"Wow~ Hello. This is the first time we've met like this."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hoshino Yume, the author. And this is..."
"I'm Hoshino Ai!"
The next day, Ai and I went to meet Samejima Abiko, the author of Tokyo Blade. The reason was, naturally, to secure a new role for Aqua.
"So... you want to add new characters to my work for the upcoming 2.5D production?"
"Yes. As you can see, the brand value of Ai and myself is quite high. Of course, I'm not asking to add new roles just for the sake of it. My point is to add a bit more adaptation while staying true to the original."
"And through that adaptation, you two want to play the roles of Toki's parents?"
"Yes."
I simply watched as Ms. Samejima seemed to contemplate my words for a moment. Some might think I should just use my influence to force it through, but this is a role strictly for Aqua's sake... so I won't use power as a weapon. I can only rely on a sincere request and my current standing in the industry.
"...Honestly, with someone of your status, Yume-san, couldn't you have just forced your way in? I want to know... why you went out of your way to come here and ask me directly."
"The reason, you ask?"
I expected that question. It might be hard to understand why the most popular actor in Japan would insist on acting in her work. Especially since it wasn't just me, but both Ai and I—often called a specialist couple for roles—requesting roles together.
"Because the owner of this work is none other than you, Ms. Samejima. We are nothing more than outsiders. I believe that if the owner doesn't give their permission, we're just meddling strangers."
That was the truth. There would be no technical issue with forcibly adding a role and performing. In fact, since it's a way to make the project even more successful, some people would surely not give up. But unless the author who wrote the work gives their consent, we become nothing more and nothing less than outsiders who forced our way in—trespassers, essentially.
"Ahaha... is that so... Honestly, when you first spoke, Yume-san, I was taken aback. Someone who could add a new role without anyone daring to complain was saying they needed my permission... I thought it was a lie. I'm glad you're such a kind-hearted person, Yume-san. Let's do it. Let's add the new roles..."
[Let's bring in Toki's parents.]
And so, our meeting went quite well. As time passed, Ruby and the new B-Komachi proceeded smoothly. With MEM-cho's help, their YouTube broadcasts were also going quite well. Fearing that a massive live show might be too much pressure, they often held small lives under the sponsorship of the Senior. Of course, they could have managed without the Senior's help, but the sponsorship was a deliberate choice to show who was standing behind B-Komachi. It was a sort of vaccination against unnecessary nitpicking or potential power trips from others; it was easier to think of it that way.
And for Ai and me... the day of the staff meeting arrived. Oh, as for something interesting...
"Ehehe~ Aqua doesn't know, does he, Yume?"
"Of course not, Ai. This is a surprise for Aqua, and in a way, for everyone filming Tokyo Blade."
I had swore Director Masaya and even Sumi Yuki to secrecy... aside from Ms. Samejima, yes... the only one who knows is...
"Probably just GOA-san..."
His scriptwriting is a bit hit-or-miss, which is the problem... Or is it a personality issue?
"Well, it looks like the cast is starting to gather. Ai, should we get ready?"
"Mm-hmm! This is going to be fun!!"
At the thought of acting with Aqua—acting as a family for the first time—Ai's expression looked brighter than ever.
"I'm Narushima Melt from Sonic Stage, playing the role of Kazami. I look forward to working with you."
Hmm... Come to think of it, there was a kid like that... He was the one who picked a fight with Aqua at the beginning. It seems he's changed quite a bit since then.
"I'm Arima Kana from Ichigo Production, playing the role of Tsurugi."
"Also from Ichigo Production, I'm Hoshino Aqua, playing the role of Toki."
Once Aqua's introduction was finished, the voice of a man entering the room rang out.
"Everyone's early. It's still ten minutes before the hour. Since everyone seems to be here, shall we start the rest of the introductions? My name is Raida, the general producer of this play."
And the person behind him is likely...
"And this is the director, Kin-chan."
Kindaichi Toshiro.
"I'm Kindaichi Toshiro."
The introductions of the staff continued after that.
"The scriptwriter, GOA-san."
"And Kamoshida Sakuya-kun, who has plenty of 2.5D experience."
"Looking forward to it."
Kamoshida Sakuya, huh... He's likely from Director Masaya's line as well.
"And from here on are the actors from Lalalai. Mita Norio, Adashino Mei, Yoshidomi Koyuki, Hayashibara Kiiro, Funato Ryoma, and Akane Kurokawa."
"We look forward to working with you."
"And finally, the one playing the lead..."
"Wake up, you idiot!!"
It was indeed him.
"Ah... sorry. The lead of this play... what was the character name... Oh, whatever. I'm Himekawa Taiki. Nice to meet you."
In the original timeline, he was the half-brother of Aqua and Ruby... was it... my memory is a bit hazy... well, there's nothing as uncertain as an unclear memory... regardless, there's no doubt he's a talent worth watching.
"So, with this group, let's come together as one and make the Tokyo Blade stage play a success!! ...is what I'd like to say, but we have a surprise~!"
It's about time.
"Let's go, Ai."
"Okay, Yume!"
"Playing the newly adapted roles of Toki's parents, Hoshino Yume-san and Ai-san!!"
""""""""!?"""""""""
"Yo, nice to meet you. I'm Hoshino Yume."
