Chapter 561

"... Actually, I already ate upstairs earlier!"

"Is that so? That's a real shame~ Mr. Talent's cooking skills are unparalleled in the apartment~"

"..."

After the two finished breakfast and handed the teaware to the maid on duty to clean up, Yōkadō Sakuri's blonde female agent, who had been with her since her time in America, arrived on time.

The group rode in the van she had driven to the film set.

Since the scenes involved students, the filming location was a school-like building.

Generally, one could rent a regular school and film on a weekend. However, this drama seems to be a student drama, so it's impossible to film only on weekends. Therefore, the crew found a school building that is no longer in use.

After arriving at the film set, there was a time-consuming process of changing clothes, makeup, and communication preparations... By the time filming could officially begin, two or three hours had already passed.

Aside from watching the makeup artists do their makeup, he would play on his phone, occasionally stroll around the set to observe the workflow and set design, and unsurprisingly, he would be approached by one related staff member after another.

"Are you on our set? Which group are you in? Are you perhaps an actor too? That's strange, besides the role of Miss Ito, are there any other young ladies to play?"

"..."

"Hey! You! Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter this area... You came with Ms. Ito? Ah~ then please feel free."

"..."

"Miss, you're really tall! Are you a model? Are you here to try your hand at something different? Would it be convenient to exchange contact information?"

"..."

"Hello! I'm an agent from Star-Seeking Agency. This is my business card. Have you signed a contract yet? It's okay if you don't want to be an actor! Model, Vtuber, idol, beauty blogger, TV host... the choice is yours!"

"..."

"Have you heard? The newcomer brought by Miss Ito, isn't her name Miss Anwa? I heard her grandmother is Ms. Anwa Tendou!"

"Real?!"

"Really! I know someone who was involved in the filming of 'Detective Grandma'!"

"So he's a celebrity's kid? Looks like I need to find a chance to build a good relationship with him!"

"And what about the other one?"

"I heard she's an idol, and the agency is a new one I've never heard of before. She probably doesn't have many resources; she's just here to make a brief appearance."

"..."

"Director, what do you think?"

"I wonder if we can leverage An Tong's reputation for publicity. If she's willing to make an appearance, that would be a huge win... A meeting of top actresses from the new and old generations would definitely generate a lot of buzz!"

"But in that case, the current script wouldn't be enough for the amount of screen time, would it?"

"Hmm, at least we should give the teacher's granddaughter more screen time..."

"And what about the other one?"

"... Let's go together, fine! Let's do it for Miss Ito's sake, if it doesn't work out, so be it!"

"..."

Sakurakoji Talent remained unspoken; he simply acted as Ghost, secretly eavesdropping.

After making his presence felt a bit too much and eavesdropping on conversations among well-informed people throughout the crew, he decided it was time to return to their side.

Upon his return, Yōkadō Sakuri, dressed differently from Filia's school uniform, teased him playfully, "How was it? Did a lot of people talk to you?"

"As you said."

"Well, with Mr. Talent's looks, he's very popular in this industry, so there's no need to worry about it."

"Talent, did you hear that?"

Anwa Subaru, who were wearing the same clothes as her, asked her why they both had light makeup on.

Although she's playing a student, makeup and styling are still necessary since she's in front of the camera.

Unfortunately, most viewers are too ordinary to want to see you without makeup, which isn't considered attractive.

He shook his head. "Nothing special, just looked around at the scenery."

Let's not talk about adding more scenes or her grandmother right now, so as not to spoil her mood and affect her performance.

He didn't seem to have any opinion on this kind of thing, and I guess Yōkadō Sakuri the same way, but it's hard to say about Anwa Subaru, who lack social experience.

Even if she were willing to accept it, it would probably put some psychological pressure on her, as she might worry that her own abilities were insufficient and that she would tarnish her grandmother's reputation.

Shortly afterward, filming began.

To his slight surprise, Hoshino Ai and Anwa Subaru performed quite well.

I don't know if it was because the script was simple this time, or Yōkadō Sakuri's tutoring was effective, but in any case, the director didn't have to call "cut" too many times—which was already very gratifying.

Not particularly good, but not particularly bad either.

Compared to how awkwardly she acted in front of Anwa Tendou when she was with Kawaragi Momoka, she's much better now!

Indeed, interaction among peers can be mutually beneficial!

Before we knew it, it was noon. The director called for a lunch break, and the crew started distributing boxed lunches.

"Does Ms. Sakuri usually eat boxed lunches?"

He stopped the three women who wanted to collect their "lunchbox" (a euphemism for being killed off), and took them back to the dressing room they had been in before.

"Although I could have my assistant go out and buy it for me, I don't care about those things. After all, I've suffered just as much as anyone else in this group before."

Yōkadō Sakuri shrugged nonchalantly. "Besides, doing this will also get you good public relations."

Despite her prestigious family background, her family in Okayama was a very traditional Old Noble, and they were actually quite opposed to her becoming an actress.

If she wanted to slack off, her family wielded immense power in the area, practically local tyrants. Unfortunately, she didn't want to just coast along, so she opted for a normal arranged marriage.

Furthermore, she doesn't think much of her family of origin, whose traditional and conservative thinking is almost to the point of being stupid; they are simply inflexible and impossible to communicate with.

So she went to the America at a very young age and received almost no support from her family, at most she was a little more generous with her allowance.

