The powerful aftershocks of the online tsunami triggered by the teaser trailer for Alice in Borderland continued to surge, pushing the name "Michiya Gōshin" before the public time and again.
Accompanied by labels ranging from praise to astonishment—such as "Stunning Acting," "God-Tier Resources," and "Dating Show Ascent"—he occupied prominent spots in major media outlets and the trending topic lists of social networks with unprecedented frequency.
His "career fans" were constantly on the offensive, sparing no effort to boost every official appearance and every piece of relevant news, attempting to solidify this heat into a staircase for his steady rise.
Propelled by this surging momentum, the production team at the massive outdoor location in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, officially entered a high-intensity filming phase.
As the undisputed first male lead, Michiya Gōshin experienced for the first time, in a tangible and concrete way, the starkly different treatment and atmosphere that came with occupying this focal position.
Every morning, when his nanny van drove into that set meticulously recreated as a post-apocalyptic Shibuya, an invisible yet palpable aura would naturally surround him.
Wherever he went, whether it was the assistant director commanding with composure over a walkie-talkie, the grips busy shuttling through the set, or the cameramen adjusting massive cameras and lighting equipment, they would all take the initiative to stop when they saw him, either nodding in greeting or showing friendly yet slightly scrutinizing smiles.
Politely addressing him as "Michiya-san" or "Michiya-sensei," this respect was not merely superficial etiquette, but stemmed from the reputational expectations for the TV drama he carried on his shoulders.
As the lead actor, he was one of the main axes of this massive creative machine; his every move subtly affected the project's nerves and atmosphere.
Michiya Gōshin had his own independent rest area situated in a relatively quiet corner. Although the furnishings were simple—just a set of table and chairs and a simple sofa—it was enough to let him escape the constant clamor of the set and briefly immerse himself in his own world.
On the other hand, when he picked up the script for We Made a Beautiful Bouquet to refine it during filming breaks, the passing staff would consciously tread lightly, casting glances filled with expectation; no one would easily approach him to inquire about trivial matters.
This carefully maintained creative space was a very novel experience for him; when he was writing, he didn't have to worry about sudden interruptions.
Of course, Kato Megumi, as his artist assistant, would also stand guard nearby, maintaining this atmosphere even better.
Aside from this, a female makeup artist belonging to the crew was on standby by his side almost like a shadow.
This was reflected not only in the tens of minutes of detailed makeup application before filming began but also in every interval between shots. Whenever the director yelled "Cut," regardless of whether the scene was dialogue-heavy or an exhausting action sequence, the makeup artist would immediately and silently step forward. Using a soft puff dipped in loose powder, she would extremely gently press the areas of his face where the makeup might have slightly worn off due to sweat, shine, or strenuous movement.
These timely adjustments were all to ensure that when the next shot began, every frame of his image presented on screen would be flawless, able to withstand the harsh scrutiny of close-up lenses.
This meticulous and almost demanding "image guarding" made him realize one thing more profoundly than ever before.
As the "First" male lead, his face did not belong solely to himself; it was the core asset of the entire work's visual presentation and absolutely could not be compromised.
One day, during the filming process, there was a key scene that particularly tested Michiya Gōshin's internal acting.
He needed to portray Arisu Ryōhei in a timed "Diamonds" (Intellectual) game, observing details in the environment to perform high-speed logical deduction, and finally finding the only path to survival in the nick of time.
This scene had sparse dialogue and relied almost entirely on subtle facial expressions, the instantaneous changes in his eyes, and the tension of his body language to convey the protagonist's brain operating at its limit and the psychological pressure of impending collapse.
Michiya Gōshin immersed himself completely, and experience for [Proficient Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao (Green)] was being acquired unknowingly.
[Production Queue 1: Proficient Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao]
[Experience: 26/100]
[Experience: 27/100]
[Experience: 28/100]
This filming session went exceptionally smoothly. When the director satisfiedly shouted "Cut," he even felt a sense of coming back to his senses, like surfacing from the deep sea.
Rubbing his temples to withdraw from that state of extreme focus, Michiya Gōshin discovered that his back was slightly soaked with a layer of cold sweat.
The makeup artist at his side immediately stepped forward to perform a detailed touch-up, while Kato Megumi, waiting quietly nearby, timely handed him water at just the right temperature.
