Chapter 891

Hirate Sarina felt the same bitter frustration, and so did Matsui Jurina, the next-generation ACE of the 48 Group, who still felt deeply resentful.

Since Tangqian Yang got together with Hirate Sarina, Jurina is no longer as favored.

I want more terrestrial broadcasts, more TV dramas, more exposure opportunities!

Otherwise, my position as the next-generation ACE is not secure!

And at this moment, someone pulled out their phone.

It was Tanaka Miku and Yabuki Nako, former teammates of Miyawaki Sakura in HKT Kyushu!

These two girls are only sixteen or seventeen this year, at the peak of their freshness and appeal, and they are especially favored by Sashihara Rino, the top existence in the 48 Group, but they share a weakness: both are short-statured—Tanaka Miku is 151 cm tall, Yabuki Nako is 150 cm tall.

"Wow, Miku, look at this!" Yabuki Nako pulled out an INS post.

It was Sawajiri Erika!

When Sawajiri Erika held a celebration banquet at Fuji, she posted something meaningful on Instagram: a selfie of her wearing a burgundy velvet dress, standing sideways to the mirror, revealing her leg wrapped in black silk stockings, with the caption: "Tonight's dress was not made for others; a woman is beautiful only because she pleases herself!"

Immediately, many fans commented, "Erika, you're so beautiful!"

At the same time, others commented, "Did Sawajiri-san not attend the 'Hand of God' celebration banquet? I heard there was a show recording!" Sawajiri Erika did not respond.

She immediately posted a second update: an old photo from another drama set, showing her in a white coat, holding a stethoscope, with a hospital hallway in the background, and full of implication.

The caption read: "Once, a role came to me—the script was great, the team was great, the co-stars were great. But in the end, my opportunity was stolen by someone else."

"Why? Because in this industry, some roles demand not acting skill, not effort, but whether you're willing to kneel. I am not willing. So I am here, with no regrets."

"I am not one of those who rely on flattery and currying favor, who haven't even stayed up for late-night slots before shooting straight to fame."

This post didn't name names, but everyone knew who she meant.

Miyawaki Sakura.

Xiao Yinghua is truly the idol who never starred in a late-night drama but jumped straight to being the second female lead in a national monthly nine drama!

She has recently become wildly popular in Japan; originally, YKC48 had long planned 'Marutaoka Academy' with Matsui Jurina as the female lead, but unexpectedly, Xiao Yinghua became so popular that the script had to be drastically revised, causing resentment within the idol circle (meaning the idol group and its fans), who said, "You're already a monthly nine actress—don't come stealing our resources!"

Everyone unconsciously turned their gaze toward Xiao Yinghua, sitting beside the actor group, already separated from the little idols by a tragic, thick wall—only to see her seated among the actors, smiling sweetly and perceptively, serving Shirakawa Mai drinks, appearing obedient and sensible, yet her whole body seemed to glow with a radiant light!

Xiao Yinghua is already a true actress! Not like you little idols!

This is the glory exclusive to Miyawaki Sakura, and also the manifestation of her transcendent status now.

"What are you discussing?" At this moment, a woman spoke up.

Yamaguchi Maho.

Tanaka Miku and Yabuki Nako also glanced at her.

Since the case involving Kakimoto Hirotomo and Takei Masanori, Yamaguchi Maho's position in the 48 Group has remained awkward; after that incident, everyone knows she had a relationship with Uesugi Muneyuki.

If she hadn't been with Uesugi Muneyuki, how would she have gotten the role of placard girl on the 'Hand of God' variety show? You just finished your wedding! This gives her a transcendent status in the idol circle as well.

She is blessed!

That's the blessing personally used by Uesugi Muneyuki!

Can't we also get a share of your blessing?

Sniffle, why won't Uesugi-san use my blessing?! Yamaguchi has blessing, Sakura has blessing, I have blessing too!

