The second episode of Love is a Required Course in Life aired on schedule amidst great anticipation.
Following the explosive popularity of the first episode, the show had secured many big-name sponsors. After a long string of commercials, the view cut to the familiar studio, where the four commentators were already prepared.
"Welcome back to Love is a Required Course in Life!"
Host Sato Kenta was full of energy. "Last week's preview teased the main content for today's episode. It's the very first official outing date! I'm truly excited to see who will successfully pair up with whom."
"That's right!" actress Suzuki Nana chimed in excitedly. "I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of plans the girls came up with."
Screenwriter Honda Saori nodded with a smile. "And based on the rules announced last episode, the girls are free to decide whether to add professional elements to their plans. That's a highlight as well."
"Oh my, I'm starting to get a little nervous."
Music producer Takahashi Ryosuke touched his forehead, showing just how much he was anticipating the drama to come.
"I want to know who Michiya-sensei will team up with," actor Kitagawa Akira said, rubbing his chin.
"I want to know, too."
The show officially began, and the screen returned to the villa's living room.
The three male participants stood facing a whiteboard with Plans A, B, and C written on it, their expressions serious.
[Plan A: Destination: Glassmaking Workshop; Activity: Experience the process of making glass products.]
[Plan B: Destination: A trendy restaurant in Shinjuku; Activity: Film a daily-life romance vlog.]
[Plan C: Destination: Isumi Railway in Chiba; Activity: Use a one-day pass to ride the Isumi Railway train.]
Once the girls' plans were revealed, the commentators immediately began their analysis.
"Of these plans, the easiest one to identify is Plan B. This has to be MEM-cho-san's plan, right?" Suzuki Nana was the first to speak.
"I agree!"
Kitagawa Akira immediately concurred. "As for Plan A, I'm guessing it's Asakura-san's. After all, Asakura-san has a very unique personality; she might be interested in glass products."
"Then Plan C…"
Honda Saori mused, "This kind of quiet, romantic, and nostalgic railway trip... could it be Kurokawa-san's plan? If so, will Michiya-sensei choose it?"
Takahashi Ryosuke smiled. "I'm looking forward to the result."
Then, host Sato Kenta summed it up. "Alright, the commentators are now in unanimous agreement: Plan C is Kurokawa Akane-san, Plan B is MEM-cho-san, and Plan A is Asakura Toru-san."
"So, how will the guys choose? Will their guesses match ours?"
"The show continues."
On screen, the three men finalized their choices after a discussion. To save time, the show quickly cut to the final pairing announcement.
However, when the director announced the final results, the commentators were collectively dumbfounded.
Plan A: Pairing failed. Free activity tomorrow.
Plan B: Pairing failed. Free activity tomorrow.
Plan C: Pairing successful. Departing for Chiba tomorrow. Participants: Michiya Gōshin, Asakura Toru.
"What?!"
An incredulous gasp erupted in the studio.
"So Plan A was Kurokawa-san's?"
"Wow, I can't believe MEM-cho-san rejected Morimoto-kun. What a shame."
"So Plan C was Asakura-san's all along? In that case, the first date belongs to Michiya-sensei and Asakura-san."
"Exactly! We got our analysis completely backward."
Kitagawa Akira clutched his head and yelled, playing it up for the cameras.
The host didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"This is just... so unexpected. I never thought the final pairing for the outing would be Michiya Gōshin-san and Asakura Toru-san's railway trip. This combination already looks like it will have some surprising chemistry."
Although everyone was surprised, the people in the observation studio still watched the second half of the show with rapt attention.
The program focused on broadcasting the content of Michiya Gōshin and Asakura Toru's "Chiba Isumi Railway Trip."
The camera first focused on the villa's staircase.
Under the warm sunlight, Michiya Gōshin's figure appeared first. The young man wore a light gray turtleneck wool sweater under a neatly tailored black short jacket, cutting a tall and straight figure. His perfect blond hairstyle intertwined with his unique aura.
Combined with the show's post-production editing and effects, his handsome features were elevated to another level.
"Wow! Michiya-sensei is so handsome!"
In the studio, Suzuki Nana couldn't help but clap her hands in amazement. "Isn't Michiya-sensei's outfit a bit too unfair? Gentle and handsome, he feels so approachable!"
Immediately after, Asakura Toru also appeared on screen.
Her short, light purple hair was incredibly soft, with fine strands resting against the side of her neck, adding a touch of dashing charm. Her exquisite and fashionable style, paired with her flawless face, instantly captured the attention of the studio and the bullet-comment audience.
"Asakura-san is so beautiful, too! As expected of the ace of an idol group!"
Honda Saori also couldn't help but praise them. "The sight of the two of them standing together... just the visual pairing alone is pleasing enough to the eye."
[An explosion of good looks!]
[They're so perfect for each other!]
[This looks like a scene from a movie!]
[Michiya Gōshin is so handsome! Asakura Toru is so beautiful!]
Besides the amazed commentators, the bullet comments naturally erupted in celebration.
The date that followed left both the commentators and the audience feeling refreshed and delighted.
On camera, the two stood side-by-side on the platform, waiting for the old, green-skinned train.
