Chapter 4

In an office large enough to gather a group of 30 people.
In here are gathered Director Hirai, Actors and the staff behind the scenes for a group meeting to discuss about the drama and more info about the roles of each actor starring in the drama.

(Director Hirai is about to explain about the project and something related to the characters)

Hirai: First of all, I want to give my thanks to the actors each one of you for accepting to do this project with me. I am confident with you in it will make this drama really enjoyable for the audience.
And the ratings will blow off the charts.

(Far behind, all the managers are present and hear about the drama as well and Yashiro make some inner comments)
Yashiro: Blow off the charts? That's a nice way of putting them under pressure. (While maintaining a normal front)

(Back to the Director)

Hirai: This story is about a prosperous family that meets a tragic event in their lives that will end up with taking human sacrifices and leave 2 heirs behind.
Those are the children of the 2 deceased members of the family or their parents in short. The siblings Jin and Mayuka lose their parents when they were, the brother 23 and the sister 17 years old.
From now on they only have each other to rely on. A year passes and they are a year older as well naturally, but with a few changes in their every day life like: Jin is successfully managing the business and the household as the head of the family. He takes the role of both brother and father to his younger sister Mayuka, he is married for a few months with a young woman the same age as his sister who he loves very much and that is Mai.
But one day a man shows up who threatens to disturb their peace...
And we will start shooting from this part of their present while covering the past with a few short scenes. More information will be known further as we shoot each scene and plus our screen writers are still working on the scenario and nothing is set in stone yet, hahah.
Did you all grasp the idea of what kind of drama we want to show to the public?
Everyone: Yes...
Hirai: Perfect, let's move on on to the next subject then. I wanna explain everyone how each of you got the role you are assigned to.

Hirai: I'm sure everyone wants to know about how each of you was selected for the role you are going to play and since this is our first meeting you can use the opportunity to introduce yourselves.
First we will start with the ladies, Doiuchi san if you please... (gives her a sign with his hand to introduce herself in which she stands up and start talking)

Hisa: Nice to meet you everyone, my name is Doiuchi Hisa and I will be playing the part of Igarashi Mayuka. (takes a bow, rise up and continues to talk) I am very grateful for the opportunity to be selected for a part in this project and with this cast. This will be my first acting role and my debut as a fellow actress, so please go easy on me. (makes a cute act with covering her face from embarrassment with the palms of her hands and shows a cute/embarrassed smile)
(Kyoko is amazed and her inner thoughts: "Doiuchi san is so cute... like a princess...")

After Hisa's introduction everyone gives her a small encouraging applause of which makes her shy even more, and then she sees Shigeki's expression.
He makes a quick sly smirk while looking at her that upsets her)
(Hisa's inner thoughts: This guy! 😠 Why did he have to be in this project too?

(This is a short flashback of hers a few moments ago before the start of the meeting)

Doiuchi Hisa: Shige...? What, why are you here?!
Shige kun: I'm part of the cast heheh! (with a cheerful tone)
Doiuchi Hisa: WHAT? (With a screaming tone, surprised)
Hirai: Is something wrong, Doiuchi san? (worried since she made a strange reaction)
Hisa: What...? Ah, no. Nothing's wrong... (trying to pull herself together in front of the onlookers)
Shigeki: I'll explain if you allow me. (Hisa is caught by a surprise)The reason why Hisa chan is surprised is because she didn't expect me to be part of this drama. Oh.. and by the way we are from the same Agency. (with a cheerful smile) She's my junior. (after this sentence Hisa makes a relieved face expression which Shigeki takes a notice of that and smirks at her)
Hirai: Oh, I see now. (understands the situation) Now when you said it Godai kun, I remembered that in Doiuchi san's modeling resume the name of the Agency that represents her is the same Toyoda Agency you come from.
Shigeki: That's right. (polite smile)
Hirai: I assume you must be very close? calling each other on first name basis...
Hisa: Ah, that is... (Shigeki interrupts her)
Shigeki: Well I don't really care for formalities, I'm ok with my juniors calling me on my first name especially if we are from the same Agency. Right Hisa chan? (Looks at her with a friendly smile)
Hisa: Right... Shige kun... (returns the smile for the sake of keeping up appearances)
Hirai: Godai kun I'm sure you you must be very popular with the juniors. Hahah (with a smile for both of them) As expected of the #1 "Person I want to be both friends and a couple with"
Shigeki: Ah, you are embarrassing me Director... (with a slight embarrassed laugh) I just like to be close with people and make new friendships regardless of age or gender.
Hirai: That's nice, You are a good senpai, Godai kun. Hahah (with an approving face expression and smile) Well then, shall we start the meeting?
Shigeki: Right...

