I want to quit Love For Real.
What?!
Right now?!
Why are you saying this?!
Lately, the guys at school tease me.
Like, "So you like those types of guys?"
Nothing's scarier than openly showing your feelings for someone you like.
I had no idea until the show started.
Drawing attention from many people isn't all good.
I do dumb stuff on my channel too, so I understand.
Everyone thinks I'm dumb… Well, in fact, I am dumb though.
A-Are you really going to quit?
I'll listen anytime you need to talk!
If you're gonna quit, I'll quit too!
Nobu…
So don't be like that. Let's continue!
I…
WILL YUKI REALLY LEAVE THE SHOW?
Wow, I wonder what's gonna happen!
She might really quit. Since Yuki seems sensitive.
But what will happen to Nobu if she quits?!
YUKI SUMI TO QUIT DATING SHOW?
Look! I'm in a news article!
You think I contributed a little in gaining viewers?
Probably.
So, are you going to quit the show?
Well, I can't quit, can I? There's a contract.
What? So that was an act?
No, no, I'm not an actress like you, Kurokawa, so I can't act.
I just exaggerated my feelings a little.
It's true that I was sad from being teased at school.
And it's also true that I've thought about quitting.
Because this show is always filmed first thing in the morning.
I'm always so sleepy.
I see, so it's not a lie, but an exaggeration.
An exaggeration, huh?
Once we started opening up after some time passed on the show,
everyone's character became clear.
The ones who are good at this.
The one who isn't two-faced but unique.
The ones who aren't good on camera and has little appearance.
Aqua! Let's go eat once we're done!
No, I'm good. I have food at home.
Come on, let's go!
Mem-cho says she'll treat us to yakiniku.
What?! I never said that!
I know that you gained new subscribers recently and you're loaded.
Your agency only takes 50% of the cut, right?
Seriously?!
We split 80/20 at my agency. I envy you.
Ermm…
All right! Add on another extra premium assortment!
Stuff yourselves, brats!
Yay!
Aqua, the kainomi is cooked.
I'll grill my own, so don't worry about me.
Kurokawa, you haven't been eating at all.
No, this is my role!
I've decided to never release the tongs in these settings.
People would get mad when I used to burn the meat before,
but I can grill them well now.
That's why!
What's being demanded right now is something more extreme!
It's like, how much risk you take…
She's so studious.
Ah, I'm sure the yakiniku was luxurious.
I bet the meat you ate while staring at some cute girls tasted real good, huh?
Well, it was just a hangout.
Liar! I can see the satisfaction oozing out from your face!
No, it's not.
Look me in my eyes and say that!
With a young body, you can eat unlimited oily foods and never get indigestion.
This is too awesome.
You promised to eat with us on Sundays together.
But it's been like this ever since that show started!
First of all, isn't that show's concept to meet after school?
But they always film on weekends. It's a setup!
It's not a big deal.
They're good at least for prioritizing education.
Actually, reality dating shows aren't set up as much as you think.
A few of them are obviously faking it,
but most of them are just trying to make themselves look good.
Everyone does that in real life, don't they?
If you go on a group date, you can see the same thing.
I've never been to one, so I wouldn't know…
Then does everyone seriously fall in love?
That depends on the individual.
You end up liking them surprisingly.
But my fans are watching, so I want to keep it to a certain level on the show.
I do! It's kinda similar to getting close to a host at a host club!
I shift into work mode when I'm on camera, so it's a little hard.
Out of the question. It's work.
I seriously can. I mean, wouldn't it be fun if it led up to marriage?
I don't know…
I'm just barely fulfilling my role, so I don't have the room for that.
I never watched reality dating shows before, so I lacked knowledge on it.
I had a biased view, but its realism is enough for it to be the selling point.
Contrary to what I imagined, not a lot is set up.
And it's filmed to show the individuals' character just as they are.
What's the matter? Isn't it a good thing that there aren't many setups?
It's good from the audience's view.
But lies are also the best way to protect yourself.
Well, it's probably a needless worry though.
Later on,
the Yuki Sumi and Nobuyuki Kumano pair becomes the focus of the show.
That's where Kengo shows his jealousy.
A love triangle is formed over Yuki.
Yuki becomes the gamemaster,
and her flirty character excites the show.
And the show gradually gains popularity from teenagers.
Aqua, what about you?
Are you not gonna join the battle over Yuki?
If you wanna get popular, it's better to mingle with them instead of me.
I'm good. I want to play it safe until the show ends.
You have no ambition…
What about you? Aren't you going to butt in?
As long as I can keep this dumb, laid-back role, I'm okay.
Since my goal is to lead viewers to my own channel.
But if you wanna make a move on me seriously, now that's a different story.
Don't get your hopes up.
