Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 12: Work
(Go-kun is Atsumu’s nickname in the entertainment industry. Steming from the name V, which means five)
“By the way, Go-kun… that tall, insanely beautiful girl who was next to you… who is she?”
This happened while we were in the car heading to the PV shoot.
Just when I thought the conversation had settled down, Asuka-san leaned in on me.
(Whoa—her face is so close! Her eyes are huge! Her nose is so sharp!)
Normally, being this close to someone as beautiful as Asuka-san would be a dream come true…
(But why is this so terrifying!?)
“Uh, she’s a friend from school. Yeah, just a friend!”
“A friend, huh…? You just transferred yesterday and already made friends with a beauty like that, huh…?”
Eek!
I could feel an intense pressure coming from Asuka-san today.
“Um… well, the thing is…”
Even though she didn’t press for details, I found myself giving her a vague explanation about Himeji-san, like I was trying to justify myself.
(Wait… why am I even making excuses?)
○ ●
“Hmm… I see.”
After hearing my explanation, Asuka-san seemed deep in thought.
Talking about Himeji-san reminded me—I’d promised to help her pick out some makeup today, and I totally broke that promise.
She looked a little upset earlier. I bet she was really looking forward to buying that makeup…
I really messed up. I’ll have to apologize tomorrow.
“What the heck… Anyone would fall for someone like that. Even though you haven’t noticed, Go-kun, you’re surrounded by tough competition… And now, someone like her gets added to the mix and I…”
“Huh? Asuka-san, what’s wrong?”
I’d been lost in thought and missed what Asuka-san had just said.
“N-nothing! It’s nothing! Still, you were thinking about another girl in front of me just now, weren’t you?”
“Eh?! W-well…”
“Hmph, you’ve got some nerve. I’ll make sure you won’t be able to think about anyone but me from now on, so be ready, okay?”
Saying that, Asuka-san gave me a playful wink, sparkling like a star.
○ ●
“We’re here. Today, we’re shooting the PV for the new song at this studio. And Go-kun, you’ll be in charge of doing makeup for all the members.”
“I’m doing everyone’s makeup!?”
“Yup. You can do it, right? You’ve done makeup for Mutsuki from Prism Prison before.”
Prism Prison is a girl-crush idol group that Mutsuki belongs to.
They’ve performed alongside Asterisk at festivals before, so I guess Asuka-san saw me working back then.
“Yeah, I did… but are you sure I’m the right person?”
“It’s not that you’re ‘good enough’—you’re the one I want. I know you need money, Go, but I didn’t choose you out of pity. Don’t worry. I never cut corners when it comes to work.”
Asuka-san looked serious as she said that.
She’s known as a perfect idol—there’s no way she’d take her job lightly.
“Okay, I’ll give it my all too.”
If that’s how she feels, I need to respond with everything I’ve got.
“Alright, we need to greet the other members. Let’s go to the dressing room.”
“Sure, but can I greet the crew first?”
“Hm? Good attitude. I’ll come too—let’s go together.”
“Thanks!”
○ ●
“Hehe, I’m really looking forward to this shoot.”
“Think we took too long greeting everyone?”
After finishing our greetings to the staff, we were heading to meet the group members in the dressing room.
“It’s fine. I had everyone change into their costumes while they waited.”
As we chatted, we arrived at the dressing room. Asuka-san knocked.
“Hey everyone, we’re coming in~”
“Asuka? Come on in~”
As the door opened with a click, inside were the Asterisk members, in the middle of changing.
A bunch of beautiful girls were revealing themselves in various states of undress.
It was like a field full of blooming flowers.
(Wait… did I just open the gates of heaven…?)
“…”
“…”
After a brief silence, one of the members noticed me behind Asuka-san and let out a scream.
“KYAAAA!!”
BAM! Asuka-san slammed the door shut.
“You saw?”
“I did not.”
No, I definitely saw everything.
“Really?”
“Really.”
That’s a lie.
(But what else could I say!?)
“I don’t like liars, you know?”
“…Sorry, I saw.”
“Then I’ll forgive you.”
“Wait, that’s not okay!”
The door opened just a bit, and a friendly-looking girl popped her head out and called me out.
“Suzuka Suzuka, you don’t need to comment—just get dressed already.”
“But still… You better remember this when I’m done changin’, got it!”
She pointed at me with a sharp jab and went back into the dressing room.
○ ●
“I’m really, truly sorry!!”
