Crossing over, and then being blocked by a rich JK.

Chapter 476 Preparations
As each class confirmed their school festival activities, the atmosphere at the entire South City Private High School became incredibly lively. The last period of each afternoon was set aside to make various preparations for the school festival.

However, Class B of the second year of high school and Class C, where Watanabe Yu was, became the most special ones in this exciting atmosphere.

—Because the content they were going to do was relatively complex and large-scale, in order to make it easier to measure the dimensions on-site, they moved the location for making the props to the event site, which was the vacant floor of the club activity building.

"So how exactly did he do it?"

A boy in Class B was copying the structural diagram of the props while muttering to himself.

The script is one thing, but he even drew out what the actual props would look like. Isn't that a bit too outrageous?

"Maybe this is talent."

His best friend, who was sitting on the ground next to him, nodded and obediently began to decorate the demon's mask.

I bought a ready-made mask, and the quality and effect are pretty good, but it doesn't completely match the image of the demon in the story, so I need to make some minor adjustments.

Before reading the script, he was resistant to the job. Firstly, his B class would be doing the work in the haunted house, and secondly, he hated troublesome things.

Compared to his classmates who were more inclined to celebrate their youth, he felt that energy conservation suited him better.

"You mean even if I try my best, I can't reach that level?"

The boy who was copying put down his pen, shook his slightly sore arm, and then asked a question with some dissatisfaction.

What do you think makes someone a genius?

My best friend asked me a question in return.

"99 percent perspiration and 1 percent inspiration."

The boy gave his answer without hesitation.

This is a world-famous quote, you know it! Even elementary school students know it!

"Wrong, it's 99% talent and 1% inspiration." My best friend didn't hesitate to expose him. "Talent isn't something you can get just by working hard. You can't cultivate it later in life."

This is especially true in the field of literary creation.

If screenplays were really that easy to write, there wouldn't be so many unemployed screenwriters every year.

"I think I can."

He still didn't want to give up.

"Then give it a try." After finishing the last two strokes, his best friend placed the mask in a clearly aged storage box. "I believe in you."

"Could you at least try to cover up your perfunctory attitude a little?"

The boy was a little helpless.

"Well then, I'm rooting for you!"

This time it's an amazing vocal bubble sound achieved by lowering the voice.

"..."

"I'm telling the truth. There's a saying that choice is more important than effort. If you have talent in track and field, then go all out on track and field. Maybe you can use that to get into a better university in the future."

His best friend dropped his teasing expression and started speaking seriously.

He always felt that his good friend didn't need to think about writing screenplays or novels. Couldn't a top athlete just focus on sports and suppress his artistic impulses?

"I think..."

The boy opened his mouth, but after hesitating several times, he finally let out a long sigh.

"Don't make that face, okay? I'll treat you to marble soda after school."

His best friend patted him on the shoulder, signaling him to cheer up.

"Thank you, I'd like to drink two bottles."

"?"

"I haven't had ramune soda in ages, I want some, but I can't?"

"Okay, two bottles it is."

My best friend rolled his eyes and nudged the guy with his elbow in annoyance.

He didn't mean to discourage his friend, but he had learned his lesson on this path. In junior high, he confidently submitted his light novel manuscript, only to be rejected time and time again. It wasn't until his first year of high school that he truly gave up and realized that he was not cut out for this.

He shook his head, turned away, and looked thoughtfully at another classroom.

Watanabe and his team are currently giving unified training to the actors for this haunted house performance.

Although he wasn't quite sure what the specific training content was, he still felt a complex mix of emotions.

That peer who can write scripts, sing, and speak fluently in front of an audience is truly far ahead of them, even though they are only in their second year of high school.

"Actually, after reading the script, everyone only needs to understand one thing: a demon who has lost his mind and a demon who has a mind are not the same thing."

Risa Yasuhara, holding a notebook rolled up into a barrel shape, began her explanation with great enthusiasm.

As the person who has read the script the most times, she believes that her understanding of the character is accurate.

