43 Afterparty

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(Third POV)

Now that the filming for 'Sweet Today' had come to an end, the entire staff had gathered in a privately booked venue to celebrate the drama's wrap party. Aqua, Aikara, and Kana stood together at an unassuming spot, observing the lively atmosphere as the various people involved in the project mingled and enjoyed glasses of champagne.

Aikara casually sipped on his glass of non-alcoholic champagne, his eyes widening with amazement as he glanced around the crowded room. "Wow" he said, his smile shining brightly like the sun. "There's so many people here! Oh, check it out, I know that actor!" he pointed towards a man in a suit who seemed a bit tipsy as he clumsily flirted with his coworkers. "I'm a huge fan of his roles," he added, a playful glint in his eyes. "But, you know, I can't say I'm as big a fan of his pick-up lines." He chuckled softly and teasingly as he observed the scene.

Aqua nodded in agreement, savoring the sight of the vibrant gathering. "You're right." he replied "There's a lot of people here. It really remind me just how many people are involved in this project."

"Of course," Kana replied with a confident nod, her eyes briefly scanning the room as she gathered her thoughts. "Lots of people's jobs are riding on the cast's performance," she said, her tone tinged with seriousness and empathy.

"That's why we always have to deliver," she continued, determination sparkling in her eyes like a starlit sky. "And, you know, avoid scandals at all costs." With a teasing smirk, she playfully nudged Aikara's arm, showcasing her sharp-tongued side while radiating her cheerful demeanor.

Kana's words brought forth a delightful giggle from Aikara "You're right." He said. And afterward, he remained silent for a moment, taking the opportunity to appreciate Kana's outfit, something he hadn't had a chance to do before.

As expected for a formal event, Kana had dressed up beautifully. She wore an exquisite white dress that gracefully exposed her shoulders and featured an elegant waist bow, providing a delightful contrast to her attire. Her choice of accessories was equally charming - pearl bracelets adorned her wrists, complementing the beautiful earrings that dangled delicately. But what caught Aikara's attention the most was the lovely black hair ribbon that nestled on her head like a black rose, adding a touch of allure to her overall appearance.

With a grin spreading across his face, Aikara complimented Kachan, "Wow, you look absolutely beautiful today, Kachan!" He pointed at the ribbon adorning her head, "I really like your style, especially that cute ribbon you've got going on there." He recalled memories of his childhood and the present "Remember how you used to rock those head accessories like a pro? The summer hat, the quirky green bell pepper hat, and even the school hat when it wasn't required!"

As he tilted his head, a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes, "So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that the ribbon suits you perfectly and has that iconic 'Kachan' vibe." He smoothly added, "But hey, let's not forget, you've always had a thing for head accessories."

His expression turned smug as he teasingly rubbed his chin, "Although, I must admit, you still can't quite match up to my level of attractiveness." He chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the playful banter.

"You wish." Kana shot back as she looked straight at him, her voice tinged with a teasing lilt, her eyes playfully rolling as if she found the whole idea amusing. Afterward, she shifted slightly to the side, letting a faint blush tint her cheeks. To cover up her momentary embarrassment, she coughed softly, hoping he wouldn't notice her slight flustered state. 'Crap, I never knew he noticed this much about me, it's slightly embarrassing,' she thought, trying to regain her composure while still maintaining her witty facade.

After regaining her composure, Kana's mind darted back to his words. Amidst the flurry of other details he mentioned, one stood out—the green bell pepper hat. She couldn't help but grimace, her sharp tongue showing itself. "Ugh," she groaned, her tone laced with exasperation. "Seriously? You saw the green pepper ad?"

Aikara nodded, seemingly amused by her reaction.

Kana rolled her eyes, a sassy retort escaping her lips, "Great. Just great. Please, spare me the reminder of my young and foolish days."

"Sure thing," Aikara said with a giggle.

