Chapter 31: This is True Method Acting
The scene to be performed was the moment the male lead, Naoto Anna, encounters Ai Kita after work.
Since Ai's actress—Ai herself—was not on set, the actor had to perform against thin air, a feat that truly tested one's foundational skills.
Taishi Gotanda had already sent off several actors, unable to find a single satisfactory performance. He was just about to call Teppei Nishikawa to the stage when he spotted Hikaru Hoshino lurking suspiciously in the corner. With a wave of his hand, he beckoned him over.
"Come, come. You try a take first," Gotanda said to Hikaru, before shooting an apologetic look at the waiting Teppei. "This is our film's music director. He won't be playing the lead, but he used to be a very formidable actor. I want to see his performance for reference; you don't mind, do you?"
Teppei was overwhelmed by the attention. "Not at all! In fact, it's an honor to witness Hikari-sensei's acting."
"You know this guy?" Gotanda asked, lighting a cigarette.
"Yes, I saw Senpai on a talk show a few days ago."
"Then it seems you aren't very clear on his past." Gotanda patted Teppei on the shoulder. "This guy used to be the star of the Lalalai Theatrical Company, known as an absolute method actor. Watch closely and learn; you'll need it when it's your turn."
Hearing this, Teppei was moved to tears. *To let me observe the performance of such a legendary teacher... the Director must be giving me a secret head start! He thinks so highly of me; I must not let him down!*
Holding his breath, he fixed his eyes intently on Hikaru.
Hikaru curled his lip. Despite his early public statement about his amnesia, it seemed everyone he met still viewed him through the lens of Kamiki. Even though he possessed a completely different soul, people persisted in treating him as an extension of that scumbag's life.
It was infuriating!
Hikaru couldn't help himself; he let out a sharp, aggressive huff through his nose.
"Look at that. He's already in character," Gotanda whispered to Teppei. "He's become Naoto Anna himself, using his expression to convey Naoto's dissatisfaction with his boss and the work environment."
Teppei nodded frantically in agreement.
Hikaru thought for a moment—the next part was calling the girlfriend—so he raised a clenched right fist to his ear. Though he had only read the script once, his photographic memory ensured every line was crystal clear in his mind.
"Yeah, I'm off work. I'm on my way back now. How was your day? Same old story—boss ordering me around, doing work that isn't mine, forced overtime again. I'm almost used to it. Let's not talk about that, tell me something interesting on your end."
He prattled on, marching in place as if walking home.
Gotanda frowned, feeling something was off. "The script says to only say two lines here before cutting to the apartment building. Why is he acting out the entire subway commute?"
"He's so dedicated!" Teppei said admiringly. "Hikari-sensei has completely immersed himself in the protagonist's life!"
Hikaru wasn't thinking about immersion; he was just trying his hardest to act. But since he had never pursued acting in his previous life, he was utterly ignorant of the necessary techniques. As for relying on "Kamiki," his "Black Stars" had been confiscated, leaving him a complete amateur.
He could only reference plays he had seen before, attempting to mimic the styles.
Hikaru "turned the corner" and saw the long-haired woman standing under the streetlamp. Sensing the silhouette was familiar, he smiled at the imaginary Shizuna Ueda on the phone: "Yo, why did you come down to meet me today? You didn't have to, I know the way..."
Shizuna's confused voice should have come through the phone: *"Huh? I didn't come to meet you."*
But Hikaru, having "put away" his phone, didn't hear the line. He smiled and tapped the air in front of him, imagining a long-haired woman slowly turning around.
In the script, Naoto should have seen the charming face of a young girl—the heroine, Ai Kita, played by Ai Hoshino.
Hikaru didn't see Ai. He saw Sadako.
Photographic memory is sometimes called Hyperthymesia. While it sounds impressive, it is technically a burden. Patients cannot actively forget information, meaning painful memories that would fade for others remain permanently etched in their minds, tormenting their souls.
They remember trivial details while important memories might blur—like English words during an exam. A massive influx of trivial data clogs the brain, making Hyperthymesia patients actually more prone to memory errors than normal people.
Hikaru didn't fit that mold; his memory was more like a "cheat code" granted by an author, providing enviable functionality. To him, it was a power, not a disease.
However, he still couldn't actively forget scenes he had witnessed.
He usually avoided horror movies, but accidents happen.
In Hikaru's eyes, a long-haired woman really did appear. Like a puppet, she stiffly rotated her head 180 degrees, revealing a face as pallid as a corpse. The woman stared at Hikaru with blood-red eyes and finally bared her teeth in a grin.
Her mouth tore open all the way to her ears, and sharp, shark-like teeth sprouted from the gaps.
Hikaru's limbs went cold. Using every ounce of his strength, he threw a punch that smashed the phantom into smithereens.
Gotanda was stunned. "While a reaction like that isn't entirely incomprehensible given the atmosphere... if he acts like that on set, the one getting punched will be Ai."
"No, no." Gotanda decisively marked an 'X' next to Hikaru's name. "It seems he really *isn't* that Kamiki fellow."
Hikaru finished his performance and walked over, wiping away sweat. "I told you my acting was no good, didn't I?"
"I believe you now," Gotanda sighed.
Hikaru patted Teppei's shoulder. "Sorry for wasting your time."
Teppei bowed quickly. "Please don't say that! I learned a great deal!"
"Are you serious?" Hikaru stared into his eyes.
"Yes! Senpai's 'Exaggerated School' of acting has truly benefited me!" Teppei was genuinely excited, his expression sincere. "I shall definitely apply this in the future!" he said with determination.
Soon, under Gotanda's instruction, Teppei stepped forward to begin his own performance. It was indeed slightly exaggerated, but it had rhythm and restraint—unlike Hikaru's wild, unhinged display.
Gotanda decided that this was the most decent actor he had seen so far—excluding Hikaru, who couldn't even be called an actor.
After thanking the Director for his guidance and Hikaru once more, Teppei hurried out of the studio.
*What a hardworking kid,* Hikaru thought. *The male lead will probably be his.*
*As expected, I'm better off just sticking to music.*
Hikaru pulled his sunglasses out of his pocket, put them on, and sauntered off into the distance.