"I'm in Tokyo, and this is some kind of movie star comeback system?!"

Chapter 1 The Future Top Star

1986, Hamura Town, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo.

In the height of summer, the cicadas outside chirped incessantly, making people feel tense and anxious.

In a Japanese-style eatery, a young man wearing an apron is preparing mackerel, his hands still wet.

He looked a little nervous, glancing at the landline phone in the shop every now and then.

Finally, the landline rang urgently.

He quickly put down what he was doing, wiped his hands with a white cloth, jogged over to answer the phone, and turned his head to hold the receiver between his shoulder and ear:

"Moshi moshi... Yes, I am Sakamoto Yu."

The agent's slightly hoarse voice came from the other end of the phone:

"Sakamoto-kun, you failed your audition again this time."

Upon hearing this, Sakamoto Yu's previously bright eyes dimmed slightly.

Just as I was about to speak, I was interrupted by the other party.

"This is the thirty-fifth time this week."

"If it were any other newcomer, I would have told him to give up after his fifth rejection."

"Perhaps you should consider changing careers."

The agent's tone was somewhat impatient, and the fatigue in his voice was undisguised:

When I signed you, I thought I had struck gold.

With your looks, if you were a few years younger, I could easily get you into an agency and arrange for you to debut as part of a group.

Even if you miss your prime, you can still be an actor.

But given your current state....

The agent paused abruptly, and a sigh came through the microphone:

"I think you should just find a job."

"I'm not joking, Sakamoto-kun, think about it seriously."

The call was abruptly ended before the words were even finished.

A busy signal was left behind.

Sakamoto Yu was stunned for half a second before slowly putting down the microphone.

His shoulders slumped instantly.

He was originally just an ordinary office worker in China, working late into the night to finish a project, when he opened his eyes and found himself transported to Tokyo in 1986.

Penniless and friendless, his only asset was his unforgettable face.

His plan was very clear:

He relied on his good looks to secure a promising future, waiting for his popularity to rise before choosing to act in wildly popular scripts to earn his first pot of gold.

When the bubble economy ends, we'll go all in with leverage and cash out.

But reality slapped him in the face.

He really has absolutely no talent for acting.

Despite his great efforts.

He went to eight film sets in one day, but messed up every single time.

As soon as the camera was pointed at him, he froze, his expression stiff, and his eyes unfocused.

After several trips, the travel expenses were mostly spent, and he even had to work part-time while auditioning.

Even after paying this temporary job, I only have tens of thousands of yen left in my pocket.

Even after deducting miscellaneous expenses and living frugally, we can only survive for a month.

He rubbed his temples.

Should we really give up?

No, he still has one last option.

Just then, light footsteps sounded behind him, interrupting Sakamoto Yu's thoughts.

Thinking he was a guest, he immediately looked up and greeted him:

"welcome....."

He had just opened his mouth when he stopped speaking.

A beautiful young woman stood at the doorway, holding a stack of clean tableware.

Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, revealing a smooth forehead. She possessed excellent bone structure, and her narrow eyes held a hint of charm and rebellion.

At this moment, she is immersed in the grief of her brother's passing.

There was an unyielding melancholy in his eyes and brows.

His career has not yet taken off.

I just passed the selection process and joined the Kitten Club, number 38.

The person who arrived was none other than Shizuka Kudo, the future top star who would sweep across Japan.

To ease her father's burden, she would occasionally come to the restaurant to help out.

As soon as she entered the kitchen, she saw that Sakamoto Yu was also there, and she subconsciously paused for a moment.

Her originally gloomy eyes inexplicably brightened the moment she saw him.

Seeing that he was holding the landline microphone, I understood.

"Didn't pass again?"

As she spoke, she picked up a rag and deftly wiped the tableware.

Sakamoto Yu nodded calmly.

"Is this the thirtieth time?"

Thirty-five.

Shizuka Kudo pursed her lips and teased:

"Why don't you come and be my assistant when I become famous?"

