"Eh, me?"
"That's right, madam. Although it's a bit abrupt, your temperament really fits a character in my TV show. It might seem sudden, but not seeing you on TV feels like a huge loss."
Director Wada said earnestly, but what he really thought inside was another matter; although he had some guesses, he hoped they weren't true. After all, the lady before him was the Hokage's wife.
But Director Wada's expression was very sincere. Having taught many actors how to perform, his acting skills weren't bad either. At least, they were enough to fool Hyuga Hinata and Hyuga Hanabi before him.
After hearing Director Wada's words, Hyuga Hinata covered her surprised open mouth with her delicate hand and said in disbelief, "But I have no acting experience at all, and I'm not an actress… maybe I should just pass on this, Mr. Director."
"Acting experience doesn't matter much, but the temperament you carry is so fitting. You're exactly like the housewife in the show's script—focused on family, managing a household. If it's another actress without this experience, they might not even be able to pull it off..."
Director Wada said sincerely, then handed a business card to Hyuga Hinata and continued,
"Madam, this is my business card. You can discuss it with your family after you go back. If the TV show turns out well, I can authorize a payment of two hundred thousand ryo per episode for you."
"Two hundred thousand ryo? Is that high or low?"
Hyuga Hanabi asked curiously from the side. She hadn't expected her sister would catch the interest of her mission employer.
"It's actually quite high. Typical TV actors only get tens of thousands of ryo per episode, the most famous Actor Takuki receives around five hundred thousand ryo per episode..."
Director Wada smiled as he spoke, somewhat boasting, "However, the producer investing in this show provided lots of money. It's a premium production, so the payment will be relatively high. Many people want in, but I'm very strict with my actor requirements."
Hyuga Hanabi's eyes lit up as she said, "That sounds great, sister, do you want to give it a try?"
Since the Fourth Great Ninja War, peace had come to the world, with no war for over a decade. The entertainment industry has grown quickly. Films and TV shows have gradually increased in status, and there are already many passionate fans.
Although Hyuga Hanabi is a ninja, she occasionally watches TV shows; as for Hyuga Hinata, when she's free, she basically watches shows to kill time, sometimes getting moved to tears by the plot.
But asking her to act in a TV show... Hyuga Hinata found it hard to decide. Besides worrying about her performance, she also had to take care of her family. Boruto and Himawari couldn't do without her.
Hyuga Hanabi suddenly pointed to her own face, asking Director Wada: "Director Wada, can I act in a TV show?"
"Hahaha, well... there might not be a role suitable for you at the moment. Maybe next time."
Director Wada chuckled and replied.
Hyuga Hanabi spoke with some frustration: "Eh, why can't I? My sister's looks should be similar to mine."
"Though both of you are beautiful, Lady Hanabi, at first glance, you haven't married and haven't managed a household. You're completely different from this madam, and it would be obvious on TV."
Director Wada declined, "Temperament and experience sometimes make the best actors, appearance is secondary."
Hyuga Hanabi lowered her head and said, "Well, I'm so envious of my sister..."
Director Wada checked the time and said, "It's getting late; next we have to choose a location. Madam, you can always discuss this with your family, and contact me anytime if interested."
"Lady Hanabi, shall we continue with the location scouting?"
"Alright, let's go, Director Wada."
Before leaving, Hyuga Hanabi leaned close to Hyuga Hinata's ear, whispering, "Sister, I'm visiting your home tonight; prepare me a meal."
"Eh? Sure, but..."
Hyuga Hinata wanted to say more, but Hyuga Hanabi had already left.
As the sun set, families in Konoha Village entered their dinner time, and the Uzumaki Family was no exception.
"Mom, I'm back, is dinner ready?"
Uzumaki Boruto shouted at the entrance as he took off his shoes.
Uzumaki Himawari soon came to the entrance, smiling at Uzumaki Boruto: "Brother, you're back, dinner is almost ready, and Aunt is coming today too!"
"Uh, why is she coming today..."
Uzumaki Boruto shivered when he heard the name Hyuga Hanabi.
He'd been traumatized by her training before, and was now a bit afraid of this aunt.
Click!
The door suddenly opened wide, and Hyuga Hanabi stood with her hips akimbo, saying to Uzumaki Boruto, "Boruto, I heard everything. Do you dislike me?"
"Uh, no, not at all. Of course, I warmly welcome Aunt Hanabi..."
"Hmm?"
"Sister Hanabi, it's Sister Hanabi!"
