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Of course, a fixer is simply someone who solves problems on behalf of others.

They’re not the ones who set up a celebrity agency and help lost sheep debut as idols.

So, we could only end up having a lengthy strategic meeting, even though we started with a lighthearted attitude of “Let’s just give it a shot!”

No matter how captivating Aisha’s looks were, objectively speaking, her career was just that of an unpopular idol who quit after three months.

And starting over as a trainee at her age, in her early twenties, was a tad too late for an idol.

In other words, the best course of action was to take a gamble that could yield big returns, rather than pouring time into the usual, mundane route.

“How about a TV program? We could go on an idol competition show and get her to stardom in one go! Honestly, with Aisha’s stunning looks, first place should be a given!”

“I think it’d be better to leverage the internet than a program. We could tempt the agency to headhunt by creating a buzz based on viral marketing. After all, companies prefer to hire already verified talents.”

“Well, there are precedents like Kodeoria… Isn’t it safer to join a reputable company? If we debut hastily, there’s no guarantee a similar situation won’t occur again…”

The personalities of Alice, David, and the manager reflected in their opinions as they spoke one after another.

First, Alice suggested participating in an idol competition program, which could prove her capabilities.

Her straightforward nature, seeking honesty and careful means, was on full display.

David, on the other hand, presented a promotional strategy based on viral or noise marketing, differing from her.

His personality, leaning toward fast and efficient methods even if they were a bit edgy, was evident.

Lastly, the manager, who seemed a bit out of place, proposed starting fresh at a safe agency.

Having been burned by Kodeoria once already, he probably thought the safest approach was the quickest path.

While quietly observing the manager, Alice suddenly spoke up.

“Hey, are you even supposed to be here? Isn’t anyone from your side going to say anything? Are you perhaps a traitor?”

“I-I quit completely when I left earlier! I’m all in for Aisha now! Please believe me!”

“Alice, forgive him just this once. I trust our manager now, unlike before. He won’t do anything weird this time, right?”

“Y-Yeah! Of course not!”

“…But if you quit being a manager, shouldn’t we stop calling you that?”

With Alice’s piercing gaze and the manager’s desperate expression, Aisha chuckled lightly and defended him.

Even if he messed up before, isn’t it alright as long as he sincerely reflects and tries to amend his wrongs? That was the gist of her benevolence.

As David watched the three, muttering to himself in confusion, Raven, who had been thinking deeply, let out a sigh and wrapped up the conversation.

“Hm, I don’t think those Kodeoria guys will just sit back and let Aisha debut. They’ll probably interfere in any way they can, whether through a TV program or online.”

“Well…”

“Definitely, that likelihood is pretty high.”

Once someone has tried something shady, there’s no telling they won’t do it again.

Plus, now that they’ve already parted ways once, it would be overly optimistic to think Kodeoria would just watch Aisha as she tries to debut as an idol without any meddling.

Also, even competition programs can’t rule out the possibility of interference or manipulation from those in power.

As for viral marketing, it can backfire if it gets revealed as manufactured, making it hard to see as a purely positive approach.

So what methods could Aisha use to be active as an idol without interfering with Kodeoria? A profound contemplation continued at the fixer office.

‘This is tough. At this point, Kodeoria is one of the top three companies in the industry. No matter how much a fixer is involved, it’s hard to escape from their influence.’

Huh? Since Kodeoria is a top three, couldn’t we just go with the other two competitors?

No, that’s not an easy task either.

Firstly, since Aisha hasn’t had a guaranteed success after the conflict with Kodeoria, they’d likely have their concerns before trying to swallow her whole.

And if it were that easy to become an idol, wouldn’t everyone be desperately trying to become trainees at big companies? There’s no such thing as an easy job.

As I thought that in my mind, I munched on some snacks I took out from somewhere.

Still, a resolution should arrive soon. There’s no need to be overly anxious, right?

I guess my thoughts lined up perfectly with the moment. Raven suddenly seemed to recall something and stroked his chin as he spoke.

“Hmm. So, in the end, we just need to not be interfered with by Kodeoria. Right?”

“But either side holds too much power, so it probably wouldn’t be easy.”

“Heh, no matter how powerful they are, there’s no way they can reach everywhere.”

For example? Curious looks filled the room as they turned to Raven.

What place could possibly be free from Kodeoria’s grasp in this industry? With a confident look, he said,

“I know a fixer in the idol world. It’d be good to give that guy a shot.”

A fixer in the idol world? Alice, who had just recently entered Night Haven, tilted her head, genuinely puzzled by the combination.

But in contrast, Aisha and her manager involuntarily covered their mouths, showing surprise.

They never expected someone like Raven, who wasn’t even that well-known among fixers, would have connections with an idol-world fixer.

Amidst the surprise and confusion, I quietly brightened up, munching on my chocolate rings.

An idol-world fixer, as in that person from the original? This sounded exciting!

Feeling a thrill well up, I purely enjoyed this unfolding situation.

*

Before long, the sun dipped low, and the neon signs were the only things shining in the dark night of Night Haven.

We had moved to a tall building in the city, and there we met the idol-world fixer.

She was a cute girl with purple hair reminiscent of ripe grapes styled in high twin tails.

With lifted eyes and a face full of mischievousness that looked ready to tease adults.

