Kazuo goes on a business trip with Hoshizono. Hoshizono is called a “Star Watcher”. People's strange occupations are explained. At this time, Kazuo Sugishita is finally informed of the nature of his current job.

 

Kazuo goes on a business trip with Hoshizono.

Hoshizono is called a “Star Watcher”.

People's strange occupations are explained.

At this time, Kazuo Sugishita is finally informed of the nature of his current job.

“...Of course, I don't seek to mock such things as absurd. But I don't really sympathize with those who hunt for the truth behind aliens and UFOs. I believe it is more important to ponder the depths of the universe than the mysteries of aliens, and to admire the beauty of the starry sky instead of worry about the secrets of UFOs. The most important thing for those of us living in the modern era is to listen to the voices of the stars and honestly embrace their beauty. When we dream of the distant world of the stars, their beauty cleanses our hearts. To have that kind of romance is what...”

And that was as far as Kazuo got before closing the book in frustration. Once again, he was struck by a chill that made goosebumps emerge all over his body. This book was profoundly creepy. The whole book was a ceaseless parade of such lazily sweet tripe.

“Let's Look at the Stars in the Night Sky” by Shiro Hoshizono. On the back cover of the book, there was a larger than necessary photo of the author's face in close up, smiling sweetly at the camera. He'd bought it on his way home yesterday after meeting the author, but he quickly grew fed up with it. No matter what page he turned to, it was exactly the same. Reading it now, the vibrations of the train made him even queasier. The express train had just left Tokorozawa.

“Isn't it interesting?”

The handsome man sitting next to him, looking exactly as he had in his photo on the back cover, suddenly turned to him. The mirrored sunglasses he wore gave him the look of some Hollywood movie star.

“Not really.”

Kazuo automatically mumbled an answer. He'd let his guard down, thinking Hoshizono was looking out the window. He grimaced, wondering if he'd seen him close the book.

“It might not grab you very hard. It was written primarily for the young female demographic.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Though it seems women who aren't young anymore are also reading it.”

“Ah, I see.”

Their conversation was going nowhere fast.

“Ah, um, let me get you a coffee.”

Kazuo suddenly said that, trying to show the consideration of an attendant.

“That won't be necessary, thank you.”

Hoshizono took off his sunglasses with a slick movement. Although his pompous attitude was a constant presence, Kazuo couldn't stop finding it creepy. What was a man in his 30s doing trying to act so cool? It was really annoying.

“We're staying on until the end of the line, so if you're sleepy, you can take a nap,” said Hoshizono.

Then he airily raised an index finger in front of his face. Kazuo didn't know what that was supposed to mean.

“Ah, right.”

When Kazuo's answer slipped from the back of his throat, Hoshizono went back to looking out the window.

Kazuo frowned more subtly, trying not to let it be seen as he leaned back in his seat. With a sideways glance, he observed the person who, as of yesterday, was his new master.

His master had a handsome profile like a marble statue as he stared with half-lidded eyes at the scenery rolling by.

Star Watcher, Shiro Hoshizono. Although his job title wasn't exactly self-explanatory, he was probably the only man in Japan who was such a talent. He celebrated the beauty of the stars, talked about the night sky, published books, filmed TV specials, and wrote the horoscopes section in a weekly women's magazine. His books included “A Romantic Journey Through The Starry Sky”, “To Those Beautiful Stars”, the essay collection “Reaching For the Jewels in the Night Sky”, and “Night Flight”. His original videos, which almost looked like street speeches for an election campaign the way they constantly invoked his name, included “Shiro Hoshizono's Star Diary”, “Shiro Hoshizono's Romantic Star Classroom”, and “Shiro Hoshizono's Visual Horoscopes”. He appeared on TV, on the radio, and delivered lectures in person. His job was to charm women across Japan with his mouth-watering words and foreign model looks. Since his debut a few years ago, he'd gained a fair amount of popularity for his unique persona and outstanding beauty. He was 31 years old, but his career before becoming the Star Watcher was officially shrouded in mystery.