"Yahoo~☆ I'm Hoshino Ai!"
A massive stir broke out at our entrance. Aqua... your jaw's going to hit the floor, Aqua.
"Fun, right, Ai?"
"Yeah! Aqua's expression is the best!"
Truly a well-matched couple in many ways. Thanks to that, we were flooded with questions from the other actors, but Ai and I slowly navigated through them by answering one by one.
"Alright, alright, that's enough everyone. This is our first meeting and the main members seem to be mostly here, so shall we do a script reading? We'll start in thirty minutes. Do your small talk or prep, whatever you need to do."
""""""Yes!!""""""
As Kindaichi-san left, Ai and I approached Aqua.
"Aqua-kun, it's been a long time. And... Yu... Yume-senpai and Ai-senpai too... it... it's been a long time..."
She seemed to still have that previous incident on her mind, as she was still acting quite timidly in front of us.
"Yes, it's been a while, Akane-chan. You don't have to worry about what happened before, so don't let it bother you."
"Hmph! I'll let it slide only because of Yume."
"Ahaha... thank you..."
It seemed the relationship with Akane was restored to some extent.
"Even if you say it's been a while, we meet up occasionally to set up alibis."
"That's true... but meeting through work again makes me happy... I caused so much trouble back during 'Now Real'."
Ah, that's certainly true...
"Since acting is my day job, I'll help you this time, Aqua-kun! ...Um... of course, Yume-senpai and Ai-senpai are here too, though..."
"Ahahahaha!"
It seems Akane was embarrassed about acting bold in front of us. On top of that, Aqua lightly brushed Ai and me off.
"You seem confident."
"No, no, no, no!! It's not like that, I still have a long way to go, what confidence... I can't even reach Yume-senpai or Ai-senpai's toes yet... I just meant that since we'll have many scenes together in this play, I wanted you to know you can rely on me anytime...!"
Ah, this couple is cute... But Aqua's built himself a harem...!! What a blessed son he is...! This father is proud...!!
"Is that so? Thanks. I'll let you know if anything comes up."
"Yeah."
Just so you know, Kana-chan is staring from behind with an incredible expression on her face, Aqua...
I left Ai chatting with Aqua and Akane and slowly went over the roles in my head.
[Tokyo Blade is a classic battle manga where several teams engage in conflict, eventually developing bonds of friendship or affection. Arima Kana belongs to the Shinjuku Cluster on the protagonist's side, while the Shibuya Cluster, where Akane and Aqua belong, are the enemies who stand in the way. This play focuses on the Shibuya Conflict arc from the scenario, or at least that was how it was in the 'original' version. With Ai and me joining, new characters—Toki's parents—have appeared, and we are set to die while blocking the protagonists.]
As my thoughts continued to swirl, I felt someone approaching and turned around.
"Raida-san and Kindaichi-san?"
"Fufu, there's no lack of talent this time."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. It's a given that Arima-chan, with her long career, and the Lalalai members are good. I was worried about Melt-kun after seeing his performance in 'Sweet Today', but he's turned out decent enough now. I heard this is Aqua-kun's first stage, but he's very observant and doesn't make mistakes. In that regard, he resembles you, Yume-kun. Is it because you're the one looking after him?"
"I have certainly given him some help."
I can't exactly say 'it's because he's my son,' after all.
"True. Kaburagi is quite picky about the people he sends elsewhere."
"I suppose."
That man is surprisingly meticulous about those details.
"The battle of young geniuses among the same generation like Arima-chan and Akane-chan is heating up too. The 'immersion-type' who dives deep into the role versus the 'adaptive-type' who cleanly picks up on the surrounding performances is quite the contrast. From my perspective, it feels like Akane-chan is one step ahead. I hope Arima-chan doesn't lose."
"I'm not sure."
At Kindaichi-san's words, my gaze naturally drifted elsewhere.
"We have Himekawa with us, after all."
It was toward where Himekawa Taiki stood.
"Ha!"
Every single one of his actions stood out. Just by existing before our eyes...
"He certainly deserves to be the lead."
"It's an honor to hear you say that, Yume-kun."
No matter who said otherwise, the lead of that stage was Himekawa Taiki [Blade]. Ai, who had approached my side before I realized it, watched the performances of Himekawa Taiki and Arima Kana.
"What do you think, Ai?"
"Yeah, they're good. If it goes on like this, even I might be in trouble~☆ Of course..."
""That's assuming we don't do anything ourselves.""
""Ahahahaha!!""
Our thoughts were perfectly in sync.
"Well then... before we finish, shall we show the juniors?"
"Yes, yes~★"
""What genuine talent actually looks like.""
Of course, Ai's talent and mine are different. But our 'foundation' is the same. No one will be able to turn their eyes away from us.
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■!!!!!!
[Now, look this way!!]
[And try to beat us!! Try to break the wall known as Ai and me!!]
[If you are a bunch of people who hate losing, you should naturally know!]
[How to overcome the talent called Ai!!]
[How to overcome the 'monster' that is me!!]
[Risk your lives to think, think again, and never stop thinking!!]
[If you call yourselves 'actors', that is!!!!!]
========================
The website for reading paid chapters is available on my Patreon. The number of chapters on Patreon: 105
Link: patreon.com/UltraMagnus_T