176: Chapter 176 The Interview Scene

Thank you for the update reminders, everyone; I'll do a small mass release once I've saved up some drafts.

Immediately after, the radio in the room, the electronic alarm clock by the bed, and even the light from the streetlamp outside began to flicker rhythmically.

Little Sadako's primal interest was piqued by this novel way of playing "hide-and-seek."

Her soaring resentment stagnated for a moment, and then her figure vanished into the shadows as well.

For a time, the electrical appliances throughout the house flickered on and off in turns like they had gone mad.

Little Sadako flickered between her physical and spiritual forms, while Larry flashed through all the electronic media.

These two, who could be called the technical experts of the urban legend world, began their cross-dimensional game of hide-and-seek in this small room.

Qin Ming heard the rising and falling "sizzle" of static in his ears, rolled over, and fell back into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning.

As sunlight pierced through the clouds, Tokyo's morning brought with it a salty, damp sea breeze.

As soon as Qin Ming pushed open the bedroom door, he smelled the extremely enticing aroma of cooked rice.

He walked downstairs and saw that the large suitcase in the foyer had been put away, and the living room floor was polished so brightly it could serve as a mirror.

By the dining table, Sadako was wearing an apron, carefully arranging freshly cooked fried fish and tamagoyaki onto plates.

"Morning," Qin Ming said, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

Startled by his voice, Sadako's hand trembled. When she turned and saw it was Qin Ming, she managed to force a shy smile. "G-Good morning, Qin Ming-kun."

There were dark circles under her eyes; it seemed she hadn't slept well last night.

Of course, with those two spiritual "mischief-makers" chasing each other, even she, as the host, likely suffered some mental disturbance.

Just then, Robert walked out of the bedroom, straightening his tie. Upon smelling the aroma, he couldn't help but exclaim loudly, "Oh! My God! What is that I smell? Miss Sadako, you are simply an angel sent by God. This is ten thousand times better than the burnt bacon I make!"

"Actually, Daddy's cooking isn't that bad," Emma said as she hopped down the stairs, her tone as sweet and cloying as ever.

"Oh, my little angel, you're the only one who understands me." Robert sat down contentedly and began to feast.

Sadako stood to the side, looking somewhat ill at ease.

"Big Sister Sadako, have you eaten yet?" Qin Ming asked casually.

"I... I'll eat after I finish sweeping the fallen leaves in the yard." Sadako lowered her head, wringing her apron.

"Eat with us," Qin Ming said, pulling out a chair. "Otherwise, you'll faint before you even finish mopping the floor. The Tokyo labor union will definitely come to complain, saying we're inhumane."

Sadako froze.

She clearly didn't understand this typical "American dry humor."

Panic flickered in her eyes, as if she were truly worried some official agency would come for the family because she hadn't eaten. She hurriedly waved her hands to explain, "No, I won't faint. I'm very healthy..."

"He's just joking," Robert laughed, patting the seat next to him. "Sit. Our family doesn't go in for those hierarchical rules."

Sadako sat down cautiously. She kept her head low, nibbling on a piece of toast in small bites, her sense of humility still not entirely dissipated.

"After breakfast, you're going to the theater troupe for an audition, right?" Qin Ming swallowed a piece of tamagoyaki and looked at her.

"Yes." Sadako nodded, a faint light finally glimmering in her eyes. "Ten o'clock this morning, at the Flying Theater Troupe in Shibuya. If I can get selected..."

"That's perfect then." Qin Ming put down his utensils and looked at the bright sunlight outside. "Robert has to go to work today, and Emma and I happen to want to go out and see Tokyo. Why don't we accompany you to the audition? You can show us around the neighborhood while we're at it?"

Sadako looked up in surprise. "You... you want to come with me?"

"Of course," Qin Ming said with a harmless smile. "With us cheering you on outside, you're sure to land the lead role."

Beside him, Emma curled her lips into a smile so bright it was almost chilling.

For some reason, a sense of security she had never felt before suddenly welled up in Sadako's heart.

Even though they were just two children, at this moment, the sense of security they gave her actually surpassed that of her self-proclaimed powerful father.

"Then... thank you," Sadako said softly, a glimmer of hope for her future life appearing in her eyes.

She didn't know that Qin Ming's true purpose for this trip was to teach that so-called "Flying Theater Troupe" a lesson.

According to the original plot, that troupe was home to several malicious individuals who were the "culprits" behind Sadako's tragedy.

Since Qin Ming had intervened, the script of despair that originally belonged to Sadako would have to be taken over by those damned supporting characters.

After all, in this world, only Qin Ming could decide who the true "horror movie protagonist" was.

Half an hour later, a taxi pulled up to the door.

Qin Ming pulled Emma into the back seat, while Sadako sat awkwardly in the front passenger seat.

"Let's go," Qin Ming said, clapping his hands. "To Shibuya, to see how big-city people act."

The morning rush hour in Shibuya was crowded with people.

The taxi stopped in front of a slightly dilapidated office building.

A faded sign hung on the outer wall of the second floor—"Flying Theater Troupe."

This place was nothing like the glamorous entertainment industry Sadako had imagined.

She pushed open the car door and stood on the sidewalk, her hands tightly interlaced until her knuckles turned white.

"This is it," Sadako took a deep breath, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "Are you... are you really going to come inside with me?"

Qin Ming led Emma out of the car. "Of course, we're here to be your support group."

The three of them followed the dim, narrow stairs up to the second floor.

Pushing open the doors to the rehearsal hall, a wave of heat mixed with cheap perfume, sweat, and tobacco smoke hit them.

Over a dozen girls had already gathered in the hall for the audition, and some of the troupe's veterans were stretching and warming up their voices nearby.

Sadako's appearance caused a brief silence in the once noisy rehearsal hall.

Even wearing a faded plaid shirt and an unfashionable dark skirt, her ethereal, otherworldly aura and exquisitely delicate bare face were like a blade, instantly slicing through everyone else's confidence.

Almost everyone's gaze was fixed on her.

In the crowd, a woman wearing a red leotard and heavy makeup stopped her stretching.

She was the star performer of the Flying Theater Troupe, Hazuki Aiko.

Hazuki Aiko sized Sadako up, her expression instantly darkening.

This intense feeling of insecurity about her own looks made her instinctively hostile.

She stood up and deliberately walked to the water dispenser. As she passed Sadako, she slammed her shoulder hard into her.

Sadako stumbled, nearly falling over.

"Don't you have eyes? Why are you blocking the way!" Hazuki Aiko accused her first, her voice raised high, drawing everyone's attention.