In the days when online public opinion continued to rage, and the slander and attacks against Michiya Gōshin hung over everything like a dark cloud, the dating show's third date episode was finally set to air.
As a die-hard fan of Michiya Gōshin, Natsukawa Yuki was stationed in front of her computer early.
For her, the past week had been a network war shrouded in the smoke of battle.
As a core administrator of 'We Who Fervently Love Yū-kun' and a major supporter of the 'YūAka ship,' she had nearly exhausted all her energy, leading Michiya Gōshin's fans scattered across the country in a fierce struggle against organized and premeditated online trolls and paid bashers in the muck of major social media platforms.
Her chat windows blinked incessantly, her fingers nearly striking sparks on the keyboard.
Copying, pasting, refuting, reporting, and soothing the emotions of fellow group members—she repeated these actions, fighting back against the tide of slanderous accusations like 'playing with emotions' and 'hypocritical author.'
Every time she saw those meticulously crafted, malicious comments, her heart ached as if pierced by needles. But she couldn't fall. Natsukawa Yuki believed that the innocent would be proven innocent, and she believed even more strongly that the man who always remained so composed on camera could never be so despicable.
"Sisters, hang in there! When the show ends, the truth will definitely come out!"
"Those analysis posts are all taken out of context! Don't believe them!"
"Focus our firepower on reporting the most malicious accounts!"
Finally, amid great anticipation, the third date episode of Love is a Required Course in Life aired.
This time, the date selection process had a new format. When everyone saw Michiya Gōshin actually choose Kurokawa Akane, Yuki's heart leaped into her throat.
The live comments instantly flashed with doubt and ridicule, and her fingers curled tightly in anxiety.
However, all of this was merely the prelude, meant to accentuate the power of the final bombshell.
"Huh, it's a stage play?"
In the observation room, actress Suzuki Nana looked slightly puzzled. "Michiya-sensei and Kurokawa-san chose a stage play for their date? Are they going to perform on stage?"
Actor Kitagawa Akira had seen the six members' information cards, so he knew Kurokawa Akane was a stage actress. "Kurokawa-san is indeed a stage actress. What a unique choice."
"Maybe we'll get to see Michiya-sensei's acting. I've seen 49, after all,"
Screenwriter Honda Saori ignored the other comments and chose to speak up for Michiya Gōshin once again.
Only after she said this did the others remember that Michiya Gōshin wasn't just a budding author; he also had another identity as an actor. They focused on the screen with even greater concentration.
The show continued. On stage, the lights dimmed, and melodious music slowly began to play, creating an atmosphere that was romantic yet tinged with sorrow.
Michiya Gōshin was dressed in a magnificent, medieval-style costume. The form-fitting robe accentuated his tall, slender figure, with exquisite lace at the collar and cuffs exuding elegance. His blond hair shimmered with a soft luster under the lights, as if he were [Romeo] himself, straight out of the ancient tale.
Kurokawa Akane, meanwhile, was like a sleeping fairy. Dressed in a white gown that spread out on the platform, its folds as delicate as flower petals, her skin was fairer than snow. With her eyes closed and a hint of grief on her face, she perfectly embodied the tragic beauty of Juliet.
The next moment, Michiya Gōshin transformed into Romeo and began the most perfect performance.
"Ah, my love! My wife!"
"Ah, dear Juliet, why are you still so beautiful?"
"There, there, this is good. Now... now we can all rest in peace."
He continuously recited his lines, every movement and gesture filled with an unimaginable emotional turbulence.
The live comments flew by. Aside from those attacking Michiya Gōshin, some were also stunned by his acting.
[My god, his acting is actually something special...]
[Really powerful. I almost forgot he was an actor.]
[I saw Michiya Gōshin's debut work. He was really good.]
[Yū-kun! Yū-kun! Yū-kun!]
[Perfect Acting God!]
And when Kurokawa Akane awoke, she saw her 'dead' lover.
Immediately, her face began to portray a vast emotional range, from incredulous shock to a silent, devastating breakdown, finally settling into the calm of resolute self-sacrifice.
This restrained yet heart-wrenching, top-tier performance left everyone stunned.
[Kurokawa Akane!!! That was incredible! Who the hell was saying she's just chasing clout? She's clearly a hidden gem with amazing acting skills!]
[Such terrifying acting. Is she really a newcomer?]
[I've seen other versions of Romeo and Juliet, but this one is just too good. The visuals and the acting are both top-notch.]
[YūAka! It has to be YūAka!]
[YūAka's souls are in sync, I say lock it in! Throw the key into Tokyo Bay!]
Throughout the entire performance, the four commentators in the studio were utterly silent, their expressions a uniform blend of shock and disbelief.
After the performance ended, everyone in the studio broke into applause.
"What an incredible performance. After this show ends, I'm sure Kurokawa-san will receive a lot of script offers."
"Yes, and Michiya-sensei's acting is amazing too." Suzuki Nana stared at the blond young man bowing on screen, a flash of astonishment in her eyes.
"Indeed. This must be what they call genius."
The other two male commentators, Kitagawa Akira, who had worked with Nenshi more often, was a bit louder with his praise, while Takahashi Ryosuke simply agreed calmly.
