"""""""Thank you for your hard work!!!"""""""
The entire music video shoot had just wrapped.
Phew. I finished a job.
For the first time in a long while, I stood alone, filled with a quiet sense of accomplishment.
After filming ended, the members lingered in the studio, chatting lightly.
"Didn't today wrap up really fast?"
"Yeah, unusual. Normally Asuka isn't satisfied and we end up reshooting over and over. She's such a perfectionist, it's honestly exhausting."
"True, but I was shocked that most takes were okay on the first try today."
"My makeup felt so different, like I wasn't even myself."
"This is all thanks to you, Go-san!"
Suddenly Kozue-san turned to me.
"N-no, that's not true at all."
I waved my hands, flustered and denying it.
"No way. Thanks to you, everything went so smoothly today."
Really?
But hearing Asuka say that made me honestly happy.
"I'm lucky to get home early today, kiss kiss."
Shino gave a double peace sign with her usual blank expression.
Is that really what you're happy about?
"Grrr, I still won't accept it! Sakasegawa Atsumu!"
Kuon glared at me in frustration.
For some reason, she seemed to hate me.
I could only give an awkward smile.
Then someone tapped my shoulder.
"Hey, kid. Thanks to you, we got some really great shots today. Appreciate it."
"Oh, Director! Thank you for your hard work!"
When I turned around, the director of the shoot stood there.
"When you first came to say hello, I was surprised. A makeup artist asking so many detailed questions? But now I get it."
"Oh, the director got asked a ton too? He grilled me about camera angles."
"Me too. It was tough deciding on lighting color and intensity."
"Same here. When he asked about key choreography points, I wondered why, but he memorized it instantly."
Before I knew it, I was surrounded by the entire on-site staff.
"Thank you everyone for your help! Thanks to all of you, I could apply the makeup perfectly."
I bowed deeply and thanked them for letting me speak with them earlier.
"No wonder Asuka was late getting here. She must have been doing something like that before meeting us."
"Yeah. You can't create something good without understanding the PV concept, camera work, choreography, and costumes first."
It was essential to visualize the final result and think about how the makeup would appear on camera. That's why gathering information beforehand was so important.
"By the way, didn't you jump in halfway through filming?"
Kuromi asked.
"You were even checking the dance with the choreographer."
Mitsutori added, recalling the shoot.
"Ahaha… when I wanted it to turn out well, my body just moved on its own… sorry."
(I guess I was being a bit too pushy.)
I reflected on my actions.
"No need to apologize. I told you to do whatever you wanted, and everyone on set agreed, so it's fine. Besides, you handled so many things at Prism Prison, right?"
"Thank you, Asuka-san. Well… yeah. Makeup, storyboarding, filming, editing… I think I even got involved with choreography at some point."
I was gradually given more and more difficult tasks.
But I was always harshly criticized.
"Hmm, Prism Prison was selected as one of the latest rising idol groups… I can see why they're so popular. By the way, with skills like yours doing such perfect makeup, aren't you a professional makeup artist?"
"No, I'm not a makeup specialist. I'm just a manager."
"Just a manager?!"
Suzuka's eyes widened in shock.
"Huh? Did I say something weird? Isn't this normal for a manager who supports talents?"
"That's not normal at all! No one does that! It's insane!!! Damn, I'm getting dizzy."
Suzuka clutched her head.
The members, director, and staff all looked stunned when they heard my story.
I'd always thought this was just how things were because I'd done it for so long, but apparently I was wrong.
"I've never heard of anyone handling everything alone, kid. That's impressive, but it's way too much work. No matter how many bodies you had, it wouldn't be enough."
"Exactly. I understand why they wanted to leave everything to Go-kun since he does such good work, but it's just not normal. What kind of workload were they putting on him?"
"Really? Is that even possible?"
"No, there's definitely something wrong with that agency."
Everyone who heard my story looked genuinely angry.
I'd worried they might think an amateur like me was mocking professional work, but their reaction was completely different from what I expected. I felt relieved.
"By the way, isn't it okay for Prism Prison's manager to be here?"
Kozue asked a very reasonable question.
"Kozue-chan, that's fine. He was recently forced to quit."
"Eh!!! Why?! It would be such a waste to let Go-san quit!!!"
"Why…? They said anyone could do my job, haha…"
Yes. I'd always been told it was work anyone could handle, so there'd be no problem if I left.
