In the live broadcast, the secret footage from the hotel room was like a block of ice dropped into boiling oil—it instantly exploded.
It blasted the entire Love is a Required Course in Life finale livestream, and indeed the entire internet, into a dead silence.
[...A... a Wolf?!]
[What does that mean?! What's this about a Wolf?]
[Michiya Gōshin is... the 'Wolf' planted by the production team?!]
[He wasn't here for romance? Was he here to break everyone up?]
[So him choosing multiple girls was all part of his persona?]
[It was a script! It was all an act!]
After a brief moment of extreme shock, the live comments erupted with even greater speed and density than during the earlier wave of anger!
This time, however, it wasn't a uniform barrage of insults and condemnations, but a flood of immense astonishment, disbelief, and heated discussion from an audience whose worldview had just been turned upside down!
[Wait! So he was never serious about finding love from the very beginning?!]
[This move! This twist! I'm speechless!]
[Director Aoyama is so daring! This idea is absolutely incredible!]
[So... it was right for him not to choose anyone? Because it was his 'Wolf' mission all along?]
[Then all those times we called him a scumbag... were we wrong?!]
[I knew it! How could Michiya-sensei be that kind of person!]
[Yū-kun's fans! It's time to counterattack! Quick, spread the word!]
At the live venue, inside the glass pavilion, the expressions on the other guests' faces were a sight to behold.
Kumano Nobuyuki's jaw was open wide enough to fit an egg. He looked at Michiya Gōshin, then in the direction of the director, his face a mask of shock that screamed, "I've been living with a Wolf all this time?"
Morimoto Kengo was stunned at first, but then he started to laugh. He simply found it amusing, but on second thought, he realized this would probably reverse all the online attacks against Michiya Gōshin.
MEM-cho covered her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers. She glanced at Kurokawa Akane's face, her mind racing.
Asakura Toru had already pulled back from her surprise, but she couldn't help but look once more at the young man standing there.
Having already guessed the truth, Kurokawa Akane wasn't nearly as surprised. Besides, the live broadcast was still rolling. When the camera panned to her, the girl put on a look of utter astonishment.
This was her part of the plan—she had to see the act through to the very end.
Just then, Director Aoyama's voice boomed through the venue's speakers, laced with a sense of relief and irrepressible excitement.
"Everyone, as you can see."
"Michiya-kun's participation in Love is a Required Course in Life did indeed come with a special role: to act as the dating show's Wolf. All of his actions were not born from a malicious desire to play with emotions, but to better serve and interpret the brand-new theme this program set out to explore!"
The camera immediately cut to a close-up of Michiya Gōshin.
He stood in the center of the pavilion, raindrops sliding down the glass walls behind him, creating a fluid backdrop.
A gentle smile played on the young man's face. He took the microphone handed to him by a staff member, his calm gaze meeting the main camera, and his voice carried clearly to every corner.
"Yes. I'm very sorry to have kept this from everyone for so long."
Michiya Gōshin first bowed slightly, then straightened up, his eyes frank.
"As the director said, my purpose in joining this show was indeed to 'observe' and 'intervene.' The production team hoped I could break some of the established tropes of dating shows and participate from a perspective that might not be considered 'correct,' one that might even stir controversy, to present the entire process."
He paused, his voice growing deeper and more powerful, carrying a weight that invited contemplation.
"The production team and I both hoped to convey a certain idea—that love isn't always a fairy tale of love at first sight, of finding 'the one.' It can be filled with hesitation, comparison, and uncertainty. It can even involve misunderstandings and deception."
"In reality, very few people can be certain they've found their one and only in just a few weeks."
"More often, we get to know someone slowly, confirming our feelings through the little details over time."
His gaze swept over the three female cast members present, filled with sincere apology. "My role as the 'Wolf' may have amplified this uncertainty, and perhaps even caused some hurt and misunderstanding. For that, I am deeply sorry."
"But the core purpose of its existence was to help all the viewers of this show understand."
