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

Having discussed Kagura Hikaru's situation, it was naturally Red Pepper Band's turn.

However, before they started their conversation, guests began to trickle into the livehouse, livening up the place considerably. It seemed a performance was about to start, and obviously, it was not a good atmosphere for talking.

Mr. Sagami, as was to be expected, led them out of there.

This livehouse was merely a meeting point; he had never intended to discuss business in such a place.

He took Kagura Hikaru and the others to a homey family restaurant, ordered a drink, juice or coffee, for each of them, and of course, desserts were not omitted. Mr. Sagami had paid the bill in advance, and there was nothing Kagura Hikaru and the others could do to stop him.

This tactic of winning people over by rushing to pick up the tab is very Chinese. Either he had spent time in China, or he had Chinese people around him.

The naive members of Red Pepper Band didn't perceive the talent scout's subtle manipulation at all. Under Mr. Sagami's generosity, they gratefully indulged in the food.

Now, in their eyes, the talent scout had become the epitome of a generous adult, as dear to them as their own uncles. Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire

After a bit of casual, cheerful chatter, Mr. Sagami finally got down to business.

Just as he had said before, he wanted to sign the Red Pepper Band and become their agent.

This was their first serious conversation, so the topics were fairly basic.

The discussion naturally started with the treatment they would receive after signing.

As unknown newcomers, the company obviously couldn't provide that many resources initially. However, if they were to become popular, even modestly so, they would see an increase in support from all sides.

But if they were to sign, Mr. Sagami had one particular demand for the members of Red Pepper Band, unexpected yet reasonable.

He insisted that all the members, including Ai Cheng Hua Lian, give up their exaggerated gyaru makeup.

Some famous bands from the Island Nation don't show their faces, wearing masks is still common, and there's even some with wolf head covers, so any quirks are possible.

But the extreme gyaru makeup of Red Pepper Band, which everyone deems ugly once applied, indeed proved to be a bit too much play.

"You all have such good looks, you should show them off openly and confidently," said Mr. Sagami.

This statement seemed to touch a nerve, as the members of Red Pepper Band awkwardly exchanged glances, falling into a delicate silence.

Kagura Hikaru, with her keen senses, noticed that they were all covertly glancing towards Ruzaki Mami, who had a hint of bitter resignation in her expression.

There seemed to be some hidden issues at play.

The talent scout, Mr. Sagami, didn't notice any of this, continuing to praise their beautiful appearance, which matched their musical skills, and seemed to already be envisioning their future market development.

The members of Red Pepper Band really fell for his spiel, all listening attentively.

All except for Ruzaki Mami, who had been distracted ever since the mention of removing their makeup.

Kagura Hikaru didn't know what she was so worried about. She wasn't ugly; on the contrary, she was quite cute with a petite, round face that Island Nation people generally find appealing—someone like Minami Hamabe or Arisa Yagi, a great asset in a girl band.

Logically, she couldn't be anxious about her appearance, unless Ruzaki Mami had some special expectations for herself, like being over one meter seventy, but Kagura Hikaru didn't think that was the case. She hadn't expressed any self-deprecating remarks or shown any signs of height worship the last time they met.

He made a mental note to discuss this with Ai Cheng later on.

It seemed like the Sagami Talent Scout was there merely to make contact with them today, to gauge the willingness of Kagura Hikaru and the Red Pepper Band to sign. After talking about the basic terms and noticing hesitation from the band members, he cleverly backed off, giving them a few days to think it over and to call him once they had decided, before taking his leave.

After he left, Kagura Hikaru and the others remained in the family restaurant, falling into silence.

Kagura Hikaru had been sitting with Mr. Sagami, and after the latter left, he was the only one left facing the four members of Ai Cheng Hua Lian across the table.

He acted as if he hadn't noticed the girls exchanging glances, calmly savoring his coffee with the elegance of a nobleman awaiting an audience with the king in the Palace of Fontainebleau, the kind over fifty and without desires.

The girls from the band whispered something to each other, then Ruzaki Mami's face suddenly changed, becoming agitated, and her voice grew slightly louder.

"Absolutely, absolutely not, I won't allow you to do this!"

Ai Cheng Hua Lian spoke up in her normal volume, her expression helpless, "Mami, Red Pepper Band can't afford to lose anyone, we won't leave you behind."

"Yeah, yeah, we are good sisters!" Hoshimi Nana, who also looked like a spicy girl off the stage, grabbed Ruzaki Mami's arm and kept nodding like a big golden retriever.

Next to them, Saijo Maya seemed more mature, resting her chin in her hand and pondering, "Maybe we can negotiate with the agent, that Mr. Sagami seemed quite approachable."

"He won't agree, if Mami quits, then we're no longer the band he was interested in," Ai Cheng Hua Lian shook her head in disagreement, "Besides, if Mami's not here, then I don't want to keep singing either."

"Karen-chan...." Ruzaki Mami grabbed her hand, looked down, biting her lip, feeling touched and guilty at the same time.

The girls quieted down, looking at each other as if conveying emotions through their eyes, and the atmosphere became quiet, filled with the scent of oranges.

"Ahem."

Kagura Hikaru coughed twice, startling them, and with a clack, he set down his coffee cup, "It seems you have something to discuss, should I excuse myself?"

"Ah." Ai Cheng Hua Lian snapped back to reality, apologizing with embarrassment, "Sorry Kagura, we've been talking amongst ourselves."

While speaking, she still held onto Ruzaki Mami's hand tight, as if afraid she would run away.

Kagura Hikaru observed their expressions, crossed his arms, and leaned back against the soft back of the restaurant booth, "Don't you want to sign the contract?"

"Of course we do~" Hoshimi Nana spoke carelessly.

But Saijo Maya elbowed her and glanced at Ruzaki Mami before turning her head to say, "Nana and I share the same opinion, but if it means Mami will quit, then I'd rather not sign that contract."

"Why do you assume that Ruzaki will leave?" Kagura Hikaru asked.

Saijo Maya clamped her mouth shut, as if stuck, her complexion conflicted.@@novelbin@@

At that moment, Ai Cheng Hua Lian let out a sigh, took over the conversation, "Kagura, do you know why we put on such exaggerated makeup when we go on stage?"

"To showcase personality?"

Although Kagura Hikaru said this, he knew that couldn't be the reason.

Sure enough, Ai Cheng Hua Lian shook her head, "That's only part of it, the main reason is to disguise our true faces."

"So, the one among you who doesn't want to reveal her identity is..."

"It's me."

Ruzaki Mami smiled helplessly and nodded, "It's for my sake that Karen-chan and everyone else inconvenienced themselves, putting on that strange makeup to perform."