"Why don't you just call me by my name directly? How about calling me Mai?"
On the set of Alice in Borderland, Michiya Gōshin was immediately frozen in place by these words voluntarily spoken by Sakurajima Mai.
In Japanese social etiquette, for members of the opposite sex to directly omit honorifics and call each other by name is a clear signal that the relationship has entered an extremely intimate stage.
Usually, this only exists between family members, close friends of many years, or... lovers.
The implication of probing, approaching, and even declaring intent behind Sakurajima Mai's proposal was almost as clear as black and white; even Kato Megumi, who always maintained a placid expression, couldn't help but take a few extra glances at her.
From Kato Megumi's perspective, Sakurajima Mai was a highly successful and popular actress. Her status and popularity in the entertainment industry were very high, making it unlikely for her to say such things directly.
Unless...
After hearing this, although Michiya Gōshin was a bit stunned, he quickly began to think about the purpose behind her words.
Although his relationship with Sakurajima Mai was getting closer, there was still a distance between them—more than friends, but not quite lovers.
His hesitation did not escape Sakurajima Mai's keen observation. The light in the girl's eyes dimmed imperceptibly for a moment, but was immediately replaced by a more vigorous fighting spirit.
Sakurajima Mai did not retreat; instead, she took a light half-step forward, further closing the already subtle distance between them.
A scent of her high-end perfume mixed with the unique atmosphere of the set lingered at the tip of Michiya Gōshin's nose.
She tilted her head slightly, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness, "Don't you want to call me by my name, Michiya-kun? We've known each other for so long; continuing to use honorifics actually seems strange, doesn't it?"
Sakurajima Mai deliberately dragged out her tone, her gaze locking tightly onto his eyes, carrying a slyness that seemed to see through everything.
"Or is it that, Michiya-kun, you feel our relationship can only remain here? Was your protection of me before... all just acting?"
Her offensive was so direct and ingenious, confidently revealing her relationship with Michiya Gōshin while mercilessly throwing the difficult problem back to him, carrying an elegant coercion.
The surrounding staff, who were pretending to be busy, couldn't hear the specific dialogue, but the ambiguous atmosphere between the two, almost solidifying into substance, made the air seem viscous.
Looking at this exquisite face close at hand, regarded as a goddess by countless people, Michiya Gōshin felt the confidence, expectation, and a hint of irrefutable dominance mixed in her words.
So, after thinking for a while, Michiya Gōshin just sighed.
When a girl says something like that, if he really refused, he would be too unappreciative.
He knew that in front of Sakurajima Mai at this moment, any vague avoidance would be futile and hurtful.
The next moment, the corners of Michiya Gōshin's lips curled up in an arc that held a bit of helplessness but was ultimately gentle.
"Alright, then I'll call you... Mai-san?"
He habitually tried to keep the last bit of buffer by adding the honorific suffix, but that name was spoken nonetheless.
Sakurajima Mai immediately caught this decisive concession. Her face instantly bloomed like fireworks, radiating a dazzling brilliance, as if all the sunlight had gathered on her alone.
She smiled with satisfaction, a trace of slyness and joy flashing in her eyes, like a little girl whose prank had succeeded.
"That's right. Since you're calling me by my name, I have to show something too. From now on, I won't use your surname either; I'll just call you Gōshin-kun, okay? That's fair."
The change in address was like an invisible barrier being broken, adding a special charm to the space between the two.
As a bystander and a woman, Kato Megumi could naturally understand many things, but as an artist's assistant, these matters were not for her to worry about; it was better to leave the decision to them.
After a while, Director Aoyama let out a full-throated "Action!", pulling everyone's attention back to work.
The entire studio instantly entered a state of high focus.
This scene filmed [Arisu Ryōhei] and [Usagi Yuzuha] taking a break in a safe corner of the ruins after solving a high-difficulty intellectual game, engaging in a key dialogue.
The lines contained probing of each other's motives, confusion about the future, and gradually sprouting trust and dependence. The emotional layers were rich, extremely testing the actors' inner performance and chemistry.
