In the early morning at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, the international departure hall was already bustling with activity.
The crew of Alice in Borderland was checking in for their return flight. As the leads, Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai were naturally the focal point of the group.
Even though both kept a deliberately low profile, wearing masks and hats and dressed in simple casual clothes, their outstanding figures and an aura that couldn't be fully concealed still attracted the gaze of many passing travelers.
They stood side by side at the check-in counter, backed by the staff from Nenshi Agency, as well as Kato Megumi, who followed quietly a few steps behind as always.
Kato Megumi had already changed back into her signature dark gray professional suit this morning, restoring her appearance as an efficient professional assistant. Holding everyone's passports and necessary documents in her hand, she was methodically assisting with the procedures.
The intensive promotion in Xia Country over the past week had yielded results far exceeding initial expectations.
It wasn't just the fully packed offline events; it had also set off a lasting wave of fervor on the internet in Xia Country.
On [Blog], the most mainstream social media platform in Xia Country, discussions about topics like #MichiyaGōshinChinese#, #AliceInBorderlandShanghai#, and #Ai-Yu-Ren# remained high. Various on-site videos, fan-cams, and media press releases were still fermenting continuously.
Everyone in the team knew perfectly well that when Netflix officially launched this series on streaming platforms across multiple countries and regions simultaneously, Alice in Borderland was bound to achieve explosive success here, relying on the solid reputation and super-high popularity base established during this trip to Xia Country.
What would inevitably follow were rising commercial endorsements, advertising invitations, and broader market opportunities.
Director Aoyama and the Nenshi representative were conversing in low voices not far away, their faces showing unconcealed satisfaction and anticipation for the future.
Michiya Gōshin turned his head slightly and glanced at the girl beside him. She seemed to have not slept well, with a trace of faint fatigue in her eyes, but her mental state was quite good.
Sensing his gaze, Sakurajima Mai also turned her head. Her eyes above the mask met his for a moment. She didn't dodge; instead, her look held a calmness much gentler than when they had arrived, as well as a tacit understanding that only the two of them understood.
She nodded lightly to him as a greeting.
Michiya Gōshin's heart stirred slightly. Aside from successfully completing—and even over-fulfilling—the promotional tasks, the most important gain of this trip to Xia Country for him was undoubtedly finally prying open that cold shell Sakurajima Mai had deliberately built up due to their arguments and his "absurd proposal."
Her breakdown and crying on the Bund, as well as her relenting in the bar last night and that sentence—"I'll be waiting to be your heroine"—all clearly indicated that the aftershocks brought by that storm were gradually subsiding.
Although the road ahead was still long and full of thorns, at least the hard ice had cracked a fissure, allowing sunlight to enter.
This provided possibility and direction for his subsequent "efforts."
After boarding, perhaps due to some invisible arrangement taking effect again, Michiya Gōshin's seat was still adjacent to Sakurajima Mai's.
Both of them seemed to have become accustomed to this, or rather, deep down, they didn't reject it.
Guided by the flight attendants, they found their seats, stowed their carry-on luggage, and then tacitly wrapped themselves up even more tightly—hats pulled low, masks worn properly, and even sunglasses put on. This was the basic operation for entertainers to protect themselves, especially during moments like long-distance flights where it was easy to let one's guard down.
The plane took off smoothly, piercing through the clouds and gradually leaving the bustling Shanghai behind.
When the flight entered a stable state, the lights in the cabin were dimmed, and the passengers began their respective rest or entertainment.
Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai also took off their sunglasses, but their masks remained on. Separated by a narrow armrest, the atmosphere between them wasn't awkward; instead, there was a peace that had settled after experiencing so much.
"Finally... it's come to a pause," the girl exhaled softly. Her voice sounded somewhat muffled through the mask, but the relaxation within it could be heard. Continuous high-intensity promotion was a huge drain on both physical strength and energy.
"Mn, everyone has worked hard," Michiya Gōshin responded, his gaze falling on the boundless sea of clouds outside the window. "The results were much better than expected."
"Yes, thanks to your 'secret weapon'."
The girl's tone carried a trace of faint teasing. Her gaze swept over Michiya Gōshin; she was referring to his Chinese skills that had stunned everyone.
