164: Chapter 163 Wuwuwuwuwuwuwu

Below is a series of simple and crude step descriptions and annotations in brackets:

Scene: Japanese screen (prepared), small low table (prepared), cushion (prepared). Sakura wears a simple Japanese-style robe (prepared), kneeling behind the screen.

Prop/Product Placement Points:

At the start, Sakura has a plate of [Dried Squid] (Brand A) by her hand, tasting it elegantly (?).

When Nako appears, her height needs to be "significantly increased" (staff will provide [Special height-increasing insoles] and [Imitation Japanese Geisha high geta]), holding a giant [Pink Cotton Candy] (Brand B, cotton candy machine sponsor) as a weapon.

Sakura's counter-weapon: [Candy Apple] (Brand C, dessert shop sponsor), which will be controlled by a wire to fly at a constant speed toward Nako's face.

Sakura's mid-scene drink: [Specific flavor juice] (Brand D).

Performance Flow:

Background music starts (Japanese-style tune, prepared).

Sakura tastes the Dried Squid behind the screen; her posture should be "serene" and "unfathomable."

Nako (height-increased version) steps forward with heavy steps (mimicking a samurai entrance) to the front of the screen, raises the cotton candy high, and shouts: "Duel me! Sakura the Candy Apple Swordsman!" (Note: Here Nako is called the "Cotton Candy Swordsman" and Sakura is called the "Candy Apple Swordsman." Reason unknown, just follow along.)

Sakura doesn't answer and continues eating the Dried Squid, then seemingly casually flicks her hand (actually a signal for the wire)—the Candy Apple flies out!

Nako improvises her reaction when the Candy Apple flies toward her face (Options: A. Hit in the mouth by the Candy Apple, funny look; B. Panic and dodge; C. Try to hit the Candy Apple away with the cotton candy, but the cotton candy is too soft, causing sugar strands to stick all over her face). (Jiang PD's note: Suggest choosing A or C for strong comedic effect.)

Sakura slowly puts down the Dried Squid, picks up the juice nearby, takes a sip, and signals the staff with her eyes.

Staff pulls back the screen.

Sakura remains kneeling, facing Nako, and says her line in a calm (and slightly chuunibyou) tone: "Fighting will only make us angry, Nako the Cotton Candy Swordsman. Why don't we... live in peace."

Pausing for a second, the tone suddenly turns passionate and intense: "But! That's not the reason I'm afraid of you! Written as 'Benevolence'—but read as 'Mermaid'!!" (Jiang PD's note: This needs to be shouted forcefully, preferably with a voice crack, to show shock and confusion.)

Subsequent development:

Music tempo speeds up (funny fighting sound effects).

The two stand up, holding the Candy Apple and cotton candy, and perform a "slow-motion blind fight" (movements should be exaggerated, like children playing, but maintain a "serious duel" expression).

After about 30 seconds of fighting, the two might be at a loss (script ends here).

At this point, the production team will hold up signs for further instructions. Please follow them!

Sakura and Nako finished reading this so-called "Cheat Script" and didn't speak for a long time.

Sakura's fingertips trembled slightly; words like "Dried Squid," "Candy Apple Swordsman," and "Written as Benevolence, Read as Mermaid" circled in her mind like a curse. She tried to maintain a calm facial expression, but the despair in her eyes was almost overflowing. This... this was a hundred times more shameful than the Purple Cabbage Court and Glutinous Rice Balls! No, a thousand times!

Nako stared at the "Special height-increasing insoles" and "Imitation Japanese Geisha high geta" for a long time, her small face filled with a big question mark and humiliation. She took a deep breath and growled in a low voice in Japanese: "What does this have to do with my height-increasing insoles?!! And what the hell is 'Cotton Candy Swordsman'?! What kind of pun is 'Benevolence' and 'Mermaid', hey!!" (She probably understood that "Benevolence" is read as "Jingi" in Japanese, while "Mermaid" is read as "Ningyo"—the pronunciations were slightly similar but completely different; this was entirely Jiang Zhiyu's forced punning!)

However, staff had already pushed over a clothing rack with Sakura's simple Japanese robe (a modified version with the sponsor's logo) and the "samurai-style" wide-leg pants Nako was to wear, which clearly had lengthened legs. Next to them were two pairs of very high-looking wooden clogs and... a thick stack of height-increasing insoles. Another staff member brought over the Dried Squid, Candy Apple, a giant Pink Cotton Candy, and a cup of juice with a straw already inserted.

No time to protest, no chance to modify. Jiang Zhiyu's "cheat code" was an unquestionable command.

Sakura and Nako looked at each other, both seeing the words "resignation to fate" in each other's eyes. Sakura patted Nako's shoulder and mouthed: "Good luck, Nako." Nako replied with a smile that looked worse than crying.

