Komachi whispered to the camera:
"Other than the teacher, the two of them eat snacks every time we record… I think they've gained weight."
When the two voice actresses heard Hikigaya Komachi's words, they exchanged glances almost instinctively.
After a brief moment of silence, both of them turned their gazes back to Komachi and gave her looks filled with exaggerated kindness and tolerance.
The kind of look one gives to a mischievous junior who clearly knows what she is doing.
"I'm sorry, senpai," Hikigaya Komachi said immediately, bowing slightly with a very apologetic expression. "The director asked me to say this. I respect both of you very much."
As she spoke, she did not hesitate to shift the blame completely.
The director, who was standing just off-camera, felt the corner of his mouth twitch violently.
However, he didn't signal for a pause.
From his perspective, this kind of interaction was precisely what made the program interesting. The atmosphere was lively, natural, and full of personality.
There was no need to interrupt it.
When the two popular voice actresses heard that it was part of the director's arrangement, they both sighed lightly and decided to let the matter go.
After all, arguing with the director on camera would only make things awkward.
Once the commercial break ended, Hikigaya Komachi picked up the scoreboard prepared by the staff and stepped forward with renewed energy.
"Alright! Next, I'll announce the top three performers of today's evaluation!"
Her voice echoed brightly through the recording studio.
"These three voice actors will receive special gifts from Hoshiyuu Agency, as well as an opportunity to participate in a supporting role for a Flash Animation project."
As soon as the announcement was made, the atmosphere inside the studio became noticeably more excited.
For junior voice actors, this kind of opportunity was extremely valuable.
After announcing the rankings and giving a few encouraging remarks, Hikigaya Komachi smoothly transitioned into her last remark of the show.
"Thank you everyone for watching today's episode! Please continue to support all the hardworking voice actors of Hoshiyuu Agency!"
Once her closing remarks were finished, the director finally raised his hand.
The recording ended.
This episode would be handed over to professional editors before being uploaded to the video platforms.
At present, The number of fans of Hoshiyuu Agency has now exceeded one million, and the number of views on this types of programs were no less than five million per episode.
Overseas, the new video website had directly purchased broadcasting rights for the program and established long-term cooperation with some voice actors under Hoshiyuu Agency.
In the future, if that platform developed games or animated projects, Hoshiyuu Agency would naturally become their first choice for voice casting.
...
Hikigaya Komachi walked out of the recording room, stretching slightly as she relaxed.
The moment she raised her head, she froze.
Standing not far away was a familiar figure.
"…Akira nii-san?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Akira Nii-san, didn't you go on a summer vacation?" she asked in surprise. "I heard from Yui oneechan that you were on an island."
Akira Fujimiya smiled calmly.
"I missed the lovely Komachi so much that I had took a helicopter back just to see you."
"Really?" Hikigaya Komachi clasped her hands together, her expression instantly full of emotion. "Komachi is so touched!"
Her acting was flawless.
"Of course it's true," Akira said, patting her head naturally. "I was also planning to treat you to some delicious food."
"What about the senpai's?" Komachi asked, glancing behind her.
"Let's go together," Akira replied, his gaze shifting to Shimizu Saori.
In front of everyone else, Shimizu Saori still maintained her usual cool and distant demeanor.
Hikigaya Komachi, who already knew about the relationship between the two, didn't believe a single word of Akira's nonsense.
Still, she had no intention of refusing a free meal.
Akizuki Rina and Sakura Yuki exchanged glances.
Naturally, neither of them would refuse an invitation from their boss.
After all, refusing would only make future work awkward.
Shimizu Saori didn't say anything, simply following along.
.....
Sazenka (fine dining)
This was the name Kazami Nana had chosen for her restaurant!
Hanada Yui had assigned her two assistant chefs—both young women who had been expelled from Totsuki Culinary Academy.
Who were in desperate need for such opportunities.
Both had studied Chinese cuisine extensively.
After Kazami Nana interviewed them, she decided to hire them without hesitation.
In the process, they brought her a great deal of valuable knowledge.
For example, what kinds of flavors local customers preferred, how much spiciness was acceptable, and which ingredients were most popular in this region!
Kazami Nana carefully recorded everything and continuously adjusted her recipes.
Of course, whenever international students or people from her homeland came to dine, she would definitely let them experience the authentic flavors of their hometown cuisine.
Sazenka quickly became famous among international students and office workers.
Some people even drove dozens of kilometers to Chiba just to taste familiar flavors.
And Kazami Nana's cooking never disappointed them.
Before she left her hometown, her grandfather had told her something she would never forget.
"No matter where you go, never forget the taste of your hometown cuisine. You will eventually return to where you started."
.....
Inside the kitchen of Sazenka, Kazami Nana moved with swift, precise motions.