Michiya Gōshin smiled and didn't reply. He knew Sakurajima Mai's mood at this moment must be very complex, containing both the joy of work success and the re-examination of their relationship, along with lingering worries.
He didn't want to discuss topics that might trigger sensitivity too much at this time.
The two then chatted simply about work arrangements after returning to the country, their tones maintaining the naturalness of work partners.
Then, they each fell into silence. Mai prepared to take a nap, while Michiya Gōshin leaned back against the chair, closing his eyes to rest his mind.
***
The flight of over two hours passed quickly. The plane landed smoothly on the runway of Tokyo Haneda Airport, and the familiar cityscape came into view through the porthole.
Getting off the plane, passing through customs, claiming luggage.
At the exit, the crew team bid a simple farewell. Director Aoyama and the Nenshi representative once again gave high affirmation to the performance of Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai, and agreed to hold a summary meeting as soon as possible after returning to the office to discuss follow-up plans.
"Well then, everyone, thank you for your hard work! See you at the domestic events!"
Director Aoyama waved his hand, leaving first with some of the staff.
Michiya Gōshin and Sakurajima Mai also nodded to each other in acknowledgement.
"Safe travels, Mai-san," Michiya Gōshin said.
"You too, Yu-kun."
The girl uttered a response, her eyes lingering on his face for a split second before she was surrounded by people and walked toward the passage on the other side.
Michiya Gōshin watched her back disappear into the crowd before turning around.
Kato Megumi had already contacted the nanny van sent by [Star Engine] and was standing quietly by the luggage cart waiting for him.
"Michiya-san, the car is already outside."
"Mn, let's go."
The familiar black nanny van drove smoothly on the highway returning to urban Tokyo. Unlike Shanghai's atmosphere where the modern and the marketplace intertwined, Tokyo's streetscape carried a modern aura that was more orderly yet revealed a sense of alienation.
Michiya Gōshin leaned back relaxedly in the comfortable back seat, closing his eyes to alleviate the fatigue of the journey.
Kato Megumi sat beside him. She opened the tablet she carried with her and began to report the upcoming work arrangements in her familiar soft tone.
"Michiya-san, the promotional activities in Xia Country have officially ended. There are still two final warm-up events in Japan, one in Tokyo and one in Osaka, scheduled for next week. After that, our work focus will temporarily shift to coordinating with the broadcast of Alice in Borderland as well as... your personal music skill improvement courses."
She paused, swiped to the next page of the electronic schedule, and continued.
"Additionally, according to the finally confirmed schedule, in the second half of this month, you will officially join the Strobe Edge production team to begin filming for about three months. I have already sent the schedule for the relevant script reading sessions and pre-production preparation work to your email."
Hearing the words Strobe Edge, Michiya Gōshin's closed eyelashes moved slightly, but he didn't open his eyes.
The corners of his mouth curved upward almost imperceptibly.
Was he looking forward to it? Naturally, he was.
This was not only an important work but also a key stage for whether his relationship with Sakurajima Mai could go a step further.
"Understood," he responded simply.
Kato Megumi said no more, and the carriage returned to silence, with only the low hum of the internal air conditioning system.
The nanny van eventually stopped downstairs at the high-end apartment building where Michiya Gōshin lived. Kato Megumi assisted him in taking the luggage off the car.
"Michiya-san, then I will go back to the company first to handle the follow-up matters. There are no arrangements tomorrow morning, so you can rest well," Kato Megumi bowed slightly.
"Hard work on you, Kato."
"You should rest well too. After I join the team to film the movie, I can give you a few days off," Michiya Gōshin said in a gentle tone, looking at her face which still had little expression. "Besides work, you should also spend time with family and friends."
"...Mn."
Kato Megumi nodded and turned to get into the car. The nanny van slowly drove away.
Michiya Gōshin pulled his suitcase and walked toward the apartment gate.
Just as he unlocked the door and pushed it open, a figure, like a swallow returning to its nest, brought a gust of fragrant wind and fiercely threw herself into his arms, hugging his waist tightly.
"Yu-kun! You're finally back!"
It was Kurokawa Akane.
She was wearing a set of cute loungewear, her hair tied up casually. She raised her face to look at him; those eyes, usually sometimes stubborn and sometimes persistent, were now filled with unconcealed longing and joy, sparkling like they were filled with stars.
