When Michiya Gōshin slowly woke from a deep sleep, his consciousness not yet fully returned, the first thing he felt was the real weight and temperature within the crook of his arm.
He turned his head slightly, his gaze lowering.
Kurokawa Akane was curled up in his embrace like a kitten lacking a sense of security, sleeping soundly. The girl's long blue hair was spread somewhat messily over the white pillow, with a few strands sticking to her smooth forehead and cheeks.
Those usually gentle eyes were tightly closed, her long and thick eyelashes casting two soft shadows beneath her eyelids, making Kurokawa Akane look even softer than when she was awake, with a trace of charming naivety.
Kurokawa Akane had indeed been quite busy recently. She had poured the vast majority of her energy into stage play rehearsals.
On one hand, it was to hone her acting skills and advance further in the field of theater; on the other hand, Kurokawa Akane knew how many beautiful women surrounded her man, so she felt she had to constantly work hard.
She was accumulating strength, waiting for the release of the movie We Made a Beautiful Bouquet. She anticipated the inevitable surge in popularity that would follow, allowing her to stand by Michiya Gōshin's side openly and justifiably.
Just as Michiya Gōshin was thinking, seemingly sensing the awakening of the person beside her, Kurokawa Akane's thick eyelashes trembled a few times. She let out a soft hum like a sleepy mutter. Instead of letting go, she burrowed even tighter into Michiya Gōshin's warm chest, seeking a more comfortable position, her arm subconsciously circling his waist.
Michiya Gōshin did not move, allowing her to snuggle close.
His gaze swept over her slightly slender shoulders, landing on the city skyline outside the window that was gradually brightening.
In his mind, his thoughts drifted to the upcoming itinerary: Xia Country, Shanghai.
The final round of domestic promotion before the official broadcast of Alice in Borderland had just ended. As the male and female leads, he and Sakurajima Mai had inevitably shared the stage many times.
In front of the camera, they were perfect partners with full tacit understanding. But in private, the barrier left by that conversation about "greed" and the future still lay between them like a layer of transparent ice.
However, under Michiya Gōshin's efforts, this situation seemed to have begun to ease. He hoped this trip to Xia Country would become a new turning point.
As for the tedious procedures regarding visas for going abroad, he had fully entrusted them to Kato Megumi to handle. Her efficiency was extremely reliable, leaving him with almost nothing to worry about.
"...Yu-kun."
The blurry voice of Akane in his arms, heavy with sleepiness, interrupted his thoughts.
"Mn?"
Michiya Gōshin lowered his head, using his chin to gently nuzzle the top of her soft hair. His voice carried the husky magnetism of someone who had just woken up. "Did I wake you?"
The girl shook her head and lifted her face from his embrace. Those eyes, which had just opened, looked straight into his. "You... are going to Xia Country soon, right?"
She asked softly, a trace of imperceptible tension in her tone.
"Yes, the flight is the morning after tomorrow," Michiya Gōshin told her truthfully, his fingers unconsciously curling around a strand of her blue hair.
"...Together with Sakurajima-san?"
Kurokawa Akane asked this sentence even more softly, but the sourness and concern contained in her tone were clearly conveyed.
Michiya Gōshin's heart moved slightly.
He naturally understood his girlfriend's petty thoughts. She wasn't an unreasonable girl, and she knew this was just work.
But emotionally, whenever Kurokawa Akane thought about her man traveling far away to a foreign country with another equally outstanding woman, she would more or less feel unease and a bit of jealousy. This was a perfectly normal reaction.
"It's just work, Akane."
He softened his voice, as if soothing a kitten with its fur standing on end, his fingertips gently stroking her cheek.
"The core members of the production team will all be going. Director Aoyama, the producers, the staff from Nenshi, as well as my manager and artist assistant."
Kurokawa Akane fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly mumbled in a low voice, her tone carrying a bit of petulance mixed with spoiled affection.
"Then... can Yu-kun take me along? My stage play rehearsal just happens to have a gap period..."
She raised her eyes, a glimmer of hope in them. "I promise I won't disturb your work! I'll just wander around by myself..."
"...Dummy, can you speak Chinese?"
Seeing this rare display of a young girl's attitude from her, Michiya Gōshin couldn't help but laugh in his heart.
"If there's a chance next time, I can take you on a private trip to Xia Country, but not this time."
He paused. Seeing the light in the girl's eyes dim rapidly and the corners of her mouth turn down slightly, he leaned over and imprinted a gentle and warm kiss on her smooth forehead, promising:
"However, I will bring you a gift. What do you want?"
Hearing the word "gift," Kurokawa Akane's eyes instantly lit up again.
Yes, she had always been an especially easy person to coax.
