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

Inside a private dressing room.

Kenichi Okamoto had just finished her makeup and was waiting to go on set to film.

He brazenly smoked, completely ignoring the fire safety warnings posted on the wall.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around.

Upon recognizing the visitor as his manager, Ikeda, his eyes lit up, and he eagerly asked:

"How was it? Was that guy so startled he couldn't keep up with the scene?"

That's right, he was the one who spread all those rumors in the crew.

Johnny & Associates had already reached an agreement with the production team, clearly stating that they would prioritize selecting artists from within the agency.

However, Katsuji Nakamura has always only recognized acting skills.

Priority refers to the order of events, not an absolute one.

On the day of the audition, Okamoto was also among the candidates.

I waited all day with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

He fantasized that the show would become an instant hit after it aired.

However, after only half a minute inside, they were told to go back and wait for further notice.

His father was an actor, and he himself was backed by the prestigious Johnny's Entertainment, so he always carried a sense of superiority in his bones.

After learning that the production team had selected an amateur who had only ever played supporting roles that day.

He was first taken aback, then a strong sense of humiliation welled up in his heart.

Among all the idols, he has always been the one most confident in his acting skills.

This is not blind arrogance; even acting coaches within Johnny's Entertainment have publicly praised his acting talent.

In addition, being born into a family of performers, he considered himself superior to others.

Now that the role has been snatched away by a newcomer with no background, how could he possibly swallow this insult?

Fortunately, the agreement between Johnny's and the production team stipulated that they had to provide a role.

In order to fulfill (perfunctorily) the contract, the production team gave him a supporting role with some screen time and lines, but not much screen time.

Meanwhile, through negotiations with his agent, he also obtained a private dressing room and lounge.

But that's all there is to it.

Compared to this makeshift, superficial lounge, he not only lost his role but was also secretly ridiculed by members of the agency.

Looking at that face, the manager, Ikeda, felt a sense of powerlessness.

With this kind of mentality, if you still want to survive in this industry, you're probably just ruining yourself.

Ikeda sighed almost imperceptibly, his gaze sweeping over the cigarette in Okamoto Kenichi's hand, his expression darkening involuntarily:

"Still smoking? Don't you want to lose your voice?"

As he spoke, he took the cigarette he hadn't finished smoking and put it in the paper cup.

He then turned around and closed the door to the lounge.

He pulled a bottle of water from the cardboard box on the ground, poured some into a cup, and used it to extinguish the cigarette butt.

"His acting is excellent. He not only handled the role well, but also won the appreciation of the director and several senior actors."

He glanced at Okamoto:

"Forget it, it's not worth it."

As he spoke, he handed over the bottled water and said in a comforting tone:

"Vice President Kitagawa has a good impression of you. Keep trying. There are other resources besides this one. Think long-term."

When Okamoto heard that the person not only caught the scene perfectly but also received high praise, his face instantly turned extremely ugly.

"How is that possible!"

He swatted away the water bottle that was handed to him, his face full of resentment.

What makes him, a nobody with no connections, so special?!

Ikeda was unhappy about being treated this way, but he didn't show it.

He watched calmly and then said:

"Here's a piece of advice: this is different from the film crews you're used to, so don't be too unruly."

With that, he opened the door and walked straight out.

Okamoto's chest heaved violently, and his face turned bright red.

He suddenly stood up and kicked the chair over.

"asshole!!"

After venting his anger, the fire in his chest subsided somewhat.

Suddenly, as if he remembered something, his eyes lit up, and he strode out the door.

After Okamoto stormed off, the young production assistant who had been on set earlier looked suspiciously in the direction Okamoto had gone.

Okamoto sneaked off the set and went to a landline phone booth located outside the set, which was specifically set up for the crew.

A number was dialed:

"Hey? Weekly Bunshun? I have the latest inside scoop on Taiga dramas!"

"Hello, I'm looking for an editor at FRIDAY magazine. I want to submit an article about the latest Taiga drama!"

.......

After the filming just now, the rumors circulating on set have been dispelled.

No one dared to risk gossiping behind their backs anymore.

Not to mention that with the public recognition of seniors such as Kitaoji Kinya and Iwashita Shima, Sakamoto Yu's strength is beyond doubt.

"Sakamoto-san, take a break for now."

"Attention all departments, transition!"

After filming another scene, Sakamoto Yu greeted several senior actors and was about to go for a rest.

At that moment, a young stagehand quietly approached.

Sakamoto Yu recognized this person as one of the people who had talked about him behind his back before.

He was secretly on guard, but his face remained expressionless.

"Hehe, Sakamoto-san, you've worked hard."

The stage assistant bowed repeatedly, a fawning smile plastered on his face.

"You're too kind, everyone has worked hard." Sakamoto Yu nodded slightly.

"Your acting was absolutely brilliant! I'm practically a fan now!"

The assistant spoke in an exaggerated tone, his face beaming with excitement.

