The offline event for Alice in Borderland had reached the point where the third round of games concluded with a dramatic turnaround, pushing the atmosphere on stage to a boiling point.
Cheers, applause, and dazzling lights intertwined. The host, Shimada Shinsuke, stood in the center of the stage, feeling the slight vibrations coming from the floor beneath his feet, his face brimming with the satisfied smile of someone in full control of the venue.
He knew deeply that the audience's emotions at this moment were like a fully drawn bowstring; they needed just the right guidance to transform this peak passion into lasting and beautiful memories.
"That was absolutely wonderful!"
Shimada drew out his vowels, his voice transmitted clearly into every audience member's ears through the top-tier sound system, carrying a strong infectious power.
"Thank you to our four 'players.' They not only displayed the charm of their characters in the show but also allowed us to see their own wisdom in the games, as well as the tacit understanding and trust between them!"
His gaze swept over the four lead actors in turn. The camera followed suit, projecting images of the four actors onto the large screen behind them. With each person shown, the audience below erupted in targeted, enthusiastic cheers.
"However—!"
He suddenly changed his tone and raised his volume, successfully attracting everyone's attention once again. The audience instantly quieted down considerably, countless pairs of eyes staring tightly at him.
"Tonight's feast is still missing one most important segment! A moment that truly belongs to you—all the fans who support Alice in Borderland and these four outstanding actors!"
He waved his arm, and the giant screen behind him lit up in response, displaying an eye-catching title.
[Fan Interaction Q&A Segment]
"That's right. Next up is the fan interaction time to repay everyone for your long-standing support and deep love!"
Shimada's voice was full of inflammatory power. "We will invite five lucky audience members onto the stage via a lottery. Not only can you speak up close with your favorite actors and ask the questions you most want to know, but you will also receive a specially prepared Alice in Borderland exclusive gift set! It includes autographed photos of the four lead actors, as well as limited-edition exquisite merchandise!"
"Wah ah—!!!"
An even more fanatical wave of sound instantly swept through the entire theater!
Compared to the previous games, this segment was undoubtedly more attractive because it meant a real opportunity for communication and close contact with their favorite entertainers.
The next moment, the large screen clearly displayed the lottery rules.
For the sake of fairness, the seats of the nearly one thousand audience members present were divided into four zones: A, B, C, and D. Each zone was numbered from the first row to the tenth row.
The lottery would be conducted in five rounds, selecting one lucky winner in each round.
The selection method would be completed jointly by the four actors. The first two actors would each draw a colored ball from the exquisite transparent glass ball pools in front of them. One ball would be marked with a zone letter (A, B, C, D), and the other ball would be marked with a row number (1-10).
The latter two actors would similarly each draw a colored ball. The first pool contained only two balls, 0 and 1, while the second pool contained balls from 0 to 9. The four numbers would jointly compose a complete seat number.
For example: Zone A, Row 6, Seat 08, or Zone C, Row 7, Seat 15.
The lucky fans drawn would obtain the qualification to go on stage, ask questions, and receive precious gifts.
This rule was both fair and full of suspense, instantly raising all the fans' hearts to their throats.
Everyone stared deathly tight at the four glass ball pools sparkling under the lights on the stage, as if what they contained were not colored balls, but keys of fate deciding whether they could touch the starlight tonight.
Natsukawa Yuki was currently sitting in Zone A, Row 6, Seat 08. She felt as if her heart was being tightly gripped by an invisible hand. She wanted so badly to be drawn, to walk up there and say a few words to her beloved "Yu-kun."
Her gaze had been projected onto Michiya Gōshin the entire time. He had just finished that blindfolded challenge; there were still fine beads of sweat on his temples, refracting crystalline points of light under the illumination. His face was brimming with the rosiness of exertion and the carefree smile of victory.
That smile was more vivid than any she had seen in high-definition pictures or videos, possessing a fresh, living charm that penetrated the screen.
"Then, without further delay, let us begin the first round of the lottery!"
Shimada Shinsuke announced loudly, breaking the tense silence below the stage.
"First, let us invite Sakurajima-san and Arima-san to draw the zone and row number for our first lucky audience member!"
Sakurajima Mai and Arima Kana stepped forward as requested. Sakurajima Mai walked with elegant strides. She extended her slender, fair fingers, gently exploring the glass pool filled with multicolored small balls. She stirred them casually, making a crisp clinking sound, then picked one up effortlessly, displaying it to the camera and the audience below—[Zone B].
"Zone B!" Shimada repeated.
A burst of excited commotion and low cries instantly erupted from the Zone B location below the stage. The lights in that area seemed to brighten a few degrees because of it.
Next, Arima Kana walked forward, looking slightly nervous. She took a deep breath, her small hand groping earnestly among the glass balls for a moment before carefully taking one out, holding it with both hands to display—[Row 3].