Amazingly, both Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai demonstrated top-tier professionalism.
Once entering the performance state, those private emotional waves from just now seemed to be instantly stored and sealed away.
Michiya Gōshin interpreted [Arisu Ryōhei]'s exhaustion from struggling out of desperate situations, the budding complex emotions for [Usagi Yuzuha], and the hope deep in his heart that he refused to give up, with absolute perfection.
As for Sakurajima Mai, who was always praised for her acting, it was even more so. She perfectly mastered [Usagi Yuzuha]'s softness beneath a cold exterior, the subtle shift of gradually opening her heart to [Arisu Ryōhei], and the desire to protect her companion, which was especially precious in the apocalypse.
Their interplay was smooth and flowing, sparks flying as their gazes met.
The emotion of snuggling together on the edge of life and death, and the quietly growing bond, were portrayed by them with great persuasiveness.
Especially when [Usagi Yuzuha] subconsciously reached out to brush away dust that had unknowingly stuck to [Arisu Ryōhei]'s cheek, that brief pause and eye contact held both the tacit approach between the characters and seemed to vaguely reflect emotional ripples that the actors themselves had not fully realized.
Behind the monitor, Director Aoyama stared tightly at the screen, his face showing uncontrollable excitement and satisfaction.
He couldn't help but whisper praise to the assistant director beside him, his voice carrying suppressed excitement.
"Perfect! Just perfect!"
"Although today is Michiya-kun's first day back on set, his condition is excellent, even more steady than before his injury, and Sakurajima-san is performing beyond extraordinary today!"
"Look at this tension between them, this subtle chemical reaction; they've completely brought to life the feeling of mutual attraction amidst despair in the script. This is exactly the [Arisu Ryōhei] and [Usagi Yuzuha] I wanted!"
The entire morning's shooting proceeded in this efficient and creative atmosphere.
During the afternoon break, Michiya Gōshin returned to the exclusive rest area and leaned back on the sofa, slightly exhausted, closing his eyes to rest.
Kato Megumi appeared silently as usual, handing over honey water at just the right temperature and a clean towel.
"Michiya-san."
Her voice was soft and calm as she proactively brought up a rather important matter.
"During your hospitalization and recovery, fans on social media have been very concerned about your status. Today is the first day of your official return to work; should you post an update to inform the fans? This can soothe everyone's emotions and also serve as promotion."
Michiya Gōshin felt this made sense, so he opened his eyes, took the phone, and began to draft the text for the Twitter update.
At this moment, the door to the lounge was gently pushed open, and Sakurajima Mai walked in. She had already taken off her costume jacket, making her figure appear even more slender, her face still carrying the emotions of the performance that hadn't completely faded.
"What are you busy with?"
She walked naturally to the single sofa beside Michiya Gōshin and sat down, her tone as casual as if chatting about daily life.
"Mai-san."
Michiya Gōshin was still a bit unaccustomed to this new address, so he paused slightly, "Kato-san just reminded me that I should post an update about returning to work."
Hearing this, a lively gleam instantly flashed in Sakurajima Mai's eyes. She turned sideways to face Michiya Gōshin, a highly infectious smile blooming on her face.
"That's perfect! Why don't we take a photo together? Consider it a reassurance for the audience who have been following Alice in Borderland, and proof that both [Arisu Ryōhei] and [Usagi Yuzuha] are full of energy, making everyone look forward to the broadcast even more."
This proposal was bold and direct.
Given their current national popularity and the super high popularity of this CP in the drama, even posting just a casual on-set photo would still trigger very heated discussion.
Michiya Gōshin was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked at Kato Megumi, seeking her opinion.
Kato Megumi remained with that eternally unchanging calm expression, nodding slightly as if to signify approval. From the perspective of Michiya Gōshin as an actor, doing this was not a problem.
"Would this... be too deliberate?"
Michiya Gōshin still had some concerns, mainly worrying that the interpretations triggered would spiral out of control.
"How could it be deliberate?"
