He is an idol and a childhood sweetheart.

The broker couldn't understand this at all.

"We are the top-notch Pulchra company in the industry. In terms of resources and treatment, it far exceeds that of any other company or firm. What reason does he have for refusing?"

"The reason is very simple."

Toru Asakura smiled.

"Because this person... I like idols the most."

...........................

"Are you...recruiting new idols?"

"exactly."

Kento Watanabe nodded.

"Although it's still just a studio... not even in its infancy, as long as you are willing, I will definitely be able to make you an outstanding idol that can best express your personal charm! May I ask... what do you think?"

"Becoming an idol...ah."

In front of the Electrical Appliances Street, a black-haired girl with a shawl and double ponytails first glanced at Higuchi Enka, who was standing next to Kento Watanabe, and then showed a complicated expression:

"If you say you're not interested... you'd be lying."

After hearing this, Kento Watanabe's eyes suddenly lit up:

"That, that means-"

"But before that, I want to ask you a question."

The black-haired girl put her right hand on her chest and asked Kento Watanabe seriously:

"Do you really... think Fuyu can become an idol?"

Chapter 25: The more difficult something is to understand, the more attractive it is

"I feel... he is the most interesting one so far."

On the train home, Enka Higuchi said to Kento Watanabe:

"The girl who calls herself 'Winter Yu'."

"……maybe."

Uncharacteristically, Kento Watanabe was not happy because the girl took his business card seriously.

"If she can join my agency, I'm sure she will become a very outstanding idol."

"It's really cute."

Higuchi Enka looked out the window and said in a tone with no emotion:

"And he seems to have a very well-behaved personality. As an idol, this should be very popular, right?"

"Character...ah."

Recalling the scene when he met her in the electronics street, Watanabe Kento showed a thoughtful expression.

"Indeed, the child looks very gentle and has an attractive smile. But compared to this, I care more about what she said at that time..."

[I think idols... are very special beings that only charming girls can become. 】

[Cute, chic, sparkling...]

【Completely the opposite of Dongyu. 】

"She seems to have a certain degree of inferiority complex about herself... She is obviously a child with that kind of smile."

Kento Watanabe guessed:

"Is it because she saw your existence, or is it because she has this kind of personality..."

"...I don't think my existence will make people feel inferior to that extent."

Higuchi Enka said with some displeasure:

"Don't forget, I'm just an ordinary female high school student."

"Higuchi is not ordinary."

After hearing this, Kento Watanabe smiled, shook his head and said:

"Didn't you notice it yourself? How did the children we talked to look at you, and how many people passing by were attracted by you?"

"Are they just simply attracted by our strange combination?"

Higuchi Enxiang said disapprovingly:

"A grown man in a suit is followed by a female high school student. If you and I were any closer, we would definitely be misunderstood as having a strange relationship."

"...Although I don't think those eyes are like that."

If you think about it carefully, Higuchi Enka seems to be the kind of child who habitually denies himself.

Just like her evaluation of herself yesterday, Higuchi Enka's evaluation of herself does not seem to be too high.

Is it really because of Toru Asakura?

Because you long for the qualities in others that you don't have, and feel a sense of disparity due to this gap.

"The more a child is like this... maybe the more he should become an idol."

Kento Watanabe said:

"The stage is not only a place where the audience can get to know her, but it can also allow her to get to know herself better."

"...Are you talking about the audience's approval?"

Higuchi Enka asked:

"Because of the applause and cheers from the audience, I feel recognized, which increases my self-confidence and so on."

"The situation you mentioned does exist, but it is not entirely like that."

Kento Watanabe shook his head.

"Every artist pursues different things on stage. Some people do crave recognition and appreciation from the audience as you said...but at the same time, some people perform for themselves."

"……Own?"

"Well, myself."

Kento Watanabe nodded.

"You simply want to show yourself, or enjoy the feeling of performing on the stage, or you want to experience yourself differently from usual... Everyone has various reasons. And people can only stand when they really stand. Only when you experience it on stage will you know what you are pursuing.”

"For...yourself?"

Higuchi Enka had never heard this statement before.

As a high school student, she believes that those who take the stage are undoubtedly those who want to show off themselves and receive applause... just like those who like to take the lead in making noises in class.

This is especially true for the idol profession.

"Your statement is completely different from everyone's understanding of idols."

Higuchi Enka raised his head and glanced at the billboard of a well-known idol group on the train and said:

"Using smiles, singing and dancing, and working hard to respond to everyone's enthusiasm and expectations... This is the meaning of an idol's existence, right?"

"..."

After hearing Higuchi Enka's question, Watanabe Kento was stunned for a moment, and then he suddenly laughed.

"I always feel like... Higuchi, this is the first time you have asked me so many questions about idols in a row."

"……what?"

"Look, every time I watched an idol show before, didn't you always run to the side and do your own thing? So I kept thinking that this kid might really not be interested in idols."

"It's true that I'm not interested. If there's no special reason, I won't pay attention to any idol's affairs at all."

Higuchi Enka crossed her arms and looked back.

"But... after all, I'm here to help you with your work now. A little clarity on these issues might be helpful in the future."

"I see...what a responsible idea."

Kento Watanabe nodded.

"But... I actually don't know much about the meaning of idols' existence."

Higuchi Enka couldn't help but raise her eyebrows:

"You, a veteran idol chef of more than ten years, don't even understand?"

"It's just because it took so long that I can't figure it out."

Kento Watanabe sighed with emotion.

“At first I liked idols, and I was just attracted by their performances. However, as I got to know them better, I was attracted by the various advantages they showed. And when I became more mature, I I fell in love with the idols’ respective ways of living... Isn’t it strange? They are obviously just completing their performances as usual, but I am always attracted to different things.”

"So I have been thinking that the profession of idol cannot be summed up in a few words. Every idol is different, and every fan is different, so the meaning of idols to fans must also be the same. different to each other."

"…………"

"Sorry, I said so much in one breath."

Seeing that Higuchi Enka's expression seemed a little confused, Watanabe Kento immediately smiled and apologized:

"Zhai always talks a lot when discussing things he is passionate about...you don't have to force yourself to understand what I say."

"It's not forced."

Higuchi Enka shook her head.

"It's just...it's the first time I think about the profession of 'idol' from this perspective."

"Hahaha, then I really did something extraordinary."

As Kento Watanabe spoke, he took out his business card from his pocket and handed it to Higuchi Enka as a joke:

"So, I wonder if this beautiful girl who has a new concept of idols is interested in becoming an idol?"

"........."

"Eh? You actually accepted it?"

"........."

"Hey, don't use other people's business cards to fold paper cranes!"

It's still the last 10 minutes' drive for the two of them to get home.

Chapter 26: The ecological environment of the Higuchi family

After a year and a half, Kento Watanabe finally returned to this alley he was so familiar with.

The alley called home has witnessed his growth over the past 20 years.

However, at this moment, what Kento Watanabe saw made him feel so strange——

"...When were these flowers planted?"

Kento Watanabe asked, pointing to the flower bed with various unknown flowers in front of Higuchi's house.

"My mother planted it with Aunt Asakura last summer."

Higuchi Enka replied:

"I also water them occasionally."

"...The windows in your house have also been replaced."

"Well, the years have gone by a little bit

There was a slight air leak, so I replaced them all. "

"If it weren't for the fact that nothing has changed in my home, I might not even recognize this place."

Kento Watanabe said with a blank expression.

“Once people get busy, it’s really easy to lose their sense of time.”