(End of Flashback)

(Hisa's inner thoughts: I thought he will say something strange but he didn't. I won't let him intimidate me with his presence. Nor will I let him to blow up my debut as an actress, or my "other plans" I will make the best of this project has to offer)

Hirai: Doiuchi san have shown us a satisfying performance at the audition for the role of Igarashi Mayuka, we expect the same acting on the screen too.
Hisa: I will give my best. (takes a seat after she's done)

Hirai: This time for the lead actress we decided on Mogami san after watching a previous work of her. Based on that performance I didn't set up an audition and look for an actress, instead I am convinced that Mogami san will give us the performance we ask for. (Kyoko is surprised at this positive commentary from the Director) Mogami san if you please... (gives her a sign with his hand to introduce herself. She stands up and starts talking kind of like a soldier)

Kyoko: My name is Mogami Kyoko, and I am the person entrusted with the role of Igarashi Mai. I will try to fulfill my duty and try not to fail the expectations and hopes placed on me. Please take care of me! (she makes one of her usual deep bows, waits for a few seconds and rise up)
(Ren is watching her with a gentle smile on his face, and Yashiro makes one of those nods with his head like he's saying "That's our pure Kyoko chan" with almost tears in his eyes)

(Shigeki is trying to hold his laughter low profile and Hisa makes a face expression that says "what a weird person" looking at Kyoko)

Kyoko: But Director, do you mind me if I ask you which work of mine made you say "I will give her the role of Mai." Was it the role of... Hongou...Mio? (hesitantly)
Hirai: Mogami san, Mai is not a horror character (chuckles at her)
Kyoko: Hm...Then it must be my current role of the bully high school girl Natsu. (suddenly she realize)

Oh no... (makes a depressed face expression) Does... does... Mai bullies Mayuka too? And here I thought she was a good girl. How naive Kyoko... it looks like my first leading role will be someone who's evil too once again. (Just about to departure to the world of living dead, Director Hirai interrupts her)
Hirai: No, not at all. You are a really funny person Mogami san, hahah (after she hears she's not a bully she instantly recovers from depression) Although she may have similar traits with your Natsu role, she's intelligent and is a good judge of human nature.
Kyoko: I'm confused... If it's not my work as Natsu then...
Hirai: It's the role of the Angel who turns evil, featured in the music video of Fuwa Sho. ^_^
(Kyoko is shocked and surprised and one of her anger antennas comes out looking for Sho as if it was saying "Did anyone mention Fuwa Sho" with demonic voice)
Hisa: Angel who turns evil...? (curious about her role mumbling to herself)
(Yashiro's inner thoughts: "Why did they mention Fuwa Sho now?" And then he looks at Ren's expression to see his reaction but as usual nothing can be seen from the outside)

Hirai: Mogami san? Do you hear me?
Kyoko: Sorry... please let me ask you again, what kind of character is this Mai girl? (her aura of hatred is currently oozing out from her)
Hirai: She's someone elegant and beautiful like your role in the music video and sometimes she is showing that she is more what meets the eye. She has a keen mind and like I mentioned before a good judge of character, meaning she can't be easily fooled by someone. But definitely not a bully hahah, especially not to Mayuka who was her high school classmate. She's like a mix of the Angel's good parts and Natsu's clever mind.
(After this her hatred aura retreats and she's normal again)
Kyoko: Are you saying you are giving me the opportunity to act this good girl with shrewd personality, rich, elegant and beautiful ojou-sama? (with sparkling eyes)
Hirai: Yes... (with an expression that wants to say "didn't you already knew?") Did you not go through the details of the role with your agency, Mogami san?

