Chapter 38 Money Above All Else: Did You Date Me Just to Fulfill Your Promise...?
The Rikkai University Campus Ambassador Competition, to put it bluntly, is a stepping stone for students who aspire to enter the entertainment industry.
On the day of the finals, talent scouts from numerous talent agencies and magazines will be present, including even producers from Toho Films...
Last year's champion, Masaharu Nioh, was personally invited by director Kurosawa to play the second male lead in his new film, with a salary ten times that of a newcomer actor.
The champion from two years ago, Sonoda-senpai, is now an exclusive model for VIVI magazine and has also landed a role in an NHK morning drama.
“Matsuno.” Yagyu Hiroshi’s voice pulled her back to reality. “Director Kurosawa admires your acting talent. If you are interested in developing a career in the entertainment industry, it would be a good choice.”
Risa frowned slightly.
When did she ever say she wanted to enter the entertainment industry?
"Phew~ Looks like someone got here before me."
A languid voice drifted from the doorway. Risa turned her head and saw Niou Masaharu leaning lazily against the doorframe, his silver braid hanging over his shoulder.
But what's even more eye-catching is the girl following behind him—
A delicate citrus scent wafted in first. A girl with chestnut-brown curly hair walked in gracefully, wearing a beige dress.
She bowed slightly, the pearl hair clip at her temples gleaming warmly, making her look like a Japanese Nadeshiko who had stepped out of a classical painting.
Risa unconsciously straightened her back.
(That aura... no doubt, he's someone in the industry.)
(Could she be... the legendary Sonoda-senpai?)
The girl covered her lips with her sleeve, her eyes crinkling at the corners: "When I saw the news about Renwang's participation on the bulletin board, I thought it was some new kind of fraud."
"Sonoda-senpai?" Yagyu pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses slightly surprised. "According to the schedule, you should be in Okinawa as an exchange student and doing location shooting at the same time."
"We wrapped up filming ahead of schedule." Sonoda Umi shrugged lightly. "I didn't expect it to be in time for the semi-finals. I'm so lucky."
Risa felt a scrutinizing gaze fall upon her, and when she looked up, she met Sonoda Umi's eyes.
"This must be the legendary Matsuno-kun, right?"
"Hello, senior, I'm Risa Matsuno."
Sonoda Umi slowly approached.
She stopped in front of Risa and nodded slightly: "I am Sonoda Umi, the president of the fan club. I'm very sorry that the members caused you trouble while I was away."
"You flatter me, senior." Risa hesitated for a moment before finally asking the question that had been lingering in her mind for a long time, "May I ask what happened to Morita and Suzuki afterwards?"
The office suddenly fell silent for a few seconds.
After the rumors and scandals of April subsided, Misaki Morita and Yui Suzuki were suspended from school. But strangely, after the suspension period ended, the two seemed to have vanished into thin air and never appeared on campus again.
“Suzuki transferred to a girls’ school in Kyoto. As for Misaki Morita…” she sighed softly, “Her parents had always been estranged. After her father was demoted by the head office, her mother took her and immigrated to Belgium.”
(Belgium?)
Risa slightly widened her eyes.
The door to the student council office opened again, and the semi-finalists filed in. Their eyes lit up the moment they saw Sonoda Umi.
"Sonoda-senpai! You're back!"
"How's the filming going in Okinawa, senior?"
"The cover of this issue of Seventeen is gorgeous!"
Risa quietly stepped back, watching Sonoda surrounded by girls like a star. She calmly responded to everyone's greetings, occasionally covering her mouth with a slight smile, elegant and composed.
After all the contestants had arrived, Yagyu Hiroshi cleared his throat and began to read out the rules for the semi-finals: "This semi-final consists of two parts: a designated performance and an impromptu performance. Now, please come forward one by one to draw lots to determine your order of appearance and your assigned topic."
The crowd immediately quieted down and stepped forward in an orderly fashion to draw lots.
Risa was positioned towards the back, so she could clearly see the changes in the expressions of everyone in front of her as they drew lots—some breathed a sigh of relief, some frowned, and some were so nervous that their fingers trembled.
When it was Risa's turn, only a few slips of paper remained in the lottery box.
She randomly picked out a slip of paper, and when she unfolded it, it read:
[Order of appearance: No. 20]
Designated topic: Nina's monologue in "The Seagull"
The preliminary round is a selection process involving applicants, with the top twenty advancing.
Risa drew number 20, which means she was the last one to perform.
Yagyu noted down the results: "According to the competition rules, the topics for your impromptu performances will be drawn on the spot before you go on stage. Good luck to everyone."
After the draw ceremony, the contestants left the office in twos and threes.
As Risa walked out of the office, a soft voice came from behind her:
"Matsuno-kun."
As she turned around, Umi Sonoda was leaning against the window.
