The aftereffects of the shocking finale twist of Love is a Required Course in Life were anything but fleeting.
Like a tsunami, though the waves had receded, they had completely reshaped the coastline.
Online discussions about Michiya Gōshin's "Wolf" identity continued to ferment, quickly shifting from initial emotional partisanship to in-depth explorations of the "rational view on love" he proposed and astonishment at his wisdom and courage.
His reputation staged an epic rebound almost overnight, and his popularity skyrocketed, reaching an unprecedented level of national recognition.
The phones at Hoshino Talent Agency were practically a hotline, and manager Nakahara Kazuya had been in a state of pained ecstasy these past few days.
On his desk, various partnership offers were piled high. His email was stuffed with all sorts of invitations—from fashion magazines, brand endorsements, major variety shows, and even an NHK documentary. Any one of these names was enough to drive an ordinary entertainer wild.
"Michiya-kun, look! A solo cover offer from MEN'S NON-NO, a major brand endorsement, and even a film script inquiry from Toho Pictures! This time, your era is really about to begin!"
Nakahara Kazuya burst into Michiya Gōshin's artist lounge at the agency, clutching a stack of folders so high it nearly blocked his view.
Michiya Gōshin had now become the pillar of Hoshino Talent Agency. With a wave of her hand, President Kato Arashi had approved a spacious lounge for him, allowing him to rest more comfortably at the company.
Michiya Gōshin's fingertips danced across a slim laptop, the screen displaying the second half of the script for We Made a Beautiful Bouquet.
He was diligently revising and polishing it, the bright sunlight from the window casting a serene and focused silhouette of his profile.
"You're exaggerating. I'm still just a newcomer. What 'my era'?"
Michiya Gōshin smiled, looking up. He took some of the documents from Nakahara Kazuya and skimmed through them, his face showing a trace of fatigue but an otherwise composed smile.
"Thanks for your hard work, Nakahara-san. Let's do a preliminary screening of these first. Weed out the ones that are obviously unsuitable or have scheduling conflicts, and we can discuss the rest later."
"Right away!"
Nakahara Kazuya nodded repeatedly. Looking at the young man before him, who had emerged from a storm of public opinion that would have destroyed most people only to seem more composed and formidable, he felt a strange sense of admiration.
And to think, just a few months ago, this was a 'scrap material' actor who couldn't land any work at all.
Just then, Michiya Gōshin's private phone on the coffee table lit up, buzzing urgently.
The caller ID read: Suo Atsumu.
Michiya Gōshin gestured to Nakahara Kazuya and answered the call.
"Michiya-sensei, congratulations. A few days ago, you showed me a textbook-level masterclass in manipulating public opinion and reversing one's image."
Suo Atsumu's voice came through the receiver, filled with undisguised admiration and a hint of suppressed excitement.
"The current online sentiment and the industry's opinion are perfect. This is the best time for us to press our advantage and expand our victory."
Michiya Gōshin's tone was steady as he walked to the window, looking down at the bustling traffic below.
"How does Mr. Suo intend to press our advantage?"
"That fool Yamamoto left behind too many loose ends with his clever little scheme. You just have to do a little digging."
Suo Atsumu's voice turned cold, laced with a sharp edge.
"I have already joined forces with several directors to formally launch an attack at the executive board meeting. On the grounds of 'acting without authorization and severely damaging the company's reputation and interests,' I am demanding the immediate dismissal of Senior Managing Director Yamamoto from all his duties and holding the relevant parties accountable for their failure in oversight."
"Will that work?" Michiya Gōshin asked, a bit skeptical.
"Of course, it will. I've already heard from Director Aoyama that the drama my father promised you, Alice in Borderland, is one of Nenshi's key projects this year. Since you are the male lead, your image is inextricably linked to the company's interests."
Suo Atsumu was well aware of this. Although he hadn't known about Director Aoyama and Michiya Gōshin's collaboration at first, after Michiya perfectly concluded his 'Wolf' role, these things were no longer secrets.
That being the case, it was the perfect weapon to use against his dear older brother.
"Although my brother is the vice president of Nenshi, Yamamoto is his most loyal subordinate. By cutting off this arm, I can deal a heavy blow to his prestige and show those indecisive old fools on the board of directors who is truly capable of protecting Nenshi's interests and leading it into the future!"
"I understand. How can I cooperate on my end?" Michiya Gōshin asked directly.
"Michiya-sensei just needs to maintain your current sky-high popularity and public approval. You are the victim. Your very existence is the most powerful indictment against Yamamoto and my brother. As for the dirty work..."
Suo Atsumu paused, his tone resolute. "Leave that to me."
The next second, his tone shifted, becoming gentle once more.
"Also, I, Suo Atsumu, never go back on my promises."
