Chapter 143

[Your standing in Takarada Rikka's heart has risen.]

"No way."

Minami stared at the line of text and couldn't help but shake his head.

Wasn't this relationship progression a little too fast?

But…

"…It should be fine."

Shouji Minami muttered to himself.

Yes.

It probably wouldn't be a big deal.

Rikka was naturally lazy and had never been the type to fight for anything.

She was always ridiculously carefree.

Would she actually compete with Akane?

Just the thought of it made Minami feel that it was almost impossible.

And sure enough, the next part of the simulation seemed to confirm his thoughts.

[You hold a high place in Rikka's heart, but your relationship seems to remain as true and intimate friendship.]

[She frequently initiates casual physical contact, but only within the bounds of friendship.]

[Her laid-back and slow-moving nature often makes you feel the need to help her.]

[In response, she simply smiles and accepts your kindness without hesitation.]

[Being with you puts her at ease.]

[But she has never once expressed romantic feelings toward you.]

[She is like a still, deep well—her serene face never betrays any ripples of emotion.]

[Putting aside your progressing relationship with Rikka, you and Akane have encountered the first major turning point in your lives.]

[Apparently, a recording of your The Monster of the Human Heart performance from sophomore year had been uploaded online by someone.]

[With its excellent costume design, stunning set work, and a script that was both tragic and romantic, it became a hot topic on the internet.]

[And the fact that it was created by high school students left both insiders and outsiders of the industry in shock.]

[They couldn't believe that mere high schoolers were capable of such a masterpiece.]

[As a result, professionals from the tokusatsu industry reached out to you.]

[They hoped that you and Akane would formally enter the world of tokusatsu.]

[Apparently, the script had caught the attention of a veteran tokusatsu screenwriter who was nearing retirement. He wanted to find an apprentice before he fully stepped down—someone who could inherit his industry connections and the program he was in charge of.]

[For you and Akane, this was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.]

[Not only could you enter the tokusatsu industry ahead of schedule, but you also had a chance to inherit the legacy of an established screenwriter.]

[Tempted by the offer, Akane found herself wavering, while you fell into deep thought.]

[The next choice will have a major impact.]

[What do you think?]

1. "Opportunities like this don't come every day! No hesitation—accept it immediately!"

2. "It sounds too good to be true, but for the sake of Akane and my own dreams, maybe it's worth a try."

3. "I am destined to become Japan's Tokusatsu God! How could I serve under someone else?! Politely refuse!"

4. "Simulate it Yourself!"

The choices appeared.

Shouji Minami straightened up, feeling a bit impressed.

As expected from Shinjo Akane's high-difficulty route.

With this, there had already been three "major impact" choices.

This was going to be tough.

He shook his head.

Major impact choices meant decisions that could determine the simulation's ending.

A wrong choice could ruin everything built up so far.

With that in mind, Minami refocused on the options in front of him.

The first option was out, without hesitation.

This choice was far too straightforward, not giving any thought to the consequences.

After all, in the adult world, nothing comes easy.

The tokusatsu industry was, at its core, part of the entertainment industry.

A veteran screenwriter who had managed to survive in such a competitive field… Would they really just hand him such a golden opportunity for no reason?

If it were that simple, would Akane have chosen to take her own life in the first playthrough?

Minami silently crossed out the first option.

His eyes moved to the second one.

This choice seemed more like a compromise.

Though he found it suspicious that such a great opportunity had fallen into his lap, and he would likely remain cautious, in the end, he would still accept it—for Akane's dream.

But in essence, this option wasn't much different from the first.

The only real distinction was that he would enter the tokusatsu world with a wary mindset.

But…

"Even if I'm cautious, would that really make any difference?"

Minami sighed as he looked at the option.

Once you truly step into the industry, there are countless ways for them to squeeze every last bit of value out of you.

Minami even suspected…

Perhaps this "soon-to-retire" veteran tokusatsu screenwriter had already exhausted his creativity, unable to come up with anything new. That would explain why he was trying to extract fresh ideas from a newcomer like him.

It wasn't impossible.

In fact, the screenwriting industry was full of so-called "senpai" who exploited rookies, using vague "promises" and "opportunities" to take advantage of their creativity.

If they signed a formal contract, he and Akane—two inexperienced newcomers—might not get any real work. Instead, they could end up as mere ghostwriters, endlessly churning out scripts for someone else.

With that thought, Minami shifted his gaze to the third option.

Politely decline.

This choice meant walking away from the opportunity in front of him.

But Minami didn't see anything wrong with that.

After all, in the simulation, he and Akane hadn't even graduated high school yet.

Rather than jumping headfirst into the industry now, wouldn't it be better to focus on learning, improving, and enriching their knowledge first?

Once they had a deeper understanding of the field, then they could enter it with confidence.

With that in mind, Minami chose option three without hesitation.

