All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

"After becoming a composer, you'll need to accumulate five singles with over one million downloads each to qualify as a gold-standard composer."

Kotomi Izumi immediately puffed out her cheeks in disappointment. It seemed like becoming a Songfather and raking in money from the music industry wouldn't be as easy as she'd hoped.

Seeing the change in Kotomi's expression, Miyuki Aomori thought she might have said something wrong. She quickly added, "You don't need to worry too much about reaching a million downloads, Teacher Izumi. With your talent, you might even break ten million. Besides, I would be more than honored to sing your songs. Actually, being able to perform your work would be my privilege. When your debut single is released, I'll use my reputation to boost it. Reaching a million downloads would be a breeze."

"And what about the revenue split?"

Kotomi wasn't a complete novice who knew nothing about the industry. She had researched the composition field and understood that singers of Miyuki Aomori's caliber typically commanded high revenue shares, often splitting the profits equally with the composer.

For phenomenon-level singers, their revenue share could even go as high as 15% out of 20%, leaving only 5% for the composer.

Of course, despite the smaller share, many composers were eager to collaborate with high-profile singers to increase their exposure and enhance their reputation. It was similar to how rookie singers longed for the chance to sing a song written by a Songfather.

Merii Hizuki straightened up in her seat. She knew this was the critical negotiation phase.

This was the riskiest part of the discussion. A single misstep could result in losing the chance to work with a talented composer. However, reaching this stage also meant that Kotomi was seriously considering becoming a composer for Heavenly Spider Agency.

"How much of a share does Teacher Izumi intend to offer the collaborating singer?" Merii Hizuki asked.

"0.5 out of 20."

Pfft!

Miyuki Aomori almost fell out of her chair, and Merii Hizuki nearly lost her balance. Meanwhile, Arisu Sakayanagi smiled brightly at Kotomi, her expression saying, As expected of my woman!

"Teacher Izumi, isn't that… a little too low?" Merii Hizuki forced a smile, feeling a pang of pain as she spoke.

Even for established singers, such a low revenue share was unheard of. The split Kotomi proposed was the standard "tool rate," typically only accepted by small-time singers or newcomers desperate to debut.

Granted, Heavenly Spider Agency did have a rookie participating in this year's rookie season.

However, Merii Hizuki's loyalties lay with Miyuki Aomori, the artist she had personally nurtured and supported.

It was rare to encounter such a talented composer as Kotomi, and Merii Hizuki naturally hoped that she would collaborate more with Miyuki Aomori in the future.

But 0.5 out of 20…

For someone of Miyuki Aomori's status, that rate was simply far too low.

"Would you accept it?" Kotomi asked with a playful smile.

Noticing Merii Hizuki's hesitation, she decided to reveal more about herself and posed a new question: "Do you read novels or manga?"

"I do, occasionally," Miyuki Aomori replied.

"Hehe, well, composing isn't my only option. I also have income streams from writing novels and drawing manga. You've heard of Izumi Ki, haven't you?"

"Izumi Ki? Of course! I love her manga Chainsaw Man…" Miyuki Aomori trailed off, her voice faltering as realization dawned. "Wait a minute… Izumi Ki… Izumi Ki…"

As she muttered the names, Miyuki Aomori suddenly looked up, her eyes wide with shock.

"You're Teacher Izumi Ki?!" Miyuki exclaimed, connecting the dots. "K from the start of Kotomi, and I from the end—Ki is right there! How did I miss that?"

"What else would I be?" Kotomi replied with a slight smile.

Without hesitation, Miyuki Aomori rummaged through her bag and pulled out an issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, which featured the second chapter of Chainsaw Man.

"Teacher Izumi, I'm a huge fan of your novels and manga! I've been eagerly waiting for the tankōbon releases of Sword Art Online and Chainsaw Man. Could you please sign this for me?"

"Of course."

Since the other party was one of her readers, it was only natural to agree to the request. Kotomi took the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. Before signing, she discreetly pinched the edge of the pages with her fingers to ensure there wasn't any carbon copy paper or similar material hidden inside. Once she confirmed everything was fine, she signed her pen name, Izumi Ki, on the cover.

"Wow! I got Teacher Izumi Ki's signature!" Miyuki Aomori squealed in delight.

Miyuki Aomori twirled around excitedly, staring at the signature on the page. In this moment, she didn't seem like a top-tier celebrity at all—just a small fan girl who had met her favorite author!

"Miyuki, Miyuki, watch your image! What's going on here?"

Merii Hizuki looked at Miyuki Aomori with confusion, baffled by her sudden change in behavior.

Miyuki Aomori leaned in close to Merii Hizuki's ear and gave her a quick rundown about Izumi Ki.

After hearing the explanation, Merii Hizuki was completely dumbfounded. She had known Kotomi was talented and had great potential in composition, but she hadn't expected her to also be a well-known light novelist and manga artist.

"Teacher Izumi truly is full of surprises. Speaking of Shueisha, many of the singers under our agency have sung theme songs for anime adaptations of their manga," Merii Hizuki remarked with a sigh.

At the same time, she made up her mind: no matter what, Kotomi had to become a composer for Heavenly Spider Agency!

Even if they had to accept a disadvantageous revenue split, it didn't matter.

Kotomi's earlier comment had sounded casual, but to an experienced negotiator like Merii Hizuki, it was obvious that she was applying pressure. With high emotional intelligence, Kotomi had subtly reminded them that she had two other sources of income—novels and manga—and wasn't reliant on composing for money. In fact, if the payment wasn't satisfactory, taking on composition work would simply feel like a waste of her time.