(After she heard Ren will be part of the drama with a role that will try to seduce her, she passed out in Sawara san's office and when she went back in Darumaya didn't mention about her passing out to the Boss and the Missus in order to help in the restaurant. And when she went back in her room she was so preoccupied with this whole "Tsuruga san is too much to handle as the emperor of the night" thing she couldn't sleep all night.
She went for the meeting 1 hour earlier but she was busy encouraging herself and trying to act normal when Ren shows up. She got so happy from Moko san's phone call congratulating her, later got caught up in a conversation with Shigeki, her new co actor colleague. Hence - She didn't read the details of her new role because of lack of time)

Kyoko: Please forgive me! (bowing down)
Last night... last night I was to excited and couldn't sleep at all. So that's why, that's why... (Director Hirai stops her)
Hirai: Please rise, Mogami san. No need to apologize. I can understand, this being your first leading role and all... (kyoko rise up)
Kyoko: I will give my all to make this role to the level of your expectation Kantoku!
Hirai: Yes, yes... I'm sure you will... (with approving tone and smile)
(Kyoko takes a seat after this. And her inner thoughts: "Damn you Shoutaro! I was about to lose my temper again because of you... Curse you to hell! But this time too I will step on you to reach the path of success and make you regret you were ever born" And then she makes the evil laughter sound)

Hirai: Next we will start from Godai kun, since he's next to Mogami san. (gives him a sign to introduce himself, he rise up and starts talking)

Shigeki: Hi everyone, I am Godai Shigeki who will play the part of Igarashi Jin. I see actors with whom I haven't had the opportunity to work with so far and I am looking forward being a part of this project. Thank you... (the Director interrupts him)
Hirai: I must say I was surprised I saw you in the audition for the role of Jin, Godai kun... You usually go for roles that are more on the cheerful and easygoing part of this job. I thought you have preference for those kind of roles, you know... like the charming best friend of the unlucky protagonist, or the natural unlabeled leader in a group of friends who is liked by everyone.
Shigeki: I think this role will give me the chance to show my other abilities and skills. This time I wanted to play a role that is different from anything else I've done so far, and I think the role of Igarashi Jin is something that will give me new experiences such as the ability to grow more as an actor.
Hirai: Ah yes... You did an amazing audition for us, we were all amazed by your Jin. You completely grasped his feelings in the scene where he takes the determination to not be defined by something he didn't have a control on and his determination to restore his family's glory like in the past. Nicely done, Godai kun...
Shigeki: Thank you for your kind words. (bows and takes a seat)

Hirai: And finally, Tsuruga kun... (Ren stands up and starts talking)

Ren: Thank you, Director... I am very pleased to be offered the role of someone like Shirai Gen. I find it alluring to be in his skin because it's a character with complex feelings, and the impression I got from him is that he will be a rollercoaster of mixed emotions which I can't help but look forward to.
Hirai: It's exactly like you said, Tsuruga kun. He's a complicated character who most of the time is plotting something that will help him to achieve his goal, has a dark nature. But also he sometimes does things not even him can explain to himself that puts him in a confusion and don't know how to deal with this situation.
He was greatly inspired by your previous work, the Role of Katsuki. But in Gen's case, he's much more calculating and cold blooded with ruthless nature.
I think with you Tsuruga kun as Shirai Gen, we will achieve the idea of what we have imagined for this project.
Ren: Thank you... (bows and takes a seat)

Hirai: Alright, and with this we will end our meeting. Tomorrow we will start shooting.
At 9:00 am starts the rehearsals, after we concluded we are all set, we'll start shooting the real takes. You are dismissed.

The first meeting for the new drama came to an end.
The actors got to introduce themselves and share their opinions about the roles they will play.
What's ahead next? What kind of intentions Doiuchi Hisa won't risk to have them fail?

Next chapter coming soon...

Writer's note:

I've decided to upload whenever I have more time although I don't know when that will always be and my first priority will be to upload chapters in my fb notes cause there is much easier for me to edit.

Anyways I hope you will enjoy chapter 4 :)

It's currently updated till chapter 5 but right now don't have time to upload it here like I said it takes time...

but it's already in my fb notes.

Currently trying to make chapter 6 ^^