"It seems they had already dropped word to several media outlets. But that didn't matter to me. I paid the breach of contract in full. They tried to get more out of me, but I hired a lawyer and, in the end, got a restraining order too."

"I'm terribly sorry." Yuhi trailed off. "I think the reason she was so harsh on you was most likely me."

"Did you date her around that time?"

"We met shortly after I got to know you. But by that time, I was completely obsessed with your voice. She was a good singer, and we received many jobs together. It was obvious people were trying to match us. I didn't think she would go so far as to leave her agency and join yours just to bully you."

Sumire shook her head. "Even if they hadn't, I was planning on going anyway. When they first scouted me, I was very doubtful, and after I joined, it felt like they weren't listening to me sing at all. They gave me the best resources and a good team, but I always felt there was something wrong. When I failed to perform on stage for the first time, I noticed the look on my manager's face, a look of resentment and disgust. She told me that an idol who cannot sing on stage and who has stage fright could not succeed. I took those words as advice, but it wasn't."

"That is not an attitude a manager should have."

Sumire nodded. "Right, she said many more condescending things. When I met Hori Fuuko, I immediately sensed something off about her. After a while, I learned that all her words contained poison; she would wear a smile on her face and act like a perfect lady. But embedded in her compliments and even normal words, there are backhanded insults and criticism. A normal person would break down and fall apart, and yet they won't understand the reason why."

They would think it is their fault and blame themselves for overthinking and misunderstanding somebody nice.

'Your very talented Miss Sumire. It is a shame you can't sing that way on stage.'

The first time she implied that there was something underhanded going on.

The second time she treated her like a stray dog that the company picked up.

The third time was awful, and the fourth was when she finally snapped. The fourth time that woman dared mention her family and the accident.

"But you managed to get into Star agency?"

Sumire nodded. "Mm, that strange, eccentric president kept scouting me during a yacht party. The invitation to that party was mine, but my manager made up some excuse so Fuuko would attend in my place. I usually hate those places, so they probably thought they could take advantage of it, but I went, and it surprised me how many scouts there were." She laughed. "It seems like many people were trying to poach me from the start, but my company suppressed the news from reaching me. They didn't want me to feel special; they wanted to keep bringing me down."

"Then perhaps those bad experiences happened for a reason. After all, in the end, you found a pot of gold. Star agency became number one the year you joined them, and you earnestly prepared for your debut."

"Fu, Yuhi-san finally believes it. Everything happens for a reason, even those daily misfortunes."

A deep sigh passed Yuhi's lips. "I didn't want to use it for this context, so even though you handled it calmly, I am sure those words got to you?"

"It really did. From the start, I didn't have much self-confidence. I doubted everything I did. But at the very least, I could manage. But after years of listening to how useless and dirty I was, I started to think that way of myself. I have always loved to sing; whether or not I was talented in it didn't matter. Yet after putting up with that for so long, I started to doubt myself. I can't achieve my dream if I can't sing well. But forget singing well. I need to get words out first."

It was painful, and she struggled so much to overcome her fear.

"Even when I joined Star agency, people told me I was a good singer, and I drew loads of attention. I still thought something was wrong."

They said countless praises at her, and she even gained fans within the company, but it made her more uneasy.

"I am not good enough. I am useless. Nobody will like songs like these."

The more people praised her, the more afraid she became.

"I see, so that's why you took so long."

"That stuff with San happened too, and whatever hope I had left just vanished. But Ru helped me regain what I lost. It was because he put in that much effort that I decided I could aim for my debut properly."

It was because Tsueno Mamoru never gave up on her, alongside her new company, who gave her the platform to stand on. The president never neglected her like her last company. He often gave her advice, but he didn't spoil her too much either.

"Even though it took a long time, Yuhi-san, are you saying you still became my fan?"

"Yeah."

Sumire blinked, startled at his words. So she turned around and faced him. She hadn't realized that he stood directly behind her. Yuhi extended his hand out and pinched her cheeks.

"You were absorbed into practicing back then. You didn't realize how many times I visited you. By the way, I broke things off with Fuuko when I heard that she drove an artist away from her company. So even though it was indirectly, at least I helped you."

Her eyes widened when she heard those words. "You didn't know it was me, right?"

"Yeah, I had no idea. But I couldn't tolerate the idea of staying beside a woman who would bully another artist like that."

What humble-sounding thoughts. If she heard this from another person, she might have thought they were faking it.

"The entertainment industry is like this now. But one day, I want to change it to a place where everybody supports each other. It is hard to get rid of all the jealousy and negativity. However, one could even say it is impossible to get rid of all that hate and bitterness, even if it is only a small chance. I want to build a supportive community."

Truly this person is amazing. 'Then again, I thought so from the very start, from the moment I saw him stand on stage singing in the snow. He cared more for the fans' well-being than his own.'

Because she saw somebody so earnest like him in the entertainment industry, she decided to give it a go seriously. After she met Yuhi that time, she earnestly aimed for debut properly. But by that time, those people were already starting to suppress her.