restless daily life

"That's true. I've tried practicing on my own and looked at movie clips of other similar roles, and I do realize I'm lacking something." Sakurajima Mai didn't seem to mind, pondering how to perfect her work. "Does the hater have any suggestions?"

Bai Ying snapped her fingers: "First point: What image do you think a prostitute should have?"

He first looked at Feng Binhehua, who was taken aback, blinked, and hesitated before saying, "Um...sexy?"

Bai Ying commented leniently: "Very good understanding of the idiotic label, 0 points."

"Hey hey!" Yukinoshita Haruno said with a smile, "In terms of professional skills, this job requires frequent interaction with others, quickly building rapport with strangers, and engaging in behaviors that only intimate lovers would typically do... Understanding the distorted reality between people, and relying on this distortion as the basis for one's own existence... One should be someone with a charming appearance, skilled at flattering others, but inwardly cold and rarely showing any emotion?"

Bai Ying commented, "There are too many words. Although it's passable, I'd give it 60 points."

“Hmm…” Okita pondered intently, “The sense of disconnect that reality creates for people—just like how, legally, no brothel can provide prostitution services, but in practice it’s very subtle. Brothels will explain that it’s not prostitution, but that the customer and the girl have fallen in love. They become a couple, engage in normal romantic behavior, and then have disagreements due to differing values, so they break up peacefully… In civilized society, it’s all about who is more civilized. The female protagonist embodies this disconnect. She’s very polite, speaks appropriately, and always knows how to maintain a comfortable communication distance depending on the person she’s talking to, but inside she’s numb, indifferent, and rigid.”

Okita quoted a line from the script: "We are the prostitutes of society."

As he was reflecting on this, Okita suddenly noticed that the women present were casting subtle glances at him.

It certainly didn't convey any sense of approval.

“Quoting a famous saying, excellent, 80 points! As expected of the director of Mo Dao Zu Shi, such a profound vision!” Bai Ying patted Okita Masashi on the shoulder, “Looks like he’s an expert in the brothel industry.”

Okita leaned back and quickly denied it, saying, "Don't talk nonsense, bro! I'm still single, but I'm a true dreamer with ideals in my heart. Women would only hold me back!"

"Got it, got it." Yukinoshita Haruno picked at her fingernails and blew on them. "Civilized society is all about who's more civilized, right?"

Okita was embarrassed and stiff, stammering, feeling as if he, the oldest person present, had turned into a cracked, gray statue. His face turned red, and he began to argue loudly, with phrases like "youthful arrogance is just curiosity," "creating material to examine society," "I am single-minded and single-minded in pursuing my dreams," and "long live being single" constantly coming out.

"I don't seem to have anything to say about answering the last question." Mai Sakurajima habitually crossed her legs, tilted her head to think for a moment, and then smiled. "How about you ask the hater-kun to teach me how to act?"

"Great! One hundred points!"

Bai Ying said with satisfaction, "You have mastered the essence of being a prostitute!"

Haiyan, whose head was filled with question marks, made Sakurajima Mai's smile freeze as she made a casual joke: "Hate fan, this doesn't sound like a nice thing to say."

“But that’s the essence,” Bai Ying shrugged, speaking with self-righteousness. “Hero Plus, you’ve already mastered men’s weaknesses; you’re born to play this role…”

Stomp your feet!

Sakurajima Mai's smile turned dangerous: "Oh? Black Fan, you're actually praising the dark side, you really live up to your name!"

While vigorously pulling her foot away, Bai Ying exclaimed in amazement, "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Your understanding of the character has reached a new level!"

"#!" Mai Sakurajima glared at him, annoyed. "We're at work right now, so speak properly."

When you have nothing to do, your true nature comes out and you start not doing anything productive, right?

"Hmm? Brave Plus, what are you thinking about?" Bai Ying returned a puzzled and strange look. "Prostitution is also a kind of service industry, and the main clients are men. Therefore, knowing how to get along with men is a professional skill - men crave power."

"The thrill of power comes from obedience. Therefore, one of the professional skills of prostitutes is to learn how to make clients feel that 'someone obeys them,' and once they are captivated by this feeling, they cannot break the habit. Constrained by social norms, they will try to obtain this pleasure in a civilized way, unconsciously investing emotions in the object of their obedience and expecting reciprocation..."

Bai Ying earnestly described, "At this point, the distance has been closed, so you can boldly interfere with the other party and ask them to increase their bets, using seemingly intimate behavior to seek more benefits. At this time, you can also make the target multiple, thereby stimulating the competitive spirit among men, and unknowingly making yourself the dominant one, while they become the submissive party! Using emotions to gain benefits, this is the dark side of portraying a prostitute!"

Under the silent gaze of the others, Okita Tadashi couldn't help but applaud loudly: "Yes! That's right... not a so-called untainted character, but a story that dissects reality! Darkness is an inevitable aspect of the female protagonist, not simply a scar from being hurt by reality! Men cannot refuse praise, cannot refuse success and fame, cannot refuse the recognition and obedience of others..."

