Chapter 547: Rainy Night, Blood, and a Fierce, Angry Roar!
"Wow, this is where they film?"
Led by Ichika, the group arrived at the film set she was currently working on.
"..." Ichika kept her head down the whole time, fearing that her sisters would make some strange requests. Many people greeted her along the way. Although she was just an unknown actress, those on the same set recognized her.
"Hmm, my friends are here to visit," she answered everyone the same way. However, they were all surprised to see four other girls with the same appearance.
The director was the most excited. "Hiss! Quintuplets!" His eyes widened when he learned their identity. A brainstorm was already brewing. They'll be popular! Extremely popular!
His keen intuition told him that if all five sisters entered the entertainment industry, they would become incredibly famous. "Ichika-chan, and everyone, are you willing to become stars?" So, the director latched onto them, resorting to persistent nagging and various persuasive tactics, completely ignoring their rejections.
Even though Nino and the others had firm resolves, they were young and almost swayed by the cunning adult's smooth talk.
"Clap!" A snap of fingers rang out.
"Uh!" The director's body stiffened, then he shivered and left with a blank stare. Not only him, but the others around also left the set.
"Whew… They're finally gone. I was almost brainwashed!" Yotsuba hugged Miku, trembling.
"I'm sorry, everyone! I didn't expect this," Ichika was at a loss. At that moment, she felt the director had fallen into a whirlpool of profit, completely ignoring her. She felt deeply guilty.
Nino, pressing her temples, said very seriously, "Ichika, don't be an actress anymore. It's too dangerous. What if you get involved in a casting couch scandal? We have no background; we can't help you." She was genuinely worried.
"..." With the matter brought up so directly, Ichika was momentarily at a loss. The normally serious director turning out like this had scared her.
"The entertainment industry is indeed very dark," Ren nodded in agreement.
Yotsuba cast a pleading glance. "Ren-kun, you know a lot. Can you persuade Ichika?"
He spread his hands. "I don't know much, but I've heard enough. If you walk this path, you will naturally face these things." This was said for Ichika to hear. "However, I do know a celebrity named Sakurajima Mai."
"Sakurajima Mai! I know her! She's that child star who debuted very young!" Yotsuba had a strong impression of that name. At her mention, the others also recalled it.
"Sakurajima Mai… I remember she was very famous, but I haven't heard any news about her recently," Yotsuba recalled.
Miku nodded. "Not long ago, she announced a hiatus."
Nino frowned. "Could she have been involved in a scandal?! Then Ichika definitely shouldn't enter!"
"I…" With a living example, Ichika also felt scared.
Feeling they misunderstood, Ren quickly said, "She paused her activities due to health issues." Or rather, because of her presence issue. "What I want to talk about is her past. Mai didn't have a good relationship with her mother. The reason was that her mother had privately accepted a job for her to do a swimsuit photoshoot."
"Eh! How could that be?" Nino and the others couldn't accept it.
Ichika clenched her fists. "Then Sakurajima-san, she…" She had already put herself in Mai's shoes.
Seeing the effect, Ren smiled slightly. "Mai strongly objected, but since then, her relationship with her mother became less harmonious. I just wanted to tell you a small glimpse of the industry through this. As for what to do, I'm afraid you still need to decide for yourself, Ichika."
Looking askance, he saw the struggle in her expression. If it were me… she couldn't help but think. She knew she wanted to be an actress, but facing those things, she didn't know what to do.
"However, now doesn't seem to be the time to consider this," Ren suddenly spoke meaningfully.
"Ugh, my head feels so dizzy," Miku suddenly covered her head.
Ichika looked up, only to find clusters of mysterious black mist spreading and enveloping the surroundings. The next moment, the sunlight and the set disappeared, replaced by a deep night. Cold rain pattered on their clothes. As far as the eye could see was a castle emitting faint lights, a blood-stained courtyard, and a wailing, muddy ground.
"KUGUHA!!!!!!" A sharp shriek pierced through the rain, tearing the silence of the night. The angry emotion in the tragic voice almost pierced their eardrums.
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