The heavy apartment door closed slowly behind her, shutting out the chill and clamor of the winter night.
Kasumigaoka Utaha stepped into Michiya Gōshin's private domain for the first time, her wine-red eyes sweeping quickly and imperceptibly over the environment of the living room.
The apartment was tidy, the furnishings simple yet stylish. Several open reference books were placed on the coffee table, revealing traces of the owner's daily life and creative work.
A faint fragrance, similar to cedar, permeated the air. It was somewhat similar to the feeling Michiya Gōshin gave off—quiet, with a hint of detachment.
Of course, Michiya Gōshin actually had no plan for cleaning the room; most of the arrangement was tidied up by Kato Megumi.
"Please have a seat, Kasumigaoka-san."
Michiya Gōshin guided her to sit on the living room sofa, then sat down on the single sofa opposite her, separated by the coffee table piled with books.
"Would you like something to drink? Tea, or coffee?"
"Hot water is fine, thank you, Michiya-sensei."
Kasumigaoka Utaha gently placed the paper bag stamped with the "Hidemi Sugino" logo on a corner of the coffee table. With elegant movements, she took off her dark gray wool coat, revealing the form-fitting black high-neck cashmere sweater underneath, which further accentuated her slender figure.
She tucked her long hair behind her ear, her gaze sweeping over the reference books.
"I hope Michiya-sensei's creative train of thought hasn't been disturbed by my sudden visit?"
"Of course not. I was just thinking about other things. It just so happens that when Kasumigaoka-sensei knocked, I hadn't started writing yet."
Michiya Gōshin got up, went to the kitchen to pour a glass of hot water, returned to place it in front of her, and then sat back down, his gaze carrying an inquiry.
"So, what specific problems has Kasumigaoka-san encountered with Love Metronome?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha lifted the water glass, her fingertips feeling the warmth transmitting through the wall of the glass. She organized her language and began to elaborate on her thoughts.
"The current plot has developed to a point where the relationship between the male and female leads has entered a stable period. They have confirmed their feelings for each other, but having written so much pure, sweet interaction, it's inevitable to feel that the driving force of the plot is insufficient, lacking some... dramatic waves and interest."
She frowned slightly; that troubled look carried a beauty unique to a literary girl.
"After the inspiration from Michiya-sensei last time, I have decided to introduce a variable—a character who can stir up the existing relationship to a certain extent, but is not a 'third party' in the traditional sense."
Michiya Gōshin sat opposite her, listening seriously, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on his knee.
"Hmm, introducing a variable. What kind of character do you want to shape?"
"A female character who also holds a certain degree of affection for the male lead. What do you think?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha raised her eyes, looking directly at Michiya Gōshin, her eyes flickering with the light of conception.
"She doesn't have to be malicious; she can even be outstanding and charming. Her appearance might make the male lead realize that his current feelings are not a matter of course, and can also allow the female lead to display richer sides of her personality in response, such as hidden possessiveness, insecurity, or firmer trust."
"The key lies in how to grasp this 'degree,' so that she doesn't become annoying, yet can truly play a role in driving the plot and deepening the theme."
"Indeed. After all, Kasumigaoka-san writes pure romance stories, so you can't go too far."
Michiya Gōshin thought for a moment and began to analyze from this perspective.
As the discussion deepened, the two conducted a detailed exploration regarding this new character's positioning, the way she interacts with the protagonist, and the conflicts and reconciliations she might trigger.
Relying on his own writing ability, Michiya Gōshin proposed several quite constructive directions. For example, making this new character a reflection of an unfulfilled dream from the male lead's past, or forming a kind of mirror contrast with the female lead.
Her existence would not be to break up the male and female leads, but to allow the protagonists to see each other and their own hearts more clearly.
"Through these contrasts, not only can we create dramatic conflict, but we can also make both the male and female leads start thinking about the intent of love."
"Mm, I think so too."
Kasumigaoka Utaha listened extremely attentively; Michiya Gōshin's words opened up a brand-new train of thought for her.
"I understand what Michiya-sensei means. So, this new character I want to shape could perhaps become a mirror, reflecting those hidden cracks in the relationship between the male and female leads. Or conversely, through her existence, make the protagonists realize each other's irreplaceable uniqueness."
"Or, push a bit harder. By adding a new character, create suspense in the direction of the plot."
"Does Michiya-sensei mean... playing the 'stock market'?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha knew what Michiya Gōshin meant. If she added a new female lead to her novel and simply increased the scenes of interaction with the male lead, then readers would generate new thoughts and associations regarding who would win.
"More or less, but this degree needs to be controlled."
Michiya Gōshin nodded in agreement.
