided him with Mr. Sagami's full name and his position.

It was no wonder Kagura Hikaru was cautious, as modern people all understand that one must be careful when signing contracts. One slip, and the law could end up supporting the wrong side, something to be avoided.

At least now, in Kagura Hikaru's eyes, this talent scout was still trustworthy, as he hadn't lied since they met. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire

"Mr. Kagura?"

Perhaps because he had taken a long time to think, Mr. Sagami gave Kagura Hikaru a doubtful look.

"...Sorry, I was distracted."

"No worries, no worries," Mr. Sagami kindly smiled, "Please forgive my eagerness. I especially asked the Red Pepper Band members to extend an invitation to you, Mr. Kagura. Could you tell me your answer?"

"Today isn't the meeting with the Red Pepper Band?" Kagura Hikaru glanced back at Ai Cheng Hua Lian and the others.

Ai Cheng Hua Lian shook her head, saying, "It's okay, go ahead and talk, Kagura."

"Yeah, we're not in a hurry," Ruzaki Mami said with a smile.

"I'm also very curious about what Mr. Kagura will choose," Saijo Maya said curiously, hands on her hips.

Hoshimi Nana winked playfully, "Are you saying that Mr. Kagura is going to form a band with us? You'll have to dress in drag then~"

"No, ladies," Mr. Sagami laughed as he explained, "I want Mr. Kagura to join another professional band. Their guitar player just announced a solo career, and if Mr. Kagura is willing, he could fill the position."

"A guitar player just went solo from a professional band…. Could it be the 'Firefly Band'?" Hoshimi Nana asked, surprised.

After receiving a nod of affirmation from Mr. Sagami, she opened her mouth wide, then excitedly said to Kagura Hikaru, "Mr. Kagura, please, please agree! This is an extremely good opportunity!!"

"Is that band very famous?" Kagura Hikaru asked, puzzled.

"Eh? Mr. Kagura, are you really from the Island Nation?!"

"..."

Ai Cheng Hua Lian snapped back from her reverie and softly explained, "The Firefly Band is a band that debuted five years ago; their first released song was a hit, and it must have broken a hundred million views on YouTube by now. They are the most famous band among the younger generation, and they have some fame overseas too. Kagura, if you are looking for a band to join, they are the best choice."

"Indeed, the Firefly Band is our company's ace, our golden business card."

Mr. Sagami warmly rubbed his beer belly. "The departure of their guitar player was a big blow to them and to us as well, so when I saw Mr. Kagura's performance, I immediately realized this was a good opportunity. Mr. Kagura has the looks, the skills, and is also very young, making him more than suitable."

Kagura Hikaru could feel the envious glances from the members of the Red Pepper Band behind him.

Being able to join a top band in the Island Nation right from debut sounded indeed like an enviable opportunity; it represented endless money and fame. All Kagura Hikaru had to do was nod and honestly work for a couple of years, and he probably wouldn't have to worry about his livelihood for the rest of his life.

But that was exactly the issue.

Kagura Hikaru didn't want money, nor did he crave fame. All he saw were the essential questions—whether to enter the music industry and whether to collaborate with others.

Given his circumstances, he had certainly envisioned many futures.

Kagura Hikaru could become a capitalist, a musician, a novelist, a comic artist, a scientist—except for professions like a politician, which relied on more than just skills, he could excel at them, achieving astounding success in a very short time.

That was the confidence the Golden Finger brought him, his knowledge vast and comprehensive.

But having too many choices also brought a kind of luxury problem, as Kagura Hikaru didn't know which path was the right one, for they all seemed right.

Ultimately, it all came down to his personal preferences; simply put, what kind of work he liked, that would be his future pursuit.

As long as he didn't arrogantly challenge jobs that didn't care about the technical field, he was undoubtedly capable of handling them.

So, what about as a guitarist?

Now, this was the path that lay before Kagura Hikaru, as the music company represented by Mr. Sagami extended a tempting offer to him.

Kagura Hikaru looked at Mr. Sagami's face, imagined himself singing and dancing on the stage with a group of strangers, with tens of thousands cheering below... Well, that vibe just didn't suit him.

He liked the quiet.

So, after considering for five seconds, he gave his answer, "Sorry."

Mr. Sagami looked as if he had been gently punched, his eyes widened slightly, then he showed a resigned smile, stretching out his right hand to Kagura Hikaru, "Alright, even if we can't work together, we can still maintain our friendship, right?"

Kagura Hikaru shook his hand, "Yes, but you are wrong, we are not unable to work together."

"Oh? How so?"

"I prefer working behind the scenes, rather than standing in the spotlight."

"Behind-the-scenes work related to music, composing?"

"The song I performed last time with the Red Pepper Band—'Red and Blue,' was a joint creation of ours."

"Hmm.... interesting, we can talk more about it later."

Mr. Sagami showed a somewhat intrigued expression.

A composer, for a music company, such talent could never be too plentiful. As long as they could write a hit song, it could bring in profits many times higher than the cost of hiring them.

He didn't believe that Kagura Hikaru's composing skills were as good as his guitar skills, but offering him a chance was nonetheless feasible. If Kagura Hikaru wasn't up to the mark and got eliminated, he could still try to recruit him into the band later, possibly with an even higher success rate.

Kagura Hikaru could see Mr. Sagami pondering something, but he didn't mind; as long as he demonstrated his composing skills, he would naturally get hooked.

Indeed, he planned to take up work.

Performing at live houses could only be considered a part-time job, an important stepping stone for underground musicians dreaming of a professional career, but for Kagura Hikaru, it was merely a stage to keep himself from getting bored, a form of after-school entertainment.

Frankly, despite performing on stage so many times, he had never once thought of it as work.

But this time, Kagura Hikaru changed his mind.@@novelbin@@

In middle school, he was restrained by Kohinata Motoyo. In high school, he was controlled by Kiryu Hina. Recently, he almost became a caged canary for Ayakoji Chiyoko.

Now, having cleared all his personal relationships, Kagura Hikaru found he had regained the long-lost 'freedom'.

No one would stop him, no one would demand anything from him, and he owed nothing to anyone.

Now, Kagura Hikaru was truly a free agent.

The last time he felt this way was when he first entered Bunkyo Middle School. Back then, he only knew Kiryu Hina and, possessing the Golden Finger, seemed to have an infinitely bright future.

Unexpectedly, upon stepping in, it took until now to finally be liberated.

Kagura Hikaru realized he was wrong; his interest in the scout's invitation was not due to a so-called 'surge of vitality post-disaster,' but rather a desire to step off the predetermined track and take a new step, to try a new life.

A composer, such a future wouldn't be bad.

He glanced back at Ai Cheng Hua Lian, who returned his look with eyes full of worry yet expectation.

Kagura Hikaru nodded slightly.

If the Red Pepper Band decided to sign that contract, then they might end up being colleagues.