Chapter Episode 1: The Invitation from L.A.
Characters in this Episode
Kenichi Tadokoro
Bio: The former leading man of a single film directed by the legendary Schpieger. Despite booking a major Hollywood lead role in the past, he is by no means a star—in fact, barely anyone who watched the movie even remembers his face. An ordinary, middle-aged man who naturally fades into any background, his presence rendered increasingly invisible under his wife's massive shadow.
Kayo Tadokoro
Bio: Kenichi’s wife and a legendary backstage heavyweight in Hollywood circles. A charismatic behind-the-scenes force who once engineered a new standard of industry discipline. During her husband's film shoot, she micro-managed not only Kenichi’s health framework but also stepped in as a lifestyle and mental performance coach for the lead actresses. A ruthless control freak who optimizes everything she touches.
Toshiki Tadokoro
Bio: Kenichi and Kayo’s son. A brilliant University of Tokyo student who is, underneath his academic exterior, a chronic mommy's boy.
Cindy Goldberg
Bio: Toshiki’s girlfriend and an international student at the University of Tokyo. An energetic, hyper-enthusiastic girl who worships Kayo as her ultimate master.
Episode 1: The Invitation from L.A.
One day, an email arrived in Kenichi’s inbox.
Sender: Hollywood AI Summit 2027
Kenichi
"What’s this?"
Kenichi muttered, clicking the unread message open.
Dear Mr. Tadokoro,
We would like to invite you as a keynote speaker at the Hollywood AI Summit 2027.
Your experience in using AI for creative content and your work in Hollywood has inspired many in our industry.
We would be honored if you could share your insights on “AI and the Future of Filmmaking.”
Date: March 15-17, 2027
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center
Please let us know your availability.
Best regards,
Hollywood AI Summit Committee
Kenichi stared at the screen. The Hollywood AI Summit—a massive, prestigious event in the industry. And they wanted him to deliver the keynote speech.
Kenichi
"Wow... this is actually huge."
Right then, Kayo looked over his shoulder, appearing silently out of nowhere.
Kayo
"What are you looking at?"
Kenichi
"Oh, this."
Kayo quickly scanned the English text. Her eyes moved with perfect, efficient precision.
Kayo
"The Hollywood AI Summit?"
Kenichi
"Yeah. They want me to give a speech."
Kayo
"What is the timeline?"
Kenichi
"Next month. March 15th to the 17th."
Kayo
"In Los Angeles."
Kayo paused for a few seconds, as if calculating her schedule in her head.
Kayo
"Are you going?"
Kenichi
"I don’t know... What do you think?"
Kayo
"I see no reason to decline. You should go."
Kenichi
"But..."
Kayo
"But what?"
Kenichi
"Well, it’s a huge audience. I get incredibly nervous standing in front of that many people..."
Kayo looked at him with calm, expressionless eyes.
Kayo
"Kenichi, you were the leading man in a Schpieger film. Why are you hesitating over a simple public speech?"
Kenichi
"That was acting. I had a script. This is completely different..."
Kayo let out a short, quiet breath. She wasn't angry; she was just finding the next optimal solution.
Kayo
"Fine. If you are going, I am going with you."
Kenichi
"Wait, why?"
Kayo
"To monitor your blood pressure. If you go alone, there is a 100% chance you will forget to take your medication on time. I prefer to eliminate any health risks before we travel."
Kenichi
"...Right. Thank you."
Kenichi could only nod weakly. Kayo’s logic was always entirely bulletproof.
That evening, Toshiki came over to the house, with Cindy accompanying him.
Toshiki
"Hey Dad, Mom. We're home."
Kenichi
"Welcome back."
Cindy
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Tadokoro!"
Cindy greeted them with her usual high-energy, thousand-watt smile, instantly brightening the room.
Kayo
"Hello, Cindy. Come inside."
Kayo served the tea with perfect timing, as if she had predicted their arrival to the exact minute.
Kayo
"So, what brings you both here today?"
Toshiki shifted his eyes toward Kenichi.
Toshiki
"Actually, Dad..."
Kenichi took the cue and explained the email from the AI Summit.
Toshiki
"The Hollywood AI Summit?!"
Toshiki’s eyes widened.
Toshiki
"And they want you to give the keynote speech? That's incredible, Dad!"
Kenichi
"Well, yeah..."
Cindy’s eyes instantly sparkled.
Cindy
"Los Angeles! That’s my hometown!"
Kenichi
"Oh, that's right."