"The key lies in this new character's own independence and complexity. She cannot just be a functional 'touchstone'; she herself should also have her own arc and dilemmas. This way, the whole story will have more layers and a sense of reality."
"If Kasumigaoka-san is clear that the male and female leads must end up together, then this degree must be controlled within a manageable range."
"Indeed. But before shaping these things, I feel we still need to strengthen the male lead's charm."
Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly smiled, those beautiful wine-red eyes staring tightly at Michiya Gōshin's face.
"After all... if the male lead's own charm isn't enough, on what basis would he attract the gazes of two such outstanding female leads?"
"Mm, true."
"Then, Michiya-sensei, can you tell me about your own views on this aspect?"
"My views..."
Michiya Gōshin casually agreed a couple of times, but after a moment, facing Kasumigaoka Utaha's intense stare, he seemed to realize something.
"Wait... Kasumigaoka-san, you aren't planning to use me for 'research,' are you?"
"Hehe."
Hearing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha gave a light laugh. Immediately, the corners of her mouth, coated with red lipstick, slowly curled into an extremely sly smile.
She did not directly deny it, but instead responded with a frank tone.
"Half and half, I suppose. Since getting to know Michiya-sensei, I can often see news about you."
She lifted the water glass, gently swirling the clear hot water inside, her gaze looking through the misty steam toward Michiya Gōshin.
"Since becoming neighbors with Michiya-sensei, the continuous stream of 'scandals' and 'female friends' around you has indeed provided me with quite rich observation material. A young male situated at the center of complex interpersonal relationships, surrounded by women each possessing their own charm—their thoughts, as well as your own responses—this is a rare close-up perspective."
"That really is a lucky find for you."
Michiya Gōshin smiled. As a fellow creator, Kasumigaoka Utaha's attitude felt very real to him. After all, he had done plenty of research himself, though mostly to gain Experience for his Entries.
Now that the roles were reversed, he found it quite novel.
"Michiya-sensei, me doing something like this... do you find it offensive?"
In the next moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha added another sentence, staring seriously into his eyes.
"If you find it offensive, I can take back my words. After all, this kind of thing requires both parties to be willing."
"..."
Michiya Gōshin was stunned for a moment, then laughed and shook his head.
He did not feel offended, only a bit surprised. Moreover, he believed Kasumigaoka Utaha wouldn't ask questions that were too offensive.
"Of course not. For a writer to do some research in order to write an even more excellent work is naturally understandable."
Michiya Gōshin smiled and rubbed his chin. "However... shouldn't I collect some copyright fees?"
"If there is anything Michiya-sensei needs me to do, I can also offer a return gift."
Ever since Michiya Gōshin took care of her when she was sick last time, Kasumigaoka Utaha had been thinking about how to get along with him.
Although both of their identities were writers, their creative fields were not the same. Furthermore, the other party had a steady personality; if they continued to communicate using dignified creator identities, she feared they would never be able to truly open their hearts to each other.
But now, through this joking manner, they could better open up the situation and have the opportunity to become closer friends.
"Is that so? That's not bad."
Michiya Gōshin roughly sensed Kasumigaoka Utaha's state of mind and felt this was fine too.
The two looked at each other and smiled. The thin layer of ice that had existed because they weren't particularly close seemed to gradually melt away.
The shared identity of creators, and the frankness of laying the matter of "research" out in the open, conversely made the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious.
As the two became more familiar, some of Kasumigaoka Utaha's own "true colors" began to slowly surface.
"So, Michiya-sensei, regarding these few 'heroine candidates' currently surrounding you, what do you think yourself?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned forward slightly, her elbows resting on her knees, her palms propping up her chin, assuming a posture of serious listening.
Michiya Gōshin was rendered somewhat speechless by this question. He smiled helplessly.
"Kasumigaoka-san, real life isn't a novel. There are no pre-set scripts or character positionings. Everyone is an independent individual, and feelings aren't simple genre classifications."
He paused, his tone becoming a bit more serious. "Regarding feelings, I actually really don't hav—"
"For real? Has Michiya-sensei never been in a relationship?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's pretty face immediately revealed a look of utter disbelief. "Michiya-sensei is good-looking and overflowing with talent; it's impossible that you haven't had a girlfriend, right?"
"Indeed, I haven't."
Michiya Gōshin spread his hands.
"Compared to me, Kasumigaoka-san writes romance novels, so your romantic experience must be very rich, right? I see your emotional descriptions are very delicate."
He directly turned the tables, questioning her closely. "Perhaps later on, I can even seek you out to ask about some things."
"Uh..."
Hearing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha's pretty face instantly froze. Facing Michiya Gōshin's pursuit, she could only slowly squeeze out a few words.
"Actually... I haven't been in a relationship either."
"Eh~?"