His gaze fell on her:
"Would it be convenient for us to talk in private?"
......
Sonoda led her to the corner window at the end of the corridor. It was a secluded spot away from the crowd, making it easier to talk.
She took a beige envelope from her handbag; the logo of VIVI magazine gleamed in the sunset.
"The editor-in-chief was very impressed after watching your preliminary round video." Sonoda handed over the envelope. "Next month's issue will have a special feature on 'Taisho Romance and Modern Fashion,' and we hope to collaborate on a double-page spread."
"Me? With my senior?"
Risa looked at Sonoda. He was tall and slender, conservatively estimated to be at least 175cm, while she herself was...
Sonoda seemed to see through her doubts: "The editor-in-chief said that your temperament is very special, with the liveliness of a modern girl, but also a bit of... dangerous aggression. It fits the theme of the next issue, 'Aesthetics of Opposition'."
(Dangerous...aggressiveness?)
Risa paused for a second. This assessment was completely different from the "well-behaved" and "quiet" descriptions others usually gave her.
That's interesting; she really wants to meet this editor-in-chief.
Sonoda took out a planning sketch from her handbag.
Two figures, back to back, are sketched on the paper in pencil, creating a strong visual impact: on the left is an elegant woman in a traditional kimono, and on the right is a rebellious girl in a studded skirt holding an electric guitar.
Two completely different aesthetic styles collide to create a wonderful sense of harmony.
"The clash between tradition and avant-garde. Isn't that a fantastic theme?"
"It's really creative."
"The shooting date is set for this Saturday." Sonoda put the proposal away. "Of course, you have the right to refuse."
"The project is very interesting, and I'm interested in giving it a try." She raised her eyes. "However, regarding the compensation..."
"Excuse me." Sonoda immediately understood and took out another document from his bag. "The basic fee for the solo part is 100,000 yen each, and the additional fee for the duo part is 50,000 yen each."
She handed Risa a contract with detailed terms printed on it, "A total of 150,000 yen per person, excluding transportation allowance."
(150,000...)
Risa quickly calculated in her mind.
That's roughly equivalent to two months' worth of part-time income.
It wasn't particularly generous, but it was quite considerable for a student model.
“If the response is good, we might sign a quarterly contract, and the compensation can be negotiated.” Sonoda paused, his tone gentle but cautiously probing, “Matsuno-kun seems quite familiar with this kind of collaboration?”
“Since it’s work, of course we need to confirm its value first.” Risa flashed a perfect business smile. “Please tell the editor-in-chief that I am honored to be able to work with your company.”
Sonoda widened her eyes slightly, then chuckled, "What a surprise, a second-year junior is so professional. After school tomorrow, go straight to the 'VIVI' editorial department to sign the letter of intent."
"It's a pleasure to work with you."
After Sonoda left, the invitation twirled between Risa's fingers. This part-time job had come at just the right time.
A lingering effect from a past life: When one's liquid assets fall below a certain amount, a pervasive sense of anxiety, like walking on thin ice, will follow them everywhere.
Even after being reborn as a high school student, the shadow of the economic crisis still lingers in her subconscious.
-
The next day after school, Risa packed her schoolbag and looked up to see Sonoda Umi standing at the classroom door waiting for her.
"Are you ready?" Sonoda smiled slightly. "The magazine's car is already waiting at the school gate."
Risa nodded and followed her toward the school gate.
On the way, Sonoda gave a brief introduction to Ms. Nanjo, the editor-in-chief of "VIVI".
Yoshino Nanjo is a senior editor with considerable influence in the fashion industry. She has a keen eye and attaches great importance to this project.
The car slowly pulled up at the magazine office building.
After getting off the bus, Sonoda and Risa arrived at the photography studio.
Upon entering, Risa felt a sense of calm death, like a corporate slave returning to their workstation. Before her was a familiar professional setup: lights, reflectors, a makeup table, a team of stylists, and several staff members adjusting equipment.
Editor-in-Chief Nanjo was a capable middle-aged woman with short, neat hair. She immediately came to greet them upon seeing them.
“Sonoda, this must be Matsuno-san, right?” Nanjo’s gaze lingered on Risa for a few seconds. “As expected, she has a better sense of the camera than she does in videos.”
Sonoda patted Risa on the shoulder: "The editor-in-chief wants to take a few test shots first to see how it goes."
Risa nodded and, with the help of the stylist, changed into an eye-catching punk outfit and put on heavy makeup.
When she stood in front of the camera, she initially showed a bit of the shyness of a newcomer, but then naturally adjusted her posture, her eyes full of tension.
"Okay, straighten your back a little more... Yes, that's it!" The photographer kept pressing the shutter. "Sharpen your gaze a bit more... Perfect!"
