The filming progress of We Made a Beautiful Bouquet was like the steadily rising temperature in spring; everything was advancing in an orderly manner.
After Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane successfully completed those key intimate scenes, the relationship between the two seemed to quietly enter a new stage.
That tacit understanding born from joint creation, mixed with emotional ripples from inside and outside the drama that were hard to completely peel away, formed a unique sense of intimacy.
During breaks on set, the two would occasionally sit side by side on the sofa in the rest room, sharing a cup of coffee and whispering discussions about upcoming scenes.
Or they would just quietly read their scripts individually, a natural and comfortable silence flowing in the air.
After the previous intimate contact, Kurokawa Akane would now, in the rest room with no outsiders present, slightly tilt her head and lean on Michiya Gōshin's solid shoulder for a nap, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
Although Michiya Gōshin wouldn't actively make overly intimate moves, he didn't show rejection to this degree of closeness. He would only feel a bit surprised occasionally when she leaned over, then relax and let that warmth and weight lean on him.
On the other hand, with Michiya Gōshin's popularity continuing to climb and the positive effects brought by the successful reversal of the previous scandal, his public attention and commercial value stepped up another level.
Work offers naturally came fluttering in like snowflakes, impossible to be limited to just the filming of this current movie.
As his most capable and reliable artist assistant, Kato Megumi was always able to efficiently classify these offers by priority, screening out some too ordinary jobs in advance.
In the car heading to the set or returning home after work, Kato Megumi would use these fragmented times to report the upcoming schedule to Michiya Gōshin.
Her voice was calm and gentle as always, like broadcasting a weather forecast.
"Michiya-san, after filming ends tomorrow afternoon, there is an exclusive interview with OVERTURE magazine at 7 PM. It lasts about an hour, mainly revolving around filming insights for Alice in Borderland and your recent acting plans."
"There are no scenes for you this Thursday morning. An advertisement shoot for a men's skincare brand has been arranged; the script and concept art have already been sent over."
Most of these jobs were exposure-oriented interviews, magazine shoots, or commercial endorsements. Although individually they weren't particularly major, many grains of sand build a tower; they were crucial for maintaining and elevating his public image.
Michiya Gōshin would usually listen while flipping through the script or resting with his eyes closed, only occasionally nodding or simply responding with "Understood" or "Kato, you arrange it."
Recently, he had poured most of his energy into the filming of We Made a Beautiful Bouquet and character shaping.
For these external affairs, he chose to fully trust Kato Megumi's professional ability.
That evening, on the way home after work, the city neon lights shone through the car window onto Michiya Gōshin's slightly tired yet still lucid face.
He didn't flip through the script or rest as usual but focused his mind and looked at his System panel.
[Production Queue 1: Proficient Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao]
[Experience: 98/100]
[Experience: 99/100]
[Experience: 100/100]
[Production Complete!]
[Obtained Entry: [Proficient Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao (Green)].]
After the Entry production was completed, Michiya Gōshin glanced at his System panel.
[Newcomer Actor (Green)] + [All Living Things (White)] + [Proficient Sheng-Tai-Xing-Biao (Green)] = [Lead-Level Acting (Purple)]
"Synthesize."
[Congratulations on obtaining [Lead-Level Acting (Purple)]!]
In the next moment, a massive amount of sentiment surged into his mind.
Michiya Gōshin closed his eyes and began to recall his acting scenes from this period.
Various filming fragments replayed frame by frame in his mind. He clearly perceived a subtle change. Acting, many times, didn't require deliberate mobilization of emotions or designed movements, but needed to interpret deeper things.
Resonance with the soul and deep entry into the character's inner world could allow the performance to gain more perfect power.
A lead must attract the gazes of all the audience.
"Hmm..."
After about ten minutes or so, after completing the evolution of his acting skills, Michiya Gōshin looked at the System panel again.
After obtaining [Lead-Level Acting], it was currently impossible to obtain higher-tier performance skills unless the Entry Production Station was upgraded again.
So he quickly found that Entry synthesis path regarding songs according to his previous plan.
[Lyric Writing (Green)] + [Music Theory Mastery (Green)] = [Song Producer (Purple)]
"It's better to choose music theory knowledge first. I need to lay a good foundation to go further."