Michiya Gōshin deliberately dragged out the sound, a playful look of 'eating bad food but having to make an exaggerated reaction' surfacing on his face.
"You actually haven't?"
"..."
In the next moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha narrowed her eyes. "Michiya-sensei... truly seeks revenge for the smallest grievance."
"Likewise."
This late-night gathering gradually turned into a casual chat between two creators.
Kasumigaoka Utaha's sharp and precise tsukkomi often made Michiya Gōshin cry with laughter, while Michiya Gōshin's steady and insightful analysis also allowed her to gain a lot.
The relationship between the two became more familiar; jokes could be cracked freely.
This feeling made Michiya Gōshin feel quite peculiar.
Since becoming a real actor, he rarely had such exchange opportunities with the girls around him.
Sakurajima Mai launched atmospheric and bright direct attacks at him, Kurokawa Akane was full of affectionate obedience, and there was Kato Megumi's almost responsive-to-every-plea thoughtful care. Almost no member of the opposite sex would actively crack jokes at his expense.
Only Kasumigaoka Utaha would do such a thing.
Time passed quietly just like this, amidst their relaxed discussion and the occasional light laughter.
When the night outside the window grew deeper, Kasumigaoka Utaha finally rose to take her leave. Michiya Gōshin walked her to the door.
Putting on her coat, Kasumigaoka Utaha's small hand grasped the door handle, but then she stopped. Turning back, the corridor light cast soft shadows on her face, and the smile on her face carried a subtle charm.
"Thank you for your guidance tonight, Michiya-sensei."
She paused, her wine-red eyes flickering with a sly light like a fox.
"I am very much looking forward to the Grand Finale."
Michiya Gōshin was stunned for a moment. "What Grand Finale?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha laughed softly aloud. Her voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet corridor, carrying undisguised teasing and anticipation.
"Of course, it is Michiya-sensei's own Grand Finale. It depends on whom you will choose in the end, or rather, let's see how this grander script called Life... will write out the final answer."
Having said this, without waiting for Michiya Gōshin's response, she turned gracefully, the sound of her high heels clicking against the ground gradually fading away.
Michiya Gōshin stood at the door, watching her retreating figure. Finally, it could only turn into a helpless bitter smile as he gently closed the door.
This neighbor, peer, and friend seemed even sharper than he had imagined.
A few days later, at a carefully arranged shooting location somewhere in Tokyo, the production crew of We Made a Beautiful Bouquet officially started filming.
A special atmosphere mixed with anticipation, nervousness, and creativity permeated the air of the set.
Casting had already been successfully completed. aside from the internally decided male and female leads, Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane, the other few supporting roles and some passerby roles with lines also had their candidates.
What made Michiya Gōshin somewhat surprised but also feel it was within expectations was that he actually saw the figures of Asakura Toru and MEM-cho on the set.
Asakura Toru had successfully passed the audition and secured a passerby role with not much screen time—one of the female lead Hachiya Kinu's friends in university. She had only a few lines of idle chat regarding studies or daily life, as well as a few shots in the background attending class or drinking coffee together. Her total screen time might only add up to a few minutes.
But for her, this was already an important step toward "the world where Michiya Gōshin is," a proof of transforming that hazy concern into actual action.
As for MEM-cho, being a full-time influencer, her time was relatively free. Coupled with her close relationship with Asakura Toru, she came to the set under the name of visiting and accompanying her good friend. Her lively personality could also alleviate the pressure for the somewhat nervous Asakura Toru.
After a while, the core creative team of the crew appeared collectively.
The director Suo Hayato chose for this movie was another well-known director under Nenshi—Doi Kiwa.
This was an uncle around fifty years old, with slightly graying hair, wearing black-framed glasses, and always wearing a cheerful look. However, he was renowned in the industry for being skilled at capturing delicate emotions and creating a life-like atmosphere, especially favoring the depiction of the drama hidden within the daily lives of ordinary people.
"Michiya-kun, I've heard a lot about you!"
Director Doi warmly grasped Michiya Gōshin's hand, shaking it vigorously, his smile amicable.
"I've read this script of yours back and forth several times. It's written wonderfully. I'm very much looking forward to this collaboration with you!"
"Director Doi, you flatter me. Being able to collaborate with you is my honor; I still need your guidance."
Michiya Gōshin responded humbly, maintaining respect for this senior who was experienced and had obviously understood the core of the script. He knew that Director Doi's style fit the tone of We Made a Beautiful Bouquet very well.
After the pleasantries, the crew quickly entered the formal filming stage.
Since We Made a Beautiful Bouquet adopted a narrative structure of flashbacks and interspersed dual perspectives, the filming order did not follow the script's timeline.