His voice suddenly rose, full of conviction.
"In love, you need to keep your eyes wide open, feel with your heart, and test it with time."
"Don't be easily swayed by a momentary halo, by practiced moves, or by sweet words. And don't be so quick to write someone off because of a brief moment of coldness or hesitation."
"More importantly, learn to protect yourself and make rational judgments."
"A perfect love may not be found in a few days of fluttering hearts, but in long-term companionship, careful cultivation, and mutual, sincere confirmation."
His speech was articulate and his attitude sincere, instantly elevating the entire incident to a higher discussion about the values of love.
When he finished speaking, the live comments naturally exploded once more, and public opinion completed a stunning 180-degree reversal.
[So that's how it was! I completely misunderstood Michiya-kun!]
[He makes so much sense! Who really experiences 'love at first sight for ten thousand years' in real life!]
[Dating shows really are all scripted! But I'll give it to them, this script was amazing.]
[So Michiya Gōshin isn't a scumbag, he was just being a professional and fulfilling his role.]
[Sob, we were wrong about you, Yū-kun! I'm sorry!]
[This twist was legendary! Director Aoyama's magnum opus!]
[#SorryMichiyaGoshin#]
[#PeakWolfVarietyShow#]
[This show will definitely go down in history!]
Beyond the online audience, countless peers in the entertainment industry who witnessed this moment on the livestream were also stunned by the god-tier move, posting messages expressing their amazement and admiration.
Sakurajima Mai watched the calm and composed man on the screen, who so easily controlled the entire situation, and a knowing, appreciative smile finally touched her lips.
The trending topics chart was completely dominated by hashtags related to Love is a Required Course in Life.
But the content had already shifted from the previous vitriol to expressions of awe, apologies, and discussions about the show's depth.
#MichiyaGoshinWolf#
#LoveWithYourEyesOpen#
#GreatestTwistInDatingShowHistory#
These hashtags held firm at the top, their popularity second to none.
The finale night's live broadcast concluded amidst immense sensation and discussion, or rather, it reached the highest peak the production team could have ever hoped for.
That evening, Michiya Gōshin took the initiative to host, inviting all the guests, the director, and the core staff to a celebration dinner at a high-end ryotei in Tokyo, officially marking the end of this special period.
The atmosphere in the private room was subtle and complex.
Michiya Gōshin was the first to raise his glass, once again offering a solemn apology to everyone, especially the three women.
"Thank you all very much for your tolerance and cooperation during this time. My special mission may have caused some trouble and unpleasant experiences for everyone. I am truly sorry."
"I'd like to toast you all with this drink, as a token of my apology."
His attitude was extremely sincere, and since his explanation during the live broadcast had already won public understanding, everyone present, though their feelings were mixed, mostly expressed their forgiveness.
Kumano Nobuyuki and Morimoto Kengo were the first to say it was no big deal, even finding it quite exciting. MEM-cho quickly regained her energy, laughing and teasing Michiya Gōshin, and oddly enough, asking for many of the details.
Asakura Toru nodded quietly, saying it didn't matter, while Kurokawa Akane exchanged a knowing glance with him and gently raised her glass in a toast.
Director Aoyama was beaming, excitedly declaring this the most successful and daring endeavor of his career, thanking Michiya Gōshin for his perfect performance and everyone for their hard work.
After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually relaxed, and everyone began to chat about interesting moments from the show and their hopes for the future.
As the banquet neared its end, people began to leave the ryotei.
While waiting for their cars at the entrance, Asakura Toru slowly walked over to Michiya Gōshin's side. Her voice was as soft as ever, yet clear. "Michiya-kun."
"Asakura, what's up?"
Michiya Gōshin smiled. During the party, he had taken the initiative to make an important suggestion to the other cast members.
Since the six of them had formed a bond through this experience, they were all good friends now, so there was no need for formal language anymore.
"Were the things you said during the live broadcast true? Or was it just for the show?"
"Of course, they were true."
