After two months of post-production, Nanaya Kiryu finally completed the finished cut of Kara no Kyoukai.
By this time, spring had already turned to summer, and people were walking around in short sleeves. Nanaya, still dressed in spring clothes, looked slightly out of place.
"Thankfully, I'm not so disconnected from reality that I'd look at a butterfly and ask, 'What kind of bird is this?'"
Nanaya tugged at his collar. Wearing long sleeves in this heat was indeed uncomfortable.
Ori immediately stopped Nanaya's sloppy behavior and shot him a sharp warning glance.
"I told you to wear short sleeves today, senpai. Don't fool around."
Nanaya waved casually. "I forgot. Besides, as long as I'm wearing formal clothes, it's fine."
"It's an important screening today! How can you not take it seriously? Have you been hanging out with Shounan too much and picked up his stupidity?" Ori scolded, hands on his hips, clearly irritated by Nanaya's lack of concern.
"You're wrong," Nanaya corrected. "Today's preview screening doesn't matter at all. Chairman Ryutani Nariaki already finalized everything with the TV station. As long as our movie isn't as terrible as Plan 9 from Outer Space, it'll definitely pass. And even if it were better than Titanic, we wouldn't get special treatment. It all depends on ratings. But a late-night movie slot with only 5% average viewership… what are the chances we'll get 10%?"
"How could that be…"
Ori looked crushed. He had hoped that if the film were good enough, it might be moved from late-night to prime time.
Seeing his junior so disappointed, Nanaya Kiryu quickly comforted him. "Well, if the movie is high quality, they may give us some perks,like an extra advertising slot or two. I'm actually surprised Ori cares this much."
"Of course I care," Ori replied. "We worked hard on this movie. Of course we want good results."
Nanaya sighed dramatically. "I thought you were worried your screen debut would be a disaster. But even if it is, it's fine. Just debut again as a boy."
Don't bring up things I don't want to talk about!
"Alright, you two. Enough talking." Hanai Ryuichi, walking ahead, stopped the bickering pair.
"Yes!"
Nanaya and Ori straightened up, not daring to be disrespectful in front of their teacher.
Hanai Ryuichi had been in high spirits lately. His student's debut film was finally finished. As long as it wasn't a total failure, the 15 million yen he invested would at least break even through broadcast rights and future videotape sales. At worst, it would just take longer to recover.
So, after tricking Nanaya earlier, he still came to attend the screening.
Given his status, Hanai didn't need to accompany his apprentice, but he worried about Nanaya's habit of causing trouble.
"Don't worry, teacher. When we get there, I'll behave. I'll stick to you like glue," Nanaya whispered.
Seeing both apprentices acting obediently, Hanai's stern expression softened.
"Nanaya, you're right about one thing. But don't forget leaving a good impression on the TBS late-night movie program's leader is your mission today."
Nanaya muttered unhappily, "Teacher, why does it sound like you think I'm only fit for TV movies?"
Directors were ranked by prestige, and TV drama or TV-movie directors were at the bottom. Though his debut film had to be released this way, Nanaya had no intention of staying there.
"What do you know, brat!" Hanai scolded. "You'll need to sell the broadcast rights of all your future films to TV stations! If they have a good impression of you, you can demand a higher price!"
Nanaya immediately began flattering him. "You really are the wise old master. I humbly admit defeat."
"Don't try that with me, you little rascal." Hanai grabbed Nanaya's ear. "Embarrass me today and I'll twist your head off and use it as a football!"
"I understand, teacher! Please let go!"
But this time, Hanai had no intention of letting go. Nanaya screamed the entire way.
---
When the group arrived at the entrance of the building where the Rinpo film company was located, Nanaya felt like his ears had swollen.
As they entered the lobby, Nanaya noticed Ryutani Nariaki already waiting with several middle-aged men in suits.
The welcome was far more formal than any of Nanaya's previous visits meaning, of course, that it wasn't for him.
All eyes were focused not on Nanaya Kiryu, but on Hanai Ryuichi.
Although not on the level of a giant like Kurosawa, Hanai Ryuichi was still among Japan's top directors, especially beloved for his youth romance dramas.
So no one was surprised that the executives greeted only him. The only exception was Ryutani Nariaki because as the highest-ranking person present, he couldn't lower himself to greet Hanai first.
"Ryuichi, long time no see."
Ryutani pretended he hadn't just seen Hanai recently and shook his hand. He then introduced a plump, kind-looking middle-aged man.
"This is Naito Hirono, the producer of TBS's late-night movie program."
Naito bowed respectfully.
"Director Hanai, I'm Naito. I heard your new film School Window is coming out soon. Any plans for its television premiere?"
"We'll see."
Hanai's tone carried dissatisfaction stemming from an actor's betrayal during production. Though he had already prepared his revenge, the anger still lingered.
Naito misunderstood, thinking Hanai was holding out for a higher price, and awkwardly changed the topic.
"No rush, no rush. So, today's main figure is…"
Hanai nudged Nanaya forward.
"This is my unworthy disciple Kiryu Shichiya."
"Hello, Producer Naito."
Nanaya instantly transformed into a harmless little white rabbit, eyes blinking innocently as he greeted the executives.
"I didn't expect Director Kiryu to have this side to him…"
At the back of the group, Tamari Tsukasa, attending as a "family member," remarked that Nanaya seemed like a completely different person compared to his irritable work persona.
Ori snorted. "It's just an act to look obedient. Otherwise, how would he ever win the teacher's affection?"
Tamari laughed awkwardly. Everyone present was someone he couldn't afford to offend.
After brief pleasantries, the group headed to the small screening room.
---
Once everyone was seated, the movie began.
To be honest, Naito wasn't interested in the screening itself. What he was focused on was the fact that Hanai Ryuichi was sitting next to him. As a director famous among young audiences, securing rights to his films even older ones would be a major win.
Naito's plan was simple: use the apprentice as a bridge to approach the master.
He had low expectations for Nanaya's movie. A rookie director? A troubled shoot where the original actress quit halfway? A late-night TV slot? Clearly, this film was going to be trash.
So although his eyes were on the screen, his mind wasn't.
But—the moment the movie began, he was unexpectedly hooked.
The pacing was far more dynamic than typical Japanese films, almost Hollywood-like, yet blended with distinctly Japanese urban legend elements.
The atmosphere, especially the early mystery, was gripping.
When Ryogi Shiki fell into disadvantage in her first confrontation with Kirie Fujio, Naito couldn't help worrying for her despite knowing the protagonist will always win.
Although minor imperfections existed, the strong plot and unique narrative technique made them irrelevant.
Soon the movie reached its climax: Ryogi Shiki standing on a rooftop, staring at Kirie Fujio in the distance. The tension hit its peak, heightened by heavy BGM.
On-screen, Shiki sneered, leaped from the rooftop, shed her raincoat midair, and revealed her striking, cool smile.
"Wow… this movie is amazing!"
Naito gasped aloud. But no one cared about his outburst because they were all equally stunned.
Did this guy really make the actor jump off a rooftop? That's insane…
He glanced at Nanaya in the back row.
He suddenly had the feeling he was witnessing a rise of a legend
---
But Nanaya wasn't watching the movie
He was watching the audience.
When he saw everyone gasp in amazement at Shiki's leap
Nanaya smiled.
He knew he had succeeded.