"But Professor Yasuhara, masks cover our faces. When we dress up as demons chasing people, can't we just scare them with background music?"

A girl who was slightly cute raised her hand and asked, puzzled.

There are six actors playing the demons and ghosts in total, because eight guests will be included at a time. If there are too few demons and ghosts, the sense of urgency from their omnipresence will be much less.

"What if an unexpected situation arises and you are needed to interpret the demon who has regained his sanity?"

Risa Yasuhara asked a question in return.

She knew the probability was small, but she wanted to be on the safe side.

Rather than having the person who was supposed to be playing that role suddenly fall ill and be unable to come, leaving everyone stranded like ants on a hot plate, she prefers everyone to be able to handle things independently. That way, even if problems arise, they won't be completely overwhelmed.

"..."

The girl who asked the question fell silent.

She really hadn't considered this possibility.

“Therefore, understanding the character is necessary.” Risa Yasuhara tapped her other hand with her notebook and continued, “Similarly, the two students who are responsible for giving hints also need to get into character as quickly as possible during rehearsals.”

The two students were playing spirits trapped in the bookshelf, transformed from demons' obsession with the past. They were not aggressive and would only wander around the bookshelf, repeating the things that demons would do and want to do deep down.

"hai!"

The two girls who were to play the bookshelf spirits raised their hands and responded enthusiastically.

Rather than pretending to be a ghost to scare people, they actually enjoy the feeling of unconsciously frightening people more.

It's somewhat similar to the uncanny valley effect.

It gives me goosebumps.

"Then..."

Risa Yasuhara continued with the key points.

This time, their haunted house was quite commercialized. Students who participated in the preparation of the haunted house received a 'bonus,' while those who played ghosts and were in charge of the front desk received wages.

As a result, their class funds for Class B and Class C were completely depleted, and she even had to pay out of her own pocket to cover the shortfall.

Of course, if you really want to be honest, you could choose not to give out this money, but she did it anyway in order to motivate everyone.

There's a saying that goes, "You can offer people big promises and spiritual value, but you have to provide something tangible first."

Otherwise, if you only make empty promises and don't provide anything concrete, who would be willing to work wholeheartedly with you?

This is especially true when there are many and complex matters.

"So what are we doing here?"

Ayana Amamiya, who was sitting by the wall, turned her head and asked in a low voice.

"Responsible for supervision?"

After thinking for a moment, Watanabe Yu gave this answer that wasn't really an answer.

He couldn't really understand why he was standing there.

Risa did say that she needed him and Ayana to keep things under control, or to help her see if she had said anything wrong, and to point it out immediately if she had.

The problem is that he gave her a character design sheet, which was extremely detailed and also recorded the character's psychological changes and emotional journey.

It's no exaggeration to say that if you follow that table, you definitely won't go wrong.

There will only be situations where one lacks the ability to interpret something, but there will never be situations where one goes completely astray.

Do you believe it?

Ayana Amamiya rolled her eyes coquettishly.

She always felt that Risa meant that she didn't want them to work hard making props, so she just made up an excuse to leave them there.

But actually, she really wanted to make the props, since it was indeed a very new experience. "I believe you."

Watanabe Yu shrugged; what could he say?

"I think you should focus more on tomorrow than this."

The young lady coughed lightly and brought up another matter.

"Tomorrow? Oh, right, tomorrow is Friday."

Watanabe suddenly realized what was happening.

"So, did they send over what they wanted to eat?"

Ayana Amamiya rested her left hand on her knee and leaned her chin against it, aimlessly surveying the scene before her.

To be honest, this is definitely a youthful thing.

Even if they didn't actually participate, they just sat on the sidelines and watched.

"not yet."

Watanabe Yu shook his head.

He figured they'd send over their favorite dishes by evening.

"If it still hasn't been sent, then I'll call and ask tomorrow."

Ayana Amamiya gave her judgment.

"uh-huh."

Watanabe Yu agreed.

That's what he was thinking all along.

