Chapter 297: All Show, No Substance
"Welcome to my stage."
Takumi's voice was soft, but it carried a cold breeze. Everyone, including Yumi, shivered.
'When did Mirai-sensei's presence become so strong?'
Yumi looked at Takumi in surprise. He was smiling, but his eyes were not. Instead, they showed open hostility. Looking at the stars, even she, an outsider, could perceive the hidden coldness.
"No, this person is very impulsive..."
The young star, who had stood up eager to sing, suddenly trembled. In fact, they had taken a great risk by showing up there. If Hinotori Publishing rejected them directly, these stars would be seriously hurt. Not only would they not be able to go on stage, but they could also cause controversy.
So they were betting that the people at Hinotori Publishing wouldn't dare refuse, even if their presence there was truly very unpleasant. But if Hinotori Publishing refused, the aftermath would be very unfavorable for the company and also hostile to many artists. In comparison, if Ryoma and the others had been able to perform, the celebration would have been at least a great success on the surface, but it would only sacrifice the interests of the voice actors. Hinotori Publishing should know how to choose well.
"Doesn't this Mirai-sensei know how powerful Ryoma is?"
The young man looked at Ryoma with a pleading gaze. All his hopes were pinned on him. This man, known as the most handsome man in Japan, was almost the love of his dreams. When he went on stage, any rational organizer would not dare to embarrass him in public, because that would offend Ryoma's enormous fan base.
It was precisely because of the presence of such an influential person as Ryoma that these stars dared to stand up.
"Is this Mirai-sensei?" At that moment, Ryoma was also observing Mirai-sensei, secretly praising him, "Alice's vision is still very high... But, unfortunately, it's a little worse than mine."
"Mirai-sensei, a pleasure to meet you..."
Ryoma extended his hand. He said with a smile. With the professionalism of a mangaka, Takumi seemed to see countless roses blooming behind Ryoma. His smile was as perfect as that of the nobleman who debuted in female manga, astonishing and exuding a strong captivating power.
"How handsome!"
the audience exclaimed. Minami took a telescope and aimed it at Ryoma, "Damn, Ryoma is even more handsome than on TV, no wonder some say that those next to him are very tragic...! Minami, how did you say that phrase?"
"You should have said: Ryoma is still a male god even when he picks his nose. Compared to him, other male stars playing golf are like shoveling shit!"
another girl laughed. This phrase is very popular among Ryoma's fans.
Minami nodded, "Yes, yes... That's it. You see, those stars look very attractive in normal times, but now, next to Ryoma, they are like green leaves and flowers, without any sense of existence! Ryoma is so handsome... strange, why do I think that boy is too?" "
Mirai-sensei? I think so too. He's not overshadowed by Ryoma's charm, it's a miracle!"
"Mirai-sensei is also very handsome tonight!"
The girls in the audience were very excited, but on stage, Takumi and Ryoma shook hands. Ryoma was about to speak, but Takumi took the initiative.
"I remember I didn't invite you all, so I'm a little surprised that you came uninvited. But you shouldn't have any other purpose, just to see the performance, right?" He said this while holding a microphone, and the whole room heard it, even those watching the live stream on the internet. Everyone in the room was stunned. Ryoma's pupils contracted and a flicker of panic shone in his eyes. No way, did Takumi really want to drop all pretenses and fight?
He said it so directly in public. Did he really want it to be a lose-lose situation?
"No, it's impossible..."
Ryoma remembered that Mirai-sensei was a calm person; he shouldn't be so impulsive, right? It had to be a bluff.
"Mirai-sensei..."
He opened his mouth to speak, but instantly, Takumi interrupted him again, "I don't think you want to mess with us, right?"
Ryoma swallowed the words he was about to say, paled slightly, and the other stars stepped back at the same time. Damn, this guy is serious! He's not afraid of the consequences, ready to expose the matter directly and go back on stage.
With a "Wow!", the place was filled with noise and many, noticing something unusual, began to argue.
"What's wrong? Are Mirai-sensei's words a bit strange?"
"I also noticed that he doesn't seem to welcome Ryoma and the others... What's wrong?"
"Could it be that Ryoma and the others have bad intentions? After all, it seemed they really wanted to sing just a moment ago."
Kenji's eyes lit up, he took a notebook from his body and wrote enthusiastically, "Although I don't know what's wrong, Mirai-sensei's attitude is really surprising."