[After much deliberation, you ultimately chose to refuse the tempting offer before you.]

[You believed that neither your experience nor your skills—nor your knowledge of the entertainment industry—were sufficient to survive in the tokusatsu world.]

[You also didn't want to sign a contract only to be exploited as a ghostwriter.]

[One night, after indulging in a moment of freedom, you shared your thoughts with her.]

[Akane felt a bit disappointed by your decision.]

[After all, the path to achieving your dreams was right there before you, yet you chose to turn it away.]

[But at the same time, she understood.]

[Though she had been tempted, she knew you were right—recklessly accepting could very well lead to the ruin of your dreams before they even began.]

[You both turned down the industry professionals and returned to studying, preparing for your university entrance exams.]

[Your concerns proved to be correct.]

[The veteran screenwriter who offered you his "legacy" was exposed for exploiting young talent.]

[Likewise, the whistleblower who revealed the truth was effectively blacklisted from the entertainment industry—no one wanted to work with someone who would stab their mentor in the back, even if they had done the right thing.]

[Akane was shaken by the sudden turn of events, but at the same time, she couldn't help but admire your wisdom in resisting temptation.]

[If not for your careful analysis, the two of you might have been sidelined and forgotten by the industry already.]

[You focused on your studies as time moved forward.]

[Under the watchful eyes of many, you and Akane successfully gained admission to Tokyo University of the Arts, one of Japan's top film schools, both choosing to major in film production.]

[Notably, thanks to your persistent tutoring, the members of Kessoku Band also managed to get into their dream universities.]

"...Kessoku Band?"

Oh—

Seeing this, Minami suddenly remembered that he had planned to tutor them.

But with Shuka Festival around the corner, he had been too busy and kept postponing it.

However, if the simulation was to be believed…

"Huh, looks like my tutoring actually worked pretty well."

Minami nodded to himself, feeling rather pleased.

At the very least, managing to get both Hitori and Ryo—two absolute wild cards—into good universities meant he might actually have a talent for teaching.

"But that's not the main focus right now."

Minami turned his attention back to the simulation's future developments.

[Getting into a prestigious university was only the first step toward your dreams.]

[You and Akane never stopped moving forward.]

[During your time in school, you continued to produce works that gained attention both inside and outside the industry.]

[Your script Ama, written with a poetic literary touch, told the story of a young woman from a fishing village who was framed, forced into exile, and suffered rejection from those around her. In the end, after enduring endless scorn, she took her own life at home. The male protagonist, who had truly loved her, could only weep as he gazed at her lifeless form in the morgue.]

[You collaborated with acting students from the university to film the piece using the school's equipment, later uploading it online. The tragic yet beautiful story moved countless viewers to tears.]

[Once again, your work caught the attention of the film industry.]

[That same year, Ama won the Tokyo Amateur Film Script Grand Prize, earning you recognition at Tokyo University of the Arts.]

[Even senior students from the acting department took notice, eager to be cast in your future scripts.]

[By May of that year, you and Akane co-wrote Tokusatsu and Her, a heartwarming romantic drama about a tokusatsu-loving girl and a countryside boy who fall in love. Despite its simplicity, the story deeply resonated with audiences.]

[An online poll asking for Tokusatsu and Her to be adapted into a drama garnered tens of thousands of votes, ranking it at the top.]

[Your exceptional screenwriting talent became widely recognized among young audiences.]

[The names "Shinjo Akane" and "Minami Shouji" began to spread among aspiring filmmakers.]

[Later that year, TV Asahi approached you with an offer to purchase Tokusatsu and Her for adaptation. It was scheduled for an 11-episode broadcast the following spring.]

[Despite your growing success, you and Akane never forgot your ultimate goal—to create the perfect tokusatsu series.]

[That was your grandest dream, one that would one day astonish the world.]

[Your career continued to rise.]

[After entering university, Akane, now fully independent, severed ties with her family early on.]

[Rather than staying in a home that brought her nothing but coldness, she chose to remain by your side—that was her only desire.]

[She didn't rely on you for help in cutting ties. Instead, she calmly met with her parents, ignored their indifference, and announced her decision with quiet resolve.]

[Her father was visibly shocked.]

[For the first time, he did not refer to her as "that thing."]

[Because the girl before him was no longer the lifeless doll he once saw. She had become a shining presence, impossible to ignore.]

[She was no longer the weak, broken daughter he had abandoned.]

[Now, as the head of the Shinjo family, he naturally tried to convince her to stay.]

["I know you resent the Shinjo family, but in the end, we are still your blood relatives," he said. "Though we may have treated you coldly over the years, we never neglected your material needs."

[Then he asked, "And what about that boyfriend of yours? Are you certain he won't change his mind someday? Are you really sure he'll stay by your side forever? If you remain with the Shinjo family, at least you'll have a safety net."

