...
"What are you all doing?!!!"
As if the heavens had heard her plea, a shocked shout rang out!
Judging by the voice…
It was the long-missing Director Hase!
At that moment, the staff seemed to find their pillar of support and all turned toward the source of the voice.
Even the beasts chasing Kamishiro stopped and looked over, curious which brave soul had such a booming voice!
And then…
They saw a muscular man with a peculiar beard, holding up his pants and staring at them blankly.
Thanks to Director Hase's divine operation that originally majestic beard had successfully turned into the shape of a butt.
Yes. Because of Kamishiro's hair-removal cream incident, in order to prevent more of his precious beard from being ruined, Director Hase resolutely cut off the part that had gotten the cream on it!
He even tried trimming and styling it himself…
Unfortunately, he had overestimated his abilities.
The more he trimmed, the stranger it looked.
After successfully turning it into a "butt beard" Director Hase completely gave up.
For the sake of his treasured facial hair, he decided to leave the rest to professionals.
Afterward, in a good mood, he took off his pants and handled some important business.
He planned to sneak out quietly later so no one would notice his beard!
Sadly~
The moment he stepped out and shouted, hiding was no longer an option~
(??ω??)
Because of Director Hase's appearance, the entire venue fell into dead silence.
"..."
?(??? ?-? )~?
Looking at the crowd of people struggling to suppress their laughter faces twisted from holding it in, Director Hase's face darkened completely.
He… seemed to have forgotten something very important!
"Pfft—"
"Pff!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
As everyone knows, laughter is contagious~
Even those who had not intended to laugh were pulled in by the others' hysterical laughter.
It had to be said he truly was a director!
With just one appearance, he turned a life-or-death chase into a joyful comedy scene~
Only the person involved did not seem very happy~
What? Born without a sense of humor?
(??ω??)
Director Hase: (′?`)
His image!!!
He had planned to sneak around, but now everyone had seen it…
Could someone please explain what was going on?!
Director Hase looked at the cameraman who had somehow come to stand beside him, his eyes full of confusion.
He needed an explanation!
"..."
The cameraman glanced at the director's beard and could not help twitching at the corner of his eye. Thankfully, his professional training allowed him to suppress his laughter.
Just as he was about to explain what had happened while the director was in the restroom—
A black figure suddenly rushed over and hid behind him, shouting nonstop:
"Director! Save me!!!"
"Stop chasing me! The thing you want is actually with the director!"
After being chased for so long, Kamishiro had figured something out. Logically speaking, he had no real way of being exposed.
And if these beasts wanted the golden ticket, would it not make more sense to look for the director rather than him?
This move was called diverting disaster!
As for Director Hase's safety…
Kamishiro believed that with such a big build, the director could definitely handle it!
Director Hase: ???
But Director Hase did not understand any of that. He stared at Kamishiro in confusion.
"Explain first!"
He had already asked several times!
Kamishiro opened his mouth and gave an awkward smile. "Well… it might be a bit complicated to explain. Maybe, Director, you should run first?"
"Run?"
Director Hase laughed in disbelief. This was his territory and he should run?!
Just as he was about to scold Kamishiro, The cameraman beside him also nudged him. "Um… Director, you should run."
"Hmm? You"
Director Hase turned his head, and before he could finish speaking, he saw pairs of bloodshot eyes filled with burning desire.
Director Hase: {{(°△°; "}}!
"Wait… I am the director! What are you trying to do?!"
"If you want an autograph or a handshake, you should be over there."
Director Hase pointed toward Momo. He had only gone to the restroom for a moment—how had this group suddenly targeted him?
Had his charm been discovered?!
At that thought, Director Hase covered his pectorals!
No way!
With this many people, even his chest muscles could not handle it!
Seeing his gesture, the beasts' smiles widened.
As expected—the ticket must be hidden on the director's chest!
"We are looking for the director~"
(@[]@!!)
"N–No, stop!!!"
...
Watching Director Hase gradually get swallowed by the mob, Kamishiro slumped to the ground not far away and finally let out a long breath.
Terrifying.
Absolutely terrifying!
That damn Yamamoto!
If he had not taken the lead in chasing him, none of this would have happened!
Hmph!
Yamamoto should be grateful that he also went to drown the director in the crowd—otherwise, Kamishiro would have let him experience his burning passion!
Smack
Just as Kamishiro was fantasizing about beating up Yamamoto, a hand on his shoulder dragged him back to reality.
Kohei's voice sounded from behind.
"Got you, scumbag!"
Kamishiro: !!!∑(°Д°ノ)ノ
At the same time…
He saw Iori and the others approaching with sinister grins.
Damn!
Forgot about these bastards!
"So… you really came here to work part-time?"
In a corner of the venue, Iori looked suspiciously at Kamishiro, who was being restrained by Mitarai and Nojima.
"Yes, yes, yes! That is right! I have been short on money lately, so I just wanted to earn some extra cash~"
Kamishiro replied with an awkward grin, looking like an especially sly fox.
