The meeting with Suo Atsumu at that private café was like a stone dropped into a deep pool, sending ripples spreading through Michiya Gōshin's mind.
After returning to the reality show villa, he sat alone by the study window, mentally replaying every detail of his conversation with Suo Atsumu.
The screenplay for We Made a Beautiful Bouquet was displayed on his computer screen; he was already halfway through it.
Originally, Michiya Gōshin had intended to use this screenplay to pave a more independent path for himself. Now that he had connected with Suo Atsumu, he could potentially become a fulcrum to shift the internal power dynamics at Nenshi.
To him, Suo Atsumu's ambition was a double-edged sword.
Wielded well, everyone would benefit; one misstep, and it would lead to ruin.
Michiya Gōshin needed a more meticulous plan and more stable steps to accomplish everything he wanted to do.
However, the winds of the entertainment world always moved faster than plans.
The next morning, while a lazy, leisurely atmosphere from breakfast still lingered in the villa, Michiya Gōshin was leaning on the sofa, chatting idly with Morimoto Kengo and Kumano Nobuyuki.
A moment later, his phone suddenly vibrated.
The caller ID showed Nakahara Kazuya, his manager.
Michiya Gōshin frowned slightly. Nakahara Kazuya wouldn't normally disturb his filming at this time, so he immediately stood up and walked to a quieter corner of the courtyard to answer the call.
On the other end came Nakahara Kazuya's voice, uncharacteristically tinged with anxiety. "Michiya, is it convenient for you to talk right now?"
"It is. What's wrong?" Michiya Gōshin's heart sank a little.
"Did you meet with Suo Atsumu yesterday afternoon?" Nakahara Kazuya's voice was hushed, but his words struck Michiya Gōshin's ears like a clap of thunder.
Michiya Gōshin's eyes sharpened, but his tone remained steady. "Did word of that spread so quickly?"
"Quickly is an understatement!"
Nakahara Kazuya was practically growling. "Although no media outlets dare to directly report on your meeting, it's basically public knowledge within the industry now."
"The situation inside Nenshi is extremely sensitive right now. You and Suo Atsumu... what exactly did you talk about? Why did you get involved with him so soon?"
He fired off the questions in rapid succession, his voice filled with confusion and worry.
"President Kato just called me. She's very concerned about this."
"Don't you know how deep the waters of the Suo family run? You're in a crucial rising phase right now; both your image and your popularity are growing steadily."
"To get directly involved in Nenshi's succession struggle at a time like this, and on the side of Suo Atsumu, who is clearly in the challenger's position—it's just too dangerous!"
"Suo Shogo is no pushover, and Nenshi's background... I'm sure I emphasized this to you last time. They have connections reaching from the political world down to the yakuza, and they're notorious for their ruthless methods. Aren't you just painting a target on your own back?"
Nakahara Kazuya's concern was genuine.
Nenshi and Johnny & Associates were not in the same league. While Johnny & Associates was influential in the entertainment world, it had no real power outside of it.
But Nenshi was different. Not only did they have ties to Dentsu, Japan's largest advertising agency, but they also had extensive industrial interests in various sectors. With hundreds of subsidiaries under its banner, Nenshi was a true, deeply-rooted corporate behemoth.
That was why both President Kato Akane and his manager were so worried.
Michiya Gōshin listened in silence, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.
After a moment, he spoke calmly, "Nakahara-san, please help me reassure the president. Tell her I know what I'm doing."
"You know what you're doing? What do you know? Michiya, this isn't a game!" Nakahara Kazuya clearly couldn't understand.
"I know it's not a game."
Michiya Gōshin cut him off, his tone firm. "But sometimes risk also means opportunity. Please rest assured, I will handle this matter carefully."
"You... Forget it. There's nothing I can do with you. Can't you just be like a normal celebrity? Do you have to stir up trouble every day?"
"Hahahaha, I can't help it."
After finishing the call with his manager, Michiya Gōshin stood in the courtyard. The cool air he drew into his lungs sharpened his thoughts.
"Then I'll just ask him what this is all about."
Michiya Gōshin murmured to himself, a cold smirk touching his lips as he took out his phone and dialed Suo Atsumu's private number.
