mijobooks Chapter 163 A Late-Night Miracle and the "Master and Disciple" Backflip
Chapter 163 A Late-Night Miracle and the "Master and Disciple" Backflip
Chapter 163 A Late-Night Miracle and the "Master and Disciple" Backflip
Thursday night, 11 p.m.
A luxury apartment in Meguro Ward, Tokyo.
On the television screen, Goro Zaizen stands on the edge of the rooftop, with his back to the setting sun, and utters the line, "Only those who stand at the top of the tower have the right to talk about dignity."
Takuya Kimura sat on the sofa, holding an unopened can of beer.
It was already the second day since the first episode of "The White Tower" aired, but he specially found the videotape and watched it again by himself in his apartment.
As Johnny's rising star and the "vanguard" assigned to target Kitahara Shin, Takuya Kimura had mixed feelings.
Although the agency's announcement stated "a narrow victory in ratings," he knew very well that the victory was illusory.
He pressed the pause button, and the image froze on the moment Kitahara Shin turned around.
That look in his eyes.
That kind of acting that perfectly blends ambition, resentment, and compromise with reality into the eyes.
Takuya Kimura tilted his head back and took a sip of beer. The icy liquid flowed down his throat, but it couldn't extinguish the burning heat in his heart.
"Wow, that's amazing!"
He muttered to himself.
If he relied on his personal charm and likable character to boost the ratings, then Kitahara Shin relied on his solid acting skills to transform an unlikable villain into a ruthless and lovable character.
The smooth plot progression and the ensemble cast where even the supporting characters shine made even his rival eager to see the next episode.
"Looks like I need to step up my efforts too."
Takuya Kimura crushed the soda can in his hand, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
Losing to an opponent like this is not shameful.
But he would never admit defeat easily.
[Saturday morning, TBS television studio.]
On the set of the second episode of "Kitahara Shin Can Do Anything!"
Today, the set is no longer a kitchen, but has been transformed into a small indoor gymnasium. There's a running track, mats, a horizontal bar, and rows of professional-looking fitness equipment.
The theme of this episode is: [Challenging the Limits of Humanity: Physical Fitness].
The guest was Koji Ito, a famous sprinter who had just won a gold medal at the Asian Games (a renowned Japanese sprinter who was at his peak at the time).
"Kitahara-san, today's challenge won't be easy."
Koji Ito, dressed in a tight-fitting tracksuit, was warming up, his explosively muscular physique standing out under the lights: "Although I've heard you work out regularly, the training intensity of professional athletes is completely different from that of ordinary people. Especially some movements involving core strength and flexibility, which are very easy to get injured."
Shinya Kitahara changed into a black tracksuit.
Compared to Ito's massive muscles, his physique appeared more slender and lean. But those in the know could see that he was a classic case of "looking slim in clothes but muscular underneath."
A slight thought.
[Mind Gear: The Craftsman's Unfinished Masterpiece (Blue Running Shoes) Activated]
[Mind Equipment: Guardian's Oath - Ring of Life (Purple - Passive) - Permanently Active]
As the equipment was activated, that familiar sense of power surged through my entire body.
"It's okay, I also want to see where my limits are."
Kitahara Shin smiled and turned to look at Matsushima Nanako, who was standing next to him.
Nanako is a little different today.
She wore her hair in a high ponytail, a white sports vest and shorts, revealing her stunningly long legs and slender yet toned waist. As a former model, this sporty style seemed tailor-made for her.
"teacher----"
Nanako nervously tugged at her clothes. "I—do I really have to do this too?"
Kitahara Shin: "Of course. It's part of the job. And—"
He looked her up and down, then nodded with satisfaction: "With such great looks, it would be a shame not to show them off. Audiences love watching beautiful women exercise; this will boost the show's ratings."
Nanako blushed and muttered under her breath, "So I'm just a ratings tool after all —"
"Stop talking nonsense and warm up."
Recording begins.
The first segment: [100-meter sprint - starting reaction test].
This isn't about speed, it's about neural reflexes.
Koji Ito gave a demonstration first.
As the starting gun fired, his body shot out like a spring, with a reaction time of only 0.13 seconds.
"So fast!"
The staff at the scene gasped in surprise.
It was Kitahara Shin's turn.
He crouched on the starting blocks, adjusting his breathing.
The comprehensive improvement in physical fitness brought about by the [Ring of Life] allowed his hearing and nerve conduction speed to reach the limits of ordinary people.
"Bang!"
The instant the gun fired.
Kitahara Shin's figure rushed out almost simultaneously.
The numbers on the big screen froze: 0.12 seconds.
"Holy crap—"
Koji Ito stared wide-eyed at the number with an incredulous expression.