Taking a moment to glance at Aikara's outfit, Kana felt it would be impolite not to return the compliment after he had praised her. With a hint of curiosity, she examined his entire ensemble and couldn't help but speak her mind, "Why are you wearing a coat here? And by the looks of it, it's very baggy. Aren't you feeling hot?"

Her eyes roamed around Aikara's attire, taking in the details. He wore a black coat with white sleeves and white fur trim on the collar. It wasn't zippered up, allowing her to see his clothes underneath—a black long-sleeved dress shirt that complemented his outfit well, along with a purple tie that matched his dyed hair. His sleek black shoes and high-quality pants completed the ensemble, making it appropriate for a formal party like this.

Kana's observation was interrupted by Aikara's voice, a small grin appearing on his lips. "Oh, you noticed, huh? It's pretty chilly outside, almost December after all, so I wore this coat. Though you're right, it is getting pretty hot." With those words, Aikara removed his coat and draped it over his arm, revealing the attire underneath.

As Aikara's demeanor relaxed, Kana couldn't help but appreciate the effort he put into his outfit. It was evident that he had taken care to dress appropriately for the occasion, showing attention to detail that mirrored his overall style.

Though that won't stop her from teasing him. "You know, you look surprisingly handsome in that," she remarked with a sly edge to her voice. "Are you trying to impress someone or did you just randomly decide to dress up like that today? It's very formal and fashionable." Her tone carried a hint of mischief, but her eyes sparkled with warmth and cheerfulness.

"I decided to wear formally on purpose." Aikara began. "This is the wrap-up event, and even though I hopped in just for the last episode, I gotta bring my A-game because presentation matters, y'know?"

Aikara's expression slowly morphed into a confident smirk as he flashed a brilliant smile, sending a hint of playful teasing their way. "Besides, it would be such a crime to hide my handsomeness behind some lame clothes. Gotta let this charm shine!" he spoke as he subtly adjusted his collar

Kana let out a soft giggle, her eyes glimmering with amusement. "That's true," she said, still playfully amused. Her attention then shifted to Aqua, and she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her friend's outfit choice. "I can't say the same thing to you, Aqua. Really? A tracksuit during an occasion like this?" she teased, her words laced with a hint of gentle sarcasm.

Aqua averted his gaze slightly, explaining, "It's not like dressing fashionably or formally is required, right? Plus, what's the point in dressing nicely? It's not like anyone will bother to talk to me considering I was only added to the staff in the last episode."

Kana shook her head, her expression a mix of concern and determination, as she let out a soft sigh. "Well, that might be true, I suppose," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of empathy. "But as Aikara said just now, presentation really matters, especially in the entertainment industry."

Afterward, her concern shifted, and a teasing smile played on her lips. "Now that I think about it," she continued, her tone light but direct, "You also wore the exact same outfit during rehearsals." Her mischievous chuckle added a playful note to her words. "You should get more clothes, you know? You'll ruin your handsome face with that."

Aqua was about to retort, but an unfamiliar voice interjected their conversation. "Thanks for your hard work during filming." The three of them turned their gaze toward the source of the voice, and they saw the author of 'Sweet Today,' Yoriko Kichijouji, approaching them.

"Ah, Sensei," Kana mumbled, trying to compose herself as she straightened her back, feeling a mix of nerves and determination. She lowered her gaze, her voice becoming shaky as she began to speak. "S...so," she stuttered, her fingers fidgeting slightly with the hem of her dress. "How was the drama?" Despite her brave attempt to sound casual, Kana couldn't help but clench her eyes tightly shut, not daring to look at Yoriko. She knew all too well how terrible the drama had been, and the answer was painfully obvious.

"It was horrible. They ignored the source material and did whatever they wanted." The words Kana expected to hear flowed into her ears, and her hands involuntarily clenched her dress, causing it to crinkle. Despite having resolved to face hate comments once again since she had regained her passion, it was still frustrating and a bitter pill to swallow that the show she was in had turned out so terribly. She was about to quickly end the conversation so she could go back to talking with Aikara and Aqua when she felt a warm sensation on her head.

