If not for the director’s recent assignnt involving shogi, he would have never made the connection.
A light novel king.
And a young shogi genius.
They seed like two entirely different people.
Yet they were both Yukima Azuma.
The realization sent a shiver down the young director’s spine.
And now, this very person—young, handso, quiet yet confident—stood in front of him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He had heard about the recent ani movie too, of course.
The studio behind it was no ordinary animation house—it was one of the best in Japan, known for its artistry and soul-stirring direction.
Upon asking around, he discovered sothing that shocked him even more:
The studio had taken the job because of a personal request from Yukima Azuma, who had invited them through the Shinomiya family’s influence.
How could soone be this badass?
The director swallowed hard, his knees feeling just a little wobbly.
He had to resist the urge to bow.
Thankfully, when Yukima Azuma had approached him to discuss releasing the correction video, the director had accepted without hesitation—partly out of integrity, but mostly because he was scared stiff the LoveforReal team would be canceled into oblivion if they refused.
As he wiped the sweat from his forehead, he forced a professional smile and steered the conversation toward his main goal.
"Recently, there’s a new drama project about shogi in the works..."
He launched into his pitch with surprising fluency.
A six-year-old boy stumbles across the spirit of a long-dead shogi master.
They bond. They train. They face hardship after hardship.
Eventually, the boy becos the youngest Ryuuou in history.
A classic coming-of-age drama—with a supernatural twist.
"We’re planning to release it during the actual Ryuuou tournant season. The timing is perfect."
"I’ve even t with the President of the Shogi Association, Tsukimitsu-san. I asked him if there was a real-life genius who matched the story’s core."
"And Tsukimitsu-san gave your na."
The director’s gaze turned odd—like he was staring at a mythical beast.
Was Yukima Azuma actually blessed by a ghost or sothing?
Because the story Tsukimitsu had shared about Azuma’s rise in the world of shogi was even more dramatic than the show’s script.
It was ridiculous.
And at the sa ti... strangely compelling.
Yukima Azuma frowned.
The director’s expression was making him uncomfortable.
"Oi. That look... what is that supposed to an?"
He crossed his arms, puffing his cheek slightly in protest.
Everything he had achieved was through talent and hard work, not so ghost ntor!
...Right?
System, please add points!
ᕙ( ᗒᗣᗕ )ᕗ
"So, does the screenwriter want to consult with on the story?" he asked cautiously.
The director smiled—then shook his head.
"Actually... the production team would like to invite you to act in it."
The words hit Yukima Azuma like a misplayed move in the midga.
"Act? You want to play the main character?"
He pointed at himself, baffled.
If he did... the shogi community would definitely suspect supernatural involvent.
And even beyond that, wouldn’t the age difference be an issue? He couldn’t play a six-year-old!
Before he could voice these doubts, the director clarified:
"No no, of course not. We want you to play the spirit of the shogi master."
Yukima paused.
And then slowly nodded.
"Ah. So I’m the ’old man cheat’."
"Exactly."
"...I’ll think about it," Yukima muttered, already filing the request under probably yes.
Because President Tsukimitsu had personally connected him to the project. That wasn’t sothing he could ignore.
If this was the President’s quiet way of asking him to participate, it would be disrespectful to decline outright.
As long as it didn’t clash too much with his schedule...
Just as their conversation wrapped up—
The final episode of LoveforReal finished filming.
Despite being cursed out by the internet, despite production chaos and emotional fallout, the show was... technically a success.
Though none of the contestants ended up as couples, it didn’t matter.
M-cho had joined the show not for romance, but for clout.
At 25 years old, working in dia and social platforms, she wasn’t here for love triangles or reality TV drama.
She was here to farm subs.
And it worked.
While chaos raged around her, M’s popularity soared.
She had no scandals, no controversies.
She had stayed cute. Stayed funny.
Stayed untouchable.
"Keikaku doori~"
(With the smug expression of Light Yagami) ( ≖‿≖ )
As for Kurokawa Akane—
She had been practically invisible in the first half.
But in the second half, after the film and the clarification video aired...
She beca the emotional center.
The girl who had almost died, who had almost been buried by a fla war, was now reborn in front of the nation.
Everyone saw her feelings—who she cared about.
There was no mistaking it.
Sumi Yuki, anwhile, had started strong.
She was charming, witty, open—always at the center of attention.
She was the show’s original heroine, the darling of the production team.
And yet—
When the final confessions ca?
She turned everyone down.
But none of that mattered.
The viewership was insane.
And a significant portion of the audience had only tuned in to see if Kurokawa Akane was okay.
After being left on a cliffhanger in the film, people were desperate for closure.
As was tradition, the production planned an afterparty.
But it fell apart.
Because all three female contestants—
ditched.
They quietly escaped.
With Yukima Azuma.
Leaving the stunned production team and male contestants frozen like NPCs after a ga bug.
"I’ll head out first. You guys enjoy the party," Sumi Yuki said politely.
Truthfully, she just wanted out.
The idea of mingling with her forr castmates, most of whom were still awkward after the failed confessions, sounded unbearable.
Besides, after eting Yukima Azuma, her views on romance had shifted entirely.
"Yuki-chan, bye-bye~!" (ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ.ﾟ
M waved sweetly.
Kurokawa Akane squinted at her.
Her gaze had the energy of Kaguya glaring at Chika.
Don’t you dare leave alone with him!! (≖_≖ )
"Boss, what were you scheming with the director just now?" M asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"I saw you whispering! Spill!"
Yukima Azuma stretched lazily.
"They want to shoot a drama. Tried to drag in as an actor."
"Eh?! A drama?!"
Akane perked up imdiately.
"Is it a series or a movie?!"
Her heart skipped a beat.
Could she... act alongside him?
Doing what you love with soone you like—double happiness!
♡〜٩( ˃▿˂ )۶〜♡
Yukima Azuma explained the plot of Hikaru no Shogi—the spirit ntor, the prodigy child, and the rise to Ryuuou.
Both girls were speechless.
"Wait, wait, Boss... you know how to play shogi?!"
M stared at him as if he had just grown a second head.
Her expression was a mix of awe, betrayal, and existential crisis.
( ˶°ㅁ°) !!
"You already have fa, money, looks... Why do you need talent too?!"
Under M’s intense gaze, Yukima smiled.
"Filming’s over, right? M, how about you treat us to yakiniku to celebrate?"
M froze.
Her jaw dropped.
"Boss... you’re exploiting ! How could you say sothing so cold!"
She shot a pleading glance toward Akane.
But Akane only raised an eyebrow.
"Don’t look at . Back at my old agency, I only got 20% of the cut."
M nearly fainted.
"TWENTY PERCENT?! Is this world... even fair?!"
She turned back to Yukima, making one last desperate attempt.
"How much do you make, Boss?! You’re loaded! Shouldn’t you be treating us?!"
Yukima’s reply was as sharp as a shogi bishop’s diagonal slash.
"You want to pay for your al? You’re not a kid anymore—stop saying shaless things like that."
M collapsed emotionally.
"F-Fine! I’ll pay!" (;´༎ຶٹ༎ຶ`)
Yukima glanced sidelong at Akane.
She t his gaze—and finally burst into laughter.
He’s so sneaky.
They entered a cozy yakiniku restaurant.
Yukima showed no rcy.
He ordered A9 Wagyu like it was cabbage.
The marbling on the beef glistened like snowflakes on sakura petals.
As it was served to their table, M stared at the plate like an assassin planning a heist.
(◣ _ ◢)
Her face scread one word:
Bankruptcy.
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