My Tokyo Celebrity Girlfriend Is Love-Struck, What Should I Do? - Chapter 23

The Role of Wataya Izumi

The preparations for the script shoot exceeded Kimura’s initial expectations.

Various classrooms and locations required formal applications to the school, with strict specifications for dates and durations.

The approval process proved to be a headache for Hanta Kimura, who spent the past two days running around Kiyomi Art University.

Fortunately, Koike Koichi, the head of the photography department, provided invaluable assistance.

For Koike Koichi, applying for the use of classrooms and locations was a familiar process.

As for props needed for the shoot, the directorial department had its own prop storage, making it easy to borrow whatever was required.

“Kimura-senpai, have a drink.”

Koike Koichi handed him a bottle of Oolong tea.

“Thank you.” Kimura sat up straight on a campus bench and took the drink.

“The approvals for classrooms and locations are in, with the earliest usage scheduled for the day after tomorrow.”

Kimura took a gulp of Oolong tea. “If all goes well, we’ll officially start shooting the day after tomorrow.”

“It’s so exciting to think we’ll see Asuka-senpai the day after tomorrow!” Koike Koichi exclaimed with anticipation.

He removed the bottle from his mouth.

Kimura’s gaze focused on him.

“Considering the number of students in school who pursue a career in the entertainment industry, Koike-kouhai, why are you only promoting Asuka?”

“I’ve watched every drama Asuka-senpai has been in. Her smile in front of the camera is truly healing. In the drama ‘The Disappearance of the Third Person,’ her smile is just captivating. Also, in that drama called ‘Whatever-kun, Please Date Me,’ Asuka-senpai’s acting is simply irresistible.”

“It’s ‘Azukawa-kun, Please Fall in Love,'” Kimura corrected.

“Yes, that’s the one.”

Koike Koichi nodded vigorously. “Kimura-senpai, don’t you think Asuka-senpai is adorable?”

Kimura remained silent, taking a sip of his drink.

Involuntarily, the image of the girl’s bright smile and starry eyes floated into his mind.

“Indeed… very adorable.”

“What?” Koike Koichi leaned in.

“Nothing.” Kimura shook his head. “Have you arranged all the extras?”

“I’ve recruited some classmates from around, and they’re all on board.”

Koike Koichi leaned back on the bench. “It’s about the role of Wataya Izumi in the script. It hasn’t been finalized yet.”

Wataya Izumi is the best friend of the female protagonist, Hino Maori, in the script. She is also the only classmate who knows about Hino Maori’s “Anterograde Amnesia” aside from her family.

In the revised script, although Wataya Izumi’s scenes are not extensive, they play a crucial role in advancing the plot.

“It’s indeed a bit challenging,” Kimura scratched his head.

If he were to choose an actress for the role of Wataya Izumi, she would need to possess acting skills strong enough to hold the screen and be able to perform well with Asuka, who portrayed Hino Maori.

Therefore…

“We absolutely cannot use Asuka’s fans.” His gaze shifted to Koike Koichi beside him.

“Uh, yes,” Koike Koichi responded awkwardly.

Since the photography team of five established a Line group to discuss the preparation work for the project, the group had essentially turned into a fan chat dedicated to Asuka. 

Even though it didn’t impact their work, every time he opened the group chat, it was filled with supportive messages and pictures of Asuka.

Even Kimura himself didn’t address Asuka in such a fanatical way, the constant chatter about “Asuka-chan” in the group left him speechless.

Ding-ding.

Just as Kimura pondered the situation, his phone received a message.

Asuka: “Has the actress for Wataya Izumi been chosen, Hayata-chan?”

Wataya Izumi’s actress? Why is she suddenly concerned about that?

Kimura tapped his fingers on the screen.

Kimura Hayata: “Not yet.”

Asuka: “Any candidates?”

Kimura Hayata: “Still in the process of finding someone.”

Asuka: “Can I recommend someone?”

Kimura raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.

Kimura Hayata: “Who does Asuka want to recommend?”

Asuka: “Someone you know.”

Asuka: “Amemiya Nao.”

Seeing the name on the screen, Kimura almost dropped his phone.

Amemiya Nao?!

He indeed knew her; they had met a few days ago.

But would a renowned actress like Amemiya Nao agree to shoot a graduation project for an undergrad student who hadn’t even graduated yet?

Considering Amemiya’s fame, even if she were willing, he might not be able to afford her appearance fee.

As Kimura struggled to find a response, Asuka sent another message.

Asuka: “Nao-chan said she’ll come to the rental house this afternoon and talk to you in person.”

After a moment of silence, he slowly replied, “Okay.”

Putting away his phone, Kimura silently watched the people moving around the campus.

“Koike-kouhai, if… I mean if, what do you think about Amemiya Nao playing the role of Wataya Izumi?”

“Amemiya Nao?” Koike Koichi repeated, and then his eyes gradually widened.

His body, originally leaning on the bench, suddenly sat up straight.

“Is Kimura-senpai talking about Amemiya Nao, who acted with Asuka-senpai?”

“… Yeah.”

“Kimura-senpai, I have to tell you, Nao-chan has been amazing in every… about this role, I think Nao-chan… Huh? Kimura-senpai, where are you going? I haven’t finished yet! Senpai!”

“…”

Kimura hoisted his backpack and walked away into the distance. He found this guy, Koike, quite bothersome. He always delayed everything.

Delaying everything sooner or later would cause trouble for himself.

……

Due to the need to use the printer in the Photography Club activity room, when Kimura returned to the rental house, it was already in the afternoon.

He pushed the door open, and at the entrance, there were a pair of unfamiliar black women’s shoes.

“Tadaima.”

Kimura changed his shoes and walked toward the living room.

“Okaeri!”

From inside the house, there came the light and cheerful footsteps of Asuka. Her face, full of smiles, appeared in his sight.

“Hayata-chan, Amemiya-san is in the living room.”

Asuka’s soft hand gently took Kimura’s large hand, leading him towards the living room.

Amemiya Nao was kneeling in the living room on the tatami mat. Seeing the two approaching, she stood up and bowed.

“Sorry for the intrusion.”

“Amemiya-san,” Kimura bowed in return.

Two tatami mats had been placed on either side of the coffee table at some point.

The three of them took their seats on the tatami mats.

Amemiya gazed at Asuka, who was sitting next to Kimura.

Sure enough, Asuka’s face still wore that happy expression.

This made Amemiya even more curious about what ability Kimura really possessed.

How could he make Asuka so wholeheartedly devoted to him?

Even before Kimura came back, Amemiya was chatting with Asuka.

Who would have thought that, in just a few sentences, Asuka would talk about Kimura as if he were the best boyfriend in the world?

However, a man living in a rented house, making a living through part-time work, and picking up his girlfriend on a bicycle—Amemiya really couldn’t see any outstanding qualities in Kimura.

The reason she agreed to play a role this time was also because she feared that Asuka might be deceived by this young man in front of her, and she wanted to help Asuka see through his true nature…

If Kimura was really as good as Asuka claimed, then fine.

But if he was playing with Asuka’s feelings…

She wouldn’t stand idly by.