"T-Then, Miss Urobuchi Gen… I wanted to ask, did you finish writing the rest of the script? I'd like to take a look."
Edward had originally planned to let Urobuchi leave, but after glancing at her, an uneasy feeling surged up in his heart. He suddenly felt he needed to see what she had written next.
Urobuchi paused briefly when she heard his question, then lightly nodded. Edward watched as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a thin script, handing it to him. He accepted it and began reading.
Zoroark, who was standing nearby, stared curiously. It was the first time it had ever seen its boss show such interest in a brand-new screenwriter. Looking at the cute young woman before them, Zoroark couldn't help but think she really did have a unique air about her—an aura that felt strangely distinctive.
But when it came to appearance… she definitely wasn't on the same level as big-name actresses. So, it couldn't be because Edward was attracted to her. And even if she were beautiful, Edward wouldn't look at her anyway—Miss Shizuka was already so adorable.
But Edward wasn't thinking about any of that at all. He was engrossed in reading the script, and his expression gradually twisted into something strange.
…
"Yuta, the student council elections are about to begin. Are you thinking of participating?"
The one speaking was Rukawa Kaede—a very handsome boy, and one of Chimoto Yuta's few close friends.
"Do I look like the student council president type to you? Our school requires the president to at least rank first in exams."
Yuta slumped over his desk helplessly. He had stayed up all night gaming yesterday and now felt like he was about to die.
"Tch, what's the difference between a salted fish and someone with no dreams? Aren't those your own words?"
Rukawa stretched lazily, teasing his friend.
"Dreams also need to stay within one's abilities, and you need motivation to put in effort. But I don't even have the motivation right now—so where exactly do you get the courage to tell me to chase a dream?"
Yuta rolled his eyes. After math class, his brain was nothing but a mess of formulas.
"I heard there's a strong candidate for student council secretary this time."
Seeing his friend already reduced to dried salted fish, Rukawa gave up convincing him and switched topics.
But no response came.
He turned around curiously—and saw that Yuta had somehow already fallen asleep, slumped over his desk.
"You little…"
Rukawa could only laugh bitterly.
"I wonder what you'll do once you find out the one running for secretary is your little sister."
He muttered softly.
"What?"
Unexpectedly, those words were like an alarm clock, immediately waking Yuta from his slumber.
"Huh? You didn't know? Your little sister is running for secretary. She is a first-year student after all."
Rukawa looked surprised.
Yuta raised his head. A terrible premonition washed over him. Knowing his stupid little sister, this basically meant that even if he didn't want to run for student council president, he would still have to.
Yuta knew his little sister all too well. Kaede always placed impossibly strict expectations on her big brother. No matter what, the older brother could never be inferior to the younger sister.
"What misfortune!"
Yuta wailed miserably.
"Rukawa, is the homeroom teacher still in the office? Are there any application forms left for the student council elections?"
Yuta's attitude instantly transformed into burning enthusiasm.
"Huh? Uh… maybe? I'm not too sure. Normally, once the candidate list is announced, you can't apply anymore…"
Rukawa said uncertainly.
"I'm going to find the teacher. If I'm not back before class starts, help explain it to her."
Yuta bolted out the door. He absolutely did not want to go home and face his sister's hostility.
…
Chimoto Kaede.
A model student in every respect. She scored first place in every exam, aced every subject, had perfect marks across the board, and excelled in making friends. Everyone praised her unanimously.
So, when she announced her candidacy for student council secretary, practically every other student with interest in the position immediately understood—this year's secretary seat was essentially predetermined.
Whenever her name was mentioned, from students to teachers, everyone raised their thumb in approval.
Even students who disliked her wouldn't deliberately oppose her right now—this was a trend no one could fight against.
…
"Kaede, congratulations~"
A stylish, fashionably dressed girl smiled sweetly at Chimoto Kaede, who sat before her.
Kaede lifted her head and returned a gentle smile. She knew this girl: Motoba Rion, the class president of Class A, and someone from a very well-off family.
"Thank you, Rion."
Kaede's smile radiated warmth like sunlight.
But if Yuta were present, he would instantly see through it—his sister's eyes contained no warmth. Deep down, Kaede disliked the girl in front of her. But because of her mother's upbringing, she maintained basic courtesy.
Rion, however, sensed the subtle shift. She frowned slightly. She could not understand why, ever since the start of the semester, Kaede treated her like an ordinary classmate and refused to grow close.
After all, she was Motoba Rion. Even the principal had to show her family some respect—the Motoba Corporation was her family's enterprise.
Kaede sneered inwardly. Since the day she enrolled, she had clearly seen through Motoba Rion's true nature. She despised hypocrites from the bottom of her heart.
"Rion, is there anything else?"
Kaede smiled politely, essentially telling her to leave. She didn't want to see her any longer.
"If you're free after school today, I'd like to invite you over for dinner."
Rion heard the dismissal but pretended not to. She had her own agenda.
"No, thank you. My brother will cook for me."
Kaede's smile remained gentle but coldly distant.
"You mean your brother, the second-year student Yuta from Class A? I'll invite him too. My father will be present as well."
Rion continued pressing, her tone carrying a hint of superiority.
What could that guy possibly cook? Instant noodles? How laughable. As long as I tell that useless brother that my father can offer him a job, he'll come scampering over.
Rion thought smugly.