"I remember now. Before, I impulsively walked into the store without knowing anything, clutching the money I had earned from my short time working there. The store didn't hold any of my dirty thoughts."

Okita recalled, “Those girls enthusiastically invited me, let me name names, and we ate together at the restaurant, chatting with each other. They kept complimenting me, enticing me to confide my troubles, and encouraging me to boldly express my dreams. They even offered support and recognition, trying to push me into the abyss of arrogance and pride…”

Bai Ying casually chimed in, "Yes, when I was young, I couldn't handle any praise. I couldn't help but get inflated and think they were all good people. There was one girl in particular who made me feel very special—in order not to let her down and to earn her approval, I have to work hard to become excellent. If I come again next time, I can invite her to see the movie I'm making..."

"She's actually very kind-hearted, straightforward and honest, which dispelled my inexplicable thoughts and told me not to give my feelings to others so easily. She even complimented me on the movie," Okita said with a gentle gaze. "At the end, she playfully added—because she's already passed her certification exams, is planning to change jobs, and doesn't intend to see me again, so that compliment was genuine..."

Bai Ying said knowingly, "Life is always like this, with beauty and regret going hand in hand."

Okita nodded: "Yes..."

Wait a minute, what am I saying?

Okita snapped out of his daze and met the strange, mocking gazes of the others, causing his cheek to twitch involuntarily.

"Hehehe! What a great story!" Bai Ying raised his hand and wiped his face, a satisfied expression on his face. "There's a lot of material to draw from the director of the Demonic Path! Inspiration, inspiration is flowing in—writing a script for 'The Dream Chaser' wouldn't be bad!"

"Brother! Hold back, save it for the current script!" Okita coughed, stood up and said, "Anyway, we've discussed it enough, let's get ready to film!"

Bai Ying exclaimed, "No! This precious inspiration must be used in the new script. Adding it to the current script is incompatible; it's like comparing apples and oranges!"

Okita Masashi replied, "If I say it's okay, then it's okay!"

"You will definitely regret it!"

"I'm the director!"

Chapter 83 Professional Fishing

Bai Jun took leave to film a movie and became extremely busy.

My sister seems to be in a good mood lately, and she messages me every few days, acting like a spy giving me intelligence.

There's a formidable enemy, Mai Sakurajima, who's planning a kissing scene and openly provoking him. Then there's Kazuha Toyohama, who keeps showing up every now and then, plotting something sinister. And then there's Yukino Yukinoshita's older sister, who, under the guise of composing music for the film, is secretly trying to win her favor...

In summary, it all boils down to one thing.

Yukino-chan, did you know? We're having a super cool and fun group activity together, but there's one person who can't join. Can you guess who it is?

That's right! It's you!

"#!"

My sister has been infected with too much white fungus!

Yukino Yukinoshita responded with a disdainful snort. She chatted with Haku every night, sometimes on messaging apps, sometimes on the phone to discuss things. Although Haku had a bit of phone phobia, they had always kept in touch and hadn't completely cut off contact.

Besides, there's nothing we can do about it. My sister is probably heading in the direction of a singer without even realizing it. Sakurajima and Toyohama are already working in the entertainment industry, and Haku-kun is very good at writing scripts and acting, so it's normal that I can't participate in this aspect.

As for acting and singing... I don't have the talent for that, and besides, I have my own dreams.

But! What does it mean when my sister keeps stirring up trouble and getting angry? Is she used to teasing herself and putting pressure on herself?!

Get rid of those twisted hobbies right now!

While Yukino Yukinoshita was full of complaints, she couldn't help but think of her previous plan—to live together.

Well, they're already a couple, and they've already reached an agreement with their parents. Plus, they lived together back in their first year of high school, so it's not anything new...

But things are different now, aren't they? Now that I've convinced Bai Jun to live together, I feel... I feel shameless!

I not only learned about erotic things, but I even did erotic things myself...

Hmm—let's wait a while, until Bai Jun has finished his work.

Yukino Yukinoshita sighed, suppressing her awkward feelings, and packed her things for going out before leaving home.

Let's continue fulfilling Azusagawa-kun's request over the weekend; he must be feeling very distressed and conflicted right now.

On one hand, he has a younger sister who is still ill and needs care; on the other hand, the person he loves may pass away at any moment, and there is also the possibility of saving her future by donating his heart. However, the person he loves clearly does not want that kind of future.

There's no way to judge what the right thing to do is in this kind of situation. The Assistance and Service Department can't solve this problem; they can only do their best to fulfill the other party's request and help Azusagawa Kaede overcome the psychological trauma of being imprisoned.

If I were in this situation with Bai Jun, what would Bai Jun choose to do?

Yukino's thoughts wandered for a moment.

Love and life...

