Chapter 273

“Ugh… my head hurts.”

As soon as the Ename staff, leaving only the minimal security personnel behind, quickly finished their work and withdrew, Director Morgan disappeared, saying he would head down to the adjustment room for work-related matters.

I pressed my forehead hard against a dull ache that crept up from the nape of my neck to the top of my head.

If this was a sign of a summer cold, I would rather take it, because if I could dive into bed after taking some medicine and rest well, I could recover quickly.

But what should I do about this headache that’s purely made of 100% pain?

In fact, it’s even awkward to ask for painkillers indiscriminately.

Why? Even Zero seems to understand the source of my anguish and is silent, while the actual culprit, Show, looks over here nervously, as if ready to call the ambulance or escort vehicle the moment he hears another groan from me.

…What on earth am I supposed to do about this? Does effort even solve it? Really?

Maybe it’s because I’ve unconsciously forged relationships, but I’ve gotten rid of a lot of my cynical and emotionally precarious demeanor, which used to approach things in a lethargic, carefree way. Hmm, considering that aspect, it seems like this is a mature side that can only be seen in the latter half of the story, so I could say it’s a remarkable improvement.

However, his incessant advances, not even considering that his excessive emotions or desires might burden me, are undeniably the actions of a selfish young master.

How should I convince someone who disregards refusals and persists with such reckless behavior… Honestly, I don’t have a clue.

Moreover, in the worst-case scenario, I completely understood my distaste, yet he showed no signs of giving up and keeps clinging on, which is extremely ominous… Why is my instinct reacting uneasily?

Eva, seriously! That Kajun is not only in the position of the secretary chief but is also neglecting to manage his own water lord! Is he really following the plan correctly!?

“I don’t have any particular dissatisfaction with his skills or work… but I can’t let such a dark-hearted fellow linger around Ahsa. He’ll likely be buried in some work back at headquarters today.”

“I think you, Show, also far exceed the criteria for a dark-hearted human in my book.”

“Come on, there’s no way. I’d like to assert that I have nothing to hide from Ahsa… but I do expect there to be at least one thing coming up soon.”

Could there really be another secret that I’m worried about finding out yet also reluctant to learn?

Is this the first time he’s averted his eyes while talking to me? What on earth is he planning behind my back… No, just don’t respond. I’d rather pretend I didn’t hear it. Ugh.

Surprisingly, talking with the party has erased my awful headache.

Instead, the emptiness fills with a floating sensation, so I feel dizzy!

Didn’t that suspicious advertising contract I had never seen before get finalized? Isn’t Masanari worried that he might be following along too closely?

If someone was trying to make me feel that “the broadcasting company is rotten, and the world is doomed” vibe to discourage me, I would like to tell them that their plan has succeeded quite well.

No, it’s ridiculous. I was clearly quite interested and focused while doing the modeling work earlier. Now, I can only think of quitting and going home to rest.

I’m tired… I’m dizzy… I want to leave work now… even though I haven’t done anything.

On the other hand, Show, instead of looking sore like he did at first, appeared to have come to terms with the fact that there was no way out and smiled slightly as if preferring my resigned attitude of letting him shoot an ad or do whatever he wanted.

“Alright then… Douglas Director? I’m not sure if I remembered your name correctly.”

“I’m not the main director, just the MD in charge of this ad, but it’s an honor that you remember me, sir! Ah, when Miss Anastasia readily accepted to appear, I should have noticed that Mr. Edamatsu would come too.”

A beat late, Mr. Dougie realized he was to take over as a VIP guest and exclusive model, his hands rubbing together greedily as he hurried forward as soon as his name was called.

…Ah, I’ll correct that. “Greedy” is too excessive a term.

Suddenly, a senior executive from Ename came down to the studio to personally film an advertisement, so anyone would normally make such gestures, right? Don’t you think?

However, being in the midst of a landscape filled with people who were surreal, it was somewhat unsettling that he swiftly calculated the profit and loss and hopped in, acting recklessly.

I hope he properly plays the role of a brake to control Show, who seemed like he would rush in asking to do a photo shoot with me instead of an ad.

“…Ah.”

How should I convey my desperate gaze?

Taking the opportunity while the two greeted each other, I sent a strong look that asked if I could trust him to hold the wheel well. Our director nodded vigorously as if he understood, and made a bold proposal.

