Vol.2 Chapter 50.5: Building a mystery in the industry.

A day has passed since Hidetoshi Fumidai and Phantom had their duel.

[Unbeknownst to Yukiya Saito's knowledge.]

After Phantom and Fumidai had their not-so-little duel, the broadcast went trending all over social media, forming all sorts of theories about the sudden competition that no one even saw coming.

A duel between Phantom, who has risen in popularity as of recently, for being the mysterious masked person who modeled with Haruka Fujimiya, the rising idol. And Hidetoshi Fumidai, who is a rising teen prodigy of the entertainment industry, with his variety acting and skill sets.

People can't help but wonder, who could the person behind the mask be? Being able to replace a big name such as Hidetoshi Fumidai, there is no way that Phantom was just a normal person, right?

The publishers of the magazine released a statement that Phantom was only a random person they picked last minute, although it was the honest truth, people can't help but be skeptical about the whole affair.

It's Hitedoshi Fumidai we're talking about replacing, after all; his name carries a lot of weight and publicity, and they had treated him as if he was just another expendable talent. But to be fair, he was the one breached contract by not showing up in that photo shoot with Haruka-san, so they kinda understand where the publishers were coming from.

But still, if Phantom was really just a random person grabbed from the streets, why did he come back to stand in the spotlight once again? Coming back for a full blown duel with Hidetoshi Fumidai, and he's actually impressingly good? debatably even better than Hidetoshi Fumidai at that …It just doesn't add up.

Numerous theories have been made, the most well-known of which is that the duel between Fumidai and Phantom was nothing more than just a promotion to introduce a character to stir the masses, playing a mysterious masked entertainer who goes by the name Phantom.

Like a "Phantom Thief", is that where the stage name from? As to refer stealing the spotlight.

The mystery that surrounds his identity, flawless and classy movements enough to outclass that of Fumidai's and most pros, the flashy entrance the same as he exits, as if it was staged …was that how it is? Is Phantom just a wild card set by the industry for the viewers to admire and consume? Or so what the masses theorized.

However, the truth was nothing more than just a Chuunibyou trying to do his chuuni things, accidentally mistaking the duel as some sort of fun roleplay.

The mystery surrounding Phantom's identity, and the thrilling clash with Fumidai which kept viewers on the edge of their seats, led thousands of people to believe that it was an attempt by the industry to keep the viewers's eyes set on them.

It was a reasonable assumption given that this was the most publicity that they had in recent years, given that the industry was switching mediums of mainstream media, from TV cable to online flatforms. The influx of influencers, YouTubers, VTubers, Bloggers, etc. made no difference to celebrities in terms of publicity and promotion to sway the public.

However, only those who orchestrated all this know the true meaning of this publicity stunt, that was enough to shake the whole nation. Ayaka Saito and Mr. Muscular Owner-san.

Annoyed by Fumidai's rebellious behavior, Mr. Muscular Owner thought of Hidetoshi Fumidai as a huge headache to work with for not showing up in the model shoot.

The true identity of Mr. Muscular Salon Owner was pro Editor-chief/Fashion Designer/Beautician for the famous magazine publishing company called "Hatsu Co.", he just happened to work on a small salon to pass the time somewher in the commercial district.

However, not just anyone may do as he was aware how much weight Fumidai's name carry. Plus, it's not like some random handsome person would just walk in the room, having stunning charismatic looks comparable to that of Fumidai's, only hours away from the shoot.

That was until a certain regular customer brought her sibling along in the salon. That girl's name was Ayaka Saito.

At first, he didn't think much of the brother Ayaka brought along, however, when he lifted his bangs unlocked a diamond in the rough. No, to him it was as valuable as mythril, maybe even orichalcum.

When he received a call that Fumidai cancelled his appointment last minute, this was the very thing he was wishing for just moments ago.

He then made an offer explaining to Ayaka about the situation, which Ayaka reluctantly agreed with her own terms and conditions, finding out that their goals just happen to align with each other.

Mr. Muscular Store Owner's goal being to humble Hidetoshi Fumidai, and Ayaka's promoting his brother as not just someone you could easily ignore and label as a loser.

With that, Ayaka offers her own terms and conditions. One of them is to make her brother wear a mask in the photo shoot, and to wear a cloak similar to that of his Phantom attire. She demands if they would have ever to use a name, introduce him as "Phantom" as though it was his stage name.

At first Mr. Muscular Salon Owner was reluctant to agree, the face is what matters after all. Ayaka then put out an offer, a solution to fix both of their worries.

The reason for the mask was to build a mystery around who the replacement for Fumidai as Haruka's model partner. They'll let the media form their own conspiracies of who the person behind the mask was at the same time protecting Yukiya, Ayaka's brother's normal life and privacy.

We're talking about a nation-famous idol and replacing a persona who holds the same amount of popularity, after all. Getting mixed up in the crossfire might not be such a good idea. Just think of the backslash from Fumidai's side, and the jealousy from the eyes of Haruka's fans, pinning against a regular citizen that is Yukiya Saito.

Plus, Ayaka is aware of her brother's capabilities. As a bonus, she offered to make this situation a true mystery of the industry, offering that Phantom will reappear once again to truly humble Fumidai a month away from now, by instigating the two in a fierce duel.

She predicted that Fumidai is the type who wouldn't stay silent about his replacement. He will go after Phantom based on his previous behavior of wanting to prove to everyone his superiority.

But how will she do that? Inquired Mr. Muscular Salon Owner, which Ayaka answered and explained in detail.

She revealed to him her identity as "Shadow Marionette". Not going into too much detail, but "Shadow Marionette" is quite an influencial persona on the internet, having millions of followers through her account. Even Mr. Muscular Owner knows about this account. Not quite as influential as Hedetoshi and Haruka's internet/irl presence, but it's up there.

Confirming that the account was indeed Ayaka's convince Mr. Muscular Owner to seriously consider Ayaka's offer, finding the plan interesting and wanting to see how it would unfold.

Using the Shadow Marionette account, Mr. Muscular Owner would reveal Phantom's location, directing Fumidai to Hokkyokusei high, who will later seek for a duel with Phantom. And you know the rest of how the story goes.

With Ayaka's cunning plan flawlessly executed. Her brother got to keep his normal life, Phantom humbled Fumidai, and his classmates probably realized the true identity behind Phantom, holding him in greater respect rather than outcasting him and treating him like a loser.