"It's time for lunch."
Yuan Chuan You casually pulled over a chair and sat down, looking at the two girls with a normal expression. "This is my first time having a film crew's bento. Would you like to join me?"
"..."
The two girls glanced at each other again, a hint of awkwardness filling the air.
The next second, Kurokawa Akane was the first to break the heavy silence. "Um, since Sakurajima-san wants to talk with Yuan Chuan-san, I won't disturb you. Please excuse me."
As her voice fell, the blue-haired girl bowed her head to the two of them, turned, and quickly walked away.
"?"
Watching her retreating figure, Sakurajima Mai couldn't help but look a little puzzled. It was her first time acting alongside Kurokawa Akane, but for some reason, the other girl seemed to be afraid of her.
"Kurokawa-san, like me, is acting in a TV drama for the first time. She wants to make a good impression on everyone, so naturally, she wouldn't want to get in your way."
Yuan Chuan You popped a piece of smooth, tender tamagoyaki into his mouth and said faintly.
"Heh, I haven't said a thing. Can Yuan Chuan-san read minds?" Hearing the young man next to her pinpoint her inner doubts, Sakurajima Mai watched his face with a smile.
"Just a guess. I think Kurokawa-san is a serious person."
"Did you and Kurokawa-san know each other before?"
"Of course not," the young man shook his head and took a sip of mineral water. "I met Kurokawa-san for the first time at the auditions that day."
"Is that so."
The girl, who had debuted as a child star, was well-versed in the ways of the world, but she found Yuan Chuan You very interesting. To say something like that right to her face—wasn't he afraid of making her angry?
"...What is it?"
After being stared at by the girl for a while, Yuan Chuan You felt her unusual gaze.
"Nothing, I just find you very interesting, Yuan Chuan-san."
Sakurajima Mai asked again, "Yuan Chuan-san, did you finish writing that manuscript just now?"
"I've finished writing that part of the plot, but if I remember correctly, shouldn't Sakurajima-san have a scene coming up?"
Yuan Chuan You pointed toward the bustling film set. As it was the first day of shooting, based on the special advice Nakahara Kazuya had given him, they would be busy until at least ten o'clock at night before wrapping up.
"Then... Yuan Chuan-san, could I borrow it to take back and read?"
"...You can."
"Then thank you in advance, Yuan Chuan-san. I'll go back to filming now. See you tonight."
"Mm."
Although Yuan Chuan You had no more scenes for the day, he couldn't leave just yet because he was a supporting actor in this show.
There's a big difference between a supporting actor and an extra. His agent had specifically warned him that as a newcomer, Yuan Chuan You absolutely could not leave before the seniors had wrapped up, or it would leave a very bad impression on the crew.
After all, the Japanese entertainment industry isn't large. The crew staff and frequently collaborating supporting actors were bound to meet again on different sets. Therefore, even big-name actors and the main leads had to wait until the director announced the wrap for the day before they could leave.
This unwritten rule was a bit troublesome, but it didn't matter to Yuan Chuan You.
After finishing his bento box, he took out his notebook and continued to grind for experience.
[Production Queue 1: Writing]
[EXP: 88/100]
[EXP: 89/100]
[EXP: 90/100]
The first day of filming lasted until about nine o'clock at night. After the wrap was announced, the assistant director informed everyone of some news.
There would be a kickoff party tonight, and the location had already been booked.
According to the assistant director Takikawa's explanation, this seemed to be Director Asano's old habit.
He didn't like holding the party before filming officially began. Instead, he preferred to have everyone on the crew work together on set for a full day and then hold the kickoff party at night, saying it was a better way to build camaraderie among the crew members.
Yuan Chuan You, of course, had no objection. He glanced at the system's light screen. Hard work pays off—the [Writing] Entry had finally finished production.
He placed the remaining [Burst of Inspiration] into the [Entry Production Station], and the production queue updated accordingly.
[Production Queue 1: Burst of Inspiration]
[EXP: 0/100]
"Attending a party... that should count as gathering material, right?"
The young man rubbed his chin and boarded the shuttle bus with his fellow crew members.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside a long-established ryotei in Ginza, the wooden sliding door of a large private room was half-open, and the sound of a server's footsteps in geta could be faintly heard from the hallway.
The long table was laden with lacquerware food boxes. The ice in the sashimi platter was slowly melting, forming a thin layer of condensation on the celadon plates. Director Asano Nagahiro sat at the head of the table, his cheeks slightly flushed, the sake cup in his hand glinting translucently under the light.
"Yuan Chuan-kun, come over here for a moment."
The director smiled and beckoned to Yuan Chuan You, his voice gentle. "Let me introduce you to a few of the seniors."
As someone who appreciated talent, Director Asano was very pleased with Yuan Chuan You's performance today. Although he was only playing a supporting role, the director believed the young man would one day become an excellent actor. Thus, he made an exception and called him over from the supporting actors' table to the main table.
As he walked over, Yuan Chuan You immediately saw Sakurajima Mai's pretty, smiling face. As the female lead, the girl was seated in the second spot to the director's left, next to an older female senior actress.
As for the first person to the director's right, that was of course the show's male lead, Yamada Shu, a newcomer being heavily promoted by Johnny & Associates. Although his acting was terrible, as a key figure representing the investors, many people had toasted him.
"This is Moriyama-san. His acting is superb, and he's even won a young actor award."
After Yuan Chuan You approached, the director began to slowly introduce him.
"And this is Furuta-san, who often appears in NHK Taiga dramas. Furuta-san not only acts in TV dramas but has also been in many stage plays. He really appreciates talented young people, so you two will surely have something to talk about."
Both seniors smiled at Yuan Chuan You. At the director's prompting, he greeted each of them in turn.
"I was watching from the side while you were performing, Yuan Chuan-kun. You did a great job. Keep up the hard work, and maybe you'll become a lead actor someday."
The middle-aged man named Furuta Tōru had handsome features and a gentle, refined air about him, making him seem approachable.
"That's right, Yuan Chuan-kun. Remember to exchange contact information with me after the party is over. We might have a chance to work together in the future."
Moriyama's face was also wreathed in a smile. He knew Director Asano was well-connected. If the director intended to promote Yuan Chuan You, the young man's future would be limitless. It was a good idea to build a positive relationship now.
"Thank you, both of you seniors."
Yuan Chuan You had turned 20 last year. After coming to the main table, he naturally had to engage in the give-and-take of toasting, which was an important social activity.
"Yuan Chuan-san, your acting really is amazing. I learned a lot from acting opposite you."
Just then, Yamada Shu, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly chimed in, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Not at all, Yamada-san is also very impressive."
Yuan Chuan You raised his cup and toasted him.
Just as their cups clinked, everyone heard the male actor, whom Johnny & Associates was pushing hard this year, say with a snicker.
"Johnny-san has always liked talented young male actors. I wonder if Yuan Chuan-san would be interested in coming to our agency for a chat?"
As soon as these words were out, the cheerful atmosphere at the table instantly froze.
Moriyama and Furuta quickly exchanged a look, while Director Asano's expression darkened in an instant.
Sitting across from him, Sakurajima Mai stared blankly at Yuan Chuan You's face.
For some reason, her small hand holding the cup suddenly tightened.
________________________________________
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