She immediately raised her head, her gaze burning with a brightness that was almost cunning, and spoke impatiently.
"I want matching couple items!"
Kurokawa Akane knew she couldn't stay by her boyfriend's side every moment, so she thought of a way to declare sovereignty.
"Um, matching rings or bracelets are both fine. I want the kind... that look like a pair at first glance!"
Michiya Gōshin looked at her eyes burning with the flames of expectation. The emotion within was pure and scorching, making him unable to refuse, nor did he have the heart to refuse.
He smiled slightly, nodded, and agreed.
"Okay, as you wish. Matching rings or bracelets, I'll keep an eye out."
Receiving his affirmative answer, a satisfied and brilliant smile bloomed on Akane's face immediately, like a child who had received a beloved toy. The previous gloom caused by Sakurajima Mai was instantly swept away.
She buried her face into the hollow of his neck again, rubbed against him vigorously, and said in a muffled voice:
"It's a promise! You can't go back on it!"
***
At 10:30 AM, Michiya Gōshin stepped into the building where the [Star Engine] company was located.
The elevator ascended smoothly. The metal doors reflected his tall and slender figure, dressed in his usual simple yet textured private attire. He wore a black mask covering his features, revealing only a pair of eyes as calm as an ancient well.
Pushing open the door to his exclusive lounge, air carrying the faint scent of documents and air freshener rushed toward him.
Inside the room, Kato Megumi had arrived long ago.
She was standing with her back to the door, in front of the filing cabinet, tiptoeing slightly, seemingly organizing something.
Today she wore a light gray business suit. The hem of the skirt was just the right length, outlining her waist which was slender yet not lacking a sense of strength, and her well-proportioned figure.
Sunlight shone in from the window beside Kato Megumi, dancing on the tips of her smooth bobbed hair, rarely plating a layer of soft light around her figure that usually lacked presence.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Kato Megumi paused her movements, then turned around.
A faint smile appeared on her face. Her eyes looking at Michiya Gōshin were as calm as two pools of deep water, clearly reflecting his silhouette.
"Good morning, Michiya-san." She bowed slightly, her voice as steady as always, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Good morning, Kato."
Michiya Gōshin took off his mask, walked to the sofa, and sat down. His gaze swept over the organized desktop, where a cup of steaming coffee was already placed, the temperature just right. "Are the visas and related documents all handled?"
"Yes, everything has been properly processed."
Kato Megumi walked to the desk, picked up an organized transparent document bag, and walked briskly to present it to Michiya Gōshin.
"Your passport, visa, flight itinerary, hotel reservation confirmation, as well as the detailed promotion schedule and emergency contact information provided by Nenshi, are all here. Please take a look."
Her movements were fluid and efficient, her report organized and clear, without a single wasted word.
Michiya Gōshin accepted the document bag but did not immediately open it for a detailed look. He simply placed it casually on the coffee table.
He raised his eyes, looking at Kato Megumi standing before him, and spoke in a gentle tone.
"Good work, Kato. For this trip to Xia Country, I'll continue to rely on you for matters on my side."
"It is my duty."
Kato Megumi lowered her head slightly, her tone unchanging, as if merely stating an objective fact.
According to the final arrangement, for this promotional trip to Shanghai, Xia Country, aside from the organizers, the Nenshi agency, and the core personnel like the main directors and producers of the production team who would arrive early or at the same time for coordination, Michiya Gōshin's personal accompanying team was extremely streamlined.
There were only three people in total: himself, manager Nakahara Kazuya, and artist assistant Kato Megumi.
The accompanying translator that might have been required in the original plan was directly cancelled because of Michiya Gōshin's "excessively superior" Chinese proficiency.
This decision had caused a small discussion within Nenshi as well, but it was ultimately passed based on trust in Kimura-sensei's professional judgment and the reconfirmation of Michiya Gōshin's ability.
"Where is Nakahara-san?" Michiya Gōshin picked up the teacup, took a sip of the warm green tea, and asked casually.
"Nakahara-san is currently downstairs having the final communication before departure with Mr. Sato from Nenshi, confirming some docking details after landing."
***
Several hours later, at 1:00 PM, inside the VIP lounge at Narita International Airport.
Michiya Gōshin, Nakahara Kazuya, Kato Megumi, and some members of the production team converged here.
Director Aoyama seemed a bit tired from staying up late discussing the final plan last night, but his spirits were high. The representative from Nenshi, meanwhile, looked confident and determined to win.
Sakurajima Mai also arrived, accompanied by her manager.
She wore a long oatmeal-colored trench coat today, with a white silk shirt and dark slim-fit trousers underneath. She wore a black mask that covered half her face and a matching peaked cap, strictly concealing her highly recognizable beautiful face, revealing only a pair of eyes as quiet as autumn water.
