As Michiya Gōshin arrived at the cobblestone path below his rented apartment, suitcase in tow, his phone screen still displayed his last conversation with his agent.
"Director Aoyama said the villa's security is excellent and the equipment has already been calibrated. As the Wolf, you need to be the first one to enter."
"Don't worry, I won't mess it up."
Michiya Gōshin tightened the mask on his face and pulled his suitcase toward the waiting taxi by the roadside.
The neon lights outside the car window flew backward, transitioning from a commoner's district mixed with old apartments to an affluent area lined with skyscrapers. When the taxi turned onto a slope planted with camphor trees, the driver suddenly spoke up.
"Um, sir, are you also going to watch that dating show?"
"Uh... yes, I thought I'd join the crowd."
"Hahaha, I knew it! I've had so many customers these past two days. Everyone wants to check the place out, but I hear security is extremely tight. Without a pass, you can only wait at the outermost fence."
"Indeed."
Because Michiya Gōshin was wearing a mask and a hat, the driver couldn't see his face and just assumed he was another young person looking for some excitement.
Love is a Required Course in Life had gone viral before it even aired, not only because of Director Aoyama Akihiro's golden reputation but also due to the unique nature of its cast.
The show's promos had already announced that the six participating members were not ordinary people; they were all "celebrities" with their own fanbases. Plus, the director made no effort to hide the location of the "Heartbeat House," so it was quickly discovered.
Of course, this wasn't a major issue.
Onlookers could, at most, stand outside the villa complex's fence, which was still a ten-minute-plus walk from the "Heartbeat House" itself. There was no concern that these people would be able to film anything.
The taxi stopped in front of a row of black fences.
When Michiya Gōshin got out, he did indeed see quite a few passersby. Some were even carrying professional cameras, apparently aware that filming started today. It seemed some media outlets chasing a hot story didn't want to miss out.
After paying the fare, the young man placed his suitcase by the gate and took out his phone to make a call.
A few minutes later, the iron gate slowly opened. A staff member in a cap came jogging toward Michiya Gōshin, followed by five or six burly security guards.
"Michiya-san, you're here. I'll take you in now."
"Alright."
The moment Michiya Gōshin nodded, the surrounding media and onlookers instantly focused their attention on him.
Although the young man wore a thick mask and a hat, some sharp-eyed people recognized him, and a few members of the media couldn't help but surge forward.
"Excuse me, are you Michiya-sensei?"
"..."
"Michiya-sensei, are you really participating in a dating show? If you don't mind my asking, what type of girl do you like?"
"Please make way. Don't block the path."
At this point, the five or six burly security guards sprang into action. They formed a protective circle around Michiya Gōshin, escorting him through the gate like a mother hen protecting her chick.
Once the clamor behind him faded, Michiya Gōshin glanced back before turning to the male staff member beside him.
"This was also the director's arrangement, wasn't it?"
"What... do you mean?" The assistant smiled, pretending not to understand.
"This show already has enough hype. It would actually be better to slightly reduce the external attention."
Hearing this, the male staff member just shook his head. "You're really putting me in a tough spot. I truly wouldn't know about something like that."
"...Alright then."
After walking with the young man for a while, the male staff member spoke again.
"The innermost villa is the Heartbeat House. There will be red signs outside. I won't see you any further."
"Okay, thank you."
"Hehe, I hope you have a wonderful time, Michiya-san."
"...I hope so too."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
After walking for another ten minutes or so, a pure white villa came into Michiya Gōshin's view.
"This must be it."
Michiya Gōshin knew there were definitely cameras installed at the villa's entrance. He made no superfluous movements, simply opening the door calmly and walking in.
As he opened the main door, the lights in the entryway immediately turned on, bathing the entire space in a warm glow.
To the left was a built-in shoe cabinet, and on the right wall hung a retro-style clock. The living room was even more striking—a geometric chandelier hung from the high ceiling, and a beige L-shaped sofa was arranged around a marble coffee table.
The floor-to-ceiling windows opposite faced the courtyard. The warm winter sun streamed through the sheer curtains, casting dappled light and shadows on the floor.
"The first floor is the common area, with the kitchen, dining room, and living room. The second floor has the men's rooms, and the third floor has the women's rooms."
Michiya Gōshin paused before an instruction map posted on the living room wall, carefully studying the villa's basic layout.
"So my room is Room 1 on the east side of the second floor?"
Michiya Gōshin headed to his room. Room 1, marked with a plaque, looked much like a suite in a large hotel. It had all the necessary amenities, and everything inside was a matching shade of white.
"There are... three cameras in here."
After spending ten minutes thoroughly inspecting the room, Michiya Gōshin emerged with a somewhat helpless expression.
All six participants were required to gather in the living room today to await instructions from the production team, so he couldn't stay in his room. He had to go wait on the sofa for the others to arrive.
But as soon as he got downstairs, he saw a tall figure in the living room.
It was a girl with light purple hair. She wore a navy blue jacket, and the cuffs of her dark khaki cargo pants were tucked into black Martin boots, the metal buckles on their sides glinting with a cold light.
Seemingly noticing the movement behind her, the girl turned her head, and a clean, beautiful face immediately met Michiya Gōshin's eyes.
Her features were exquisite. Paired with her sharp winter outfit, she looked both as ethereal as falling snow and possessed a certain dashing spirit.
Upon seeing her face, Michiya Gōshin instantly recalled her name from the profile he'd received a couple of days ago.
Asakura Toru.
"Michiya-sensei, hello. I'm Asakura Toru," the girl said first, introducing herself in a tone that was neither too friendly nor too distant.
"Hello, Asakura-san. It's a pleasure to meet you," Michiya Gōshin immediately replied with a smile.
"Are you the first one to arrive, Michiya-sensei?"
"Yes, I just went upstairs to drop off my luggage. The men's rooms are on the second floor, and the women's are on the third."
"I see."
The girl named Asakura Toru nodded. She spoke at a measured pace, her voice carrying a natural transparency.
Just as Michiya Gōshin was mentally considering how to build a rapport with her, Asakura Toru took the initiative.
"Michiya-sensei."
"Yes?"
"Do you like girl idols?"
"?"
Michiya Gōshin was slightly taken aback, not understanding why she would suddenly ask such a thing.
"I was just curious. If you like idols, Michiya-sensei, I know members of quite a few idol groups. I could get you tickets to their performances."
A strange forwardness, and an inexplicable sense of casualness.
This must be a validation of the line in her profile: 'possesses a carefree personality, and her words and actions are very casual.'
"Oh, well, thank you very much for that."
Michiya Gōshin smiled, making a serious mental note of her offer.
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