But the one we should be more worried about is…
She sells seashells by the seashore.
The shells she sells are sea-shells, I'm sure. For if she sells sea-shells…
-Excuse me… -Do you want to be fired?!
I heard the reality show Akane's in was popular, so I watched it,
but what the hell is that?!
She probably wasn't even on screen for ten minutes!
This is her chance, but she isn't standing out one bit!
You're the manager! Why aren't you lecturing her?!
But Boss, Akane is doing her best and--
Doing her best doesn't make any money!
I chose her out of a ton of kids who said they wanted to do it!
At least make her leave a mark on the show!
I'm sorry, Manager…
Oh. You were listening?
Akane, you're doing the best you can, so don't worry.
I'll act as your shield for you.
I-It's because I'm not good enough…
I must work harder.
I need to work harder to leave a mark.
Ugh, this juice is gross.
I'll post this on Twitter to get my money's worth.
"The new drink I bought at the convenience store was ultra gross…"
Hey!
What was that for?
What were you just trying to do?!
What if you write a bad comment about a company's product,
and they happened to be egosurfing?!
No, they wouldn't.
Jeez, you ex-commoners know nothing.
If you write about a product, at least five affiliated people will see it!
And that company will never offer you a job!
You're exaggerating.
Don't you egosurf yourself?
No, I don't.
Gimme your phone!
Oh! Give it back!
Let's see.
That's a lot of digging.
Oh my, you've even put "cute" in your search words.
Did you wanna see people call you cute that much?
Everyone says they don't egosurf, but let me state this!
Ninety percent of idols all egosurf!
Try going to a wrap party after an event.
It's funny how all musicians and performers are egosurfing as they drink.
Whoa.
The world has entered a great egosurf era!
You can now access big data without being an advertising agency,
so you can look up analytics on reviews and target audience!
Web advertising now costs as much as traditional ads
and is said to be a two-trillion-yen market!
The days of ignoring internet responses have ended.
The ones who lack online marketing are the ones to retire first in society now.
The content creators and the fans are now mutually monitoring each other.
And in this industry, we are the content itself.
Don't forget that if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.
AKANE'S NONEXISTENT
YUKI'S CUTE AKANE'S NONEXISTENT…
I gotta work harder.
What are you doing?
I was taking a video for the show's official Twitter and TikTok accounts.
Hm.
We've been gaining lots of subscribers. Well, that's all thanks to me of course!
Speaking of which, Mem, weren't you originally a TikToker?
Yup. There was no affiliate marketing or Coins at the time,
so I switched over to being a YouTuber.
Aqua, you upload something too!
I don't know how to use those platforms for the youngsters, so it's okay.
You old-timer!
Huh?
Nobu, do you wanna go over there together?
Akane's making a move!
I forgot about this girl.
Was it Akane?
Whether she's there or not, isn't it the same?
They can kick out Akane, so please add a new guy member!
"What should I do to stand out?"
Well, that's where you pull a bad girl move and steal Nobu from Yuki.
If you can do that, your character will stand out and you'll draw attention.
Of course, that's not a direction or anything.
But the kids that can do that are the ones who become popular.
I gotta work harder…
Wow! How pretty!
My big sister's a manicurist, so I learned this from her.
That's cool.
Akane, I'll do yours too.
Come here.
Uh, okay.
Akane, are you panicking lately?
The series is almost finished, so I can understand.
It's not exactly like that.
I just want to stand out to produce results, that's all.
I see.
But I can't let you.
I'm going to fight for the spotlight myself.
So don't think badly of me.
YUKI LIKE #LOVE_FOR_REAL "I BET YUKI HAS A GOOD PERSONALITY"
AKANE LIKE #LOVE_FOR_REAL NO SEARCH RESULTS
I wonder why I'm so different from Yuki.
I need to stand out more than her.
And so then--
Ken!
You said you liked Labradors, right? There's a big one over there!
Oh, seriously?!
I need to work hard and fight.
For the sake of everyone supporting me too.
-Let's go! -Stop it!
Clinging to guys so easily!
You play too dirty…
Cut!
We'll stop the shoot once!
Get a towel or tissues!
Doing that to a model's face is a bit much…
She has a magazine shoot tomorrow, right?
I… I… didn't mean to… No…
Akane.
I…
Akane!
I'm okay, so calm down!
I understand, you just panicked. I know that you're a hard worker, Akane.
You were trying to meet everyone's expectations
and did something out of your comfort zone so you got all confused, right?
Sorry… Your face… And you have a magazine shoot…
Don't worry.
This will be easily erased in Photoshop, so it won't affect work!
Akane, do you hate me?
I don't hate you.
You're strong and kind, I like you.
Me too. I like you and your hardworking, earnest self.
That's why I won't get mad.
Really?
