Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Idol, Stalker, Management (3)
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The points of attraction vary wildly among non-human species, and they are usually difficult for others to comprehend.
This concept was particularly pronounced among the so-called inhuman species, those far removed from the human form.
For example, a tree that was incredibly popular among tree spirits might look grotesque to humans.
Similarly, the appearances of fish-men, who have the form of fish, might all look the same to an outsider.
Just as humans couldn't understand the sensibilities of non-human species, non-humans also couldn't easily grasp human sensibilities.
A beauty and a hag are determined by a mere difference in the arrangement of facial features?
To tree spirits, whose faces contorted this way and that as they grew, it just seemed like a bunch of similar-looking faces fighting over who was better or worse.
In other words, no matter how attractive a person was, to a non-human, they were no different from a pebble on the street.
That's why the Maximized Idol, who primarily targeted these non-human species, had to largely set aside conventional aesthetic senses.
For those who had difficulty distinguishing facial features, it was standard to apply heavy makeup, almost like painting a picture on the face.
As for the voice, rather than a gentle, pretty one, a noise like nails scraping a chalkboard was better for making an impression.
The charms they projected were also universally sought-after: immense power, unconditional acceptance, and love!
This was the background for the birth of Codria's Maximized Idol, Aisha of Destruction!
“Um… I’m so sorry for showing you such an unsightly side of me…. For the public, it’s, well, that kind of image….”
After the terrifying promotional video shoot ended.
Aisha, who had called us to a waiting room away from public view, spoke softly with a very timid demeanor.
Where had the person who was just smashing a guitar and growling with a raspy throat gone?
The change was so extreme it made me wonder if it was even possible for someone to transform so completely just because the camera was off.
But perhaps because we hadn't been looking for an apology from her.
Alice and David immediately shook their heads in response to Aisha's words.
“What? No, no! That was… really cool!”
“Indeed. As an expert, I found the composition quite intriguing. The ultimate charm that can even appeal to non-human species… it was a good opportunity for me to realize that great power might be one aspect of it.”
“Oh my, r-really?”
“That’s a mouthful….”
With her usual intellectual demeanor completely gone, Aisha clapped her hands like a young girl, delighted by David's gushing praise.
But maybe because her makeup made her appearance so terrifying.
Raven, who was quietly watching from the side, instinctively put a hand to his forehead.
Honestly, by my standards, it was pretty cool. The makeup was a bit much, but if you thought of her as a unique non-human species, it was tolerable.
The performance of smashing the guitar on the floor was especially impressive, making her seem like a great general leading soldiers on a battlefield.
Of course, it was a sight that made one instinctively wonder, *That's an idol…?* But what can you do if it works?
However, perhaps deeply impressed by David's all-knowing idol-otaku perspective.
Bold, the agency's general manager standing next to Aisha, chimed in with passionate agreement.
“This young man knows his stuff! That’s right, that’s right! In the end, an idol is a being who becomes an icon to the people! The icon that transcends species and surpasses beauty is… none other than great power! Aisha will be the trailblazer who pushes the backs of the weary and hesitant!”
Ugh, his voice is so loud. Does he have speakers in his vocal cords?
I automatically frowned at Bold, who was shouting so loudly my ears were ringing.
Did she notice my expression?
Alice, sitting next to me, scooted closer and covered both my ears for me.
It wasn't so loud that I needed my ears covered, but.
I gave her a slight nod as if to thank her for blocking the sound.
“Yes. Well… I think I get the gist of it. Still, let’s get down to business first. Manager, were you aware that our client was being harassed by a stalker?”
While Alice and I were stuck together like that, had he already shifted into work mode?
Raven asked Bold with a stoic, emotionless expression.
The question must have been quite pointed, as Bold replied with a look of genuine remorse.
“Ah… No. I’m truly sorry, but I only learned of it when Aisha confided in me this time. Ugh… to think someone would commit such a shameless act against an idol from Codria! It’s absolutely unforgivable!”
“Hmm, I see. Miss Aisha, you said the stalking started about two months after your debut. That would be about a month ago from now. So you’ve been suffering in silence all this time.”
“Yes, that’s right….”
“Sob… Aisha! It’s because of my shortcomings that I didn’t even know about your pain! I’m so sorry!”
Bold bowed his head deeply toward Aisha, his face wet with tears.
Aisha, looking uncharacteristically flustered, didn't know what to do before placing a hand on his shoulder and telling him it was okay, urging him to get up.
They seemed less like a manager and an idol and more like a father and daughter.
Alice, who was particularly soft-hearted, looked as if she were deeply moved.
But Raven was a man who didn't let personal feelings interfere with professional matters.
Normally, he would have shaken his head with a similar awkwardness to Alice.
But now, he continued speaking nonchalantly, his face not twitching a single eyebrow as he gestured with his fingers.
“In that case… though it’s not yet time to be certain. It seems that this stalker is someone inside this company.”
“Wh-What?!”
“W-What! How can that be!”
Aisha and Bold’s eyes widened, showing clear shock at Raven’s words.
Well, I guess that’s a natural reaction. It’s bound to be shocking to hear that the culprit sending death threats via texts and emails, along with photos implying they’re stalking you, is a colleague from the same company.
But to make someone believe your opinion, you always need evidence to back it up.
Raven looked at David, who was sitting beside him, giving him a look that said, *now*.
As if he had been waiting, David took a laptop out of his bag.
