"Come you two, closer, good, good, OK!"
The next day, at dusk, on the beach, Ichika, dressed in a floral dress, was nestled in the embrace of a young man with an unbuttoned shirt, her cheeks flushed with shyness, her beautiful eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at him.
Nakano Yu also lowered his head, his open summer shirt gently fluttering in the sea breeze, revealing his well-proportioned, attractive body.
"Uf! Really, really excellent, Nakano-sama and Ichika truly look like a couple."
In the distance, Director Kudo could barely restrain herself, wiping an unknown liquid from the corner of her mouth, speaking in a concerned tone.
Because of what happened last night, the originally planned daily life of the couple could not be filmed at first. Not to mention the state of the staff, the only existing couple were Nakano Yu and Ichika.
There was no choice but to focus a large number of shots on Nakano Yu and Ichika, turning everything into their solo performance. In addition, Director Kudo did not neglect Arima Kana, but allowed her to film a confession and rejection scene with Nakano Yu.
After all, Nakano Yu and Ichika were the couple recognized by the production. Arima Kana had to be positioned as the third party, to confess her feelings to Nakano Yu and ultimately be gently rejected by the young man.
Using the innocence of the girl to arouse the audience's curiosity was enough to film a warm-up to boost ratings. Whether the interest would be maintained depended on the official filming team.
Director Kudo naturally did not want to neglect Arima Kana. She had just received a script for a female villain role in a TV drama, which she gave to Arima Kana, and Kana was very happy to participate.
Although Arima Kana would appear in only two or three plot segments before being "eliminated" by the main group of characters, for her it was a huge breakthrough, a transition from having no roles to appearing on screen.
"We still don't quite have enough material. What do you say we do character interviews?"
Director Kudo asked a staff member about the amount of existing filmed material. After the answer, she frowned slightly. As she was thinking, Arima Kana approached. Looking at the two who were behaving intimately in front of the camera not far away, a trace of envy passed through her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it and murmured:
"Now that I think about it, Nakano Yu and Ichika have such a good relationship, even though they are brother and sister…"
"Brother and sister? No, they aren't."
Hearing that, Director Kudo frowned slightly and turned to Arima Kana. She clearly remembered that the participants' profiles listed blood types and similar data; that was standard information gathering in every variety show.
After all, if an artist had any problem during filming, the production could immediately know his blood type, allergies, and so on. Of course, to prevent artists from bringing relatives to participate, DNA tests were also conducted, because the system was very strict about that.
She had seen the report on Nakano Yu and Ichika; they had no blood relation. Could it be fake?
But there was no need for that. Considering Nakano Yu's background, one word from him would be enough to get her in. There was no need for that.
Shaking her head, Director Kudo changed the subject:
"Who knows."
After that she turned and left. She still had to find some quiet place to vomit for a while longer. No, just thinking about last night made her stomach churn!
But after Director Kudo's words, Arima Kana remained stunned. She looked at the two not far away, and after a long time murmured softly:
"They aren't…?"
When all the necessary footage for the show had been filmed, Nakano Yu and Ichika stretched.
"I didn't expect filming a variety show to be this exhausting. It would really be better to go on one without a script, where you can freely improvise, right?"
Walking beside Nakano Yu, Ichika dropped her shoulders and said.
"Yes, Ichika is more suited to improvisation after all. But everything should be filmed now. The interviews are finished, now comes free time."
Nakano Yu nodded. Giving Ichika a script and forcing her to act was not as good as letting her improvise. After all, for the current Ichika, acting by script made it harder to express emotions. If he hadn't helped her draw out her emotions, the filmed material would probably have looked unnatural.
"That's right. By the way, what did Nakano Yu say in the interview? I openly confessed that I like Nakano Yu, you know!"
Thinking that now they only needed to wait for the warm-up to air, Ichika's fatigue immediately disappeared. She turned and linked arms with the young man, asking brightly.
"I, well, didn't have much to say, so I simply recommended a light novel."
Hearing that, Nakano Yu pursed his lips slightly. He was not particularly skilled in romance. Pure love for him was divided into many parts. He had consistent, pure love for all beautiful girls.
"I thought Nakano Yu would take the opportunity to confess his feelings to me. During filming he looked like he would, I almost thought I was really with Nakano Yu."
Not getting the answer she wanted, Ichika pouted and pinched his arm dissatisfied.
His gentle behavior today had almost made Ichika believe he was truly in love. At that moment he had looked shy, as if he wanted to hug her but did not dare, and his beautiful purple eyes reflected only her figure, causing Ichika to completely sink into them.
For a moment she truly thought he loved her too. But the result… this rascal, really!
Taking a deep breath, Ichika calmed down. After all, he was the person she loved. She couldn't hit him, couldn't, and besides she couldn't beat him anyway.
"So, what does Ichika want to say?"
