Behind the Mask

Cold-Hearted

The video had gone viral. In the span of two days, the "Day in the Life" episode had gained millions of views online. As I scrolled through the comments on the Takahashi Media page, a sigh of relief and happiness escaped me. The response was overwhelmingly positive. It was more than I could have hoped for. The views had shattered records for our page, and people were clamoring for more content immediately.

> "They're so sweet together!! I was expecting this interview to sorta fall flat by the end, but...!!! Also, the crew; need I say more? Some of the camera angles were definitely a conscious choice lmao."

> "Damn didn't know it was possible to third wheel an INTERVIEW. He's hot, he can cook, he's good with kids, he's got a hot girlfriend, WHAT CAN'T THIS MAN DO."

> "The way he looks at the camera,,, istg I'm gonna faint 😩😳."

> "There's a reason why no player can manage to get as good as Mr. Sato, the guy spends each morning in the gym and has to cut out like 70% of the food other people eat on the daily, and then after all that he goes to practice as well!? Mad respect for him for keeping up with all that, I honestly wouldn't have been able to. Not to mention that he has a girlfriend now! It's quite impressive how he can keep dating despite his professional life being so strict.
i also hope that we'll soon be able to see daily routines of other players as well!"

> "He's hot, he's rich, and HE CAN COOK??? What can this man not do 😩 what's next, he's a superhero??? 🙈"

That one made me giggle.

> "I know everyone here is simping for Sato, but his journalist girlfriend is WAY hotter than him and I WILL die on this hill. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME WITH HER!!!"

My eyes widened slightly. I couldn't help but chuckle.

> "Ami's better than me coz I would have folded the moment I saw Ken in the gym SHIRTLESS."

Heat crept up my cheeks as I remembered the way Kenji had looked when he was working out. His muscles glistening with sweat, his focused expression. If we were were alone, if it had been just us...

The thought sent a rush of heat straight to my core, and I felt my face flush. I bit my lip and tried to refocus.

"Hey, it looks like they love it," Juri remarked, peering over my shoulder at the screen.

I jumped, startled. "Shit, you scared me."

She smirked. "What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing," I said, looking away. "Yeah, they love it." I said, a smile tugging at my lips. "They think Chiho and Kenji are adorable too."

Juri chuckled as she sat next to me. "Well, they're not wrong. Your daughter practically lights up every time he's around."

It was refreshing to see that she did. That way, I didn't have to sneak around. A part of me was afraid of introducing someone new into our lives but Chiho... she adored him. I could see it in the way her face lit up when she spoke about him.

Maybe it was because of the Ultraman suit.

Kenji was surprisingly really good with kids. I wondered where he learned it.

My phone rang, dragging me out of my thoughts and I looked down to see Kenji's name flash across the screen. I grinned as I picked up the call. "Hi," I greeted, unable to keep the happiness from seeping into my voice.

"Miss Wakita," his voice rumbled through the phone, sending a shiver down my spine. "It appears we've gone viral again."

I chuckled. "I saw," I said. "As if you needed to get even more famous."