She tilted her head up slightly, her hazy gaze seeming to clear for a moment in the night. "Then if our group holds a live show or a concert in the future, you'll definitely come, right, Michiya-kun?"
"Of course. I'll definitely be there. I'm looking forward to seeing your performance, Asakura."
Michiya Gōshin looked at the girl before him. Her emotional fluctuations were minimal, but her expressions were always very spontaneous. It was precisely because of her personality that being around her was so easy.
"That's good, then."
Asakura Toru had gotten the promise she wanted. Moreover, they had all exchanged private numbers, so staying in touch wouldn't be a problem.
At that thought, a very faint but genuine smile appeared on the girl's face. She gave a small nod before turning and getting into the car that had arrived to pick her up.
A moment later, Kurokawa Akane came over. She stood under the porch, gazing at the traces of fine rain lingering in the night sky.
"Kurokawa." Michiya Gōshin walked to her side.
Kurokawa Akane turned her head, a gentle smile on her face. "The plan was a great success. Congratulations, Michiya-kun. Public opinion has completely turned around now."
"I couldn't have done it without your cooperation, Kurokawa. I didn't expect you to keep up the act until the very end."
Michiya Gōshin looked at her, his tone of praise very serious. "Especially that final look of surprise. It was really spot-on."
"Wasn't that our plan all along? To help your plan succeed, Michiya-kun."
Kurokawa Akane smiled, then suddenly lowered her voice. "What I said during my confession on the livestream was something I thought about for a long time. That kind of format can't be considered a true confession."
Michiya Gōshin didn't speak, just watched her quietly.
"If it were a real confession, I would only want myself... and the person I'm confessing to, to be there. This is something I wanted to tell you, Michiya-kun."
Her voice was very soft, but it carried a clear resolve.
"I don't need some public spectacle that can be interpreted in all sorts of ways. My feelings... I've already confirmed them, over and over again."
"Uh..."
Michiya Gōshin was a bit surprised. While Kurokawa Akane was usually gentle, she would sometimes use her 'profiling' analysis skills to say something profound.
Now that the dating show was over, her attitude had also changed somewhat.
Besides... Michiya Gōshin had already sensed something about her feelings.
"Although the show is over, my 'actions' are perhaps just beginning."
"Michiya-kun, please be prepared."
Michiya Gōshin was momentarily stunned, then broke into a smile.
He looked at the girl who had surprised him, a glint of genuine appreciation in his eyes, along with a hint of anticipation he himself might not have noticed.
"Okay."
He nodded, his tone equally serious.
"By the way, I'll be preparing a gift for you later. You can look forward to it, Kurokawa."
"A gift? I understand. I'll look forward to it."
Having received the response she wanted, Kurokawa Akane's face lit up with a brilliant smile. Then, she reached out and hugged the young man in front of her.
"A hug from you should be available to me now, right, Michiya-kun?"
"Well, I suppose so."
When facing Michiya Gōshin, Kurokawa Akane was no longer so shy. Having set her sights on her goal, she wanted to learn to pursue her own happiness.
They were both intelligent people; not everything needed to be spelled out.
"Goodbye, Michiya-kun. I'll be heading back now."
After the hug, Kurokawa Akane nodded and turned to leave with crisp efficiency.
The lingering fragrance of the girl still clung to his clothes. Michiya Gōshin just smiled and let out a long sigh.
"...Her feelings, huh?"
He looked at his system panel. The dating show had concluded perfectly, but the production of the [All Living Things] Entry was not yet complete.
[Production Queue 1: All Living Things]
[Experience: 92/100]
[Experience: 93/100]
[Experience: 94/100]
"Just a little more... I suppose it's time to deal with my next job."
Michiya Gōshin ran a hand through his blond hair. If he was going to play the protagonist Arisu Ryohei in Alice in Borderland next, he would have to dye it back.
The shocking twist of Love is a Required Course in Life's finale night swept across all social media platforms with the speed of a nuclear explosion.