Kana looked up in surprise, and she noticed Yoriko's arm in the air, her hand gently patting her head as a small yet warm and affectionate smile graced her lips. "Ah," Kana proclaimed, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly tried to regain her composure, but the flustered feeling wouldn't go away. "Ah... um... sorry, I, uh..." Kana stammered, her words momentarily escaping her as she struggled to find the right response.

Yoriko let out a soft giggle as she stopped her affectionate gesture, showing genuine concern. "Sorry about that, Arima-san," she said, her voice warm and understanding. "Was it uncomfortable?" Kana hastily shook her head, "No, no, not at all. It's just that..." she stammered, struggling to find the right response.

"That's great," a small smile adorned Yoriko's lips. "In case you're wondering why I did that, then it's because you looked sad and I wanted to comfort you."

Kana awkwardly scratched her cheek, a slight blush tinting her cheeks as she mustered the courage to speak. "Thanks for attempting to cheer me up," she began, her gaze momentarily dropping to the ground before she lifted it again, displaying a mix of determination and vulnerability. Her voice turned subdued, carrying a hint of sadness as she continued, "Though I don't deserve that, not after ruining your drama."

Yoriko smiled after hearing those words, it's not because of the words themselves, but because of Kana's determination to take responsibility for ruining the drama even though it's not her fault at all, she can't help but like that quality of Kana, an earnest actor who prioritizes the quality of the work.

"Don't say that about yourself, Arima-san," Yoriko gently interjected, her voice reassuring. "You certainly deserve this. While the drama was certainly ruined, I won't take my anger out on you and blame you for it. I know that this was the decision of the staff and not the actors, so don't be too hard on yourself."

Her words were filled with understanding and empathy, intended to comfort Kana who blamed herself. Yoriko wanted to convey that Kana's effort and passion in her acting were what mattered most to her, regardless of external circumstances.

"I really liked your acting," Yoriko continued, her voice soft and encouraging. "I can see your passion in trying to make the scene as good as possible, and that's more than enough for me. You're an excellent actor."

Kana's eyes glistened with unshed tears upon hearing those words, but she quickly blinked them away, not wanting to show vulnerability. She raised her hand and brushed it discreetly across her eyes, trying to regain composure. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she instinctively shielded her face with her arm, hoping to hide any signs of her emotions from Yoriko.

"Thank you, Sensei," she murmured, her voice a delicate whisper, filled with genuine gratitude and a hint of vulnerability. She didn't want her emotions to overwhelm her, but the words meant more to her than she could express. She had steeled herself to persevere through the challenges of acting, even if Yoriko had placed blame on her. However, the warmth of acceptance and praise touched a tender place in her heart, evoking a rush of emotions she couldn't contain.

"You're welcome, Arima-san," Yoriko replied, her smile warm and encouraging. "And I want to thank you too for participating in the adaptation of my manga. I truly loved the scene where you cried. Your performance brought a depth of emotion that captured the essence of the character."

Aikara and Aqua, who had been quietly observing their interaction, exchanged glances with small smiles forming on their lips. Seeing Kana receive recognition amidst the previous drama filled them with happiness. They knew the significance of validation in a world where pursuing one's passion often meant facing uncertainty and critique.

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A.N

Kana getting recognition for the efforts she did.

I'm happy for her.

As you guys can see, the drama Sweet Today ended differently because of Aikara. A character that wasn't in the manga appeared, and I wanted to include Aikara in it despite having no open roles, so I added my own character. But of course, I need to think of the consequences of adding a new character, because it will feel cheap if he was added without consequences. And the result is the drama not being liked by the fans, causing it to fail, even Yoriko thought it was terrible.

Though in actuality, the drama actually did better than the original, not because it's quality is better, but because Aikara's a popular youtuber, and his fans watched that last episode in order to see him, causing ratings to increase a lot.