Editor-in-Chief Nanjo stood to the side, arms crossed, a smile playing on his lips: "Sonoda, you've really struck gold this time."
Sonoda chuckled: "I knew she was perfect for it."
After the test shoot, Nanjo looked through the finished photos on the camera and nodded in satisfaction: "It's even better than expected. This project will definitely be a highlight of the next episode."
She turned to Risa, her tone becoming much more formal, "Matsuno-san, the official shoot is scheduled for next Saturday at nine in the morning. You need to arrive two hours early for makeup and styling. Is that alright?"
Risa shook her head: "No problem."
"Sonoda should have already discussed the contract details with you. If there are no problems, we can sign it today." Nanjo handed over a document. "I look forward to your performance."
Risa took the contract, quickly glanced at it, and signed her name.
It was already dark when they walked out of the magazine building, and the streetlights were on, casting their light on the two of them.
Sonoda smoothed her hair and turned to look at her: "To be so at ease in front of a professional camera for the first time, it's almost like..."
—An artist trained by the devil.
Risa sneered inwardly, but her face broke into a perfectly timed blush: "It's all thanks to Sonoda-senpai."
"Oh?" Sonoda raised her beautiful eyebrows.
Risa tilted her head slightly, letting the warm light from the streetlights gather like stars in her eyes: "Actually..." She paused deliberately for a beat, "I'm a fan of yours, and I've been secretly collecting your magazine specials to study."
The information I had been cramming on last night clearly came to mind—Sonoda Umi, 18 years old, left-handed, likes to be complimented, and has the least resistance to sweet talk.
"I was so excited last night that I couldn't sleep at all, just thinking about standing next to my senior."
Sonoda's fingers, painted with nude nail polish, stroked her cheek: "Your lips are sweeter than honey. How about becoming my exclusive partner from now on?"
"Huh?!" Risa's eyes widened at the opportune moment, but she curled her lips into a smile as she lowered her head to hide her "surprise".
Unbeknownst to her, the gears of fate seemed to have begun to turn again. But this time, she would not be pushed around; she would take the initiative into her own hands.
-
The station was bustling with people, and the sounds of footsteps, announcements, and trams arriving mingled together.
(A dedicated partner?)
To be honest, she wasn't very interested.
Models and celebrities are just means to make money.
She took out her phone, hesitated for a moment, and then opened her chat with Yukimura.
"Sorry, I suddenly have a part-time job scheduled for this Saturday..."
He typed halfway through and then deleted it. His fingertip hovered above the screen, his shadow trailing diagonally across the ground, forming a hesitant silhouette.
"The next tram is approaching. Please be careful..."
The train's arrival announcement startled her awake. Risa hurriedly put away her phone and squeezed into the carriage with the crowd.
Just as the car door was about to close, a familiar iris color suddenly came into view.
"Yukimura...kun?"
The boy leaning against the corner looked up at the sound.
"What a coincidence." Yukimura straightened up and naturally came to her side, maintaining a distance that was both intimate and polite.
"I heard from Yagyu that Sonoda-senpai came to see you alone?"
"Yes. It's related to a part-time modeling offer from VIVI magazine." She explained her plans for Saturday in detail.
"Filming from seven in the morning to seven or eight in the evening must be really tiring."
"Yes. So... I can't keep my promise to go on a date with you this week. I'm sorry."
Upon hearing this, Yukimura's eyelashes trembled slightly under the light.
"Matsuno-kun, did you go on a date with me just to keep your promise?"
"Ah..." Risa's lips parted slightly, the monosyllabic interrogative word hanging in the air.
His voice was soft, yet it was like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake, creating ripples in his chest.
The way he looked at her just now...
Was it...disappointment? Or something more complex?
Just a moment ago, she seemed to see a dark emotion flash across his eyes, like a whirlpool surging beneath the calm surface of the sea before a storm.
Before Risa could think it through, he reverted to his usual gentleness.
"Keep up the good work, VIVI is a top fashion magazine," he said with a smile.
"Hmm..." Risa gripped her phone tightly.
It must be her imagination.
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Author's note: Sorry I'm late.
I just got back and I'm completely exhausted.
As compensation, and to thank all the lovely readers for your support throughout the serialization, we'll be randomly selecting 20 people from the comments section of this chapter to receive a small red envelope! [heart emoji]
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Here's a short skit:
Some people, on the surface, say: "Matsuno-kun, are you just going on a date with me to keep your promise?"
Secretly: I'm so angry (╯▔皿▔)╯ Wife, please take the initiative to ask me out, and not just because of the "promise".
(Crawling in the shadows.jpg)
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Inner monologue:
Yukimura: He tests, restrains, feels displeasure and possessiveness, but still maintains a gentle demeanor on the surface.
Risa: He's acting a bit strange? Not sure, let's wait and see.
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