The Stand User Of The Daily World

Chapter 95: Finally Moving House

In Japan or Korean, the term "actress" refers to female performers.

Unlike idols, who are strictly prohibited from dating under an unspoken rule, actresses are theoretically free to date and marry.

However, this freedom is mostly theoretical.

In this increasingly polarized and restless world, even attractive and popular voice actresses avoid dating or marrying recklessly, let alone actresses like Mai Sakurajima, a young and prominent performer.

With countless male fans across Japan—a place brimming with extreme fans—no one cares whether there are rules or not.

"I'm your fan, your supporter, your financial backer! How dare you date a boyfriend? Using my money to pamper some pretty boy? You've got guts!"

"What? She's not an idol, doesn't sell handshake tickets, and her income has nothing to do with us?"

"I don't care! I say it does, so it does!"

Naturally, Shunsuke became famous.

By the next day, his personal information was dug up—hardly surprising since he was managing Mai as her junior at school.

For those determined, it was an easy task.

On a certain anonymous website, a bounty for "a little revenge" was posted, attracting thousands of participants to write open threats.

Some particularly motivated individuals had already begun loitering outside Sobu High School, while others uploaded videos online burning copies of Shunsuke's light novels, calling for a boycott of his works.

Yes, even Shunsuke's identity as a light novel author was exposed. Ironically, this led to a spike in his reputation among the more rational parts of the population.

"Fujii-sensei debuted as a middle school author!? He's been top three in academics throughout his life, received invitations from both Shuchiin Academy and Hyakkaou Academy, and plans to attend the University of Tokyo? He's undoubtedly a genius!"

Japanese people are forgiving toward geniuses.

Some "mom fans" and "dad fans," who treated Mai like their own daughter, posted in her defense, countering the obsessive "wife fans" with statements like, "They're a perfect match, talented and beautiful. Who are you, a monster, to oppose them?"

The two sides engaged in an all-out war online.

In summary, the internet in Japan has been buzzing with excitement lately—the kind of spectacle that would make celebrities in other countries laugh out loud in their sleep.

Even if Mai's mother had paid a hefty sum to orchestrate this level of attention, it likely wouldn't have been this effective.

Naturally, the school's previous atmosphere of "pretending Mai Sakurajima doesn't exist" and "ignoring her entirely" completely dissipated.

Instead, some overly familiar girls began approaching her with gossip-filled questions like, "Mai, did you really go for someone younger?" or "I'm so jealous! I want a younger boyfriend too, preferably the sweet puppy-dog type."

Even Utaha, a fellow student in the international class who usually slept through lessons and barely interacted with others, had taken an interest in Mai these days.

With that, Mai's syndrome was perfectly resolved.

As the person involved, Mai was used to riding out storms of public attention.

The chaos online didn't faze her in the slightest.

The only thing that bothered her was the surprising amount of malice directed toward Shunsuke.

Look closely, everyone—I said he's my manager, not my boyfriend!

In reality, Mai, who had grown up without friends, found the new situation a bit disorienting.

Still, she had gained a few classmates who greeted her warmly.

After all, the reason people ignored her was never out of dislike, but rather because her celebrity aura made her intimidating, leaving them unsure how to approach her and choosing to avoid her altogether.

Being polite, Mai responded to each greeting in kind.

Over time, her classmates realized that Mai wasn't as unapproachable as they had thought.

Eventually, she even gained a few casual "plastic friendships" in her class.

A cause for celebration, indeed!

As for Shunsuke, while he had never experienced this level of intense online exposure before, his mental resilience as a Stand user was remarkable.

It wasn't for any particular reason—just pure confidence.

People loitering near his school?

"Come on, bring it. I'll crush you with a single punch."

Livestreaming themselves burning his books?

"Please, go ahead. You even spent money to buy my books for that—thank you for boosting my sales. I'm truly moved to tears."

Boycotting his work?

"Good riddance! I'll just transition to writing traditional literature. You lowbrow peasants wouldn't understand sophisticated art anyway. The more you boycott, the more it proves my work is too high-class for you. If my writing were comprehensible to everyone, that would be a problem for a true literary author."

Worst-case scenario? He'd simply use another pen name.

"If you don't have ten or eight pseudonyms, can you even call yourself a great writer? I'd be too embarrassed to face other writers without at least that many."

And honestly, with all this attention, even negative publicity was still publicity.

In the future, any project he wanted to promote wouldn't even require a marketing budget—how convenient.

In fact, this whole ordeal gave Shunsuke a legitimate reason to propose moving out of his family home.

One evening, as the situation escalated, Shunsuke brought up the matter during dinner with a deliberately heavy tone:

"Father, Auntie, you've probably seen the news lately, right? There are already people lurking outside my school, and I've heard there were shady figures near our old place too. So, for the time being, I think it's best if I move out. Otherwise, it'd be troublesome if they tracked this place down."

At first, Shunsuke's father was naturally opposed.

"I'm your father! Whatever happens, let them come at me!"

However, Shunsuke, with a glance at Rui, continued, "I'm not afraid for myself, but Rui is a girl, and she's still a student. If something were to happen…"

Rui, who had been briefed in advance, tried her best to adopt a subtly fearful expression despite her usual stoic demeanor.

"I-I'll be fine," she said, her voice faintly trembling.

---Thank you for helping me out.

---Just make sure you keep your promise.

---Got it.

The two exchanged meaningful glances, while Rui's sister, Hina, looked on with mixed emotions.

Shunsuke's father fell into hesitation.

If he insisted on keeping Shunsuke at home, what would Tsumiko think?

What would Hina and Rui think?

Tachibana Tsumiko, though married to a new husband, didn't intervene.

After all, she had single-handedly raised Hina and Rui through hardships, and their weight in her heart was different from that of her stepson, Shunsuke.

Moreover, it was only temporary—he wasn't asking to trade one life for another.

Shunsuke added, "Actually, I've been collaborating on a manga project. The editorial team at Weekly Shonen Jump has already approved it for serialization. I really need a studio where we can work together more efficiently."

This final justification became the straw that broke the camel's back, and his father reluctantly agreed.

...

Later, Hina, with a pained expression, pulled Shunsuke into a corner of the room.

"Shunsuke-kun, are you moving out because of me?"

---Could you not overdramatize everything?

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