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

Chapter 41 Aftershocks

January 4th, less than 24 hours before the main drama airs.

By this time, public opinion had already reached its peak, as if the entire entertainment industry revolved around one name.

In the editorial office of Weekly Bunshun, the telephone rang incessantly, with almost no breaks.

"Hey? An interview with Sakamoto Yu? I need it urgently too. Do you have his manager's contact information?"

"The next issue is already full?! We'll have to squeeze in some more space, no matter what!"

"Okay, okay, I've got it. I'll call back later to follow up."

The editor-in-chief abruptly hung up the phone, leaned back in his chair, let out a long sigh, his brows showing both exhaustion and barely concealed excitement.

"What's wrong, Editor-in-Chief?" The editor next to him leaned over and asked curiously.

"What else can we do but rob Sakamoto-ya?"

The editor-in-chief lit a cigarette, and smoke rings slowly rose. "Right now, all the media outlets are scrambling to get him. As long as his name is on the cover, sales will double."

The editor flipped through the data on his desk and marveled at it:

"Did yesterday's 'behind-the-scenes analysis' sell twice as many copies as usual?"

"That's what traffic is."

The editor-in-chief took a drag of his cigarette, his tone leaving no room for argument, "Go, find someone else to write another article, from any angle, as long as it's about him."

"What angle?"

"How should I know? You figure it out!" The editor-in-chief exhaled a puff of smoke. "Anyway... the name Sakamoto Yu is now synonymous with sales."

Not to be outdone, the editorial department of FRIDAY worked overnight to produce a special issue – "Sakamoto Yu: A Misunderstood Talent".

"Josei Jishin," on the other hand, focuses on the emotional storyline, using striking headlines to grab attention; both headlines are displayed side-by-side on the cover.

[What makes Sakamoto Yu, the "Edo-style vocal genius," so attractive to Sawaguchi Yasuko? The line between work and love blurs.]

[Shocking! The truth behind Yasuko Sawaguchi and Yu Sakamoto's secret rehearsal! Is it a romance, or just work?]

For a time, as long as the magazine cover had the words "Sakamoto Yu" printed on it, there was no worry about sales.

At the newsstands on the street, the owners were all beaming with joy, busy as bees.

"Boss, another copy of Weekly Bunshun with Sakamoto Yu!"

"Sorry, young man, we're all sold out!"

"Sold out again? I missed out yesterday!"

"Then come early tomorrow, I'll save one for you!"

These keen-nosed gossip reporters were not about to miss any opportunity and began frantically digging into Sakamoto Yu's past.

Even his past experiences on the set of "Dangerous Criminals" were reported.

When the museum curator was chased to the outside of the theater, he recalled with a smile when faced with reporters' questions:

"Sakamoto-san, well, it's very easy to create chemistry when working with him. He's very good at capturing the emotions and reactions of his co-stars."

Moreover, he was a newcomer at the time, yet he wasn't stage-frightened at all; he was a surprisingly good actor.

When interviewed by reporters, Shibata Kyohei generously praised Sakamoto Yasuhiro, his tone full of admiration:

"Sakamoto-san, well, in terms of acting, I think his greatest strength is his control over the characters, and he can bring out the characteristics of the characters to the maximum extent."

"I heard he's filming a Taiga drama now, right?"

Ah~ I'm really looking forward to his scenes.

Back then, on the set of "Dangerous Criminal," I would make a point of going to watch him film every time he did it. Watching him act was truly a treat!

Director Kiyoshi Nishimura also expressed his approval:

"There's a scene in 'Dangerous Criminal' that I had him and Hiroshi Tachi reshoot four or five times."

"It's not that they acted badly. It's just that they always seemed to be missing something."

He flicked his cigarette ash, his tone tinged with a hint of reminiscence:

"Then one of the lights went out, and the light dimmed by half."

He didn't panic, he kept acting, and in that instant, he knew it was right.

The reporter asked, "Do you think it was luck?"

Kiyoshi Nishimura shook his head: "Even if luck smiles on you, someone without ability can't handle it."

The reporter pressed further, "Many people say he got into the team through connections. What do you think?"

"Using connections?" Kiyoshi Nishimura shook his head and chuckled. "If he needs to use connections, then there's no one in this industry who doesn't need to."

"Alright, that's all."

Thanks to the promotion of several reports, Sakamoto Yu's image has also undergone a transformation.

First, there were rumors of using connections.