"Forget it, let's get inside and talk. I came here to see my sister today. Do you guys know? A director has taken a liking to her and wants to invite her to act in a TV series."
After taking off her shoes, Hyuga Hanabi's snow-white feet stepped on the wooden floor. She followed Uzumaki Boruto and Uzumaki Himawari into the dining room, recounting the day's events to the two of them.
"Eh, is that right? Mom, can you really act in a TV series?"
Uzumaki Boruto asked with a face full of excitement. Actors and celebrities hold high status among ordinary people, and even in ninja circles, they have quite a few fans.
"I haven't agreed yet, Boruto, and I still need to take care of the family. I really don't have the time. I've already planned to refuse in a few days."
After placing the food on the table, Hyuga Hinata said, then glanced at the time, thinking that Naruto should be coming back soon...
Just as she thought of Uzumaki Naruto, she heard the sound of the door opening and Uzumaki Naruto returning.
When Uzumaki Naruto came in and saw Hyuga Hanabi at the dining table, he paused for a moment and said, "Hanabi, you're here today. How's the mission going?"
"Not bad, Director Wada has already gone back to rest, but we ran into my sister today. Director Wada thinks she's perfect for his TV series, so he extended an invitation to her..."
After greeting Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuga Hanabi began talking about the day's events again.
Uzumaki Naruto was taken aback upon hearing that Hinata was also invited to act in a TV series, then laughed and said, "Does this director do this often? He even asked me if I wanted to be in a TV series when I was at the Hokage Office..."
Boruto asked in surprise, "Even Dad can star in a TV series?"
"What are you saying, Boruto? Don't underestimate your dad. The director's insight has proven it."
Hyuga Hanabi interjected, "Director Wada might like those with life experiences. I wasn't invited, but he seems very taken by my sister..."
Hyuga Hinata smiled bashfully at the words, then said, "Let's eat quickly."
However, Uzumaki Boruto's mind wasn't on dinner at all. He slammed the table and said, "Mom, accept the invitation. If others find out that I have a celebrity mom, they'll be so jealous."
Hyuga Hinata was taken aback, quickly saying, "Eh? But I still need to take care of the family, and both you and Himawari need to..."
"I can take care of myself now. Himawari and I can stay at Grandpa's house, so you don't have to worry about home."
Uzumaki Naruto smirked and said, "Boruto, did you forget about me..."
Boruto immediately replied, "Dad, you're often not home. Mom wants to take care of you but can't even do that."
"You little brat..."
"Come on, Mom. Himawari, do you want to see mom on TV?"
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Hyuga Hinata, Uzumaki Boruto asked his sister.
Uzumaki Himawari hesitated and said, "If I could see mom on TV, that would be great, but..."
"That's settled then, Mom. Himawari and I both support you!"
Uzumaki Boruto gave a thumbs-up, thinking to himself that once mom became famous, he would be the son of a big star and might even get autographs and photos with other celebrities.
"But..."
Hyuga Hinata was still hesitant. However, under Uzumaki Boruto's persistent persuasion, and since Uzumaki Naruto also didn't see any issues, and with Himawari staying at her grandfather's house for a few days, Hyuga Hinata finally agreed to give it a try.
After Hyuga Hinata agreed, the Uzumaki Family erupted in cheers and celebration, as if they were celebrating Hyuga Hinata's imminent stardom.
——————————
At night, in Uchiha Yoichi's home.
The sound of clapping echoing incessantly inside the house.
Now with Yamanaka Ino, Uchiha Yoichi no longer needed protection. Yamanaka Ino had completely let go, even though Uchiha Yoichi knew that she was secretly taking birth control pills.
Just to make him feel more comfortable...
Afterwards, Uchiha Yoichi held Yamanaka Ino, who rested comfortably in his embrace. He suddenly said, "Ino, I ran into a director today who said he wanted me to act in a TV series."
"Eh, is there really such a good thing? Go for it, Mr. Yoichi. I'd love to see you on TV."
Yamanaka Ino lifted her head, looked at Uchiha Yoichi's perfect facial features, and couldn't help but say, "The director probably noticed Mr. Yoichi's looks, they're just too perfect..."
"I heard that he's been randomly picking people in Konoha to act, and since Lady Ino says so, I might as well check it out."
Uchiha Yoichi said, smoothing things over with Ino here, just in case he's caught later on.
Yamanaka Ino's heart and body are his now, the next step is to let Ino gradually accept the two others, maybe even three...