The moonlight was like water. In the Tokyo of April, the cherry blossom petals had withered away almost completely, leaving only scattered remnants of red on the treetops interlaced with the tender green of new leaves.
Inside the studio, artificial lighting precisely simulated the warm hues of a café at dusk, yet it could not completely dispel the coldness and finality belonging to the two characters that permeated the air.
The final few key scenes of We Made a Beautiful Bouquet were currently being filmed here.
Michiya Gōshin, or rather [Yamane Mugi] at this moment, sat in a booth covered with a red checkered tablecloth. Opposite him was [Hachiya Kinu], played by Kurokawa Akane.
The words in the script had been digested repeatedly. At this moment, they were no longer talented actors, but merely an ordinary couple walking toward the end of their relationship.
The camera focused on their faces.
"So..." Michiya Gōshin spoke, his voice dry, carrying a raspiness born of a long silence.
His eyes attempted to search for a trace of past warmth on his lover's face, but he saw only a calm detachment.
On the table, two cups of cooled coffee served as a concrete representation of their relationship.
Just as this suffocating silence was about to be broken, the voices of a young couple from a neighboring table—slightly green but full of vitality—drifted over.
"You also like... that director's works?"
"Ah! You too? I thought no one knew about him anymore!"
"Of course! His camera language is simply..."
"And the soundtrack! Every time I listen to it, I feel like my heart is being squeezed tight..."
Not far away, the man and woman sitting at the same table wore clothes in a style similar to [Yamane Mugi] and [Hachiya Kinu] from several years ago. They discussed obscure independent films and shared common tastes in music. The sparks that burst forth when their eyes met could almost ignite the air.
They were like a mirror image deliberately arranged by fate, reflecting the way Yamane Mugi and Hachiya Kinu looked when they first met.
Those moments of being ecstatic upon discovering a niche favorite book on the other's shelf, or feeling that the world contained only the two of them while sharing a single pair of earphones to listen to a song.
Michiya Gōshin's pupils constricted violently.
An emotion mixing shock, realization, nostalgia, and a massive sense of absurdity assaulted his senses like a tsunami.
He subconsciously looked toward Kurokawa Akane opposite him.
Kurokawa Akane's reaction, or rather her acting, was equally precise. Her shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly. In the depths of her eyes, which were originally calm and waveless, a trace of incredulous panic instantly swept past, immediately replaced by a deeper bitterness and self-mockery.
The girl's lips parted slightly, seeming to want to say something, but ultimately it just dissolved into an extremely light sigh.
Her fingers curled unconsciously, her fingertips gently sliding across the wall of the ice-cold coffee cup.
Yes... how similar.
So similar it made one's heart clench. So similar that all the sweet and painful memories of the past surged up together, almost enough to drown a person.
The next moment, Director Doi's voice yelling "Cut!" came through the walkie-talkie, carrying excitement that was hard to conceal.
"Perfect! Too perfect!"
"Michiya-kun, Kurokawa-san, that's exactly the feeling! That sense of powerlessness from being shaken by time and 'another self' was completely expressed."
The solidified air of the set instantly began to flow. The lighting technicians started adjusting equipment, and the stagehands began moving about.
But Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane were still immersed in the emotions from just now and didn't move for a moment.
After a while, Michiya Gōshin smiled and reached out to straighten his clothes, while Kurokawa Akane also snapped out of it, the expression on her face becoming much more natural.
"Michiya-kun... that scene."
"It should have been shot quite well, right?"
Just as Michiya Gōshin was preparing to stand up, a figure suddenly appeared by their table.
Suo Hayato, wearing a well-tailored dark suit with a long trench coat draped casually over it, walked into the set with unhurried steps.
He wore his habitual smile on his face, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, walking straight toward Michiya Gōshin.
"Yo, you two. I watched that scene from behind the monitor just now. Brilliant!"
Suo Hayato clapped his hands, his gaze landing first on Michiya Gōshin, holding unabashed appreciation.
"Especially you, Michiya-kun. Those subtle changes in expression—even a layman like me could feel the impact."
Then, he turned to Kurokawa Akane, his tone equally polite.
"Kurokawa-san's performance is as infectious as always. The success of this movie will be inseparable from your wonderful interpretation."
Kurokawa Akane bowed slightly and decorously.
"Suo-san, you flatter me. It's because the script is written well, and Michiya-kun's acting skills are also very formidable."