To be blunt, he was a shady guy.

Of course, Kazuo had known about him for a while since he was “developed in-house” as it were, but he had no idea he was so shady. In short, he was a con artist. He was a textbook narcissist, empty on the inside and only concerned with getting famous. Best case scenario, he'd been found at a host club, at worst he could have committed marriage fraud. Looking at him, Kazuo thought things like “Cultural talent? Don't make me laugh, he's an idol who can't sing.” His good looks and popularity with women made him a target of envy, and most men regarded him the same way as Kazuo: as an annoyance and a creep. This “cultural idol” had quite the bad reputation among male viewers. Still, this was an era where even the most gimmicky cultural oddity could become a business, and even restaurateurs and temple priests could become celebrities. His publications were reprinted again and again, and he was in high demand for TV and radio appearances. What was the world coming to...

Kazuo brooded on how unfortunate he'd been to be appointed as attendant to such an incomprehensible non-talent. Why did he have to be stuck to a guy like this? Although his public profile said his background was unknown, according to confidential company info, he used to be a freelance writer. Either way, Kazuo didn't think he was that great a person.

His only salvation was in President Cockroach Head's promise that he'd be returned to Production someday. He wanted to be free of this man and return to work as soon as possible. He wondered how long it would take for things to cool down back at the office. He would be fine if there was still some awkwardness, as long as Hoshizono wasn't there.

As he sat there thinking, the silence became more and more painful. Even if he'd said Kazuo was allowed to sleep, he was still a lowly attendant, and he also wasn't strong enough to sleep next to another man.

“Um, uh...”

Kazuo made incoherent noises at the marble statue. He hesitated to casually call people “sir” like Director Kawasaka. He'd probably need to get over that, but he was stubborn. He couldn't call a man like this “sir”.

“Yes, what is it?”

Hoshizono turned his chiseled face towards him.

“Well, could you please tell me why we're going on this trip? I haven't been told anything at all.”

Kazuo spoke timidly. The day after being assigned as his attendant, he was suddenly ordered to go on an overnight business trip. He'd boarded the Seibu Express leaving Ikebukuro that afternoon, but he didn't even know where they were going.

“Ah, well, you should at least know the outline.”

Hoshizono turned his body slightly more towards Kazuo with an elegant smile.

“I heard that there was a campground in Saitama Prefecture that had gone under, and that we received a request from the land developer who recently purchased it.”

Hoshizono spoke in the same deep, earnest voice he used on his TV appearances.

“It seems the company is putting effort into attracting new customers, and they want me to help with the advertising, so I asked if they would be willing to allow me an overnight stay so I could get a taste of the atmosphere there. Apparently, it's quite deep in the mountains, with a beautiful view of the stars.” 

“So in other words, they want you to become their image character.”

“That's correct.”

Hoshizono laughed with a relaxed smile.

“Ah, Kazuo, you used to work in advertising, right? So you're an expert in that field?”

“Yes, well...”

“This is great, I can ask for your opinion.”

“So, um, do you do that kind of work, being an image character?”

“Well, it's not a very good job, so normally I wouldn't have accepted, but since the request came from someone with connections to the president, I couldn't turn it down. But, well, they only invited me for a night. I don't have to do anything special, so it's an easy job.”

Hoshizono raised his index finger in front of his face in a powerfully smug expression. Apparently, that was a habit of his. Creepy.

“I've been feeling a bit overworked lately, too, so I think this is the perfect time for a break. We just need to go with the intention of getting a bit of rest.”

With a light wave of the finger pointed at the ceiling, Hoshizono stopped talking and turned his attention back the the scenery outside.

Kazuo felt half-hearted as he was forced to sit and wait. “We” should rest...? From what he'd said, it seemed this man knew what Kazuo had done to the assistant manager. He wondered if Director Kawasaka had been the one to tell him, or if it was someone else. Was this an act of kindness, or did he just not find Kazuo interesting? Either way, it didn't matter. He was just a humble attendant, after all... Kazuo felt strangely humiliated.

