Translator: Flowingcloud Editor: Arocks141
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Theater 5: Genius Child Actor and Genius Child Actor! – Scene 3
Hiraga checks the film in an empty classroom as Rin and Juria appear.
“There has been no instruction to move though?”
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
I informed the two child actors who were tilting their heads in front of me. Not only had there been no such instruction, but we also do not let the child actors move around without a staff member accompanying them.
“Do you know the name of the staff member?”
“No. But it was a woman.”
“Thank you, Rin-chan. —Wakaba AD, were there any instructions given?” 1
“No, I haven’t heard anything about this…”
Asking nearby staff yielded no positive response.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this… Let’s confirm with the staff to be sure. We should gather the child actors temporarily.”
While giving instructions over the radio, I returned my gaze to the anxious-looking children. Roll call and personnel verification. Such bad premonitions in a large set like this usually come true. Even Director Horaki, who filmed the horror movie “Saya”, was known to value his intuition.
Above all, there’s the recent unsolved case targeting young girls that’s been in the news. Information about dramas before they air doesn’t generally circulate to the public, but the child actors this time are exceptional both in acting and appearance. It does not hurt to be too careful.
“Is something the matter, Director?”
“Ah, Kakinuma-san. There seems to have been a misunderstanding with the instructions, so we’re confirming just to be sure.”
“Ha ha, I see. Kuramoto P isn’t here today, so maybe people are starting to relax a bit.” 2
“Sorry for that.”
Kakinuma-san said with a smile, but if he had not stepped forward, Asada Fuyou-san, playing the role of Minagawa and standing right behind him raising an eyebrow, would certainly have had a word or two to say. Asada-san is also a veteran actress. I hope she understands…
“It’s a busy set, isn’t it? Reminds me of “Melody”.”
Narrowing her already cat-like eyes, Asada-san murmured softly. With her beauty, it’s hard to believe she’s 46 and considered to be a great actor.
Asada-san referred to “Melody”—a drama broadcast from over 20 years ago, officially named “Melody Rhapsody”. I remember the drama quite well because the director of that drama has a deep connection with me. Maybe because we shared the same opinion that it was a memorable drama, but Kakinuma-san, who was next to me, spoke as if letting his inner feelings leak.
“Was “Melody” hectic?”
“Yes. Kakinuma-san, you only made a guest appearance, right? That set was indeed very hectic. Good grief, I can’t tell you how many times I thought about quitting.”
“Yet you endured.”
If I remember correctly, Asada-san was just about 20 years old at that time and she was certainly the main heroine. I recall, though belatedly, that she was the object of admiration for many men back then.
“Yes. Because he changed as a person… Though I can’t say it was for the better, despite having wanted to act alongside him for so long.”
Asada-san looked down with a somewhat lonely expression in her eyes. That person… That’s right, she must mean the hero of “Melody”.
The matchless duo of the Japanese acting industry, which is said to be known to everyone—Kiritani Ouka and Shijou Reiki. I see, something must have changed him. They say curiosity killed the cat, but I could not help but ask.
“That “change” you mentioned—”
“D-Directorrrr!!”
However, my question was cut off by a woman’s voice.
“—Shimoda-san?”
The one who interrupted and came running over was Shimoda-san, Mimi-chan’s manager. Shimoda-san, out of breath, reached out to me with a handheld radio.
“This… a walkie-talkie?”
“Haa, haa, zee, zee, Mi-mi-mi, ha, ha…”
“Want some water?”
It was Juria-chan who reacted to my words. Before anyone else, she quickly handed over the water bottle that was on the table to Shimoda-san. That’s actually my water… whatever.
“Are you okay, Akane-san? Are you okay? Wanna drink some water?”
“Thanks… haa, Juria-cha… phew… gulp, gulp, gulp… puhah!”
After downing the nearly untouched 500 ml bottle in one go, Shimoda-san then turned to me again. But please, step back a bit, it’s too hot.
“Mikado-san told me to report over this walkie-talkie if anyone sees Tsugumi-chan!”