The girl keenly perceived that Suo Hayato had business to discuss with Michiya Gōshin and knew it wasn't appropriate for her to be here, so she politely excused herself.
"Um, Michiya-kun, Suo-san, please chat first. I'll go prepare for the next scene."
Before leaving, she exchanged a brief look with Michiya Gōshin. The relationship between the two had become increasingly intimate, so they naturally understood each other tacitly.
After Kurokawa Akane left, Suo Hayato finally focused his attention completely on Michiya Gōshin. He wrapped his arm around Michiya Gōshin's shoulders and walked to a relatively quiet rest area, cutting straight to the chase.
"Bouquet is just about wrapping up here. The promotional press releases have already started rolling out, and we've said hello to the film festival selectors. Critical acclaim and aiming for awards are our primary goals for the current stage."
He paused, leaning his body slightly forward and lowering his voice a bit. His eyes became serious and full of oppression.
"However, Michiya-kun, even if this movie gets acclaim and awards, it's still not enough. You know, this isn't just a matter of a single movie. My big brother hasn't been idle lately. The movies under his command are currently shooting, and the box office estimates won't be low."
Michiya Gōshin remained silent.
He naturally understood that although the movie We Made a Beautiful Bouquet was very good, it wasn't a pure commercial film. If they wanted to pursue high box office numbers, it would definitely not be enough.
Now that he had formed an alliance with Suo Hayato, concerning the struggle between Suo Hayato and his older brother Suo Shogo for the inheritance rights of the massive entertainment empire "Nenshi," he had to exert his full strength.
Just as Suo Hayato said, We Made a Beautiful Bouquet alone was still lacking a bit of punch, especially regarding hard metrics like total annual box office gross.
"Only one quarter of this year has passed."
Suo Hayato continued, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible urgency.
"Even if Bouquet wins awards, its box office potential and genre limitations determine that it cannot deal a fatal blow to my big brother in terms of total volume. I need follow-up ammunition—continuous, and preferably weapons of mass destruction capable of detonating the market and creating phenomenal box office numbers."
"Michiya-kun, tell me, do you have any ideas for the subsequent quarters? Any idea, as long as you think it has potential, no matter how unconstrained or fanciful—resources, budget, promotion—I, Suo Hayato, and the resources in my hands will cooperate with full force!"
Michiya Gōshin did not answer immediately, because he needed time to organize the chaotic thoughts in his brain.
The first draft of the script for The Wind Rises was already lying quietly in his documents. That was an exquisite and sorrowful story about dreams, love, and the war era; he held expectations for its artistic quality.
But...
[Production Queue 2: Advanced Research (Green)]
[Experience: 71/100]
[Junior Novelist (Green)] + [Tireless Writer (Green)] + [Advanced Research (Green)] = [Bestselling Author (Purple)]
He was still a bit short of obtaining [Bestselling Author (Purple)]. Michiya Gōshin's plan was to polish and revise the book after obtaining this high-level entry, and finally push it to the market. So, this path was currently impassable.
And Love Letter, which had been completed long ago, actually couldn't be counted as a true commercial blockbuster either.
He needed to accumulate. He needed a work with more explosive power to pave the way, or rather... to open up a new battlefield.
"The second quarter."
Michiya Gōshin spoke with a steady voice. "I might have a schedule that is basically confirmed. There is an invitation for a new movie, also in the romance genre. The director is Mizuki-san."
Suo Hayato raised an eyebrow, revealing an interested expression. "Mizuki-san?"
"This movie is invested in by Sakurajima Mai-san. She will also star as the female lead."
Michiya Gōshin paused slightly, observing Suo Hayato's reaction.
The next moment, a look of realization—"So that's how it is"—flashed instantly through Suo Hayato's eyes. He leaned back into his chair, tapping his fingers gently on the tabletop, the corners of his mouth hooking up into a meaningful smile that could almost be called "gossipy."
"Sakurajima Mai... Heh, I understand."
Suo Hayato was an old hand at this, so he didn't pursue the specific content of the script. He simply gave Michiya Gōshin a look that said "You act fast, kid," then nodded.
"Sakurajima Mai-san's influence and popularity with the audience are unquestionable. This is a good opportunity to further consolidate your appeal in the romance genre."
"However, Michiya-kun..."
Suo Hayato's body leaned forward again, his gaze locking onto Michiya Gōshin like a searchlight, his tone intensifying.