Even so, her tall and graceful figure and that unique temperament still appeared exceptionally outstanding in the crowd.
The girl's gaze met Michiya Gōshin's briefly in the air. They nodded slightly to each other, considering it a greeting, but there was no further exchange.
After boarding, Michiya Gōshin found his seat according to the instructions on the boarding pass: a window seat in business class.
What surprised him slightly was that in the seat right next to him sat Sakurajima Mai, who had just settled in.
After seeing the seating arrangement clearly, Sakurajima Mai seemed to freeze for a moment too. She first raised her eyes to glance at Michiya Gōshin, then quickly lowered them, focusing on adjusting her seatbelt as if it were a matter requiring her full concentration.
Under the shadow of the cap's brim, her specific expression could not be seen clearly.
Michiya Gōshin didn't say anything and calmly sat down in his seat. The plane took off, pierced through the clouds, and entered a smooth flight phase.
The roaring engine noise was effectively isolated by the cabin walls, leaving only the faint sound of air circulation and occasional footsteps inside the cabin.
Subsequently, Michiya Gōshin took out a notebook with a brown leather cover and a fountain pen from his carry-on backpack.
He opened it to a certain page. It wasn't a paragraph of text, but a schematic diagram of some locations sketched with simple lines. Next to them were annotated Chinese names and brief comments, the handwriting upright and powerful.
Michiya Gōshin was immersed in his own thoughts, using the pen to lightly underline words like "Yuyuan," "City God Temple," and "Tianzifang," seeming to be weighing and planning something.
Just then, a familiar elegant and light fragrance drifted closer, seemingly there yet not.
Michiya Gōshin sensed something and turned his head slightly, discovering that Sakurajima Mai was leaning over slightly at some point, gazing curiously at the contents of his notebook.
The distance between the two was pulled very close by her action. He could even clearly see her long eyelashes trembling lightly like butterfly wings, as well as the tiny, almost invisible peach fuzz on her fair skin.
"This is...?"
Sakurajima Mai asked softly. Her voice carried a trace of soft magnetism because she deliberately lowered it. Her gaze fell on those Chinese place names, carrying inquiry.
Michiya Gōshin didn't close the notebook. Instead, he smoothly moved it slightly toward her, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he whispered.
"Consider it a little plan I made myself."
"A plan?"
The girl blinked, appearing somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected that apart from the intense promotional work, Michiya Gōshin would still have the mind and energy to do this. These place names likely had nothing to do with promotion; they were most likely for sightseeing.
"Mn."
Michiya Gōshin nodded and explained.
"I've looked at the promotion schedule. Although it's tight, there are still some scattered periods of free time in between. We can't just stay cooped up in the hotel the whole time, right?"
He paused, his gaze landing on Sakurajima Mai's slightly surprised face, his tone naturally softening.
"Did Mai-san forget? Didn't I say last time that I could be your translator and we could stroll around Shanghai a bit together?"
This sentence was like a small stone thrown into a calm lake, rippling out a circle of fine waves at the bottom of the girl's heart.
This trip to Xia Country was no longer just a cold list of work tasks, nor was it the alienation of facing a strange environment alone.
Although the relationship between them was still in a "too tangled to cut, too messy to sort" state, and that knot in her heart was far from untied, it was undeniable that in her heart, Michiya Gōshin was always that unique existence.
Perhaps taking this opportunity, on the streets of a foreign country, in an atmosphere different from Tokyo, the stalemated situation between the two could be alleviated somewhat?
"What kind of... plans are there?" She couldn't help but ask, her voice carrying a trace of curiosity and anticipation she hadn't even noticed herself.
Seeing Sakurajima Mai show interest, Michiya Gōshin took the opportunity to narrate the homework he had done in advance.
He pointed at the marks in the notebook, introducing them with a deep and clear voice.
"I checked some materials. Besides those famous landmarks, Shanghai actually has many places full of the breath of life."
"There are some renovated art districts, many specialty shops and cafes suitable for strolling slowly. Also, if time permits, we can go walk around Sinan Road or Wukang Road. There are many well-preserved old western-style houses there; the streets are very quiet and have a lot of flavor..."
Sakurajima Mai listened quietly, her gaze moving with his fingertip on the notebook. In her mind, she seemed to sketch out those street scenes and flavors different from Tokyo following his description.
"...Also,"
Speaking to this point, Michiya Gōshin seemed to remember something. He took out another slightly ordinary-looking smartphone from the inner pocket of his suit, shook it in front of the girl, and hooked the corner of his mouth into a well-prepared smile.