[His words were logical.]

[But Akane simply stood up, her usual mischievous smirk nowhere to be seen—only unwavering determination remained.]

But—

"Mr. Shinjo, I think you're mistaken."

Akane stood up. The usual mischievous smirk that often played on her lips was nowhere to be seen—her expression was purely serious. "Other than him, I don't need anything. No amount of money can replace him."

"This is my decision. There's no need to persuade me, because you won't be able to change my mind."

With that, she stood up.

No shouting. No anger.

She simply spoke, then turned and left.

And as she stepped out of that house—

A sudden lightness surged through her, from her body to her very soul.

For the first time, she felt truly free.

[You silently supported her from behind.]

[At the same time, you made a decision in your heart.]

[You would spend the rest of your life cherishing the girl who was willing to give up everything to stand by your side.]

[Time continued to pass.]

[With the broadcast of Tokusatsu and Her on TV Asahi! Your and Akane's names became well known at Tokyo University of the Arts. Even some screenwriting professors invited you to lecture on your writing experiences.]

[Through these connections, you both built a network in the entertainment industry while still in university. Your outstanding talent and striking presence turned many heads.]

[Tokusatsu and Her achieved impressive viewership ratings.]

[That same year, you continued to expand your industry connections, discreetly establishing relationships with many key figures in the film and television world.]

[At the same time, you never stopped refining your craft. Under your influence, Akane's writing style gradually leaned toward romance and tragic beauty.]

[By the end of the year, thanks to strong recommendations from several professors, you and Akane were among the first students at Tokyo University of the Arts to skip from sophomore to junior year.]

[Meanwhile, you continued to release your own works online.]

[Acting students—both juniors and seniors—fought for a chance to appear in your productions.]

[Your scripts were so high-quality that they rivaled those of industry professionals. Landing a role in one of your works was seen as a major career boost for aspiring actors.]

[Some students even managed to debut in the industry thanks to your scripts, gaining minor fame early on.]

[For students at Tokyo University of the Arts, your projects were a rare shortcut into the industry.]

[Some of the more attractive female acting students even tried sneaking over to your place late at night while Akane was away…]

[Faced with such temptations, you felt a headache coming on—but rejected them without hesitation.]

[When Akane found out, she immediately blacklisted those actresses from her casting selections, claiming she was simply "protecting you from bad women."]

[You had no objections. After all, there was no shortage of people eager to act in your scripts.]

[During your time at university, you created numerous outstanding scripts.]

[Your historical drama Scarlet Wolf, your crime thriller Relentless Pursuit, and Akane's fantasy series A Hundred Tales Across Time…]

[Among them, Scarlet Wolf was adapted for television and reached a terrifying 13.7% viewership rating in its season. Relentless Pursuit was turned into a low-budget film that became a dark horse at the box office. Meanwhile, A Hundred Tales Across Time, airing as a late-night drama on TV Asahi, became a sleeper hit.]

[Your ability to produce top-tier scripts left many in awe.]

[Gradually, your names started gaining recognition within the industry.]

[People in the business began referring to you as "Professor Minami" and "Professor Shinjo"—a sign of respect for your talent.]

[Your exceptional screenwriting skills made you the envy of many.]

[Several major television networks extended offers, hoping to recruit you.]

[But instead of taking the easy road to instant fame, you and Akane continued honing your craft day by day, steadily refining your writing and deepening your industry connections.]

[During this time, there were skeptics who doubted that such mature scripts could possibly come from mere university students like you and Akane.]

[They were convinced that your rise to fame was backed by corporate interests.]

[They dug into Akane's Shinjo family background and began attacking you both.]

[Rather than responding to these accusations, you and Akane quietly wrote a script titled The Cricket That Chirped Too Loudly, which was released in March of that same year.]

[The story followed a foolish and narrow-minded man who, relying only on his own limited judgment, presumptuously defined others. His arrogance led to countless misunderstandings, offended many people, and ultimately tore his family apart. Yet, even at the very end, he never realized his own mistakes. Cursing and ranting, he continued to pass judgment on every newcomer he encountered.]

[The script was filled with humor and wit, yet carried a sharp and biting satire.]

[Its clever metaphors thoroughly silenced those who had doubted you.]

[With sheer talent, you proved everything that needed to be said. Over time, the negative voices surrounding you faded, while the praise grew louder.]

[Supporting each other, you and Akane forged ahead. Before long, with recommendations from your mentors and the impressive scripts you had created in university, you both earned your master's degrees in film and literature.]

[On the day you received your degrees, she leaned against you, her eyes reflecting the years of effort she had poured into her work.]

[She was no longer the same girl from high school.]

[Though she still kept her short hair, the once playful and cute features had matured into an elegance that defied words.]

[Together, you both looked up.]

[Above you, the sky was as clear as your hearts, and the long contrails of passing planes carried away the last remnants of your burdens.]