"I've had the legal department prepare Kurokawa-san's transfer contract to the highest specifications. All clauses are superior to market standards and fully reflect her value. Let me know when it's convenient for you, Michiya-sensei, and you can bring her over to sign it formally."
"Mr. Suo is certainly a man of action. In that case, how about tomorrow afternoon?"
Michiya Gōshin thought for a moment and quickly set a time without any hesitation.
"Excellent! The location will be my office... By the way, how is that screenplay you mentioned last time coming along, Michiya-sensei?"
"It's more than halfway done. If all goes well, I should be able to finish it by the end of the month."
"Good."
Suo Atsumu's voice held a hint of a smile, and a firm resolve.
"Once you've finished the script, Michiya-sensei, I'll have my team evaluate its potential for a film adaptation as soon as possible. Then we'll initiate the internal green-light process, ensure resources are allocated, and push for the film to be officially greenlit at top speed."
"This is the first battle in our partnership, Michiya-sensei. We have to make it a beautiful one!"
"I understand."
The call ended.
Michiya Gōshin put down his phone, his gaze returning to the laptop screen.
The document for We Made a Beautiful Bouquet lay there quietly. It wasn't just a script; it was the key he had meticulously crafted for Kurokawa Akane to enter the palace of true actors, and it was a promise he had to keep.
Then, he picked up his phone and sent a concise message to Kurokawa Akane.
"Kurokawa, let's meet tomorrow at 3 PM to take care of something. It's the gift I prepared for you."
Less than a minute after he sent the text, her reply arrived.
"Okay, I'll be there on time."
--------------------
She would use her own methods to leave one unique mark after another in his life, marks that belonged only to her.
--------------------
The next afternoon, Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane appeared punctually in the first-floor lobby of the Nenshi subsidiary's building.
Both were dressed in low-key attire, as today was not an occasion for spotlights.
Due to his recent surge in popularity, Michiya Gōshin had deliberately worn a mask and a hat. He wore a gray baseball jacket with casual trousers, while Kurokawa Akane was in a simple yet elegant fleece-lined trench coat.
Suo Atsumu had arranged things meticulously. His secretary was already waiting at the entrance and, upon seeing the two, warmly guided them to the executive-only elevator.
This was Suo Atsumu's territory. Like his father and brother, his personal office was on the top floor.
About five minutes later, Suo Atsumu, dressed in a suit, immediately came forward to greet them, a warm yet measured smile on his face.
The process of Kurokawa Akane's transfer went exceptionally smoothly.
The terms of the new contract were, as Suo Atsumu had promised, top-tier. The artist's share of the revenue was an astonishing sixty percent, the contract length was flexible with immense autonomy, and the promised promotional resources were written down in black and white.
The contract also included a clause for the female lead role in a yet-to-be-named but confirmed film project, which left even Kurokawa Akane dumbfounded.
After signing the final page, Suo Atsumu smiled at Kurokawa Akane.
"Kurokawa-san, welcome to the team officially. I believe we will provide the most suitable soil for you to let your talent bloom to its fullest."
Kurokawa Akane suppressed her inner excitement and nervousness, forcing her tone to remain calm.
"Thank you for your trust, Suo-san. I will work hard to prove with my work and achievements that your choice today was a sound investment."
After their business was concluded, they walked out of the Nenshi building's cold, power-infused revolving doors. The afternoon sun instantly poured down, bringing with it a slight warmth, but it made Kurokawa Akane feel a dizzying sense of unreality.
The transfer contract in her hand, light in weight but heavy as a mountain, lay quietly in its folder.
She gently tightened her grip on the folder, the texture of the leather cool and real.
All of this was because of the man beside her.
The girl secretly turned her head to look at Michiya Gōshin. He was standing by the roadside waiting for a car, his posture straight and tall, his profile sharply defined in the sunlight.
His expression was calm, as if he had just completed a routine piece of business, rather than having just single-handedly altered the trajectory of her life.
A complex and tumultuous wave of emotions churned within her.
Kurokawa Akane had never expected that the gift Michiya Gōshin mentioned would be a life-changing contract like this. It was too precious, so precious that she could never possibly repay it.
She opened her mouth, wanting to ask "Why?", wanting to ask "Is it worth it?", wanting to ask "How can I ever repay you?"
After confirming her feelings, what Kurokawa Akane wanted was to be able to stand beside Michiya Gōshin openly, as an equal. Only then would she feel worthy of him.
But now, this gift made the girl feel a little terrified.
Just as she was organizing her thoughts, Michiya Gōshin spoke gently, as if he had already seen through her mind.
"Kurokawa, you don't have to feel burdened by this contract."
He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. "It just represents my acknowledgment of you, as well as the precious friendship between us."
Kurokawa Akane's heart skipped a beat.
"Besides that..."
Michiya Gōshin changed the subject. "I think of this as an important long-term partnership. I'm very optimistic about your potential, Kurokawa, and I believe your future value is far greater than this."
