>>5761385Suddenly, the studio lights go out and a hard spotlight reveals a man amid the centre stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaRrDZWhtWAThere was some kind of countdown, but you didn't even notice.
<span class="mu-g">"Haha! Hello everybody! Good that you could all make it."</span> The man says. <span class="mu-g">"For those watching for the first time, my name is Shintaro Akira. Today's and every day's very handsome host!"</span>
A brief chuckle rolls out from the audience.
Hanging from the ceiling, bright letters spring to life.
[Applause]
The audience does as instructed. Clapping and woo-ing.
<span class="mu-g">"Thank you, thank you,"</span> says Shintaro, <span class="mu-g">"Welcome to today's very special episode of Cupid-san Shintaro,"</span> he adds, pointing to himself with a thumb, <span class="mu-g">"That's me, by the way!"</span>
[Applause]
The audience laughs and applauds.
<span class="mu-g">"In today's celebrity beatdown all sixteen of our contestants will be facing off against each other for the ultimate prize..."</span> says Shintaro, going quiet.
Shintaro perks up like somebody asked him a question, <span class="mu-g">"Eh? What's the prize?"</span> he says, tapping the side of his nose, <span class="mu-g">"That's a secret, of course!"</span>
Jeering from the crowd. Boos.
Shintaro waves their complaints aside, <span class="mu-g">"Come on, come on. Some mystery makes it fun! But before we continue, we have some work to do... Gentleman and ladies of the audience, could you please remind me the name of the show?!"</span>
The audience answers with passion, <span class="mu-g">"Cupid-san Shintarou!!!"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"Hahaha!"</span> laughs Shintaro, <span class="mu-g">"That's right! Now I wouldn't be Cupid-san if I had all our lovely contestants face the upcoming games alone, would I? Let's pair 'em, folks! Lady luck will be our matchmaker!"</span>
Once again, all lights in the studio are dimmed and sixteen spotlights shine down on the contestants.
The men have blue spotlights shining down on them and the women have pink ones.
An ominous tune plays as each of the lights begin to flicker and ultimately, one-by-one, they wink out until only two, a blue and pink one, remain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyG94SV3hBoEach time this happens a new pairing is formed.
<span class="mu-g">"Sato Yusuke and Yamaguchi Rina!"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"Nakamura Kazuki and Ito Sakura!"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"Kato Haruki and Enatsu Mari!"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"Inoue Kenjiro and Takahashi Ayumi!"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"Suzuki Keisuke and Yamamoto Futaba"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"Wakaba Masato and Kawasaki Kana"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"Suzuki Keisuke and Morine Aiko"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"And finally, Tanaka Kazuki and Mori Ayumi"</span>
[Applause]
The crowd cheers loudly, stomping their feet as the final pairing is decided upon.