"I've always felt that trains are magical things."
"It moves along a fixed track and can take people to faraway places. Although the scenery outside the window is constantly changing, it always travels and returns along the same path."
"Sometimes I wonder, does the train ever get bored? After all, it can only repeat its journey along the tracks forever."
"Bored?"
"Yes. Actually, joining this show was a whim of mine, too."
"Does Michiya-sensei find that strange?"
"Of course not,"
"What I'm more curious about is why Asakura-san would feel bored. Is your life monotonous?"
"Something like that."
"Actually, I had a dream once."
"What kind of dream?"
"In the dream, I can always see a very tall climbing frame that I can never reach the top of, no matter how much I climb."
"That's... that's..."
"Is it a bit strange? I told the other members of my group about this, and they all thought I was weird."
"It's not that strange. I'm just a little surprised that a young person like Asakura-san would have such insights."
This quiet, slow, poetic, and slightly philosophical exchange instantly struck a chord with a large portion of the audience.
[This atmosphere is amazing!]
[Not too many words, it's so comfortable!]
[I feel like I've found a soulmate!]
[Their brainwaves are on the same channel!]
[The railway trip is perfect! 100% healing vibes!]
In the studio, the two female commentators were very serious, while the two men felt very comfortable listening to the conversation on screen.
There wasn't much ambiguity, but even they found this style of conversation heart-fluttering.
"The chemistry between this pair is, strangely enough, quite strong," Kitagawa Akira couldn't help but say.
"I think I might have to switch sides. I think Michiya-sensei and Asakura-san are a great match, too."
Actress Suzuki Nana covered her face. Even though she was just a commentator, her expression was like that of a young girl in love.
Yes, she was a very skilled actress.
With the second episode of the dating show aired, the internet naturally buzzed with even more discussion.
In her apartment, Natsukawa Yuki stared at the stunningly beautiful scene of the "handsome man and beautiful woman at a winter train station" on her screen, her heart a mix of emotions.
On one hand, she was captivated by Michiya Gōshin's charm and thoughtfulness. On the other, seeing him get along so peacefully and harmoniously with Asakura Toru, she couldn't help but feel a faint sense of crisis.
Soon, her fan radar picked up an even more "dangerous" signal.
The girl habitually went on Twitter to search for topics related to the show and was shocked to discover a CP fan group called "AsaYū's Trajectory," whose popularity was skyrocketing!
Clicking into the preview page, she found that a considerable number of fans had already gathered there.
People were uploading hand-drawn pictures, GIFs, micro-expression analyses, and more—all of it sweet little details about Michiya Gōshin and Asakura Toru's railway date!
"Oh my god! Already?!"
Natsukawa Yuki exclaimed, the sense of crisis washing over her.
While her "YūAka" group was still very active, it seemed its popularity couldn't compare to this fledgling CP group at all!
No way!
I must infiltrate the "enemy's" ranks!
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated!
The girl immediately used her main account, "Yuki only wants to protect Yū-kun," to apply to join the "AsaYū's Trajectory" group chat.
However, not long after she sent the request, it was mercilessly rejected by the admin!
The reason was simple: "Suspected YūAka shipper. To ensure the purity of the CP fans in this group, your request is temporarily denied."
"Argh! Damn it! I got rejected!"
Natsukawa Yuki punched her pillow in frustration.
Her account had indeed posted a lot of content supporting Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane, which had clearly exposed her true "allegiance."
"Hmph! You think this is enough to stop me?"
Her eyes darted around. She immediately switched to a little-used alternate account, changed the profile picture to a landscape photo of a railway, and updated the bio to: "I like slow-paced travel and quiet stories. Currently watching Love is a Required Course in Life."
Once everything was ready, she submitted her application to join "AsaYū's Trajectory" again.
This time, she waited nervously. A few minutes later, a notification sound chimed—application approved!
"Yes!"
Yuki pumped her fist in excitement. Infiltration successful!
She clicked into the group chat, and it was indeed a scene of fiery enthusiasm. Fans were wildly praising the date segment that had just aired, with all sorts of screenshots and screams of "Ahhhh" flooding the screen.
[The moment Yū-kun helped Asakura-san onto the train! Those manner hands! Ah, I'm dead!]
[Asakura-san looks like a painting when she's looking out the window!]
[Sharing a quiet moment! This kind of tacit understanding is incredible!]
[The platform conversation! Philosophical exchange! Soulmates!]
[The atmosphere when they're not talking is amazing! The way their eyes locked!]
Reading these comments, Yuki's feelings were complicated.
While one part of her was thinking sourly, "What's so great about shipping them?" another part had to admit that the scenes on camera were indeed very infectious and atmospheric.
After a while, the girl took a deep breath, carefully mimicked the tone of the other fans, and then forwarded a photo of Asakura Toru and Michiya Gōshin together.
She then received a long string of positive replies.
Infiltration plan, step one complete!
Yuki gripped her phone, her gaze turning complex.
She was determined to see just how popular this AsaYū ship could get.
I am Natsukawa Yuki.
As the great general of the YūAka ship, I will never admit defeat so easily!
________________________________________
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