Yamaguchi Maho is already 23 this year; in fact, her status in the idol circle is very awkward, but she clings on and refuses to graduate—first, because she doesn't know what she'd do after graduation; second, because the circle knows she once had a romantic relationship with Uesugi Muneyuki, so she might still have influence, and she can also use this as a joke—although she's already used it for two years, at least she has something to joke about.

"Maho-chan, look at this."

Sure enough, after Sawajiri Erika's INS post, it exploded across social media.

There had long been rumors that Miyawaki Sakura's current second female lead role was originally meant for the buttocks, but Uesugi Muneyuki kicked her out, and Fuji originally planned to compensate her by giving her two episodes as a minor lead in a standalone drama, but after Uesugi Muneyuki read the script, he rejected it again. It matches, it all matches!

The comment section exploded.

Comments said, "Erika, you're so bold!" and "Is this hinting at our National Forensic Medical Examiner Uesugi Muneyuki's unspoken rules?" Someone said, "Without evidence, it's better not to gossip," and someone said, "Miyawaki Sakura's acting is naturally better than yours—what are you jealous of?"…… Yamaguchi Maho glanced at Uesugi Muneyuki, her expression dark and unfathomable: "Uesugi-san perhaps has his own considerations."

Everyone then turned their gaze to another place.

Besides Miyawaki Sakura, who rose to fame with 'Hand of God,' there are two other women.

One is Yamada Nanase, whose husband died in the line of duty during the Ikebukuro Phantom Guest pursuit case.

Yamada Nanase sat quietly in the corner by the table, holding a cup of orange juice in her hands, as still as a flower blooming in a wall crack. She wore a plain ivory-white dress and flat shoes, her hair loose, her makeup so light it was almost invisible, her brows and eyes carrying a natural, unadorned obedience, her lips always slightly pursed, as if wanting to smile but too shy to.

The few Fuji female announcers beside her were talking to her; she listened attentively, occasionally nodding, her large eyes holding a soft, timid light that tugs at the heart.

Unlike the other female announcers, she is a true administrative police officer.

During the filming of 'Hand of God,' the production needed real police officers to play crowd roles, so the General Affairs Section dispatched a few people, including her. The director originally only wanted a few people in police uniforms as background passersby, but when Yamada Nanase stepped in front of the camera, the whole scene changed. Her aura was too unique.

That natural, unadorned, slightly shy and flustered purity stood out sharply against the screen full of carefully crafted performances.

In the first episode, she appeared in only two shots, totaling less than ten seconds, but when it aired that night, her name immediately topped the hot search list, and soon someone dug up that she was a martyr's widow—this is absolutely politically correct even in Japan.

The second week, the 'Nana-se Support Association of Yamada's Family' was founded, registering over ten thousand members in three days, so Fuji changed its mind, giving her two to three minutes of screen time per episode, and even one episode dedicated five minutes to her.

By the time the finale aired, she had become a 'National Administrative Police Officer' with fifty thousand fans.

Someone dug up that she was personally summoned to the set by Uesugi Muneyuki, further solidifying her identity as 'Uesugi Chief's confidant'—although in reality, it was Date Nagamune who summoned her, but that doesn't matter; what matters is that Yamada Nanase became famous.

Another explosively popular person sat in the guest seats not far from the main table: Eto Miyabi wore a navy-blue velvet dress, a small pearl brooch at her collar, her hair pinned up, revealing a slender neck, a pair of Wolford thick black silk stockings wrapping her beautiful legs, which she teased with a pair of Mei Daitiannu high-heeled shoes with back straps, the toe tips hooked, lightly swaying, she herself extremely pleased, light in her eyes.

As previously mentioned, Eto Miyabi's role mainly appeared in the first episode, playing a spy's widow, but she portrayed it extremely well, capturing both sorrow and wild ambition, both mourning her husband and using his death as a bargaining chip for greater gains, and she herself is beautiful with the aura of a bewitching married woman, instantly becoming a hit, so the production team arranged for her to appear in the third-to-last episode.