He tapped on the keyboard for a moment… then turned the screen towards the two of them.
“Is this… a photo from inside our company?”
“Yes. This is an analysis of some of the photos the client provided, which she said were from the stalker, compared with photos taken from the same angle at the actual locations. As you can see, if we draw virtual lines outward… it’s clear these photos could never have been taken from outside.”
“S-So that means….”
“It means there’s a high probability that the stalker harassing our client is an employee here.”
Of course, we’re not at the stage to confirm who the culprit is yet.
Raven said as much, then asked Bold to provide a list of people who were in the company at the estimated time these photos were taken.
For now, this was as far as we could go.
We decided to have Alice stay as Aisha’s bodyguard, in case the stalker tried to cause harm. In the meantime, we would head out of the agency for a bit to look for other evidence.
“J-Jin. Is Yuria perhaps….”
“We’re on a job, Alice.”
“Okay….”
Alice seemed to want me by her side, glancing at me nervously.
But at Raven’s cold words, she had no choice but to agree, looking dejected. He’s scary.
I honestly wanted to stay with Alice too.
But Raven’s gaze, which seemed to say, *If you’re there, I’ll have two people to protect,* was impossible to defy. I can at least protect myself….
We quietly left the agency after that.
It seemed Raven planned for him and David to split up and handle their respective tasks.
“Whew, David. You go to the locations where the stalker took these photos and check if there’s any evidence left behind.”
“Yes, understood.”
“I’ll use my Fixer authority to check the CCTV footage. Contact me if anything comes up. Yuria… do you want to rest at the Fixer agency?”
“...!”
“No? Then you can follow me, or go with David.”
What will you do? Raven offered me a choice, as if telling me to pick one.
Since he’d brought me along mainly because he was reluctant to leave me alone at the agency, he didn’t seem to expect a major role from me.
Hmm, if I have to choose one… I should probably stick with the more interesting option.
With that thought, I hopped over and stood next to David.
In the original story, they had to watch CCTV footage until their eyes hurt to find traces of the stalker.
Rather than stick by his side doing something boring, it seemed more comfortable to get some fresh air with David.
Raven chuckled at my choice, waved his hand as if to say contact him if anything, even minor, happened, and then left.
…His look of relief, as if a burden had just been lifted, stung a little.
But it’s true that without using my psychokinesis, I am a burden. I guess it can’t be helped.
“Well then, shall we go, Miss Yuria?”
“...!”
David watched Raven’s retreating figure until he disappeared in the distance, then headed with me toward the places where the stalker's photos were taken.
Our job was to visit these locations and find any helpful clues.
It probably wouldn't be too difficult, so I figured we could treat it like a casual walk.
The places where Aisha was photographed were quite varied. Restaurants, cafes, clothing stores, cosmetic shops, flower shops, and so on.
What was truly surprising was that she had visited all these places with that terrifying makeup on.
Was it due to her personal philosophy that she must be the idol Aisha at all times?
Her extraordinary dedication, never removing her makeup unless she was about to fall asleep, was truly admirable.
“Hmm, it doesn’t seem like there’s any significant evidence or traces. Perhaps because quite some time has passed.”
“....”
Of course, visiting the places where the stalker had taken photos yielded no decisive evidence.
Part of it was because time had passed. And maybe it was also because, aside from her back being photographed, they were just ordinary places anyone could visit.
So, after visiting several spots, David decided to change his investigation method.
He would first ask the shop employees if they remembered Aisha, and then ask if anyone suspicious had been following her.
Perhaps because Aisha had a striking individuality that was hard to forget once seen.
Most of the employees seemed to remember her, but they couldn't recall anyone suspicious following her.
I guess if you stare at the sun, you won't even notice a firefly beneath it.
Being overly conspicuous has its own drawbacks, I see.
But with enough attempts, you're bound to get some results.
At the fifth cafe we visited, we finally managed to get some information on the suspected stalker.
“Hmm, is that so. Well then… excuse me.”
“Yes. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. …Oh, wait a moment!”
“…Yes? What is it?”
“Ah, I think… I’m starting to remember! You’re talking about a suspicious person behind that scary-looking lady, right?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“Well… there was this thuggish-looking guy with reddish hair….”
“Oh? Is that so?”
David repeatedly thanked the slightly shy-looking employee.
Huh. That person seems to have taken a liking to David. Too bad, this man is already taken.
I offered a silent prayer for the woman who was starting on a path of hardship from the get-go.
Then I followed David, who was purely delighted to have found a lead, out of the shop.
“A man with red hair. This is a decent find. After checking the remaining locations, I’ll have to report this to Mr. Raven.”
“...!”
Good job. I gave David a thumbs-up in praise.
We could have returned with nothing at all, so this could be considered a decent achievement.
We continued our on-site investigation after that.
A restaurant where Aisha was photographed eating, a cosmetic shop where she was pictured from behind, looking contemplative….
And when David and I entered a bookstore that Aisha frequented.
I happened to bump into someone who was just about to leave.
“Ugh… Hey, watch where you’re going, will you?”
“...!”
*Thump.*
The person I collided with at the corner of the bookstore aisle was a girl about my height.
A black-haired girl wearing a half-mask that covered her eyes.
Through the beautiful, butterfly-patterned mask, I could clearly sense the girl's irritation.
Wait? This person… I think I know her.
The moment I realized that, a cold sweat broke out on my back.
Right now, I might be facing the greatest crisis of my life.