The call was answered quickly, Suo Atsumu's voice carrying a hint of surprise.
"Michiya-sensei, why are you calling me at this hour?"
"Mr. Suo, you must already know that our meeting has been leaked. Don't play dumb."
"...Alright. You suspect I did it?"
Suo Atsumu sighed on the other end, his tone somewhat helpless.
"I'd like to hear your explanation, Mr. Suo."
"If I'm not mistaken, it must be my older brother's people monitoring me." Suo Atsumu's attitude was quite frank. "After all, I am his only rival."
"Is that really so?" Michiya Gōshin pressed.
"It is the truth. I wouldn't do something like this myself—after all, you haven't fully sided with me yet, have you, Michiya-sensei?"
At this point, Suo Atsumu suddenly changed the subject. "And now that this has happened, I actually think it's an opportunity for you, Michiya-sensei."
"An opportunity?"
"I still remember what happened last time you had a conflict with Johnny & Associates. You pulled off a beautiful comeback then."
"You intend to..."
Suo Atsumu had no intention of hiding anything. He too had only just learned today that his meeting with Michiya Gōshin had become a rumor in the industry. Although his older brother was proud, that didn't mean others wouldn't try to make a move.
If that was the case, it actually created more room to maneuver.
"I asked Director Aoyama. While he didn't tell me your reasons or deeper purpose for joining the show, he did say that the ultimate goal is for it to become a wildly popular variety program."
"And the key to that explosive popularity is you, Michiya-sensei."
It wasn't Suo Atsumu's first day in the business; he knew very well how important buzz was for a show.
Even if the attention was malicious, it could still be manipulated into positive traffic.
"Tell me more."
Michiya Gōshin then recalled his mission as the 'Wolf'. Although his meeting with Suo Atsumu wasn't major news, it could serve as a fitting fuse.
"My older brother has a senior managing director under him, last name Yamamoto. He's hot-headed, petty, and loves to cause trouble for me."
Suo Atsumu's tone was as if he were discussing a trivial matter.
"If he were to 'accidentally' obtain some more 'conclusive' evidence that you and I have entered a deep collaboration..."
"With his personality, he'd be chomping at the bit to do something to inconvenience me and, at the same time, curry favor with my brother."
"That way, even though my brother hasn't done anything himself, it will still make those old geezers on the board of directors have some second thoughts."
Suo Atsumu continued, "Director Aoyama said your role is special and allows for maximum disruption. So I can promise you, Michiya-sensei, that when you launch a counterattack like you did before, you can have all the resources at my disposal to command."
"How about we consider this the first trial run of our collaboration?"
As he said this, a crazed glint flashed in the eyes of this young second son of the family.
"..."
"Let me think about it."
Michiya Gōshin recalled what Director Aoyama had told him at the very beginning—that the show would eventually release their 'Wolf' conversation at the hotel as a final bombshell.
If that was the case, he might as well use this momentum to his advantage.
As the days passed, Michiya Gōshin ultimately confirmed his collaboration with Suo Atsumu, and the two meticulously discussed a well-crafted plan.
Michiya Gōshin knew very well that with his 'Wolf' identity, the third episode's broadcast was bound to spark numerous topics and discussions among the audience.
To ensure that the reveal of his 'Wolf' conversation with the director would generate an even more ferocious buzz, he could now cleverly guide public opinion, using the power of Suo Atsumu's brother's faction to fan the flames.
Let the heat burn hotter and brighter, like a raging fire, to pave a smoother path for his subsequent plans.
Though only thirty, Suo Atsumu was a master of these machinations.
He quietly leaked some half-true information, like casting fragrant bait, and delivered it precisely to one of his brother's subordinates, Senior Managing Director Yamamoto.
The man was already desperate to distinguish himself in the clandestine succession war, eager to score points. Seeing such an 'opportunity,' he failed to notice it was a carefully laid trap.
Thinking he could make a big deal out of it and deliver a heavy blow to Michiya Gōshin, he immediately sprang into action.
Time flowed quietly on, and the third episode of the dating show was finally broadcast to an eagerly awaiting audience.
