Uneasy daily life

The old man and the young man quickly started arguing about aesthetics.

"Hey, stop arguing, stop arguing, you won't get anywhere like this..."

Mikawa offered a few perfunctory words of advice, merely fulfilling his duties as director for the time being.

“Indeed! It all depends on the script. A screenwriter who’s starting to lose his hair and isn’t even interested in JK (high school girl) should just give up his position.” Bai Ying picked up an orange from the fruit plate and peeled it leisurely.

"What do you mean I'm not interested in JK (high school girl) characters? I'm a JK screenwriter, not some old pervert—"

Uesugi Taro froze for a moment, then made a sharp chop to cut off the previous statement: "I meant someone who's good at depicting the atmosphere of youth! What do you mean, a JK (high school girl) screenwriter?!"

He glared at the director with hostility.

“Let’s not talk about the past anymore,” Mikawa said casually. “Let’s discuss what to write for the next episode.”

"The deadline is this week, and I never expected to face the embarrassing situation of the script not keeping up with the schedule."

Mai Sakurajima, the lead actress, sat next to Bai Ying, smiling and crossing her legs: "Hater, do you have a draft in mind yet?"

Bai Ying confidently declared, "Absolutely not!"

"No?!" Uesugi Taro immediately pointed and shouted, "You're talking to me about art when you don't have any? Where's your professionalism? Where's your creative spirit? Where's your script?!"

"Ah this..."

San Chuanmu's expression stiffened: "Screenwriter Bai, this is no joke. 'Night Diner' is currently enjoying skyrocketing popularity, and its ratings are already rivaling those of prime-time shows. If they suddenly announce a hiatus..."

After a moment's thought, Uesugi Taro smiled nonchalantly: "Why don't we ask the director who stopped updating to commit suicide and apologize to the producer and the TV station?"

Mikawaki: "?"

"You actually thought of taking us all down with you! Old man, where is your professionalism? (The following is omitted.)" Bai Ying pointed back, noticing that Sakurajima Mai's eyes had become unfriendly, and said, "If you have no clue, you have no clue. You need to have some ideas to draw a beautiful face, right? I'm in a hurry and haven't prepared yet. Let me see the script from the last episode."

Mikawaki quickly took the script and respectfully presented it.

"Oh? The taste of first love?"

Bai Ying flipped through the script and nodded slightly: "Hmm, it really has the flavor of an old man. It depicts a scene of a student couple having dinner together, starting from when the two have a small argument and ending with when they make up. In between, there is a simple and unpretentious cooking process. It's very plain and simple... As expected of a JK screenwriter, it's just so-so."

"#!" Uesugi Taro suppressed his anger and said calmly, "I wonder what brilliant ideas Screenwriter Bai has?"

"Okay! Then I'll write about the feeling of heartbreak!"

Bai Ying closed the script, her gaze slightly lost in thought, already beginning to conceive: "To experience heartbreak, one must first fall in love, so one must first depict love, and then depict heartbreak. The former is the whetstone for the latter; only through mutual refinement can they become the sharpest blade... If we were to use a certain dish to illustrate the variation... ramen has a heavy oil, heavy salt, and high fat flavor..."

"?"

Uesugi Taro's brow twitched: "I just wrote about the taste of first love in the last episode, and this episode of yours..."

"No unauthorized personnel are allowed to disturb this screenwriter's work." Bai Ying frowned slightly, then waved her hand. "Guards, throw him out!"

Uesugi Taro said speechlessly, "Throw him out? I'd like to see who dares to do that..."

"Haha, Uesugi, let's go out for a drink."

Mikawaki pulled Uesugi Taro along enthusiastically as they walked outside: "Writer Bai, resolve this quickly and well, the crew is waiting to start filming."

“OK.” Bai Ying made a gesture and said casually, “But in my idea, we also need a young actress who has the youthful vibe that the screenwriter JK described. The director should find her in advance, and the male actor should be able to portray the expressions of different ages… Never mind, I’ll take this role.”

"No problem, I'll go look for it."

Mikawa readily agreed, but as soon as he stepped outside, he began to worry.

A JK (high school girl) image with youthful charm...

Mai Sakurajima is quite suitable; her age, image, and acting skills are top-notch, but she already has leading roles.

Mikawa Mu suddenly became worried.

"What about Toyohama?" Uesugi Taro suggested. "She did a pretty good job last time..."

"That kid has absolutely no acting skills; he relies entirely on his natural personality. The only difference between him and an amateur is that he has on-camera experience and doesn't make basic mistakes that require him to be aware of the camera."