"Romance films are our base, but we can't only have a base. What we need is a 'commercial mega-production' that can sweep the box office charts, conquer all age demographics, and trigger social discussion!"
"Think about it. Sci-fi? Fantasy? Large-scale action-adventure? Or something else that can make people's eyes light up and adrenaline soar? Have you conceived of such a project?"
A project with more commercial explosiveness?
The next moment, almost without any delay, a radiant name jumped out in Michiya Gōshin's mind.
There was a work that created a box office myth, swept through all of Japan and even Asia, and pushed the commercial and artistic value of animated films to an unprecedented height.
But, should he bring it out directly?
No, this was actually a good opportunity.
A stronger, clearer voice sounded in the bottom of Michiya Gōshin's heart.
On one hand, Michiya Gōshin yearned to possess control over his own destiny and the right to speak. On the other hand, since he had decided to walk a path that would make everyone happy, capital and profit were the first steps he pursued.
"Suo-san."
Michiya Gōshin raised his head. His eyes were no longer gentle and introverted as before, but revealed a sharp light, as if he had made some kind of determination.
"Regarding the 'commercial mega-production' you mentioned, I indeed have an idea. If operated properly, I feel it is an idea sufficient to break Japanese movie box office records, and even create history."
Suo Hayato's eyes lit up instantly. His body leaned forward unconsciously, like a shark smelling blood.
"Go on!"
"But..."
Michiya Gōshin changed the topic, his tone calm yet firm, carrying an unquestionable tone of negotiation.
"For this project, I hope to proceed with a brand-new, deeper mode of cooperation."
"A brand-new mode of cooperation?"
Suo Hayato frowned slightly. Interest and scrutiny intertwined in his eyes; he had a premonition that what Michiya Gōshin was about to say would be unusual.
"Yes."
Michiya Gōshin took a deep breath and threw out a very important plan.
"I intend to establish a new production company, named [Star Engine]."
"I hope that this future movie can be jointly funded and developed by my [Star Engine] and the production companies or departments under Suo-san."
The next moment, the rest area fell into a brief silence.
The smile on Suo Hayato's face suddenly retracted a bit. He sized up the young man before him anew.
"Heh, as expected. I knew Michiya-kun was definitely not a creature of the pond. It seems you had thought of this long ago?"
"That's right."
"Good!"
Suo Hayato was a very bold scion of a conglomerate. Since he had already selected Michiya Gōshin, he had to bet everything.
As long as the movie idea proposed by Michiya Gōshin could truly succeed, the final box office results could be credited to Nenshi and his, Suo Hayato's, name, helping him achieve a decisive victory in the competition with his big brother.
Even if this cooperation mode required ceding a portion of the benefits, it wasn't unacceptable to him.
After all, Michiya Gōshin's talent had already been verified through Bouquet. He was worth a higher price.
"Star Engine... a very interesting name."
Suo Hayato spoke slowly, that smile carrying calculation and appreciation resurfacing on his face.
"Michiya-kun, your speed of growth exceeds my expectations every time. Fine, I agree in principle. Nenshi can invest in your [Star Engine], holding a portion of the shares, and provide all-around support in production, channels, and promotion."
"Specific details can be finalized by the teams later. I have only one requirement, which is also our common goal—this movie you speak of that is 'sufficient to break records' must succeed! It must become my strongest trump card to win the inheritance rights!"
"That is natural. I still need to use Nenshi's mobilization ability to find production companies."
Heavy pressure was transmitted like a physical substance, but Michiya Gōshin caught it steadily. He nodded, his eyes not wavering in the slightest.
"Then..."
Suo Hayato's gaze locked onto Michiya Gōshin like a searchlight, filled with unprecedented curiosity and anticipation.
"Now, can you tell me what exactly is this idea that gives you the confidence to negotiate conditions with me, and even set up [Star Engine] to stand on your own?"
Michiya Gōshin met Suo Hayato's gaze and spoke word by word.
"It is an animated movie."
"An animated movie?"
Suo Hayato's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, his tone carrying a trace of instinctive doubt.
Although Ghibli's success was world-renowned, the investment cycle, production difficulty, audience boundaries, and the "ceiling" relative to live-action movies in certain aspects were all factors that needed to be considered for animated movies. This was somewhat different from the sci-fi or fantasy blockbuster he had envisioned.
