On this sunny day you find yourself in Starscape Entertainment’s studio for the TV-show “One-day Marriage”.
Chigusa Iki is handed a loose script that serves more as guidance than hard lines, and they kick things off with a brief introduction of the actors.
Her counterpart in this show is a young man one year her senior, Arata Tadashi.
Although mostly working as an actor, Tadashi’s agency is trying push him as a multi-talented star.
At least, that’s what you hear from his manager, who can’t keep stop bragging about Arata.
They start the recordings at the wedding ceremony.
As far as the audience is concerned, the first time Arata sees Chigusa Iki is when she walks through the chapel’s wide double doors in a wedding gown.
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We’re living in the “Reaction” age where the audience isn’t sure how to feel about something without somebody on screen helping them along.
The groom, Arata, manages to “Oooh” and “Aaah” in the right ways and his manager is extremely smug about it.
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> Need one “Personality” roll for Chigusa Iki.
> Please roll one 1d100+44 (DC 80)
>
> Result
> 38 + 44 = 82 (DC 80) -- Success
The wedding concludes beautifully with the pretend couple gazing longingly in each other’s eyes.
As always, the closing shot is that of the two newly married officiating with a kiss, but as their lips close in one another’s – the screen cuts to black.
It’s well known that an actual kiss is only implied and never actually happens.
Fans of established idols, who regularly participate, would be foaming at the mouth if that wasn’t the case.
Once the wedding scene ends, the director calls cut and calls for a break.
Actors can relax while the studio staff make preparations for the next scene, breaking down the current set and building up the next one.
This being a dedicated studio, the whole process takes mere minutes.
You hand Chigusa a water bottle as she walks off-stage, “You look beautiful,” you say.
For a lot of girl’s Chigusa’s age it would be a dream to have a wedding like this and be able to wear a dress like the one she’s wearing.
Chigusa bobs her head, “I appreciate the comment, manager-san,” she says, fanning her face with a hand, “Though I dread the moment this episode will air.”
Though beautiful, you don’t doubt the many-layered dress is terribly hot in this studio environment.
You tilt your head to the side, “How so?” she says, “Embarrassing?”
“Not at all,” replies Chigusa flatly, “It’s just work. What I don’t look forward to is my grandparents sharing the video back in their town. The residents there won’t understand that it’s a pretend marriage and I’ll probably be hearing complaints on why they weren’t invited for months onward.”
“Ahaha…” you say, “They’ll get used to it before long, I’ll make sure you’ll be starring in far more shows soon.”
Chigusa bows at the waist, “Thank you for your on-going support,” she says.
You wish Chigusa would relax a bit more around you, but this is just how she is.
There’s some time until the next scene, so you decide to discuss the script.
”So,” you say, reaching for the script, “They’re preparing a set with a lot of green screens now, the groom, Arata-san, will princess-carry you through that door over there,” you continue, pointing towards a lone doorframe standing admits an ocean of green screens, “Then close the door behind – and that’ll be scene.”
“I had been informed that there would be a home?” asks Chigusa, a hint of confusion on her face – if you know where to look for it.
“That’s going to be edited in,” you say, “They’ll be building up various sets throughout the day. Kitchen, living room, bedroom, and the like. The director will record a bunch of scenes and using lightning to emulate the correct time of day – then edit it all together.”
Chigusa blinks, “Excuse me?” she says.
Though Chigusa is quite smart, she hasn’t gotten too much exposure with the technical side of the entertainment industry.
“There’s no need for a home or to stay here a full day,” you say, standing beside Chigusa as you leaf through the pages of the script, “We should be done in just a few hours. Every episode is only forty-five minutes after all.”
“Set’s ready,” shouts a man in distance, “Shooting in five. All actors on set, please.”
Chigusa bows, “There seems to be a lot I don’t yet know, I’ll endeavour to do better.”
“Don’t worry about it too much,” you say, flashing a smile, “Just do what you can and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Thank you, manager-san,” says Chigusa, then walks on set.
The actors have a brief chat with the director, who then waves at the camera men.
Both actors are still in their wedding attire as the scene is supposed to portray the happy couple arriving at their new home.
“Action!” calls a distance voice.
Arata swoops Chigusa of her feet, eagerly awaiting the yelp or cute complaint that usually accompanies a move like this.
Instead he receives a flat stare and directions to the door since it appears he isn’t moving.
“Smile! Smile!” shouts the director as a stone-faced Arata princess-carries an emotionless Chigusa towards the door.
You hide your face in your hands.
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It took a couple of takes, none of which were much better than the first, but it seems like they’re satisfied.
After the scene, Chigusa is escorted to the stylist and costume designer which will help her out of her wedding dress and into a prepared set of clothing for the next scenes.
She briefly returns to you while the actors wait for the studio staff to finish the new set.
“How’d it go?” you ask.
“Underwhelming in many respects,” replies Chigusa, “I was under the impression that one performs princess carry by supporting the back and knees, but this information seemed lost on Arata-kun, who instead had his hands on my thighs and kept squeezing. His strength also gave out during the third take. Recordings are on a fifteen minute break as he said he needed a masseuse for his back problems.”