In front of so many people, Takumi directly provoked several stars. This is the pace for a direct confrontation!
"This boy..." Genji was stunned, and his wife's mouth fell open, surprised, "Honey, didn't you say he's calm by nature? Why do I feel he's more manly than you?"
A moment ago, Genji gave in and let these stars appear, but now Takumi's performance obviously tries to scare them away directly. The contrast between the two behaviors is completely opposite. Takumi's actions are very similar to those of an impulsive young man who doesn't care about the consequences. Did the last year of travel make him impulsive?
"No, that's not it..."
Genji shook his head. He believed that Takumi was a calm person and would never do anything that would harm both sides. Takumi must have his own ideas for acting this way.
"Mi... Mirai-sensei, what do you mean by this?" Ryoma's smile was a bit stiff, but still perfect, "Do you think we shouldn't have come?"
"Before I knew why you were here, I had this idea." Takumi nodded and added, "But if any of you are willing to give me a reasonable reason, I can apologize..."
His words were impeccable.
Ryoma's face turned cold. This Mirai-sensei was really a cunning guy. In fact, he had offended them in public. But now the situation has changed. If they give a reasonable reason, although they will receive an apology from Mirai-sensei, there is no reason to interfere with the performance of the voice actors.
"Is it a check? No, not yet..."
Ryoma began to rack his brains for an excuse. If they come up with an excuse, they can take the initiative.
But this excuse is too difficult to think of. Several were left thinking. This brief reflection made the public gradually doubt.
"No way, why don't they speak? Is what Mirai-sensei said true..."
"Have they come to interrupt the celebration?"
"What the hell is going on? My head is a mess!"
Hearing the strident voices, Ryoma felt confused. The longer they remained silent, the more they would be suspected. They had to find a reason.
"We..."
He was about to finish his words, but stopped suddenly when he saw the cold light in Takumi's eyes. At that moment, Ryoma's back was slightly sweaty, "No, this guy has a hot temper. He won't hold back. He's setting a trap for us!... If I tell him the reason, he'll expose it in public, and then we'll have no escape..."
Ryoma's mind was racing, and he couldn't understand Mirai-sensei's current mentality. Logically, no one would be stupid enough to confront them on stage, but Mirai-sensei did. It was as if he didn't care about public opinion at all... Did he not care about public opinion?
"Yes, he doesn't have to care!"
Ryoma's face turned pale. He knew what he had done wrong. Mirai-sensei didn't care about public opinion like they did.
Perhaps because of his long career as a star, Ryoma and the others took for granted that Hinotori Publishing would not offend them for something as insignificant as the voice actors. However, Mirai-sensei was different. Before, he didn't care about public opinion or threats. When he competed with Kanto Manga Company, the whole world criticized him, but Mirai-sensei didn't even murmur. How was he going to back down today?
He is a talented mangaka. Unlike true stars, Mirai-sensei will never fear the pressure of public opinion, as long as it does not involve serious moral problems. Even if he fights with several stars on the spot, the biggest losses will be suffered by Ryoma and his friends, and it will not have a great impact on Mirai-sensei's manga...
Thinking about this, Ryoma couldn't help but take a deep breath. He took a step back, his expression changed several times, and then he lowered his head and said, "Mirai-sensei, we have no ill intentions, we just want to come and see... Of course, we will not interfere on stage."
He didn't look for excuses, but decided to withdraw. It was the same a year before. Ryoma decided to escape before danger arrived.
Some of the audience rioted.
"Just now... Ryoma was scared, right?"
"It seems so..."
"Mirai-sensei is so fierce that he really overwhelmed Ryoma."
These voices made Ryoma a little nervous. He looked at Takumi, but found that the other person was watching him with a strange expression. That look...
"Giving up? Is that all?"
Takumi was a little surprised and disappointed. When Ryuji was in front of Takumi a while ago, he at least seemed very capable. But he only asked these stars a few questions, and they all got scared, without even putting up a fight, which gave him a sense of accomplishment. In fact, when Takumi took the stage, he felt that these people were strong on the outside, but weak on the inside. However, he remembered Alice's reminder and was very wary of Ryoma, so he adopted an extremely coercive strategy.
But he didn't expect Ryoma to back down so easily. Takumi was surprised...
"Alice, this man is all show! You told me he was dangerous, what kind of eyes are you looking with?"
Takumi thought that, but he didn't notice that under his disappointed gaze, Ryoma's face had an abnormal blush.
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