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And here's a short scene of Ruby asking for your votes.(It's been a long time since I did these)
"Hey there! Could you please, pretty please, give author-san some votes?" Ruby pleaded with wide, hopeful eyes, her voice carrying a cheerful and infectious enthusiasm. She leaned in closer, emphasizing her eagerness to persuade. "I promise, I'll do everything in my power to make sure they work even harder! Pinky swear!" Ruby declared, her hands instinctively forming a little pinky promise gesture, not waiting for the author's opinion before making such an enthusiastic commitment.
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(Third POV)
"So, Kana, what's the project you're working on?" Gotanda asked, reaching for his phone in his pocket to look it up.
"It's a drama based on a shoujo manga called 'I'll go with sweet today'," Kana replied.
Aikara's brows furrowed, his lips forming a pout as frustration danced across his face, but his expression still managed to be undeniably cute. "Ugh, I totally know that show. Can't stand it," he grumbled.
"Haaaah," Kana sighed, her brows furrowing slightly as she glanced at Aikara. "Looks like you know about it."
"Yeah, I totally do! I'm like a huge fan of the manga. I've got a ton of its merch," Aikara said, a bright grin lighting up his face and a playful glimmer in his eyes.
As he spoke, his eyes narrowed, and his brows furrowed in disbelief. "But, ugh, the drama... it's like they completely ignored the source material! They randomly throw in these new characters, and the pacing? It's way too fast, it's hard to keep up!" He sighed, his hands gesturing animatedly as if trying to recreate the chaos he felt.
Aikara's disappointment was evident in his voice as he continued, "And don't even get me started on the acting. It's just... bad. Like, really bad." Despite his frustration, there was an undeniable adorableness to his passionate rant, a mix of determination and a touch of endearing charm.
With a swift turn, he faced Kana and flashed her a charismatic smile, as if he held a secret that would make her day. "Of course, Kana, you're exempt from the bad acting. You were absolutely brilliant!" As he spoke, his thumb shot up in a casual yet enthusiastic thumbs-up gesture, accentuating his bright smile that seemed to radiate genuine admiration.
Kana straightened her back and puffed up her chest, a proud smile gracing her lips as she heard his compliment. "Well, it's about time someone noticed my brilliant acting!" she declared, her voice brimming with pride. "But yeah, you're spot on—the drama right now is an absolute trainwreck." She let out a small sigh, her brows furrowing with concern.
She glanced at Aikara and gently clasped his hands, her touch warm and comforting. "That's why, Aikara, you should really consider my offer," she said, her voice tinged with determination.
Her eyes locked with his, brimming with sincerity. "Even if there's a chance of rejection, please give it a shot. And if you do get the role, let's make this show absolutely amazing." she proclaimed, her eyes sparkling like the brightest stars in a vast and captivating galaxy.
Her gaze held a glimmer of hope and unwavering belief in his abilities, reflecting her genuine excitement and enthusiasm. Though her words carried weight, her voice remained warm and inviting, radiating confidence in both herself and Aikara.
Aikara maintained a brief pause, locking his gaze onto Kana with unwavering intensity. Without breaking eye contact, he broke out from her hold and he slowly raised his hand, forming a peace sign with a dazzling smile that could outshine a thousand suns. "No need for explanations!" he declared, his voice filled with confidence and charm.
His grin widened. "Accepting your offer? It's already part of my grand plan. I'm an actor after all." he proclaimed, his words laced with theatrical flair.
His eyes began to sparkle like an intense and beautiful lone star in the vast expanse of the night sky. Each glimmer held a mesmerizing brilliance that captured the attention of all who beheld them. They were filled with a fiery passion and an unwavering determination, illuminating his face with a captivating light.
"Kana Arima. With us together, let's create something absolutely extraordinary," he proclaimed, his voice carrying a mesmerizing tone that commanded attention. In that moment, he exuded an air of sheer charisma, captivating everyone around him.
The room fell into a deep silence, with everyone captivated by his words. The weight of his proclamation hung in the air, blending with the quiet stillness that filled the room. All eyes were fixed upon him, entranced by his heartfelt expression and the radiant sparkle in his eyes that shone like stars.