That's near-human reaction speed! Is this kid really an actor?
Next is the flexibility test.
This segment was practically a stage tailor-made for Nanako.
She effortlessly performed the splits, backbends, and other challenging yoga poses. Her long, shapely legs stretched out in front of the camera, their beautiful lines captivating the eye.
The photographer thoughtfully gave us several close-ups.
Kitahara Shin watched from the side, occasionally helping her with her waist or correcting her posture when she made a movement.
"Stand up straight, don't slouch."
"Lift your leg a little higher, you can do it."
That stern yet slightly indulgent tone, coupled with Nanako's sweet "Yes, teacher," created a somewhat ambiguous atmosphere.
The director nodded frantically behind the monitor: "Great! This is exactly what the audience wants to see! The chemistry between this master and apprentice is amazing!"
The warm-up session is over.
Koji Ito's competitive spirit was also completely ignited.
He originally thought he was just there to play house with the celebrities, but these two people—one with ridiculously fast reflexes, and the other with astonishing flexibility—made him, a gold medalist, feel a little embarrassed.
"Since that's the case—"
Ito Koji wiped his sweat, his eyes turning serious: "Then I'll get serious."
He walked to the center of the cushion and took a deep breath.
Run-up, jump.
-
She completed a beautiful double backflip in mid-air and landed steadily.
"Pat pat pat one "7"
There was thunderous applause.
This is a gymnastics-level move, which is not easy for track and field athletes.
Koji Ito looked smugly at Shin Kitahara: "Kitahara-san, this move is called a double tuck, and it requires extremely strong core strength and a sense of airtime. Although you react quickly, this is purely a technical skill; most people might not be able to do it even after a year or two of practice."
As Kitahara Shin watched the movement, he quickly analyzed each point of force exertion in his mind.
The unfinished masterpiece of the craftsman (running shoes) not only increases speed, but also greatly improves jumping ability and balance.
In addition, the body control granted by the [Ring of Life] —
"It looks like—it doesn't seem too difficult."
He said softly.
"Not difficult?" Koji Ito raised an eyebrow. "Then why don't you give it a try?"
Kitahara Shin walked onto the mat.
He didn't start immediately, but closed his eyes and simulated it in his mind.
Three seconds later, he opened his eyes.
approach.
The speed wasn't fast, but every step was extremely powerful.
Take off.
He was like a black bird, taking off into the air in an instant.
Fold your body up and flip over.
One week, two weeks.
Landing.
It didn't wobble at all, as if it were nailed to the mat.
'
Koji Ito's smile froze on his face.
Is this supposed to be a "trial run"? This level of skill is enough to qualify for a gymnastics competition!
Before he could even react, Nanako was already screaming beside him, "Teacher is so amazing!! So cool!!"
She bounced around like a little fangirl, her eyes sparkling.
Kitahara Shin dusted the magnesium powder off his hands, looked at Ito Koji who was staring blankly, and smiled: "Is there anything harder? You still feel like you haven't warmed up yet."
Koji Ito:
[”
We can't talk today.
He gritted his teeth, thinking, "Since you're so arrogant, then I'll use my trump card."
"OK."
Koji Ito took a deep breath. "Since Kitahara-san is so talented, I'll demonstrate a move I've been practicing recently. It's called the Webster backflip, which is commonly known as a one-legged front flip followed by a backflip. Even for me, the success rate with this move isn't high."
As he spoke, he took another running start.
He jumped off one leg, did a front flip, and used the momentum upon landing to perform a back flip.
Although it wobbled slightly upon landing, it was still completed.
"call----"
Koji Ito, panting heavily, wiped away his sweat. "How was it? This move requires a very high level of explosive power, and it's easy to twist your ankle if you make a mistake."
He looked at Kitahara Shin with a hint of provocation in his eyes, as if to say, "Now you can't handle it, can you?"
Nanako tugged at Kitahara Shin's sleeve with some concern: "Teacher—maybe we should just give up? This looks really dangerous."
Kitahara Shin watched that movement.
Webster?
Isn't this a move often used by superheroes in later Marvel movies? So it already existed in this era?
He was somewhat surprised, but also somewhat excited.
This feeling of pushing his physical limits made his blood boil.
"Do you really want me to do it, or do you want to see me make a fool of myself?"
Kitahara Shin looked at Nanako and deliberately teased her.
Nanako immediately became anxious: "Of course I want to see you succeed! I think you can do anything, just like Doraemon!"
"Do you think I'm Doraemon?!"
Kitahara Shin shook his head speechlessly.
He walked to the center of the field.
This time, he didn't rush to take a running start.
He adjusted his breathing, feeling the lightness transmitted by the running shoes.
approach.
accelerate.
He stomped his left foot hard on the ground.