All the previous widespread insults and boycotts crumbled in the face of truth and depth, instantly disintegrating into nothing.
In its place came a tsunami of amazement, apologies, discussions, and... a crazily surging popularity!
At this golden moment of public opinion reversal, Natsukawa Yuki once again demonstrated an organizational ability and drive far beyond that of an ordinary fan.
Suppressing the urge to cry and laugh to release her emotions, her fingers danced across the keyboard almost to a blur, issuing clear and efficient directives to various fan groups and social media fronts.
"Attention everyone! It's time to counterattack! Do not mindlessly spam!"
"We must seize this opportunity, not only to clear Yū-kun of those slanderous accusations but also to use this storm to boost his popularity even further!"
"Image team, copy team, let's get to work."
Under her efficient command, the members of the "We Only Love Yū-kun" fan group and their various smaller circles began operating at high speed.
The work of the photo-editing team was particularly astonishing.
They quickly screencapped the moment just before the live broadcast ended, when Michiya Gōshin was holding the microphone and giving his final 'Wolf' statement.
After careful color grading and angle selection, a photo that could only be described as 'god-tier' began to spread like a virus.
In the picture, Michiya Gōshin stood under the soft light of the glass pavilion, with the blurry backdrop of the drizzling night rain outside the window.
His head was slightly tilted, one hand casually holding the microphone while the other hung naturally at his side. Facing the camera, he was explaining his identity and mission.
Under the lights, Michiya Gōshin's face no longer wore its usual formulaic, placid expression, nor the intense emotions from his stage play performances. Instead, it held a weary yet incredibly genuine and gentle smile, one that came after shedding all pretense.
Those eyes, which always held countless thoughts, were now looking at the camera with clarity and honesty, as if they could pierce through the screen and reach right into one's heart.
The curve of his lips was just right, a mixture of apology, relief, and a kind of calm wisdom gained from weathering the storm.
This picture perfectly captured the most complex and captivating aspect of his charisma.
Love with your eyes open, and with your heart.
I hope you all protect yourselves.
This legendary photo, paired with this set of captions, instantly struck a chord with countless casual viewers and went viral at an unprecedented speed!
[Ahhhh! This picture! I'm dead!]
[His face is so small! So handsome!]
[So gentle and wise! Michiya-sensei is truly like a god descended to earth!]
[Good values and good looks! I declare myself a new fan!]
[Everyone who badmouthed him before, come and apologize!]
With the double boost from the legendary photo and the memorable quotes, Michiya Gōshin's Twitter follower count began to grow at a jaw-dropping rate.
Seven hundred thousand, eight hundred thousand, nine hundred thousand.
In the forty-eight hours after the show's finale broadcast, his follower count continued to rise steadily.
With the influx of countless new fans and the return of old ones, the number suddenly jumped.
His Twitter followers officially broke one million!
This was a milestone figure, signifying that Michiya Gōshin had completely emerged from the shadow of the previous PR crisis. His popularity and influence had not only fully recovered but had reached an unprecedented new height!
Meanwhile, at the Hoshino Talent Agency, it was a different scene entirely.
Manager Nakahara Kazuya looked at the stunning reversal of public opinion online and Michiya Gōshin's skyrocketing popularity and buzz, so moved he nearly wept. He was inundated with congratulatory calls and business inquiries from various media outlets and partners.
President Kato Arashi was much calmer. She lifted her teacup, her gaze falling on her niece, Kato Megumi, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa nearby.
Kato Megumi's face was impassive. She was looking down at her phone screen, which was constantly refreshing with positive news and data analysis about Michiya Gōshin.
"Megumi."
Kato Arashi spoke, her voice carrying a hint of inquiry.
"You've graduated now. If you really want to work at the agency, where do you plan to start?"
"As an artist's assistant."
"...If you're going to be an artist's assistant, do you have anyone in mind?"
Kato Megumi looked up, her clear, calm eyes meeting her aunt's.
"I want to choose Michiya-san."
________________________________________
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