But just then—
"Wait!"
Hijikata's voice suddenly rang out again from behind them, turning their faces pale as they froze on the spot.
They were exposed?!
No, that couldn't be it they hadn't really done anything, just cleaned up two pieces of trash from Tokyo society.
No way this tsundere cop was also hunting them, right?!
They panicked a little.
Even though during their first meeting they'd confirmed he didn't have any ill intentions toward them…
That was before!
Given Kamishiro's absolutely insane talent for stirring up trouble, they had full confidence in it.
There was a very real chance that after the first meeting, he'd already stolen someone else's girlfriend!
Please—don't let it be that!
Even if it is… please don't recognize them!
At this moment—
Hijikata, who had called out to them, stared thoughtfully at their backs.
When they brushed past him just now, he'd felt a strange sense of familiarity.
As if he'd seen them somewhere before!
Just an intuition!
But for a police officer like him, intuition was enough!
He looked at them suspiciously.
"Do you know a kid who looks pretty decent, but whose personality and behavior are total human garbage?"
Hearing this—
Iori and Kohei were shocked.
That's Kamishiro, right? That's definitely Kamishiro!
Oh no, this cop really is looking for Kamishiro!
Please don't recognize us!
Thinking this, the two tightened the clothes on their faces even more.
After exchanging a look, they chuckled awkwardly without turning back.
"Of course not…"
"We're law-abiding citizens, big-time good people! We don't know any human garbage at all!"
"Is that so?"
A playful smile appeared on Hijikata's face.
Just now he wasn't completely sure, but now?
He was very sure.
He quickly pulled out his phone, snapped a photo of their backs, and said,
"Then I must've mistaken you for someone else. Go on in, you two~"
As soon as he finished speaking, Iori and Kohei bolted forward without looking back, afraid they'd be stopped again.
Hijikata: ?(??? ?-? )~?
Staring at their bulging calf muscles, Hijikata asked the security guard uncle beside him with a dark expression,
"Am I really that scary?"
"Slurp of course not. Officer, you're the very definition of kind and approachable."
Inner thoughts: That scene just now was like the final boss, okay?! Sir with the V-shaped bangs, being a cop is really wasting your talent—why not enter the acting industry?!
Hearing the security guard's insincere praise, Hijikata's expression finally improved a bit.
"Tch. Annoying little brats!"
After spitting out a puff of smoke in the direction they'd run off, Hijikata pulled out his phone.
Tap tap tap—he started operating it.
The security guard uncle, seeing this, couldn't help but lean over.
After all, this guy had stood here for so long without touching his phone. What was he doing now?
Hijikata didn't bother hiding it. He just glanced at him and continued calmly typing.
[Aspiring Vice-Captain: Latest intel!
The scumbag trio has appeared at the venue!
Attached: rear-view photo of Iori and Kohei
(Heads-up: there's an AV actress meet-and-greet in progress. No entry without tickets. Recommend sealing off the venue first!)]
"OK, done!"
After hitting send, Hijikata decisively put his phone away.
Now… all that was left was to let the bullets fly for a while~
Nearby—
The security guard uncle stood frozen after witnessing everything Hijikata had done.
Even though he didn't know what that site was—
It was definitely nothing good!
"You—!!!"
The security guard pointed at Hijikata with a trembling finger.
No wonder this guy had been so sure a riot would happen.
So you were the one planning it all along?!
Turns out his earlier intuition was spot-on—
This guy really is the mastermind villain!!
Can you spare a thought for a security guard who just wants to clock out on time?!
Damn it!
Venue
Restroom
Director Hase was standing between the two of them with a very strange expression on his face.
"So… is this what you call love at first sight?"
He felt that if he hadn't suddenly appeared just now, the two of them would've gone off to the restroom to "exchange different kinds of feelings."
Faced with Director Hase's teasing, Kamishiro didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Instead, he pondered seriously and said,
"This should count as mutual admiration!"
"That's right! I feel like I met Kamishiro-kun way too late!"
Hase: ??-?~?
Looking at Momo's love-struck expression, the corner of Hase's mouth twitched.
Are you sure this is "meeting too late"?
This is clearly lust at first sight!