Yukino Yukinoshita's heart skipped a beat. Why did she have to think of such a deliberately difficult question?

No matter how you look at it, it's a sad thing.

I don't want to see Bai Jun sad, nor do I want to show Bai Jun my own sadness.

Azusagawa-kun, this is too difficult.

……

……

Sakuta Azusagawa, who's having a really tough time, has a girlfriend who's a junior in school.

"...Under the snow, the way you look at me doesn't seem very friendly."

The Azusagawa family home became lively with the arrival of the Aid Service Department group, and today, Koga Tomoe also came to visit.

Yukino Yukinoshita said softly, "It's nothing, it's just that things took a bit unexpected. It seems that Azusagawa-kun isn't quite what he expected..."

"Does it mean I have to put on a heartbroken act to elicit your sympathy and make you think it's normal?" Sakuta Azusagawa retorted casually. "Besides, Koga is just..."

"Ah! Senior! Have some water!"

Tomoe Koga quickly handed a cup to Sakuta Azusagawa, her eyes screaming: Don't just blurt out the fact that you're pretending to be her boyfriend! What if everyone finds out if you just say something like this? Show some professionalism!

"Brother! Drink some milk!"

Kaede Azusagawa instantly pulled out a carton of milk, inserted a straw, and handed it to Sakuta Azusagawa with a fighting spirit.

The moment their eyes met, sparks flew.

"Is this what a battleground looks like?" Hachiman Hikigaya shook his head and clicked his tongue. "What a sinful man."

Sakuta Azusagawa took the milk and water glass from him: "What if your little sister gets a boyfriend..."

Hachiman Hikigaya: "Once you kill him, he's gone."

Azusagawa Kaede was taken aback. So there was such a way?

Koga Tomoe's cheek twitched slightly as she pondered when to tell her younger sister—oops!—her senpai's younger sister, that this was just a fake girlfriend! She also gave Azusagawa Sakuta a wink: Senpai, it's almost time, we should go and show our faces to the other classmates!

"Your sister is a truly sinful woman."

Sakuta Azusagawa deftly tossed the boomerang over, cleared his throat, and said, "Koga and I have to go out. Please take care of Kaede."

"I want to go out and play too!"

Azusagawa Kaede suddenly raised her hand, looking at Koga Tomoe with a serious expression.

"Huh?! Are you sure everything's okay?" Yui Yuigahama asked, looking surprised. "Kaede, if you go out..."

"I can go out now!"

Azusagawa Kaede straightened her head and chest, then suddenly realized she was still wearing her panda hooded pajamas. She quickly left a message and ran to her room, saying, "Brother, wait for me! I'll change my clothes and we'll go out together later!"

"This……"

Sakuta Azusagawa hesitated. Kaede was already able to go out? When did that happen? Had she been trying to leave the house while he was away?

"Uh, senior?" Koga Tomoe looked over, looking conflicted.

“It’s okay. We’ll hang around in front of your friends for a bit, and Hachiman will call me right on time. I’ll then act like I’m in a hurry and we can just leave.” Sakuta Azusagawa quickly came up with a plan. “It won’t cause any problems.”

"Hmm, that works too."

Koga Tomoe nodded slightly.

"Huh? You two are pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend?" Hachiman Hikigaya asked in surprise.

How could you draw this conclusion from just a few sentences?!

Koga Tomoe was startled, vaguely sensing that she had seen that strange person.

……

……

The group walked down the street. Azusagawa Kaede held Azusagawa Sakuta's hand and nestled among the others. She was trembling slightly and unconsciously casting curious glances at the passersby and the various shops on the street.

I occasionally glance at Tomoe Koga.

My brother's girlfriend?

There seem to be more strange people in our family again!

My brother's boyfriend (?), a senior technician, my brother's girlfriend, an older sister whose cookies aren't very tasty, an older brother with dead fish eyes, a cool and beautiful older sister, and that round-faced older sister who's always eating...

However, there were so many people outside. Seeing so many people made my body tremble uncontrollably. My throat felt blocked, and I stammered, unable to speak. For a moment, I didn't know what to think.

"Wait here for a moment, Hachiman, call me in about ten minutes."

After saying a few words, Sakuta Azusagawa followed Tomoe Koga away from the main group and headed towards the designated meeting point, where several girls were already gathered and waiting.

The group stood by the corner of the wall. Yui Yuigahama reached out and took Azusagawa Kaede's slightly trembling hand, asking, "Kaede, where do you plan to go later?"

"Hmm..." Azusagawa Kaede tried to think, filtering through common sense in her mind and what she had seen on TV, "School... no, I don't think I can go to school right now... a zoo with pandas, I want to see real pandas... and, amusement parks... but there are too many people..."

As Azusagawa Kaede spoke, sweat began to bead on his forehead, and his whole body trembled.

Yui Yuigahama quickly said, "Um! Does Kaede have any requirements for the place she wants to go? Kaede, just tell me your request, and I'll figure it out!"