WebNovels

Chapter 167 - Shooting in Progress

"Get ready to shoot!"

The voice of the director rang out from nearby.

Embarrassed, Aina Takahashi seemed to grab onto this moment like a lifeline and ran over.

Kouhei didn't pay Iori any attention either—he straightened out his clothes and prepared to head over as well.

"Wait a second!"

Just then, Aina came over to Kouhei with a short-sleeved shirt in hand.

"Put this on."

She had noticed earlier that Kouhei didn't suit that button-down shirt at all. The buttons seemed to have some strange magnetic pull, constantly tempting others to undo them.

And Kouhei was someone who couldn't resist temptation.

So, to ensure filming went smoothly, Aina specifically went to find a short-sleeved shirt.

While Kouhei was changing, she reminded him, "Listen carefully—whatever happens, keep your shirt on!"

"Of course I know that,"

Kouhei replied coolly, already wearing sunglasses like he was deep in character. "Who do you think I am?"

With that, he headed toward the camera. In that moment, he looked just like a star.

...

"Okay! Let's begin shooting!"

The director stood behind the camera and shouted, "Ready… CUT!!!"

Just as they were about to start, he caught a glimpse of Kouhei's outfit and had to yell cut.

Kouhei stood there with arms crossed, looking very cool. The short-sleeved shirt looked fine—its solid color actually made his face look even more handsome.

But—

That was just from the waist up. The lower half...

Totally unbroadcastable!

What was that black basketball doing there?!

Was this really a normal TV show? Did they want to join the IP (adult video) industry or something?!

So when they said "don't take off your shirt," they really just meant the shirt, huh?!

"What the hell is wrong with you?!"

The director roared. This was by far the most exhausting show he had ever filmed.

"This is a decision I made after careful consideration,"

Kouhei replied with absolute seriousness. Isn't this just another kind of character persona?

"Who told you to make yourself into some kind of perverted character?!"

The director was on the verge of a breakdown. If they shot the program with this persona, then every scene featuring Yuichi Ikegoshi would have to be censored with mosaics.

Thinking of this, the director suddenly felt a pang of pity for Ikegoshi, who was already at the hospital.

This is what you get for not listening to advice.

"Ikegoshi san…"

Aina Takahashi was also staring at Kohei in shock. She respected people's kinks, but she just couldn't understand this perverted persona.

It was just too incomprehensible!

Had Ikegoshi san decided to let himself go after not being popular for seven years?

"Don't worry."

Kohei knew what these people were concerned about and waved reassuringly. "I'll wear a napkin when I eat!"

The director couldn't help but picture a completely naked Kohei, holding a knife and fork, with a napkin tied around his neck while eating.

"That image is even more horrifying!"

He no longer dared to film the upcoming scenes!

The director immediately sent Kohei back to Aina's side. She was the one in charge of "training" him earlier, right?

"I just reminded you!"

Aina was also at her limit. Was this guy a goldfish or something?

His memory was way too poor!

"I really was being careful…"

Kohei pretended to be troubled. He just couldn't help wanting to take his clothes off the moment he reached the beach.

"If you were being careful, this wouldn't have happened!"

Watching the chaotic scene, Kamishiro's lips curled into a smile.

He looked helplessly at Kohei. "So in the end, you chose to help after all… Chisa, looks like you'll have to work hard~"

"Work hard?"

Chisa, standing nearby, looked at Kamishiro in confusion. She didn't understand what he meant—what did this have to do with her?

Seeing her confused expression, Kamishiro chuckled and shook his head. What a natural airhead~

But… if things could stay like this, it wouldn't be so bad.

He didn't answer her question. Instead, he began looking for the protagonist of this story.

"Where's Kitahara?"

Chisa, who had been thinking about Kamishiro's earlier words, immediately frowned at the mention of "Kitahara."

Pointing toward Aina Takahashi, she said, "He's over there… hitting on girls."

 Kamishiro turned to look and saw Aina Takahashi's awkward expression and Iori's retreating back.

That back view… really looked like a dog~

Smack

 Kamishiro held his forehead in pain. He really shouldn't expect anything from Kitahara—his reactions were way too slow.

For the sake of Kitahara's safety, Kamishiro decided to take action!

He walked toward the two of them.

"Umm… is Ikegoshi san going to be okay?"

Aina Takahashi was a bit concerned. After all, no matter how you looked at it, his behavior wasn't exactly normal.

"It's fine, it's fine. He just hasn't recovered from that time his head got slammed in the door~"

Iori laughed while explaining, just as he was about to continue chatting up the beautiful girl in front of him, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Oh no!