"I see~"
Iori nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly, "Fujiwara! Let Kohei go!"
"No problem!"
Kamishiro: {{(°△°; "}}!
"Wait, wait! We are civilized people! Do not just release the dog to bite someone!"
He had not had a rabies shot!
And that was no ordinary golden retriever, it was a rabid one!
If he got bitten… the infection rate would be one hundred percent!
That was right.
Kohei was still in full berserk mode. The earlier stimulation had been too much.
Right now, there was nothing in his eyes except Kamishiro. He could not hear any explanations from Iori or Kamishiro at all.
Only Fujiwara's newly trained muscles were barely keeping him suppressed.
Fujiwara: Hmph!
See? His muscles were useful after all!
Although… it was actually pretty tiring. He had never realized that the scrawny Kohei was this strong!
He would have to increase his training later!
He had heard about some kind of muscle club full of fellow enthusiasts. Maybe he should find a chance to check it out.
Imagining his buff post-workout body, Fujiwara's lips curled into a smug smile.
Would that not drive the girls crazy?!
However, while he was busy fantasizing, Iori's urgent voice pulled him back.
"Damn it, Fujiwara! Stop smiling! Have you noticed you are missing something in your hands?!"
Fujiwara looked down
Kohei, who had just been restrained, had somehow slipped away and was now sitting on Kamishiro's shoulders, trying to strangle the scumbag.
To avoid getting dragged in, Nojima and Mitarai had already retreated far away~
Only Iori remained unable to pull Kohei off in this state.
At this moment Iori felt slightly awkward.
He had only wanted to release the "dog" to scare Kamishiro a little. Who knew this idiot would actually let the dog loose?!
If you are going to release it, at least hold onto it!
He had just been waving his hands like a fool!
Damn it!
His cool boss aura had been completely ruined!
What kind of boss personally steps in to break up a fight?!
Kamishiro: (′?`)
Deaf… it would be nice to be deaf…
Kamishiro felt like he could see his great-grandmother waving at him.
She was even holding his favorite beer!
As expected of Great-Grandma, she understood him so well—but…
He felt like he could still be saved!
Great-Grandma, could you please take this golden retriever off me?!
He has low alcohol tolerance! Easy to trick!
Fujiwara: =????
Seeing the situation, Fujiwara hurried over and pulled the two apart, feeling an intense surge of pride!
See!
Without Fujiwara, things just would not work!
Meanwhile, Nojima and Mitarai simply watched the chaos silently.
(′-ι_-｀)
Their expressions were like they were watching a bunch of idiots~
...
One minute later
Kamishiro leaned against the wall with lifeless eyes. There was a bluish-purple bite mark on his arm.
(*?????)
It was over.
He was no longer clean!
He had not expected Kohei to actually bite!
If he had known… he would not have smugly provoked Kohei earlier when Fujiwara had him restrained again…
Damn it!
Just Kohei!
Iori: (;?＿?)
"Serves you right!"
Iori glared at Kamishiro with fury.
This guy was the definition of asking for it. Everything had been under control nothing would have happened.
Yet he just had to provoke him!
Now look not only had Kamishiro been bitten…
Iori had been bitten too!!!
That bite would be charged to Kamishiro's account!
Someday, he would find a real dog and bite him back!
"All right, continue. What is really going on? If you say you came to work part-time again, we are actually letting Kohei go."
Iori pulled out a bottle of alcohol from behind him and began disinfecting his wound while speaking.
Short on money?
He would sooner believe his little sister was a brother-con than believe Kamishiro a human money-grubber was broke.
If Kamishiro were really short on money, he would have gone back to his old profession already.
That was right
Host club work!
Why bother with part-time labor? Just find a rich lady!
With that face, Iori did not believe for a second that Kamishiro would ever lack money.
There had to be another reason!
"Ahem…"
Kamishiro, who had been planning to continue joking around, immediately shut his mouth when he heard the threatening tone.
After what just happened, he understood one thing—
Iori really would let him go.
And Kohei really would bite.
For the sake of his personal safety, Kamishiro had no choice but to "confess everything."
He lowered his head in feigned dejection.
"Fine. I admit it. I came here to apply for a job."
"Hmph! We knew it!"
Iori and the others snorted coldly, clearly believing this was the real reason.
"Huh?"
Kamishiro tilted his head in confusion.
That was it?
They believed him that easily?
He had prepared countless explanations to back up this excuse.
And now… he did not even need them?
Seeing the shocked look on Kamishiro Shiro's face, a gleam of wisdom flashed through Iori's eyes.
"Stop thinking about it. Miss Momo already told us!"
Hearing this
Kamishiro immediately understood what had happened!
He looked toward Momo, who was not far away persuading fans, and gave her a grateful expression.
What a good person!
And she even came up with the exact same excuse. Truly the perfect partner!
Kamishiro had already begun unconsciously imagining what it would be like when they collaborated in the future.