"Zone B, Row 3!" Shimada confirmed. "The range has narrowed. Next, the heavy responsibility of deciding the specific seat number is handed over to Yu-kun and Kento-kun!"
Michiya Gōshin and Yamazaki Kento stepped forward in response.
Michiya Gōshin appeared composed, as if just playing a simple game. His long fingers swiped casually through the cold glass balls, precisely pinching one and displaying it cleanly—[0].
Yamazaki Kento closed his eyes, pressed his palms together, and muttered something in his mouth as if praying. Then he "groped" to grab a ball, holding it high without even looking—[6].
"Zone B, Row 3, Seat 06! Congratulations to this friend!"
Shimada called out the complete seat number with a resonant voice.
Almost at the same time his voice fell, a blazing white spotlight beam instantly descended from the sky, precisely shrouding a certain seat in Zone B, Row 3!
The one selected by the pillar of light was a girl who looked like a high school student. She first widened her eyes in disbelief, then abruptly covered her mouth with her hands, letting out a short gasp. Her cheeks turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye, and her eyes instantly filled with the watery sheen of excitement.
Amidst the envious screams and applause of her surrounding companions, she bounced up from her seat almost using both her hands and feet. Guided by the staff, she walked toward the stage with unsteady steps, that dizzy appearance both cute and envy-inducing.
The same process continued in a tense and orderly manner.
In the second round, a young male office worker in Zone C, Row 8, Seat 17 was drawn. He forced himself to look calm, trying to maintain his poise, but those slightly stiff movements of walking with same-side arm and leg as he ascended the stairs completely betrayed his inner wild joy and nervousness.
In the third round, a cheerful auntie-fan in Zone D, Row 1, Seat 04 was selected. She excitedly waved the support fan in her hand printed with Sakurajima Mai's portrait, not concealing the joy on her face in the slightest.
In the fourth round, a boy in Zone A, Row 10, Seat 39, wearing black-rimmed glasses and looking somewhat introverted and shy, was luckily selected. His face flushed red, and he barely dared to lift his head, walking quickly up onto the stage with his head lowered amidst the applause.
With every lucky winner drawn, a sigh like a surging tide would sound from below the stage.
Hope became increasingly slim as the number of slots decreased.
Natsukawa Yuki watched the lucky winners walk onto that radiant stage one by one with expressions of excitement and happiness, standing shoulder to shoulder with those figures who were usually out of reach. Her heart felt like it was sitting on an out-of-control roller coaster, jolting madly between the peak of hope and the valley of disappointment.
Only the last chance remained!
A one-in-five chance!
Yuki clenched her fists tightly, her fingernails sinking deeply into her soft palms due to the force, leaving several clear crescent-shaped marks.
She prayed frantically in her heart, her gaze burning, almost searing two holes into Michiya Gōshin and those glass pools deciding fate.
Zone A, Row 6, Seat 08... Please!
She shouted in her heart.
"Alright! Everyone, the most tense moment has arrived! The last lucky audience member, this final ticket to the stage—who will it fall to?"
Shimada Shinsuke's voice carried the final suspense. "First, Sakurajima-san, please—"
Sakurajima Mai stepped forward again. Her jade-like hand probed lightly, pausing slightly among the multicolored glass balls, then took one out. Facing the audience, she displayed it clearly—[Zone A]!
"Zone A!"
Natsukawa Yuki felt her breathing stop abruptly at that moment.
"Next, Michiya-kun, please draw the row number over here!"
Michiya Gōshin stepped forward steadily. His gaze swept gently over the abruptly tensed faces in Zone A below the stage. His fingers swiped through the cold glass balls without much hesitation, picking up a ball as if casually yet with a certain certainty, displaying it to the camera and audience—[Row 6]!
"Zone A, Row 6!"
Seeing this result, Natsukawa Yuki's heart drummed frantically, the sound so loud she suspected the people around her could hear it!
Only the last two digits remained. She stared deathly at Arima Kana and Yamazaki Kento, who were about to step forward to draw, frantically chanting her seat number "08" over and over in her heart.
"Arima-san, please—"
Arima Kana evidently also felt the heavy atmosphere of this final juncture. She took a deep breath, and as if performing some sacred ritual, she solemnly extended her hand into the pool with a grave expression. She groped around, took out a ball, clenched it tightly in her hand for a moment, and then slowly revealed it—[0]!
"0!"
Natsukawa Yuki felt as if her throat was being strangled by something. It started with 0! It perfectly matched half of her seat number!
Hope grew larger and larger, almost about to burst out of her chest!
"Finally! Yamazaki-kun! The fate of the final digit for the last lucky audience member lies in your hands!"
Shimada stoked the atmosphere to its absolute peak. Everyone's gaze focused on Yamazaki Kento.