Below the stage, the audience was still excitedly discussing the first group's performance, and expectations were high. Choi Yena also took the opportunity to hawk some sausages; a few audience members, attracted by the performance and the aroma, came forward to buy, keeping her busy for a while and making her temporarily forget her commentary.

Just then, Jiang Zhiyu's voice sounded again: "Thanks to 'Leo & Capricorn' for the wonderful opening! Next, let's welcome the second charm showcase team—'Virgo & Taurus', Miyawaki Sakura! Yabuki Nako!"

Applause and cheers erupted, mixed with many curious and expectant discussions about this Japan-Korea line duo.

Sakura and Nako took a deep breath, took their respective "props," and walked toward the arena. With the help of the backstage staff, Nako quickly put on the height-increasing insoles and those terrifyingly high wooden clogs. Her height shot up instantly, and she wobbled a bit while walking. She tried her best to adapt, tightly clutching the Pink Cotton Candy "sword" that was taller than her, her expression tragic.

Sakura put on that mismatched Japanese robe (still wearing her Virgo tracksuit underneath), holding the plate of Dried Squid, trying to look "serene."

On the stage, the Japanese screen and low table were already set up. The background music switched to a melodious ensemble of Japanese koto and small drums.

The performance began.

Behind the screen, Sakura's silhouette slowly sat down. She picked up a piece of Dried Squid and pretended to chew it carefully (actually didn't eat it, fearing it would mess up her makeup). The audience looked curiously at this very Japanese-style opening.

Then, a series of "clack, clack, clack" heavy and slow footsteps sounded.

Nako appeared, stepping on those extremely high wooden clogs. Because she wasn't used to the height of the clogs and insoles, her body was a bit stiff as she walked, pausing with every step like a mechanical puppet. She held the giant Pink Cotton Candy high with both hands, her expression trying to be "majestic" and "provocative," but because of the sudden height increase and the ridiculous prop, the effect was more like a child wearing adult clothes and using a toy to challenge someone.

She finally managed to "shuffle" to the front of the screen, stood firm, took a deep breath, and shouted that shameful line with all her might (and a hint of a tremble):

"Du—el—me! Sakura! The Candy Apple Swordsman!!"

The voice spread through the microphone. The audience was stunned for a second, then erupted into a massive roar of laughter!

"Hahahaha! Candy Apple Swordsman?!"

"How did Nako get so tall all of a sudden?!"

"That cotton candy! It's so big!"

"What kind of plot is this? It's too funny!"

Amidst the laughter, Nako's face instantly turned red, but she remembered the "performance" and held on without breaking character.

Behind the screen, Sakura heard Nako's shout and the audience's laughter, and her hand holding the Dried Squid shook. She tried to maintain her "unfathomable" posture, took another "bite" of the Dried Squid, and then, according to the script, seemingly casually flicked her hand—actually pressing a hidden button on her wrist.

Whoosh—

A bright red, sparkling Candy Apple, pulled by a nearly invisible thin wire, flew out from behind the screen in a steady, smooth arc, heading straight for Nako's face!

"Ohhh! The candy is flying out!"

"A hidden weapon! A Candy Apple hidden weapon!"

The audience exclaimed.

Following the "improvise" instruction she received earlier, Nako watched the Candy Apple flying steadily toward her, reflecting the sunlight. Several options flashed through her mind. Thinking of Jiang PD's note about "strong comedic effect," she grit her teeth, gave up on dodging or blocking, and chose the most shameful one—

Instead of backing away, she suddenly craned her neck forward and opened her mouth wide!

Plonk!

The Candy Apple hit the mark perfectly, landing right in Nako's wide-open mouth! Because the speed was constant and the force was controlled, it didn't hurt her, but the tactile and visual effect of the candy ball filling her mouth was extremely ridiculous! Her cheeks were puffed out by the candy ball, her eyes were wide and round, and her hands were still holding the cotton candy high. She froze on the spot—a perfect pose!

"Pffft—hahahahahaha!!!"

"It went in her mouth! It went straight in!"

"Nako!! That expression is priceless!"

The audience went crazy with laughter instantly. Applause, laughter, and screams mixed together, the decibel level soaring again.

Choi Yena, behind the sausage cart, was also dumbfounded. She even forgot to flip the sausages, exclaiming into the microphone: "Wow! Nako Unnie! She... ate the Candy Apple? No, she caught it? She caught the hidden weapon with her mouth?! What... what kind of move is this? Is the Cotton Candy Swordsman's ultimate defense her mouth?!"

Her commentary was full of genuine confusion and shock, which drew another round of laughter.

Behind the screen, Sakura saw Nako's "feat" through the gaps and almost couldn't stop herself from laughing, but luckily she held it in. Following the process, she slowly put down the Dried Squid (thinking the product placement was so forced), picked up the juice with the straw and the prominent logo, took an elegant (?) sip, and then gave a look to the side.

The staff stepped forward and slowly pulled back the screen.