“…What do you mean?”
“Both of them weren’t there. Neither Tsugumi-chan nor Mimi-chan were in the rest room!”
“—[Attention all staff. Commence search for Sorahoshi Tsugumi and Yuugao Mimi immediately. I repeat. Start searching for Sorahoshi Tsugumi and Yuugao Mimi immediately!]”
I repeated the instructions over the radio. It seems my bad premonition was right… but can we make it in time?
No, Tsugumi and Mimi are smart kids. That’s right, nothing bad will happen to them. For now, all I can do is believe that.
“We should search for them as well. Asada-san, Shimoda-san, can you please look after the children?”
“Yes, understood. Shimoda-san, are you going to join the search with Mikado-san?”
“Yes! I’m already on it!”
I must stay here as the command center of the set. At the same time, I notified the security guards. It would be for the best if this just ends up just being lost children… but worst case scenario, we might have to consider reporting it. It’s an unreleased drama, after all. If this drama ends up getting canceled, what will happen to all the effort the children have put in?
However, when push comes to shove, I must not hesitate to make a decision.
“Please, let this just be an unnecessary worry.”
I murmured as if in prayer, however, my voice was quickly drowned out by the clamor.
Evening school building.
Tsugumi walks alongside Mimi down the hallway.
I started to walk alongside Mimi-chan, and we began moving towards the west school building. The sky was gradually turning to dusk. Why did we need to move at such a time? I should have noticed before we moved and confirmed with the staff.
Walking next to me, Mimi-chan did not seem tired, however, she kept her gaze downwards, seemingly deep in thought. Tracing back through Tsugumi’s memories, I could not recall any experience like this. Hmm, what should I do?
“Mimi-chan, aren’t you tired?”
“No, I’m okay.”
…I’m still worried. We should have waited for Koharu-san and gone together. If Mimi-chan fell down, Koharu-san would surely be able to carry her immediately. No, maybe it’s not too late to go back and meet up with Koharu-san and let Mimi-chan rest a bit.
“Hey, Mimi-chan?”
“?”
“I asked Koharu-san to get us some cold juice, but we left her behind.”
“Ah, you’re right.”
“Should we go back for now? It’s scary to be alone. Can we ask her to come with us?”
“Sure.”
Good, she nodded in agreement. Neglecting your physical condition never turns out well. For now, we should go back and have something cold to drink, then if there’s a need to move, that can wait until after.
Managing your health is most important. Kakinuma-san did say that health management is part of the job.
“Look, Mimi-chan, there’s a crow. Isn’t it cool?”
“…”
“Sunsets are beautiful, aren’t they?”
“…”
“Woah, a crow landed close by. So cool… almost as cool as Kou-kun…”
“—Tsugumi-chan.”
Just one more turn and we’ll be back in the classroom where we started. At that moment, Mimi-chan called out to me and I stopped walking.
“Why, are you… my friend?”
“Eh?”
“I’m not confident like Rin-chan, nor am I strong like Julia-chan. So why?”
She was looking down, her eyes not visible, just tightly gripping the hem of her skirt as she spoke. I could not just give her a random answer. I understood at least that much.
“But, Mimi-chan, you always pat my back when I’m having a tough time.”
“—?”
“There doesn’t need to be a reason to want to be together, but I’ve often felt happy to be friends with Mimi-chan who’s nice.”
“Tsugumi-chan… I-I’m—”
She struggled to put her thoughts into words, trying her best with every single word. So, I waited. After all, I am Mimi-chan’s friend.
“Tsugumi-chan, I—”
Then, as she lifted her face to speak.
“Alright, time for a quick smoke.”
“Stop smoking inside the school building man.”
“It’s an e-cig, it’ll be fine.”
Mimi-chan was interrupted by the voices we overheard. Around the corner, surely someone was trying to sneak a smoke. I recognized those voices, so there was no mistake it was the staff members.
Just when I was about to hear Mimi-chan’s worries! Later, I’ll have to remind the director to warn them. Second-hand smoking is dangerous after all!