No one mentions it anymore. The affirmation and recognition from many renowned directors, as well as the appreciation from several senior figures in the crew, are enough to vindicate him.

As for the rumors about him and Yasuko Sawaguchi in the rehearsal room, the truth was revealed through the repeated reruns of the "work schedule".

Yasuko Sawaguchi's agency changed its tune, stating that the two rehearsed their scenes in an open location that day, with the assistant director and agent accompanying them throughout, and that there was no private contact between them.

The romantic rumors are completely fabricated.

Fans also saw the evidence in the behind-the-scenes footage and later realized that someone had taken things out of context.

Enraged, they continued to surround NHK, demanding an explanation.

This time, NHK executives opted for a cold response, with no one commenting.

It's worth mentioning that some fans who watched the behind-the-scenes footage were actually captivated by Sakamoto Yu.

Fans who like Sakamoto Yuu are gradually emerging in various places, but currently, due to communication problems, they are unable to effectively unite and communicate.

The fans still think they are a niche group and haven't found their community yet.

Meanwhile, in the NHK production control office, producer Shiraishi knocked on the door with a report in hand.

"Come in."

Shiraishi went in and placed the report on the table.

"In summary, the ratings for the behind-the-scenes footage from the past few nights are out."

The production coordinator glanced at the numbers and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Thirty-two, thirty, twenty-eight..."

"The peak viewership was mainly concentrated on the scenes between Yu Sakamoto and Ken Watanabe."

Shiraishi paused for a moment, then added, "In addition, the TV station received more than two hundred letters requesting that the main drama be broadcast ahead of schedule."

"More than two hundred letters?" The production coordinator rarely showed a smile.

"The drama 'One-Eyed Dragon Masamune' has already garnered attention even before it has aired."

"Yes."

"That young man..." The production manager pondered for a moment.

"Ken Watanabe's popularity has already risen, but what about Sakamoto Yu..." He tapped the table lightly, "What do you think of his acting and other aspects?"

The producer's sudden question left Shiraishi unsure of the other party's intentions.

After careful consideration, he began to explain:

"This young actor's acting skills have been recognized by senior actors, and Director Nakamura also expressed his appreciation."

Furthermore, recent newspaper reports cited a Tokyo University professor's approval of his style, which I believe gives him great potential in historical dramas.

Upon hearing this, the production manager tapped his fingers on the table.

A moment later, he took a document out of the drawer.

Producer Shiraishi stepped forward, took the document, and quickly glanced at it.

"Is this the latest Taiga drama?"

The production manager nodded. "He now has a certain level of public recognition, so I think it's worth a try. I recommend him audition."

"Contact his agency immediately and send them the letter of intent for this drama."

"Understood, I'll go talk to them this afternoon."

.....

in the apartment.

Sakamoto Yu opened the system.

[Task: Increase brand awareness to "Public recognition" within 30 days (Completed)]

Current progress: 100%

[Reward: Reduce most of Kitagawa's attention]

[Reward: Affinity +20%]

Sakamoto Yu's lips curled slightly upwards.

I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

These past few days, despite his calm demeanor, he has actually been on edge the whole time.

He didn't know when Johnny's would suddenly interfere.

Now that the mission is complete and the reward is in hand, he can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Snapped!"

Mayumi Watanabe threw a stack of the latest magazines and newspapers on the table.

"Take a look for yourself."

His name appeared on the covers or headlines of magazines such as Weekly Bunshun, Friday, Josei Jishin, and Asahi Shimbun.

Sakamoto Yu suppressed the joy of surviving the ordeal.

He casually flipped through the pages, his face remaining calm and indifferent.

"That's alright, about what I expected."

"That's it?" Watanabe's eyes widened. "Do you know everyone outside is going crazy? Every magazine and newspaper with your name on it has doubled its sales."

"I now have three times more acting roles and endorsement deals for you!"

"You've really become famous this time!"

Watanabe spoke rapidly, but the corners of his mouth never left his lips.

"Hmm." Sakamoto Yu remained calm.

"Huh? You just said 'hmm' and that's it?"

Sakamoto Yu looked up at her, his expression still calm and composed.

"How about I go downstairs and set off a firecracker for you?"

Watanabe was speechless at this reaction, and after a long while, he managed to utter a single sentence:

"You're no fun at all."

Sakamoto ignored her; he was holding a pair of scissors in his hand, cutting out the news articles about himself.

Watanabe Mayumi saw through it but didn't point it out, just rolled her eyes.

"Tch, always so stubborn."