Resounding Across Japan
Everything costs money.
One person works, but pays tuition fees for five people...
That's too much work.
Shuya helped out a little, giving the Quintuplets five schoolbags.
Since it's for my daughter, it should be the best.
Before heading off to film, he picked out a bright red backpack worth around 200,000 yen, spending a total of about 1 million yen, and bought five as school gifts for them.
The income of the Alien Baby Hikari-chan made him incredibly wealthy.
After sending him away, fearing that Rena would return him, he simply went off to film a movie and disappeared. He didn't reappear until mid-to-late March. Rena couldn't find him and had no choice but to accept it silently.
Shuya didn't realize that this made Rena think he wanted it all, which is why she stopped insisting on returning the backpack to him.
Section 157, Chapter 142: Resounding Throughout Japan
April 1, 2000.
The Morning Drama aired before Shuya started school.
This Morning Drama is named after Asagami Miin's "Art Academy".
At 8:00 AM, "The Art Academy" officially began airing.
Shuya and Mai- chan gathered at their Little Senior Sister's house to watch the premiere.
The three of them huddled together inside the kotatsu (heated floor mat) waiting.
The Little Senior Sister sipped her tea and watched TV with great anticipation.
The fact that people around her were involved in the Morning Drama was more surprising to her.
Mai -chan was inevitably a little nervous.
Shuya takes this Morning Drama quite seriously.
It concerns the master's reputation.
... If I mess this up, will Li Shuhong beat me to death?
Shuya terrified.
He was certain that he was still no match for Li Shuhong, but he had improved somewhat, and perhaps... he could die with a little more dignity?
When Shuya letting his thoughts wander, the Art Academy began.
The opening theme started playing.
The opening theme of "The Art Academy of Fine Arts" doesn't have specific lyrics; it's just a beautiful melody accompanied by lovely humming.
The Hokkaido scenery shown on screen further enhanced the ethereal atmosphere.
After a short opening sequence, the Art Academy officially began.
The first episode mainly introduces the background and can hardly be described as exciting.
However, there are still some highlights, namely the action scene where Ikeda Ichinosuke takes Asagami Miin hunting.
Shuya really did go hunting at that time.
They killed real animals.
A bear.
Shuya's pursuit of realism terrified the rest of the crew.
However, after seeing his elegant killing scenes Ikeda Ichinosuke, Horiuchi Susumu and Aoki Shin honestly used that segment.
The first episode of "The Art Academy" is supposed to be dry, as it sets the stage for the era and the story's background.
However, when the adorable Mai- chan appeared on the snow, and Shuya displayed his cool action scenes in his samurai outfit, the visual impact of the stunning scenes was enough to dispel any dullness.
The short fifteen minutes passed in the blink of an eye. Having already watched the first episode, Shuya and Mai- chan focused their attention on their Little Senior Sister.
The Little Senior Sister sat in the middle of the kotatsu, flanked by Shuya and Mai.
Stare---
Stare---
The Little Senior Sister, who was being closely watched by the two men, was still captivated by Ikeda Ichinosuke's swordsmanship.
That action scene, which lasted just over a minute, was filled with a violent beauty.
Even after the series ended, the feeling of being with the Little Senior Sister lingered.
After waiting a while, the Little Senior Sister finally came to her senses and praised her with a beaming smile.
Mai- chan breathed a sigh of relief and slumped softly onto the table.
This loss of composure was so rare for her that Shuya couldn't help but take a few photos with his camera.
He had a feeling that Mai- chan would produce some funny memes today, and he was right.
It was worth it for him to bring his camera.
Mai noticed Shuya's actions, snorted twice, and glared at him fiercely.
Shuya took a few more pictures as if nothing had happened before putting away his camera.
He even preemptively accused her. "Mai- chan, what's with that expression? How can you treat your senior like that?"
"Huh? You're only now putting on airs like a senior?"
Mai- chan was speechless.
The Little Senior Sister chimed in at the opportune moment. "Hehehe, Shuya- kun and Mai- chan are really close."
Suddenly, she had a bright idea and looked at Shuya with great interest. "Um... how about Shuya- kun bullies me a little? Would that make our relationship even better?"
"Huh? Okay..."
Shuya carefully flicked his Little Senior Sister's forehead.
"Ooh!"
The Little Senior Sister exclaimed in surprise, then broke into a silly grin.
Shuya also revealed a kind smile... How could his Little Senior Sister be so adorable?
"Oh, so Shuya a perverted man who likes to bully girls?"
Mai- chan rested her chin on her hand, her smile gradually turning into a wicked one.
Shuya hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, "What kind of bullying are you referring to?"
"...?"
Mai- chan thought for a while before she realized what was going on.
She gave Shuya a cold, disdainful look.
She didn't reply and ignored it.
Then the Little Senior Sister brought up a new topic. "Speaking of Shuya- kun is starting school next week, is he going to the same school as Mai- chan?"
"No, why do you say that?"
Shuya a wondrous path.
"Yeah, because if that's the case, Mai- chan will be able to make friends at school."
"Hmph! I don't need that kind of thing."
Mai -chan is stubbornly authentic.
Shuya corrected. "It's not that we don't need it, it's that we can't submit it. I hope Mai- chan, you can use more precise words and stop deceiving yourself."
"Get lost! So what if I don't have any friends at school!"
Mai- chan is angry!
"It's okay, I don't have any friends at school either."
The Little Senior Sister timidly patted Mai- chan's head.
The atmosphere fell silent instantly.
"..."
"..."
Little Senior Sister and Mai- chan exchanged a glance and hugged each other.
"???"
Shuya looked at them with a sense of helplessness.
... But it's truly pleasing to the eye.
He took out his camera and captured this precious beautiful scenery.
The airing of the Morning Drama "Art Academy" has indeed generated a considerable social response.
For a long time, a large number of housewives have been loyal viewers of Morning Drama.
With the new Morning Drama airing, they certainly wouldn't miss it.
After the first episode aired, they were very satisfied with the actors' looks.
Mai- chan became an instant hit.
Shuya's prediction was correct; the moment Mai- chan appeared on the Morning Drama, her beauty captivated everyone.
Moreover, she is still young, so she won't be the target of jealousy or criticism.
Most women will subconsciously point out a beautiful woman's flaws when they see her, but they can honestly praise a little girl for being cute and pretty.
Perhaps they felt that children posed no threat.
Moreover, Mai- chan is not only beautiful, but also a great actress, which makes her even more likable.
And who could resist a pretty and adorable fairy?
And Japan's per capita GDP is (omitted)...
Sakurajima Mai's name became known throughout Japan in just two days.
Even the surrounding administrative districts have heard of it.
All sorts of childish and ridiculous nicknames have appeared, like "Ice Fairy," "Supernova of the Entertainment Industry," and "Super Little Angel."
The extent to which Mai -chan became popular was somewhat beyond expectations.
Therefore, it's only natural that Shuya would get fire.
He already had a base of popularity, so it's only natural that he would become even more popular after playing a good role.
The character Ikeda Ichinosuke is incredibly endearing to women.
Handsome, talented, and a good fighter, plus a devoted and loyal lover—what woman could resist him?
It was only after the broadcast of "The Art Academy" that the world learned that Shuya knew martial arts.
This made him even more famous.
There are actors in Japan who can film action scenes, but those who are both good-looking and skilled in martial arts are very rare.
Shuya has received many offers for action roles, but he doesn't have any ideas for them yet.
He's already busy with promotions; he won't be free until the childhood storyline of "The Art Academy" is finished.
In short, his current actions prioritize promoting the Morning Drama.
This drama is important for promoting Ikeda Ichinosuke's reputation.