Yamazaki Kento also restrained his usual playfulness at this moment. He rubbed his hands together, wearing a rarely seen serious expression on his face. He reached deep into the glass ball pool, closed his eyes, muttered something unknown under his breath, and then, as if grabbing onto something crucial, yanked his hand out and held it high without even looking!
The camera zoomed in for a close-up instantly. The large screen displayed that digit deciding the final lucky winner with incomparable clarity—[8]!
"Zone A! Row 6! Seat 08!!! Congratulations to this last lucky friend!!!"
Shimada Shinsuke used all the strength in his body to shout out the final seat number hoarsely, his voice distorting slightly from excitement.
Buzz—!
That blazing white pillar of light, symbolizing miracles and luck, like the holy light of final judgment, shrouded Natsukawa Yuki precisely and unmistakably!
"It's really me, I won!"
Natsukawa Yuki instantly fell into a fit of wild joy. She immediately stood up, left her seat, and walked forward.
And when she truly stepped onto the somewhat hot stage floor, a sense of unreality so strong it almost suffocated her wrapped around her.
She raised her head cautiously. The first thing that broke into her field of vision was Michiya Gōshin standing not far away.
He was looking at her with a smile.
That smile was more vivid than in any video footage, seeming to carry a substantial warmth. It instantly penetrated all her nervousness and unease, soothing her nerves that were almost spasming from over-excitement.
The other four fans selected earlier were already standing in the designated positions on stage. Their faces were similarly brimming with the unconcealable flush of excitement and tension, their eyes filled with thrill and a trace of trepidation.
The interactive Q&A segment officially began.
The first four fans successively took the microphone handed over by the staff and asked questions to their favorite actors. The questions mostly revolved around the show Alice in Borderland itself. Although they stuttered a bit due to nervousness, they were all full of sincere affection.
Natsukawa Yuki stood to the side, her heart still beating fast and chaotically like a startled rabbit tucked in her chest.
She tried hard to take deep breaths, attempting to calm those overly agitated emotions. In her heart, she silently recited the question she had prepared with great care long ago, word for word, over and over.
She didn't want to ask those cookie-cutter questions about plot directions or superficial character traits; those had already appeared too many times in routine interviews and media reports.
As Michiya Gōshin's "dedicated fan," she knew more clearly than the vast majority of people about the talent and creativity hidden under his gentle and calm appearance, beyond just his outstanding looks and acting skills.
She wanted an opportunity that would allow Michiya Gōshin to display more of his inner brilliance.
This was a fan's selfishness, but also support based on profound understanding.
Finally, it was her turn.
The staff member handed the heavy microphone into her hand. The girl took a deep breath, as if to suck all the courage into her lungs, and then took a small step forward.
"Michiya... san, good evening."
Her voice transmitted through the microphone, echoing clearly in the theater. Although it still carried a trace of trembling that couldn't be completely suppressed, she tried hard to keep her enunciation clear.
"I... I am your fan. I like your works and your attitude toward work very much."
Natsukawa Yuki re-emphasized her stance first. She endured it, took a deep breath, and asked the question that had hovered and brewed in her heart countless times.
"My question is, we all know that you are not only a very excellent actor but also a very talented writer, having created a moving story like Love Letter."
When she mentioned Love Letter, Michiya Gōshin's eyes moved slightly, revealing a bit of serious expression.
"I would like to ask you..."
Natsukawa Yuki continued, her speaking speed accelerating slightly, as if afraid courage would flee in an instant.
"In the process of understanding and shaping the character [Arisu Ryohei], how did your identity as a writer and your unique creative thinking help you dig deeper into the character's inner world? Especially in the extreme environment of the [Borderland], regarding that complex transformation from an ordinary, even somewhat escapist youth, gradually metamorphosis into the team's core and spiritual pillar?"
Once this question came out, a brief silence appeared both on stage and off stage.
This question evidently exceeded the scope of routine fan questions. It was more professional, deeper, directly touching upon the intersection between acting theory and writer's thinking.
It required the answerer not only to have a profound understanding of the character but also to possess considerable literacy in creative theory and clear expressive ability.
Even the knowledgeable host, Shimada Shinsuke, revealed an expression of obvious surprise. Immediately, this surprise turned into unconcealed appreciation. He nodded slightly, looking at Natsukawa Yuki with a few degrees more regard.
Michiya Gōshin obviously felt somewhat surprised too. He looked seriously at this young girl before him whose eyes were red from excitement and whose body was still trembling slightly, yet who tried hard to ask such a deep and insightful question.
After a while, Michiya Gōshin lowered his eyes slightly to think for a few seconds, seemingly combing through his thoughts carefully and organizing his language.
These few seconds of silence made the atmosphere on stage even more solemn and full of anticipation. Subsequently, he picked up the microphone. His voice was gentle and clear, carrying a steady magnetism, as he spoke slowly.