"I also specially asked Nakahara-san to help prepare this... a phone with Xia Country's most commonly used payment software 'Alipay' installed. There is money in the account. This way, if we want to buy some snacks or small gifts then, we won't have to worry about cash or credit card issues; it will be much more convenient."
"Is that so..."
This thoughtful consideration of details made Sakurajima Mai feel somewhat surprised again.
Since the other party had even considered this kind of payment issue, it showed enough that this plan was not a whim, but truly well-thought-out and practically prepared.
This attentiveness made the string in Sakurajima Mai's heart, which had been tight due to the knot, seem to loosen a little bit more.
"It sounds like it should be very interesting."
She spoke softly, the corners of her lips unconsciously curving upward in an extremely small arc that even she didn't realize.
The flight of several hours passed quietly amidst their occasional whispers and respective rests.
When the plane began to descend and the landing announcement came over the broadcast, Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai put their masks and hats back on, ready to face the unknown crowd of pick-ups.
The plane landed smoothly on the runway of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
Through the porthole, a cityscape completely distinct from Tokyo could be seen unfolding before their eyes.
However, when their group followed the flight crew through the airbridge and walked toward the arrival channel, a scene that exceeded everyone's expectations appeared.
In the crowd picking up arrivals, there were impressively dozens of young men and women holding support banners printed with Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai's names, as well as the original Japanese title and Chinese translation of Alice in Borderland.
They had obviously learned the flight information through some channel and had been waiting here early.
Seeing the production team walk out, especially recognizing Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai who were tall and had outstanding temperaments despite being covered up tightly, an excited yet orderly cheer and scream immediately erupted from the crowd.
"Yu-kun! Yu-kun!"
"Mai-chan! Look here!"
"Welcome to Shanghai!"
Among them, several female fans standing in the front row who looked exceptionally excited shouted loudly in Japanese that carried a distinct accent but was striving for clarity.
"Michiya-kun, welcome to Shanghai!"
This welcome shouted in Japanese rang out in a foreign airport, carrying the unique enthusiasm and sincerity of fans.
Walking slightly ahead, Director Aoyama and the Nenshi representative exchanged a surprised and delighted look. They hadn't expected there to be pick-up fans in Xia Country, and it seemed quite well-organized.
This was undoubtedly a good omen.
Michiya Gōshin, who was called directly, paused his steps slightly.
He glanced at those girls who were waving at him excitedly with faces full of anticipation. Then, under the gaze of countless eyes around him, he made a move that caught everyone off guard.
He raised his hand, gently pulled down his mask a little, revealing his beautifully lined jaw and lips carrying a gentle smile. Then, using that perfectly rounded Mandarin, he responded clearly and friendly.
"Thank you everyone for coming to pick me up, you've worked hard. The weather in Shanghai is very nice today, I look forward to meeting you at the upcoming events."
"..."
Silence.
A deathly silence spread around those few female fans who had shouted his name.
The excited smiles on their faces froze instantly, their eyes widened round, and their mouths opened slightly, as if they had heard some incredible sound from the heavens.
A few seconds later, everyone reacted, and the atmosphere immediately became even more fervent.
"Ahhh! He! What did he just say?!"
"It's Chinese, it's Mandarin!"
"My god! Michiya Gōshin can speak Chinese?! And he speaks it so well?!"
Not just those few female fans, but the Xia Country fans in the entire arrival area completely boiled over because of this sudden response.
Originally, they might have come to pick him up simply out of curiosity and love for a Japanese actor, but at this moment, they had reaped such a massive surprise. A Japanese actor who not only had looks and acting skills online but could also speak fluent Chinese like a native speaker—this was simply a shock that broke the dimensional wall.
Flashbulbs instantly lit up in a patch, and mobile phones were raised one after another to record this historic moment.
Standing beside Michiya Gōshin, although Sakurajima Mai was wearing a mask, a clear trace of peculiarity flashed through those beautiful eyes that were exposed.
Director Aoyama took this entire scene into his eyes. He looked at Michiya Gōshin surrounded by fanatical fans and flashbulbs, looking at his composed posture communicating simply with fans in Chinese. A smile that was the most heartfelt in these past days appeared on his face.
He looked at the Nenshi representative beside him and sighed with full confidence in a voice only the two could hear.
"Sato-san, it seems that with Michiya-kun as our trump card, it would be hard for our promotional campaign not to go smoothly. I've already begun to look forward to what kind of surprises he will bring to the Xia Country audience on formal occasions."
The other party nodded heavily, his eyes flashing with the sharp light of a businessman seeing a huge return on investment.
"Without a doubt, Director Aoyama. The market in Xia Country is bound to set off a frenzy for Alice in Borderland!"
________________________________________
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