After Michiya Gōshin took the warm water, Kato Megumi pulled a tablet from her bag, which clearly listed his schedule for the coming days.
"Michiya-san, a very important new job has arrived."
Kato Megumi's voice was soft and pleasing to the ear, like a stream flowing through a mountain ravine.
"This is a commercial correspondence just received from the agency. Because the market reaction to the teaser trailer for Alice in Borderland far exceeded expectations, Netflix has decided to upgrade the endorsement cooperation in advance. They hope for you to serve as the special spokesperson for their promoted 'Video Membership' service, shooting a set of print photos and a 15-second short video advertisement."
"It is expected to be pushed and covered synchronously across all channels during the official broadcast of the series."
Michiya Gōshin took the tablet, his fingertips sliding across the screen over the detailed terms of the endorsement cooperation and the massive endorsement fee; a trace of surprise couldn't help but flash through his eyes.
"Netflix membership endorsement? This..."
He knew very well the value of an endorsement for this top-tier streaming platform; usually, they only invited A-list superstars or entertainers with extreme national popularity.
"The platform believes that your currently rapidly rising heat and discussion levels, as well as the intellectual image you display in Alice in Borderland, are highly compatible with the core concept of 'Premium Content' that their 'Video Membership' focuses on."
Kato Megumi explained slowly, "This is a very good opportunity. Not only can it greatly enhance your commercial value, but it can also broaden your audience demographic and strengthen memory points among the general audience. The preliminary shooting schedule is arranged for the day after tomorrow. I will coordinate closely with the crew's logistics to ensure it does not affect your filming progress."
"Alright."
Michiya Gōshin did not feel overly surprised by this endorsement because he associated it with another person—Nenshi's Suo Atsumu.
Since the other party successfully won a round last time and took care of the managing director under his older brother Suo Shogo, he hadn't called recently.
Now that such a high-end endorsement, seemingly out of line with Michiya Gōshin's current status, had arrived, he wondered if the other party had exerted some effort.
After all, this project was an exclusive cooperation between Netflix and Nenshi; other companies wouldn't get a slice of the pie.
Just as Michiya Gōshin was deep in thought, a slightly timid yet curiosity-filled voice sounded not far behind him to his side.
"Um... I'm very sorry to disturb you, but are you free right now, Michiya-san?"
Hearing the sound, Michiya Gōshin turned his head and saw a petite figure, likely a few years younger than him, standing a few steps away. She seemed a bit hesitant about whether to approach.
She was still wearing the costume from the show; her face was small and exquisite, framed by delicate short red hair. Her features were extremely refined, and her large eyes were particularly striking.
At this moment, they were flickering with a light that mixed nervousness, sincere adoration, and barely suppressed excitement.
Michiya Gōshin thought for a moment and quickly recalled the other person's identity and name. She was the actress Arima Kana, playing the important supporting role of "Ann Rizuna" in the show, an actress who had debuted as a child star.
"Arima-san, hello."
Michiya Gōshin put down the tablet, revealing a friendly and gentle smile. The fact that she also debuted as a child star made him subconsciously associate her with Sakurajima Mai.
Seeing Michiya Gōshin respond, Arima Kana seemed encouraged. She took a small step forward, her tone becoming even more agitated.
"Um, Michiya-san, that puzzle-solving scene just now was truly amazing! I was watching from the monitor area nearby the whole time, and I was completely drawn into the scene!"
Her words poured out like a floodgate opening.
"Michiya-san's acting really makes people feel very immersed. I think that performance was simply a textbook-level interpretation of internal acting!"
Arima Kana's praise was extremely sincere and direct, making no secret of her admiration or even worship for Michiya Gōshin's performance.
Being praised so bluntly, Michiya Gōshin felt a bit embarrassed, so he waved his hand humbly.
"You flatter me, Arima-san. Since you debuted as a child star, you definitely count as my senior on the acting path."
"I just debuted earlier, that's all. I can't compare to Michiya-san at all."
Arima Kana's cheeks flushed slightly. She had a very persistent pursuit of acting skills, and today she had mustered up quite a bit of courage to come over and greet Michiya Gōshin.
He was the undisputed first lead, while she was just a supporting character. The girl had been worried that he might be hard to get along with; if he rejected her, it would have been very embarrassing.
"Being early is also very important wealth."