She turned her head slightly and gently touched Sakamoto Yu's waist with her elbow.

"How about a salary of 80,000 yen?"

Upon hearing the salary of 80,000 yen, Sakamoto Yu inevitably felt a little shaken.

However, he simply smiled and adopted a condescending attitude:

"Kudo-san, the most important thing for an actor is that inner spirit and an unwavering determination to never give up!"

"Let's not bring up the assistant thing again."

Seeing Sakamoto Yu's goofy expression, I knew he wasn't upset, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, I see."

Kudo Shizuka smiled and nodded. After finishing what she was doing, she turned around, put her hands on her hips, and looked at Sakamoto Yu:

"What should we do? I recently heard from my agent that there's a role available in a film crew."

"Sakamoto-kun is so principled, he probably wouldn't even look at me, right? That would be such a shame."

Upon hearing this, Sakamoto Yu paused slightly in his actions of processing the mackerel.

As he prepared the ingredients, he spoke casually:

"But then again, if the production crew really needs actors, I would definitely do my best to help."

"After all, as an actor, I can't stand seeing any role go to waste."

Shizuka Kudo lowered her head and smiled.

The atmosphere between the two warmed up slightly.

She turned her head slowly, her gaze sweeping over Sakamoto Yu's handsome profile.

There was a subtle dependence hidden in his eyes.

After her brother passed away, this stranger inadvertently entered her life.

The two people live in worlds that are not in the same dimension, yet they meet by chance and belong to the same darkness.

She suddenly stopped what she was doing and tentatively probed, pretending not to care:

"Then... in exchange, after your audition, will you come shopping with me this weekend?"

Sakamoto Yu was taken aback, and his heart softened a little.

He was desperate at the time and found this place through rumors from his previous life, hoping to find a job by clinging to powerful connections.

Shizuka felt sorry for her father, which is why she kept him.

During the two weeks they spent together, he occasionally saw the girl hiding in a corner of the kitchen, sobbing.

Only he could see the girl's vulnerable side.

He would naturally not refuse such a request.

Just as Sakamoto Yu was about to agree.

"bite--"

The sudden ringing of the bell rang in my mind.

Sakamoto Yu's pupils suddenly contracted.

A blue light screen suddenly appeared before his eyes.

White lettering slowly appeared.

At twenty, you were scouted by a talent agency and entered the entertainment industry with great ambition.

At twenty-three, after three years of struggling, he was still stuck at the bottom, working as an extra. That same year, he met Shizuka Kudo, who was also going through a similar low point.

At 25, she became a national idol, while you remained at the bottom, stuck in the same place.

At thirty, the bubble bursts, a harsh winter descends upon the entertainment industry, and you barely scrape by with B-movies.

At thirty-five, plagued by injuries, you've played countless nameless supporting roles; the arrogance of your youth has long been worn down by reality.

At forty, you watch your peers shine on screen while you're stuck alone in your shabby rented room, surrounded only by empty beer cans and a crumbling career.

Sakamoto Yu almost dropped the knife in his hand.

His heart skipped a beat.

Could this be...?

He stared intently at the virtual panel, his hand trembling as he reached out to touch it, only to find it had no real feel.

Just then, all the words on the panel disappeared, replaced by a single sentence:

[At forty, after half a lifetime in the entertainment industry, you're still an unknown extra. Lacking solid acting skills, you're determined to make a comeback.]

[Please select: Yes/No to start]

Is this about myself?

But the timing doesn't match up either.

Is this system out of place?

Sakamoto Yu stared blankly at the panel for half a second.

At present, he has been abandoned by his agent and has no resources or background.

They can barely afford next month's rent, so it's no exaggeration to say they're desperate.

Even if this system is an illusion, he has nothing to lose.

His eyes narrowed, and he pressed "Yes" without hesitation.

After a "ding" sound.

A new sentence appears:

[The comeback system has been successfully bound!]