The third episode covered the second date outing. This time, the boys made the plans, and the girls chose.
Although the scene where Michiya Gōshin received three applications was explosive, his subsequent choice was what truly surprised everyone.
When the screen showed Michiya Gōshin choosing MEM-cho, the studio where the commentators were watching erupted instantly.
The four guests were stunned at first, then their expressions shifted, showing a mix of surprise, confusion, and contemplation. They began to analyze and discuss the development one after another.
The actress Suzuki Nana, whose favorite pairing was Michiya Gōshin and Asakura Toru, asked in bewilderment, "Eh? Michiya-sensei didn't choose Asakura-san? But Asakura-san gave him so many hints."
"Yeah, Asakura-san chose Michiya-sensei without a second thought in the last round." The actor Kitagawa Akira, who had seen his fair share of dating shows, reasoned that it was impossible for the cast members not to notice such an obvious display of interest. Switching directions so casually would involve considering many risks.
"Could it be that Michiya-sensei is thinking about something else?" Screenwriter Honda Saori stroked her chin, a thoughtful look on her face.
Just then, music producer Takahashi Ryosuke, sitting beside her, suddenly smirked and said flippantly, in a joking tone, "Could it be... that Michiya-sensei just wants to switch things up a bit? Hahahaha!"
The moment he said it, the other commentators' expressions changed.
After all, the phrase was ambiguous, and if amplified by the show, it could have additional repercussions.
Switch things up a bit?
Didn't that just mean he wanted to play with the girls' feelings?
Seeing this, the host, Sato Kenta, quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile. "Perhaps Michiya-sensei has other considerations. Let's keep watching first."
The show was broadcast simultaneously online. At first, the Danmaku comments and online discussions were relatively sincere and friendly. After all, watching attractive people go on ambiguous dates was a great pleasure.
Although the commentators' discussion sparked some minor debate, most of the Danmaku comments were still quite harmonious.
"Wow, Michiya-sensei chose MEM-cho! I feel like they'd be interesting together too. Looking forward to their date!"
"It's a bit surprising, but that's what dating shows are about, full of possibilities! Maybe this pair will have great chemistry."
"Yeah, they're both blonde, they look good together."
However, this pleasant state didn't last long. Before long, the tide of online opinion began to quietly turn.
Voices emerged from nowhere, accusing Michiya Gōshin of being a player, saying he was too casual with emotions on the show—getting along wonderfully with one girl last episode, only to switch to another this time.
It was as if he was treating the dating show as a game, toying with the girls' feelings at will.
Of course, Michiya Gōshin's fans and the readers who loved his books immediately came to his defense, actively supporting him in the comment sections of major social media platforms.
"Michiya-sensei has always been a sincere and loyal person. How could he be what you're saying? Don't make malicious assumptions based on this one thing!"
"Exactly! A dating show is a process of getting to know each other and finding a compatible soul. Everyone has the right to choose again. What you're all saying is so unfair!"
As an author, Michiya Gōshin held a rather unique position in the complex world of entertainment.
His debut novel, Love Letter, had already left a deep impression on readers' hearts. So, at first, although these negative comments appeared, the impact was limited, and the controversy was still within a range the production team could control and even welcomed.
Director Aoyama watched the soaring interaction data and topic popularity on the monitor, a smile creeping onto his lips. "Good! This is exactly the effect we wanted! Michiya-kun never disappoints as the center of attention!"
As the 'Wolf', this was precisely the desired effect. It would make the final reversal even more spectacular.
However, the direction of this storm of public opinion soon became bizarre and violent.
As if an invisible hand were manipulating things from the shadows, the discussion forums, which had been filled with viewers expressing their own opinions, were suddenly flooded with a massive number of comments with extreme views and aggressive language.
These accounts were not easily identifiable zero-level sock puppets but high-level veteran users with years of activity and rich posting histories, or "professional drama critics" and "emotional analysis bloggers" with substantial follower counts.
They were no longer content with expressing disappointment or surprise but began to launch organized, premeditated, and concentrated attacks, aiming straight for Michiya Gōshin's personal character.