"I am a writer, after all. My future works will always have the potential to be adapted into films or dramas, so I'll need excellent actors to interpret them. Locking in a talented and trustworthy partner like you early on is a very shrewd investment for me."
"After you transfer, you'll definitely become more famous with your talent. So in a way... I'm the one who's profiting."
"So, you can relax."
His explanation was reasonable, logical, and virtually flawless.
He had casually framed a gift that could change her life as a matter of "gratitude," "investment," and "partnership."
But as Kurokawa Akane listened, she quickly understood.
She and Michiya Gōshin hadn't just met. They had been through so much together. The girl knew he was just using this rhetoric to ease her psychological burden, to allow her to accept it without reservation.
This consideration made her heart ache with a mixture of tartness and warmth, weighing on her even more heavily.
After a moment, Kurokawa Akane lowered her head, her voice softer than usual.
"Michiya-kun, thank you for your acknowledgment. But I understand what the weight of this gift truly represents."
Michiya Gōshin looked at the top of her slightly bowed head, which looked particularly gentle, and chuckled. He reached out and patted the girl's head, his tone indulgently casual.
"I told you not to worry about it. Seeing you shine on a better platform is the best reward for me."
However, Kurokawa Akane suddenly looked up, her gaze unusually firm as she met his, interrupting him.
"No."
This reaction seemed to surprise Michiya Gōshin a little.
"Perhaps in your eyes, Michiya-kun, our friendship is worth such a precious gift. But in my eyes, I haven't done anything to deserve such a sacrifice from you, so it must be repaid."
"Repaid? Kurokawa, don't be ridiculous..."
"Michiya-kun, please let me... at least express my gratitude in my own way."
Her tone carried a stubborn seriousness—Kurokawa Akane's own brand of near-obsessive principle.
They looked at each other for a long moment before Michiya Gōshin finally sighed in resignation.
"Alright, then. If you're that insistent, I can't stop you."
"Yes. Let's start with a gift. I've already thought of something very suitable."
Kurokawa Akane smiled gently, an idea already forming in her mind.
Since she was going to give a gift, she already had a clear idea—for example, a bracelet with a special symbolic meaning.
Although they weren't a couple yet, if Michiya Gōshin wore it, it could represent something important.
Kurokawa Akane's gaze grew resolute.
--------------------
The car first dropped Kurokawa Akane off at her apartment smoothly, after which Michiya Gōshin returned to Hoshino Talent Agency.
As soon as he stepped into the agency, Nakahara Kazuya approached him as if he had been waiting, his expression a mixture of subtlety and nervousness.
"Michiya, you're back just in time! Come, come, there's something important I need to confirm with you."
He led Michiya Gōshin to a small meeting room. By the floor-to-ceiling window, a figure stood quietly, gazing at the street scene below.
It was a girl, wearing a tailor-made, light-colored plaid professional suit. The skirt's length was just right, outlining her well-proportioned figure.
Hearing the commotion, she turned around, her movements fluid and natural, without a trace of haste.
At that moment, Michiya Gōshin saw her face.
She had smooth, short black hair and delicate skin, her overall aura a blend of gentleness and clarity.
Her eyes were clear and bright, as if holding a pure love for life. The pale pink of her lips blended with the fresh sweetness of her overall look, and her facial features were soft, giving off a feeling as pleasant as a spring breeze.
Her features were very soft and delicate; while not stunning, she was exceptionally easy on the eyes.
"Michiya-sensei, hello."
Kato Megumi bowed slightly, her voice steady and polite.
"Starting today, I will be serving as your artist's assistant, responsible for fully coordinating and managing your daily schedule, as well as assisting Manager Nakahara with related paperwork. I look forward to working with you."
Michiya Gōshin was slightly taken aback, his gaze turning questioningly to Nakahara Kazuya.
Nakahara Kazuya quickly stepped forward, wringing his hands as he explained, "Ahaha, Michiya, it's like this. Look at your popularity now! Your workload has grown exponentially. I can't handle it all by myself even if I had three heads and six arms."
"And there are so many details, like precise schedule coordination, managing clothing brands, and all that tedious communication. We really need someone more meticulous and dedicated to handle it specifically."
"Kato-san was personally recommended by the president. Her abilities are excellent, and she started getting involved in this area a long time ago."
He gave a thumbs-up.
"Besides, girls are generally more detail-oriented and can take better care of you. With her helping you manage the trivial tasks, you'll definitely have more peace of mind to focus on your creative work and acting itself!"
Michiya Gōshin's gaze fell back on Kato Megumi.
"Hello, Kato-san."
Michiya Gōshin thought for a moment. She shared the same last name as President Kato Arashi, and a suspicion formed almost immediately.
However, he chose to suppress his doubts for now and said warmly, "Thank you for your hard work in advance."
