Mai-chan Was Here First

Shuya smiled and shook his head, "If you feel unhappy acting with her, I won't invite her even if she's perfect for the role."

Even if Inoue Hikoo wanted to use her, he would report her to the authorities and get rid of her.

"Waaah."

Hyakka's eyes widened. "You're so naturally flirting with girls again, you're terrifying!"

How can showing concern for your childhood sweetheart be considered flirting?

Shuya waved his hand.

After calming herself down, Hyakka said, "I don't dislike Shibasaki either, on the contrary... well, it's nothing. Go and invite her!"

"Oh..."

Shuya looked her up and down.

"W-what? What's with your eyes?"

"I can almost smell the fragrance of lilies."

"... Are you out of your mind?"

Hyakka Jiang relentlessly mocked him, her face flushing slightly.

Shuya realized that if he continued teasing her, she would explode, so he wisely shut up.

After finishing their meal, it was already 5:30 or 5:40, so the two returned to the venue.

Shuya escorted Hyakka Jiang back to the backstage area, where the scholars were busy preparing.

The evening event is about to begin; it's almost time to enter.

Shuya didn't chat much, just looked at Hyakka Jiang and said, "I'm going out now, don't bother me again during the evening show."

Hyakka pointed at Shuya, winked her right eye, and said cutely, "Idiot, the evening performance will be recorded. Why would I let you come up? That would be too easy for those production companies."

"My Shu-chan's appearance fee is very high!"

"My home" here refers to the firm and has no special meaning.

I think so.

"Waaaaah, Hyakka- chan still loves me the most."

Shuya made a deliberately cheesy joke.

"Pah, pah, go away, go away."

Hyakka Jiang shuddered blatantly and kicked him out of the backstage area.

After Shuya left, he returned to the audience seats. This time, he used his Strange Arts slightly, and the people next to him didn't recognize him.

The evening session of the meet-and-greet began soon after.

Shuya listened, he felt that it was really not easy for the voice actors on stage to pretend to be silly and make the audience laugh.

During the evening session, Hyakka Jiang didn't cause any more trouble, and the meet-and-greet proceeded as planned.

After reading the play, they shared their thoughts and promoted the Little Round Disc, then concluded with Hyakka- chan and Shibasaki Kazuha singing.

The day's activities have come to an end.

Shuya went backstage as the audience left.

The backstage area still held the lingering feeling of a successful event, with a relaxed and satisfied atmosphere.

This work wasn't a huge hit, but it conservatively completed its planned goals. It didn't receive rave reviews, nor did it face much criticism; it was typical of most ordinary works.

If the novel becomes a bestseller, there might be a second installment.

It's not possible to make a living by just selling discs.

Shuya, lost in thought, approached a room backstage from which a lot of voices were coming from.

Just as he stepped inside, a chilling voice rang out:

"Why do I have to participate in these kinds of activities? Wouldn't I just be a tool for attracting customers?!"

"..."

Shuya slowly pulled his long legs back.

Looks like we're going to have a fight? He doesn't want to get involved in this kind of trouble.

The voices inside immediately lowered.

Shibasaki Kazuha got into an argument with her manager, causing the atmosphere to take a sharp turn for the worse.

"But Ms. Shibasaki is one of the lead actresses..."

"Does 'leading actor' mean 'actor'? I think actors are expected to have good acting skills, not to stand on stage and be ridiculed?"

"Yes, I understand what Ms. Shibasaki means, but how should I put it, the current requirements for voice actors include attending events..."

"Well..."

Hyakka let out a deliberate sigh.

Wow, that's such an old-fashioned way of thinking...

Shuya felt it was better not to go in; it would be troublesome if he were blamed.

He walked away from the room and started playing on his phone against the wall.

"Shuya? What are you doing playing on your phone? Aren't you going inside?"

"Oh, it's Gojo -chan... The atmosphere inside feels a bit oppressive, I'll wait here for a bit."

Shuya looked at Gojo.

Gojo was taken aback, Shuya then told him what had just happened.

"By the way Gojo, do you know Shibasaki Kazuha?"

We've acted together before, but we haven't really spoken.

Gojo shrugged:

"What's wrong? Has our Casanova taken a fancy to her?"

Come on. You've got plenty of girls who have a crush on you.

How can I compare to you?

Gojo said a few words and then left, as if he had something to take care of.

Shuya waited a while longer before returning to the room.

Hyakka -chan used the excuse of needing to check the script to decline the invitation to the dinner party and walked out with Maeda Saori.

"Alright?"

"Um."

Hyakka Jiang's face remained unchanged, maintaining her professional smile.

"Let's go then."

Shuya nodded to the others and left with them.

Stepping out of the venue, Hyakka stretched. "Ugh! I'm so tired today!"

"Thanks a lot."

Shuya the Way.

"Hyakka Jiang was great today too."

Maeda Saori also laughed.

"Of course."

Hyakka Jiang readily admitted, then said, "I'm hungry, let's go get something to eat!"

Didn't you just say you were going back to check the script?

Shuya smiled teasingly.

"Seriously, don't pretend you already know the answer. That's obviously just an excuse."

Hyakka snorted.

Maeda Saori smiled and said, "Then Shu-chan, you and Hyakka- chan go eat. I won't bother you any longer."

"It won't be a bother, Saori- san, please come along too."

Hyakka Jiang tried to persuade her to stay.

Shuya also said, "Yes, let's go together."

"That..."

In the end, she also went to dinner, which was a small celebration banquet.

After dinner, Maeda Saori drove Hyakka -chan home, while Shuya flew back to his own home.

Section 366, Chapter 348: Bathed in Orange Sunlight

Sunday is over, Monday is here.

The thought of going to school gave Shuya a headache.

Haruno has left behind a mess...

As for Shizuka Hiratsuka and Yukino, Shuya hadn't explained anything to them at all, and he wondered how their mood would change in the next couple of days.

Shuya could only pray that he wouldn't run into Yukino or Shizuka Hiratsuka when he went out.

... and ended up bumping into Yukino right at the school gate.

"Ah..."

"..."

Shuya blinked, then quickened his pace to leave.

It's better not to go there and get yelled at.

"Hmph, feeling guilty now?"

However, Yukino responded with a cold smile.

"... morning."

Shuya leaned closer with an awkward smile.

"Please don't talk to me, Pervert-kun."

Yukino immediately straightened her face and quickened her pace.

... It seems she came all this way just to say that.

Shuya didn't want to make a fool of himself, so he let her leave.

After changing his shoes, he went to the classroom and sat down obediently.

Yuigahama nodded to him discreetly, but did not speak to him as he had requested.

Shuya was looking down at his phone, casually listening to the chaotic chatter of his classmates.

Then he overheard someone in his class talking about Shizuka Hiratsuka.

It's said she took leave and is on a solo journey to find herself and cope with her heartbreak...

Shuya: "..."

This is so tragic...

Shuya clasped his hands in prayer for her in his heart.

The morning classes passed quickly, and at lunchtime, Shuya ran into Uesugi Futaro at his usual spot in the cafeteria.

Today he was finally able to eat Yakiniku Set Meal.