Chapter 49

Chapter 49: “How could they take our work without paying any price?”

It was a clear, sunny day with a cloudless sky.

The road back to Tokyo was nearly empty.

On both sides of the gray-brown road, dense green shrubs appeared from time to time, dotted with clusters of blooming flowers scattered across the greenish-brown landscape.

Driving alone, Nagayama Naoki turned on the car radio.

Current City Pop music filled the cabin, its bright rhythm carried in through the breeze, putting him in an unusually pleasant mood.

Wasn’t this the kind of carefree life he had always wanted?

Recently, his mind had been occupied again—shop plans, the girl group, events—returning him to a busy, stressful routine.

Once summer arrived, a trip to the seaside would be nice.

A coastal drive would surely be even better.

His good mood lasted all the way home.

Until he heard a voicemail from Yoshimura Daitomo.

“Naoki-san, something has come up. We need to talk in person. Please call me back if possible.”

His tone was heavy, suppressed with anger.

Naoki called back immediately. The line connected quickly.

“Daitomo-san, what happened? It sounds serious.”

“Yes… it’s about CATS. It’s about the agency… They want to sell the girl group!”

“Naoki-san, let’s have lunch together. Same place. I’ve also called Ito Shūichi. I’ll explain everything then.”

Naoki agreed.

So that’s how it is.

The higher-ups want to sell CATS?

Why? The group’s future was clearly just beginning to rise. Money was right ahead.

He didn’t understand. Everything would have to wait until Daitomo explained.

—

The three of them met again at the usual izakaya.

Ito Shūichi and Yoshimura Daitomo were already there. Unusually, neither was drinking. Both were silently smoking.

“Naoki-san, you’re here.”

“Daitomo-san, Shūichi-san.”

Only after Naoki sat down did Daitomo speak.

“Since Naoki-san is here, I’ll explain the situation.”

“You both know the relationship between STARLIGHT Agency and the BURNING group, right?”

“Wasn’t STARLIGHT just a small branch agency?” Naoki asked. “Is there something deeper?”

“Yes. The president, Hino Ken’ichi, used to be a subordinate under Susumu Hino’s circle. After splitting off, he only handled small advertising work.”

Ito Shūichi seemed to know some of it.

“So BURNING is trying to buy CATS?”

“More precisely, it’s an exchange—some advertising contracts in return for the CATS management rights.”

Naoki frowned.

“Normally, BURNING-related companies cooperate with each other. Why would they directly take over a group?”

“Normally yes. But this time, BURNING seems to be interested in the idol group format itself. Building from zero takes too long—they want an existing, successful unit.”

“So the president agreed?”

“Yes. Hino-san originally entered the idol business just to make a quick profit. With the advertising contracts on the table, he agreed immediately.”

Daitomo recalled that conversation.

On one side, stable long-term advertising income. On the other, uncertain idol profits and competition from established agencies.

The choice was obvious from a business perspective.

And BURNING had far greater capability to develop idol groups.

“Daitomo-kun, transferring CATS to BURNING is better for both the group and the agency.”

That was what Hino had said.

Naoki understood.

From a business standpoint, the president had not necessarily made a wrong decision.

“Sorry,” Daitomo said, bowing deeply. His eyes were already red. “Even though I tried, I couldn’t change his decision.”

“The management contract for CATS belongs to STARLIGHT. If the president decides, there’s nothing I can do.”

“I’m really sorry!!”

Ito Shūichi shrugged.

“Daitomo-san, it’s not your fault.”

“But this was our shared effort… I can’t accept it…” Daitomo bowed even lower.

All their months of work—just as it was about to bear fruit—was being taken away.

And only STARLIGHT would benefit in the end.

Naoki sighed.

“If there’s anyone who lost the most, it’s definitely you, Daitomo-san.”

He was the one who had treated the group like his own creation.

To him, idol work was not just business—it was belief.

Now that it was being taken away, it felt like betrayal.

Betrayal of ambition.

Betrayal of time.

Betrayal of effort.

Betrayal of friendship.

Daitomo kept drinking one cup after another.

They tried to stop him, but alcohol was the only relief he could find.

Later, he collapsed completely.

Naoki looked at him and spoke to Shūichi.

“He drinks so badly despite being like this… looks like he’ll end up at your place again.”

“Damn it… no choice.”

They carried him to the office couch and left him there.

The two of them drank quietly.

“What do you think about CATS going to BURNING?” Naoki asked.

“A big agency like that… they’ll have professionals for everything. They won’t need someone like me anymore.”

“That’s not true. If you’re a half-baked producer, then who counts as professional?”

Shūichi laughed.

“But honestly… I won’t be involved anymore.”

“I actually prefer directing and filming. I always wanted to enter TV and film properly.”

“Then I’ll toast to Director Ito’s future Palme d’Or.”

“Hahaha…”

But Naoki himself didn’t feel indifferent.

Even if he didn’t care about ownership, having his first “original girl group” taken away still left a bitter taste.

“Shūichi-san… CATS branding, live-house contracts, merchandise rights—they’re all under that GG shell company, right?”

“Yes. I think so.”

“And that shell company is under my name. You and Daitomo are just nominal figures.”

“True.”

“And the cat-ear patent is under my HALO studio.”

“…So?”

“If I refuse, they only get five models.”

“But they could just create a new brand anyway. The members don’t change.”

Shūichi still didn’t see it.

Naoki’s eyes sharpened.

“That’s not how idol groups work. Fans don’t just follow individuals.”

“If there’s no cat-ear identity, no CATS branding, then they’re just five former members of a group.”

“We can always create another CATS.”

Shūichi paused.

He had never considered that angle before.

“Once Daitomo wakes up, we’ll let him negotiate with this.”

“They took our work. There’s no way they leave without paying a price.”