Given her looks, she seemed to be somewhere between junior high and high school.

Not just her face; the adorable outfit she wore also caught the eye, making her a dazzling star!

The one and only idol-world fixer in Night Haven, Rurika, smiled and said,

“Is it customary to drop by without an appointment at such a time? Perhaps the aftereffects of a bullet in the forehead are still lingering?”

Whoosh.

A chill settled like an ice knife piercing through the office.

Upon closer inspection, while Rurika’s mouth curved into a smile, her eyes were almost devoid of expression.

Could such a cute face look that terrifying?

Maybe it was because her displeasure was so manifest over the sudden visit.

Shivering in fear, Alice clung tightly to me.

It felt unusually heavy on the back of my head, as if we were closer than usual.

However, seemingly unfazed by Rurika’s overtly menacing comments, Raven casually replied while digging into his ear with his pinky.

“Didn’t you say I could come by anytime? Remember how you cried and begged when we parted?”

“F-Fool! That was just me getting emotional! How could that have been sincere! You idiot! Die!”

Rurika flushed a deep red and launched a kick at Raven.

Indeed, even a girl who looked just like a cute middle schooler proved to be a fixer in the end.

The power and speed she exhibited were enough to send chills just from watching.

But Raven, showing nonchalance as if this wasn’t his first time dodging such an attack, simply sidestepped Rurika’s kick.

“Die! Die! If you’re coming, come a little faster! Damn crow brat! Just being a senior doesn’t mean you’re all that!”

“Oh, sorry, sorry. You looked busy, so I couldn’t just visit a celebrity for no reason.”

“Ugh! Cursera! If I just come, you think I’d chase you away?”

Rurika threw punches and kicks at Raven like something popped in the air.

Eventually, when she was out of breath, she plopped down on the floor, finally feeling relieved.

Wow, and without any weapons either! That’s impressive.

As I marveled at the potential of humans, Aisha, who had been dazed as if her eyes were dots, cautiously asked Raven.

“Um, excuse me… what’s your relationship with her?”

“Uh? Oh… We used to belong to the same agency. To be precise, I was her senior.”

“Huff, huff… but that’s a story from over a decade ago.”

She seemed pretty surprised at how close Raven and Rurika were, much more than she imagined.

If I were in her shoes, I’d probably be taken aback too.

Rurika was among the top fixers and a living legend as one of the best idols.

Yet, to think a fixer, who casually selected someone out of necessity, had ties like that with her?

How could that not be surprising? Clearly, it was understandable.

But while they were chatting, it seemed Rurika had calmed down enough to catch her breath.

She wiped the sweat that had formed on her forehead and spoke to Raven.

“By the way, why did you suddenly drop by? Were you here to show off your girlfriend? She’s cute.”

“M-Me? Oh, no!”

“Really? Then how about the other one? Ooh, she’s cute too. Is that a kimono? Very classy.”

“Eh? No! We’re not in that kind of relationship! Why would I be with Jin!”

“Eh? Oh, sorry. I’m a bit clueless about that. You really don’t like this, huh…”

As Rurika poked Alice and Aisha with playful jabs, she seemed a bit sheepish seeing their bewildered expressions.

In an unexpected twist, Raven had confessed his feelings only to be turned down by both of them.

He rubbed his forehead and, seeming to not care much, opened his mouth again.

“Anyway, I actually came here for a favor. The truth is…”

Raven briefly summarized everything that had happened so far.

From how Aisha had a stalker who came seeking aid, to the stalker actually being the supervisor of the office she used to work for.

And eventually, how she had cut ties and returned to her original self, yet still couldn’t give up on her idol dream.

But she was worried about Kodeoria’s schemes if she wanted to be an idol again, so he came to her for help.

After hearing all that, Rurika replied with a nonchalant expression.

“Got it. But why should I care?”

She understood the situation but didn’t feel particularly inclined to involve herself.

She had the attitude of someone who rationally assessed the situation.

Well, it was somewhat expected.

Sure, it was true that Aisha had it tough, and Kodeoria was not exactly the best, but…

That didn’t mean she was inclined to extend a helping hand either.

As a businesswoman and an idol, she assessed it purely on a rationale.

Yet Raven, as if he had anticipated her reaction, waved Aisha over from afar.

As she hesitated and approached Raven’s side, he pointed to her face as if to say, “Just see her directly.”

“W-What… um, what do you mean? I’m not… um, hey…”

Glancing at Aisha’s face, Rurika seemed to tremble each time she caught a glimpse, her words stumbling uncontrollably.

Raven seemed to judge that her being so flustered meant he had succeeded by about half with his plan.

He urged Aisha to do what she did before.

“What’s that you want me to do, again?”

After pondering briefly, Aisha nodded as if it were an easy task and cleared her throat before shouting,

“Hey, you punks! If anything bothers you, come tell this pretty lady! I’ll mess you all up! Got it?!”

“Pwahaha! Ugh! Guwah!”

Rurika collapsed right there on the spot.

Aisha’s voice suddenly turned rough and raspy, breaking the delicate atmosphere in a most hilarious way.

Hadn’t this girl who had radiated a hapless vibe just moments earlier suddenly fallen to the ground, clutching her belly?

David and Alice exchanged glances.

This might actually work!

The once red light ahead had finally yielded to a green signal.