Hey, hey, hey—you're an AV actress, you know!
A professional one!
So what if you were made to abstain for a while—why do you look like you've never seen a man before?!
"Alright, alright, you two rein it in a bit. If you want to 'bond,' at least wait until after this meet-and-greet is over.
By then, you can do whatever you want. I can even recommend places for you.
I know a love hotel that's pretty good—what was it called again? The Thirty-Four Love Hotel. I heard it still has a perfect zero negative reviews!"
"..."
Hearing that familiar name, Kamishiro fell silent.
Of course it has zero bad reviews!
With that tsundere cop outside, who would even dare leave a bad one?
There was no way in hell he'd ever go to that place again!
However, Momo didn't know any of this. As soon as she heard the director was lifting her abstinence, she excitedly pounced onto Kamishiro.
In an instant, Kamishiro felt his arm sink into something soft.
And a small hand began restlessly sliding around on his chest~
The itchy sensation on his chest made Kamishiro's body tremble.
This… who could possibly withstand this kind of temptation?!
Seeing this,
Momo licked her lips like a little succubus.
She had seized the initiative~
How could Kamishiro possibly hold back after seeing that expression? Just as he was about to counterattack—
A burly man forcibly pulled the two of them apart!
Hase: ? ?-?~?
"How about I just call the cameraman over and have you film right here?"
Did these two even listen to what he said?!
He clearly said after the meet-and-greet!!!
Did you just manually end the meet-and-greet yourselves?!
"Really, Director?!"
Momo looked thrilled, she genuinely believed him.
Kamishiro looked at her with a somewhat strange expression.
This girl was a bit different from what he'd imagined.
Why did she feel kind of… airheaded?
And she didn't really match the online reputation either.
Wasn't she supposed to have a pure, yuri-style persona?
This… is this really pure?
At least try to maintain your image!
"Of course not! Putting the meet-and-greet aside, there's still a long time before our next shoot, okay?!"
Vacation! Vacation!
He'd already been a corporate slave for a long time!
He needed rest!
He needed sunshine, beaches, and gym equipment!
Do you even understand what work–life balance means?!
Shooting a film is exhausting, you know!
"Mm…"
Hearing the director's explanation, Momo's expression immediately turned aggrieved.
She felt like she'd already rested for a long time~
Which was actually true.
Because of physical issues, Momo had taken a long break before.
As for Director Hase…
He was a corporate slave, and he also had other newcomers to train.
When Kamishiro heard them discussing the timing of the next shoot, something suddenly came to mind.
"Um… big bro, Miss Momo, there's something I wanted to discuss with you…"
Kamishiro scratched his head awkwardly.
"It's about the next shoot."
"Oh?"
Hearing Kamishiro speak up, Director Hase became interested.
He had a pretty good impression of this little brother who'd given him a club membership card.
Good looks too—almost catching up to him—just a bit lacking in physique.
Which wasn't very friendly for AV filming.
You see, the otaku who buy these films prefer ugly men paired with beautiful women, with a huge difference in body type.
That gives them more immersion.
It sounds unbelievable, but that's how it really is.
Don't be fooled by how those people always talk about how handsome they are—that's just insecurity!
True strong ones don't care about that stuff!
Those otaku think: if this guy can land a woman of that level, then I can too!
Beauty and the beast has always been the most popular formula.
If the male actor is too handsome and the female actor is also beautiful, fewer people actually buy the film.
With a bit of polishing, that kind of thing might even pass as art.
Adult art is still art!
Of course—
Once it becomes art, sales usually tank.
Elegance versus vulgarity—people prefer something more vulgar.
If you're already watching this kind of stuff, why not watch something even more perverted?
Why insist on watching two people at the peak of attractiveness rolling around in bed?
This isn't some youth idol drama!
So when Kamishiro spoke up now, he was probably thinking about this issue too.
As a director, Hase felt that actors' insights were very important.
Especially someone like Kamishiro, who had never worked in this industry before.
Including himself, many industry people rarely watched films outside of work anymore.
After all, when this is your job, you naturally want to do something else in your free time.
Opinions from someone like Kamishiro who'd gone straight from audience member to actor were rare.