The camera isn't rolling, so there's no point in acting right now.
If this were school,
arguing a little and making up would be a common story.
But even if the conflict is resolved amongst themselves…
AKANE WHO LAID A HAND ON YUKI…
AKANE KUROKAWA
AKANE MUST BE WORSE OFF CAMERA…
SHE NEEDS TO BE ARRESTED…
THE DULL GIRL EMERGES…
I KNEW SHE WAS CRAZY…
AKANE'S DONE THIS BEFORE…
SHE'S SO TRASHY LOL
…the internet won't allow it.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!
POST YOUR REVIEW BY TWEETING #LOVE_FOR_REAL
YOU'RE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE.
DON'T EVER SHOW YOUR FACE AGAIN.
WHY DID THE SHOW USE HER?
WHO'S AKANE AGAIN? LOL
THE WORST ON THE SHOW.
PLEASE QUIT ALREADY.
"I knew it," is what I thought.
I thought I'd be forgiven if I apologized properly.
I AM TRULY SORRY…
Due to my contract with the show,
I can't say anything about things that weren't filmed,
but if I just explain as much as I can and apologize…
But that triggered it.
-You make me want to puke. -Be sorry you were born.
-Aren't you ashamed to be alive? -You think an apology is enough?
Mem told me before…
People gang up on those who apologize.
"If you apologize, you admit that you did something bad, right?"
"We can punish you if you did something bad."
That's what they think.
While apologizing is the ethically correct choice as a Japanese person,
it's the absolute worst thing you could do in response to backlash.
REPENT BY DYING
I did something bad, so I deserve it.
This is everyone's opinion… I shouldn't look away from it.
I even looked through the criticisms as much as possible.
Backlash is something that hits the serious people harder.
They shouldn't even look at the criticisms.
But they try to earnestly accept everyone's opinion head-on.
When I close my eyes, I can't think of anything but the backlash.
So I tell myself that it'll calm down by morning and force myself to sleep.
But there's no way that would happen.
Akane, are you okay?
You look pale.
I'm fine.
You want to stay home tomorrow?
I'm fine, I'll go to school.
You see Akane's news?
Isn't it crazy? I knew she'd do something like this one day.
She always acts like a celebrity, saying she has work and stuff.
Does she always have to act like she's better than us?
Such an ugly personality.
She always gives off this vibe like, "I'm different from all of you."
I bet her posse of guys are soothing her now.
I bet.
Akane, you seem down lately. Is something wrong?
Did something happen at work?
No.
These trashy hoes are born because their moms don't teach them anything.
It's a cycle!
I'm sorry, Mom…
For now, it's probably best to not tweet anything right now.
Anything you say will just fuel the fire. If you want to post something, tell me.
When a new episode released, I didn't have the energy to check the comments.
But after seeing the backlash reignite like before,
I was able to guess what they'd said.
And I also figured this will never settle as long as this show is popular,
and that it's a problem that will haunt me for the rest of my showbiz career.
I know her from a long time ago,
but she thinks she's different from everyone else around her.
She probably believes she's a genius or something.
I doubt she would ever think about the pain of others.
Those goody-goody moves are all just an act too, right?
I'm sure she's just partying with guys in secret
and never working that seriously.
She always has a face on like she's the center of the world.
I bet she's just a rich kid anyway, she's never suffered any hardships.
Is there anyone who likes this brat?
These types of kids are useless no matter what they do.
I bet she doesn't have friends.
You can tell how shallow she is since she can't get along with others.
She's an idiot who doesn't think about consequences.
She's always surrounded by guys
and throws a fit if she doesn't get her way, right?
She's probably never dedicated herself to anything in her life.
I see these types of selfish brats around me too.
Narcissist. You don't belong anywhere.
This Akane who's been getting backlash is the main cast at Theater Lalalai
and she's a super hard worker.
But after seeing this incident, it makes me feel like everything was faked.
I've been supporting her all this time, but I can't anymore.
I was Akane's classmate up to middle school, but everyone seriously hated her.
I hear she messes around and is a slut too.
She's completely finished as a celebrity.
Nobody would use someone who'd hit a model's face.
Isn't she ugly too?
She does look like she has a rotten personality.
Bye-bye, Akane. Too bad we'll never see you on TV anymore.
NAMELESS ANONYMOUS: SIMPLY PUT, DIE
YOU OKAY? YOU EATING?
EVERYONE'S WORRIED ABOUT YOU
Oh yeah, I haven't eaten anything.
I'LL GO BUY SOME FOOD
DON'T GO LOL A TYPHOON'S COMING LOL
I'm tired.
I'm tired… of thinking.
I don't want to think anymore.
No! Let me go!
Calm down!
I don't mean you any harm. Please just calm down.
Subtitle translation by: Kanami Kitabayashi