Who Am I? The Ball Chief!

But driver Kotake Tatsunori needs to demonstrate superb "panel acting".

He had to completely ignore the woman beside him, who wore a pale white dress, had long hair covering her face, and had bizarre makeup.

Even under the lights, the "passenger's" pale complexion and dark circles were clearly visible, as if she didn't exist at all!

The driver's goal is to use hints and guidance—such as, "Do you feel something next to you?" or "It feels like a chill is blowing from the right..."

The system guides passengers in the back seat step by step to "imagine" the existence of a "ghost," thereby capturing their most genuine and terrified reactions.

However, previous recordings repeatedly failed.

The biggest obstacle is—it's too hot!

In July, taxis are practically unusable without air conditioning.

If passengers feel the cool air as soon as they get on the bus, and then the driver says "It's so cold," the passengers will only think that the driver is crazy or is joking.

What's even more awkward is that Japan society is relatively free and tolerant, and many passengers, upon seeing the strangely dressed "ghost" actress (Mizuguchi Airi) in the front passenger seat, didn't react with fear, but rather with curiosity and inquiries.

"Who is this...? Are you filming a TV show?"

Or you could directly say to Kotake Tatsunori, "Master, the lady next to you has a rather unique look. Is she an actress?"

Some people even mistook Mizuguchi Airi for an ordinary passenger and tried to chat with her!

It completely ruined the "fear of the unknown" atmosphere that the production team wanted.

Now, this sudden downpour is practically a godsend!

"Heating! Xiaozhu, turn the heating up to the maximum immediately!"

Director Takakura Sho, through a hidden miniature earpiece, excitedly gave instructions to Kotake Tatsunori inside the taxi. "It's pouring rain outside, so it's perfectly reasonable to turn on the heater in the car! Talk to him for a while, and once you feel the atmosphere is right, proceed as planned! Use the instant cooling spray to create a chill. First, make him shiver, rub his arms, and especially use the goosebumps on his skin to show he's very cold, then start guiding him!"

"Clear!"

Kotake Tatsunori's subtle and steady voice was transmitted back to the control room through the microphone.

At that moment, Tanaka Yukishin raised her head.

In the control room, everyone watched the monitor screen. The young man who had just settled down in the back seat—even through the rain and the car window, even in the dim light inside the taxi, his stunning profile and aloof, otherworldly aura were still clearly conveyed.

"Hiss--!"

A collective gasp filled the control room.

"My God... this looks... are out of this world!"

Assistant director Hayakawa Yuki covered her mouth.

"A divine gift! It's simply a divine treasure, Director!"

Screenwriter Kitajima Toru slammed his fist on the table excitedly, "With this level of visual appeal, plus torrential rain, a claustrophobic space, and a supernatural theme... this episode is absolutely going to be a hit! The ratings will definitely break records!"

"That's right! This face is universally appealing, regardless of age or gender! This image alone is enough to ignite a buzz!"

Director Takakura Sho's eyes lit up, as if he could see the award for Best Program of the Year beckoning to him.

However, producer Jinguji Aya remained calm.

She frowned, staring at the extraordinary composure and subtle, distinguished air of the young man on the screen.

"Director Takakura, don't get too excited yet. This young man... his appearance and demeanor are too unique."

As she spoke, she quickly replayed the scene of Tanaka Yukishin the taxi, "A rainstorm, an unfamiliar taxi, a confined space—wouldn't a normal person feel a little awkward? But what about him? He folded his umbrella, sat down, his movements were fluid, his attitude relaxed. His eyes were so calm!"

She paused, then added seriously, "I'm worried he might be someone in the entertainment industry? Or... perhaps a scion of some powerful family? What if we accidentally offend someone we shouldn't... our production team will be in big trouble. I suggest Xiaozhu try to find out his basic identity information first, at least confirm his name and general background, before deciding whether to proceed. Better safe than sorry, safety first."

This warning exploded in the exhausted control room.

Screenwriter Kitajima Toru a wail, burying his face in his hands. "Not again?! My real-time plot twist design..."

His hoarse voice was filled with frustration; the prolonged mental exertion had brought his thinking to a near standstill.