Michiya Gōshin pondered for a moment. His own music theory knowledge was almost a blank slate. If he wrote lyrics directly, it would be easy to give the game away.
[Music Theory Mastery (Green)]
[Producible]
[Production Condition: Gain 100 points of Music Knowledge Experience.]
Thus, in the next moment, he put [Music Theory Mastery (Green)] into the Entry Production Station.
[Production Queue 1: Arrangement Mastery (Green)]
[Experience: 0/100]
Putting the Entry into the Production Station, Michiya Gōshin confirmed the direction of his next efforts. After taking out his phone and searching for a while, he clicked open an APP named "Music Theory Basics".
He chose to start from the most boring but also most foundational theory.
If he had time later, Michiya Gōshin also wanted to receive some professional education; that would be perfect.
Returning home at night, after sending off Kato Megumi, Michiya Gōshin thought of his little friends, so he clicked open the chat group established because of the love reality show—[Love Variety Six-Person Group].
Michiya Gōshin typed in the input box: [Sorry to disturb everyone. I want to ask, does anyone know any relatively good music theory classrooms or professional teachers in Tokyo that focus more on practice? I want to systematically learn music theory knowledge.]
After the message was sent, he received replies very quickly.
MEM-cho: [Wow! Michiya-kun, are you going to learn music theory? You can act and write scripts, and now you want to continue learning. Give everyone else some living space.]
Kumano Nobuyuki: [Sounds complicated. The ones I know are dancers; there don't seem to be singers.]
Morimoto Kengo: [I studied for a period before playing in a band, but I was self-taught. I heard from a friend that there's a classroom with good reviews over in Shinjuku called 'Sound Space'. If you want to learn, Michiya, I can ask for the specific contact info for you.]
Kurokawa Akane also popped up: [Why is Yu-kun interested in music? I can ask for you.]
After Michiya Gōshin's question, the group of people who usually didn't chat much actually gathered together quickly like this, and the group instantly became lively.
Everyone was talking at once, providing information and suggestions; the atmosphere was harmonious.
Michiya Gōshin screened the useful information while watching the messages jumping out constantly.
Just then, his phone suddenly vibrated, prompting a new private message.
He clicked to look; it was sent by Asakura Toru.
Asakura Toru: [Michiya-kun, saw you asking about music theory classrooms in the group. What a coincidence. Our [Noctchill] is also strengthening training in music recently to prepare for our live. I go to a music classroom for class every week. The teachers there are very professional, and the atmosphere is good too. Many entertainers and singers go there for advanced studies or private lessons.]
Asakura Toru: [If you are interested, how about I take you together next time?]
Her tone was natural and carried just the right amount of enthusiasm, without any coyness, as if just helping a friend in passing.
Asakura Toru's personality wasn't that of a shy little girl but carried a unique charm. Although on the surface her emotional fluctuations weren't many, she would never do meaningless things.
After seeing this message, Michiya Gōshin was a bit surprised, but soon felt this was indeed a good choice.
Recommended by a familiar person, it could save a lot of screening and trial-and-error costs.
So he typed a reply: [Sounds pretty good. Thank you, Asakura. I wonder if they accept zero-basis students like me over there?]
Asakura Toru replied almost instantly: [Of course they accept. Many actors go to learn for roles or personal interest. Moreover, the teachers will formulate teaching plans according to everyone's foundation and goals. Michiya-kun, if you want to go experience it first, I have a class tomorrow. I can take you to see the environment together.]
Not only did she provide information, but she also actively issued a sincere invitation. It was indeed hard to refuse.
Michiya Gōshin thought for a moment. Tomorrow afternoon he happened to have no scenes, a half-day break.
So he replied: [Okay, then I'll trouble you to lead the way tomorrow.]
Asakura Toru: [No problem. I know your home address. I'll go pick you up tomorrow. Is 2 PM okay?]
After nailing down the meeting time and location, Michiya Gōshin put down his phone and looked out the window.
He didn't think much of it, only feeling this was a good method to solve the problem efficiently.
The next afternoon, Michiya Gōshin appeared downstairs at the apartment with Kato Megumi at the agreed time.
