Time Loop: Doing Whatever I Want

"Thanks everyone for your hard work today."

After filming ended, Makoto said goodbye as usual, then turned to clean up the site.

Not only the equipment but also trash bags filled with leftovers and wrappers, he tidied everything up in advance.

By now, Nino's Gift buff had faded, but Nakano Maruo and Mrs. Yukinoshita had not left.

Makoto observed carefully; both parents showed brief expressions of surprise, seeming puzzled about something.

But when their daughters approached, they stopped pondering.

No matter what, the Nakano girls and Yukino girl had done very well today.

Ichika needs no introduction; she is an actress with a certain level of skill. 

Although still a beginner, Makoto had been building her foundation steadily. With today's buff, Ichika's strengthened acting could completely captivate everyone present.

Itsuki didn't have much to do but did everything well, carefully, without neglect.

Yukino was the strongest after Makoto; she could serve as photographer, light technician, even script supervisor.

The classmates called by Makoto and Hayato were also buffed, and everyone did their jobs well.

All of this was real. Nakano Maruo and Mrs. Yukinoshita could not have missed it.

"Small workshops really need a strong medicine."

Makoto was tidying equipment, recalling Nino's task reward, and couldn't help but smile.

This thing is really powerful.

No matter if it's the higher-ups or the lower ranks, they are all extremely ruthless beings.

It was what made Mayu decide to take the first step, and it also proved that Ichika was not only good at taking care of her younger sisters but could also take care of her younger brother...

"What little workshop are you talking about?" Yukino walked over carrying a trash bag.

"Nothing much, just feeling a bit sentimental about our little workshop," Makoto smiled.

Yukino didn't respond but put down what she was carrying and helped him clean up.

Then Ichika came over too.

As usual, she wore a smile on her face: "I'll help out as well."

Makoto glanced at the two girls working seriously and suddenly thought of something. He asked, 

"Aren't you going to stay with the elders? Judging by their expressions, they probably have a lot to ask you."

"We already talked," both replied simultaneously.

Right after that, Yukino and Ichika were both momentarily stunned.

They exchanged glances, and Ichika was the first to smile, saying, "What a coincidence."

Yukino nodded faintly in response.

Their sudden tacit understanding actually confirmed Makoto's guess: "So, you're actually uneasy?"

Yukino fell silent.

Ichika chuckled lightly, "With you as our all-encompassing club leader, I really have nothing to worry about."

Makoto acted as if he hadn't heard and continued, 

"Our club's account is gaining more and more followers, and more people are coming offline to support us. 

Today, your elders came again, so you're worried whether this short film will succeed."

This time, even Ichika didn't say anything.

Makoto put the bag aside and asked, "You've probably wondered what kind of short film high school students can make, right?"

Yukino gave a quiet "Hmm."

Ichika also nodded.

Then, they maintained their tacit understanding, both their beautiful eyes looking at Makoto at the same time.

Makoto met their gaze confidently: 

"You've already seen the story of the short film and you're satisfied with it yourselves. We've all been working hard and haven't slacked off. If that's the case, why worry?"

Then he pointed at Ichika: "More followers on the account is actually a good thing for you."

"Huh?" Ichika was stunned.

Yukino reacted faster: "Exposure."

Makoto lowered his voice: 

"Exactly. Ichika, your dream is to be an actress, but right now, you're not famous, let alone exposed. 

If there happens to be a suitable script now, how would the director team know you're the right actress for it?"

Ichika stared blankly at him: "You were already thinking this far back when you were recording the documentary behind-the-scenes?"

Makoto didn't answer directly but turned to Yukino: 

"You desire change, and I've noticed your efforts recently. 

Auntie's visit today indeed brings pressure, but it's also good because she can see your hard work with her own eyes."

Yukino stared into his eyes, and after two seconds, softly replied, "Yes."

Makoto smiled and said, "Don't worry about this or that first, just do your best. As for the final quality of the short film, I will take responsibility."

Afterwards, he looked at Nino and Itsuki, who were talking with Nakano Maruo, and muttered to himself, 

"No one said high school students can't make short films. Maybe you've all seen top-quality works, and with our growing fame and buzz, it has made you feel pressure..."

He stepped forward and reached out to the two girls:

"The starry sky might have nothing to do with you and me, but the brilliant Milky Way can still fall into our eyes — isn't that a great thing?"

Yukino and Ichika were both clearly stunned for a second.

Then smiles appeared on their faces as they each reached out and shook Makoto's hand.

"You're right," Yukino's smile was very charming.

"As expected of the club leader, club member Ichika pledges loyalty to you!" Ichika cheerfully saluted.

Makoto laughed heartily: "Finally holding both your hands at the same time, as expected of me."

Yukino: "..."

Ichika: "..."

"Give me back my feelings of being moved, you jerk!" they thought simultaneously.

The two girls once again pulled their hands back in unison.

But this time, they were smiling.

Not far away, Nakano Maruo and Mrs. Yukinoshita heard the commotion and both parents noticed each other's gaze.

"They're working hard," Nakano Maruo said.

Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled and nodded: "I'm looking forward to their final results."

Itsuki looked at Makoto and the others and murmured, "Did I miss something?"

Nino, standing beside her with her arms crossed, reminded, "You missed a great opportunity to gather information, dumpling monster!"

Itsuki blushed slightly and was about to retort when Nino beat her to it: "Dad just said we're going out for a big meal, and you ran over here all excited, seriously."

Now Itsuki had no face to argue.

Nino's use of "running over" in such a descriptive way made her even more embarrassed.

After the place was tidied up, Nakano Maruo politely said goodbye with the girls and Makoto.

Mrs. Yukinoshita returned to the car but didn't leave.

Because Yukino was waiting for Makoto.

"I probably can't come to your place today."

Makoto put on an extremely regretful expression.

Yukino ignored his antics: "Why?"

"Auntie obviously wants to have dinner with you, and if I come along, as her peer and friend, you'd have to keep calling me 'senior' at the dinner table... thinking about it, that's pretty embarrassing."

"Since when have you been embarrassed? You've been smiling the whole time."

"My smile is to cover up my awkwardness."

"Makoto, I think you're getting better and better at lying."

Yukino got into the car without looking back.

As soon as the door closed, Makoto's phone rang.

He picked it up and saw a message from Yukino: [Next time, I'll treat you to a meal.]

Followed by a smiling panda emoji.

Makoto: [Just a meal? Not enough.]

No reply from Yukino.

As the car started, Mrs. Yukinoshita waved warmly at Makoto before the window closed.

She and Nakano Maruo had both offered to give Makoto a ride back but were declined.

"It's rare to have a chance to quickly ease your family relations. If I join in, it might spoil it."

Makoto put away his phone.

Winning over your parents is also part of the game.

There's a saying: "To besiege by force is beneath; to win the hearts is above."

Inside Mrs. Yukinoshita's car,

She looked in the rearview mirror and saw her daughter constantly holding her phone, clearly distracted.

She even caught a fleeting flash of embarrassment in Yukino's eyes.

She thought for a moment, then gently asked, "Are you and Makoto really not dating?"

At the same time, elsewhere,

Nakano Maruo took the opportunity while his daughters went upstairs to change clothes and sent Ichika a message from the car: [Are you really not dating him?]

...

That evening, Nakano Maruo and Mrs. Yukinoshita each called Makoto.

Nakano Maruo, due to his reserved nature, only formally expressed his thanks over the phone.

Mrs. Yukinoshita was different.

She chatted with Makoto about daily trivial matters and showed concern about his school life.

She simply didn't mention Yukino.

During the call, she brought up Utaha.

"On my way to the set today, I met that girl. I had heard about how excellent she is, so I just chatted casually with her."

At this point, Mrs. Yukinoshita's laughter was a bit playful: "But when I mentioned you, her polite attitude instantly shifted to concern."

Makoto looked thoughtful. Was this information gathering? Or just a test?

Judging by this, the beautiful woman must have talked a lot about herself with Yukino today.

"I'm indeed friends with Kasumigaoka-senpai, but recently, because I've been so busy, she has only contacted me online," Makoto answered carefully.

"Makoto, I've noticed there are quite a few girls around you, and they're all cute girls."

"Is that a joke as friends? Let me think about how to answer."

"You really are tight-lipped."

Mrs. Yukinoshita laughed softly on the other end and smoothly shifted the topic back to everyday matters.

The call lasted half an hour before ending.

Mrs. Yukinoshita put down her phone and glanced at her open notebook.

On the page was Makoto's name.

Below it was a note: Potential stock.

After a few seconds, she picked up a pen and added: Possesses leadership and strong charisma.

Recalling her feelings on the set today, even she found it amazing.

Having gone through so much herself, she was still fired up by the passionate words of a junior.

Maybe she should come watch more often?

No matter what, she liked encouragement that made her blood boil and strengthened her resolve.

Meanwhile, on Makoto's side, he guessed Utaha's patience was nearing its limit. 

After being mentioned again by Mrs. Yukinoshita, the black silk-clad senpai eager to improve would definitely come looking for him.

Sure enough, two days after Mrs. Yukinoshita's call, just after Makoto finished filming and returned home, the doorbell rang.

Outside was Utaha.

She wore her familiar uniform with black stockings, but this time she carried a beautifully wrapped bag, probably a gift bought on the way.

"Sorry to bother you, Fushimi."

After giving the gift, Utaha sat down in the living room, first showing an apologetic smile: 

"I know you've been busy filming lately, but I've accumulated a lot of questions and have to come to you for answers."

"Questions about the new book?" Makoto brought tea over and sat opposite her.

Utaha was surprised: "How did you know?"

Makoto casually replied, "Because you look like a literary girl, and you asked me so many questions about books back then, so I figured that must be it."

"Literary girl?"

Utaha's lips curled into a beautiful smile: "So that's how you see me?"

Of course not.

In my heart, your true image is that of a burning black-stockinged senpai.

That's what countless people agreed on before I transmigrated.

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