From his past experiences of being pranked, he instantly knew—this was the hand of a scumbag!

The next second, that annoying voice reached his ears.

"Kitahara, what are you talking about? Don't you and Kohei usually dress like this?"

As he spoke, Kamishiro even winked at Kohei. Since they were helping, Kohei could bear the brunt of Kitahara's anger.

He was just an innocent behind-the-scenes mastermind~

?(≖ᴗ≖)?

Kohei clearly understood Kamishiro's signal and very cooperatively wrapped an arm around Iori's shoulders.

As he did, his original clothes mysteriously disappeared, leaving him completely exposed—heart to heart.

"That's right, Kitahara. This is how we're most comfortable being together."

!!!

"Wait, wait, wait!!"

Iori froze completely in Kohei's grip.

Even though what he said wasn't technically wrong, saying it now was clearly meant to frame him!

Iori quickly turned to Aina Takahashi and explained, "This has nothing to do with me! He probably got brain damage from getting slammed in the door. Please, you have to believe me!"

Too bad~

Having already seen the photo, Aina Takahashi had long assumed the two were a couple!

She just didn't expect them to be so shamelessly open about it.

So… their relationship was already that deep!

They weren't afraid of judgmental looks at all!

In that moment, Aina Takahashi had to admit—she was moved by this "beautiful" love.

Clutching her mouth in excitement, she said, "Don't worry, you two! I'll keep your secret!"

Not only that, she even pointed to the director and added, "Um, I'll go stall him for a bit—so hurry up, you two!"

Then she dragged Kamishiro away.

Can't disturb others!

(︶.︶✿)

Watching Aina Takahashi, everyone realized she'd misunderstood—but no one really cared.

After all, the two people involved were used to it by now.

Yeah, they'd been misunderstood way too many times.

But this time, things had gone surprisingly smoothly.

Kohei was even a little surprised. He hadn't expected Aina Takahashi to believe it so easily—he'd even prepared a photo!

According to the plan, that photo was supposed to "accidentally" fall out.

Even though Kamishiro was in the picture too, that didn't matter—as long as Aina Takahashi got the wrong idea, it was fine!

In the end, Kamishiro managed to dodge a bullet. Maybe this was fate.

Kohei shook his head and also headed toward the director. He'd achieved his goal—no way he was staying to babysit Kitahara anymore.

The only one who cared—Iori—was now on his knees, pounding the ground.

BANG!!!

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

Love!

His love!

Iori's eyes were bloodshot and his face was twisted with rage.

He'd made up his mind!

This grudge would not go unavenged—he would never be human again if he didn't get revenge!!!

"Wow, amazing!"

On the second floor of the dive shop, Aina Takahashi gazed excitedly out at the distant sea. "This view… there are no words to describe it!"

In scenery like this, a beautiful girl is always accompanied by a handsome guy.

The handsome man beside Aina Takahashi leaned coolly on the window, like some aloof CEO.

But the things he said made this CEO seem… not very bright~

"Yeah, it's just like—a southern island."

"..."

Hearing that, even Aina Takahashi, with her years of experience in the industry, couldn't help twitching at the corners of her mouth. What kind of metaphor was that supposed to be? How was she supposed to respond to that?

Since the director hadn't yelled "cut," she had no choice but to power through. "Well, because this is Palau…"

Why hasn't he yelled "cut" yet?!?!

Aina Takahashi was on the brink of a breakdown. She couldn't understand—how was this still rolling?

"CUT!!!!"

Thankfully, the director's roar finally came, even if it was a bit late.

Just the sound of it was enough to feel how utterly hopeless he was.

He was about to cry.

The director had really done his best. From here on out, all he could do was satisfy Yuichi Ikegoshi's minimum request and let him participate in the food review.

He never imagined filming could be this hard.

Right now, all he wanted was a completed film placed right in front of him.

This was torture!

Break time

"Have some water."

Kamishiro handed the director a bottle of water.

The weather was already hot, and now the man was so worked up. Kamishiro was honestly a little worried the director might just walk out.

If he did… well, that'd be fine. As long as he called Kamishiro before leaving.

 Kamishiro really wanted to go meet his idol at the IP company!

"Thanks."

The director didn't stand on ceremony. He really needed that drink.

As the cold liquid slid down his throat, he instantly felt more refreshed.

Yep—refreshed enough to immediately collapse the next second~

THUD~

{{(°△°; "}}!

"Eh? Why'd he pass out?"

