Chapter 18 - Boy without a voice. - Entertainment Prodigy

After I sent my email to Mr. Kuroda saying that I would do the illustrations for the Light Novel, he replied that it wouldn't be possible because they had already selected a veteran artist who had worked on many other projects.

I really wanted to do the cover and the illustrations for the first volume… what a shame.

I told Kuroda that it was fine and didn't bring it up again.

'I hope I can at least make some promotional artwork…' I let out a long sigh, and my mother, who was sitting at the table with me, asked:

"What's wrong? Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

I shook my head.

"You're not nervous, but I'm almost dying here. What if they make fun of you somehow? I'm worried." My mother must have gone through something traumatic in the past.

I quickly grabbed my iPad and wrote:

[It's okay, even if they try to make fun of me, I won't feel bad about it.]

My mind is weak, but I can act well.

I can't make my mother worry even more.

"It's going to be fine, dear. I'm sure everything will work out—he's our son, after all." My father gave a thumbs up and smiled.

"I hope you're right…"

After we finished breakfast, I went back to my room and opened my notebook. I had already started writing the second volume of Overlord because I want to get as much work done in advance as possible.

I want to write all the volumes quickly so I can focus on another project later.

'I've already written half of the volume.' I smiled in satisfaction as I looked at the text file filled with pages. Then I opened my Twitter and saw that my followers had already surpassed 70,000.

The growth is fast and steady.

Also, any post I make—even trivial ones—gets a lot of likes and comments.

90% of my audience is Japanese, but there are some people replying in English. Fortunately, I can understand both languages without any problem.

After making another casual post wishing my followers a good morning, I went back to writing the second volume. Words flowed before my eyes, and like a machine, I filled several pages in no time.

I only stopped to eat and go to the bathroom.

Then, when it was time to sleep, I closed my notebook and threw myself onto the bed. I picked up my iPad and started a new drawing. This time, I wanted to create something from scratch.

I made a cute anime girl with long silver hair holding a giant sword. It was just a test, but the artwork turned out really good, so I decided to post it on Twitter. Many people asked if she was a character from Overlord, but I made it clear that she wasn't.

I placed my iPad on the desk and then closed my eyes.

####

The audition would take place today at 2 PM. As the time approached, I left home with my mother and we took a taxi. During the entire ride, my mother was trembling and biting her nails.

I told her to calm down, but it didn't work.

'She's more nervous than I am…' I smiled bitterly.

When we arrived at the Stardust Promotion building, we saw many children entering with their parents. I kept a neutral expression and went inside.

This time, we were taken to a waiting room and given a number.

16!

It wouldn't take long for my turn. Well, there aren't that many kids here.

'But all these children are really beautiful. They all have that "child actor" aura around them. Some are more beautiful than others, but all of them have impeccable appearances.'

They really look like the kind of kids you'd see in a viral commercial or on TV.

One by one, the children were called.

Some came out crying, others smiling, and some looked scared.

'What the hell is happening in there?'

"Hey, you, what's your name?" A child approached me. It was a girl with black hair and black eyes.

She's pretty cute.

"Hm? What's your name? My name is Eiri!"

I didn't know what to do, so I tugged on my mother's sleeve.

"Hm? Ah, what a cute little girl."

"I asked his name, but he won't say it!" Eiri pouted cutely.

"Oh, sorry, he's just shy." My mother said, placing her hand on my head. "His name is Kyo."

"Kyo… Kyo…" The girl repeated my name several times and then smiled brightly.

After that, she walked away.

She seemed way too happy.

After that, no one bothered me anymore, and number 16 was finally called.

My mother jumped slightly and then grabbed my hand. "Let's go, Kyo." She tried to appear calm, but her hands were sweaty.

I gave a cheerful smile, and we walked into the room.

As soon as we entered, we saw four people sitting there. Two bald old men, a woman who looked over 50, and a younger woman in her 30s.

I smiled, trying to act as cute as possible.

'Just this once, I need to act as childlike as possible.'

But the words that came out of one of the bald men's mouths immediately made my smile disappear.

"So this is the mute boy? Despite that problem, he has a good face, doesn't he?"

I felt my mother squeeze my hand tightly.

I looked up, and my mother was staring at the man with anger in her eyes.

"Alright, since you can't say anything, just grab one of those toys and act like a child. Mother, your name is…?"

"Haruka."

"Help him. I'd like to make him say a few lines, but since that's not possible, it's better if he just plays. Depending on how he smiles, that might be enough."

"There's no need to say it like that, director." The younger woman protested.

"I'm just being honest. This boy has a good face for a children's commercial, but that's all. But with that serious look, does he even know how to smile?" the man said rudely.

My smile had completely disappeared.

"Listen here…" My mother finally snapped.

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Chapter 18 - Chapter 18 - Boy without a voice.