With the rookie season deadline looming and Miyuki Aomori's November single fast approaching, Merii Hizuki decided to take a gamble. She placed her hands on the table and said sincerely, "For the first song we collaborate on, the singer will be a rookie debuting in this year's rookie season. We'll use the 0.5 split you mentioned. As for Miyuki's songs, we can find another time to sit down and discuss the revenue split in more detail."

"As long as Teacher Izumi is willing to compose for me, I'd even be willing to give up an additional 10% of my revenue!" Miyuki Aomori declared loudly, fully prepared to take a significant loss.

This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision for Miyuki Aomori. She had already made up her mind yesterday after hearing "All the Way North."

If Kotomi was willing to bring her full potential to the table and compose for her, Miyuki felt that she would have essentially secured a major advantage. She didn't care that Kotomi was much younger—what mattered was talent, not age.

Besides, wasn't it great to latch onto someone talented and younger? There was something refreshing about it!

Giving up 10% of her revenue was a bold move. Kotomi did a quick calculation in her mind and couldn't help but marvel at Miyuki Aomori's generosity. She was essentially giving up 90% of what she could have kept for herself.

"That's acceptable," Kotomi agreed, letting out a small sigh of relief. For now, she was willing to go along with the deal. However, she added, "But I'm still just an ordinary high school girl. I can't exactly drop out of school to work full-time, can I?"

Ordinary?! Merii Hizuki's mouth twitched slightly.

"We completely understand, Teacher Izumi. Don't worry—you can continue living your life at your own pace. My business card has the location of Heavenly Spider Agency's headquarters. If you ever feel like visiting, just give me a call, and I'll come pick you up," Merii Hizuki said.

"Then here's to a pleasant collaboration."

Kotomi shook hands with both Merii Hizuki and Miyuki Aomori.

As for the original song for the rookie singer, since Heavenly Spider Agency's headquarters was in Tokyo, a trip there would likely take an entire day. Kotomi had no plans to visit Tokyo this weekend, so she asked Merii Hizuki to send over a recording of the rookie singing. She wanted to hear their voice before making any decisions.

After wrapping up their conversation and exchanging contact information, Merii Hizuki stood up, preparing to bid farewell.

"Well then, we won't take up any more of your time, Teacher Izumi and Miss Sakayanagi. Goodbye."

"Teacher Izumi, I'm looking forward to the latest chapter of Chainsaw Man!"

"Wait a moment!" Kotomi called out, stopping the two before they could leave.

"Hmm? Teacher Izumi, is there anything else?" Merii Hizuki quickly walked back, not daring to delay.

Kotomi pointed to the menu. "Didn't you say you were going to treat us to coffee? We haven't ordered anything yet."

It was only then that Merii Hizuki realized she had been so focused on discussing business that she had forgotten to order.

"That was my oversight. What would the two of you like to have?"

"Can we only drink?" Kotomi tilted her head inquisitively.

"If you'd like something to eat, that's fine too. I recommend the panini burgers and the Emmental cheese platter at this café. As for coffee, what flavors would you like to try?"

Arisu Sakayanagi ordered a con panna coffee, while Kotomi ordered three panini cheese sandwiches and an Emmental cheese platter.

As for the coffee, she didn't know much about it, so she went with Arisu Sakayanagi's recommendation and ordered a toffee hazelnut coffee.

After the orders were placed and the bill was settled, Merii Hizuki and Miyuki Aomori left first.

Upon leaving the café, Merii Hizuki glanced at her now significantly lighter wallet and sighed.

"Teacher Izumi has such an appetite! No wonder she was able to run so fast earlier. Ugh… The competition between women over their figures is too cruel. I barely eat anything because I'm afraid of gaining weight, but Teacher Izumi doesn't seem to have that kind of worry at all."

"Maybe all the nutrition from the food goes straight to her chest," Miyuki Aomori said with a chuckle. She had barely been able to tear her eyes away from Kotomi's chest while they were in the café.

After finishing two of the panini sandwiches and half of the Emmental cheese platter, Kotomi called a waiter over to have the remaining sandwich and cheese packed up to go.

"Are you full?" Arisu Sakayanagi asked.

Kotomi shook her head and replied with a cheerful smile, "Nope. I wasn't planning on eating my fill when I ordered three earlier—I just wanted to try them. I'm saving the rest to take home for Aimi. She loves cheese and paninis just as much as I do."

"I'm suddenly a little envious of Aimi," Arisu Sakayanagi said with a soft laugh, resting her chin on one hand.

After leaving the café, the two of them quickened their pace to head home.

When they opened the door, the sound of their mother cooking in the kitchen greeted them.

Not long after, there came the sound of footsteps—Aimi's footsteps.

Worried about her older sister coming home so late, Izumi Aimi had been anxiously pacing back and forth in the living room.

When she finally heard the sound of the door opening, Aimi dashed over, her face lighting up with a joyful smile.

"Onee-chan, you're finally back! You were so… so… late…"

Aimi's previously radiant smile froze the moment she noticed Arisu Sakayanagi.

Why was there another unfamiliar woman next to her beloved sister?!

However, Aimi prided herself on her ability to read people. From her perspective, Kotomi and Arisu Sakayanagi seemed to share an ordinary friendship. Arisu Sakayanagi also didn't give off any bad vibes—she didn't seem like someone who would try to steal her sister away.

Based on her quick assessment, Aimi concluded that Arisu Sakayanagi must be a good person.

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