Aqua breathing started to get rough as memories of someone he loves very much flows into his mind. Once again, he's seeing Ai in him, once again, the image of Aikara and Ai overlaps. Like a relentless tide, the memories of Ai intertwined with Aikara, rising from the depths of his heart, threatening to engulf him in a sea of bittersweet emotions.
Meanwhile, Gotanda couldn't help but reminisce about a moment in his directing career. He recalled the first time he witnessed Ai's acting prowess, as she effortlessly stole the spotlight and commanded everyone's attention. The present moment reminded him of that memorable occasion.
Finally, Arima Kana's mind went back to a memory of her childhood, specifically about the genius idol Ai. She only worked with Ai once, but she instantly knew she was meant to become a real star. Her senses as an entertainer are going into overdrive, and she can sense the immense potential Aikara has.
"I'm glad I met you again." she remarked, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I really am."
She suddenly shifted her gaze towards Aqua, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Hey, Aqua, how about you?" she asked out, capturing his attention. "As I said before, there's still a few roles open. I can talk with the higher ups and cast you too. So what do you say?"
"Why me? Aikara's participation is more than enough. And I already told you I'll quit." Aqua said.
"It's because you were my partner in the movie, and I feel it's a shame if you never act again." Kana replied, her voice filled with a mix of determination and concern. Aqua paused mid-bite, his gaze fixed on Kana.
"And hey, let's not forget, you're one of the rare child actors who managed to outshine me with your acting skills!" Kana continued, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. She raised her finger and pointed it directly at Aqua, her eyes sparkling with an unwavering passion and an innocent longing.
"So Aqua, why not try acting again with me, and we'll light up the screen like stars. Though this time, I'm determined to surpass you!" As she spoke, Kana's enthusiasm radiated through her every word, revealing her relentless drive to succeed and her pure love for acting.
Aqua remained silent, his chopsticks remaining suspended in the air, while Gotanda and Aikara looked at him with worried expressions. Confronted with his silence, Kana's nerves started to grow, concerned about his response. Finally, after a minute, Aqua spoke up.
"Thank you," he began, causing Gotanda, Aikara, and Kana to gaze at him expectantly. "But I have to decline," he said, instantly shattering their hopes. He looked down at his food, and for the first time in a while, his typically indifferent tone carried a tinge of emotion. "I'm just not suited for the acting industry," he added, his voice filled with a mix of disappointment, resignation, self-realization, and a hint of sadness.
The room fell silent as his words sank in, and the others exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond.
"I see," Kana said, her voice cutting through the silence like a sharp blade. Resting her chin delicately on her hand, she propped her elbow on the table, her slender fingers tapping rhythmically. A soft sigh escaped her lips, carrying a hint of disappointment. "Well, I suppose I'll have to respect your decision," she declared, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of empathy and understanding.
"Thanks" Aqua responded.
Gotanda, who had been examining the details of the drama, couldn't help but comment after reading through them. "Oh, Aikara, it looks like you have a good chance of getting the role," he remarked.
"Why do you say that?" Aikara quirked an intrigued eyebrow, his finger playfully tracing his cheek as a radiant smile adorned his lips.
"The director prefers to collaborate with popular individuals to generate more buzz for his projects. He also values nurturing young talents, believing they have the potential to make it big in the industry," Gotanda explained. "Considering your status as a popular YouTuber and your undeniable talent, it's highly likely that he will choose to work with you and decline Ellie's offer."
"I see," Aikara mused, gently stroking his chin, his grin widening like a playful dance on his lips. "Well, it's about time someone caught onto my innate talent!" His voice exuded a confident charm, and his eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief.
Kana's eyes widened, and she instinctively raised her hand to pause the conversation. "Hold on a sec," she interjected, capturing Aikara's and Gotanda's attention. "What do you mean by a popular YouTuber?" she asked.
"Hmm?" Aikara mused, tilting his head with a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's exactly what it sounds like," he said in a confident yet relaxed tone. "I'm a YouTuber with around 300,000 subscribers in Japan."
"What's the YouTube channel called?" she asked.
"Aigen." Aikara responded.
Kana's fingers swiftly tapped on the search bar, and her eyes widened in shock as the page loaded. In an instant, she spotted his channel at the very top, his familiar face serving as the profile picture.