He might have some unique perspectives!
"Do you have some ideas about the shoot? You can tell me. Hold on—I'll write it down!"
Before Kamishiro could continue, Hase pulled out a notebook from his back pocket.
Don't let his muscular build fool you into thinking he's some crude brute—he's very serious about work!
Even though he no longer felt much passion for this job…
Bringing benefits to his former comrades was still his ideal!
Hase had already decided that if Kamishiro didn't have any good ideas, he'd push the film toward an artistic direction!
After shooting so many films, he'd never really done an artistic one before.
Just thinking about it felt pretty challenging!
Momo, standing nearby, also grew interested.
She was very curious what kind of "XP" this young man had~
After all, utterly crushing someone in the field they're best at is the most perfect kind of victory~
She was a professional, after all!
Looking at the expectant gazes of the two of them, cold sweat began to form on Kamishiro's forehead.
Don't look at me with such hopeful eyes!
What I'm about to say will definitely disappoint you!
Gulp…
Kamishiro swallowed, suddenly wondering if he should just go along with them.
But the moment he imagined some kind of group activity with a bunch of men, his eyes hardened again!
He absolutely refused to take part in that kind of IMP!!!
After organizing his thoughts a bit, Kamishiro spoke awkwardly.
"It's not a suggestion… well, it kind of is, but… um… is it possible that…"
Hearing his hesitant words, Momo and Director Hase exchanged a glance, looking at him in confusion.
They knew this sort of thing could be hard to say out loud, but judging from his earlier presence, this young man didn't seem like a lightweight at all.
Definitely a seasoned veteran in the field of romance!
He'd already gotten a golden ticket—there was no need to act shy in front of them, right?
Smack!
The more impatient Director Hase slapped Kamishiro on the shoulder.
"Stop hemming and hawing—we're all veterans here! Just say it straight!
Standing in front of you are a famous AV actress and an R-rated director!
What kind of scenes do you think we haven't seen?"
Hase looked utterly confident.
After all, his job was to produce learning materials for countless young men and women!
To put it bluntly, they were the ones writing the textbooks!
No matter how perverted the playstyle, they'd heard of it!
"Say it boldly, young man!"
Momo also cast him an encouraging look.
Though she couldn't accept everything…
If it was this young man—
She was willing to give it a try!
Kamishiro: (′-ι_-｀)
Please, the two of you, stop overthinking it already!
The more you do this, the more guilty I feel, okay?!
Kamishiro felt that if he let them keep talking, he might really be unable to refuse!
"Stop!"
Interrupting them, Kamishiro quickly said under their shocked gazes,
"Actually… what I want to say is, can I withdraw from the next shoot?"
Hase, Momo: !!!
They'd never seen a scene like this before!
"Uh… little brother, can you say that again?"
Hase seriously doubted whether Kamishiro had spoken too fast just now and he'd misheard. He thought Kamishiro had meant he was already eager to start the next shoot!
Momo's expression gradually turned pitiful, her smile tinged with a little bitterness.
"Did… did I do something wrong?"
If he wanted to withdraw, it must be because of her, the co-star.
Could it be… she couldn't handle it?
Thinking that, Momo's expression grew even more sorrowful.
Kamishiro: {{(°△°; "}}!
Seeing this, Kamishiro quickly wrapped his arms around Momo's slim waist and said,
"Ah, you misunderstood! I just don't want to participate in filming. I was thinking maybe I could use this golden ticket to spend some time alone with Momo instead!"
Good! Kamishiro had slipped back into his habit of calling people by their names directly!
This time there was progress—after so long, he finally started!
Of course, Kamishiro would never admit that he had just thought of this now~
"Eh!"
Feeling the large hand on her waist, Momo's eyes lit up again!
Great! So it wasn't my side!
??ヽ(°▽°)ノ?
Hase: ?(??? ?-? )~?
So… it was my fault?
"Um… can I ask why?"
Director Hase asked with a fake smile, thinking: if this kid really says it's because of the director, I'll make sure he understands that all these muscles aren't just for decoration!
Looking at Hase's face, Kamishiro felt a wave of malice looming over him.
Damn it!
This brother won't be upset about this, right?!
