Dullard Buddy-kun: Heading Reluctantly to School Again Today - Episode 77

“P-Producer, what should we do? This might be pretty bad!”

Damn it, I already know that without you telling me.

Why does this always happen to me? Every single time…

I Might Fall in Love Tomorrow

Yes. It’s the hugely popular online TV show that brings the sweet, real-life romantic stories of high school students to its viewers.

Being chosen as the producer should be an honor.

Yes. It should be…

If only the previous producer hadn’t been forced to step down due to that scandal. If only he hadn’t left behind this ticking time bomb of a collaboration with the All-Japan Ikemen Contest…

Not that I’m saying the contest itself is bad. Last year’s winner actually had some real potential.

But this year? This year’s results…

To put it bluntly, there’s no one decent.

No one stands out. No one feels like they’ll be a breakout star.

And if this flops—if the ratings tank—it’ll all be blamed on me, won’t it?

Why? Why am I always the one stuck cleaning up these messes?

And if I fail again this time, my career is seriously…

As a last-ditch effort, I managed to get approval from the higher-ups to fill the remaining spots by opening up general applications—not just self-recommendations but nominations from others as well.

But miracles don’t just happen that easily.

“…..”

Damn it. If only we could get at least one guy with a real presence, someone unexpected yet compelling.

And if we could get one wild-card contestant as a joke entry, that’d be perfect.

For the three remaining girls’ spots, they just need to be cute. Idol-tier, actress-tier cute.

But let’s be real—things never work out that conveniently.

Ah, this is seriously bad.

That said, I refuse to rig anything.

That goes against my principles. If I have to resort to that, I’d rather quit.

But the situation is undeniably dire.

“Hey, Kogure! How many applications have we gotten so far?”

At this point, I can only pray for a miracle to be hidden among the applicants.

“Uh, we’ve got about 30 so far.”

Tch… Just 30?

“Any professionals from agencies?”

“Uh, well… there are some, but…”

Damn it. So even the professionals who are willing to board this sinking ship are no good?

The last producer may have been a piece of trash, but at least he had connections.

If only we had more budget…

Those damn execs are really screwing me over…

I have a family to support, and my mortgage is still…

“Huh?”

What?

“Oi, Kogure! What’s wrong?!”

Why is he making that face like he just crapped his pants?

Wait… don’t tell me…

No way.

“I-I mean, we just got a timely new application. If this is real, Producer, this might actually be huge.”

What…?

No way. Don’t tell me it’s another scandal—like an underage drinking allegation against one of the cast members?

If that’s the case, I’m dead before we even start.

“….”

It’s over.

“Producer, look at this application. The applicant submitted both a self-recommendation and a nomination from someone else.”

Huh? Both self-nominated and recommended by someone else?

That’s not that unusual, but…

“W-Wait… What the hell is this?!”

No way.

If this is real, then this is…

“Kogure! Get in touch with this high schooler immediately!”

This might be insane in more ways than one.

Haha, and the best part? The photo they sent—it’s just them grinning on crutches with their right leg completely wrapped in bandages.

What a crazy bastard! We’ve got something wild on our hands!