1. Matsukawa feat. Tetsuro and Kamekichi
2. Godza: Reni and Haruto
3. A random guy?

o0o

Within those two weeks, after the shoot, life returned to a certain degree of 'normalcy' in the dorm. Seeing that everyone involved was 'threatened' to memorize the contract, no one had spoken of the show and their roles in it at all. Whether it was fear of the consequences or of Sakyo's wrath or their job as actors, they have fooled everyone else outside of the company. They were so good at hiding it, not even Matsukawa figured that something big had occurred without his knowledge.

That is, until the airing of the pilot episode.

Most of the residents of the Mankai Dorm had retreated early then. The students had exams tomorrow so they were either pulling an all-nighter or left it up to fate and slept. The adults had jobs, or in Itaru's case, a game to grind like every other night, so they went to bed as well. The Autumn Troupe, in particular, had an early morning practice before the students have to go to their respective schools. It was unfortunate timing but they could always watch a rerun of it on another day. And so, Matsukawa was left on his own flipping through their TV channels before he would also retreat to his room.

"Now that we've been properly introduced. Let's get down to business," the American designer clapped his hands, "What kind of dress are you looking for?"

Matsukawa blinked.

"It's a wedding, not a play," Sakyo stubbornly made his point as Tsumugi and Sakuya tried to placate the two.

He blinks a few more times.

Not having any of it, Yuki insisted, "Exactly, this IS a wedding. She has to stand out because she is the bride."

As the show continued and not an inch of CGI could be seen, Matsukawa's jaw dropped so low it had hit rock bottom. By the time he saw their director and all 20 actors in the reality show, he started flailing. He frantically looked around for anyone to assure him that it wasn't a prank or maybe he was just vividly dreaming. Alas, there were none and his brain continued to break down as he watched their director wear dress after dress after dress.

Don't get him wrong, though.

He was elated at the TV exposure for their actors and the company. He was also glad that the girl who had received the letter he had sent for her father was engaged to the ex-debt collector turned actor but still yakuza guy.

'But,' Matsukawa thought, 'Didn't they just start 'officially' dating a few weeks ago?!'

He had only been a bystander then when they 'accidentally' revealed that they were in a relationship. Some of the members held Masumi back from lashing out while the others were gushing and congratulating them. It made perfect sense to him and he wasn't one to judge as they were both adults. However, seeing how those two and the rest of Mankai on a wedding dress TV show, his brain had rotted in confusion.

A little while later, when the show was done and he had laid on his bed nearly blacking out, he remembered thinking, '…and they didn't even bring me.'

o0o

"Congratulations on your engagement!"

Matsukawa shouts in earnest as Izumi and Sakyo flinched into silence. Tetsuro, who he had informed earlier that day, was behind him and had also given them a nod and a small smile. Those who were in the common room namely, Kazunari, Banri, and Azuma were also surprised at the sudden greeting. When both Matsukawa and Tetsuro handed them couple gifts along with Kamekichi's teasing, the three fought hard to suppress the smirks and laughter threatening to break out on their faces.

"T-thank you?" Izumi said wide-eyed at the purple and pink mugs that clearly came as a pair as Sakyo's face twitched.

"Your welcome," Matsukawa eagerly replied, "Also if you have anything you need for your wedding, tell me and Tetsuro. We'll definitely help!"

Banri guffawed.

"Haruto-sama was just so awesome," a girl fan raved.

Her friend nodded and said, "Yeah, Godza never failed to amaze me, as always."

Another girl agreed, "I know right, I'm definitely coming back."

Reni smirked as he watched the theatre attendees mention good feedback on their latest show. Like usual, their sales had gone through the roof. People had demanded encores of it and even reruns of their past shows. It didn't matter if they had lost once to that re-established Mankai. He had been playing this game far longer than that upstart director.

"Say did you watch the pilot episode of Say Yes to the Dress: Japan?" one of the girls asked.

"Of course!" another one of the girls said pitch rising after every word, "I was so surprised to see everyone in Mankai in it!"

Another one sighed dreamily and added, "They were so adorable and supportive of their director."

"Yeah, especially her fiancée. I mean he was stingy at first but-"

'What?' Reni thought as the giggling group of girls walked further away, 'Was his ears deceiving him?'

"Haruto," he called the peach-haired boy, "Did you hear that?"

"Yeah…sounds fishy though," Haruto frowned, "I'll go ask?"

Nodding curtly, Reni watched as Haruto effortlessly inserted himself in the group's conversation. Knowing it may take a while, he turned his attention to the special guests who attended and thanked them for watching their play. A short while later, Haruto returned to his side bearing news of Mankai appearing in a famous reality TV show for bridal gowns. He was skeptical at first and based on his actor's tone, he was as well.

"I suppose we'll have to see it for ourselves."

And thus, the two and some of their other troupe members ended up watching the pilot episode that aired a few days ago. In the beginning, Haruto thought that the whole thing was just a fluke reasoning that TV shows tend to do that. However, as the show progressed and the reactions consistently remained genuine, he began to doubt that it was. Nevertheless, he had to know what the other's thoughts were.

"No, it's nasty," Yuki made shooing motions, "Chicken feathers? Really?"

"It's impossible to fake this"

"I agree. I can't imagine them wearing all sorts of dresses then not buying at least one."

"This type of show requires a high level of reality in it even if does kinda look like it isn't."

"They can't afford to lie their way through this," Reni finalized as all of them watched as the director enters again wearing a new gown.

Unlike Matsukawa who had reacted chaotically, the Godza members treated the show as normal entertainment sans Haruto and Reni. The former still tried to scrutinize the ministrations and actions of their rival theatre company. Whilst, the latter remained quiet and neutral until the show ended and the next one started. Glancing at his watch, he was slightly alarmed that the portion Mankai was shown in took about an hour. It was no wonder they had been talked about in great detail and praise. Despite his best efforts to think otherwise, this was a really good move for publicity and introducing their theatre company to a wider audience.

"Hmph, we can always do better," Haruto offhandedly commented which elicited an idea from him.

There was very little Reni can't do for Godza to stay on top. If such a small company snitched a large TV spot on a famous show, then Godza could get something similar too or even get a higher caliber one. All he has to do now is to check which of his actors has a long-standing relationship with a lover and they could apply for the same show. If there were none, then anyone from the ensemble cast would do.

And if worse comes to worse

He could always hand a fan some hush money to act along with one of his actors.

Smirking at his plan, Reni supplied, "In due time, Haruto…In due time."

Somewhere in the busy streets of Tokyo, a man in his mid-20s paused from his walking and stared in surprise at the large screen playing a short sneak peek of a wedding dress reality show. He remembers the girl featured in the commercial. He had dated her back then when they were in high school.

He wasn't angry, jealous, or anything.

He was happy actually. They had let go of each other all those years ago knowing that they weren't really in love with each other. Now that she had found someone worthy to marry, he shouldn't keep on gaping like a fish. He had also moved on, got a job, and a family to provide for.

He continued to cross the street with a skip in his step.

o0o

BTW the guy at the end is canon if ya'll haven't known :)

Up next: Sakoda with Ginsenkai & Yuzo (and a cameo lol)