Otaku Translation: Absolute Number One C113

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Chapter 113: My Lifetime Happiness Rests in Your Hands!

Inside the taxi, Chihara Rinto sat in the front passenger seat while Yamagami Aiko and her two friends squeezed nervously into the back. Normally, these three girls were a whirlwind of energy—playful, bold, and even cheeky enough to give Chihara nicknames behind his back—but now, accompanying him to a movie premiere, they suddenly felt a little shy.

So this is what it’s like to go out with a guy… Why do I feel a bit nervous?

The three girls, all products of an all-girls school, had little experience interacting with boys. They sat there awkwardly, even Nishino Sagiri, who was usually the smartest among them. But teenage girls are teenage girls, no matter how clever they might be. As for Chihara, he wasn’t one to let things grow awkward. He prided himself on being pragmatic—ruthlessly protective of his own interests when necessary but also capable of turning on the charm when needed.

Realizing that silence would only make things worse, Chihara turned around and smiled warmly. “Thank you for taking the time to join me at this premiere.”

The trio had been quietly poking each other, trying to force someone else to speak first, but hearing Chihara’s words, they quickly straightened up. It was Sagiri, ever the quick thinker, who spoke on behalf of the group, her face lighting up with an adorable smile. “No, thank you, Chihara-sensei! We’d never get the chance to attend something like this otherwise.”

It was true. Ordinary audiences usually had to enter lotteries for tickets to premieres, and the odds weren’t great—sometimes you could try dozens of times without success. Chihara nodded understandingly. “Don’t mention it. Honestly, it wouldn’t feel right going alone.”

With the ice broken, the atmosphere loosened up. Futazeno Seiko cautiously asked, “Chihara-sensei, what movie is this premiere for?”

“It’s Nichinan Eizo’s The House at the End of the Slope. It’s a small-budget art film, so it might be a bit slow-paced. I hope you don’t mind.”

Chihara’s tone was gentle and reassuring. The three girls waved their hands dismissively, insisting it didn’t matter—they were here for the experience of attending a premiere, not just the movie itself. Encouraged by his openness, Seiko ventured further, asking about Hanzawa Naoki. Chihara immediately launched into anecdotes from the set, sharing funny behind-the-scenes stories and juicy tidbits about the cast.

As the head of the production team, no one knew more about the inner workings of the show than he did. Though inexperienced in romance, his emotional intelligence was sharp, and winning people over came naturally to him. He skillfully blended truth with humor, painting vivid pictures of life on set. Not only were Aiko and her friends captivated, but even the taxi driver seemed distracted, nearly missing their destination.

When they arrived at “Tabineko Cinema,” the driver collected his fare and hesitated before calling out to Chihara. “Chihara-sensei, sorry to bother you, but could I trouble you for an autograph?”

Chihara leaned back into the car, smiling. “Of course.”

The driver beamed, pulling out a notebook. “I absolutely love Hanzawa Naoki—so many people at my company do too!”

Chihara whipped out his fountain pen and scribbled a stylish signature in seconds. “Thank you for your support,” he said graciously. “I hope you’ll continue watching our shows on Kanto United TV.”

“Absolutely!” The driver eagerly handed him a business card in return. “If you ever need a ride, just call me. No matter how far away, I’ll come pick you up as long as I’m on duty.” With that, he drove off.

Chihara watched him leave, feeling a faint swell of pride. Turning back to the girls, he grinned. “Let’s go inside.”

The three nodded enthusiastically and followed him into the theater.

This wasn’t some blockbuster premiere with red carpets and swarms of reporters—it was a modest affair held in a large screening room. Still, signs directed guests efficiently, and soon the four of them arrived at the venue. Outside the theater, the director, producers, and main actors greeted attendees, while a few photographers snapped pictures. It was lively enough.

Michiko spotted Chihara the moment he appeared and hurried over, leaving her mother’s side. She bowed deeply, her hands clasped in front of her. “Master, thank you so much for coming. I truly appreciate it.”

She meant every word. Despite having no familial ties, Chihara had gone out of his way to support her—a debt she felt she could never repay, even if she spent her entire life working toward it. Chihara studied her carefully, struggling to suppress a laugh.

The young girl wore a junior-sized furisode kimono—the epitome of formal attire—but her makeup was heavy, almost unrecognizable. Foundation, mascara, blush, highlighter—it was all layered on thickly, making her look like a child performer in an exaggerated stage production. Professional though the application was, it still gave her a slightly otherworldly appearance. This wasn’t entirely her fault; the issue of "camera-eating makeup" hadn’t been resolved yet, even decades later. To achieve a natural look on camera, actors often had to apply layers upon layers of cosmetics. Anything less risked looking terrible under harsh lighting.

And then there was the fact that it was summer, and she was wearing a full kimono. Poor thing must have been roasting.