“If you have a preferred shooting angle, I will go so far as to sacrifice my body! I’ll revise the draft to realize the picture you want as many times as needed!! Would you prefer something a bit sentimental? Or should we ramp up the exposure to flaunt it…?”

“Let’s just shoot a failed beauty ad calmly, shall we!?”

Oh great, that wasn’t just a suggestion, it was a bomb that gently crossed my threshold.

Heh… I’m not testing how long he’ll put up with me. What on earth is this?

Hmm, so…

How should I articulate this in a roundabout way…

If you don’t want to get buried alive, don’t cross the line, you guys.

Show, why are you making a face as if you’re suffering? Just because I’m unable to push you away hard due to personal familiarity or affection, I’m just sighing and letting it slide, right? Do you really think I’ll submit to Ename’s or the executive director’s authority? Huh?? Want to turn the tables?

And you, Dougie! Why on earth are you, a director, asking the cast about the shooting angle? You’re acting like you’ll fulfill everything I say, aren’t you?

Let’s just stick to our roles, alright? Yes?? If you all understand, please answer promptly. Ugh!

“…The prospective fiancée’s anger is surprisingly severe. I can only apologize a hundred, thousand times for my slip of the tongue just now.”

“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve received such a rebuke, so I don’t feel too bad about it. For now, let’s go as per her original plan.”

With that,

Zing…

The lighting, adjusting its angle imperceptibly from the ceiling, and various cameras sliding in from all directions were meant to focus only on the spotlight directed at me.

I felt a breezy gust from the staff coming and going, but with the off-shoulder blouse I had changed into, it was impossible for my arms to maintain a natural position.

However, thanks to Show, who seemingly was familiar being shot like this, subtly touching the stiff areas from behind at the right moments assisted in correcting my posture without us needing to cease recording.

…I somewhat feel a bit annoyed that the contact seems to be becoming more and more casual!

“It hurts. Are your hands too much?”

“As I naturally tried to slide my arm toward your waist, it pinches that way.”

In case our quarrels showed up on camera, I held my face frozen while only moving my mouth to silently retaliate.

Such an unembellished scene was being called good by the irresponsible director outside, who was desperately giving the OK sign… Did they seriously intend to use this? No way, they’ll edit it appropriately.

The place was still above the large shooting equipment in that holographic studio.

The magnet field was set taut, aligning like an ordinary floor, and the prism pillars were reassembled in the back, transforming into a spacious screen to play the background.

After a minor incident that tested human reason and resulted in an eruption, the filming afterwards proceeded very smoothly.

Huh? Now that we could craft footage through modeling, what’s the point of shooting?

I had that thought for a second, but they said this filming process was to lay a guideline for the content to be broadcasted as regular flat video and for when it’s reconstructed into a three-dimensional holographic environment.

It’s nothing but a crude excuse for getting closer to Show this way… or so I think. The staff are diligently energetically moving props and adjusting everything as they continue to work.

Above all, isn’t that a rather dismal accusation? A wealthy heir living without lacking anything would do such things out of regret. …Unless they’re trying to fulfill their desires in some more original way, like in a cyberpunk world. Hmm.

“Yes… that’s fine. Let’s drop the Fashionista concept for now… and this time, let’s both, um, what was it… dress lightly and comfortably like a seasonal photo shoot… yes…”

“……”

I can’t keep Director waiting, and since the holographic workflow got pushed back, I immediately shifted to physical filming, leaving Danny’s interest dropping sharply to a deep bottom, visibly so, but still.

Facing each other in a contrasting posture, we took a few shots, and then naturally in a standing together posture for a few more.

Show changed into wild active wear to match my outfit, snapping pictures, and since both of us were in excessively dark tones, we were snapped with colorful makeup as well.

Ordinarily, I would feel a tremendous sense of embarrassment in these conditions, but the continuous actions of this natural disruptor kept my focus, thankfully preventing me from feeling that emotion.

In reality, it wasn’t a photo but rather precisely filmed video material being recorded… yet just looking back at the rough previews would show at least ten types, so it was nearing the end of filming.

Look at that. Everyone’s just focusing on work without losing track, which makes the workflow this fast, right?

This way, naturally, I can leave work early, and with more rest and leisure time, everyone reaches a happy conclusion.

…Of course, the staff don’t just go home after this is over, and Show must return to the company as well, but at least I’m going straight home, right? The ones who survive must live!