After airing, social media was flooded with comments like "NHK female announcer's acting explodes," "Eto Miyabi should switch to acting," "When her tears fell, I cried too," and similar.

Her husband Souda Sosuke did not come; he is a professional baseball player, a star shortstop for a team in the Pacific League, today he has training, so he couldn't come. At least that's what he says.

Eto Miyabi watched the lively scene, the corners of her mouth holding a proper smile, but her eyes held a hint of embarrassment.

A few days ago, Souda Sosuke and Uesugi Muneyuki engaged in a bizarre exchange.

Everyone knows Uesugi Muneyuki doesn't watch or understand baseball.

However, Souda Sosuke has recently performed extremely well with the Seibu Lions—not only getting multiple hits, but also hitting a walk-off hit—so someone asked Uesugi Muneyuki how he evaluates Souda Sosuke's baseball ability?

Uesugi Muneyuki casually replied: "Thanks for the invitation, I'm in Aomori, just got off the Shinkansen, you know, this guy is incredibly strong, his batting style reminds me of LeBron James."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing Uesugi Muneyuki's evaluation of himself, Souda Sosuke broke down—broke through his psychological defense completely.

He cursed "Eight Laughs Yalu" at his phone screen in the changing room, and a teammate recorded it and posted it online.

Uesugi Muneyuki didn't get it, saying I was praising you, LeBron James is a managing deputy GOAT, second only to Jordan, I said you playing like James is also a compliment, you can't possibly be better than Ohtani Shohei, right?

Souda Sosuke got even angrier: "Do you think I can't tell whether saying I'm like James is praise or insult?!!!!"

Being cultured, you're especially good at Yin and Yang, right? I see you're not from Kanto at all, you're from Kyoto!

"I think Doctor Uesugi should focus on his forensic career, not use a scalpel to judge my swing, I don't need to prove myself to a forensic pathologist who never watches baseball, just as he doesn't need my approval either."

Their grudge was thus settled.

As a result, this also affected Souda Sosuke and Eto Miyabi's marital relationship……probably.

Uesugi Muneyuki noticed Eto Miyabi sitting alone there, walked over with a wine cup in hand, and greeted her.

Seeing Uesugi Muneyuki approach, she immediately stood up, bowed slightly, that kind of NHK anchor standard, perfected through countless practices, flawless etiquette.

"Professor Uesugi, congratulations. Your success with Hand of God, you deserve all the credit."

"Eto-san, you're too kind. I saw your performance, it was very good." Uesugi Muneyuki laughed.

Eto Miyabi's eyelashes twitched slightly: "Thank you, professor……Professor Uesugi, I……I want to specially thank you, may I ask if you have time after the new year? I know there's a great restaurant near Gotokuji."

"Gotokuji……" Uesugi Muneyuki thought, isn't Setagaya Gotokuji where the Watanabe Residence is located?

"Let's talk about it later, I've been busy lately……" Uesugi Muneyuki said casually.

"Then I'll wait whenever you have time, just so we've agreed!" Eto Miyabi's eyes sparkled.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Eto Miyabi chatted a few sentences, then turned and returned to the main table.

Shirakawa Mai glanced at him, the corner of her mouth slightly raised, without speaking.

Miyawaki Sakura poured him a cup of iced black tea, he picked it up and took a sip.

Just then, the hall's door was pushed open, a middle-aged man in a deep gray suit strode in quickly, holding a magazine, expression stern.

He walked to Kameyama Chihiro's side, lowered his head and whispered something into the Fuji Television President's ear.

Kameyama Chihiro's face changed instantly.

He took the magazine, flipped it open, looked for a few seconds, then raised his head, his gaze scanning the crowd for Uesugi Muneyuki, half-joy half-worry: "Uesugi little brother! You've gotten into trouble again!"

Uesugi Muneyuki: "??????"