Chihara couldn’t help but feel sympathy. Acting was a brutal profession—grueling, exhausting, and often dehumanizing. Many aspiring actors endured years of rejection and compromise before achieving any measure of success. He gently steadied her, whispering with a smile, “Don’t worry about it. We’re master and apprentice, after all. You’ve made something worthwhile, and I’m here to support you.”

By now, journalists had begun approaching them, cameras flashing. Chihara subtly positioned Michiko beside him, ensuring they stood shoulder-to-shoulder for photos. Smiling broadly, he posed confidently, exuding warmth and solidarity. His presence sent a clear message: Michiko had his full backing.

Nambu Ryoko, Michiko’s mother, had insisted on securing Chihara’s attendance precisely for moments like this. For low-budget films like this one, premieres were primarily marketing events—and nothing drew attention like influential industry figures showing up to lend their support. Such appearances often fell to key members of popular productions, and Chihara’s current fame made him a valuable asset. With Hanzawa Naoki riding high in the ratings, his endorsement carried significant weight. In this cutthroat industry, visibility equaled credibility.

After posing for photos, reporters flocked to Chihara, clearly delighted by his unexpected presence. Their questions flowed freely, and Chihara responded with polished diplomacy, carefully avoiding controversy while emphasizing his admiration for Michiko. He praised her as a talented child actress, urging the media to continue supporting her growth. Standing beside him, Michike radiated sweetness and gratitude, her performance flawless.

Once the interviews concluded, Chihara paid little mind to how the press might spin their coverage. He exchanged pleasantries with the film’s director and producers, expanding his network. Meanwhile, Nambu Ryoko hovered nearby, occasionally chiming in. Chihara offered polite smiles but kept his distance, finding her increasingly off-putting. Pushing her daughter to succeed wasn’t inherently wrong, but something about her behavior rubbed him the wrong way.

What exactly? He couldn’t quite put his finger on it—but it felt off.

After what felt like ages, the crowd finally dispersed. Michiko bowed deeply once more. “Master, I’m so sorry for wasting your time and causing you inconvenience.”

“You’ve apologized enough already,” Chihara chuckled. “Besides, I didn’t spend a single yen. Now stop worrying.” He gestured to Aiko and her friends, who had been observing curiously from the sidelines. “Let me introduce you. These are my friends: Yamagami Aiko, Nishino Sagiri, and Futazeno Seiko. And you can call them ‘Sisters’ if you’d like.”

Michiko’s eyes widened as she took in the three girls in their school uniforms. Her gaze lingered longest on Seiko, whose figure and delicate features stood out the most. Meanwhile, Aiko and her friends scrutinized Michiko closely. Despite the heavy makeup, they somehow recognized her.

“Aren’t you Miho from the first episode of Tales of the Unusual?” Aiko asked. The trio had watched the series multiple times on VHS, particularly fond of the short story “Grandma.” Naturally, they remembered Miho well.

Michiko blinked, then smiled brightly. “Yes, that was my debut role—and how I met Master.”

Her thoughts drifted momentarily to those dark days before meeting Chihara. Back then, life had felt suffocating, but becoming his apprentice had given her a lifeline. Reflecting on it now, it felt like another lifetime.

Seiko, a huge fan of Tales of the Unusual, couldn’t contain her excitement. “Your acting was incredible, Michiko-chan! I’m sure you’ll become an amazing actress someday.”

Michiko glanced at Seiko, inwardly cringing. Truthfully, she hated acting—if given the choice, she’d rather stay home as a shut-in. But politeness won out, especially since Seiko was both a fan and Chihara’s friend. Bowing respectfully, she replied, “Thank you, Seiko-neesan. I’ll keep working hard.”

With introductions complete, Michiko ushered everyone into the screening hall. However, she lagged behind briefly, tugging lightly on Chihara’s sleeve. “Master,” she whispered, “are they all just ordinary friends?”

Chihara looked down at her, puzzled. “Of course. Why?”

Michiko studied his expression intently. “Master, you know we’re on the same side, right? If there’s someone you’re interested in, I can help. You don’t need to hide anything from me.”

Chihara stared at her for a moment, torn between amusement and exasperation. “You’re too young to worry about such things!” Still, recognizing her sincerity, he lowered his voice. “Fine, if you must know, I’m interested in Yamagami Aiko’s elder cousin. But I don’t know much about her. Keep an eye out for me, will you?”

Michiko nodded slowly, piecing things together. So this was why he’d brought them along—to gather intel. Regardless, she was determined to repay his kindness. “Don’t worry, Master. Leave it to me. During the thank-you party later, I’ll make sure to bond with them.”

Chihara gave her a thumbs-up, impressed. “Good job, Michiko. My lifelong happiness rests in your hands!”

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