Mikawa waved his hand: "Besides, others have already appeared and established a good reputation. Bringing them in to play a character with a broken heart would easily distort the audience's impression, which is not good for her or the drama itself..."

"Does the JK screenwriter know any young JK actresses? Preferably those who are still in school."

Taro Uesugi's face darkened: "I don't know any JK screenwriter!"

It's true what they say, one wrong step can lead to eternal regret. I should have watched the talk show to keep an eye on things!

The two walked out and entered the lobby of the restaurant that served as the film set.

"JK... So what exactly is JK style?"

Mikawa frowned and pondered, "Being young is fine, as long as she looks young, that's fine, but what about the JK style?"

Uesugi Taro glanced at me sideways and said, "You're the director, and you're asking me?"

“I understand it, but I don’t quite understand it either,” Mikawaki shook his head. “When you talk about JK (high school girl), you think of sailor uniforms, right? But times have changed. Not all high school girls wear sailor uniforms anymore. Skirts? Lots of women wear skirts. Ponytails? There are plenty of celebrities in their twenties and thirties who wear ponytails to look young, and quite a few of them do it pretty well…”

“You call yourself a director.” Taro Uesugi sighed and said slowly, “The most important thing about a high school girl is her youthful spirit. This might not be clear, so let me take you as an example—you spend most of your time working, thinking about making money and fame, and figuring out how to survive in this society… When you keep thinking and doing this, your mindset and cognition will start to change, and your perspective on the world will gradually become more realistic.”

"When you see a student, you consider the level of the school they attend and the prospects of their chosen major. When you see others, you consider their achievements and what jobs they do... You learn and accept a broad set of value standards, and with either indifference or vulgarity, you instinctively use these standards to explain everything you see and feel. From then on, all your emotions are mixed with the turbidity of worldly affairs."

Taro Uesugi stroked his beard, looked at a girl outside the restaurant, and gestured, "When buying clothes, they consider what their peers call 'trendy and fashionable,' whether the clothes are cool or pretty, and occasionally they have their own whimsical aesthetic sense. When they see new and interesting food, if they're interested, they'll try it, whether they like it or not is another matter. Their eyes always have a curious brightness, and their joys and sorrows are genuine, not just something they've become accustomed to day after day. The world is in a state of novelty for them... Youth don't think about the future, young adults are confused about the future, and adults are worried about the future."

"That's how it feels?"

Mikawaki seemed to understand something, and exclaimed in admiration, "As expected of JK, the screenwriter."

Taro Uesugi: "?"

Mikawa Mu pondered, his gaze fixed on the girl outside the restaurant.

Her fluffy brown hair was tied into two short ponytails, a backpack was slung over her shoulder, and a cell phone was tucked inside her oversized, dark white coat, which looked like a brand new piece of clothing, exceptionally clean and bright. The earphone cord peeked out from her pocket and disappeared into her temples.

The girl reached into her pocket with her right hand, probably to change the song, and a plastic bag was tucked into her elbow. In her left hand, she held a drink, occasionally taking a sip through the straw. She walked down the street, seemingly aimlessly wandering, unlike the other pedestrians who seemed to have a destination in mind. Yet, her eyes, full of curiosity, were taking in the surrounding scenery.

The world is small, and everything is new and exciting.

The world is too big for me to be interested in.

Is that the difference?

Mikawaki pondered his network of relationships, realizing that it would be difficult to find an actor who could portray this kind of temperament...

Ok?

The girl on the street outside the restaurant seemed to notice the gaze and looked over. She paused for a few seconds, then jogged over.

……

……

"First, depict it in a beautiful light, then downplay it a bit..."

The white figure is furiously typing on the keyboard.

Mai Sakurajima crossed her legs, rested her chin on her right hand, and propped her elbow against her knee. She glanced at the text constantly appearing on the screen, then turned her head to quietly look at the profile of the white figure, trying to silently disturb her work. However, the white figure seemed completely unaffected.

That makes sense. The hater probably doesn't have the habit of 'not being able to write when there are people around,' or perhaps he gets more motivated when there are people around?

Boyfriends and girlfriends, romantic relationships, couples... or even multiple relationships.

It's a really strange feeling; if I had to describe it, it doesn't feel real.

Is it because the relationship between them is too messy, or is it due to their own personality?

Mai Sakurajima couldn't quite explain it either. Occasionally, in her spare time, she would mutter about her decision, somewhat surprised that she would admit to this strange relationship.

