Inside the coffee shop, the three became more familiar with each other, and some private information about Sister Izumi was continuously shared by Tanaka Eri during the process.
Takeshita Masato realized that his guess was correct; the energetic girl had indeed noticed his subtle intentions. However, instead of stopping him, she was actively helping him along.
During this time, the three began to understand each other better. They learned about each other's schools and the companies they had interviewed with.
As they chatted, Tanaka Eri suddenly said, "How about we go sing karaoke later? Sachiko has a really good singing voice."
"Ah, maybe not. Karaoke would take too long. I promised my mom I'd be home by a certain time, and if I'm too late, she'll worry."
Sister Izumi was a good girl in life, always coming home on time and never causing her parents to worry about such things.
Although there were many exceptions, most of the time, love within a family is reciprocal.
Because Sakai Izumi was so well-behaved and sensible, her parents naturally doted on her.
Even when she worked at a real estate company in Tokyo in her previous life, she still lived at home in Hiratsuka. Every day after work, her parents would pick her up at the train station entrance, rain or shine, just because they were worried about their daughter coming home late at night.
"Karaoke is indeed a bit late. However, Kamike-san's voice is clean and clear, with great potential to become a caster."
Compliments should be directed appropriately. Sakai Izumi had a dream of pursuing music in her heart. If Takeshita Masato wanted to win the beauty's favor, he naturally had to work hard in this area.
Tanaka Eri smiled and glanced at Takeshita Masato, giving him a look that said 'you understand'.
Then she looked at her best friend and also praised loudly, "That's right, I also think Sachiko-chan has a great voice and will become a big star in the future."
"No, no, not at all. My voice is very ordinary, and I'm just average at karaoke."
Sakai Izumi's pretty face turned red, and she shook her head shyly. As for becoming a caster, she only dared to think about it secretly in her heart and didn't dare to admit it at all.
Seeing that Sister Izumi was too shy, Takeshita Masato didn't press further. Instead, he naturally smiled and invited, "I'm getting a little hungry. How about we grab a meal together and then head home?"
The interview was at 10 in the morning, and the three had been chatting happily in the coffee shop. Unknowingly, it was already lunchtime. The young man naturally wouldn't miss such a good opportunity, as many things are accomplished over a meal.
"Okay! It's rare to be treated by a talented student from Waseda, so of course we should go." Tanaka Eri was very enthusiastic and then looked at her best friend with great anticipation.
"Well, alright."
Sakai Izumi didn't really want to keep freeloading, but since her best friend had already agreed, she could only nod in assent.
After lunch, Takeshita Masato didn't try any more tactics to keep Sister Izumi around.
Everything in moderation; it should be mutually beneficial. Anyway, he had already gotten both of their contact details, and there would be plenty of suitable opportunities to meet up later.
Takeshita Masato hummed a cheerful tune as he took the train to his next company interview. On the other side, the two girls on their way home were quietly discussing everything that had just happened.
"Um, you noticed, right? Why did you still agree?"
Takeshita Masato's intentions were too obvious, and Sakai Izumi, a girl who was both beautiful and intelligent, was naturally alert. She didn't understand why her best friend would accept an invitation from a stranger.
Although they had a good chat afterward and the young man acted like a gentleman, this kind of thing wasn't really ideal.
The girl wasn't very fond of it.
"Sachiko-chan!" Tanaka Eri shook her friend's arm, then smiled and whispered, "Of course I know, but didn't you notice how handsome Takeshita-san is? And his education is great, and he's very gentle. My mom said that when you see a man like that, you should hold onto him tightly!"
"It's a shame he's interested in you. If it were me, I'd go on the offensive right away and quickly reel him in. A talented student from Waseda University will at least become a taxpayer earning over ten million yen a year in the future."
"But..."
Sakai Izumi was about to retort, but was immediately interrupted by her best friend.
"No buts! You can't shrink back when something happens; you have to learn to be decisive. Anyway, it's just making a simple friend. If it doesn't feel right, we just won't meet again in the future."
Tanaka Eri might seem a bit carefree on the surface, but her thoughts were just as meticulous, and in many ways, she was more mature than Sister Izumi.
She knew that girls had no future in the Japanese workplace.
If they couldn't find a good marriage partner, their future lives would be a mess.
Poverty-stricken couples mourn everything!
This is a truth that holds true everywhere.
"Besides, Sachiko-chan! Didn't you have a pretty good impression of him?"
"I, I didn't!"
Sakai Izumi lowered her head shyly, contradicting her words with a quiet voice.
"Hehe, you can't fool me with that!" Tanaka Eri wagged her finger proudly, then raised an eyebrow and said, "If you make up your mind, you're even more determined than me. If the interaction felt really bad, you absolutely wouldn't have accepted the invitation."
Sakai Izumi appeared gentle and weak on the outside, but her heart was very strong. Once she set her mind on something, no one could dissuade her, and she was filled with a spirit of going forward without hesitation.
In her previous life, after working for two years and being scouted, she resolutely quit her stable job against everyone's objections and began pursuing her dream of becoming a caster.
You know, in the Japanese entertainment industry, there's a hidden rule: older female newcomers basically have no future.
When Stardust Promotion signed Sakai Izumi, they didn't have much expectation at all. They just thought of having her work as a gravure idol to make some quick money.
During this process, Sakai Izumi worked at the uncomfortable gravure idol job and constantly looked for potential opportunities. Her efforts were not in vain. Finally, in 1990, she saw the light of day and became a signed caster under Being.
Of course, a good appearance was also essential.
Being's president, Nagato Daiko, was famously a member of the 'looks matter' club. Ooguro Maki was firmly suppressed by him for several years because she wasn't considered very attractive.
Ooguro Maki joined the company earlier than Sister Izumi, but her debut was later.
"Well, alright. But isn't marriage a bit too early?"
Sakai Izumi was less than 20 years old now. Although she had thought about marriage, she hadn't seriously considered it.
"It's not early! Once a girl passes 25, the situation changes from you choosing others to others choosing you."
In the 1980s, Japan was still a conservative society, and the average marriage age was relatively low. It wasn't like the 21st century, where even 30 is not considered late, let alone 25.
Of course, when it comes to marriage...
Whether it's a boy or a girl, the younger they are, the wider their range of choices. After turning 30, it becomes difficult to find a partner who meets their expectations.
Many people in their 30s who find partners through matchmaking are more like fulfilling an obligation.
As for love, what is that? Can you eat it?