[Is Michiya-sensei planning to play with the feelings of all three girls? Who will he choose for the last date? I bet it's Kurokawa Akane, 100%.]
[First, he uses his talent and looks to attract attention, and then he starts playing the field? No wonder the other guys didn't get picked. This is too much!]
[Gentle and affectionate on the surface, but scheming and cunning on the inside. I really misjudged you!]
[How can someone who's so disrespectful towards feelings write something like Love Letter, a masterpiece of unrequited love? What's going on?]
[I'm unstanning! I can't believe he's this kind of man!]
When such comments appeared, Michiya Gōshin's book fans and acting fans naturally fought back. They emphasized his works' status and artistic achievements in the literary world, trying to separate his performance on a variety show from his personal character.
[Getting so emotional over a variety show? Gōshin-kun is a writer! His work speaks for itself!]
[Can't you tell it's for the show? Choosing MEM-cho makes him a scumbag? What kind of logic is that?!]
[Protect our best Gōshin-kun! Reject the brainless haters!]
However, the opposition had clearly come prepared and was formidable.
Not only were they numerous, but their tactics were skilled. They were adept at twisting words, steering the narrative, flooding comment sections, and constantly introducing new angles of attack.
Soon, hashtags like #MichiyaGoshinCharacterCollapse and #AuthorPrivateMorality were forcibly pushed to the top of Twitter's trending topics.
More fatally, among these people, there were actual personnel from the publishing industry and even published authors who wrote long articles under their own names, publishing seemingly objective and rational analyses that were actually laced with poison.
"Deconstructing 'New Writer' Michiya Gōshin: A Disconnect Between Variety Show Performance and Literary Values! Do We Really Need Such a Person in Our Circle?"
Among them were even highly inflammatory and critical pieces like "Can a Writer Justifiably 'Play With' Women's Emotions?"
These pieces directly elevated the discussion to the level of "social morality" and "gender equality," launching a fierce assault on Michiya Gōshin.
After this episode aired, at midnight.
Director Aoyama stared at the increasingly out-of-control storm of public opinion on the monitoring screen. The smile had long vanished from his face, replaced by deep worry and a hint of suspicion.
"Something doesn't feel right..."
He whispered to his assistant director, tapping his fingers restlessly on the console. "We got the buzz, but this has completely soured! This doesn't look like a normal audience reaction. It's more like an organized smear campaign."
"Who would be so bold as to attack a Nenshi show?"
The assistant director's face was equally grave. "Many of the accounts driving the narrative are veteran users, and there are even some critics who usually present themselves as 'objective and fair.'"
"The cost and effort invested in this are definitely not the work of an ordinary online water army. Michiya-sensei... has he offended someone?"
Director Aoyama's brow was tightly furrowed, his mind filled with doubt.
He began to suspect that Michiya Gōshin might have become entangled in some huge trouble outside the show that they were unaware of.
This storm had clearly exceeded the scope of variety show hype.
"Could it be..."
He recalled the rumor that had spread about Michiya Gōshin's meeting with Suo Atsumu at the café. Logically, although word had gotten around the industry, other companies wouldn't attack him for that reason.
While the succession battle within Nenshi was intensifying, other talent agencies wouldn't get involved. They would, at most, watch the drama unfold.
As the show aired and the online storm raged, the atmosphere inside the villa also grew tense.
Both of the other male contestants tried to console Michiya Gōshin in their own ways, telling him not to mind all the nonsense online. The extroverted Kumano even planned to take Michiya Gōshin out for a motorcycle ride.
The three female contestants were also very concerned about Michiya Gōshin's state of mind, especially Kurokawa Akane. Because she had guessed his purpose for being on the show but couldn't say it out loud, she could only try to comfort him in her own way.
As for Michiya Gōshin himself, he remained perfectly calm throughout.
He continued to follow his usual routine, writing his screenplay, occasionally strolling in the courtyard, and even calmly communicating with the production team about the details of the upcoming filming.
It was as if the torrent of vicious criticism from the outside world had nothing to do with him.
After all, it wasn't time for the counterattack yet. He needed to let the bullets fly a little longer.
Let them leap a little higher.
________________________________________
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