The smile on Sakurajima Mai's face became even brighter, carrying that unique confidence and charm of hers that was impossible to resist.
"We are partners in the crew, and we are [Good Friends], so taking a photo together is perfectly normal! Come on, don't hesitate!"
As she spoke, she stood up proactively and walked to the armrest of the sofa where Michiya Gōshin was sitting.
Then she leaned down very naturally, her shoulder leaning intimately against his, and raised her phone, adjusting it to the front-facing camera.
Michiya Gōshin could even feel the slight itch of her hair brushing against the side of his neck, and the warm breath coming from her body.
"Come on, Gōshin-kun, look at the camera! Smile! Peace sign!"
Sakurajima Mai gave instructions in a brisk tone, flashing a brilliantly bright, slightly smug V-sign at the camera herself, her eyes sparkling.
Caught off guard by her sudden closeness and enthusiasm, Michiya Gōshin could only cooperatively turn to the camera under her expectant gaze, revealing a slightly helpless but still gentle smile, and reaching out to make a simple V-sign for victory.
"Click!"
The shutter sound rang out crisply, instantly freezing the scene.
In the photo, both were wearing costumes from the play, with the background being the slightly messy but life-filled lounge.
Sakurajima Mai leaned intimately against Michiya Gōshin's shoulder, her smile bright and dazzling, while Michiya Gōshin's smile was gentle with a hint of forced business helplessness, but the overall image was unusually harmonious, full of the aura of youth and an inexplicable CP feeling.
Sakurajima Mai took the phone, skillfully checked the photo, was quite satisfied with the lighting and angle, and then handed the phone back to Michiya Gōshin.
"Use this one! You decide the text, Gōshin-kun; a simple style is also very nice."
Looking at the overly "harmonious" photo on the screen, Michiya Gōshin thought for a moment, and finally uploaded the photo to his Twitter account.
He considered his wording and added the caption.
[Hello everyone, finally officially returned to the Alice in Borderland shooting site today. All is well. Thank you all for your continued concern and support.]
[Today, together with my important partner and senior Sakurajima-san, we are sprinting with all our might, wanting to present the best series for everyone.]
After this update was sent out, the fans following Michiya Gōshin instantly exploded. Everyone immediately rushed to the comments section to reply, and discussions in various fan groups immediately became active.
"Finally waited for Gōshin-kun to return to work! The condition looks great! Looking forward to the final plot!"
"Gōshin-kun is back in the crew, looking forward to it!"
"So handsome! Looking forward to [Arisu Ryōhei]'s debut!"
"Wait, so Sakurajima-san and Gōshin-kun have such a good relationship?"
"Am I the only one who thinks Sakurajima-san and Michiya-sensei are a perfect match? No wonder the director chose them to play the male and female leads."
"+1! This atmosphere is amazing, and they acted together in 49 before too, truly fate."
"Sakurajima-san is an actress who appeared in morning dramas; she's beautiful and has great acting skills. If she were together with Michiya-sensei, they would actually be a good match."
"No way! Sakurajima-san, stay away from him!"
"Yeah, that guy Michiya is a love reality show wolf, not a good man!"
"Sakurajima-san, you can't be deceived by him!"
The comments section and retweets were instantly flooded with various discussions. On one hand were those following Michiya Gōshin; on the other hand, this photo also attracted Sakurajima Mai's army of fans.
As an actress who debuted as a child star, Sakurajima Mai had a large number of fans, and they were very diverse, possessing great presence and spending power, which was also the commercial value she possessed.
This photo undoubtedly released an extremely special signal to the outside world, bringing more reverie to those following Alice in Borderland.
Time reached 9 PM, and the busy day of shooting finally ended.
Staff began to pack up equipment, and actors also started removing makeup and preparing to leave.
As lead actors, Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai both had independent dressing rooms. At Kato Megumi's signal, the staff considerately left space for them.
Only the two remained in the lounge, the air filled with the faint scent of makeup remover and an indescribable silence.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window, plating the room with a warm golden halo.