[Earning your master's degrees was only the beginning of your dreams.]

[To everyone's surprise, you did not follow the expected path of writing films or TV dramas.]

[Instead, after graduation, you founded your own tokusatsu production company—"Minami & Shinjo."]

[The industry was baffled.]

[Your past works were all centered around literary romance. Why abandon that to start a tokusatsu company—a genre with an uncertain position in the entertainment industry?]

[They couldn't understand why you would take on such a difficult and thankless challenge.]

[And you offered no explanation.]

[With the wealth you had accumulated and the industry connections you had built, you quickly handled all the necessary paperwork.]

[And so, Minami & Shinjo Tokusatsu officially began operations.]

[You and Akane carefully studied the market, analyzing the current trends in tokusatsu heroes, and ultimately finalized your concept for the first production.]

[Kaijin Black Sun—a story set in a new era where being a "hero" had become a profession. In this world, kaijin (monsters) who had never committed a crime were ruthlessly hunted down by so-called "righteous" heroes, polished and revered in the public eye.]

[Against this backdrop, the protagonist "Black Sun" rises to fight against the so-called "justice" of the heroes.]

[To make the main character's design more striking, you opted for an aggressive metallic exoskeleton, a shark-fin-inspired silhouette, and a highly expressive mutated longsword.]

[Meanwhile, the secondary protagonist, a human observer, documents everything he witnesses. He sees the corruption behind the heroes and struggles with guilt over his pursuit of Black Sun.]

["I've never thought of myself as a hero. I just know that I have to do something. And standing in your way, stopping you—that's what I have to do."]

[With a dual-protagonist structure and a crime-thriller-style investigative framework, Kaijin Black Sun wove an intricate and compelling dark tokusatsu story.]

[However, there was one unresolved issue—the casting of the human protagonist.]

[As your company's first production and your first attempt at a "dark hero" tokusatsu (akin to Chainsaw Man), you were extremely meticulous about casting.]

[Yet, despite all efforts, you couldn't find the right actor.]

[Just then, someone unexpectedly came knocking—a visit that took you completely by surprise.]

[It was Rikka.]

[She had enrolled in a regular acting university after high school, and you hadn't seen her in nearly two years.]

[Her signature black hair and deep blue eyes remained as stunning as ever, and she still spoke in that lazy, unhurried tone.]

[She submitted her application, hoping to audition for the human protagonist role in Kaijin Black Sun.]

[On the day of the audition, Rikka delivered an outstanding performance. Her terrifyingly strong command of dialogue, effortless emotional control, and precise expressions all proved just how hard she had worked over the years.]

[Everything fell into place naturally from there.]

[From the moment Kaijin Black Sun aired, it shattered records.]

[The very first episode reached a staggering 14.9% viewership rating.]

[In an era where tokusatsu was on the decline, such a number was unheard of. It drew immense attention.]

[Beyond the stunning design of Black Sun's suit, what captivated audiences was Rikka's human protagonist—her long hair neatly tucked away under a wig, giving her a striking, sharp appearance.]

[Her remarkable acting skills, paired with an exceptional script, propelled Kaijin Black Sun into a massive success.]

[With undeniable talent, you and Akane proved all the doubters wrong. You had secured your place in the industry.]

[Merchandise companies rushed in, eager to acquire licensing rights for Kaijin Black Sun toys and figures.]

[You and Akane didn't refuse—after all, every industry needed funding.]

[However, you made it clear that you would not alter the show's narrative just to push toy sales.]

[As time passed, Kaijin Black Sun only grew more intense, and its viewership continued to climb.]

[In the second-to-last episode, the long-awaited confrontation finally took place—kaijin and human, face to face.]

[At that moment, viewership skyrocketed to 28.9%—a number no tokusatsu series in the Reiwa era had ever achieved.]

[Merchandise sales exploded.]

[Not only did Kaijin Black Sun dominate Japan's tokusatsu scene, but it also gained a massive following overseas.]

[Figures, posters, and collectibles sold out instantly, with demand far outpacing supply.]

[You and Akane amassed a fortune from its success.]

[At the height of this frenzy, Kaijin Black Sun reached its grand finale.]

[The final battle: the human hero, cloaked in shadow—against the kaijin hero, standing in the sunlight. Their opposing ideals clashed.]

"Why attack the heroes?"

"You already know the answer."

Silence.

"But humanity needs heroes."

"Kaijin do not."

[On one side—Rikka, exuding sharp masculinity in her short-haired disguise.]

[On the other—Black Sun, a monstrous yet captivating warrior, his raspy voice cutting through the air.]

[Their fated showdown pushed the story to its climax.]

[When the credits rolled, all who had once doubted you fell silent.]

[30.1% viewership—undisputedly the strongest tokusatsu of the Reiwa era. A perfect ending.]