Michiya Gōshin did not give him too much time to think. He continued speaking, his voice injected with a strong conviction, as if stating a fact that was about to arrive.
"Its name is called—"
He paused slightly, creating a final suspense, and then clearly enunciated that name destined to resound through the clouds.
"Your Name."
Without waiting for Suo Hayato to raise objections, Michiya Gōshin used concise language filled with imagery to outline the core silhouette of the story.
"This is a story about time and space, memory, and searching."
"Miyamizu Mitsuha, a high school girl living in a rural town, and Tachibana Taki, a high school boy living in Tokyo, periodically swap bodies in their dreams, experiencing each other's completely different lives."
"They communicate through diaries left on mobile phones and 'messages' on each other's bodies. From initial confusion and awkwardness, they gradually come to understand and develop a subtle emotional connection. However, the arrival of a comet that appears once in a millennium brings this miraculous connection to an abrupt halt..."
"Relying on fragmented memories from the dreams, Taki embarks on a journey to find that unknown small town and the stranger girl, only to discover a heartbreaking yet hope-filled secret about time, disaster, and oblivion..."
As Michiya Gōshin narrated, the doubt on Suo Hayato's face was gradually replaced by focus and contemplation.
Body swapping?
Time and space dislocation?
Combining these elements together indeed formed a wonderful chemical reaction. It possessed both the attraction of fantasy and contained a profound emotional core.
Although he was not a content creator, as the heir to a top entertainment company, his sense for the market was keen.
He vaguely felt that this story might just touch upon something that could trigger widespread resonance.
"...Imagine, two people separated by time and space, meeting briefly yet unable to touch each other."
Michiya Gōshin's voice carried a beguiling power.
"This isn't just animation. I feel this is an opportunity that can make people laugh, make people cry, and make people savor it for a long time after walking out of the theater, even making them want to immediately go find that important person in their life."
Suo Hayato fell into silence. He leaned back in his chair, fingers crossed in front of him, his eyes evaluating sharply.
The animation format might be able to better display the charm of this story, breaking through the special effects and performance limitations of live-action movies.
Moreover, in this country of Japan with a thick ACG atmosphere, top animated movies had always been strong contenders for box office champions. Their long-tail effect and cultural influence even exceeded many live-action blockbusters.
Looking at the contemplative Suo Hayato, Michiya Gōshin added the final weight at the right moment. His tone was calm but carried a trace of vague sharpness.
"Suo-san, as long as the final box office is high enough—high enough to break records, high enough to become a social phenomenon, making your movie performance report incomparably dazzling... then, even if it is an animated movie, presumably Suo-san won't be able to pick out any faults in the end, right?"
"Results are the most important thing, aren't they?"
Suo Hayato jerked his head up to look at Michiya Gōshin. The last trace of hesitation in his eyes completely dissipated, replaced by a kind of ignited flame filled with ambition.
He laughed loudly, the expression on his face becoming tough.
"Well said! Results are the hard truth. So what if it's an animated movie? As long as we can win, the format doesn't matter! I've remembered this idea of yours. Very interesting, very interesting!"
He looked at Michiya Gōshin and extended his hand.
"Then, Michiya-kun, please write the script quickly. We will discuss it in detail when the official project launch meeting is held next time, but we can immediately advance the schedule and carry out preliminary preparations now!"
"Yes, but I need to tell Suo-san in advance that the production of an animated movie is different from ordinary live-action movies. It requires consuming a massive amount of manpower and material resources." Michiya Gōshin proposed this idea at this time because he knew that Nenshi itself had cooperation with many animation companies; he had checked this long ago.
"That works. However, this matter needs to be kept secret temporarily. I will send a few capable assistants to contact some excellent animation companies."
"Yes. I will try my best to give you the script next month. The animation production cycle must seize every moment; it is best to release it by the end of the year."
"Mn, I know what you mean."
Suo Hayato naturally knew that the production process for animated movies was very long; some movies even took several years to produce.
But it didn't matter. In order to inherit his father's position, Suo Hayato was not afraid of throwing money and favors at it at all. Anyway, as long as he became the new president of Nenshi later, these things could all be compensated for.
At worst, he would let many animation companies start work together. However, this would require an excellent director to coordinate.
"Michiya-kun, then do you plan to supervise this animated movie personally?"
"No, let professional people do professional things. I just thought of this story. We can look for an excellent director in the animation industry. I believe Suo-san should have this ability."
"Good. Wait for my news."
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