Kamishiro quickly rushed over to catch him. How did just drinking water knock him out?

Is it really because of the heat?

Since it was break time, no one really noticed the abnormal situation with the director, but the cameraman, who had worked with him for years, did notice.

Σ(っ °Д °;)っ

"Director?!"

The cameraman rushed over and pinched the director's philtrum.

However, aside from a drunken burp, he got nothing in return.

Initially thinking the director had fainted from anger due to Kohei, the cameraman was stunned by the strong smell of alcohol.

What... did the anger ferment?

Then he noticed the liquid on the floor and finally understood.

Looking up at Kamishiro, he asked, "What did he just drink?"

Kamishiro glanced at the puddle on the floor and suddenly remembered his habit back at the pub.

(;?_?)

"Ah... I don't know, maybe just water?"

Yeah, 4% water is still water!

Seeing Kamishiro's shifty expression, the cameraman subconsciously pinched the director's philtrum even harder.

What a terrible performance!

What kind of "water" smells like straight alcohol?!

"This is a bit of a problem. Looks like we'll have to wait until the director wakes up to continue shooting."

The cameraman was a bit distressed. No matter how the director passed out, the shoot was now delayed.

Just as he was about to get up and inform the rest of the crew, Kamishiro grabbed his wrist.

"Cameraman, you know the rest of the script, right?"

"Eh? I do, but without the director, it's going to be a bit tricky."

The cameraman looked at Kamishiro suspiciously, not understanding why he was suddenly bringing this up.

Upon hearing that the script was known, a sly smile crept onto Kamishiro's face.

Using a devilish tone, he coaxed him:

"Big bro, you don't want to work overtime, do you~?"

The cameraman froze. "You mean…"

"You can tell how hard the director's been working. If we manage to finish shooting before he wakes up, don't you think he'll give you a raise?"

Upon hearing that, the previously dull-eyed cameraman suddenly lit up.

"Shooting continues!"

The next scene involved evaluating Palau's local cuisine.

The script was simple—just have the two stars praise the food as much as possible.

After a brief rest and adjustment, the two stars were back in top form, as if everything was progressing smoothly.

However...

"All departments, ready!"

Chisa and the others stared at Kamishiro, who was now directing the crew, and fell into silence.

The actors were fine… but what's going on with the director?!

And why was the filming crew acting so calm? Couldn't they tell the director had been swapped out?

Where was the original director, anyway?

Not just Chisa and the others—Aina Takahashi, who had received the news earlier, was also utterly confused.

Are dive shop employees this hardcore now? Even directing?

Aina Takahashi couldn't help but feel demoralized—not only did she lose out in looks, now she was losing in talent too.

She decided to investigate thoroughly tonight!

On the other side...

Chisa, still baffled, quietly pulled Kamishiro aside and asked,

"What's going on? Why are you suddenly the director?"

(;?_?)

"Ah... the director saw potential in me and wanted me to give it a try."

Kamishiro avoided her gaze. How was he supposed to explain this?

That the director passed out from drinking the "water" he poured?

And that he took over the director's role just to avoid working overtime and because he wanted a taste of directing?

As for the crew?

The cameraman was already in on it!

Clearly, the cameraman had his own ambitions—he'd become much more energetic since the director change.

Seeing Kamishiro act like this, there's no way Chisa would believe him!

Everyone in the club already knew he avoided eye contact whenever he lied!

Thinking about all his previous antics, Chisa's expression became increasingly strange.

"Don't tell me... you knocked out the director just to mess with Kohei."

"Cough cough…"

Kamishiro looked embarrassed. Chisa had half-guessed the truth. He did knock the director out—but not to mess with Kohei…

There was no need for that. That guy had already self-destructed just trying to stop Iori.

He really just wanted to direct the shoot properly to make up for his mistakes.

(.-_-.)

After all, who knew the director had such a low alcohol tolerance? One glass and he was out cold.

He didn't do it on purpose—it was a reflex! He only realized what happened when the cameraman showed up...

"It's nothing like that. The director just needed a rest from exhaustion. As for the shoot, we've still got the cameraman. I'm just here to yell 'cut' when Kohei does something crazy."

With that, Kamishiro waved his hand, not giving Chisa a chance to argue, and ran off toward the set. He was afraid that if he stayed, his cover would be blown.

"..."

Chisa watched Kamishiro's retreating figure, her expression complicated.

Kamishiro's the director. Imamura is the lead…

Mom, I think our new shop's promotional campaign has already failed.

More Chapters