Chapter 84: Ohga Takao's Invitation

The next day.

The film festival financed by the Suzuki Group continues as usual in the city of Minato.

Today is the second day of the film festival, which is open only to industry professionals and media members.

The sudden death of director Tsunekazu Kosaka the previous evening at the Harbour Royal Court Hotel did not affect the normal progression of the film festival.

Except for a few individuals, nearly all the guests who attended last night's dinner were present at the festival that day.

In the exhibition area of the film festival.

In addition to the many screening rooms set up throughout the venue for viewing the participating films, there are also several private exhibition rooms and specially built screening halls for renowned directors and screenwriters.

The festival organizers had anticipated a large number of viewers attending the works of these well-known directors and writers. Naturally, their films couldn't be queued and screened in ordinary screening rooms like other works.

For instance, individuals like Tsunekazu Kosaka, who passed away suddenly yesterday, Miho Soma, who mocked Okino Yoko, the screenwriter Oda Ema, and the actor-turned-director Yoshitoki Hota, all enjoy personal exhibition rooms.

Since Okino Yoko had to participate in activities for the film in which she stars today, she couldn't accompany Akikawa to visit the film festival.

Thus, Misaki Itakura and Kyusuke Akikawa were tasked with exploring the festival's exhibition area.

"Wow~ As expected from screenwriter Oda, the script is so well-written!"

At this moment, Akikawa and Misaki Itakura had just exited the screening room for screenwriter Oda Ema's film.

As they walked out, Misaki Itakura, standing beside Akikawa Kyusuke, couldn't help but keep thinking about the movie's storyline. Her eyes, hidden behind thick-framed glasses, seemed a bit red and puffy, as if she had just cried.

"The heroine's performance was so moving!"

"Especially her heartbroken expression after learning the male lead was married, followed by her ecstatic, hopeful look when she discovered he had been forced into the marriage. The tangled emotions of shame and intense internal struggle were truly impactful!"

"Later, the heroine changed from her submissive and passive demeanor at the beginning of the film, launching a bold offensive. The ending, where the loving couple finally married, was so touching!"

Misaki Itakura said, wiping the corners of her eyes.

"Well, not bad," Akikawa Kyusuke echoed from the side.

In truth, he wasn't very interested in films that revolved around romantic entanglements between men and women.

"Hey, isn't that Akikawa-kun?"

Just as Akikawa was casually chatting with Misaki Itakura, a familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind.

Akikawa Kyusuke turned around.

He saw Takao Ohga, the doctor who had provided first aid to the late Tsunekazu Kosaka at last night's banquet, greeting him with a surprised expression.

From the looks of it, Ohga Takao had just exited Oda Ema's personal exhibition room.

"Mr. Ohga, you actually remember my name!"

Kyousuke seemed flattered as he spoke to Takao Ohga.

"Haha, of course, I remember. After all, you're the newcomer introduced by Miss Yoko," Ohga Takao said with a confident smile, one that mirrored the demeanor he'd had when Akikawa first met him.

It seemed the death of Tsunekazu Kosaka the previous day hadn't left much of an impact on him.

"Speaking of which, Akikawa, you came to this film festival to meet famous directors and writers and see if there's a chance to land a good audition, right?"

Ohga Takao looked at Akikawa Kyusuke and asked.

Hearing this, Misaki Itakura was about to discreetly remind Akikawa Kyusuke not to reveal his intentions to strangers.

Instead, Akikawa Kyusuke's eyes widened in apparent surprise at Ohga Takao's guess.

"Eh?! How did you know that, Mr. Ohga?!"

Misaki Itakura's lips twitched as she heard this, silently looking at Akikawa Kyusuke and screaming internally:

"Mr. Akikawa, are you an idiot?! Reacting like this will make you seem so inexperienced!"

Ohga Takao chuckled at Akikawa Kyusuke's reaction and continued,

"It's easy to tell at a glance. Akikawa-kun has acting skills and good looks. All you need is the right opportunity."

"By the way, Akikawa-kun, you know Hota, don't you?"

"I do. He's the one who had a lengthy conversation with you yesterday," Akikawa Kyusuke nodded. "Do you have a good relationship with Director Hotta, Mr. Ohga?"

"Pfft, more than good. We've known each other for over ten years. If he hadn't invited me, I wouldn't have come to this film festival."

Ohga Takao smiled.

"That's amazing~"

Akikawa Kyusuke showed an envious look, as if admiring the bond between Ohga Takao and Yoshitoki Hotta.

"Hotta invited me to his exhibition room at one in the afternoon to introduce his new works. If Akikawa-kun is interested, you can come with me."

Misaki Itakura's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

She hadn't expected Akikawa Kyusuke to get such a golden opportunity to communicate deeply with a renowned director he admired so much.

There was no reason to refuse such a coveted chance.

Clearly, Ohga Takao wanted to curry favor with Okino Yoko by helping to promote Akikawa Kyusuke.

As Misaki Itakura thought this through, she noticed Kyusuke Akikawa showing a delighted expression and nodding repeatedly.

"Alright! Alright! Thank you, Mr. Ohga!"

"Haha, it's fine. See you at Hotta's exhibition room at one in the afternoon," Ohga Takao instructed Akikawa Kyusuke, then teasingly added,

"But don't tell others about this. If word gets out, people might gossip about you."

"Understood!"

Ohga Takao smiled, nodded at Akikawa Kyusuke, and after glancing at Misaki Itakura, walked away.

After ensuring Takao Ohga could no longer hear her, Misaki Itakura looked at Akikawa Kyusuke excitedly.

"Mr. Akikawa! You must be so lucky!"

"If you can build a good relationship with Director Hotta and secure a role in his next film, your popularity will skyrocket again!"

"I'll do my best," Akikawa Kyusuke replied with a gentle smile to Misaki Itakura.

However, doubts lingered in his mind about Takao Ohga's true intentions.

'I'm almost certain that the sudden death of Tsunekazu Kosaka yesterday was something Takao Ohga didn't expect.'

'Obviously, the death of Tsunekazu Kosaka isn't directly related to Takao Ohga. I've only met him and Yoshitoki Hotta once.'

'So why is he trying to get close to me?'

'It can't be just to curry favor with Okino Yoko, can it?'

As Akikawa Kyusuke pondered his confusion, a familiar voice came from the side.

(End of the chapter)