Surely… it would be absolutely wild (??ω??)
However
Just as he was letting his imagination run wild, an annoying figure stepped in front of him.
Kitahara.
"All right, stop staring. What position are you actually trying to apply for?"
Looking at those eyes glowing red, Kamishiro felt like he had walked straight into a wolf's den.
Only then did he realize male performers also counted as staff, did they not…?
He just hoped Miss Momo had not sold him out!
"Um… that… that is not important, right? What is more important now should be waking Kohei up, or dragging Yamamoto back?"
Kamishiro said weakly, trying to awaken whatever conscience remained in their hearts by bringing up their good brother's safety.
Come to think of it, he still did not know why Yamamoto had suddenly started chasing him.
And halfway through, Yamamoto had run off with those beasts to look for the director. Completely unlike the stubborn group in front of him…
Wait!!!
Kamishiro suddenly noticed a blind spot!
Why was Yamamoto the only one trying to grab that golden ticket?!
Based on what he knew about these beasts, even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, they would never give up. They would explode with potential and break past human limits!
But they did not go!
Not only did they not go, they did not even try to show off in front of their goddess. They were just leisurely interrogating him!
Could it be…
Connecting all the dots, Kamishiro could only think of one possibility.
These idiots… did not know about the golden ticket at all?!
His mouth twitched.
He felt like he had discovered the truth!
They had absolutely been tricked by Yamamoto!
No, wait. Nojima and the other two probably came with Yamamoto.
But what about Kitahara and Kohei?!
He was absolutely certain no one had followed him.
Did they see it online?
That did not make sense either. If they had, how could they not know about the golden ticket?
He could not figure it out…
Forget it. He would just ask.
Kamishiro sighed. This meet-and-greet was completely different from what he had imagined.
It felt like things had gone off the rails ever since that sunglasses-wearing security guard…
The golden ticket, Hijikata, Yamamoto and the others, the high school beasts, Sougo, Kitahara and Kohei…
Amazing.
Absolutely amazing.
So amazing that Kamishiro felt like some unseen force was maliciously targeting him.
Was there really some "soul of the city"?
He had only been gone a short while, and Tokyo already rejected him?!
Hmph.
Heartless!
After complaining internally, Kamishiro looked back at them.
"By the way, how exactly did you whoa! Wait, what are you planning to do?!"
(@[]@!!)
He stared in horror at the rope, cement, bricks and Kohei they were holding.
Seriously, how did you even bring that stuff in the car?
Or did you stock up right after getting off?
That is really unnecessary, okay?!
Iori: "Well, we are just doing what needs to be done!"
Nojima: "That is right. Conditions are limited, so bear with it."
Mitarai: "Go in peace. One squinty-eyed guy at Izu University is enough."
Fujiwara: "Uh… should we sink Kohei together with you?"
Kamishiro: (′-ι_-｀)
Great.
There was definitely some malicious force targeting him!
He knew it could not possibly end this easily!
Still…
"Could you at least give me a reason?"
Now free from Nojima and Mitarai's restraint, Kamishiro stood up and calmly straightened his clothes.
Aristotle. Little Cloth once said: Even if the world ends in the next moment, one must maintain proper attire!
"Did you not say it yourself? It is not important!"
Kamishiro's eye twitched slightly.
If it is not important, then why are you holding a sack?!
"Then… if it is not important, what is the issue?"
"Huh? Did we not make it clear? No matter what position you applied for, it does not matter anymore."
"Because"
"You definitely get to see it, right?!"
"Our goddess's naked body!!!"
The four of them red-eyed each delivered a line as if pronouncing Kamishiro's death sentence.
The way they said it, you would think they could not just buy a DVD.
Hearing this, Kamishiro let out a breath of relief.
If that was all, he could still survive.
No need to run!
That is right he had not really been fixing his clothes earlier. He had just been preparing to maintain peak condition for escape!
The end of the world?
How could these little nobodies possibly corner him!!!
Before, he might not have had a rebuttal.
But now…
Kamishiro pointed toward Director Hase, who had just escaped the crowd.
"That is the director, right?"
The four looked over.
Compared to earlier, Director Hase was missing some clothes, beard, and hair and had gained several red marks.
Still… he was barely recognizable.
"What? Are you going to brag about how close you are with the director and how you are guaranteed the job?"
Iori laughed in anger, feeling provoked.
He had dreamed of watching a live shoot up close!
If he could participate, even better!
Kamishiro calmly shook his head.
"No, no, no. I just want to ask after turning the director into that, do you think I still have any chance of getting hired?"
"..."
Silence fell.
Taking a closer look at Director Hase… he did look miserable.
Stripped down to nothing but purple underwear—and stripped by a group of men at that!
Putting themselves in his shoes, they could imagine the psychological trauma.
With that thought, they lost interest in targeting Kamishiro.
They patted his shoulder with some emotion.
"Welcome back."
Kamishiro: "..."
He did not really want to come back.
...