"What the hell is this?!"
At the headquarters of Yotsuba Publishing in Kyoto, sitting in front of a desktop in the office, the first thing I blurted out after checking the newly received image was that.
Generally speaking, the kind of men who allow themselves to be photographed are either those who couldn't form a harem, those whose sperm isn't in demand, those who are sterile—in simpler terms, the losers.
Popular men tend to be taken in by women before they even step into society. Since their women support them financially, they don't need to earn pocket change, nor do they need to gather more women. On the other hand, the women also don't want rivals—there's no benefit in increasing the number of partners competing for their man's attention.
Because of that, male gravure magazines often lack star power.
Still, we have to make do, so we persistently conduct interviews all over the place, even if the results are generally unimpressive.
Yet, amid this declining market, an undeniably lucrative piece of content had just landed in my hands.
Seriously?
Is it really okay to use this?
Did we get permission?
Isn't this one of those rare, untouchable golden boys who are kept under lock and key by thousands of women?
No, wait... They did say he was a "hidden treasure."
A hidden treasure of Yata, that yokai hag from the Japan Sea side. If we publish this, it'll boost issue sales by at least 5%...
I shuddered at the memory of that intense negotiation.
If we break our promise, we'll undoubtedly be socially "eliminated." Her family—or rather, her many half-sisters—are scattered all over the country. There's no telling where the dagger might come from.
And then, there's the budget and sales projection. The revenue from just this one issue alone could easily double our total sales from last year.
On top of that, with the regional economy tanking due to the absence of their poster boy, Sansuke, this could revitalize the entire area.
Sansuke (三助) is a term referring to the male working staff who provide specific services at the Sento (銭湯, public bathhouse) in Japan. They were usually hired for both men and women to assist in bathing and provide massage services.
When a male gravure feature is published, it always includes a contact point, which, in this case, is that hot spring inn. In the past, the legendary Sansuke, Kohaku Umino, was the poster boy there. As a publisher, I owe that place a lot—I made good money thanks to them.
So really, there's no reason to hesitate, is there?
I agonized over whether to use it or not, but in the end, I made the call.
On my desktop, the image of Hisui Umino appeared—grinning playfully while forming an "X" with his fingers in a cheeky pose.
On-site
"Is there really demand for images like this?"
Hisui asked while obediently fulfilling our requests.
He was pretty sly about it, too. Even when we suggested some seriously provocative, borderline indecent poses, he didn't seem particularly bothered. Honestly, if we weren't the ones handling this, he'd probably be assaulted on the spot.
Of course, no one here wanted to end this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, we all watched over him with a mix of excitement, our eyes bloodshot, our thighs clenching in anticipation—yet maintaining a gentle demeanor.
For reference, "we" includes me, the cameraman, and literally every woman in this entire region.
As long as we keep a respectful distance, the boy can remain defenseless, and we can freely interact with him.
At this point, a kind of utopia had formed in this area.
"Don't worry! This is absolutely going to trend!"
A young boy making a troubled smile while forming an "X" with his fingers?
It's definitely going to be a hit.
Besides, more importantly—Hisui's only wearing a single yukata with no undergarments.
Everything is subtly outlined, teasing at the limits.
For those watching, the effect was devastating.
If I were younger, just seeing him walk around like that would've been enough to make me collapse with a nosebleed.
So yeah, it's going to sell.
Come on, even if you're soaking wet down there, just keep taking as many photos as possible.
Editor-in-Chief
The big question now is: how many copies do we print in the first run?
"Screw it, ten times the usual amount!"
I settled on a pretty aggressive number.
Actually, that was the upper limit of our current budget.
Aftermath
It wasn't nearly enough.
The entire stock sold out on the day of shipment, before the official release.
We even had to do a reprint—something unheard of for a magazine.
At the Inn
"Cheers!"
"Your estimates were way off, dumbass!"
"How the hell was I supposed to know?!"
"Well, at least it turns out there was demand."
That damn lolibaba Yata, Hisui and herself, were both drinking with the brightest smiles.
I didn't expect this outcome.
Still, both of them looked way too young. Even up close, I couldn't see a single flaw.
As a woman myself, I'm picky about makeup, but neither of them had thick foundation or anything.
They were just naturally like that.
It honestly made me feel defeated.
But hey, this wasn't a competition.
Closer
"By the way, Hisui, is that distance really okay with you?"
Yata was now sitting right between Hisui's crossed legs.
At first, they were just sitting normally, but as the drinks kept flowing, their distance shrank.
Back against his chest.
Pressing in from the side.
Then onto his lap.
And now, dead center.
Under normal circumstances, any guy would've freaked out and bolted by now.
"This is normal, isn't it?"
Hisui replied, unconcerned.
"Yeah, this is just how we are," Yata agreed, as if it were obvious.
No way.
Bullshit.
I mean, the way she's touching him—
The way her hands are moving—
They look like they're about to start right here and now.
"Can I... join in too?"
I asked, despite my age.
I had to at least confirm first.
"Go ahead?"
Hisui spread his arms invitingly.
Yata grinned.
I moved beside him, deliberately leaning in a little too much.
Hisui wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.
Warm.
He smelled nice.
And where we were touching…
So soft…
This... this is basically sex, isn't it?
My underwear was already soaked beyond saving.
No, no. If I push him down now, I'll get kicked out and banned forever…
"Here we go."
Yata suddenly stood up and looked me in the eyes.
"You're at your limit, aren't you?"
She smirked sadistically.
And then—
"Mmm..."
Right before my eyes, their lips met.
Ahh…
God, I wish that were me.
I just sat there, watching in stunned admiration.
"So? You want in?"
Yata turned to me with a wicked grin.
I had no resistance left.
I just nodded, over and over.
"Alright then. I'll leave the rest to you young ones. Enjoy~"
With that, Yata left the room, clearly amused.
Now it was just the two of us.
"Don't overdo it. Try not to break him."
She called back through the door before disappearing.
As if I needed the reminder.
.....
I lost completely.
I thought I'd be the one in control, but he nearly broke me instead.
But it was worth it.
"So, for the next photobook, let's go with something like this. The payment will be…"
She hit me with another ruthless negotiation.
Considering last night, though…
It was a bargain.