Chapter 36: Following the Scent of Filthy Lucre
Hikari's channel had already reached 300,000 subscribers.
Many people might not have a clear concept of subscriber counts on the YouTube platform. To put it simply: if Hikaru Hoshino were a VTuber, he would already be at the level of a top-tier "Big Name."
While some creators boast hundreds of millions of subscribers and tens-of-millions-tier YouTubers are common, those are usually in the gaming or lifestyle sectors—realms that historically have little to do with our niche ACG (Anime, Comic, Games) subculture.
A certain open-world game has 17 million followers on Bilibili but only 6 million on YouTube; that is a cold, hard fact.
Once Hikari's fame spread, many record labels extended olive branches, hoping he would join their ranks. However, Hikaru Hoshino, a man born to crave freedom, paid no mind to these profit-driven vultures.
—But the person who sent the message this time was truly impossible to ignore.
Xini Entertainment. A world-class record company on par with Lyra and Universal, it held a near-monopoly in the field.
In the Japanese capitalistic hierarchy, it was a juggernaut at the ceiling level. The companies that could outrank it were likely only those few old-money fossils from the last century... oh, and in this world, there was also the Shinomiya Group.
Declining them rashly might even lead to being blacklisted.
Hikaru let out a heavy sigh, staring at the large "XINI" icon on his message panel. Ultimately, he agreed to meet and discuss the details.
"Is it really Xini Entertainment?"
Even though Hikaru was the one invited, Ichigo Saitou looked more nervous than he did, rubbing his hands together as he asked.
Considering he was a president after all, Hikaru figured having him along might be helpful, so he specifically dragged Ichigo to the meeting.
Soon, the two arrived outside the designated cafe. Hikaru was surprised to find that the cafe's name was also "Xini."
The interior decor was entirely Neoclassical—creamy white walls paired with brown patterned floor tiles, and tables seemingly made of marble, with coffee cups neatly arranged on the polished surfaces. The style leaned toward a professional aesthetic, emphasizing structural simplicity, balance, and symmetrical proportions.
Inside, a bunch of wealthy guys who clearly didn't need to work were sipping cappuccinos, seemingly enjoying a high-class bourgeois lifestyle.
—Actually, that wasn't the case. If they wanted to enjoy life, the wealthy preferred tea. Coffee, by its very nature, was naturally beneficial to work. The stimulating properties of caffeine could even boost work efficiency by 30% to 40%.
There were no capitalists here, only high-level "corporate cattle."
After this silent observation, Hikaru finally stepped inside. He spotted a tall man wearing gold-rimmed glasses sitting at a window table, nodding in his direction.
After the two took their seats, this elite corporate worker asked with a gentle smile:
"What would you like to drink?"
Ichigo Saitou took off his sunglasses and wiped them carefully on the table. "An iced Americano."
"Iced milk mocha, less sugar, less ice."
Hikaru said stylishly, without even glancing at the menu.
"We don't serve milk mochas here," the man said, giving Hikaru an odd look.
Hikaru's cool persona crumbled instantly. He twitched his lips. "Then just any kind of latte will do."
Once the several expensive cups of coffee were served, the man opposite them introduced himself in a leisurely manner.
"My name is Takashi Kadomori. You may call me Kadomori. I am a senior agent under Xini Entertainment and one of the heads of the Human Resources department. I invited Mr. Hikari here today primarily because I see your potential. I am officially inviting you to join Xini Entertainment."
"But I prefer being an independent musician. I don't like being restricted by a company."
Hikaru frowned as he took a sip of his lime-flavored latte, only to be surprised that it actually tasted quite good.
"Our company offers excellent benefits and compensation."
"Oh?" Hikaru's eyes lit up. "Let's hear them."
Kadomori gave a confident smile, his gaze sharp. "Our company is powerful. We have many talented composers under our wing; our singers get priority in collaborating with them."
Hikaru folded his arms. "But I can compose my own music, and my productivity is so high I can't even use it all myself."
Kadomori followed with a cold snort. "We have vast resources and maintain partnerships with a large number of TV music programs, enjoying fixed guest slots. This includes the *Kohaku Uta Gassen*; we can assign whoever we want to perform."
Hikaru flipped his hair. "With my talent, they'd be the ones coming to invite me."
Kadomori's expression began to sour. "Our company also has its own MV production department, capable of mass-producing high-quality MVs..."
"Aiya," Hikaru slapped his thigh. "That sort of thing can just be outsourced."
The ace agent couldn't take it anymore. He glared at Hikaru. "I haven't finished speaking. Please stop countering every sentence I say."
"Xini has a broad business scope—music, games, and physical manufacturing are all involved. Oh, that includes the coffee shop business beneath your feet."
"Join us, and you can drink coffee here at internal staff prices."
Hikaru was suddenly a little tempted.
"We have a sophisticated legal department that can resolve all kinds of copyright disputes."
"We have a complete physical record manufacturing department and an independent retail market—a one-stop service from production to sales."
"We have a PR department that can smooth over any public relations crisis. Even if you were caught cheating by the paparazzi with photographic evidence, the company could help you get those photos back."
Hikaru couldn't help but interject: "Please don't make such impossible hypothetical scenarios!"
Kadomori continued his offensive. Backed by the company, he was currently resolute and high-spirited, acting as if he were the boss himself.
"We have extensive experience in hosting concerts. For places like the Tokyo Dome, we can get an application approved in a single day."
Ichigo Saitou, who had been silently playing dead, nearly spat out his coffee.
"We also possess a massive array of promotional channels. Countless national-level singers belong to Xini Entertainment; cross-promotional opportunities are endless."
"As long as the quality of the work is up to par, you will hear your own melodies on TV shows, in online videos, at subway entrances, and in back-alley bars. This large-scale promotion is precisely the prerequisite for success."
Kadomori gradually regained his composure, raising his cup to toast Hikaru. "I have seen too many good works buried underground. In this day and age, few people put effort into discovering niche yet high-quality content. With enough promotion, even a pig can grow wings."
"You wouldn't want your works to remain unknown, would you?"
These words struck a chord in Hikaru's heart. Ai's *Into the Night* was currently trending, yet his own *Dried Flower*, recorded during the same period, was stuck in his hands. Wasn't it exactly because he was worried about insufficient promotion and the song sinking without a trace?
Just as Hikaru was about to soften his stance and ask for more details, Ichigo Saitou, sitting beside him, suddenly spoke up sheepishly.
"Um, besides musicians... do you guys accept presidents of large entertainment agencies?"
"I mean..." The middle-aged man took off his sunglasses, looking embarrassed. "Can I join too?"