Outside the screen, Natsukawa Yuki was glued to the program.
Watching the screen get flooded with frenzied praise and awe, watching comments like "Michiya Gōshin's acting," "Kurokawa Akane is stunning," and "YūAka is endgame" scroll by, a huge sense of vindication welled up inside her, making the tip of her nose tingle.
She held back her tears, the days of repression and grievance instantly released.
[Sisters, did you see that?! Yū-kun is just that amazing!]
[Kurokawa-san is just that incredible! Our persistence was worth it! Counterattack! A full-scale counterattack! Drown out all those disgusting comments!]
The 'YūAka ship' group chat had already erupted into a sea of celebration. The shippers felt completely vindicated, and the group's member count surged once again, becoming a new force that could not be ignored.
After the third date episode ended, amidst the discussions about the acting and the lingering attacks on Michiya Gōshin, the production team of Love is a Required Course in Life, at Director Aoyama's instruction, dropped another bombshell on the internet.
[The confession night of the final episode will be presented as a completely unedited live broadcast!]
This news directly ignited the already boiling online public opinion to its absolute peak.
A live broadcast!
It meant no post-production editing. It meant every glance, expression, conversation, and choice made by the members would be 100% real, with no possibility of reversal.
This format would absolutely fill the show's direction with suspense!
Beneath the official account's post, the comment section grew endlessly, instantly pushing the hashtag #LoveIsARequiredCourseInLifeFinaleToBeBroadcastLive to the top of Twitter's trending list.
[Live? They're serious! Does Director Aoyama have this much guts?]
[Aaaah I'm dead! I'm so nervous! Who can even sleep tonight!]
[The ultimate judgment day! Who will Michiya Gōshin choose?!]
[Tch, I'd like to see how Michiya Gōshin plans to choose. A guy who plays with girls' feelings will definitely not be able to keep up his act during a real live broadcast!]
[I'm betting my entire fortune on YūAka! The stage play was a confession!]
[AsaYū is also possible, I think there's still hope!]
[Place your bets, place your bets! No more bets!]
[Are people really looking forward to Michiya Gōshin's choice? I'm not watching anyway, he's just scum!]
[Whatever! I'm living in the live stream room on finale night!]
All sorts of discussions continuously raised the show's popularity. Although attacks on Michiya Gōshin still existed, not everyone paid them any mind. There were also casual viewers who were very much looking forward to the final confession night.
As its popularity continued to climb, this was no longer just the finale of a dating show; it had evolved into a phenomenal event watched by the entire nation.
The finale was set for eight o'clock at night.
Its popularity even attracted a large number of people from outside the industry who didn't normally watch variety shows, and many figures in the entertainment world also announced on social media that they would be watching on time.
Of course, among them was...
Sakurajima Mai sat in her cozy bedroom, her computer screen already on, playing the preview for the live broadcast.
Today was the final episode. Although she was worried about Michiya Gōshin, she was still very curious to see how the show would ultimately conclude.
Could he really overcome the public outcry and become her leading man?
Sakurajima Mai glanced at the script by her side. The audition for Alice in Borderland was next week. She had already familiarized herself with the script over the past two days and was determined to land the female lead role.
Elsewhere, Kasumigaoka Utaha was leaning back on a soft sofa. She held a book in her hands, but her mind was not on it at all.
From time to time, the author would lift her eyes to look at the clock on the wall, calculating how much time was left until the live broadcast began. Her delicate face looked even more beautiful under the light.
A curious glint shone in her eyes; she too was full of interest in the dating show's finale.
"Michiya-sensei, who on earth will you choose?"
At Hoshino Talent Agency, where Michiya Gōshin was signed, the entertainers had also gathered. Everyone was sitting around a large screen, very concerned about Michiya Gōshin's situation.
President Kato Arashi sat at the very front, his expression serious yet tinged with anticipation. He knew very well the importance of this live broadcast for both Michiya Gōshin and the company, and he silently prayed for everything to go smoothly.
Beside him sat a quiet girl.
It was Kato Arashi's niece, Kato Megumi.
The girl wore a soft red jacket. Her linen-colored short hair was neat and tidy, the ends curling slightly inward, framing a fair and placid face.
Her features were very gentle, not stunning but exceptionally pleasant to look at. Her large eyes were like a crystal-clear lake, revealing none of her true emotions.
Kato Megumi just quietly hugged a soft velvet cushion, her slender fingers unconsciously stroking the fabric.
Her gaze fell on the screen, her expression as impassive as if she were watching a documentary that had nothing to do with her.
The night that was the focus of everyone's attention, affecting the hearts of countless people, finally arrived as scheduled.
The final episode of Love is a Required Course in Life, the live confession night, began on time, with tens of millions of viewers holding their breath in anticipation!
The moment the live signal connected, a terrifyingly massive flood of live comments poured forth like the Milky Way, instantly overwhelming the entire screen!
[It's here, it's here, it's here!!!]
[First!]
[The final moment!]
[Yū-kun! Akane!]
[Too nervous to breathe!]
[Witnessing history!]
The camera first swept slowly across the confession night venue.