"And then... were you really exhausted that day?"

She turned her head with a somewhat subtle expression and asked a question with some uncertainty.

Based on her understanding of him, his physical strength was quite good. In fact, she and Ryoko were unfortunately defeated that day, but his condition the next day was worse than usual, and he looked exhausted.

"No, not really, I just didn't sleep well."

A small minority of the reasons were that Ryoko and Ayana performed so well that day that he almost couldn't hold on.

"Oh, I thought..."

Ayana Amamiya nodded thoughtfully.

It seems her judgment was correct.

It's just...

He doesn't seem to be as invincible as I imagined.

Perhaps she and Ryoko have a chance to defeat him?

All you need to do is a little physical exercise, or maybe you can bring Yuki along too.

However, given the current situation, Yuki is not a viable foreign player for the time being.

"You still think?"

"nothing."

Ayana Amamiya shook her head, smiled gently, and then changed the subject.

"Let's keep watching their rehearsal."

*
At the same time, inside the police station.

"What would you like to eat tomorrow, Qian?"

While writing her work report, Eda Ikumi asked a question.

"I want to eat at home tomorrow."

Akane Eda gave an answer.

Even though Eda Ikumi repeatedly assured them that the other party didn't feel they were bothering them, she still felt uneasy.

After all, she really wasn't good at dealing with strangers, even those introduced to her by her trustworthy sister Yu Mei.

"Didn't we already agree that we'd go to their place for a free meal?"

Eda Ikumi put down her pen and looked at Eda Akane.

“We did agree on it, but I feel…” Jiang Tianqian avoided her gaze, “…it’s not really a good idea.”

She considered herself a very distant person. She felt a little embarrassed even when staying at Sister Yu Mei's house, let alone going to someone else's house for a meal.

“What’s wrong with this?” Suddenly, Eda Ikumi remembered something, her eyes lighting up. “Just think of it as a choice I had no choice but to make to complete the task your mother gave me, okay?”

Compared to all those other excuses, this is the perfect one.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tianqian fell silent.

Her cousin was so candid that she didn't know how to respond for a moment.

She could agree or not, but she was currently staying at someone's house and already owed them a favor. It would be inappropriate to refuse again.

"..."

Eda Ikumi didn't rush her and waited patiently.

After spending the last few days together, she has also optimized her approach to 'how to get along with her cousin'.

At least in daily conversations and when discussing less pleasant topics, Qian is no longer in complete control; she is gradually regaining the initiative.

"alright."

After a full half minute of silence, Jiang Tianqian reluctantly uttered those words.

At the same time, she made a decision in her heart: when she went to someone's house for a meal, no matter what they served her or how good the food was, she would say it was delicious. However, she would also be more vigilant, wary of her cousin's potential "trap."

—For example, have those who are being mooched off come together to convince themselves.

"That's right. Keeping your promises honestly is a good habit."

Eda Ikumi nodded with satisfaction.

Okay, the two most difficult sides have now been completely dealt with, and the rest is simple.

It just means sending them the names of the dishes they like.

only……

She glanced at Qian with some concern.

The latter is not very good at eating spicy food, while Watanabe's food is quite spicy.

"what happened?"

Noticing the emotion in her cousin's eyes, Jiang Tianqian asked a question.
"It's nothing, I'm just worried about whether you can adapt to the food there."

Ikumi Eda gave a truthful answer.

"What's the food like over there? Their cooking is very... I mean, very un-homestyle?"

This was the only issue of taste that she could think of.

"No, it's just that their food is spicier."

Eda Ikumi shook her head, correcting her cousin's statement.

"hot?"

"Yes."

How spicy can it be?

"Spicier than you can imagine."

"..."

The two looked at each other and then fell silent.

"Just let them cook it normally, a little spice is fine."

After a silence of three and a third minutes, it was Eda Akane who took the initiative to start a conversation, and at the same time, she made some harsh remarks.

"How spicy can it get anyway?"

(End of this chapter)