Is it because you don't find the other people too annoying, making it hard to feel hostility? Is it because you've been influenced by the strange behavior of the haters? Is it because you feel it's just a relationship, with the intention of staying together until the end, and that the others will eventually leave?

I always tell myself to calmly and carefully examine my feelings... But when emotions surge, even the most rational person is inevitably affected.

Mai Sakurajima then looked at the script that was gradually taking shape. The female lead vaguely resembled Yukino, especially in the depiction of some youthful and budding emotions, as well as the small gestures and expressions that concealed her shyness.

"I probably can't really pull off this 'youthful feeling' anymore," Mai Sakurajima blurted out unconsciously. "In a way, I'm already a working adult, although it's not impossible for me to act like a girl in love... huh?!"

Mai Sakurajima's words came to an abrupt halt. Her eyes twitched slightly as she lowered her gaze to the claws on her thigh, her mind blank for a long time.

"Goodness gracious~"

Bai Ying continued to look at the screen, her hands stroking her soft, full thighs, the slightly rubbing yet very smooth black stockings caressing her palms.

Step on my foot!

"Hateboy!" Mai Sakurajima gritted her teeth, grinding her toes together. "Workplace harassment, you bastard..."

Bai Ying said matter-of-factly, "Aren't you quite shy? You're so shrewish."

"Cough cough."

Sakurajima Mai coughed twice, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down: "This is called being angry!"

"I understand, you're just embarrassed and angry." Bai Ying gave an OK sign. "Don't think too highly of yourself, Brave Plus."

"You make it sound so mature," Sakurajima Mai chuckled. "I'm actually a year older than you, you know."

Bai Ying turned her head and glanced at it, then sneered, "Stop fooling around, you're blushing."

blush?

Mai Sakurajima subconsciously touched her cheek, then met the serious gaze of the white figure.

This hater...

"Tsk." Mai Sakurajima clicked her tongue slightly, quite dissatisfied, "What an inconsiderate and arrogant younger boyfriend."

"I understand!"

Bai Ying gave an OK sign again, tapped the keyboard, turned around and said solemnly, "Then I'll show you the charm of a younger boyfriend. I'll definitely make you lose your armor and be routed!"

"?" Sakurajima Mai rolled her eyes slightly. "Have you finished writing your script?"

"I'm done writing. Now is not work time."

The white-clad figure raised a hand and patted her cheek, her expression changing dramatically: "Ready to be so ashamed you'll want to disappear?"

"You act it out."

Mai Sakurajima crossed her arms, leaned against the sofa, and looked completely indifferent.

Even if you're mentally prepared, what can you do? If you're going to say something to cheer someone up, at least be unexpected, right? Really...

Snapped!

The white figure clapped her hands, drawing Sakurajima Mai's gaze, and a youthful yet excited voice rang out: "Mai-senpai is really amazing! She does everything so well!"

"Really? Thank you for the compliment," Mai Sakurajima replied lazily.

"Mature and beautiful, pretty and generous, she looks especially cool when she's working hard, and very intellectual when she's studying!"

"It's alright, you should focus on your work when you're working."

"That's right! That's the kind of effortless way I want to be! I want to be the little wolf that Mai-senpai plays with!"

"Oh? Make a sound twice?"

"Wang Wang Wang!"

"You actually called out when I told you to?"

Mai Sakurajima sighed softly, swinging her raised leg leisurely: "Besides, it doesn't sound very nice either."

Bai Ying shouted, "Senior Mai! The whip and collar are fine, but the gag won't do! If you put a gag on, you can't scream!"

"You've got some pretty wild ideas!" Mai Sakurajima said irritably. "I think we can do without the whip and collar, but we can't spare you the gag!"

After saying a few strange things, Mai Sakurajima got up to go out and cool off, only to find three people standing at the door.

The air is dead; it can no longer carry people's voices.

Mikawamu: "..."

Taro Uesugi: "...cough."

Angelina: "Uh... Hello, senior?"

Is this what it means to be in a relationship? They can talk about such explosive topics without batting an eye!

"Ha—ga ga ga ga—"

The white figure let out a barbell-like, emotionless, maniacal laugh.

Mai Sakurajima felt as if a firework had been lit in her short-circuited brain. She took a deep breath and said in an unbelievably calm tone, "Director, please allow me to take a five-minute break."

"Uh..." Mikawaki asked with inexplicable awe, "You...you're welcome?"