Sakamoto Yu slowly suppressed his smile and said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness."

After saying that, he planned to walk around it.

Unexpectedly, the assistant quickly followed.

Sakamoto Yu frowned slightly. What was this person going to do?

He glanced around discreetly; there were still many people busy on set, and another scene was being filmed.

Nothing should happen in public.

But he didn't want to delay any longer and spoke directly:

"You called me, is there something you need?"

The assistant's smile froze. He glanced around, then waved to him.

"Please come with me for a moment."

"Say it here if you have something to say." Sakamoto Yu stood still, not moving an inch.

The assistant hesitated, glancing cautiously in the direction of the director and producer, before finally mustering his courage:

"Sakamoto-san, I was wrong before. I really didn't mean to talk behind your back... Please forgive me!"

"I just heard some news and know who is spreading rumors behind the scenes."

Sakamoto Yu raised an eyebrow.

Why should I believe you?

"I, I..."

During this period, electronic recording and video recording devices were not yet widely available to the general public.

The production crew has very strict oversight, making secret recording virtually impossible.

The young assistant was speechless for a moment, unable to produce anything to prove his innocence.

"Fine, tell me what you think."

Sakamoto Yu noticed his embarrassment, raised his chin, and let him speak.

Hearing this, the assistant breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked around and lowered his voice:

"I overheard an actor talking to his agent, and they said that the rumors were spread by them, and that they also said..."

The assistant hesitated halfway through her sentence.

Sakamoto Yu shook his head helplessly and made a move to leave.

The assistant quickly stepped forward: "They say you stole the role that should have belonged to him!"

"That's all I know, and then I saw the actor walk out."

The assistant scratched his head. "I'm telling the truth!"

Sakamoto Yu pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Understood."

After saying that, he was about to leave.

The assistant quickly followed up, asking, "You won't cause me any trouble, will you? You really won't complain to the firm about me?"

Sakamoto Yu, with his back to him, gently waved his hand.

The assistant stood there, his hands clenched tightly, for a long while before turning and leaving.

After leaving the film set, Sakamoto Yu went straight to the telephone area.

He tossed in a coin and dialed the agent's number.

"Moshi moshi, this is Watanabe."

"It's me, Sakamoto Yu."

"Sakamoto-san?" Watanabe Mayumi was taken aback. She subconsciously glanced at the pager. Usually, when Sakamoto Yu had something to say, he would leave a message on the pager, but this time he called directly.

She immediately realized what was happening and asked crisply:

"What happened?"

"An actor spread rumors about me, saying that I got the role by using connections and that I was assigned to the crew."

"Do you think you can find out who it is?"

"You stole his role?"

Watanabe Mayumi remained silent for a moment, then uttered a single sentence.

"Okay, I understand."

"You can focus on filming; I'll handle this."

"Okay, I can handle things on set myself."

"Okay, then be careful. I'm hanging up."

After a brief exchange, Sakamoto Yu hung up the phone.

He returned to the set, where filming was still in full swing.

Judging from Katsuji Nakamura's expression, the filming didn't seem to go smoothly.

He stared at the monitor, his brows furrowed.

"Strange, why is there such a big difference?"

The assistant director stepped forward at the opportune moment: "Director, is something wrong?"

Katsuji Nakamura rested his chin on his hand, tapped his knee with his fingers in frustration, and shook his head unconsciously.

Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of Sakamoto Valley passing by in the distance, and the footage he had just filmed flashed through his mind.

"Sakamoto-san!"

"Sakamoto-san, could you come here for a moment?"

Katsufumi Nakamura waved to Sakamoto Yu from behind the monitor.

Sakamoto Yu paused, still pondering how to deal with the person spreading the rumors. Hearing the director call him, he had no choice but to suppress the matter for now.

He took a deep breath and strode forward.

Katsuji Nakamura's expression remained calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Director, what can I do for you?" Sakamoto Yu asked politely.

Nakamura waved his hand, took out a script and handed it over: "Read this part."

Although Sakamoto Yu was somewhat puzzled, he still read it aloud.

After reading it, Katsufumi Nakamura fell silent.

After a long pause, he managed to utter a sentence:

"The difference is too great..."

"Did I read it wrong?" Sakamoto Yu raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled.

Unexpectedly, the next second, Katsuji Nakamura turned his head and said to Yu Sakamoto:

"Your delivery of lines is so different from everyone else's."

As he spoke, Katsuji Nakamura narrowed his eyes, then suddenly remembered something, paused, and added:

"The Cultural Affairs Bureau is scheduled to inspect the site next week and needs us to record a segment showcasing the creative process as behind-the-scenes footage."

"I'd like you to demonstrate, and also correct everyone's accents and intonations. Would you be willing to demonstrate?"

Upon hearing this, Sakamoto Yu was taken aback and hesitated.

Nakamura noticed his hesitation and nodded seriously, saying:

"Of course we won't let you help for nothing; we'll give you a technical allowance."