Michiya Gōshin smiled, his tone sincere. "Arima-san, the experience you've accumulated since childhood definitely won't be wasted. It will certainly play a role in your future performances."
His eyes were sharp, and he naturally noticed that the shoulders of the little girl before him were trembling slightly; she must be very nervous.
"Please don't be polite on set in the future. We can communicate more."
"Definitely! Michiya-san, please treat me well in the future."
Arima Kana immediately stood up straight, as if accepting an important mission, and bowed extremely seriously.
Just then, a familiar sound of footsteps rang out. Sakurajima Mai, holding a script rolled into a tube, walked over with elegant and composed strides.
She had obviously noticed the two people talking here for a while. Her beautiful eyes circled between Michiya Gōshin and Arima Kana before finally resting on Michiya Gōshin.
"It seems I came at a bad time. Did I disturb your chat?"
Sakurajima Mai's voice carried her usual teasing tone, along with a trace of imperceptible inquiry.
Hearing this, Arima Kana proved herself worthy of being someone who had struggled in the entertainment industry since childhood. She was an "old slicker" who had experienced fluctuations in popularity and long windows of unemployment; the ability to read the room had long been etched into her instincts.
Almost instantly, the girl accurately captured the imperceptible sense of "territory" in Sakurajima Mai's words. Her smile immediately retracted, transforming into utter respect for a grand senior. Her body posture also subconsciously became more humble, and she retreated half a step.
"Sakurajima-san, I just happened to finish filming and chatted a few words with Michiya-san about the scene just now. I feel I benefited greatly."
"I won't disturb you two discussing the script now! I'll go prepare for the next scene. Excuse me!"
Arima Kana spoke fast and clearly, her explanation watertight.
After speaking, she bowed slightly towards the two of them again, then turned and left quickly but lightly, like a nimble deer sensing danger. In an instant, she merged into the busy crowd of the crew not far away and vanished.
Watching her back as she almost "instantly turned invisible," Sakurajima Mai couldn't help but chuckle. She walked to Michiya Gōshin's side and gently tapped his arm with the rolled-up script.
"Tsk tsk, I heard that just now. Isn't your speed at harvesting worship a bit too fast?"
Her teasing carried a hint of intimacy, as well as a bit of tsundere attitude that Michiya Gōshin could read.
Faced with her banter, Michiya Gōshin was already very familiar with it and just smiled.
"Sakurajima-san, don't make fun of me. We just chatted casually. She seems to be someone very serious about acting."
"Just casually chatted?"
Sakurajima Mai raised her eyebrows slightly, her beautiful eyes staring intently at him.
"Otherwise?"
"...Alright, popular Mr. Arisu. Reign in your charm for now. The next scene is our crucial scene at the 'Beach.' We need to properly refine the lines and emotions."
Sakurajima Mai chuckled twice. "I don't want to get stuck when official filming starts later."
"OK."
The girl's tone was half-true and half-fake, mixing her characteristic tsundere nature with her seriousness towards work. Without allowing any explanation, she pulled Michiya Gōshin by the arm toward the rest area reserved specifically for the two leads to begin focusing on running lines.
The tense and intensive filming continued until night fell, and the huge lighting lamps on the set illuminated the painstakingly built Shibuya district as bright as day.
When the director finally shouted the last "That's a wrap" of the day with satisfaction, the taut string in the air suddenly relaxed, filling with an aura of exhaustion yet satisfaction.
Because the scenes in Ashikaga City were concentrated and important, expected to require about a week of continuous shooting, Michiya Gōshin could not return to his apartment in Tokyo but instead checked into a hotel arranged by the production crew.
Back in the hotel room, he washed away the exhaustion and makeup in the bathroom. Although his body was screaming for rest, his brain remained in a subtly excited state due to the high intensity of creation and stimulation during the day.
After a while, as he lay on the bed drifting off, the phone placed beside him rang. The caller ID showed Kurokawa Akane.
Michiya Gōshin picked up the phone and pressed the answer button.
"Moshi moshi, Kurokawa?"
Kurokawa Akane's distinctively cool voice came from the other end of the line, like a night breeze brushing past wind chimes.
"Good evening, Michiya-kun. I hope I didn't disturb your precious rest time. Have you wrapped up work?"
"Yeah, just got back to the hotel. What's up? Calling so suddenly?"