Having worked in the film and television industry for many years, she has encountered countless instances of disdain, difficulties, ridicule, and stereotypes.

While honing their willpower, their way of thinking also became more realistic, just like Okura Rumin, which is one of the reasons why they can be friends.

Incidentally, both the Yōkadō Family and his maternal grandfather's Sakurakoji Family are involved in the education industry, and they occasionally have some friction and competition.

They also wield some influence in those large tutoring institutions.

"Oh!"

Hoshino Ai and Anwa Subaru looked at her with admiration and clapped their hands in approval.

As expected of a master! His demeanor, strength, hard work, and perseverance are truly extraordinary!

Since learning about her resume, Yōkadō Sakuri has become, in their eyes, one of the role models of contemporary independent women!

That's right. If it weren't for him, and those freaks like Okura Rumin and Sakurakoji Luna, she would definitely be considered a role model of inspirational genius!

Even Sakurajima Mai, who has been a child star since childhood, did not leave home when she was in elementary school, nor did she have an overseas experience or awards... In this country, those who have studied abroad are considered to have a higher level of prestige than domestic stars.

Although she herself said that the overseas award was just ordinary and nothing special, only people in China treasured it.

But this is like an Olympic bronze medalist saying that if you don't win a gold medal, you don't even deserve to be remembered. It shouldn't be taken seriously.

Besides, the word "young" doesn't even begin to describe her age.

"Mr. Talent, you didn't let us get our lunchboxes? Did you just go out to buy some food?"

"Well, it wasn't exactly a purchase."

"Um?"

He pulled out two tall stacks of sealed lunchboxes, each with several layers. "Ta-da! Look what this is!"

He smiled and laid the lunchbox flat on the table, revealing layers of exquisite delicacies.

"What's this?"

Yōkadō Sakuri tilted her head, completely bewildered.

This area is quite remote; it's hard to even find a convenience store, let alone a restaurant. You'd have to walk quite a distance to find one, let alone such a lavish meal.

Wow~ This is so delicious~ Thank you!

Anwa Subaru wriggled their bodies, excitedly sticking out their tongues and acting cute as they thanked him.

"This is a buffet I asked someone to get from Filia Cafeteria. Isn't it good?"

He proudly puffed out his chest and gladly accepted their thanks.

Hachinichido rested his index finger on his chin, deep in thought, "The top-floor cafeteria? I haven't been there much, so I don't know much about it. It looks really good, still warm, like it was just freshly served."

She and Rumin both enrolled in regular classes, and they rarely ate in the cafeteria.

"Uh, never mind that, let's eat first! You guys have more to do this afternoon, filling your stomachs is the most important thing!"

Chapter 505: Visit and New Spectrum.

"Wow~ It tastes pretty good... Should I consider eating at the cafeteria more often in the future?"

"Right? A big part of the reason I enrolled in Filia was for this!"

"Huh? Really?! I thought it was about us acting in the stage play together... Ugh~ I've lost my appetite~"

"That's part of the reason too. To be honest, how could I consider a school based on just a few simple factors? This is very important."

"That's true, but saying it like that will make you more popular with girls~"

Even if a pervert likes you...

Yōkadō Sakuri and Sakurakoji Talent exchanged words, ending with him showing disdain.

"Huh? Talent, you're still in school?"

Anwa Subaru abruptly stopped eating and looked up at him in surprise.

No, as someone who's both Togenashi Togeari! How can you still be in school?!

Although she's still in acting school, she not only can't get a degree, but she's actually being forced to continue studying by him...

"It's just a nominal position; I basically don't attend classes. I'm very busy; I have mountains of things to do, as you know."

He was referring to the entertainment company and the part-time costume design work; that's all they know for now.

But in the eyes of ordinary people, either of these two things would require a tremendous amount of effort and time.

"Ah, that's true, you're right."

Anwa Subaru nodded adorably in acceptance.

So you're a habitual truant? Well, that's good then. You haven't disgraced our group.

"Ah~ Speaking of which, I heard that Mr. Talent recently started an entertainment company?"

Yōkadō Sakuri became interested, but more disappointed than interested. "What a pity~ I was thinking that after we went to the same school, we could go to school together every morning~"

Not to mention the Sky Tea Party with Rumin, Hoshino Ai will also be able to learn about this news.

"Is it really necessary to walk to school together, even though it's less than a five-minute walk?"

"Mr. Talent, you really don't understand! This kind of atmosphere is a timeless and beautiful experience in life! You'll definitely regret it if you miss it!"

"... Alright, I'll accompany you guys sometime next time."

"Huh?! Really?! You really agreed?!"

Yōkadō Sakuri slammed her hand on the table in disbelief, making the food inside tremble. Her voice distorted as she pushed herself up from her chair.

"I was just saying! It really works?!"

"I just think what you said makes sense. Even though it's not the morning of the opening ceremony, it does feel quite youthful sometimes... Lately, I feel like I've aged a bit."

"Mo~ If you're considered old, then what are the three of us?"

She composed herself and sat down again.

If you were to ask her whether there was any need for her to go to school, the answer would be a resounding no, especially since she was studying to be an actress. If she had followed the same academic path as Sakurajima Mai, no one would have said anything.

The reason she chose to enroll in Filia was simply to fulfill a childhood dream, to recreate the emotions of that day, and to say goodbye to the past.