After an unpleasant train ride, they arrived at their stop at Seibu-Chichibu Station. From there, they'd have to change to a local line.

Carrying one night's luggage on his shoulders, Kazuo followed Hoshizono through the station building. Unlike in the city center, it was freezing cold. They passed a group of students dressed in bright colors who appeared to have come on an early skiing trip. To be honest, he was jealous. Kazuo was stuck traveling with this manwhore.

Immediately adjacent to Seibu-Chichibu Station was Ohanabatake Station. It was quite the idyllic name. Guided by Hoshizono, they headed to the flowery-named station. Since he was a manager (in training...), he felt like their positions were backwards. But that was okay. He was just an attendant, so as long as they stuck together...

It was no good. They next rode a two car train with a floor made entirely of wood. It looked like a toy and moved gently. The scenery outside the window gradually turned to nothing but mountains and rice fields. Hoshizono shut his eyes and relaxed, admiring the quiet country atmosphere. Following his example, Kazuo looked at the rows of harvested rice. This must be what it's like to be banished, he suddenly thought. He'd been banished from his company to a frigid village with a gigolo. He grew more depressed with each passing moment.

The train stopped at several stations: Kagemori, Urayamaguchi, Bushū-Nakagawa... Few people got on, and few people got off. Eventually, at the fifth stop of Oharanodai Station, Hoshizono stood up.

“Here we are, this is our stop. This train journey was great! I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I had been considering coming by car, but I'm glad I chose to take the train.”

It seemed he'd enjoyed the scenery, he looked refreshed.

They went to the front of the station, but it was just a wide, empty plaza. His first impression was that there was nothing there. The sight of the sign for the bus stop standing alone on an uneven square of asphalt was upsetting to the soul. Beyond it lay a restaurant that they couldn't tell whether it was open or not. Next to it was a dry goods store they believed couldn't have been open. It was truly the country. To think a place like this was accessible less than two hours journey from Ikebukuro... Japan is truly a vast country.

“Come here, our host has promised to come pick us up.”

Hoshizono placed his Boston bag at his feet and glanced at his watch.

“I think it's about time.”

He slowly looked around. The sight of him standing in front of a countryside train station with a long scarf and coat flapping in the wind looked like a scene from a high-brow movie.

Fine, Kazuo admitted it. He was kinda cool. Suppressing his despair at the admission, Kazuo also looked around. It was too early for anyone to be returning from work or school, so there was hardly anyone around.

There was a poor-looking middle aged man leaning against a pillar of the station building, looking blankly into the sky. It was a face he'd seen somewhere before. The man was about 40, with a small, thin build. Somehow, he looked like he hadn't finished evolving into a human. The middle aged man was huddling his shoulders as though he were cold, showing off that his arms were a bit too long for his build, making him look a bit like a monkey. Where had he seen that face before? As Kazuo watched him, the other person seemed to notice him and approached. His ape-like face didn't look friendly. He looked a bit gloomy. Kazuo hoped he wasn't planning any funny business...

“Ah, there they are.”

Hoshizono muttered to himself. When Kazuo turned around, he saw a car coming towards them. It was a large station wagon with four wheel drive.

The car stopped just in front of where Kazuo and Hoshizono were standing. The passenger door quickly opened and a man jumped out. 

“Sorry I'm late!” he shouted.

He was in his 50s, with a square face that glistened with oil.

“I got stuck in a traffic jam on the way here. Thank you very much for waiting, Mr. Hoshizono, Mr. Sagashima.”

The man still sounded like he was yelling.

“Are you the representative from Yamakanmuri?” Hoshizono asked.

“I'm sorry, I've forgotten to introduce myself.”

The man bowed his head in an insincere gesture.

“I am Iwagishi, the head of Yamakanmuri and the one who asked Mr. Hoshizono to work with us.”

He pulled two business cards from the pocket of the double-breasted coat which didn't suit him.

Gozo Iwagishi, President of Yamakanmuri Development Co., Ltd.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

Hoshizono took a card. When Kazuo tried to take the other, a hand suddenly came from the side and snatched it away. When he looked, he saw the middle-aged man with the monkey face standing next to him.