Michiya Gōshin rested his head on the pillow, asking very relaxedly.
"Um..."
Kurokawa Akane's voice sounded somewhat hesitant. "A stage play I'm participating in, Rebellion on the Azure Plain, is about to have its public performance..."
"The official public performance?"
"Yes."
"That's a good thing. Why are you hemming and hawing?"
Michiya Gōshin smiled, immediately understanding her hint in his heart.
"Well... the premiere is next Monday at 8 PM."
Kurokawa Akane paused on the other end of the phone, her tone carrying a trace of imperceptible expectation and caution.
"I wanted to ask you, Michiya-kun, is there any possibility you could spare time to come and watch? Of course, if your filming work is very tight, it's fine if you can't come."
"Let me check my schedule first."
Of course, Michiya Gōshin wouldn't refuse Kurokawa Akane, but he was no longer that free-spirited small-time actor. If he wanted to be willful, many people's work would be implicated.
He quickly searched the filming schedule for Alice in Borderland in his mind. This Sunday, there was a full day of scenes, but there didn't seem to be any night scenes arranged...
The brief silence on the other end of the phone seemed to make Kurokawa Akane uneasy, so she hurriedly added, "If you really can't spare the time, it really doesn't matter. Don't force it."
"Send the specific time and theater address to my phone."
Michiya Gōshin interrupted her hesitation, his voice gentle but affirmative. "I will try my best to coordinate the time to go. I've always looked forward to your stage performance."
The breathing on the other end of the phone seemed to pause almost imperceptibly for an instant, followed immediately by a light laugh of relief.
"Really? That's great! Thank you, Michiya-kun. I'll send you the detailed information right away!"
"I look forward to your arrival!"
After ending the call, Michiya Gōshin looked at Kurokawa Akane's name on the phone screen and gently exhaled.
This matter needed to be arranged properly.
He immediately sent a message to Kato Megumi in the next room, briefly explaining the situation and asking about his schedule for next week and whether it was possible to squeeze out time on Monday night.
Kato Megumi's reply was as swift and organized as always.
"Michiya-san, the filming plan for next Monday during the day is expected to end in the morning. Theoretically, the time is feasible, but we need to communicate with the director in advance to confirm the final wrap time and reserve commuting time to the theater."
"I think it is necessary to coordinate with the director in advance regarding this matter to make early arrangements. Do you need me to communicate for you?"
"No need, I'll speak to the director myself tomorrow. Thank you, Kato."
Michiya Gōshin thought about it. As the lead actor, for something involving an adjustment to his personal schedule, he felt it was more appropriate to communicate with Director Aoyama personally.
During the short break at noon the next day, he found the director and politely discussed whether they could try to ensure wrapping up on time next Monday morning so he could rush back to Tokyo to watch a co-actor and important friend's stage play.
As the director of Love is a Required Course in Life, Aoyama Akihiro was actually very clear about the interpersonal relationships surrounding Michiya Gōshin. He had an answer in his heart and agreed quickly.
However, just at the tail end of his conversation with the director, a tall and slender figure happened to pass by the door of the director's lounge.
Sakurajima Mai was just preparing to find the director to confirm details about the handling of a shot for the afternoon, but unexpectedly, fragments of the conversation from inside the door were caught by her ears.
"A friend's stage play?"
"Yes."
"Haha, then go. I'll try to wrap up quickly."
"Thank you, Director."
Although she only heard a few phrases, the words "stage play" were actually enough for her to make a judgment.
With the dating show over, their relationship should be getting better and better, right?
Sakurajima Mai touched her hair, her footsteps pausing almost imperceptibly.
"Eh, Sakurajima-san? What are you doing here?"
At this moment, Michiya Gōshin pushed the door open and came out, seeing Sakurajima Mai standing outside the door at a glance.
"Just passing by."
She replied coldly with a single sentence.
"Passing by?"
Sakurajima Mai glanced at Michiya Gōshin again, then immediately turned and walked away without saying anything more.
"?"
Michiya Gōshin looked at the girl's retreating back with a face full of confusion, not understanding what had happened at all.
He remembered what Yamazaki Kento had told him last time while chatting: A girl's heart is like the sky by the sea; both sunny days and rain come without any warning.
"Indeed hard to understand..."
The young male lead rubbed his head, then sighed.
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