Sakurajima Mai did not leave immediately as usual. She sat in front of the vanity mirror, watching Michiya Gōshin organizing his things through the reflection.
Her heartbeat was a bit fast; the courage accumulated during the day was now clamoring in her chest.
There were some words she wanted to tell him right now.
"Gōshin-kun."
Sakurajima Mai turned around and looked him in the face, her expression unprecedentedly serious, shedding all disguises as an actress and the composure of a senior in the entertainment industry.
"How... do you see me?"
Michiya Gōshin's sorting movements paused; what must be faced could not be escaped in the end.
He turned around, meeting her direct and burning gaze, and gave a very ordinary answer,
"How else can I see you? Mai-san is my good friend and also a senior in the entertainment industry."
This was a non-answer answer.
So Sakurajima Mai took a deep breath, as if to use all her strength, and asked the question that had been hovering in her heart for a long time.
"Fine, then I want to ask you directly now, Gōshin-kun, do you... have someone you like right now?"
This question was so direct, like a sharp sword, instantly cleaving through all the ambiguous veils and piercing straight to the core of the issue.
Michiya Gōshin looked at the girl's determined face; at this moment, he thoroughly felt her feelings.
Liking someone is a very special situation. Perhaps due to spending a long time together, or perhaps due to some accidental opportunity, it always makes people unreasonably generate some scorching emotions, thereby losing their original rationality.
Sakurajima Mai, of course, had not lost her reason; instead, she was very calmly asking for the answer to this question.
After a while, Michiya Gōshin suddenly remembered his agreement with Kurokawa Akane. We Made a Beautiful Bouquet was estimated to start preparation and promotion soon; if he provoked another girl at this time...
His silence and contemplation were also a clear signal, accurately captured by Sakurajima Mai.
The girl's heart sank fiercely, and a sour premonition welled up in her heart, but what followed was not retreat, but a courage that was reignited.
Sakurajima Mai always firmly believed that happiness needs to be strived for by oneself, not waiting for the other party to take the initiative.
Her tone became calmer, her gaze locking tightly onto the person before her.
"It's because of... Kurokawa-san, right?"
This name being pointed out so clearly made Michiya Gōshin stunned again, and this reaction, in Sakurajima Mai's view, was almost equivalent to a tacit admission.
The air in the lounge seemed to freeze, leaving only the city noise faintly coming from outside the window and the sound of their breathing.
Sakurajima Mai looked at this man in front of her who made her heart flutter so much for the first time, even to the point of lowering her dignity to attack proactively, watching his frowned brows caused by inner entanglement, her heart was instantly filled with mixed feelings.
There was loss, jealousy, and unwillingness, but more than that, it was a re-evolution of determination.
She was Sakurajima Mai; from childhood to adulthood, she had always been number one.
Whether in acting or academics, she was the proudest and most dazzling one.
At this moment, Sakurajima Mai suddenly stood up and walked step by step in front of Michiya Gōshin, the distance so close that they could almost feel each other's body heat.
"Gōshin-kun, listen well."
Her voice was clear and powerful; every word seemed to strike in the silent room, and also strike on Michiya Gōshin's heart.
"I don't know what kind of agreement or story happened between you and Kurokawa-san, nor do I know if you have other hesitations in your heart, but..."
The girl's eyes were extremely determined, as if burning with a hot flame of emotion.
"I have always believed that men and women are equal in the face of feelings. Liking someone and proactively expressing one's feelings has nothing to do with gender, only with sincerity; it is a right everyone has."
She raised her chin slightly, the aura of the top actress standing tall in the entertainment industry fully unleashed, carrying a confidence akin to a declaration.
"I will not back down because of anyone else, nor will I give up easily."
"I believe in my judgment, and I believe in my charm."
"So... Gōshin-kun..."
She paused for a moment, staring burningly into Michiya Gōshin's somewhat bewildered eyes, and finally conveyed her emotions.
"I will definitely make you fall in love with me!"
"This... is the declaration belonging to me, Sakurajima Mai!"
"..."
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