At first, the two assistant chefs could only help with ingredient preparation.
But now, they were able to assist with actual cooking.
They had once studied at Totsuki Academy, so their foundation was solid.
They had simply been unlucky.
In truth, Totsuki's elimination system had many problems, but no one had ever truly addressed them.
Even Megumi Tadokoro was expelled!
That alone showed how unreasonable the system could be.
Kazami Nana had just finished a dish of spicy tofu when the restaurant manager walked in.
"Miss Nana," she said respectfully, "Young master Akira Fujimiya is coming."
"What kind of dishes should I prepare?" Kazami Nana asked immediately.
She was very aware of who Akira was.
She felt deep gratitude toward him and had long wanted to invite him to taste her hometown cuisine.
"Akira-sama will be bringing four girls with him," the manager replied. "We need to take their preferences into account while still providing authentic hometown dishes."
"I understand," Kazami Nana said after thinking briefly. "Give me an hour."
The manager nodded confidently and left.
.....
Half an hour later,
Akira arrived with the four girls.
The restaurant manager stepped forward and bowed politely.
"Akira-sama, Miss Nana has already started preparing your dishes. They'll be ready in about half an hour."
"That's fine," Akira replied calmly. "We can wait."
The group was led to a window seat.
Akizuki Rina and Sakura Yuki sat opposite Akira.
Hikigaya Komachi quickly claimed the seat next to them.
Shimizu Saori glanced at Akira, before taking her seat beside him without hesitation.
Akizuki Rina and Sakura Yuki were slightly confused but didn't ask Komachi anything.
Instead, they quietly searched for information about Sazenka on their phones.
When they realized how famous it was, their excitement increased noticeably.
Hikigaya Komachi blinked as she observed Akira and Shimizu Saori.
On the surface, nothing seemed out of place.
But she was convinced that Shimizu Saori was definitely making a move!
And just as Komachi suspected, Shimizu Saori boldly reached out and took Akira's hand under the table.
Akira continued looking out the window as if nothing had happened.
{T/N: Good thing she didn't reached out for something else, 😏}
"Akira nii-san," Komachi suddenly asked, trying to ease the atmosphere, "does the island you went to have a private beach? Or yachts and stuff?"
"It's an island with everything," Akira replied, turning toward her. "You can pick fruits freely, fish for tuna, take yachts, even helicopters."
"That sounds amazing," Komachi said enviously. "Komachi wants to go too."
"If you left with me," Akira said with a smile, "your brother would definitely say you should go with a bad person such as me."
"But, I think Akira nii-san is a good person," Komachi said with a smile.
"Really?" Akira nodded. "I think so too. A handsome and good person."
"Akira-sama," Akizuki Rina asked, seizing the chance to speak, "when do you plan to get married?"
"Probably during college," Akira answered casually. "It's too early now. Even though I have a fiancée, I still want to meet more beautiful girls—like you."
Akizuki Rina's face turned bright red.
While Yuki remained calm, clearly understanding he was just joking.
"Akira nii-san!" Komachi exclaimed, pulling out her phone. "I'm telling Yukino-oneechan!"
"Komachi," Akira said kindly, "you don't want Hachiman to lose his job, do you?"
Komachi pouted.
"You sound just like a villain in a manga."
"If I were a villain," Akira said slowly, "I'd say something like: 'Komachi, if you don't want anything to happen to Hachiman, just listen to me.' "
His tone was eerily accurate.
Komachi clenched her fists.
"…I think you're a bad person.Komachi will stay away from you."
"Don't worry," Akira replied calmly. "I'm not interested in you for the time being."
His gaze remained entirely on Komachi as he said this.
Understanding dawned on her.
Her face flushed with embarrassment and irritation.
Akizuki Rina, however, misunderstood slightly and blushed as well.
Could it be that Akira-sama likes her type?
When Kazami Nana finally brought out the dishes, Akira gently moved Shimizu Saori's hand away before standing.
"Nice to meet you."
"Fujimiya-sama, thank you for giving me this opportunity," Kazami Nana said, bowing deeply.
"Just call me Fujimiya," he replied gently. "I've always wanted to taste my hometown dishes again."
{T/N:.....}
"I'll be here for a long time," Kazami Nana said with a smile. "You can come anytime."
"I'm looking forward to your showdown with Nakiri Erina," Akira added seriously. "I'll be the referee. Just don't underestimate her too much."
"I won't underestimate anyone," Kazami Nana replied firmly.
As soon as her assistant called her back to the kitchen, the conversation ended.
Akira looked back at the four girls.
"It's ready. Let's eat."
The three girls then started to move. (Except Saori)
They were taking pictures just now.
No matter how hungry they are, they seem to want their phones to eat first.
.....
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,736