Assistant director Hayakawa Yuki grabbed the walkie-talkie, her voice hoarse. "Temporarily halt the operation..."

Comedian Yamada Hayato let out an exaggerated groan from the guest seats. "Aya-nee--! From this morning until now!"

He pointed to his puffy eyes, caused by lack of rest and excessive caffeine, and tried to lighten the mood with his Kansai dialect, but his smile was forced.

Exhaustion had diminished his energy even from his usual antics.

"Rin-san, from your professional perspective, does he seem like an ordinary student?"

Model Shiraishi Rin forced a smile, a few strands of her long blonde hair sticking to her neck with sweat.

Her grey-blue eyes scrutinized the screen, her voice slightly hoarse from fatigue, but her analysis remained calm and objective.

"Unlike ordinary high school students, in such a sudden downpour and confined space, whose body language would unconsciously tighten, whose eyes would wander or curiously observe. But he,"

She pointed to Tanaka Yukishin's posture—legs crossed, shoulders relaxed—"Her sitting posture is a relaxed, upright posture cultivated over a long period, and her gaze is one of habitual observation rather than exploration. This is more like someone accustomed to being watched and dominating their environment. As for her clothes, the fit and quality are indeed far beyond the spending level of the average student."

Upon hearing this, the fervor on Director Takakura Sho's face cooled slightly.

Jinguji Aya's concerns were not unfounded.

The entertainment industry is a murky place, and wealthy families are even more difficult to mess with.

He hesitated for a moment, then whispered into the microphone, "Xiaozhu, did you hear what Sister Ling said? The target has an extraordinary aura; confirm his identity first. Use a casual, natural approach, ask him what his name is, whether he's a student or a worker, and where he's likely going. Remember, be as natural as possible!"

"Received, Director."

Kotake Tatsunori's voice was soft yet steady, revealing the professionalism of a seasoned actor.

Inside the taxi, the vents began to blow out warm, dry air, quickly dispelling the dampness that Tanaka Yukishin had brought in from outside.

Although he was completely dry.

Driver Kotake Tatsunori composed himself, putting on a professional, slightly naive smile, adjusting his demeanor to ensure everything appeared perfectly natural.

He turned to the side, took a clean white towel from the storage compartment next to the driver's seat, and deftly handed it to the boy in the back seat.

"Hey buddy, the rain's too heavy! Quickly wipe yourself off, don't catch a cold."

His voice was warm and contained just the right amount of concern.

"Thanks."

Tanaka Yukishin calmly thanked her and took the towel.

Although his clothes remained dry thanks to his mental protection, he still symbolically rubbed his hair and shoulders lightly with a towel a few times to avoid drawing attention.

His movements were casual, yet carried an indescribable elegance.

The towel has a soft, fibrous feel and carries a faint scent of sunshine.

Kotake Tatsunori subtly observed the extraordinary young man in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

The calm and composed look in the other person's eyes as they took the towel, the unhurried way they wiped themselves, and the extraordinary composure they displayed in the confined space amidst the torrential rain all secretly amazed him and further confirmed Jinguji Aya's worries.

He cleared his throat and began the task in the most natural and casual tone.

"Wow, you look really young, are you a high school student? Where are you going in this heavy rain?"

As he smoothly started the car and slowly disappeared into the rain, he casually asked, "Oh, by the way, what's your name? My surname is Xiaozhu."

Chapter 148, Section 147: Who am I? The Captain!

While driver Kotake Tatsunori was getting ready to chat, producer Jinguji Aya's gaze swept over the four special guests on the observation panel.

The long recording session made the air a little stuffy, so she spoke up considerately.

"Teachers, would you like to take a break and have something to drink?"

"No need, Miss Aya."

The first to respond was actor Kurosawa Takuma. He sat upright, his dark gray turtleneck sweater making his jawline appear even more hard and cold, but his gaze never left the main monitor screen.

"I think everyone will persevere." He said firmly, with an undeniable conviction.

The other three—comedian Yamada Hayato, voice actress Onodera Mio, and model Shiraishi Rin —also nodded immediately upon hearing this, without the slightest hint of reluctance on their faces.