She had thoroughly investigated the Chimoto siblings—their family background was no secret to her.
Kaede's expression instantly darkened. She coldly stared at the smiling Rion. This woman was getting on her nerves.
"Rion, sorry, but my brother and I have things to do today. We won't intrude on your dinner."
Her tone left no doubt that she was irritated.
"Are you going to buy flowers?"
Rion blurted out in annoyance at being snubbed, not even thinking before speaking.
"…"
Kaede fell silent. She lowered her head. Others might not understand the meaning behind Rion's words, but she did—tomorrow was the anniversary of their parents' deaths.
Rion realized her mistake too. She had essentially stabbed Kaede's deepest wound.
Before she could think of a way to remedy it, the bell rang. She had no choice but to return to her seat.
Kaede stared blankly out the window. Motoba Corporation… if all their buildings suddenly collapsed, they probably wouldn't even consider it a serious loss, right?
She coughed lightly, and tiny flecks of red fluttered into the air.
…
"Yuta, are you certain you want to run for vice president of the student council?"
The homeroom teacher of Class 2-A, Matsushima Kyoko, stared at him strangely.
Yuta and his sister were complete opposites. His test scores hovered dangerously above the passing line, he wasn't good at socializing, and the only club he joined was the literature club.
"Yes, teacher. I want to apply for vice president."
Yuta answered firmly.
"Are you sure…"
Kyoko was about to continue when—
The office door opened, and a long-haired "boy" walked in. Strangely, he was wearing the boys' uniform despite looking very much like a girl.
"Ah, you must be Kurehara, the candidate for student council president. What do you need?"
Kyoko greeted him warmly.
Kurehara? Kurehara Shizukawa?
Yuta was instantly stunned. Although he wasn't socially active, one of his friends adored gossip, so he knew exactly who this blushing person was.
The miraculous Kurehara!
Even after people learned "he" was actually male, countless boys still sent him love letters.
He was also the top student of the second-year grade.
Yuta unconsciously sized him up—long hair, big eyes, fair skin, a small cute face… everything about him screamed "beautiful girl."
"Um… d-do you… need something from the teacher…?"
Kurehara's face grew redder and even his ears flushed. He could feel Yuta's gaze.
…
Edward's brow twitched. He had already sensed something ominous brewing. For example—when the little sister coughed, that red stuff… what was that?
If this were someone else's script, he wouldn't overthink it. But unfortunately, the person before him was Urobuchi Gen—someone who forced you to overthink.
"Ahem… Miss Urobuchi Gen… is the little sister suffering from some incurable illness?"
Edward asked. She hesitated a moment.
"Actually… in my setting… it's the male protagonist who has an incurable condition… His soul and body are incompatible. The sister has been using her psychic powers to suppress it. And in the end, she realizes that the only way to cure her brother… is to exhaust all her abilities completely. So… in the end…"
She coughed lightly and whispered.
Edward's mouth twitched violently.
As expected of you!
Even Zoroark was shocked. She had watched the script from beginning to end—and precisely because she watched it all, she found it hard to comprehend. In her eyes, the sister was clearly the heroine, so why was the heroine dying!?
Edward took a deep breath. If it were any other writer, he would call this bold. But if it was Urobuchi Gen, then… this was simply normal. This woman's thought processes were terrifying. And this was probably just the beginning of her madness.
"All right. We'll film it according to your vision. For the budget, find a director and calculate it together. Let me know once shooting is complete."
Edward massaged his forehead. He still decided to approve the script. First, because it truly was interesting—this would become the pioneering work of isekai dramas in the Pokémon world. Years later, whenever people talked about isekai shows, they would inevitably reference this one.
It would become a milestone in the history of TV dramas—exactly what his company needed.
"Thank you, boss!"
Urobuchi said excitedly. For a new screenwriter like her, opportunities were extremely rare. For Edward to give her such a chance was… priceless.
He waved her away, and she left happily.
Edward leaned back, a playful smile forming as he looked at his computer screen. He remembered that the dramas in this world were interesting, but they had problems—too many "mainstream hero" plots, too much romance, as if writers were incapable of telling stories without love.
So having Urobuchi blow up the peaceful industry would be… entertaining. Very entertaining.
"But anyway, time to check something else first."
He rubbed his temples. He wasn't sure how the audience would feel after watching that drama—but for him, it would definitely be hilarious.
Watching viewers mentally collapse was always a joy.
For example—
He opened a website showing character ratings for The Grudge. A major page was hosting a "Rate the Characters of The Grudge" event.
[List the characters from The Grudge, and you rate them!]
[Saeki Takeo: 1/10]
[Shocking_Card Season 2 in Production: The man who founded The Grudge only gets 1 point?]
[Shocked_MyMomForAYear: A poor guy who suspected he was being cheated on, then found a diary full of his wife's longing for another man—this this this…]
[ThisIsMyMeme: If he were a little more patient and less violent, even if they divorced, none of this would have happened. He literally created The Grudge with his own hands.]
[Saeki Kayako: 10/10]
[Kayako_Stan4Life: Without a doubt, the strongest and scariest female ghost in horror film history! Deserves every point!]
[SorryImSorry: I'm sorry, Kayako… I… did something shameful to your photo last night…]
"These people…"
Edward's mouth twitched.
These netizens were absolutely insane.
(End of Chapter)