Even now, whoever replaced me was probably doing better than I ever did.
"Then come to my place, kid! Be my apprentice."
"Oh, Director, that's not fair. Go-kun, join our camera crew."
"No no, lighting team."
"No, come work as a choreographer for various idols at our dance agency."
Staff members kept trying to recruit me one after another.
(I'm so happy… but why me?)
"What's all this commotion about?"
A sharp, cold voice suddenly cut through.
The previous lively chatter instantly quieted.
"Y-yes, President! Thank you for your hard work!"
Everyone stopped and greeted her respectfully.
Why was the female president of Starliner Agency—the agency representing Asterisk—here?!
Hoshikage Mikage.
"President, you're here."
Kuon ran over and called out to her.
"Yes. I consider this new song 'Kimi no Hitomi no 1 Inch' a crucial step for the group to reach the next level. The agency is betting heavily on it. The quality of the PV will determine the song's future success or failure, so I came to check it myself. More importantly… is filming already finished?"
"Yes. Thanks to Go here, it went smoother than ever before."
Asuka answered with her chest puffed out proudly.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Sakasegawa Atsumu. P-pleased to meet you!"
"Hmm. So you're the boy Asuka mentioned."
President Hoshikage narrowed her eyes and stared intently at me.
The tension made my heart feel like it might freeze.
(By the way… what exactly did Asuka tell the president about me?)
"Yes. Go has the same eyes as me. The ability to oversee everything, grasp the situation, and make the next best move. Today proved that judgment was correct."
"You've earned that much praise from Asuka. Then let me confirm. May I see the footage?"
"Yes, right away!"
The staff quickly set up the monitor.
Everyone watched in tense silence as President Hoshikage reviewed the video.
○ ●
"Wonderful… I can't believe you captured this with almost no NG takes."
"Right?! Go is amazing!"
"Yes. This scene with Asuka's expression is something we've never seen before. Even though the full PV release is still ahead, we should quickly edit just this part and upload it as a teaser video today."
"That scene owes a lot to the kid's direction. He was incredible. He understood the picture Asuka-chan wanted, the picture I wanted, and gave precise instructions for lighting, camera angles, member choreography, and expressions. It was a huge help that he moved without needing to be told."
Asuka looked satisfied, and the director was showering me with praise.
I felt a little embarrassed.
"Also, I have a feeling someone being here is why we got such cute expressions, don't you think?"
"Director!!"
The director grinned mischievously while Asuka sharply retorted.
(Hmm? Someone? Who?)
President Hoshikage cleared her throat.
Everyone's attention turned to her.
"Sakasegawa-kun. Would you consider working at this agency? As support for Asterisk."
"President!?"
All the members except Asuka looked shocked.
"I believe that with you here, Asterisk can go even higher. What do you say?"
I see.
So Asuka had already spoken to the president beforehand.
She was trying to pick me up after my family threw me out.
Thinking about it made me really happy.
But…
"Asuka-san, President Hoshikage. Thank you so much, but… I'll have to decline."
"Eh, Go!? Why?!"
"Right now, I want to step away from the entertainment world for a while and try living a normal life. Besides, I'm not skilled enough."
I spoke my honest feelings.
"Oh my. Asuka, you got rejected."
"Ugh… his misunderstanding still hasn't cleared up…"
(My misunderstanding? What does that mean?)
"I think I could participate occasionally, so if you ever need me again, I'd be happy to help. Please call on me then."
"It seems nothing more will change his mind for now. It's getting late, so let's wrap up here."
President Hoshikage clapped her hands twice.
"Ah, Go… I'm not giving up!"
"Oh, Asuka's getting unusually fired up."
"Kuromi thinks it's a shame too."
"Next time, come for a job where you can see more of my body."
"I wish you were here so we could finish earlier… too bad."
"Go-san, see you again!"
"Sakasegawa Atsumu! I never needed your support from the beginning!"
"Kid, let's work together again sometime."
"If you want to use a camera, I'll lend you one."
"Ah, I'll lend you lighting equipment too!"
"You can come dance at my studio anytime?"
Surrounded by so many people, being thanked and invited like this at the end of a job… this was the first time.
Normally, when work finished, I'd immediately rush to the next site without rest.
"Everyone, thank you so much for today!"
I raised my voice and expressed my gratitude to them all.
And so, today's job came to an end.