Chapter 124: That Settles It

It was NTV producer Yuko Yama who ultimately helped Ye Zhao connect with the manager of KinKi Kids.

Since Ye Zhao had set his sights on inviting Tsuyoshi Domoto, he decided to put forth his best effort. To give the invitation more weight, he reached out to Yama, who had worked with both parties, and asked her to help mediate. Since NTV was a partner in the production of "Kirishima Thing," it was not an overreach for Yama to intervene, even though she was not part of the film’s production team. Helping out was well within her capacity.

The KinKi Kids’ management team was an impressive spectacle. Beyond Masaru Shirahase, who oversaw everything, there were individual managers for Koichi Domoto and Tsuyoshi Domoto, a manager specifically for group bookings, and various assistants. The staff alone were enough to form a circle around the two young men.

The person in charge of Tsuyoshi Domoto’s affairs was a man named Suzuki. He was in his forties, short and stout, with a kindly demeanor. After skimming through the script, Suzuki set it aside. "This is a script aimed at winning awards, isn't it?"

"Since that's the case, could you consider having Tsuyoshi-kun star in it?"

"First, I must thank you for thinking of our Tsuyoshi-kun for this role." Suzuki pondered for a moment. "However, as you mentioned, Ye Zhao-san, filming this movie requires a training camp. It’s not that we are making excuses, but Tsuyoshi-kun’s schedule is truly..." Suzuki stood up and picked up a folder from his desk.

"This is Tsuyoshi-kun’s schedule for the next half-month. You can see for yourself, Ye-kun. From five in the morning, every slot is filled. Although there are labor restrictions for minors, in reality, who actually follows them once the cameras stop rolling?"

Ye Zhao opened the folder, glanced at the dense schedule, and gently closed it. "Indeed, it’s grueling. To be honest, the training camp requirement is a bit demanding. It’s the reason why negotiations for several other roles fell through. I assume that if I insist on Tsuyoshi-kun attending the training camp, you would decline this film, wouldn't you, Suzuki-san?"

Suzuki remained noncommittal, simply watching Ye Zhao, waiting for what he had to say next.

"However, Suzuki-san has his difficulties, and I have rules I must follow. If I agree to let Tsuyoshi-kun skip the training, I won't be able to proceed with the other actors. While I truly hope for Tsuyoshi-kun to take the role, as an investor, I cannot undermine the balance of the production or my own credibility before filming even begins."

"Indeed," Suzuki nodded. "If I were to abandon the rules for Tsuyoshi-kun, even I would feel it was excessive. Once you start changing orders as soon as they are given, it becomes very difficult to get anything done later."

"So..." Ye Zhao mused, "Suzuki-san, why don't we both take a step back?"

"A step back?"

"The estimated duration for the training camp is about fifty hours. While I cannot cancel the training for Tsuyoshi-kun, I can make appropriate reductions. How about thirty hours? Please rest assured, the training won't take up entire days at a time, but will be coordinated according to the actors' schedules."

"Hmm... if it comes to this, I really don't know what else to say." Suzuki’s expression softened. "Frankly, I think highly of this script. As a Johnny's artist, one problem we must face in the entertainment industry is that our idol origins are often looked down upon by orthodox actors and singers. To prove ourselves, we have to work many times harder than others. Therefore, I don't want Tsuyoshi-kun to miss this opportunity."

"In that case, please convey this to Shirahase-san and Tsuyoshi-kun. If there is interest in the role, please contact us. We will arrange a separate audition for Tsuyoshi-kun."

Even for an actor contacted directly by the director and producer, an audition was a necessary process.

...

The audition for Tsuyoshi Domoto took place in an NTV conference room. The only people present were Ye Zhao, Yukihiko Tsutsumi, and Tsuyoshi Domoto.

Tsuyoshi Domoto arrived first, and Yukihiko Tsutsumi was the last to walk in.

"You're too late, Tsutsumi-san," said Ye Zhao, who was already well-acquainted with the director, speaking quite casually.

"Sorry, sorry," Tsutsumi laughed. "But I wasn't late because I was drunk or forgot. I stopped by a second-hand electronics store in Akihabara and found this." As he spoke, he raised an 8mm camera to show them. The most important prop in "Kirishima Thing" was the 8mm camera held by the film club president, Ryoya Maeda; Ryoya Maeda’s dreams were pinned to that camera.

"Didn't you say you had one at home, Tsutsumi-san?"

"That one?" Tsutsumi scratched his head. "I opened the storage room, saw the mess inside, and figured it was better to just buy one than waste the effort looking for it."

"If it’s just because you were being lazy, the production won't reimburse you."

"That sounds truly stingy," Tsutsumi remarked with a look of disdain.

"It can't be helped. Once you actually start, you realize there are so many places that need money. If we don't save where we can, I'm worried we'll run out of funds halfway through."

"Don't worry about that. This camera only cost three thousand yen. I wouldn't humble myself before you for a mere three thousand yen."

"It's that cheap?" Ye Zhao was a little surprised.

"Because the real expense is the film," Tsutsumi explained. "When I played with this in college, I always had to scrimp and save to buy film." At this point, Tsutsumi finally remembered Tsuyoshi Domoto standing to the side. "Tsuyoshi-kun, long time no see."

"Good afternoon, Tsutsumi-san," Tsuyoshi Domoto bowed politely.

"Since everyone is here, let's start the audition. Which scene do you want to test Tsuyoshi-kun with, Tsutsumi-san?"

"Let's do the scene on the rooftop with Kikuchi-kun."

"The scene with me?" Ye Zhao sighed. "So, am I playing the supporting role again?"

"That's exactly it." Tsutsumi handed him the camera. "Remember to act well. If your lack of seriousness ruins Tsuyoshi-kun's performance, I won't forgive you."

"Hai, hai," Ye Zhao nodded. "Then, Tsuyoshi-kun, let’s begin."

...

"Do you want to be a film director in the future?"

"I don't know."

"Are you going to marry an actress?"

"..."

"Is your goal the Academy Awards?"

"But, that probably won't work... I can't be a film director."

"Then why do you go to the trouble of carrying such a dirty camera around to film?"

"That's because, sometimes I feel that the movies we love and the movie we are currently filming can connect."

...

"As expected, that was cool."

As Tsuyoshi Domoto delivered this line, Tsutsumi called cut.

"Excellent. Tsuyoshi-kun’s acting is truly solid," Tsutsumi praised. "With your talent, even if you hadn't debuted as an idol, you would likely be a very promising newcomer actor by now."

Tsuyoshi Domoto shook his head. "If it weren't for Johnny's, I'd probably still be playing students in school dramas."

"In that regard, we really should thank Kitagawa-san," Tsutsumi said with a double meaning. "Next, let's discuss the specific contract terms with your manager. But let me warn you, this guy has set the salary quite low."

Tsutsumi jokingly pointed at Ye Zhao.