“You two are active in the same company, so I'm sure you know each other already!” said Iwagishi in an outrageously loud voice.

“Allow me to make the introductions. This is Mr. Shiro Hoshizono, a, erm, star commentator.”

“I'd prefer to be called Star Watcher.”

Hoshizono struck an elegant pose.

“Ahhh, that's right, you're the Star Watcher. Everything is written in katakana nowadays... And this is Mr. Kazuteru Sagashima. I suppose he'd be a UFO watcher.”

“I'm a UFO researcher.”

The monkey-faced man didn't look or sound interested in them.

That was where he'd seen him. UFO catcher – no, that was an arcade game – UFO researcher Kazuteru Sagashima. He was another cultural talent Kazuo had seen on TV.

“You two both research the stars, so I imagine you already know each other. I suppose my introduction wasn't necessary.”

At Iwagishi's raspy voice, Hoshizono said:

“No, I recognize the name, but this is the first time we've met. I am Hoshizono. I hope we can get along.”

He held out his hand in a strange motion.

The UFO researcher gave a quiet “Thanks” and shook hands as though it were just an obligation. His shabby looks were even more pronounced next to the smartly dressed Hoshizono.

Iwagishi finished the introductions.

“Zaino! What are you doing back there? Come say hello to the talents!”

He yelled so loudly they probably heard him on the other side of the mountain. The station wagon's driver-side door opened and a man noiselessly stepped out. He moved as though he were on a conveyor belt, stopping in a position exactly 45 degrees diagonally behind Iwagishi.

“This is Zaino, from our company. I brought him along to take care of you all for the rest of today and tomorrow. Please ask him for anything you need.”

The man took out a business card holder with the flawlessly efficient movement of a precision machine.

“My name is Zaino. Please, come to me with any needs you may have.”

His bow was respectful, but his attitude wouldn't win any hearts. Zaino, who looked close to 40, wore a tight black leather coat around his slender body. He felt dangerous, somehow. His expressionless face and sharp eyes made him look a bit like a ninja disguised as a bank clerk.

Zaino thrust his cards at Hoshizono and Sagashima with the force of a shuriken. Of course he didn't offer Kazuo anything. When Hoshizono took a card, he looked over his shoulder and read “Yamakanmuri Development Co., Ltd., Deputy Director of Accounting, Masataka Zaino.”

Kazuo belatedly handed out his own business cards, having, for whatever reason, been ignored thus far. They'd been given to him by the Culture and Creative Department just yesterday.

“I'm sorry for the delay, I'm Hoshizono's manager-”

“Ah, so you're Mr. Hoshizono's attendant.”

Iwagishi carelessly shoved Kazuo's business card into his pocket without even looking at it. Of course he was unhappy, but he couldn't say anything. After all, he actually was this playboy's attendant.

“Well then, gentlemen, shall we be off?” Iwagishi asked with a friendly smile.

“It's about a forty minute drive from here. But first: Zaino.”

“Sir.”

Zaino quickly ran to open the trunk of the station wagon, moving efficiently and producing no sound. He withdrew a bundle of chains.

“Do forgive me, but please wait a moment while he applies the snow chains to the tires. It will only take a moment,” said Iwagishi.

Hoshizono asked a question.

“Is this a place where you need snow chains?”

“Not normally, but you see, it was abnormally cold for the season three or four days ago. Apparently, it snowed that day.”

Ah, that day... Kazuo did remember it had been cold when he left the office that day.

“I told the Saitama branch to make sure they shoveled, but both Zaino and I were busy. We only arrived from Tokyo today, so I don't know what's going on. It's just in case.”

Iwagishi rubbed his round nose with his palm.

“You, Mr. Hoshizono's attendant.”

“Yes?”

Kazuo turned around, surprised to suddenly be addressed.

“What are you doing?”

“Um?”

“Aren't you going to help? Are you really okay with just leaving the talents standing out in the snow for so long?”

 

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