“Man, the child actors this time are amazing, aren’t they?”
Unexpectedly, the conversation continued and I involuntarily stopped walking. Right? Right? Rin-chan, Julia-chan, and Mimi-chan are all amazing. That’s right, I felt a little bit of pride swell within me.
“Indeed, the child actors this time are all incredible.”
“On god. The directors may be calm, but every take is nerve wracking.”
“Tsumugi-chan is especially amazing.”
“And Juria-chan and Rin-chan too.”
“Yeah. So you know, seeing Mimi-chan who can still make normal mistakes is kind of reassuring, you get it?”
“Hahaha, I totally get it. Mimi-chan is the only normal one.”
I immediately turned back to Mimi-chan. There was no need to put it like that. Mimi-chan is amazing too. It’s just that she’s not feeling well right now.
“Don’t worry about that kind of thing!”
“──!”
“I’m going to have a word with them! Mimi-chan is also──”
“Stop it.”
I was about to give the staff a piece of my mind when Mimi-chan stopped me.
“But.”
“It’ll just make me miserable, so stop it.”
“Eh?”
The light dyed in crimson red poured into the hallway. I could reach out my hand and almost touch it, yet I could not grasp the hand of Mimi-chan who was looking down.
“Tsugumi-chan is good at everything, aren’t you?”
“Mimi-chan?”
“Tsugumi-chan, Tsugumi-chan, Tsugumi-chan. Rin-chan, Juria-chan, the adults, the director, everyone, everyone only talks about Tsugumi-chan.”
“S-Sorry, did I do something to make you angry?”
I took a step forward.
──And she took a step back.
“You wouldn’t understand, Tsugumi-chan.”
“Um, I—”
“You can do everything, Tsugumi-chan. You wouldn’t understand my feelings!!”
“Mimi-chan… I-I’m—”
I reached out my hand.
──And she brushed it away, as if slapping me.
“!”
“Ah…”
Even so, I took a step forward.
“Don’t come closer! Don’t make me more miserable than this!!!!!”
Rejection.
Tears filled her eyes as Mimi-chan ran away. All I could do was watch her back further and further away.
(Did I hurt her? Why? Have I… always been hurting Mimi-chan?)
My chest hurts. My heart throbbed painfully. Maybe it would be easier to just collapse under this pain and free myself like a villain. Maybe then, I would be freed from this pain.
But then, what about Mimi-chan? What would become of Mimi-chan who cried and looked so distressed?
“Mimi-chan…”
I was the one who hurt her. I do not know why, but I made Mimi-chan cry. Then, I want to confront her about it. I want to listen to the reasons and make up with her. Because to me, Mimi-chan is a dear friend.
“Wait, Mimi-chan!”
I chased after the back that had grown distant. Oddly enough, this resembled that day that I chased after Juria-chan.
Blackout.
The staff that were left behind.
Flustered that they heard their gossip.
In the hallway, the male staff member raised his voice in a panic upon hearing the voices from around the corner.
“Shoot, did they hear us?”
“We gotta apologize. Hey, let’s go after them.”
His colleague also realized that the children might have overheard them talking behind their backs, and in a hurry to catch up to the sound of the fleeing footsteps, he hastily put out his cigarette. However, as soon as they were about to run after them, a woman briskly approached them from behind and called out to stop them.
“Please wait—”
“Uh, yes, what is it?”
A staff with a hat covering their eyes in work clothes. Although she was a female staff member, the man could not remember her.
“—I’ll go after them. You two return to your posts.”
“Y-Yes, understood. Sorry.”
Then again, it was not as if the man remembered the face of every female staff member.
(Strange. Was there such a person?)
A question loomed in his mind, but it was quickly drowned out by the voice of his friendly colleague.
“Come on, let’s go.”
“Yeah, sure.”
──However, that slight seed of doubt never completely disappeared.
Ah yes we don’t recognise her but let’s fully trust the lives of 2 child actors on her hands. Makes perfect sense