Nakano Yu suddenly stopped, looked at her with eyes that flickered slightly, and asked.
"…I already told Nakano Yu earlier."
Seeing that he had suddenly stopped, Ichika took two steps forward, turning her back to him.
"What?"
Nakano Yu looked confused. Had Ichika said something earlier? Aside from today's script, in the past two days she hadn't said anything strange, right?
"I told Nakano Yu that I like Nakano Yu, not as family, but… I want to become Nakano Yu's family, to be with Nakano Yu, to marry Nakano Yu, to have children with Nakano Yu and grow old together, that kind…"
Ichika was not surprised at all by his reaction behind her. In her view, Nakano Yu was simply like that, even when she was already losing control of her emotions and even… crossing the line toward him.
Faced with her words, Nakano Yu fell silent. After a moment, he looked at Ichika and asked:
"What if I tell you that Nino and Miku are already with me? And not only Nino and Miku, but other girls as well, and I'm even on the verge of engagement? It's impossible for only Ichika to be by my side. What would Ichika think?"
As soon as he finished, Ichika, who had clearly heard every word, froze. Facing the sea, she opened her mouth, but in the end could not say anything. Only two lines of tears streamed down her face.
Hearing her suppressed sobs, Nakano Yu said indifferently:
"Let's go, Ichika, it's time to head back."
"Nakano Yu! That's too much! You're really, too much!!!"
His words echoed in her ears, but Ichika suddenly turned and threw herself into his arms. At that moment she could no longer suppress her emotions, and her sobbing accusations would not stop.
Watching Ichika hit him with her fists while in his embrace, Nakano Yu remained silent.
"Nakano Yu… that's too much. I'm clearly the oldest sister. If Nino and Miku can, why can't I?!"
Gripping his collar tightly, Ichika looked up, her big eyes red from crying, her cheeks wet with tears. The tears dripped onto his body, drop by drop…
"If Ichika doesn't mind…"
Gently wrapping his arms around her slender waist, Nakano Yu said softly.
"Nakano Yu, I love you. No matter what, I love Nakano Yu the most, the most, the most!"
Looking straight into his eyes, Ichika said it resolutely.
Nakano Yu had never seen her like this before. His heart trembled, and he gently wiped away the tears that were still gathering in her eyes.
"I love Ichika too, very much…"
His soft whisper reached her ears, and her cheeks reddened, her love no longer hidden.
Grabbing his collar, Ichika stood on her tiptoes.
The last glow of the sunset on the beach sank into the sea, and the sky finally darkened. On the beach, under the sky, the young man and the girl who had confessed their feelings to each other finally came together.
After a long time, Nakano Yu finally separated from Ichika. Looking at her, he wanted to say something, but before he spoke, Ichika suddenly became serious and asked:
"Hey, Nakano Yu, what about Nino and Miku?"
"Well, that…"
Under her gaze, Nakano Yu scratched his head and somewhat uncertainly shifted his eyes toward the sea.
"Don't tell me you've already crossed the line, right?!"
Seeing him like that, Ichika narrowed her eyes, cautiously sensing something was wrong.
"Well, with Nino not yet…"
"Then with Miku you have, right?"
"This…"
"Let's go! We're going back!"
"Ichika, what are you planning?"
"To cross that line!"
"Tamazuki-sama! Everything is ready. As soon as the army moves toward Ukiyoe Town tomorrow night, we can destroy the remnants of the Nura Clan in one stroke, and then you, Tamazuki-sama, will become the king of Ukiyoe Town, the lord of all yokai!"
In Tokyo, on an abandoned building, a pale-faced woman with black hair like spikes bowed to Tamazuki who stood before her.
The woman named Hari-Onna was an ordinary yokai. Her main method of attack was her black hair like needles. After Inugami's death, she became Tamazuki's trusted subordinate.
"Alright. You've already killed most of the local gods in Ukiyoe Town. The combat strength of the Nura Clan has now been fully investigated, and Nura Rikuo no longer has the power to oppose me."
Leaning against the wall, under the moonlight, Tamazuki looked at the broken sword in his hand, full of nicks and cracks.
His tone was filled with excitement and anticipation, but also contempt for the Nura Clan and Nura Rikuo. He could hardly wait to use the Makai no Kozuchi in his hand to take Nura Rikuo's life and seize Nurarihyon's Fear!
He could hardly wait to become the lord of all yokai, to become the one who walks at the head of all demons, the great leader of yokai!
"Ah~ Tamazuki-sama! You will surely lead us to rule Ukiyoe Town, lead us toward the light, and make humans once again taste the fear of yokai!"
Looking at Tamazuki, Hari-Onna's face was filled with longing, as if she already saw herself walking behind him, at the head of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.
Hearing that, Tamazuki glanced at Hari-Onna, and a faint smile appeared on his lips:
"I will rule the entire Ukiyoe Town. Of course, only I…"