The encounter with Asuka Tsukitake and Sayoko in the restroom was just a minor blip.
With the audition hall set up, Tetsu Fuyukawa sat down with his notebook, legs crossed, and got to work on today's casting. Unlike yesterday, there were noticeably more girls auditioning today, and the quality was higher too.
It wasn't some dramatic turnaround. Many small-time actors didn't take interactive live-action movie games seriously, but for them, any acting gig was hard to come by. Most of these actresses didn't rush to Hikari Studio's casting call right away. Instead, they checked if bigger projects were on the horizon first. After all, a three-month, high-intensity shoot meant no side gigs, so they prioritized confirming if major opportunities were available before considering Surrounded by Beauties.
Fuyukawa understood this perfectly and didn't take it personally. Even when some girls who demanded higher pay yesterday showed up today all eager, he didn't give them attitude. Just as he'd ruthlessly cut those whose acting didn't measure up or whose vibe didn't fit, job hunting was a two-way street driven by mutual interests.
With more candidates, the results were better too. By mid-morning, Fuyukawa had locked in the actress for the role of Zhong Zhen.
The role went to Michiko Inoshita, a 33-year-old single mom. She was the epitome of mature beauty, with the poised air of a former section chief at a small company. Her sensual presence was a spark for any man's hormones—Kawaguchi, for one, was practically hunched over after running lines with her.
Michiko had once been a successful career woman but quit to focus on her family after marriage. Her husband, however, racked up massive debts from pachinko and skipped town. Facing loan sharks, she had no choice but to re-enter the workforce.
Anyone who's been out of the game for years knows how tough it is to jump back in. (Bookmark 101kan.com for the fastest chapter updates.)
But her striking looks caught an agent's eye, landing her gigs as a minor actress. Still, the debt loomed large. Before this audition, she'd nearly been roped into auditioning for adult films—those paid far more than what Fuyukawa could offer. If she hadn't fought tooth and nail, her "new work" might've been online in a matter of days. Even now, her agent had subtly hinted that landing the role could come with "extra services" that'd make anyone go, "Wow, jackpot!"—no strings attached.
Tempting, sure, but Fuyukawa brushed it off. Sayoko was leagues above Michiko in looks, with a better pear-shaped figure to boot. Plus, he had no interest in exploiting a single mom struggling to raise a kid and pay off debts.
He signed Michiko because her acting was genuinely solid. Her background in corporate management gave her the commanding presence needed for Zhong Zhen's character.
What Fuyukawa didn't expect was that his professional approach—maybe a rare breath of fresh air in the entertainment world, or maybe his young, successful, handsome vibe—left an impression. After the audition, Michiko somehow got his contact info and subtly suggested "dinner."
Dinner?
Who has a "proper" dinner date at a hotel?
Upright guy that he was, Fuyukawa scoffed and firmly declined.
It definitely wasn't because Sayoko was shooting daggers at him from the side, her slender fingers ready to "comfort" him with a firm grip.
In the audition hall, with so many people around and only a table for cover, Sayoko's bold move—grabbing him under the table when she sensed a threat—was something else. Crisis mode made her daring.
After Michiko's audition, they shortlisted a few more actresses, and soon it was noon.
"Good work, everyone. Take a solid break and be back on time this afternoon," Fuyukawa said.
"Boss, for the sake of the game's progress, we could start early," Kawaguchi piped up, his face all serious. But Fuyukawa saw right through his eagerness.
Kawaguchi was buzzing from running lines with so many beautiful women and clearly didn't want the lunch break to stop the fun. Fuyukawa tapped his shoulder with the notebook, grinning. "Get a grip, man. You think you can handle entertainment industry women? Be careful, or your future kids might not even be yours."
"Better than being single forever! You're just too full to understand a hungry guy's pain, boss."
"What's that supposed to mean? You looking for a fight?"
"Haha, just kidding, boss, spare me!"
Fuyukawa playfully smacked Kawaguchi's shoulder with the notebook, rolling his eyes. Under Kawaguchi's envious stare, he led a blushing Sayoko out to the parking lot.
Since they'd lingered too long in the bath this morning, Sayoko hadn't had time to pack lunch, so they had to eat out. To avoid office gossip, Fuyukawa picked a Sichuan restaurant a bit off the beaten path but not too far.
From the moment they got out of the car, Sayoko was grumbling about not eating food. It wasn't that she disliked it—she just knew lunch breaks were short, and restaurants weren't as quick as ramen joints. But when the sizzling boiled pork slices arrived, she turned into a little hamster, chopsticks flying.
Japanese tastes often lean mild, despite their bold media. Fuyukawa had specifically asked the staff in Mandarin to make authentic Sichuan flavors. The result? Sayoko was in bliss for the first few bites, but soon her lips swelled like sausages, her face flushed, beads of sweat dotting her fair skin.
Spicy and flustered—it was both cute and amusing. Fuyukawa, anticipating this, had ordered a large jug of cold water. But to get a sip, Sayoko had to pay a price: stretching her leg under the table.
Already spicy and now teased, her pale face turned apple-red. After sneakily checking that the tablecloth mostly hid their antics, she scrunched her nose shyly and lifted her stockinged foot.
Soft, warm, it lightly pressed against Fuyukawa's waist.
Little Fuyukawa was all about it. Fuyukawa sucked in a breath, grinning as he handed her the water jug.
"Hmph, you're such a pervert, Tetsu-kun! Hiss—so spicy!"
She shot him a cute glare, her flushed face adorable as her toes wiggled under the table. She grabbed the glass, chugged, and fanned her neck. "Phew, too spicy! This food is totally different from what I've had before."
"That's because most restaurants in Tokyo tweak the flavors for local tastes. If we ever get the chance to visit , I'll take you for the real deal—hiss—a little harder."
Mid-sentence, he caught Sayoko's playful smirk, her chopsticks in hand, and the soft touch under the table. He grabbed her stockinged calf, pressing harder, and sucked in another breath. "I'll take you for super authentic Sichuan food."
"Authentic? Is this place authentic?"
"Hiss—harder. There's spare clothes and wet wipes in the car."
"Hmph, you big perv!"
The meal stretched on, and just as Fuyukawa, fully satisfied, was about to pay the bill, an angry man's voice erupted from a nearby table, cursing loudly.