“Eh?” you say.
Has this guy been groping your idol?
“Chigusa… are you okay?” you ask carefully, “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“About what?” says Chigusa.
“Eh? The, uh, squeezing?” you say, somewhat confused.
“It seemed appropriate for a groom to threat his bride that way,” says Chigusa, “I figured it was part of the act.”
Uh. You might need to have a chat with Chigusa at a later time.
And also with the director of this place.
“Eh, well, if he does something like that again… just say something,” you reply.
“Certainly, manager-san,” says Chigusa, bobbing her head.
You take out the script again, “So, they’re shooting the next scenes in chronological order, with the first scene happening in the kitchen where you’ll have breakfast. Apparently, the kitchen is fully functional with a bunch of ingredients. Says here that the bride is encouraged to make a meal she’d actually serve her husband.”
The past few days you’ve skimmed some episodes of this show, there have been many participants who weren’t able to cook all that well and their inability gets played up immensely.
With close-ups of burned meat, a wincing expression of the husband, and the embarrassed wife.
“Since this is actually quite similar to what we’re planning for the livestream, I’d like if you could adopt your idol persona here. This show won’t air until after you’ve debuted, so I figured it’d be less bumpy for any fans if you act the same way in all the media you’re in.”
Chigusa nods, “That sounds sensible. I’ll do my best.”
“All actors to set!” shouts a distant voice, “Starting in five!”
Arata Tadashi, the groom, walks towards the set with slow, heavy steps.
There’s a heat pack plastered to his lower back which he hides beneath his shirt.
“Action!”
Arata sits at the kitchen table, a smug expression on his face as he enjoys a coffee.
”I’m curious,” he says, not bothering to hide that he takes in Chigusa’s figure.
Chigusa stands facing away, an apron tied to her front, “What about, dear husband?” she says, operating the stove.
Arata cracks a playful smile, leaning on an elbow, “Why, what my beautiful wife is preparing for me today?”
“That entirely depends, dear husband,” says Chigusa, turning to face him, “Could you tell me what your desired macros are?”
You hide your face in your hands.
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As the recordings go on, Arata seems determined to get some kind of reaction out of Chigusa.
He lounges beside the bedroom door, then eyes Chigusa suggestively, “Maybe you’d like to get some exercise…?” he says, pointing over his shoulder with a thumb.
Chigusa look towards him, tilts her head slight, and then smiles.
Fast forward ten minutes.
“Your musculature really is lacking,” says Chigusa, arms folded.
Arata’s legs tremble violently as he struggles to complete a set of body-weight squats.
You hide your face in your hands.
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Arata walks towards the living room couch with the slow waddle of a man that just completed a full set of leg exercises, then lets himself drop onto it, “Just… cut them off,” he says, kicking up his feet as he sits with his back pressed against the couch, “I’m ready.”
“But how will you provide for this household, dear husband,” says Chigusa, “A proper man knows his responsibilities.”
“Pfff,” replies Arata, then glances away.
As he does, his eyes happen to drift over his manager – who is giving him a death stare.
The current episode hasn’t exactly painted Arata as the multi-talented star the agency is hoping he’ll be.
He’s going to have to put in some effort – or else.
“Chigusa-cha-- no… Iki,” he says, in the seductive tones of a young man that has broken over a dozen hearts, “Why don’t you join me on the couch? We can snuggle up and watch a movie?”
There it is! The modern man’s excuse for fooling around!
”Watching a movie” is basically synonymous with doing anything but that!
It’s a simple ploy to get two wanting bodies in a limited space, groping and grinding!
“You’re my wife, aren’t you? Iki? Let’s watch a movie,” says Arata, patting the seat next to him.
“I do enjoy a good movie,” says Chigusa, taking the seat beside him with perfect posture.
Chigusa watched the full movie, including the credits.
After twenty minutes of his efforts being shushed because he was talking over the movie, Arata fell asleep.
You hide your face in your hands.
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However, Arata presses on. He’s determined to make his mark in the show.
As the show replicates the evening hours of the day, the actors are told to behave as they would at home.
The fake clock strikes 9 PM.
Arata is ready with a boardgame, friendly conversation, and a mind filled with actions that can be not-so-covertly performed underneath the table.
He’s determined to get a yelp, blush, or anything really, out of Chigusa.
Chigusa Iki is in bed, vast asleep. As she would ordinarily be around 9 PM.
Her sleep schedule determined by a life spend growing up around elderly.
You hide your face in your hands.
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Eventually the recordings come to a close and the director seems happy with what he’s got.
In fact, he’s already working with the editors to draw the maximum potential from the footage.
Glancing at the screen, you can’t help but notice a folder named ‘Laugh tracks' open on the editor’s PC.
A comedy special.
A ‘One-day Marriage’ first.
Poor Arata-kun.
Job completed.
Payment: +$14.400
New budget: $86.500
Chigusa’s fame has increased by 1 (1 → 2)