With so many people, not having me shouldn't matter!
As for spending time alone…
It should be fine. If the director hadn't appeared just now, they'd have already started their "exchange."
"Well… mainly, I just don't want to film with so many people…"
Hearing this explanation, Hase's expression softened a bit, but he still lectured,
"No! This is filming a movie. Staff is a must!
I know you might not like it at first, but people have to take the first step. Overcome it, and you might find a different kind of fun!"
"..."
Kamishiro twitched at the corner of his mouth. Different kind of fun? What fun is that? He had no exhibitionist tendencies!
And that's not what he meant anyway!
"I wasn't talking about the staff, I meant the actors!"
Actors—he definitely couldn't handle multiple people!
"Actors?"
"Yes, actors! I prefer one-on-one!"
…or one-on-many, in his case.
Hearing this, Director Hase and Momo, pressed against Kamishiro, looked at him strangely.
So… he didn't know yet?
Kamishiro: (°ー°〃)
"What are you looking at me like that for?"
He felt like he was being treated as a joke!
"You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"The meaning of the golden ticket?"
"Of course I know! Isn't it just for selecting the next actor for the project…"
"Yes, exactly!"
Director Hase nodded confidently, then said mysteriously,
"But the number of golden tickets…"
"There's only one~"
Momo stood on tiptoe and whispered into Kamishiro's ear. Afterward, she playfully blew a breath onto his earlobe~
Gulp~
Kamishiro looked at the two of them in shock, then tremblingly pulled out his own golden ticket.
"So… so I'm the only one?!"
"Uh-huh!" ×2
Hase and Momo nodded—he was already pre-selected. In the entertainment industry, this kind of thing wasn't unusual.
"Wha… wha—"
Kamishiro still couldn't process it. He had just casually asked Ikegoshi to get him a ticket, and now he had the grand prize?
And the only grand prize?!
"Wait, wait…"
Kamishiro could hardly accept this reality.
"Wasn't it supposed to be selected from fans at the scene?"
"Yes, weren't you at the scene? Aren't you a fan?"
Director Hase said matter of fact they hadn't misrepresented anything.
Kamishiro: "..."
Well, that actually makes sense!!!
He had been convinced!
But there was still one question…
"Why me? We've never even met before. Was it because of Ikegoshi?"
The only person Kamishiro could think of was Ikegoshi!
He really is a good person!
To get this one golden ticket, he must've put in a lot of effort!
I must properly repay him at the wedding!
"This one's for Momo to explain,"
Hase said, looking at Momo in Kamishiro's arms. He had given her the ticket to handle herself.
Momo smiled and twirled her hair, explaining to Kamishiro:
"At that time, Ikegoshi really did ask someone to find me. I wondered why a famous star about to get married would contact me~
You know, I didn't want to get a bad reputation~"
Indeed, no matter the reason, contacting a stranger AV actress before marriage isn't exactly good.
After all, every circle has its own hierarchy and judgment~
"When he asked me for the ticket, I was actually going to refuse, but he said it was for a friend and showed me your photo~
As soon as I saw the photo, I really had no reason to say no~"
As she spoke, Momo's smile widened.
The meet-and-greet was originally about choosing a male actor she liked.
And she likes handsome guys!
"..."
Great, Kamishiro now fully understood where this ticket came from!
I knew it—good-looking people always have an advantage!
But…
"Aren't you worried I might be difficult to work with?"
After all, personality matters more than looks.
This is work, after all. A good partner saves a lot of time and unnecessary trouble.
"No worries, that's what collaboration is for~ Taking a set of photos is collaboration too~"
Momo gave a little devilish smile, clearly having her fallback plan ready.
If she didn't find anyone satisfactory at this meet-and-greet, she could just use this.
Kamishiro now had no doubts, giving Momo a thumbs up,
"Impressive!"
Who would've thought this collaboration would be the only one?
"Hmph~"
A proud expression crossed Momo's face.
Then she thought of something and pressed against Kamishiro again.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, forcing Kamishiro to meet her gaze, she said word by word,
"My next one will be my last film~"
Kamishiro: !!!
(｀ー′)
Cameraman!
Director!
Get ready!
We're starting!!!