"Whoa," she exclaimed. "You actually have a YouTube channel."
"Yup, I do." Aikara nodded his head with a spark of enthusiasm, his eyes twinkling mischievously. He turned his gaze towards her, his lips forming a playful grin. "What? Did you doubt me~?" he teased, the smile growing ever brighter.
"You can't blame me, okay!" Kana huffed, crossing her arms as she retorted. Her eyes showed determination, and her brows furrowed slightly. "I've been looking for you for the past few years, and I never found you, even though you were actually popular!" She paused, tapping her fingers on her phone
"I'd understand not seeing you on YouTube because I don't really use that app." Kana shrugged nonchalantly "But I've searched your full name online," she continued, her voice still sharp, "And the only thing that showed up was the movie we did and some other stuff you did as a child,"
Her eyes softened momentarily "There's no mention at all that you're a YouTuber." Kana sighed, a mix of frustration evident in her expression, though she quickly regained her composure.
"It's obviously because I didn't use my real name on YouTube," Aikara responded, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Nobody knows my actual name. Even my social media handles aren't Aikara Hoshino. Gotta protect my privacy, you know?" He brought his hand up, casually flashing a peace sign with a confident and relaxed smile, as if to say, "I've got it all under control.".
"I see." Kana nodded her head in understanding. While she herself never kept anonymous, she lived in the entertainment industry long enough to know the dangers of your privacy being leaked, so she honestly can't blame him.
She thought back to Aikara's channel name, and she realized something.
"Aigen, huh? Even if it's not your real name, it's meanings sure are similar," she remarked, her tone sharp yet tinged with a hint of curiosity. Leaning in slightly, she tilted her head to the side, an inquisitive spark gleaming in her eyes. "Is it intentional?"
(A.N: Aikara means from love, while Aigen can be understood as 'originating from love'. So that's why Kana said their meanings are similar. So his social media name is basically the same as his real name.)
"Yup, sure is!" Aikara exclaimed, his voice laced with a touch of suave confidence.
"I see." Kana responded.
Suddenly, Aikara's gaze shifted to Gotanda "Hey, Director Gotanda!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with contagious enthusiasm. "Who's going to direct the drama? I really wanna know the name of my possible director."
"Oh, that," Gotanda replied nonchalantly. "His name is Masaya Kaburagi," he revealed.
As soon as those words left Gotanda's lips, Aqua, who had been quietly eating, widened his eyes, and a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, dimming the sparkle in his eyes. He recalled the contacts listed in Ai's old phone, and one of them happened to be Masaya Kaburagi.
"Hey, Kana," Aqua suddenly spoke up after a prolonged silence, capturing Kana's attention. "Is your offer still on the table? Would you be willing to advocate for me with the higher-ups?"
Everyone present was taken aback by Aqua's unexpected words.
The first to regain composure was Kana, who sported a warm smile that spread across her face as she gently clasped Aqua's hands. "So, you've decided to give acting another shot!" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with genuine delight.
Releasing his hands, she placed her hand on her chest and let out a relieved sigh. "Phew, I genuinely thought you were going to quit acting for good." Kana's voice softened, and she playfully scolded him, "Don't scare me like that next time."
Kana faintly smile. "I'm excited about the drama now that both of you are on board," she expressed, her enthusiasm almost tangible despite speaking softly. She shifted her gaze between the two, emitting a soft chuckle. "I can't wait to witness your acting skills in action."
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A.N
Finally, end of the chapter.
I made a two minute scene in the anime into two chapters.
I don't think it's slow pacing at all though.
I didn't purposely drag the conversation out, it's only long because I needed to explain some stuff. Such as how Kana never knew Aikara even though he's a popular youtuber.
I'm so for away from episode 11, I already have an idea for the last part, I want to try it out so bad right now. But alas, I have to wait until I can finish 8 episodes.
Wait, actually, it might happen already at episode 5. If you watch it, you can probably gain an idea. It's not final though, so I guess I'll have to wait and see.
Regarding the future direction of the novel, I'm wondering if you guys are willing for a crossover? It's only one crossover, and the name of the manga is called Tenmaku Cinema, a manga created by the author of food wars. I absolutely love the manga despite being a few chapters and I plan to use the MC of that manga. So I suggest giving it a read.