Arthur looked up at the cloudy sky, then remembered he had to call his uncle to talk about the movie 17 Again.He quickly returned home, picked up the phone, and dialed his uncle's number.
A rough and tired voice answered,"Hello?"
Arthur stayed silent for a moment. The voice came again, now sounding confused."Hello?""Uncle, it's me, Arthur."
For a few seconds, no one said anything. Then Masato replied in an annoyed tone,"Arthur, why are you calling so early?""Well, uncle," Arthur said carefully, "I wanted to talk about the filming of 17 Again."
Masato paused."Arthur, I haven't prepared anything yet. You'll have to come and help me.""Alright, uncle. I'll come after my classes.""Fine, Arthur. I'll be waiting at the company."
With those words, Masato hung up. Arthur remained thoughtful for a moment, then also hung up, quickly gathered his things, and walked to Azabu High School.
At the school gate, the first person he saw was Emiko waiting by the entrance.Emiko looked at Arthur teasingly."I suppose the great novelist doesn't have anyone to bring him to school."Arthur just nodded."Well, Emiko, it's nice to see you again. Who are you waiting for?"Emiko rolled her eyes."For you, silly. Come on, I need to talk to you."
They both entered the school. Arthur wanted to find Daichi to give him the good news, but he couldn't find him anywhere.Emiko went to her locker and noticed Arthur following her, distracted."It's nice to see you so energetic this morning, Arthur," she said. "But there's no need to follow me everywhere."Arthur, confused, realized he really had been following her."Sorry, Emiko. It's just that you look so charming today—it stunned me."Emiko rolled her eyes again."Go to your locker and get changed. Class is about to start."
Arthur hurried to his locker. Once ready, he went straight to class.Emiko sighed as she watched him walk away."He's such an idiot… he keeps forgetting about me," she thought before heading to the classroom.
Arthur entered and looked for Daichi, but he wasn't there. Maybe he couldn't make it. Disheartened, Arthur sat down.Emiko noticed him staring out the window."It's rare to see you so thoughtful. What's wrong, Arthur?"Arthur gave her a puzzled look."It's strange… I was looking for Daichi, but he still hasn't come."Emiko looked at the door."Maybe something came up. You can talk to him tomorrow if he doesn't show up today."
Then the teacher entered, beginning another school day.
Later, when classes ended, Emiko looked at Arthur with confusion. Everyone else had already left the room—only she, Arthur, and a few students remained.Arthur hadn't spoken the entire time. Emiko leaned closer and put her face right in front of his, but he didn't react. For a few moments, she stayed there, staring at him.Finally, tired of his silence, she grabbed his cheeks.
Arthur snapped out of his thoughts and gently took her hands.They stayed like that in silence until the voices of the remaining students brought them back to reality.Emiko quickly stepped back, her face flushed."Well, Arthur, are you going to lunch or staying here?" she asked, looking straight ahead, avoiding his eyes.Without waiting for a reply, she walked toward the door, trying to escape the awkward moment.
Arthur just watched her go without saying anything. Then he shook his head, grabbed his things, and went straight to the Literature Club.
The hallways felt endless. All he wanted was to go to CAPCOM Studios to help choose the actors for 17 Again.He entered the clubroom with a loud thud, startling everyone—including Aiko, who was eating an onigiri.
Arthur approached her as she tried to pick up the rice ball she'd dropped."Arthur," Aiko said, startled, "your dramatic entrance made me drop my onigiri!"Arthur shook his head."Sorry about that, but I need your driver to take me to CAPCOM. I have to help my uncle with something."Aiko looked puzzled."Your uncle works at CAPCOM?"Arthur shook his head."I'll explain later. We can go there first, then I'll teach you some literature at your house."Aiko nodded and threw the fallen onigiri into the trash."Alright, let's go. Nao is probably waiting at a café nearby."
They left the school and crossed the street to a small café across from Azabu High. Nao was there, reading a newspaper and drinking coffee.When he saw them, he almost spilled his cup."Do you need something, Miss Aiko?"Aiko looked at Arthur, then at Nao."Yes. Please take us to the CAPCOM headquarters—you know where it is, right?"Nao nodded."I do, Miss. It's not far; they moved into a new building recently."
He folded his newspaper, drank the rest of his coffee in one gulp, left some money on the table, and led them to the car.He opened the door for them and got into the driver's seat.
Arthur and Aiko quietly watched the streets filled with pedestrians and food stalls. Neither spoke during the ride.
After a while, Nao parked in front of a tall building with the words CAPCOM written on it."Here we are, Miss. This is CAPCOM headquarters."
Arthur got out first, then looked at Aiko."Are you coming, or do you want to stay in the car?"Aiko calmly stepped out."Why are we here, Arthur? I doubt it's that important."Arthur looked at the building and then at her."Come on. I just need to check if my uncle's in so we don't waste time waiting."
They entered the lobby, where a receptionist was typing something. She looked up and, seeing Arthur was a foreigner, spoke in English."How can I help you?" she asked kindly, holding a pen and paper.
Arthur noticed she was ready to write something down."I'm looking for my uncle, Masato Tanaka.""Do you have an appointment with President Tanaka?""I'm his nephew, Arthur Tanaka."
The receptionist immediately put the paper down and picked up the phone."Yes, sir. He's here. Should I bring him to your office or send him to the meeting room? Understood."She hung up, smiled, and gestured for them to follow.
