The person calling Michiya Gōshin was none other than Sakurajima Mai.
After the book signing event, the young man had treated her to a celebratory dinner to express his gratitude.
Although the two had a pleasant time, Sakurajima Mai was a big-name actress, after all. She was usually too busy with work, and during this period, she had only spoken with Michiya Gōshin on the phone twice.
"Don't tease me, it's just a job."
"But I saw the show's announcement. Michiya-san, you're participating as a regular member."
Sakurajima Mai's voice held a smile, and the background noise instantly quieted. "Could it be you're actually hoping for a romance in front of the cameras?"
"That's not necessarily the case. I've just thought it through and decided I want to participate in the entire program." Michiya Gōshin gazed at the setting sun outside the window, the corner of his mouth curving into a smile he didn't even notice.
Of course, as the Wolf.
"Participate in the entire program?" Sakurajima Mai's final syllable rose slightly, carrying a clear note of inquiry. "Meaning you'll be cooking, dating, and doing missions with the other guests?"
"I suppose so."
He stroked the edge of his phone, feeling the slight chill of the metal casing. "But I think there will be a lot to do. I'm not sure how the final show will turn out."
The secret of the Wolf could not be revealed; the contract stated explicitly that his identity could only be unveiled after the final episode aired.
"I'm still a little nervous, haha," Michiya Gōshin chuckled lightly, concealing the turmoil in his heart.
"Nervous..."
The voice on the other end of the line suddenly lowered, as if floating gently from the earpiece, carrying an almost imperceptible seriousness.
"Nervous because... Michiya-san is hoping to meet someone he likes?"
Just then, a cold breeze from the window blew across the hand Michiya Gōshin was holding his phone with. He seemed to feel a subtle, illusory sensation in the air.
"Uh..."
His fingertips tightened slightly on the phone. Michiya Gōshin thought for a moment, remaining silent for two seconds before speaking.
"No."
"Hm?"
Sakurajima Mai drew out the sound, her tone clearly probing for more.
"Really? I heard there might be female idols and actresses this time. Isn't there a single one you're interested in?"
"Not at all. Please don't joke, Sakurajima-san. I have many important things I want to do right now."
The other end of the line was quiet for a few seconds, followed by Sakurajima Mai's bright laughter, like the crisp sound of wind chimes.
"I get it. I was just asking, lest someone get their soul snatched away by a pretty entertainer on a variety show, leaving no one to write books for me to read."
"Haha, of course that won't happen."
Michiya Gōshin could hear the relaxation in the girl's voice, the relief that came from receiving a satisfactory answer.
"Speaking of which, there's something I wanted to tell you."
Sakurajima Mai said in a calm tone.
"'49' has been canceled."
"Is that so?"
"Because of the book signing incident, Johnny & Associates has been under a lot of pressure lately. They brought it on themselves."
Sakurajima Mai's voice held a faint, almost imperceptible smile; after all, she was also one of the participants in that event.
"That's a shame. Doesn't that mean your lead role is gone because of me, Sakurajima-san?" Michiya Gōshin said with a laugh. "I'll have to make it up to you in the future."
"Really?"
Sakurajima Mai laughed again, teasingly.
"I almost forgot, Michiya-sensei is now a rising author with the smash hit Love Letter. When it gets a movie adaptation, I'd like to audition for the role of the female Fujii Itsuki."
"Done. I'll pull some strings for you then."
"Hahaha, then I'll be counting on Michiya-sensei's special consideration."
The two of them burst into laughter over the phone. After a moment, Sakurajima Mai composed herself, her tone becoming serious once more.
"It's fine that it was canceled. An early cancellation gives me a chance to rest and look for a new, good script."
"Speaking of which, I just saw a pretty good one. I hear they're holding open auditions in a month."
"What script?"
In the next moment, Sakurajima Mai's voice came through the earpiece, deliberately drawn out, as if she were trying to whet his appetite.
"Why don't you guess? It's a hugely popular manga adaptation. The original has sold over thirty million copies. It's about a group of ordinary people who are suddenly thrown into a life-or-death game and have to struggle to survive in a desperate situation."
Hm?
Michiya Gōshin's fingers paused slightly. This might be a tough guess for others, but for him, it was very easy. It was definitely the show for which Director Aoyama had promised him the lead role.
Alice in Borderland.
Immediately after, the young man's voice softened. "What script is it? Stop keeping me in suspense, Sakurajima-san."
"I think it's called Alice in Borderland. I'm planning to audition for the female lead."
Sakurajima Mai chuckled twice, then couldn't resist asking, "What, are you interested?"
Michiya Gōshin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked down at the Love is a Required Course in Life contract on his desk, and next to it, the script for Alice in Borderland.
If Sakurajima Mai was also in it, then this show would take on a whole new meaning.
"Maybe."
Michiya Gōshin finally answered with a few words, his tone laced with a hint of playfulness.
And the dark-haired girl on the other end of the line seemed to sense something, her voice tinged with suspicion. "...What are you planning?"
"Nothing," Michiya Gōshin smiled. "I was just thinking that acting opposite Sakurajima-san would be very interesting."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by Mai's slightly exasperated retort: "Are you auditioning for the male lead?"
"Who knows?" he said, being deliberately vague.
Sakurajima Mai huffed. "Fine, have it your way."
After a moment, her tone suddenly softened considerably. "On the day of the open auditions, will you be there?"
Michiya Gōshin was slightly taken aback, then smiled. "What, does Sakurajima-san really want me to go?"
"I was just asking." Her voice immediately returned to its cool composure. "Don't get ahead of yourself."
"I'll be there."
The young man's answer was firm. If he successfully completed his mission as the Wolf, he would become the male lead of this show.
On the other end of the line, he could hear the girl laugh softly.
"Then... see you then."
"Yeah, see you then."
After hanging up, he walked to his desk, his gaze falling back on the profiles of the members participating in the dating show that he had placed there earlier.
After today's little interlude with Sakurajima Mai, he suddenly had much more to look forward to.
Glancing at the profiles of the other two male members, a playful smile touched Michiya Gōshin's lips.
A Wolf on a dating show, is it?
I will make my heroic charge in the guise of the 'blond antagonist'!
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