The Stand User Of The Daily World

Chapter 102: 9x2 Plus 4, I Want All 22 of Me

The next day was Monday.

When Shunsuke and Mashiro headed to school, they initially planned to call Rikka to join them. However, upon learning that she had just woken up, they decided to give up on the idea.

As for Matsuzaka Satou? Sorry, they weren't that familiar with her at the moment.

Even though Shunsuke's stepsister was friends with Satou, that didn't mean much.

After all, Matsuzaka Satou didn't even know that, and even if she did, a sister's friend didn't automatically translate to a brother's friend.

Speaking of which, was Rui really Satou's friend?

Their connection seemed to stem from Momo Kashiwabara.

It was similar to how Hayama and his three followers were all "friends," yet the three weren't necessarily friends with each other.

In Shunsuke's view, Kashiwabara Momo was likely Satou's most genuine friend.

Momo's relentless efforts to give her all for the people she liked, putting her heart and soul into every relationship, must have been something Satou secretly admired.

Compared to Hida Shouko's one-sided obsession, Kashiwabara Momo probably stood out as the only friend Satou truly recognized.

Now, what would happen if Akane Minagawa ever crossed paths with Satou? It'd probably end in a spectacularly gruesome manner.

That sounded far more entertaining than simply sending Akane to prison.

Not that sending Akane to prison wouldn't also be fun.

On the way to school, Shunsuke let his mind wander aimlessly. He felt as though he was gradually turning into someone who enjoyed watching chaos unfold.

Perhaps this was the leisure afforded to the strong.

...

Passing by Kanda Myoujin Shrine again, Shunsuke looked up unintentionally and saw three familiar faces he hadn't seen in a while—Honoka Kousaka and her friends.

The trio, nicknamed the "Sea, Land, and Air Team," were busy training by running up the stairs.

Since their last meeting, Honoka had frequently contacted her number-one fan, Shunsuke, via LINE to share the challenges she faced in her school idol activities.

However, Umi Sonoda and Kotori Minami hadn't reached out at all, which left Shunsuke feeling a little disappointed.

He had even offered to help with making their costumes if they needed it.

Then there was Kitagawa Marin, who was now entirely focused on making Shizuku's outfit.

Shunsuke couldn't quite grasp her logic—sometimes, people don't realize just how far off they are until they give it their all and experience that crushing despair firsthand.

"Ah, it's Shunsuke and Mashiro! Long time no see!"

Upon spotting Shunsuke, Honoka, dressed in workout gear, enthusiastically waved from afar.

Just moments ago, she had been sprawled on the ground, looking utterly exhausted.

This sudden burst of energy was probably just part of her "energetic airhead" charm.

As for Umi and Kotori, they smiled awkwardly, likely having forgotten both Shunsuke and Mashiro's names.

Calling them by nicknames, like Honoka did, didn't seem appropriate either.

In Japan, forgetting someone's name was considered quite rude.

Shunsuke jogged over while carrying Mashiro. "Are you doing basic stamina training? It looks pretty tough."

"Shunsuke, are you a monster?!" Honoka stared in shock at the sight.

"No, this is just what any qualified school idol should be able to manage, right?"

"Really?" Honoka's tone was hesitant, but she seemed partially convinced.

"That's obviously not true, you idiot!"

Sonoda Umi facepalmed, while Minami Kotori laughed cheerfully.

"How's your preparation going now?" Shunsuke asked.

"Look, Shunsuke! I can do push-ups while smiling now! Isn't that a huge improvement?"

Just moments ago, Honoka had been lying on the ground, panting heavily. Yet, in the blink of an eye, she was proudly showing off, doing push-ups while sporting a goofy grin.

"Well, as an idol, I'd say you've reached the basic standard," Shunsuke commented nonchalantly.

"Why do I feel like your standards have gotten higher than before?" Honoka pouted.

"That's because I recently met some incredibly high-level stars. Naturally, my standards went up," Shunsuke replied.

Hearing this, Umi, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, suddenly had a realization. "Wait, Fujii-kun, are you the Fujii Shunsuke?!"

"So, Sonoda… Uh, Sonoda-san, which Fujii Shunsuke are you talking about?" Shunsuke asked, feeling the formality of the address was a bit awkward.

"The one from the news a few days ago! Sakurajima Mai's manager!"

"Oh, yeah, that's me."

Shunsuke nodded with a calm demeanor, but deep down, this was exactly why he had chosen to become Mai's manager—to bask in this moment!

—Come on, ask me more questions. Go ahead, and let me become your manager too.

—All nine of you… No, wait, double that number, plus one, two, three, four—your four sisters. Whether they've shown up or not, I want all twenty-two of you!

Just kidding. Shunsuke would never be that depraved—Yazawa Cocoro and Yazawa Cocoa are not even ten years old! He wasn't about to "profit" his way to a death sentence.

"Eh? Shunsuke is a manager for a major celebrity?!"

"Fujii-kun is such an important person?" Honoka and Kotori played along with expressions of astonishment.

"I wouldn't call myself an important person just yet," Shunsuke said modestly. "But if you keep working hard, Honoka, your fame and achievements could one day rival Mai Sakurajima's."

Umi waved her hands dismissively. "No, no, no. Even if we won first place in Love Live!, there's no way we could surpass Sakurajima-san. She's a popular actress! How could idols compare to that?"

"Mou, Umi, how can you give up so easily? This is Sakurajima Mai's manager's professional judgment, you know!"

"Hahaha, Honoka-chan, Fujii-san is probably just being polite," Kotori said with a laugh.

"I'm not being polite."

"Huh?" Kotori turned to Shunsuke in surprise.

"I'm not just being polite; I'm serious," Shunsuke said earnestly, meeting their eyes. "If you let me become your manager and leave the planning to me, I guarantee you'll not only surpass Sakurajima but become the world's number-one idols."

"Hahaha… I see," Umi said, suddenly feeling like she'd run into someone even more persuasive than Honoka.

Even the always-optimistic Honoka found it hard to believe. "But right now, we can't even form an idol club! The student council keeps rejecting us, and without a club, we can't participate in Love Live!—let alone become the number-one idols like Sakurajima-san."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Shunsuke replied casually. "One day, she'll be dancing in your opening theme like there's no tomorrow."

Honoka blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You'll find out in due time," Shunsuke said with a mysterious smile.

"But I want to know right now!" Honoka clung to Shunsuke's arm, pouting coquettishly.

Girls these days were truly terrifying, Shunsuke thought. How could she act this way with a guy she had only met for the second time? Just look at Umi's face on the side—it was already contorting into a comical expression.

Shunsuke felt it was his duty to teach Honoka a lesson, to let her know that the world wasn't so kind that a bit of pouting and pleading would magically get her what she wanted.

"Shunsuke~, please tell me~," Honoka whined.

"…Fine, actually—"

"Oh my, it seems like every time I see you, there's a different girl by your side."

A voice interrupted them, and Tojou Nozomi, dressed in her shrine maiden attire, approached with a sly smile, her eyes narrowed.

"What?! Don't tell me Shunsuke is a playboy!" Honoka jumped back in shock, covering her flushed cheeks as she shouted.

Umi immediately delivered a karate chop to Honoka's head. "Idiot Honoka, the last time we saw Fujii-kun, the person with him was Shiina-san!"

"Eh-heh, that's right, I kind of forgot," Honoka admitted sheepishly, tapping her forehead with her hand in an exaggerated attempt to look cute and get away with it.

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