He was wearing simple dark casual pants and a hoodie, wearing a baseball cap and mask, doing basic concealment. Kato Megumi, on the other hand, was in a professional suit as always, holding a tablet and schedule book in her hand.
Not long after, a taxi stopped smoothly in front of them.
The window lowered, revealing Asakura Toru's face wearing a bright smile.
She was dressed very energetically today: an oversized cream-colored knit sweater paired with a plaid skirt and knee socks. Her short hair was very refreshing, and she wore light makeup on her face, appearing youthful and sweet.
"Michiya-kun, I'm here."
She opened the car door and walked down, her movements crisp and neat.
"Asakura, sorry to trouble you today."
Michiya Gōshin stepped forward and greeted her gently.
"No trouble, no trouble!"
Asakura Toru smiled slightly, her gaze turning to Kato Megumi behind Michiya Gōshin, nodding politely in greeting.
"Is Kato-san coming together too?"
Kato Megumi bowed slightly, her tone calm and waveless. "Yes, Asakura-san. As Michiya-san's assistant, I need to accompany him and handle related affairs."
Her reason was impeccable, and Michiya Gōshin was also very used to having Kato Megumi following along.
"Ah, okay. Of course, no problem."
Asakura didn't seem surprised, stepping aside naturally. "Then Michiya-kun, and Kato-san, please get in!"
After the three got in the car, the vehicle drove smoothly toward the music classroom located in Shibuya Ward.
The space inside the car was quite spacious. Asakura Toru naturally sat in the seat next to Michiya Gōshin and began introducing the music classroom named "Harmony Plus" to him.
"Harmony Plus has a very good reputation in the industry. The teachers are either professional lecturers from music conservatories or musicians with rich industry experience."
Asakura Toru introduced, her tone familiar.
"Besides basic music theory, they also have courses for vocal training, instrument playing, and even music production. Many idols, singers, and some actors who want to expand their skills choose this place. The environment also pays great attention to privacy, with a dedicated artist channel and personal practice rooms with very good soundproofing."
Michiya Gōshin listened seriously, occasionally asking one or two questions.
Kato Megumi sat in the passenger seat, silently using the tablet to query public information and reviews about "Harmony Plus," while recording key points to note.
The vehicle soon arrived at the destination.
The "Harmony Plus" music classroom was located on the upper floors of a quite modern-looking commercial building. Three floors belonged to this music classroom. Just as Asakura Toru said, there was a dedicated underground parking lot and an elevator directly reaching specific floors, avoiding unnecessary onlookers to the greatest extent.
However, just as the elevator doors opened on the target floor and the trio of Michiya Gōshin, Asakura Toru, and Kato Megumi walked out, a burst of slightly noisy chatting belonging to young girls came from the rest area ahead.
One could see three young girls with distinct styles sitting impressively on the sofa in the rest area. They seemed to be waiting for something, their gazes cast in unison toward the trio just walking out of the elevator.
The leading girl had soft light tea-colored long hair, the ends slightly curled, like a delicate doll.
Her features were extremely exquisite, her skin fair and translucent, but her eyes carried a feeling of innocent romance. She was wearing a well-tailored white dress with a pale yellow jacket draped over it. She was Ichikawa Hinana, one of the members of the [Noctchill] group, one year younger than Asakura Toru.
The other girl sitting beside her possessed blue-black long hair tied into cute twin tails. Her face was round, carrying baby fat that hadn't faded. A pair of large eyes were like pure amber, flickering with the light of curiosity and liveliness. Her name was Fukumaru Koito. Because her personality was relatively shy, she lowered her head slightly.
The last girl possessed brown short hair, the strands slightly curled, appearing very spirited. She also wore a red hairpin, adding a touch of bright color to her overall look. Those violet-red eyes looked very special, and there was a mole under her eye, making her gaze reveal a trace of unique charm amidst the indifference.
Her name was Higuchi Madoka.
These three were precisely the other three members of the [Noctchill] group.
At this moment, the gazes of the three girls were all focused on the male walking beside Asakura Toru, who, although wearing a baseball cap and mask, had an upright figure and outstanding temperament.
"Senpai?!"