"Thank you very much for your question. First, I want to say, this is a very excellent question."
He first sincerely affirmed the questioner, which caused a surge of excitement in Natsukawa Yuki's heart, making her body tremble again.
"Indeed."
Michiya Gōshin began to expound in depth. His eyes became profound, as if tracing back his thought process when immersing himself in character creation.
"Possessing the experience of a writer provided immeasurable help in understanding the character, especially a character like '[Arisu Ryohei]' who has a clear arc of growth."
"It is like a key, or a special pair of glasses, allowing me to penetrate the surface lines and actions of the script to see the structure and intention beneath."
He paused, continuing to analyze in a calm and logical manner, recounting the character's mental journey and his views on the growth path. Every angle was well-founded.
And as Natsukawa Yuki listened to Michiya Gōshin's steady and insightful answer, watching the confident radiance and depth of thought naturally flowing from him as he spoke with fervor and assurance, she felt her heart being completely filled by a massive sense of pride and happiness.
This was the person she supported at all costs!
He was worthy of all the praise and the deepest love.
Her question received a response far exceeding her most optimistic expectations. This was not just an affirmation of her personally, but the best proof of her long-standing vision.
"A very brilliant question! And an equally incomparably brilliant answer!"
Shimada Shinsuke praised from the bottom of his heart, stepping forward while clapping. "It really opened our eyes! It seems our fan base for Alice in Borderland is indeed full of hidden talents!"
Whether it was the cameras in the live broadcast room or the fans below the stage, all were captivated by Michiya Gōshin's answer, and the atmosphere instantly became even more enthusiastic.
After a while, the interactive Q&A segment ended in an atmosphere where everyone was satisfied. The staff began to guide the five lucky fans to leave the stage in an orderly manner with their precious gifts.
When walking past Michiya Gōshin, Natsukawa Yuki mustered the greatest courage of her life. She raised those eyes that still shimmered with moist light but were startlingly bright, looked at him close at hand, and using a slightly trembling but clear voice, whispered quickly the words buried at the bottom of her heart for a long time.
"Yu-kun, please continue to do your best! I will support you forever!"
Michiya Gōshin clearly heard this encouragement from the fan.
He looked at this girl whose face was crimson from extreme excitement but whose eyes were unusually firm and bright, and he felt her unreserved support incomparably truly.
Thus, the solemn expression on Michiya Gōshin's face turned into a gentler smile, even carrying a trace of being moved. He leaned his body forward slightly, actively closing the distance a little toward Natsukawa Yuki, and spoke softly.
"Thank you. Thank you very much for your support. Be careful on the way, watch the steps under your feet."
Just then, a female staff member who had been keeping an eye on the situation on-site stepped forward at the right moment. She gently supported Natsukawa Yuki's arm—who was almost dizzy with happiness from talking to her idol at such close range and receiving such a gentle response—and safely guided her toward the stairs on the other side of the stage.
Michiya Gōshin's "Thank you" and thoughtful reminder, which were close at hand and carried warm breath, were like the most mellow fine wine. They instantly rushed to Natsukawa Yuki's head; she felt her cheeks were shockingly hot, as if they were about to burn.
Until she returned to her seat and was surrounded by excited friends, she was still deeply immersed in that dizziness of extreme happiness and warmth, hugging that heavy gift bag tightly in her arms, unable to return to her senses for a long time.
The five lucky fans all returned to their seats with unforgettable memories and precious gifts, their faces brimming with dreamlike happy radiance.
Host Shimada Shinsuke stood back in the center of the stage to make the final concluding statement, his voice carrying a trace of relaxation and joy for the event's complete success.
"Beautiful and unforgettable times always appear so short!"
"Thank you very much to every fan friend present today. It is your unreserved passion and support that ignited this incomparably wonderful night!"
"Also, thank you again to our four radiant actors—Michiya Gōshin-san, Sakurajima Mai-san, Yamazaki Kento-san, and Arima Kana-san. Thank you for their devoted, wonderful performances and sincere sharing!"
"Alice in Borderland is about to officially land on the screen to meet everyone! More suspense, more thrilling games, and more moving stories await everyone to uncover!"
"Please continue to pay attention to official updates, fully support this series, and support every one of our actors who poured their heart's blood and sweat into it!"
"Now, I announce that the Alice in Borderland Offline Fan Meeting has come to a successful conclusion!"
"Thank you, everyone! Let us see each other in the show!"
Impassioned and hope-filled ending music rang out boomingly. All the lights on the stage converged again, like the most brilliant galaxy, pouring down on the four lead actors standing side by side.
Facing the fans below the stage who were still passionate like fire and reluctant to part, they bowed ninety degrees neatly to express their thanks.
"Thank you, everyone!!!"
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