"It is my duty, Michiya-sensei."
Kato Megumi bowed slightly again, her attitude polite.
"Also, I'd like to remind you that I have already arranged some things based on your upcoming work schedule."
"This is some relevant information about the production team of Alice in Borderland."
Michiya Gōshin accepted the file the girl handed him with some surprise. Although he was internally cast as the male lead, he still had to go through the audition process, and after that, attend a meeting with the production team.
"The audition for Alice in Borderland is next Tuesday, at the TBS Television headquarters in Roppongi."
"This is the list of audition panel members and a project background summary. Please take a look."
As she spoke, she picked up a thin tablet from a nearby desk, skillfully pulled up a cleanly formatted and well-organized electronic document, and handed it to Michiya Gōshin with both hands.
The entire motion was as smooth as flowing water, astonishingly efficient.
Michiya Gōshin was stunned for a few seconds before taking the tablet and quickly browsing through it.
The document's content was extremely concise yet covered all the key information, even including a summary of Director Aoyama Akihiro's recent interview points and some background research on the Alice in Borderland production team.
This was not something that could be prepared by cramming at the last minute.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise and glanced at Kato Megumi. This new assistant seemed to be much more... capable than he had imagined.
"Yes, the information is very detailed. Thank you, Kato-san."
Nakahara Kazuya watched the two's first work interaction, which was so efficient it was almost devoid of any small talk, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
A while later, when Kato Megumi went out to make coffee, he couldn't help but sidle up to Michiya Gōshin and add in a low voice, "Michiya, Miss Kato is the president's niece, but her professional skills are the real deal. The president specifically instructed that you don't need to worry about that relationship. Just treat her as your contractor."
"Contractor?"
Michiya Gōshin glanced at Nakahara Kazuya, understanding dawning on him.
Her actions just now had already proven it: Kato Megumi was not someone who relied on connections. Since her skills were more than adequate, she was qualified for the job of an artist's assistant.
However...
The young man scratched his head. Although his popularity and fame were high, and his Twitter followers had surpassed one million, it still hadn't quite sunk in for him.
So now, he was going to have his own artist's assistant?
A short while later, Kato Megumi returned with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and presented it to Michiya Gōshin.
"Michiya-sensei, your coffee."
"Thank you, Kato-san. You don't have to call me that in the future. Just use my name."
Being a client for the first time, Michiya Gōshin decided to start off friendly.
"In that case..." Kato Megumi thought for a moment, her voice still gentle. "I will call you Michiya-san."
"The honorifics..."
"The honorifics are necessary. After all, you are the artist, and I am the assistant."
"..."
"Alright, then."
Michiya Gōshin rubbed his temples. He didn't really understand the relationship between an artist and their assistant, but since the agency had assigned one to him, he might as well get along with her.
Just then, a thought crossed the young man's mind, and the system's light screen in front of him suddenly began to flicker violently.
"Could it be..."
[Production Queue 1: All Living Things]
[Experience: 98/100]
[Experience: 99/100]
[Experience: 100/100]
[Production Complete!]
[Obtained [All Living Things (White)] Entry.]
[Congratulations, Host, for producing a total of 5 Entries.]
[Entry Production Station Lv.1 → Lv.2!]
[Production of Green Entries has been unlocked!]
[Second Production Queue has been unlocked!]
"Whoa!"
Michiya Gōshin was startled.
He had thought that after leveling up the [Entry Production Station], he would be able to produce Green Entries to gain more powerful abilities. He never expected that leveling it up would also unlock a second production queue.
Doesn't that mean he can produce two advanced Entries at the same time?
No time like the present!
Michiya Gōshin immediately began searching for the Entries he needed according to his plan. With [All Living Things] synthesized, there was only one Entry left for [Lead-Level Acting (Purple)]. This meant the second production queue could be used for other Entries.
"I need to polish the script anyway, so I'll pick you first!"
[Tireless Writer (Green)]
[Producible]
[Production Condition: Acquire 100 points of Advanced Creation Experience.]
Next, Michiya Gōshin selected an Entry required for the synthesis path of [Lead-Level Acting (Purple)].
[Newcomer Actor (Green)] + [All Living Things (White)] + [Proficient Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao (Green)] = [Lead-Level Acting (Purple)]
[Junior Novelist (Green)] + [Tireless Writer (Green)] + [Advanced Research (Green)] = [Bestselling Author (Purple)]
[Proficient Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao (Green)]
[Producible]
[Production Condition: Acquire 100 points of Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao Experience.]
"Start producing two Entries at once. Go!"
[Production Queue 1: Proficient Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao]
[Experience: 0/100]
[Production Queue 2: Tireless Writer]
[Experience: 0/100]
Michiya Gōshin stroked his chin, very satisfied with this development.
Now, this is when my era truly begins!
________________________________________
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