Not seeing him for a week, the girlfriend's enthusiasm surprised Michiya Gōshin a little, but what he felt more was the warmth of returning home.
He put down the suitcase and used his backhand to hug her soft body tighter into his embrace, feeling the softness and temperature of her body. The tip of his nose was surrounded by the familiar scent on her, carrying a hint of sweetness.
"Mn, I'm back, Akane."
He lowered his head, his chin gently rubbing against the top of her hair, his voice carrying a smile and the relaxation that follows fatigue.
"I missed you so much..." Kurokawa Akane buried her face in his chest and spoke muffledly, her arms wrapping even tighter as if afraid he would leave again.
"I missed you too," Michiya Gōshin responded softly, gently patting her back.
The two embraced in the entryway for quite a while, as if trying to make up for all the longing of these days of separation through this hug. The apartment was quiet and warm, completely different from the clamor of the outside world.
After a while, Michiya Gōshin gently released her and pulled his suitcase into the living room.
Kurokawa Akane followed behind him like a little tail, her face overflowing with a happy smile, constantly asking him about what he saw and heard in Xia Country, even though she had already seen many reports on the internet.
Michiya Gōshin simply picked some interesting things to say, skipping over those complex emotional entanglements.
After a while, the exhaustion of the journey and jet lag began to hit, and a trace of weariness appeared on his face.
Kurokawa Akane keenly perceived it. She immediately stopped her questioning and spoke with concern.
"Yu-kun, you must be tired, right? Why don't you go take a bath to relax first, and then we can... have a good rest together?"
By the end, her voice carried a trace of imperceptible shyness and implication, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Looking at her charming and lovely appearance, Michiya Gōshin's heart stirred. The running around of consecutive days and his taut nerves seemed to find an outlet for release at this moment.
He reached out, gently stroking her flushed cheek, his gaze deep and gentle.
"Okay. Want to wash together?" he responded in a low voice, taking her hand.
"Mn~"
Kurokawa Akane's heartbeat accelerated instantly, the blush on her face becoming even more intense, yet she showed no resistance at all. Letting him lead her, the two walked toward the bathroom together.
The door closed gently, isolating the disturbances of the outside world, leaving only a room full of romance and the sweet tenderness about to come.
***
The next morning, Michiya Gōshin had no work arrangements. Ample sleep and his girlfriend's gentle companionship allowed him to completely recover from the fatigue of the journey, leaving him full of energy.
Thinking of the upcoming filming and the venture into the music field in his future career plans, he decided not to waste this rare morning. He would continue to go to the professional music classroom where he studied long-term to further improve his abilities in writing lyrics and music theory.
Glancing at the system panel, to advance the entry library, he indeed needed to continue working hard to gain experience.
[Production Queue 1: Arrangement Mastery (Green)]
[Experience: 66/100]
[Production Queue 2: Lyric Writing]
[Experience: 15/100]
He arrived alone at the music classroom located inside a commercial building in Shibuya ward. The soundproofing here was excellent, and the hired teachers were all senior professionals in the industry.
However, when Michiya Gōshin walked into the reserved basic music theory classroom, he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure.
It was a young girl with a bright and beautiful appearance who, even in the slightly messy music classroom, exuded an aura full of transparency. With neat short purple hair that made her skin appear even fairer, and a pair of cyan eyes like clear lake water, pure yet carrying a hint of alienation.
She wore a simple light-colored hoodie and jeans but wore them with a unique sense of fashion. It was none other than a member of the idol group [noctchill], Asakura Toru.
Asakura Toru also saw Michiya Gōshin push the door open and enter. Those cyan eyes instantly lit up, like a lake surface lit by sunlight, flashing with a clear surprise.
"Michiya-kun?"
Her voice was just like her person, carrying a unique transparent texture. There were no exaggerated emotional ups and downs, but it was enough to express her surprise and joy.
"You're back."
Michiya Gōshin also felt a bit surprised to meet her here. He smiled and nodded.
"Asakura, good morning. Mn, I just got back yesterday."
Michiya Gōshin had mentioned in the private chat group of the "Romance Variety Show Six" that he was going on a business trip to Xia Country, so it wasn't strange that Asakura Toru knew his schedule.
However, he asked somewhat curiously, "How come only you are here today? What about the others?"