The scenes filmed on the first day cut in from the perspective of the female lead, [Hachiya Kinu], displaying her hobbies and fragments of daily life, laying the foreshadowing for her subsequent encounter and resonance with [Yamane Mugi].
Kurokawa Akane had long been prepared.
When she stood in front of the camera, she instantly turned into that girl who was somewhat introverted, loved literature and movies, and was full of her own unique perceptions of the world.
The focus and joy revealed in her eyes when flipping through old books, the cautiousness when her fingertips brushed over the pages.
The lazy yet satisfied, slightly swaying lower legs when she was alone in the apartment eating bread while reading manga. Every detail was grasped just right, natural and vivid.
Kurokawa Akane not only acted out the role's form but also captured the spirit of that "otaku" and "purity" immersed in her own spiritual world—that temperament not yet completely tainted by worldly ways, carrying a bit of clumsiness yet being incomparably sincere.
Even Director Doi, who had always been strict, couldn't help but nod repeatedly while watching the monitor playback, whispering praise to the assistant director beside him.
"Kurokawa-san's acting is even more delicate than I imagined. Her understanding of the character's inner world is very thorough. We really struck gold."
"After all... the male lead is Michiya-san."
The assistant director was a woman with sharper observational skills. Although Kurokawa Akane's acting was very good, every time she looked at Michiya Gōshin, the light in her eyes was hardly restrained at all.
Hss... could this be acting in her true colors?
The assistant director had such a thought on the very first day.
Immediately following was Michiya Gōshin's scene, unfolding from the perspective of the male lead, [Yamane Mugi].
Michiya Gōshin changed into a somewhat loose hoodie and jeans fitting the character's identity. When he walked into the frame, that temperament of a university student—slightly green, somewhat lost, yet holding a yearning for certain things—began to flow out.
The absent-mindedness while working part-time at a fast-food restaurant, the gaze drifting out the window while wiping tables, carrying weariness for repetitive labor and a faint longing for the unknown distance.
When taking photos on the street, the focused look in [Yamane Mugi]'s eyes when he squatted down to find a unique angle, as if the whole world was concentrated in the viewfinder.
Michiya Gōshin's performance was completely natural, especially that clean smile carrying a hint of loneliness, as well as some inadvertent small movements; all were highly compatible with Yamane Mugi in the script.
[Production Queue 1: Proficient Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao]
[Experience: 85/100]
[Experience: 86/100]
He precisely captured Yamane Mugi's sensitivity and richness beneath the "ordinary," the quality of being inconspicuous in a crowd yet possessing a complete inner universe.
"Good! Very good! Michiya-kun, that's the feeling!"
Director Doi spoke through the walkie-talkie, his voice carrying hard-to-suppress excitement.
"Hold it! As expected of the script's creator, Michiya-kun's understanding of the character is very spot-on. The emotional delivery is accurate; we want this sense of reality."
Meanwhile, on the periphery of the set, far from the main shooting area, Asakura Toru and MEM-cho stood quietly.
Asakura Toru had already changed into a simple costume, a plain dress. Her scenes were a bit later.
Her gaze, as if attracted by a magnet, firmly followed the figure under the spotlight who was shedding talent and charm—Michiya Gōshin.
Watching him communicate calmly with Director Doi, watching his masterful performance in front of the camera, seeing him convey such rich emotional layers through just his eyes and subtle movements.
"Michiya-kun's acting is really amazing."
MEM-cho stood beside her, sharply capturing the emotions churning in her good friend's eyes.
She gently nudged Asakura Toru with her elbow, lowering her voice, her tone full of encouragement.
"Toru-chan, this is the world you yearn for. Although it's just the beginning now, I believe that as long as you work hard, one day, you can also stand in that light like them and become an even more amazing actor!"
Asakura Toru withdrew her gaze and looked at the good friend beside her. She nodded vigorously, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as if cheering herself on. Her voice was light, yet exceptionally firm.
"Yes, I haven't been confused recently. Since I've found the place I want to be close to, I will definitely walk forward slowly."
The girl's cyan pupils burned with a clear fighting spirit. The former Asakura Toru couldn't work up interest in many things, and her enthusiasm for being an idol actually wasn't that high.
But after knowing Michiya Gōshin, some things had long since quietly changed.
"I will always support Toru-chan!"
MEM-cho hugged her arm forcefully, her face full of a gentle smile.
They didn't notice that not far behind them, Kato Megumi was standing there quietly.
The girl held the coat Michiya Gōshin had taken off earlier in her arms, her gaze calmly observing the filming in the center of the set.
Asakura Toru's words had clearly drifted into her ears just now, but there was no change of expression on Kato Megumi's face, not even a ripple in her eyes.
Immediately, she looked away.
Continuing to silently fulfill her duties as an "Artist Assistant."
________________________________________
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