His body rose into the air.
Front somersault.
Its posture in the air is so graceful, it looks like a slow-motion replay.
The moment he landed, he lightly touched the ground with the toes of his right foot, and using the momentum, his body bounced backward again.
Backflip.
It landed steadily.
It was even higher and more graceful than what Koji Ito had just done.
Moreover, he didn't stop.
Upon landing, he gracefully finished with a kneeling gesture, like a superhero making his entrance.
'
The entire room fell silent.
Two seconds passed.
"Aaaaaaah!!!"
Nanako's screams nearly blew the roof off.
She rushed over, and if they hadn't been filming a show, she probably would have pounced on Kitahara Shin.
Koji Ito stood there, looking at the kneeling figure, his expression incredibly complex.
It was a complex expression that mixed shock, resentment, and existential doubt, which finally turned into a helpless, bitter smile.
who am I?
where am I?
Why would I participate in this show to torture myself?
The director astutely caught this expression and immediately yelled into his headset, "Camera number three! Get a close-up of Ito's face! Push it up! This is the footage! This is the punchline!"
Monday night, 11:15 p.m.
The first episode of "Kitahara Shin Can Do Anything!" has officially aired.
Although it's a late-night slot, and there's no overwhelming advertising like during prime time.
But when the ratings for the first episode came out, the entire television station was shocked.
14.5%.
-
It's important to know that late-night dramas typically only achieve 3%-5% viewership. Shows that break 10% are considered phenomenal masterpieces.
Kitahara Shin, on the other hand, achieved 14.5% simply by chopping vegetables and cooking.
Not to mention the incredibly cool backflip in the second episode's trailer, which completely raised expectations.
Minato Ward, Akina's apartment.
The main lights in the living room were off; only the light from the television screen cast flickering shadows on the walls.
There were sliced fruit and several bottles of Evian water on the coffee table.
Akina and Izumi were sitting side by side on the sofa, watching a replay on TV.
On the screen, Kitahara Shin was demonstrating his amazing skill in making "Covered Cucumber," with the knife flashing like snow, and the cucumber being stretched very long without breaking.
"That knife skill—"
Quanshui hugged her pillow, looked at the screen, and blinked in surprise: "Although I've eaten his cooking before and know he's a good cook—I really didn't know he could cut cucumbers like that. He's usually very casual when he cooks."
That's just how that guy is.
Akina peeled a grape and put it in her mouth, her tone carrying a mixture of certainty and helplessness about how well she knew him: "You always like to keep things to yourself, never revealing your hand until the crucial moment."
Quanshui nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at the confidently smiling man on the television.
Akina turned her head and, using the light from the television, subtly observed the girl beside her.
The spring water sat quietly, without the ostentatious urge to snatch the remote control or the affected attempt to be intimate. She was like a cup of warm water, not harsh, but comforting.
Since that "forced meeting" at the theater, Akina's mindset has indeed undergone some subtle changes.
A woman's intuition is very accurate.
She had a vague feeling that the man wasn't just the two of them. There was Kuroki Hitomi, with her sly gaze on set, and Matsushima Nanako, his long-legged apprentice who was always calling him "Teacher, Teacher" and following him around like a shadow—
Those are the real threats.
In contrast, Quanshui, who knows her well, has a mild personality, and maintains sufficient respect for her, is actually the safest person.
Moreover, no woman is without selfishness. Akina, of course, wanted to monopolize this favor.
But with an outstanding man like Kitahara Shin, making appropriate concessions and winning him over might lead to a more stable and lasting relationship. Rather than pushing him towards those uncontrollable wildflowers, it's better to bring this obedient younger sister into your camp.
Thinking of this, Akina smiled.
She picked up a grape and held it out to the spring.
"Eat."
Izumi paused for a moment, instinctively wanting to be polite: "Th-thank you, Ms. Nakamori—"
"Still calling her Miss Nakamori?"
Akina raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of older sisterly reproach, yet it wasn't unpleasant: "Didn't we already talk about it at the theater last time? There's no need to be so formal in private."
She placed the grapes into Quanshui's hand, her tone casual yet meaningful: "Call me 'elder sister.' After all, we'll have a lot to face together in the future."
Izumi looked at the grapes in her hand, then at Akina's eyes, which, though somewhat assertive, held no malice.
She was a smart woman and naturally understood the meaning of acceptance and alliance behind it.
She pursed her lips, her cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes lit up.
"Hmm—Akina-nee."
On the television, Kitahara Shin was performing that cool sword-sheathing move in front of the camera.
On the sofa, two women who should have been rivals for love reached a strange understanding at this moment.
In this alluring world of fame and fortune, they chose to stand back to back, together protecting that man's back.
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