Once Asuka-san confirmed everyone had finished changing, I entered the dressing room and immediately bowed deeply in apology.
“It’s okay, Go-kun. The girls took too long changing—it’s their fault.”
“No way, Asuka! You didn’t say there’d be a guy with us!”
The one yelling was Suzuka Suzukaze, who speaks in a Kansai dialect and plays the role of the tsukkomi (the straight-man) in the group. She’s the red-themed member.
“Oh, you’re right, I didn’t mention it. Then it’s not Go-kun’s fault, or anyone else’s—it’s mine. I’m sorry.”
Asuka-san acknowledged her mistake honestly and bowed her head to everyone.
“Please raise your head, Asuka-san! If you apologize, then… I have no choice but to forgive you!”
That was said by Kuon Kurakuen, the youngest member but known for her mature looks, and the blue-themed member.
“Kuon Kurakuen, aren’t you being too soft on Asuka? I mean, Kuromi Kuromi’s underwear was seen, you know?”
Objecting to Kuon’s words was Kuromi Rokurokusō, the black-themed member admired among ‘problematic girl’ subcultures.
“It’s just underwear, Kuromi! It’s basically the same as a swimsuit.”
That carefree statement came from Shino Shinnōzuka, the purple-themed member known for her quirky remarks that often go viral.
“That’s right, Kuromi-chan. Like Shino-chan said, I would rather have him see even more, if anything~”
Saying this with a sultry smile and a finger to her lips was Midori Midorigaoka, the green-themed member also known for her gravure modeling.
“Midorigaoka-san, that’s not okay! Even if you are a perv—uh, I mean, an exhibitionist, you still have to take care of yourself!”
Cheerfully scolding her was Kozue Uchidekozuchi, the orange-themed member who lights up everyone around her with her vibrant energy.
“Kozue, you rephrased it, but it means the same thing, doesn’t it?”
Suzuka Suzukaze, the red-themed Kansai dialect speaker and the group’s go-to for punchy comebacks, chimed in instantly.
What a scene this was.
The members of the massively popular idol group Asterisk were all talking in front of me—it was surreal.
“Well, it can’t be helped this time. We were slow getting changed, and this guy apologized right away. Let’s just call it even.”
“Thank you for forgiving us, Suzukaze.”
Phew, I’m saved. I’m glad this didn’t escalate. Asuka-san probably predicted this would happen and apologized first to calm things down.
“By the way, who is this guy? Don’t tell me… Asuka’s guy?”
Suzukaze gave a knowing smirk and pointed her thumb upward at Asuka.
That expression feels a bit old-fashioned…
“Wh-! What are you talking about!? Th-th-that’s not true!”
Asuka-san’s face turned bright red, and she turned away from us.
“Wait, no way… That reaction is for real?”
“I’ve never seen Asuka-chan act like that before.”
“What do you mean by ‘thumb’? Are you saying this guy is Asuka-san’s dad or something?”
“You don’t need to know that yet, Kozue-chan. But wow… so this is the guy…”
“Hey you! What’s the meaning of this!? State your name!”
Kuon Kurakuen, now with an intense glare, was ready to pounce on me at any second.
(This is bad!)
“Kuon-chan, I get that you love Asuka, but hold up a sec. Asuka’s not in a state to explain anything right now, so can you fill us in?”
Suzuka Suzukaze held Kuon back and turned to ask me directly.
“Y-yes! My name is Gō Sakasegawa. I came here on Asuka-san’s recommendation to do your makeup today. I’m looking forward to working with you all!”
Trying to clear up the misunderstanding, I quickly responded in a loud voice.
“Asuka-san, this new song One Inch in Your Eyes is one you wrote yourself—it’s an incredibly important track for everyone. You know how important this PV is, right? Can we really trust this guy with it!?”
“Yes. Kuon, I understand that better than anyone. That’s exactly why I chose Go-kun. His skills are the real deal, so you can all rest easy.”
When it comes to work, Asuka-san gets serious.
There was a tension in the air—something indescribable in words.
Asuka-san really trusts me.
And I want to meet her expectations.
“A guy that Asuka would go this far for… sounds interesting.”
“Let’s see what you can do, then.”
“I wonder what kind of technique you’ll use to please me.”
“I’m excited!”
“Nice to meet you~”
“I still don’t accept this guy!!”
It definitely doesn’t feel like a warm welcome, but that doesn’t matter. This is work.
“Go-kun, I’ll leave it to you then.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Now that it’s come to this, all I can do is focus on doing my job.