The villa's backyard had been meticulously transformed into a dreamlike garden. After careful arrangement by the staff, it was even more exquisite than before.
Warm yellow string lights and starry sky lights were wound around the tree branches, with white gauze curtains draped overhead, exuding a romantic atmosphere.
The open space in the center was covered with a dark carpet and had been set up as a temporary confession stage.
Strangely, however, despite it being a winter with little rain, dark clouds hung low in the distant night sky, and the air was hot and humid, heralding an impending storm.
Under the focus of countless cameras and amidst the revelry of the sky-high live comments, the six guests made their grand entrance in formal attire.
First were the male members. Michiya Gōshin wore a perfectly tailored black velvet tuxedo with a white patterned shirt underneath. A faint smile played on his lips, and his entire being radiated a calm and reserved charm.
Morimoto Kengo stuck to his distinctive rock style, with a black studded suit jacket paired with ripped jeans, looking wild and untamed. Kumano Nobuyuki, on the other hand, wore a standard white prince-like suit, his smile as bright as the sun, just as always.
Then came the female group.
Kurokawa Akane had chosen a long, black silk A-line dress. The style was simple, yet it perfectly outlined her slender figure. Her blue hair hung down her back. Having shed the extreme pathos of the stage play, she had returned to her calm, composed, and intelligent beauty.
MEM-cho wore a fluffy tulle dress in a pink and blue gradient, sweet as candy and full of life. Asakura Toru had chosen a long, dusty-blue chiffon dress, ethereal and hazy, like a spirit under the moonlight.
The stunning appearance of the six once again set the live comments ablaze, with all kinds of praise and screams flooding the screen.
First was the opening performance by all six of them. After three days of rehearsal, the song had become quite presentable.
Sudden Love
"On that day, at that time, in that place."
"If I had not met you,"
"We would have forever remained strangers."
Morimoto Kengo's guitar strummed a slightly melancholic melody. MEM-cho's clear lead vocals and Asakura Toru's ethereal harmonies intertwined, while Kumano Nobuyuki accompanied the rhythm with simple dance moves.
"I love you more with each passing day,"
"More than I love you now,"
"I want to protect you tightly,"
"And become a gentle wind to hold you close."
Michiya Gōshin handled the bass harmony, his voice magnetic and full of emotion. Although Kurokawa Akane did not sing directly, she stood to the side, precisely controlling the rhythm with a percussion instrument.
The performance may have been a bit rushed, but it was filled with sincerity and the memories accumulated over the past half-month, setting a warm tone for this farewell night.
After the applause, the air instantly became incredibly thick and tense.
The most important part, the confession segment, was about to begin.
The refresh rate of the live comments reached its peak as everyone frantically guessed and placed their bets.
Just then, a light pitter-patter of raindrops suddenly began to fall from the night sky without any warning.
At first, it was just a fine drizzle, gently tapping on the leaves and lighting equipment, making a pleasant rustling sound.
A small stir went through the staff. Someone subconsciously wanted to fetch rain gear or ask the director whether to interrupt the live broadcast.
"Don't stop! Keep going!" Director Aoyama's voice came through the headsets, decisive and firm, reaching every post.
"The rain isn't heavy! This is a god-sent atmosphere! Continue the live broadcast! All cameras, get close-ups in the rain!"
"Understood!"
As he had expected, the live comments exploded the moment they noticed the rain.
[Wow! It's raining! The atmosphere is maxed out!]
[The director knows what he's doing! A confession in the rain is so romantic!]
[The members' visuals are top-tier! They look even more amazing with raindrops!]
[The ratings are exploding! Look at the real-time popularity chart!]
Far from being an obstacle, the rain became the perfect catalyst to ignite the peak of the show's popularity.
The gazes of all the viewers focused even more intensely on the six figures in the rain.
At this moment, the director's assistant hurried forward under a transparent umbrella, holding a tablet computer, and clearly announced the final confession rules to the members and the audience.
"Members, the final confession segment begins now."
"The rules are as follows. On the table next to you are three envelopes. Inside are messages the women have written in advance for a certain man."
"It could be a confession of feelings, or it could be a farewell."
"Now, ladies, please step forward one by one, choose an envelope you wish to deliver, then walk to the man you wish to speak to, open the envelope, and read its contents aloud."
[Whoa! This is so intense! It's starting just like that!]
[Hurry, hurry, I want to see who confesses first!]
[Who will be the first one?]
The three young women looked at each other, and following the order they had already decided on, the first person to step forward was Asakura Toru.
She took a slight breath, and her eyes, which always seemed to hold a hazy mist, now seemed a bit clearer, moistened by the rain.
She took the first step. Her slender fingers brushed lightly over the three envelopes, and with almost no hesitation, she picked up a pure white one.
Then, she turned around.
The rain dampened the hem of her dusty-blue chiffon dress, but Asakura Toru seemed completely unaware.
Her gaze slowly lifted, passing over the two men beside him, and landed on Michiya Gōshin with almost no hesitation.
The camera instantly zoomed in, giving Michiya Gōshin a huge close-up shot.
The next second, the live comments instantly exploded.
________________________________________
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