Tokyo: My Best Actor Gear List

Chapter 8 An Encounter at the TV Station and Zhang Li

The filming of "Sunflowers in Winter" is progressing smoothly.

Over the next few days, Kitahara Shin's life became regular and fulfilling.

During the day on set, he would thoroughly understand the script in advance using the "screenwriter's glasses," and he almost never made a mistake during filming.

The label of "worry-free, easy to use, and high-quality" has been firmly stuck to his forehead.

Back in my heated rented room at night, I pan-fried a piece of discounted Wagyu beef, drank a glass of red wine, and felt even more comfortable than in my previous life.

On Wednesday night, there was a two-hour break in the set construction for a night scene.

Kitahara Shin didn't want to listen to the extras bragging in the noisy lounge, so he wandered off alone to the public rest area of ​​the TV station's main building.

The vending machines here have a wide variety of products, including coffee, hot soup, and milk.

As soon as he turned the corner of the corridor, he saw a familiar figure from behind.

Akina Nakamori.

Today she wore a loose beige knitted cardigan, her hair was casually tied in a bun, and her face showed a deep weariness that came from letting down her guard.

She was standing in front of the vending machine, looking down and rummaging through her pockets.

Touch the left side, touch the right side.

Then he turned that designer handbag upside down.

Clearly, the big star went out without any change, or had just used up all his last coins.

In this era before electronic payments and without 100-yuan coins, this machine in front of you is just a glowing metal box.

Akina sighed in frustration, her shoulders slumped, and she was about to give up and leave.

"Ding, ding, ding."

Three 100-yen coins fell crisply into the coin slot.

Akina was startled and instinctively took a half step back and turned her head.

Kitahara Shin stood behind her, holding two coins in his hand, a gentle and polite smile on his face.

He didn't look at her, but instead reached out and pressed one of the buttons in the row that turned on the lights.

"Clang!"

A can of hot red milk rolled down.

Kitahara Shin bent down, took out the can of milk, and handed it to Akina, who was still somewhat dazed.

"Have something hot to drink."

His tone was very natural, as if he were handing a glass of water to a colleague who had just finished get off work. "I noticed you were staring at the black coffee the whole time. It's not good to drink iced coffee on an empty stomach in this damp and cold weather."

Akina looked at the slender hand in front of her and the steaming milk.

She recognized the face.

The man who lent her the lighter in the hallway.

"……Thanks."

She hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the milk.

The scalding heat from my palm instantly dispelled the icy chill from my fingertips.

"I forgot to bring my wallet." Akina pulled the tab, took a small sip, and the rich milky aroma relaxed her tense nerves a little. "My assistant went to buy food, I don't know when she'll be back."

"That's normal. When you're busy, who remembers to bring change?"

Kitahara Shinya bought himself a can of hot coffee, opened it, took a sip, and then pointed to the other end of the corridor.

"I'll head back to the studio now; I still have a night shoot to wait for."

After saying that, he nodded slightly in acknowledgment and turned to leave.

Akina Nakamori was surprised that he was so sensible.

After all, everyone in this circle approaches her with an ulterior motive, whether it's her fame, her money, or even her personality.

"etc."

Akina suddenly called out to him.

Kitahara Shin stopped and turned around: "What's wrong? If it's about paying back the milk money, you really don't need to. After all, the lighter you gave me is much more expensive than this."

"Who wants to talk to you about money?"

Akina rolled her eyes at him, a hint of youthful charm flashing across her face.

She rummaged in her pocket for a while and pulled out an exquisite coupon with gold foil patterns.

"Here you go." She handed over the coupon. "Take it."

Kitahara Shin took it and looked at it.

【Senbikuya Premium Fruit Parfait Voucher】.

Senbikiya is the most expensive fruit and dessert shop in Japan, and this coupon is worth at least 10,000 yen.

"This was a gift from a sponsor, but I'm currently trying to control my weight, and my manager would kill me if he saw me eating this."

Akina pouted and gripped the hot milk in her hand even tighter. "It's a waste to throw it away. Since you treated me to milk anyway, consider this a return gift."

Kitahara Shin paused for a moment.

When he looked into Akina Nakamori's eyes, he could read a hint of expectation in them.

It seems like she doesn't want to be rejected?

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."

Kitahara Shin readily accepted, "It just so happens that I know someone who really likes this dessert shop."

"Okay, I'm leaving now."

Akina waved her hand, picked up the milk, and turned to walk towards the lounge.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

In Kitahara Shingo's lab, stylist Miwako is organizing makeup brushes.

"Good morning, Miwako-nee."

"Good morning, Kitahara-kun! We're shooting a close-up today, how's your skin?" Miwako greeted him warmly.

Since the last time they delivered lunchboxes, their relationship has become much closer.

On set, maintaining a good relationship with the makeup artist is a crucial survival skill, since how your face looks on camera depends entirely on their hands.

"Thanks to you, I had a good rest."

Kitahara Shin sat down in front of the vanity mirror, and as if suddenly remembering something, took out the gleaming gold voucher from his bag.

"Oh, right, Miwako-nee, this is for you."

"What is this?"

Miwako took the voucher and her eyes widened instantly. "Senbikiya?! My goodness, this is that legendary high-end dessert shop! This voucher can be exchanged for that limited-edition white strawberry parfait, right? That's over ten thousand yen!"

"A friend gave it to me. I don't like sweets, and it would just expire if I left it," Kitahara Shin said with a smile, his tone as relaxed as if he were giving you a discount coupon. "Miwako-nee works so hard every day, so consider this a token of my appreciation."

"Oh dear! I can't accept this..."

Miwako said she was sorry, but she had already gripped the coupon tightly in her hand.

For her, a working-class woman, Senbikiya was a luxury she couldn't afford to visit on a regular basis.

"You're such a smooth talker, kid!"

Miwako grinned from ear to ear, carefully tucking the coupon into her inner pocket. Then, she picked up the powder puff again, her eyes becoming incredibly serious. "Come on, let me show you my secret weapon today! I guarantee I'll make you even more charming than that pretty boy Matsumoto!"

For the next half hour, Miwako took out the high-end ampoule essence that she usually only used on the female lead and used it as a makeup base for Kitahara Shin.

The contouring was so precise it was down to the millimeter level, making his already sculpted features even more defined, and even his hairline was meticulously styled.

When Kitahara Shin stood up after putting on his makeup, the person in the mirror, though wearing an old shirt, had a unique and captivating aura.

"Perfect." Miwako clapped her hands in satisfaction. "I guarantee you'll charm a whole bunch of girls!"

Kitahara Shin looked at himself in the mirror and straightened his collar.

One hundred yen worth of milk was exchanged for a ten thousand yen voucher.

A 10,000 yen voucher secured the full dedication of a top-notch makeup artist.

Bartering.

He touched the Zippo lighter in his pocket and strode confidently out of the dressing room.