However, from the start, Show, who was more interested in me than his own food, seemed unhappy about ending up with just a commemorative photo. Thus, he followed me, refusing even the stylist’s outfit advice, just like a flickering flame.

Desperately trying to sway my mind.

“I won’t directly ask you to become my lover or establish some tight-knit relationship legally right now. But couldn’t you at least come back to Ename instead of staying in that so-called Paradise? I’m even more worried since you recently clashed with Elysium.”

“Hey… how is the example so creepy from the start? I’m not exactly affiliated with Paradise, nor do I intend to enter! Moreover, who usually attaches a stalker just because they’re worried?”

As I thought of that, I glanced back, and Masanari, who had been in a tense standoff with Zero, seemed to cower apologetically and bowed his head.

I heard Aaron had threatened him quite fiercely to boast, so it appears there are various strong restrictions on how he can approach me indiscriminately.

I might set aside the fact that he seems to lose his composed character whenever I come into the picture, but as a condition for my safety, I had no intention of recklessly narrowing the distance before his obsession symptoms alleviated.

Even now, being near him gives me a visceral sense of danger regarding my chastity, so dare I venture to meddle?

I don’t deeply dislike him as a human being, but if someone asks me if he’s disgusting, I can’t help but agree wholeheartedly.

Given that I have a rough understanding of his characteristics but he’s keeping the silence—a secret… I’ll have to repay that kindness in another form later. Tch.

“…Is there really no way?”

“I know you’re sincere in many ways, but the timing for persuading me is off, and you lack the resources…”

BAM!!

“Ugh…!?”

The noise that interrupted my grumbling sounded like the final warning, the sound of a palm hitting the wall resonating, and at the same time, my body was abruptly forced into the corner near the dressing room door.

To prevent any surprise that might lead to bumping into something, my other arm wrapped around the shoulder that had been exposed, but unfortunately, the pressure from the shadow of the man draped over me didn’t lessen.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a female staff member locking eyes with me, her face flushed as she stuttered, oh my, and hurriedly moved towards the studio.

Why? What’s there to be surprised about? No, what am I experiencing right now… Is it wall-hitting? What the heck!

“Even if I may do it coercively?”

“Y-you…”

Both sides fell into complete chaos due to his sudden actions.

Zero’s execution blade and the gun were aimed at Show’s back of the head, while the pursuing stalkers equipped their weapons, ready to slice apart the Droid’s main parts and joints with the same fierce reflex.

But the situation was surprisingly not as dire as it seemed.

Because… the most crucial person here, ‘Edamatsu Amagi’, was alongside me.

Crackle…!!

“……”

“………”

My nicely arranged hair was electrified due to the power pulled in, causing it to sway as if alive. Despite clearly displaying signs of something abnormal, Show showed no signs of retreating, as if determined.

If you wouldn’t respect me, then it was clear I had no remaining options. It appears that I wasn’t the only one cornered here.

If the chance to gain what you desire exists, even if it means risking death, you’ll wager it… I guess I have to take back what I said earlier about his selfishness only being possible because he’s a young master. This is an expression of his ego, almost a stubbornness.

One can either have everything and win or lose everything and die.

The determination that soaked into the life of the last-born of the Amagi family, whose very environment was a gamble.

If his grand wager wasn’t directed at me, I might’ve at least offered a compliment for his boldness!

‘This is a bit messily troublesome…!’

– …If you give me an order, I can immediately execute Edamatsu. However, after that, it seems I won’t be able to guarantee Ahsa’s safety, so please make a careful decision. –

This isn’t a do-or-die situation; I really can’t afford to harm anyone. However, I refuse to quietly be ‘taken.’

What to do, perhaps if I leave some room to evade, I might find an exit? I don’t want to go around playing coy like that… damn it.

Dizzy thoughts frantically searched for something.

The name of the item I sought was ‘variables’. If only some variable could come along and dramatically flip the atmosphere, allowing me to postpone this dialogue, how wonderful it would be. At that moment, yearning for an absent tool.

BOOM——!!!

“Wha?!”

What broke the standoff unexpectedly was an explosion that shook the building, of a scale nobody could have foreseen, and additionally, the harrowing notification of my malicious code, which reaped dividends earlier than expected.

Miraculously, as if the monkey’s paw had granted a wish, at this moment, the Memorial Times Broadcasting building was caught up in terrorist activity.