As a member of the entertainment industry, being able to participate in a nationally popular variety show like "Human Observation" is a huge opportunity for exposure.

In addition to the core planning team, inviting guests (both regular and temporary) is also an important part of the program.

Viewers can easily get tired of seeing the same old cast members, while temporary guests can bring a fresh feel and also give the show some breathing room.

There's a reason why each of these four people is sitting here.

Kurosawa Takuma's success is based on his solid acting skills and influence within the industry.

Yamada Hayato, on the other hand, relies on his unique, exaggerated comedic style and ability to create variety show effects.

Shiraishi Rin had only recently entered the ranks of top models, so her appearance on this show was partly due to personal connections.

Onodera Mio is the result of the full-fledged efforts of her powerful agency.

That's why they understand the importance of discretion and would never do anything unwise during recording.

Just like Yamada Hayato, who was rubbing his prominent eye bags and occasional small cysts on his forehead in an exaggerated manner due to his physical condition, sighing.

"Sigh, my natural special effects makeup has gotten even more three-dimensional since this morning! This isn't filming a movie, working non-stop like this is really tough!"

Recording a program is not like making a movie or a TV series.

They will eat and rest when it's mealtime.

One of his distinctive features is that, due to his physical condition, he occasionally develops cysts or dark circles under his eyes.

Therefore, this is a deliberate attempt to use one's "unique characteristics" to create a tired yet comical atmosphere through words and actions, inducing unsuspecting viewers to make connections and engage in discussion, thus planting the seeds for topics and increasing the show's popularity.

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi Rin subconsciously raised her hand and gently touched the side of her neck.

The intense concentration and the less-than-comfortable air-conditioned environment of the control room caused fine beads of sweat to appear on her fair forehead and the back of her neck, with a few strands of golden hair sticking slightly to her skin, ruining her perfect look.

Realizing this, she quickly and gracefully took out blotting paper and powder from her purse while the camera wasn't on her, and began to touch up her makeup in front of the small mirror.

Jinguji Aya noticed her subtle movement, and a hint of relief flashed in her eyes.

As a woman myself, I just used Shiraishi Rin's aesthetic perspective as a model to corroborate my own guesses.

That's why Jinguji Aya chose to give a subtle warning.

Different from some live broadcast programs that pursue immediate responses, "Lu 1 Qi Yi Qian Er Pa is a dam y/u*e - Observed in the World" is a recorded broadcast.

This means that once the footage is recorded, the host and guests can be arranged to make appropriate supplementary comments or adjustments during post-production editing.

But ultimately, this can't compare to the most authentic reactions and interactive atmosphere captured live on-site.

Therefore, the standard practice is to capture all the best moments during recording as much as possible, and then refine them in post-production.

Inside the taxi, the heater was on full blast, keeping out the wind and rain outside.

Looking in the rearview mirror, Kotake Tatsunori, with a professional yet slightly naive smile on his face, naturally started the conversation.

"You look really young, are you a high school student? Where are you going in this heavy rain?" He asked casually as he smoothly drove through the rain. "Oh, by the way, what's your name? My surname is Xiaozhu."

"Yes, high school student. Go to Shimokitazawa."

Tanaka Yukishin gaze fixed on the windshield, which was being cleared and blurred again by the wipers. Her voice was calm and even, "Just call me Tanaka."

After she finished speaking, a barely perceptible hint of amusement flashed in Tanaka Yukishin's eyes.

Even though the driver, Kotake Tatsunori, and the director, Takakura Sho, were communicating through a miniature earpiece, they were already keeping their voices down.

But for him...

He can hear it whenever he wants.

If he used his senses to their fullest extent, he could even hear the gurgling of the driver's blood flowing through his veins and the steady beating of his heart.

But he won't do that.

Because other meaningless and jarring noises will instantly drown out all useful information.

But... TV programs?

Tanaka Yukishin's lips twitched almost imperceptibly upwards.

This fun just came to us of its own accord!

He certainly knew the rules of this type of program.

After recording footage of ordinary people, their consent must be obtained before it can be broadcast; otherwise, the footage is invalid and may even lead to legal trouble.