They walked through the hall until they reached an office with the name Tanaka on the door."The president is waiting for you," the receptionist said politely before leaving.
Arthur looked at Aiko, who gave him a confused glance. He opened the door. Inside, his uncle Masato was reading some documents.
Without looking up, Masato said loudly,"Arthur, you're finally here. The actors are doing their auditions for the movie, so you'll be able to direct the scenes for your character, AOI. I'll never understand why you're so afraid of people finding out that you're the real director. Though if they knew a fifteen-year-old directs movies better than me, I'd be embarrassed too!"
Arthur coughed loudly before his uncle could say more.Masato looked up, noticing the girl beside him, and quickly stood up, leaving the papers on the desk."Of course, Arthur, I'm joking. Anyway, let's head to the casting room."
He led them to a wide room where the auditions for 17 Again were being held. Aiko kept glancing at Arthur, still confused.
Inside, several staff members were setting things up. Masato sat at the front table, holding a script. Arthur and Aiko sat beside him.
Masato clapped his hands."Alright, send in the first one!"
The first actor was a noticeably overweight man who looked like a sumo wrestler. He bowed and began performing the scene where the main character jumps from a ledge.Arthur shook his head, and Masato, noticing it, crossed the man off the list.
The next actor was a thin man in his thirties with a serious expression."My name is Hideo Takuma," he said with a slight bow. "I act in classical theater, but I was told this project is… different."Masato handed him the script."It's the scene where the main character talks to his best friend after losing everything."
Arthur watched closely. Hideo took a deep breath and began, projecting his voice as if performing on a grand stage.
"You don't understand! My life has changed—my body has changed—and fate is laughing at me!"
His performance was powerful, almost theatrical. Every word sounded like the climax of a tragedy.Arthur gently interrupted him."That's fine, but try it more relaxed. As if you were talking to a real friend, not an audience."Hideo frowned."Talk… like it's real?"Arthur nodded."Exactly. Natural, no shouting."
Hideo tried again, this time lowering his voice. The change was subtle, but something started to click.Aiko smiled slightly from her seat.Masato raised an eyebrow."Not bad," he murmured. "He's got potential."Arthur leaned back, satisfied."That's what I'm looking for—someone who feels the story, not just recites it."
Masato whispered something to an assistant, then turned to Arthur."So, does he stay?"Arthur nodded."Yes. He stays."
Masato gestured to the assistant, who handed something to Hideo—the script for the adult version of the protagonist.
Then, the next name was called. The door opened with a creak.
A thin boy with slightly messy hair stepped in nervously, still wearing his school uniform.Masato looked at him suspiciously."And who are you? You're not on the list."The boy bowed politely."Sorry for being late… I'm Daichi Sakamoto. They told me at reception that auditions were still open."
Arthur's heart skipped a beat."Daichi?"
The boy looked up, surprised."Arthur? What are you doing here?"
Masato frowned."You two know each other?"Arthur swallowed."Yes… he's my classmate. I didn't know he was coming to the audition."Daichi gave a shy smile."Neither did I. My mother made me look for a temporary job, and a friend from the baseball club told me they needed young actors. I didn't think it would be for this movie."
Masato snorted, crossing his arms."Well, since you're here, let's see if you're worth our time. Take the script—it's the scene where the main character realizes his life has completely changed."
Daichi took the pages with trembling hands.Aiko watched him curiously; he looked nothing like the other actors.
The room fell silent. Daichi took a deep breath and began:
"I don't know who I am anymore…Every time I look in the mirror, I feel like someone else is staring back at me.I want to go back—but I don't know how…"
His voice trembled at first, but gradually filled with emotion. He wasn't performing with technique or exaggeration—he spoke as if he truly meant every word.
Arthur couldn't look away. There was honesty in Daichi's delivery—a vulnerability that couldn't be faked.
When he finished, the room stayed silent.Masato let out a small sigh."He's inexperienced… but he's got something," he murmured.Arthur nodded slowly."He's genuine. He doesn't act to be seen—he acts to understand."
Daichi, still nervous, bowed."Sorry if it wasn't enough. I can try again."Arthur stood up."No need. It was perfect."
Masato raised an eyebrow."So, he stays?"Arthur looked at him firmly."Yes. He'll be the young lead."
For a moment, Masato seemed ready to argue, but when he saw the determination in Arthur's eyes, he just smiled faintly."Alright."
Masato clapped his hands."Good. Tomorrow morning, we'll film the park scene. Be ready."
As everyone began packing up, Arthur walked over to Daichi."I owe you an apology. I thought you skipped class for some other reason."Daichi shrugged."I guess fate wanted us to meet here."Arthur smiled."Yeah… once again."
Aiko, Daichi, and Arthur stood silently, looking at the empty set as the studio lights dimmed.
Masato quickly added,"Well, you'd better all head home. I've got work to finish, and your families must be waiting."
The three left the room.Arthur looked at Daichi."So, even though you already had the part, you still came to audition?"Daichi walked slowly through the hallway."You know, Arthur… if I didn't at least try, I'd regret it. I'm grateful for your help, but I also wanted to know if I was truly made for this. Even with acting lessons, I wasn't sure… but now I feel at peace."
They stepped out of the building together."Well, Daichi," Arthur said with a smile, "I'm glad you realized this is where you belong. See you tomorrow at school."
With that, Arthur and Aiko got into Nao's car.Daichi watched silently as it drove away into the evening.