[noctchill] was a four-person idol group and usually acted collectively.
Asakura Toru blinked her cyan eyes, answering in a tone that was flat yet natural.
"They are practicing together in the rehearsal room today. I came for remedial lessons."
She pointed at herself. "For the upcoming joint Live, there is a solo part where I need to be the lead singer. There are a few places where the transitions and breath control don't feel perfect, so I came to find the teacher for some extra coaching."
Hearing this, a look of appreciation immediately appeared in Michiya Gōshin's eyes.
"Very dedicated. Working so hard for the performance effect."
Asakura Toru didn't seem to have any special reaction to the praise. She just tilted her head slightly, her gaze remaining on Michiya Gōshin without moving away.
She watched Michiya Gōshin walk to a seat on the side and put down his backpack, then suddenly spoke up.
"Is Michiya-kun taking the advanced music theory class today?"
"Yes."
Michiya Gōshin responded casually while taking out his notebook and pen. "I've finished the basic music theory class, so it's time to learn some more in-depth content."
The next moment, Asakura Toru suddenly walked forward two steps, came to the seat next to Michiya Gōshin, and sat down very naturally. She spoke in her characteristic relaxed tone.
"Then... I'll audit it too."
Michiya Gōshin's movement of preparing his notes paused, and he looked at her with some surprise.
Although this music classroom offered courses of various levels, from introductory to master classes, there were no strict restrictions on which specific class students attended; it mainly relied on students consciously choosing courses that matched their own level.
For an idol like Asakura Toru who had already debuted and possessed certain singing experience, she would usually take more advanced specialized intensive courses, such as Vocal techniques or stage presence.
As for music theory, there shouldn't be such a special need for reinforcement.
Asakura Toru seemed to see his confusion. Those cyan eyes gazed back at him calmly as she added.
"Learning a bit of music theory might lead to new gains."
This reason seemed to make sense?
Although Michiya Gōshin felt it was a bit strange, based on his understanding of Asakura Toru's personality, she was simply such a girl who acted on impulse and didn't quite play by the rules. Her thoughts and actions often carried a unique sense of leaping logic and transparency, making her elusive yet impossible to dislike.
He didn't ask further, simply nodding.
"Suit yourself."
At this time, the teaching instructor had not arrived yet. There were only the two of them in the classroom, and the atmosphere was somewhat quiet for a moment.
Asakura Toru didn't seem to feel awkward. She took out her mobile phone, then fished a pair of wireless Bluetooth earphones from her pocket. She took one of them and very naturally handed it in front of Michiya Gōshin.
"Michiya-kun."
Her voice still had no undulations, but it carried a calmness that allowed no refusal.
"Want to listen? A song I like very much recently."
Michiya Gōshin lowered his eyes to look at the small white earphone in front of him, then raised his eyes to look at Asakura Toru's cyan eyes that were clear to the bottom, revealing no distracting thoughts.
He was long familiar with Asakura Toru's straightforward style, which was also a point that received welcome from countless fans.
She truly did whatever she thought of, without considering too many worldly etiquettes or ambiguous implications, purely sharing something she liked.
Thus,
Michiya Gōshin smiled, took that earphone which still carried the faint temperature of her fingertips, and skillfully put it in his right ear.
The next moment, the corners of Asakura Toru's lips curved upward almost imperceptibly into an extremely small arc. She also put on the other earphone, then operated her phone.
A soothing electronic intro rich with spatial sense immediately flowed into Michiya Gōshin's ear through the earphone.
It was a pop song leaning toward an indie style. The melody was very special, and the female vocals were ethereal and rich with a narrative sense.
The two sat side by side in the quiet classroom, sharing the same music.
Michiya Gōshin closed his eyes, seriously listening to the melody and lyrics in the earphone, analyzing the arrangement techniques within—this was a habit he had developed from class now.
As strictly for Asakura Toru, while he closed his eyes to listen, she boldly turned her head, her gaze falling on his beautifully lined profile.
From the full forehead to the tall nose bridge, then to the slightly pursed thin lips and the clearly defined jawline...
"It's really nice, listening to songs together like this."
She suddenly said.
"Is it?"
"After all, Michiya-kun is a busy man; usually, one can't even book an appointment with you."
"..."
________________________________________
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