Chapter 135: What I Desire

Being a Johnny’s idol has always been a little different.

For a long time, the idols from Johnny & Associates have projected an image of being "charming to girls" and "dazzlingly bright." As long as one carries the Johnny’s label, even a mediocre Junior who never quite makes it seems to be draped in an extra layer of brilliance.

This is especially true for Tsuyoshi Domoto, a superstar in the making who soared to fame even before his official debut. Among the schoolgirls working as extras on set, those who adore Tsuyoshi far outnumber those who favor Akio. The reason the actresses in the production don't spend much time socializing with Tsuyoshi isn't because he’s unpopular, but simply to avoid suspicion.

They are all teenagers of similar ages, spending every day together on set under the watchful eyes of so many extras. To prevent any scandals, Tsuyoshi’s manager established a rule: he must not have excessive contact with the actresses he works with. While they aren't strictly forbidden from speaking, their interactions are always more guarded than those with Akio.

"Honestly, the reason these students signed up so eagerly is mostly because of you."

The blunt remark made Tsuyoshi blush, though he also felt a small sense of pride in his popularity. "But, Nii-san, sometimes when I see them, I get a strange feeling."

"Strange?"

"Yes," Tsuyoshi said, his gaze sweeping over the schoolgirls who were eyeing him intently, which immediately triggered a chorus of soft squeals from the group. "I never imagined I would become an idol."

"That's a good thing, isn't it? Every year, countless mothers, aunts, and sisters scramble to send photos of their sons, nephews, and brothers to the agency, hoping they will stand out and become Juniors. Tsuyoshi-kun, you defeated countless sons, nephews, and brothers to become who you are today."

Japan’s music market is massive—it is the second-largest in the world, trailing only the United States. Countless Western stars view it as an essential stop for promotional tours. Yet, it is also a very small market, as domestic Japanese influence struggles to penetrate beyond its borders. Although many ambitious singers have tried to break out, the endings are almost invariably bleak.

Under these circumstances, the Japanese music market has gradually become a closed ecosystem, content to play by its own rules. Even without expanding overseas, this fertile soil is enough to sustain thousands upon thousands of artists. In this seclusion, the fan base has evolved toward constant elitism and die-hard loyalty. Practices such as releasing multiple versions of records, endless merchandise, and later, business strategies like including handshake tickets, are all manifestations of this intense devotion.

Johnny & Associates is the master of cultivating such die-hard fans. Their unique Junior system allows newcomers to gain exposure by dancing as backup for their seniors or taking minor roles in dramas, building a foundation before their official debut. This "growing-up" process not only maintains visibility to attract fans, but the experience of watching an idol "mature" deepens the bond between the star and the fan.

Even the fans of established seniors might grow fond of these newcomers while following their favorites. Even if they "climb the wall" to support someone new, the money stays within the family, their loyal wallets forever guarding the smiles of the Kitagawa siblings. The most impressive part is that these young women and housewives don't just contribute their own money to Johnny’s; they offer up their own sons, constantly supplying fresh blood to the Kitagawa legion. It is truly astonishing how far this devotion goes.

Thinking of this, Akio couldn't help but remark, "Even though the chosen ones defeated their own sons, nephews, and brothers, they still chase after them with such fervor. Johnny’s is truly incredible."

Tsuyoshi laughed. "Hearing you say that, Nii-san, makes me feel a little guilty toward them."

"That’s just because the job of an idol is inherently cruel." During the ice age of idols, countless stars and agencies perished, yet the Kitagawas managed to carve a path through the carnage, eventually achieving total dominance. Whether it’s to make a living or to fulfill family expectations, if one wants to become an idol, Johnny’s is undoubtedly the place where one is most likely to make it big. While more competition makes life harder for the Juniors, the Kitagawas would only hope for the competition to be even fiercer, so they can scout even more talented gems.

"Even though it's not easy to be an idol these days, being a Johnny’s is a different story. With your popularity, Tsuyoshi-kun, you'll likely earn more money than you could spend in a lifetime before you turn twenty. By then, you'll be able to pursue whatever you truly want."

"What I want..." Tsuyoshi mused.

"By the way, what is it that you want, Tsuyoshi-kun?"

"Freedom?" The sixteen-year-old had barely uttered the word before he smiled, shook his head, and said earnestly, "But that’s unrealistic, isn't it? Even if we talk about freedom, humans are bound in the end. Even if one had the powers of Superman, they would still be constrained by rules."

"If we put aside unrealistic fantasies," Tsuyoshi thought for a moment, "first, I want to make music. Music is truly a remarkable thing. If one cannot find true freedom as a human, music will always be free. Everything that language cannot convey can be expressed through music."

"Good point. And then?"

"And then, acting, I suppose? You get to experience different lives..."

Akio laughed. "If you put it that way, aren't you already doing exactly what you want? That’s great. There is no greater happiness than being able to make a living doing what you love most."

"Don't you like music, Nii-san?" Tsuyoshi asked suddenly.

Akio didn't hesitate. "Of course I do!" If he hadn't loved music, he wouldn't have abandoned so many other paths in his previous life just to tinker with records.

...

On the morning of August 12th, Yuko Takeuchi appeared at the Omiya Chuo Prefectural High School as previously arranged.

"This is amazing, Akio-san," Yuko Takeuchi said, looking around in awe. "This is my first time on a real film set."

"If you'd like, I can have you look around to your heart's content after the shoot is finished." Akio walked a little ahead, a comfortable distance between them.

The single cover for "A Singer's Love Song" was scheduled to be shot on the school's rooftop. Early in the morning, the photographer from Being had arrived to set up. However, since the school was the home turf of the *The Kirishima Thing* production crew, Yuko Takeuchi suggested they greet the main staff first out of courtesy. Akio had no objections and readily agreed.

Yuko Takeuchi's sudden appearance on set drew everyone's attention. At this point, however, she didn't possess any "star quality"—she was just a beautiful girl whose appearance stood out more than the average teenager. Since the main actresses for the film were already cast, no one suspected she might be an entertainer.

Only Yukihiko Tsutsumi, who had been briefed by Akio the day before, and a few key staff members knew that she was the heroine Akio had invited for his single cover.