Ichikawa Hinana was the first unable to resist calling out, her voice filled with surprise. She widened her amber eyes, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Asakura Toru and Michiya Gōshin. Although Fukumaru Koito was shy, she still couldn't help looking at the two standing there.
And Higuchi Madoka, who always had a cold expression and seemed unable to work up much interest in anything, reacted very uniquely after seeing Michiya Gōshin—the girl stood up directly. Because she had watched Love Letter before and even obtained Michiya Gōshin's autograph through Asakura Toru, she revealed... a reaction of seeing an idol.
"Eh? Why are you guys here?"
Asakura Toru looked at these three teammates of hers, her expression somewhat surprised. "Didn't you say you weren't coming here to practice today?"
"Hehe..." Ichikawa Hinana smiled.
And seeing her reaction, Asakura Toru immediately turned her head to look at Michiya Gōshin beside her, explaining.
"Um, I'll speak a few words with them first. Sorry to trouble you to wait a moment, Michiya-kun."
"That's fine."
Michiya Gōshin nodded, nodding towards her teammates.
Then, Asakura Toru pulled the three girls to the side. She seemed to have realized something, so she asked actively.
"Did you guys come on purpose?"
"Aren't we worried about you, Senpai? Hearing you were going to bring a special friend to visit, of course we had to come take a look."
Ichikawa Hinana was naturally lively and couldn't hide words; her curiosity was completely written on her face.
Fukumaru Koito also chimed in softly, a kind smile on her face, her voice still soft.
"Mm-hm, Senpai has indeed mentioned Michiya-san a bit too many times recently..." Although she was shy and afraid of strangers, her personality was serious, so she had long noticed her teammate's abnormality.
Higuchi Madoka didn't speak. She was actually a bit curious too, wanting to know what exactly the relationship was between her childhood friend and Michiya-sensei.
"Don't ask like that. Michiya-kun just wants to learn music theory. I happened to know this place is not bad, so I introduced him to come over."
Facing the teammates she spent time with day and night, Asakura Toru naturally wouldn't reveal any shy emotions, introducing the situation quite calmly.
"Is that so."
"Alright, stop making a fuss. I'm going to take Michiya-kun to register." Asakura Toru actually carried a bit of a leader's implication in the foursome, so she would often guide everyone in making decisions.
"Understood."
Ichikawa Hinana glanced at Higuchi Madoka beside her again. She knew the other party was a book fan of Michiya Gōshin, so she passed her a look.
However, Higuchi Madoka just shook her head because she hadn't prepared herself to converse with Michiya Gōshin yet.
"Then I'm going over first. You guys remember to be a bit well-behaved."
Under the gaze of the three girls, Asakura Toru walked back to Michiya Gōshin's side and heard his question.
"Are they your teammates, Asakura? They look like very outstanding idols."
"Because everyone works very hard."
"Mm."
When Asakura Toru stood beside Michiya Gōshin, she suddenly discovered Kato Megumi's figure was gone.
"Eh, where is Kato-san?"
"Oh, she went to inquire and register for me," Michiya Gōshin smiled. "And she should also pay the fee for me along the way."
Having collaborated for so long, there was a time when Michiya Gōshin forgot to bring his wallet when drinking, so later Kato Megumi actively handled this job too, avoiding the embarrassment of him being unable to pay the bill.
"Is that so?"
Asakura Toru was slightly stunned, the image of that girl with short hair involuntarily rising in her mind.
Just then, Kato Megumi had already handled the registration procedures and walked back.
"Michiya-san, it's already done. Based on your zero-basis situation and time schedule, the teacher here recommends you take small-class basic music theory lessons twice a week first. Here are the class schedule and teaching materials."
She handed a document to Michiya Gōshin. "In addition, I also booked a trial lesson for you this afternoon. The teacher is already waiting in the classroom."
"Efficiency is really high. Thanks for your hard work, Kato."
Michiya Gōshin took the materials and nodded appreciatively, then looked at Asakura Toru. "Asakura, then I'll go to class first. Thank you for bringing me over."
"...Good luck, Michiya-kun."
Watching Kato Megumi closely following Michiya Gōshin's side, Asakura Toru remembered her good friend MEM-cho's murmuring.
"Asakura-chan, the person you need to watch out for isn't just Akane-chan."
________________________________________
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