Chapter 410: Ichika: Do you want all five of us?
Filming was extremely boring.
Especially filming in a freezing place.
And an outdoor shoot, no less.
'Right when preparing to confess, something unexpected happens to the heroine's family… How could such a bizarre plot happen in real life? If it were me, even if something happened to the other person's family, I would still confess. The heroine is about to transfer schools; giving up confessing now—how can that be called "liking" someone?'
Movies needed logic, but no matter how illogical something was, as long as the internal logic matched, it worked. It could still be acted out, and the audience would just think the plot design was incredibly clever. Nobody would question things like: "How could such a low-probability event like getting hit by a car and sent flying ten meters happen while just walking on the street?"
Those were Sakurai Saki's thoughts after a morning of filming on a snowy street.
Otaru was a charming city, with snow all year round.
Beside them were independent red-roofed houses. Nearby was a mountain called Tengu Mountain; climbing up would allow one to see the entire nighttime view of Otaru.
Logically speaking, Hokkaido's geographical location shouldn't be this cold; it should be a place with pleasant four seasons and distinct climates. Sakurai Saki suspected something strange—perhaps some supernatural creature in the nearby sea was manipulating the weather, creating year-round snow.
Oh well. In a world with supernatural abilities, talking about geography and science truly was foolish.
"All right, that's a good take. Good work, everyone." Director Kinoshita, wearing a thick coat, called cut.
This scene of Sakurai Saki was excellent.
Mainly because the male lead was a high schooler; having an actual high schooler act like one was naturally perfect.
Not to mention Nakano Ichika's gaze—it really did look like she genuinely liked him. That look was absolutely superb!
Very soon.
A day of filming ended.
Sakurai Saki ate together with Nino and Ichika at a nearby restaurant.
While waiting for the food to arrive...
The three began chatting idly.
"Nino, you came all the way here too? You usually spend so much—does the allowance your dad gives you even cover it?"
"…Sakurai-san brought me here, and the money I'm spending is his."
"Huh?" Ichika blinked, then looked at the two sitting across from her.
Since when did these two become close enough to buy plane tickets for each other, even going on trips together?
It was over; the update patch rolled out too fast. She felt like she couldn't keep up.
Ever since she moved out of the Nakano family's luxury apartment, Ichika had been so busy with her career that she almost completely stopped paying attention to her sisters' relationships.
As a result, after just two months of not seeing them, Nino had already climbed all the way up?
She had guessed that Nino and Sakurai Saki had something going on, but she only thought they were being ambiguous—yet it seemed far from that simple!
"Nino, doing that isn't very good, you know?" Ichika asked: "How about letting me handle it instead? As an outsider, using sensei-chan's money like that is…"
Before she even finished speaking, Nino had already leaned right against Sakurai Saki and planted a kiss on his cheek.
After kissing him, she looked at Ichika and asked: "Understand now?"
The meaning was: "You still think I'm an outsider like that?"
Ichika, with a blank expression, nodded: "…Got it."
It's over.
These two probably rolled into bed long ago! Nino's movements were way too skilled! That kind of action perfectly portrayed the image of a "bad woman" secretly fooling around with a man who already has someone.
No! She is secretly fooling around behind Hayasaka's back!
Ichika couldn't accept it for a moment.
Her own dear sister had turned into a "Lancelot" like this!
"Sakurai Saki, do you want to explain yourself a bit?" Nakano Ichika smiled, fully pronouncing his entire name.
If Nino hadn't said it directly, she probably never would've known that her sister had this kind of relationship with Sakurai Saki.
"What does he need to explain?" Nino was like a foolish girl who got sold and still helped the trafficker count money: "I'm doing this willingly."
"Nino, acting as his lover like this… what about your status later?"
"As long as we get married, that's enough. I don't care about the rest." Nakano Nino thought very simply.
With Sakurai Saki's ability to travel between worlds, these worldly constraints meant nothing.
"..."
Nakano Ichika felt her little sister was way too stupid.
Or rather, she had given up too early.
Since she already had a relationship with Sakurai Saki, then just fight Hayasaka for him!
After all, she's just a girlfriend, not fiancée. If she wanted to cut in and compete, wouldn't she still have a chance?
But Nino didn't think of that?
She did think, and thought for a long time, but she realized… she didn't have the ability to do it!
It was better to be realistic.
Even the battle between Fujiwara Chika and Hayasaka Ai was that intense—if she jumped in, it would only be courting death!
Even if Shinomiya Kaguya came, it wouldn't help! Though Nino didn't think Shinomiya Kaguya would lower her noble head to enter Sakurai Saki's harem anyway.
"Ichika, everything you said, I've already thought about." Sakurai Saki rubbed his temples.
"My future plan is to push Chika to become Prime Minister, then bribe the parliament members to change the law…"
Nakano Ichika hadn't even heard the rest when she already looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Sensei-chan, let me interrupt for a second—who are you trying to make Prime Minister?"
"Chika."
"You're joking, right?"
"…No. Fine, I'm joking."
Sakurai Saki didn't intend to continue talking about this plan.
Mainly because Chika had said she didn't really want to be Prime Minister.
"In short, I can't let my sister fall into the abyss again. These past few days she's been sleeping with me, so don't even think of getting near her! Unless you choose to dump Hayasaka, then date Nino." Nakano Ichika looked at Sakurai Saki cautiously.
"Sure! It's been a while since I slept with you, Ichika." Nino said with a cheerful and unexpected tone.
Ichika: "…?"
She felt like there was something off with this girl.
Could it be she wanted to drag her into the harem? Bring her in first, then pull in Miku — who already liked sensei-chan — and finally Yotsuba and Itsuki… so he could gather all five sisters into his harem?
Hiss… what a terrifying plan!
"I was planning to sleep alone anyway."
Sakurai Saki didn't mind it much.
It's not like Nino didn't have legs to walk with. The three of them booked rooms in the same area, just one room apart.
There weren't many tourists here; the hotel was almost empty — the snowy scenery was beautiful, but this was just a countryside area. They said a director came to shoot a movie, so the local government supported a lot.
"After the shoot, do you want to go skiing?"
As Sakurai Saki spoke, the food was brought up.
Crab hotpot.
This place produced a lot of crabs; the cold climate made the crab meat delicious, firm, and sweet.
"Please enjoy your meal." Seeing the faces of the three, the staff quickly guessed they were part of the movie crew.
Because of the cold weather, the three, already starving, began eating dinner.
Ichika answered his earlier question:
"Not sure if I'll have time. My scenes and yours are separate. The reason you finished in one week is because even though you're the male lead, your script amount is only one-tenth of mine."
"The male lead has that little screen time?"
"That's why people say he's the 'mob character' type of male lead — aside from being handsome, he's got nothing else."
"…Feels like you're not complimenting me."
Ichika chuckled softly but didn't refute it.
Nino quietly leaned over and snatched the crab leg meat Sakurai Saki had just picked up to eat.
Then, like a little fox, she closed her eyes: "Delicious."
Sakurai Saki didn't get mad. He picked up another piece, blew on it to cool it, then brought it to her mouth: "Then eat more."
Seeing their intimate actions, Ichika's crab-eating speed increased noticeably.
She felt like she was nothing more than a giant light bulb.