Chapter 38: Incident of Violent Injuries

"Mr. Akikawa, your acting skills were amazing just now, right?"

"Maybe you've been in a theater group before, but why haven't I heard your name?"

"Wow, I just noticed that Mr. Akikawa is really handsome! When he acts, it's like he's a completely different person!"

As soon as Akikawa Kyousuke finished the fifth act, he was surrounded by many actors as he stepped off the stage.

A lot of people were surprised by Akikawa Kyousuke's performance and felt a strong curiosity toward him.

Off to the side, the assistant director observed Akikawa Kyousuke, who was surrounded by other actors chatting and questioning him excitedly.

He turned to the director, Takemura Mine, beside him and said:

"Mr. Takemura, don't you think Akikawa might be putting in too much effort?

Even though Mr. Kudo described Sae Otani as a very popular high school student in the book, it doesn't go this far, does it?

Otani is just an ordinary high school student, but Akikawa is portraying him like an idol. Isn't that a bit out of character?"

"No, I don't think there's a problem."

Director Takemura Mine laughed.

"The play itself can't convey everything as clearly as a movie.

After all, the audience has to be able to feel the character's charm from a distance, so a more exaggerated performance will enhance the impression the audience has of the character.

Besides, the character Otani Sae won't share the stage with Quinn (the heroine) until his death, so there's no concern about the supporting characters stealing the spotlight from her."

"Before Otani Sae dies, he's the protagonist of the fifth act, so I think Akikawa did an excellent job.

Thanks to Akikawa's acting, Otani Sae's death will have a greater impact."

"I think I understand why Mr. Takemura chose him over Nishihara," the assistant director nodded.

"Nishihara's acting skills are good, but they're limited to film and TV. As a theater actor, he lacks the expressiveness Akikawa has."

Takemura Mine nodded in approval.

---

Offstage, Misaki Itakura, who had been waiting impatiently, finally saw Akikawa Kyousuke finish greeting the other actors.

When Akikawa returned, she placed her hands firmly on his shoulders, her voice lowered and filled with excitement:

"Mr. Akikawa! What was that just now?

It was like you were a different person! What on earth was that?!

Mr. Akikawa, is your acting really that good?!

Can you really perfect your acting skills just by watching imitation discs at home?!

If Mr. Akikawa can keep up that personality you just had, you're definitely going to become popular!"

Itakura Misaki realized that, despite being with Akikawa Kyousuke for half a month, she still didn't really know anything about him.

"Is it possible that Mr. Akikawa is actually a genius? A genius like Ms. Yukiko!"

The excited agent took over ten minutes to gradually calm down.

Realizing once again Akikawa Kyousuke's unique talents, she felt more confident that Akikawa Kyousuke could become successful in the future.

"I'm so lucky to have been assigned as Mr. Akikawa's manager!

Maybe it's not impossible to work with Ms. Yoko often in the future!"

Thinking of Yoko Okino, Itakura Misaki quickly turned her head.

Then she saw Yoko Okino leaving the auditorium without any expression.

Not long after she left, Misaki Itakura noticed Nishihara Koichi, an actor from the same agency, following after her.

---

"How can he have that level of acting skill?

He's clearly someone who hasn't even completed elementary school."

Akikawa Kyousuke's acting made Koichi Nishihara feel humiliated.

"But Ms. Yoko didn't seem surprised by Akikawa's acting skills at all.

Based on what I overheard before, Ms. Yoko's comments about wanting Akikawa to leave the agency indicate she probably dislikes him quite a bit."

Koichi Nishihara hurried a few steps and caught up with Yoko Okino, who was walking briskly in front of him.

"Ms. Yoko!"

"Mr. Nishihara?"

Yoko Okino stopped when she heard him, turning with a kind smile.

"It's my turn to perform soon. Is there something you need, Mr. Nishihara?"

"Ms. Yoko, you know Akikawa-kun, don't you?"

Yoko Okino's smile didn't change, and she nodded slightly.

"We know each other. But how does Mr. Nishihara know him?"

"It's just that I noticed, Ms. Yoko, you looked really shocked when you saw Akikawa-kun's performance.

You probably don't like Akikawa much either, do you?"

Koichi Nishihara watched Yoko Okino's face with a smile.

He was sure Yoko Okino disliked Akikawa Kyousuke's acting skills as much as he did, so he wanted to bond with her over their shared opinion.

He expected Yoko Okino to look scared or surprised when he said this since she rarely showed negative emotions publicly.

But instead, she still wore that same kind smile.

In fact, her expression seemed even more charming than before.

"Mr. Nishihara, you overheard my conversation with Sister Shahui, didn't you?"

Yoko Okino's unexpected response took Koichi Nishihara aback.

It happened half a month ago. But could she have guessed it just from his words now?

"Is this a woman's sixth sense?" Koichi Nishihara thought to himself, quickly waving his hands to explain:

"No, no, I just accidentally saw Ms. Yoko's expression and made that assumption."

"So, did you also accidentally register for the same audition as Akikawa-kun?"

"That's only because I originally wanted to be part of this production."

Koichi Nishihara was shocked Yoko Okino knew something like that.

Doesn't this mean she's aware of the comparison between him and Akikawa Kyousuke?

"That's all..."

Yoko Okino didn't ask any further but smiled at Nishihara Koichi and said:

"Mr. Nishihara, please avoid interacting with Akikawa-kun in the future.

The matter between Akikawa-kun and me has nothing to do with you."

"Excuse me, I have to go on stage."

With a slight bow to Koichi Nishihara, Yoko Okino then turned and walked backstage, leaving Nishihara looking embarrassed.

---

Meanwhile, Misaki Itakura saw Koichi Nishihara returning from backstage with an unhappy expression. She remembered what Yoko Okino had told her during the first rehearsal:

"Ms. Itakura, please let Akikawa-kun have less contact with Mr. Nishihara from now on.

Nishihara, who was once a very popular child actor in Japan, lost his popularity as he grew up—not because his acting skills declined."

Itakura Misaki became curious about the specific personality issues Koichi Nishihara had, so she took out her phone and searched for keywords like "Koichi Nishihara," "child star," and "misconduct."

After over ten minutes of searching, she found several reports from more than ten years ago.

"Oh my... How can someone like that still be in Japan's entertainment industry?"

Itakura Misaki's eyes widened in shock.

The reports she found were all similar, detailing two incidents of violence and injuries Koichi Nishihara committed during middle and high school.

(End of Chapter)