Cindy
"If you are going to L.A., you absolutely must meet my family! My parents would love to hear all about the movie!"
Cindy leaned forward in excitement. Toshiki nodded happily.
Toshiki
"I think it’s a great opportunity, Dad. It’s like Mom’s management skills are going back home to L.A. I’m actually really excited."
Kenichi
"I suppose, but..."
While Kenichi was still hesitating, Kayo calmly took control of the conversation.
Kayo
"Our schedule is clear. We are going."
Toshiki
"Wait, Mom, you're going too?"
Kayo
"Naturally. Monitoring Kenichi’s vital data remotely is inefficient. I need to supervise him in person."
Toshiki
"Classic Mom. Perfect risk management."
Toshiki laughed proudly. He was a mommy's boy through and through.
Cindy cheered.
Cindy
"Yay! I will personally handle all the local transportation and restaurant bookings! I’ll make it perfect!"
Kayo
"Thank you, Cindy. I expect great results."
Kayo smiled elegantly.
Kenichi let out a quiet, private sigh. L.A. again... and now he had to meet Cindy’s family on top of it. He had a distinct, uneasy feeling about this trip.
A few days later, Kenichi sent his official acceptance to the summit committee.
I would be honored to speak at the summit.
The reply came almost instantly.
Excellent! We look forward to having you.
But the exact moment that email arrived, a completely separate notification popped up.
Sender: Steven Schpieger
Kenichi
"...Schpieger?"
Kenichi opened the email.
Kenichi,
I heard you’re coming to LA for the AI Summit.
Let’s have dinner. I want to catch up.
And bring Kayo. The actresses here still talk about her.
Steven
Kenichi
"...They're still talking about Kayo?"
A complex mix of emotions washed over him. Of course they were. At the end of the day, no matter what the occasion, his wife was always the real star.
Kenichi showed his phone screen to Kayo.
Kenichi
"An email from Steven. He wants to do dinner. He says the actresses are still talking about you."
Kayo
"Oh?"
Kayo read the text calmly.
Kayo
"Dinner sounds acceptable. If they are still following the nutritional routines I taught them, it will be a good opportunity to check their progress."
Kenichi
"...Yeah, definitely."
Kenichi forced a smile. Yep, once again, he was firmly locked into the "plus-one" slot.
The next day, a LINE message arrived from Cindy.
Cindy: So excited for L.A.! My mom is looking forward to analyzing—I mean, meeting everyone so much! Also, I am absolutely taking you guys to my uncle's cafe! It's a bit of a strange place, but it's wildly interesting!
Kenichi
"Her uncle's cafe?"
Kayo looked over his arm, her sharp vision catching the text instantly.
Kayo
"What is that?"
Kenichi
"Cindy says her uncle runs a cafe in L.A. She says it’s a 'strange place'."
Kayo
"It sounds like a useful local field study. Let's add it to the itinerary."
Kayo said flatly.
For some reason, a heavy weight of dread settled deep in Kenichi's stomach. A strange place... What kind of place could it possibly be?
A few weeks later, they were at Narita International Airport.
Kenichi, Kayo, Toshiki, and Cindy. The four of them stood in front of the departure gate, ready to head to Los Angeles.
Kenichi
"Alright, shall we go?"
Kayo
"Yes."
Kayo checked her passport and ticket.
Kayo
"Kenichi. Did you pack your blood pressure medication?"
Kenichi
"Yes, I did."
Kayo
"And your supplement bottles?"
Kenichi
"They're in the bag."
Kayo
"Show me. I want a visual confirmation to ensure your actual inventory matches my data."
Kenichi
"...Yes, dear."
Kenichi obediently opened his bag and showed her the bottles. Toshiki chuckled happily beside them.
Toshiki
"You two really never change, do you, Dad? But hey, you’re healthy because of her, so you should be grateful."
Kenichi
"...Be quiet."
Cindy said cheerfully.
Cindy
"Don't worry, Mr. Tadokoro! Once we're in L.A., I’ll double-check Kenichi's health routine exactly the way Mrs. Tadokoro instructs!"
Kayo
"Thank you, Cindy. I appreciate your cooperation."
Kayo nodded, thoroughly satisfied.
Kenichi let out one last, quiet sigh into the bustling airport terminal air.
A brilliant, data-driven wife and her hyper-enthusiastic disciple. The "Double Management Team: L.A. Edition" was officially underway.
God help me, Kenichi thought.
They walked through the boarding gate. Destination: Los Angeles. A brand-new wave of trouble was about to begin.
