I'll post an extra chapter every 300 Power Stones. Good luck with that!
Goal for the next extra chapter: 88/300
####
As soon as I got home, I went straight to my room and took a shower. I didn't even bother checking the reaction to the first episode because I was exhausted. I think all the social interaction that happened tonight completely drained me.
After lying down, I only took a quick look at my phone and opened Twitter.
There was nothing but praise for the first episode.
I smiled and went to sleep.
When I woke up the next day, I felt great. I sat on the edge of the bed and let out a long yawn. Then I picked up my phone and saw that it was already almost 12 PM.
"It's been a long time since I slept this late. My schedule is going to get messed up again."
But something else I noticed was the large number of messages from Rina.
I sighed and thought, 'Something serious happened.'
But I didn't want to worry about it just yet. I went to the bathroom and washed my face. Then I went downstairs and headed straight to the kitchen.
I grabbed a few slices of bread, some ham, cheese, and a glass of juice. Sitting at the counter, I ate in silence while thinking about the previous night.
Those messages were definitely about that interview.
I should've held back.
After I finished eating, I finally picked up my phone to read Rina's messages. It wasn't just her—I also had messages from Eiri, Aoi Hoshino, and a few actor friends.
Even Ren had sent me a message.
All of their messages were simply asking if I was okay.
But Rina's messages, on the other hand...
[I knew that interview yesterday was going to be a problem!]
Then she sent me a link to an online article. When I opened it, I was surprised by the headline.
"Actor Kyo Evans says today's TV dramas are poorly written and poorly directed."
The woman had only released the part of the recording where I said that. She hadn't even published the questions she asked beforehand. It made it sound like I was saying that even "A Piece of My Heart" was poorly written and poorly directed.
"The only other thing she published besides that was about Miu. That bitch edited the recording."
I had said that Miu wasn't my girlfriend, but in the edited audio, it clearly sounded like I was confirming that she was. It was a very well-done edit. AI existed in this world too, but it wasn't nearly as advanced.
Even though it was the year 2035, the AIs here were worse than the ones from my old world.
"She did all this with editing alone. She's talented."
I let out a small laugh.
[Mr. Rikuya is furious with me! He said we should've been more careful! We're working to fix this problem!]
A problem?
Well, they edited the second recording, but the first one was real. I genuinely believe the quality of this world's TV dramas was far below what it should be. The only problem was that they had cut off the beginning of the interview.
Writer Hiroshi and Director Hayashida were probably furious.
So I sent Rina a message.
[I'm sorry about yesterday. I should've been more careful.]
Her reply came instantly.
[You took way too long to answer!]
[Sorry. I slept in today.]
[It's fine. We're already taking care of everything. The company has contacted the newspaper to take the article down and publish a corrected version.]
[But the first recording isn't fake.]
[But the journalist edited it. We've asked them to publish the full recording. After that, you just need to post a statement on Instagram and Twitter, and everything should be fine.]
[But are people mad at me? I haven't even checked yet.]
After sending my message, I set my phone on the counter and finished my juice. Then I went upstairs, brushed my teeth, and headed to my office.
But as soon as I walked in, I found Miu asleep.
"Right... it's Sunday."
I had thought she was at school.
Then, after sitting down in front of my computer, I read the rest of Rina's messages.
[To be honest, most of the audience and your fans actually agree with you. There are only a few people calling you an idiot and arrogant. The real problem is the writers and directors. They're the ones who are angry.]
[Like I said. If they feel attacked, it's because they know they're not good enough.]
[Don't start, Kyo...]
I could practically hear Rina sighing, even though we weren't on a call.
[Anyway, thanks for handling everything. As soon as you give me the go-ahead, I'll post a statement. For now, I'm going to message the writer and the director of "A Piece of My Heart". I need to explain myself before things get worse.]
[Do that. I'll contact you again soon.]
Without even checking the public reaction, I sent a long message to writer Hiroshi Kanto and then another to director Takumi Hayashida.
After that, I replied to a few colleagues, like Eiri, Aoi, and Ren.
I didn't reply to Aya Fuji.
I told them everything would be resolved soon and that I was doing just fine.
Then I set my phone aside, put on my headphones, started playing some music, and began writing as if nothing had happened.
####
POV: Third Person
In a building a little away from downtown Tokyo, a woman was on her knees, practically licking the shoes of the woman standing before her.
She was trembling with fear.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done?" the woman in the expensive suit asked.
"Y-Yes... I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I just wanted to be recognized, okay?"
"Recognized by making up a lie?"
"I-I didn't mean to..."
"You didn't mean to? Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"I needed the money!"
Hearing those words, the woman in the expensive suit immediately became alert.
"What are you talking about?"
"I did it because I needed the money. A woman approached me and asked me to publish something about Kyo Evans. She wanted me to post something that could damage his career. I really didn't want to. I like Kyo Evans. I'm a fan... But I really needed the money. Please forgive me!"
"Who is this woman?"
The woman in the expensive suit was intrigued.
Before kicking the woman kneeling in front of her out of the company, she needed to find out who had caused all of this.
'Damn it... Why did I sent this idiot to the event?'
####
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