Who Can Resist Nakano Nino? [161]

While Shirase’s attention drifted elsewhere, he didn’t notice Nakano Ichika quietly sighing in relief.

She was definitely hiding something from him. Or rather, she’d only told him half the reason she’d asked him to come.

On their way to the filming location, Shirase had asked, deliberately casual, “So what role are you playing this time? That high school girl who finds the magical notebook?”

“How could I land something like that? You know I’m still a rookie. With what little pull I’ve got, there’s no way they’d give me the lead role—even for a low-budget late-night drama.”

Nakano Ichika didn’t sound disappointed at all. She seemed perfectly at ease.

After all, she was still young—still blooming. She had plenty of time to learn and grow.

“Guess the acting industry’s pretty tiring too,” Shirase nodded.

Honestly, this whole country was hard. One of the birthplaces of Asian Hell Mode—that wasn’t just a joke.

In an age where workaholics crowded the streets and people competed so hard they burned themselves out, a small-time actress like Nakano Ichika would probably need another year or two before she could aim for leading roles.

Even though Shirase knew her acting was already solid.

As soon as they arrived on set, the director—recognizable by his thinning hair—came up with a grin and shook Shirase’s hand. “When Nakano-san told me you’d be coming today, I almost didn’t believe her. You even turned down the agency’s offer last time.”

Shirase chuckled. “Aren’t you worried I’ll mess up the acting?”

The director laughed out loud. “I’ve seen your match videos. Pretty impressive.”

Shirase blinked, surprised. Was he really that well-known now? Even people outside the sports scene recognized him?

These days, fame spread like wildfire. One lucky gust could blow you straight into influencer territory.

“Alright, everyone, get ready. We’re shooting the soccer scenes first—if we can wrap today, we won’t have to pay for another day’s rental,” the director called.

Following instructions, Shirase changed into a blue-and-white No. 7 uniform.

Nakano Ichika grinned as she adjusted his collar. “Do your best and get it right the first time. Maybe we’ll even score some extra pay.”

Looking around at the busy crew, Shirase lowered his voice with a chuckle. “Why does it feel like you brought me here to scam them?”

“I brought you here to make money,” Nakano Ichika said matter-of-factly. “It’s legit work—and you’d be stupid to turn down easy cash.”

Shirase nodded and headed for the field.

He didn’t recognize the actor playing the male lead but still greeted him politely.

“Good luck.” The actor returned the smile, polite but distant.

On the pitch, Shirase quickly took in the setup. The extras playing the athletes weren’t half bad—their formation was at least believable.

Meanwhile, the male lead went up to the director and asked under his breath, “Are you sure it’s fine having a kid as my stunt double?”

“Don’t worry. Nakano-san showed me his match footage. With thirteen years of La Liga under my belt, I can tell he’s the real deal—a rising high-school prodigy,” the director said confidently.

The actor nodded. His problem wasn’t really the stunt double.

It was Nakano Ichika. Ever since joining the cast, he’d been drawn to her looks and poise.

Too bad she was still underage.

And when he’d later heard someone mention that Nakano had “a close male friend her age,” he’d felt a stab of jealousy.

Not that he’d ever say it. Showing one face in public and another in private was practically part of the job in Japan.

Once he’d changed into costume, Shirase took his position on the field.

According to the script, his role as stunt double was to receive a pass, show off the male lead’s ex-pro-player skills, and finish with a goal.

Sports scenes were always a pain. Viewers weren’t idiots—if you used actors who couldn’t play, they’d tear you apart online.

Nakano Ichika had a part too, though small: a supporter cheering the male lead’s return to the field, the camera occasionally cutting to her reactions on the sidelines.

“Action!”

The director’s shout kicked the crew into motion.

On the field, the extras started running. Just as the one assigned to pass the ball raised his foot, a blur shot past the defenders at incredible speed.

Eh?

A perfect deep run—timed right on the offside line.

That extra happened to be a soccer fan, so he immediately recognized how clean the move was. He quickly passed the ball forward.

The pass wasn’t perfect, but Shirase controlled it easily.

Wind roared past his ears as he burst forward like an arrow off the string.

One.

Two.

Three.

He blew past three defenders without losing speed, tearing across the pitch like lightning.

Since he’d taken the job, he might as well make it look good.

“So fast!”

The director couldn’t help exclaiming. “No wonder he led his team to victory against this year’s favorites!”

Next to him, the male lead just stared. Director-san, are we filming a drama or watching a soccer match?

He wasn’t a soccer guy; he couldn’t see the appeal.

Fast—really fast.

That was all the extras on the field could think.

They’d come here to act, but now they just stood there, stunned by Shirase’s speed.

Even the goalkeeper froze. By the time he remembered he was supposed to make a dramatic save and let the “male lead” score, Shirase had already lifted his right leg and—

Passed the ball?!

“What the hell? That’s not in the script! He’s supposed to shoot!” the male lead shouted.

But the director jumped up, eyes wide. “What a beautiful pass!”

The male lead: “…”

The ball skimmed across the turf, landing perfectly at the feet of an extra on the left.

The pass was so smooth he didn’t even have to adjust his stance—it was like everything lined up automatically.

The extra took a light shot, tapping the ball into the goal while the goalkeeper still stood frozen, dazed by Shirase’s completely off-script play.

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T/N: guys someone call the cops :sob:

This is a fan translation of 谁能拒绝中野二乃呢？by 六花吖六花. Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!