I Thought This Was a Slice of Life

The power of a Morning Drama is naturally reflected in its viewership ratings; while it is rare for a typical drama to reach double digits or twenty percent, a Morning Drama can consistently maintain over twenty percent.

If a Morning Drama becomes a massive hit, the lead actress has a high probability of becoming a host for the annual Kohaku Uta Gassen.

That is why this is a shortcut to the top.

If news about the casting for the new Morning Drama were to leak... heh.

It would be madness.

Horiuchi Susumu is truly a good guy to Shuya, sharing this kind of information with him.

However, the fact that he can talk about it probably means it will be made public soon, so it is not actually that important.

"The lead for a Morning Drama, huh? That's a tough one..."

Shuya also understands the pressure they are under.

Given the level of attention a Morning Drama receives, the lead—the most crucial role of all—cannot afford any mistakes, or the consequences would be severe.

"No, there are actually a few candidates for the lead actress, and we're just waiting to choose one. The problem is the scenes featuring the protagonist as a child."

Horiuchi Susumu crossed his arms. "For this script, the childhood scenes are very important and require powerful acting, but most children's acting is... well. Oh, I don't mean you."

"It's fine."

Shuya doesn't mind.

Horiuchi Susumu shrugged. "Anyway, Producer Aoki is setting requirements based on you as a template, and he's been scouting child actresses from various agencies on a large scale, but the result is that not a single one meets the requirements. So, we're all worried. Coming to shoot the commercial today was also a bit of a way for me to blow off some steam; the atmosphere at the station has been too stifling lately."

Shuya nodded. "That's no wonder. With such high requirements, let alone the Japan Administrative District, where else in the Earth Federation would you find another child like me?"

"Exactly!"

Horiuchi Susumu clapped his hands. "That's why everyone is at their wit's end! We're all stressing out."

"Hmm... that really is miserable."

Shuya said this casually, but his eyes suddenly caught sight of Sakurajima Mai, and a bold idea welled up in his heart.

"Say, Uncle. I have a suggestion, do you want to hear it?"

"Let's hear it."

"What do you think of Sakurajima Mai?"

Horiuchi Susumu was taken aback. Upon hearing this, he looked over at Sakurajima Mai, his eyes slowly narrowing.

He seemed to be lost in thought.

"Shu-chan, do you know what you're saying? If she messes this up, you'll have to take responsibility. You understand that, right?"

Although it wouldn't directly involve Shuya, his reputation would take a significant hit.

Horiuchi Susumu asked skeptically, "You think that highly of her? I admit her acting improved quickly during the shoot just now. But as far as I know, she has no acting experience."

"I don't know either, but I have a gut feeling that she can do it." Shuya smiled. "Are you willing to trust me? The intuition of this prodigy?"

Shuya had already perfectly integrated into the chuunibyou traditions of the Japan Administrative District, saying the previous sentence without changing his expression.

"Hmm..."

Horiuchi Susumu looked at Shuya seriously, and Shuya looked back without wavering.

After a long while, Horiuchi Susumu finally withdrew his gaze.

He patted Shuya on the shoulder. "I've always thought you were a miraculous kid. I believe in your intuition."

Shuya was quite touched.

But Shuya immediately smiled. "You might be overthinking it. Actually, I'm just recommending her; I didn't say she had to be chosen."

"...Ha, haha!" Horiuchi Susumu felt awkward. "Come to think of it, I don't have the authority to decide! I have to report this to Producer Aoki."

He said to Shuya, "I can only recommend her to those above; whether she gets selected or not depends on her."

"I just wanted to give her a chance. In the end, it still depends on her own efforts." Shuya waved his hand. "Uncle, you've been in the entertainment industry for so many years, you know how it is. For some people, all it takes is one opportunity to soar."

Horiuchi Susumu took a deep look at Shuya. "I heard from that lolicon Hirai Ryuji that you said Sakurajima Mai would become a great actress in the future. You really think that highly of her?"

Shuya stared at Sakurajima Mai in the distance; she had no idea about this conversation that would influence her destiny.

He smiled. "Who knows? What if she does?"

Shuya crossed his arms. "Whew, I'm thinking, perhaps we will be the creators of history."

"Creators... heh, I suddenly feel fired up!"

Horiuchi Susumu waved his hand vigorously.

"Oh... Uncle Horiuchi, you're already at your age, and you're still this passionate?"

"Idiot, if I didn't have this kind of passion, how could I keep doing this crappy job!"

Horiuchi Susumu didn't feel any shame, shouting loudly.

Shuya burst out laughing.

A television director like Horiuchi Susumu has a miserable life; his status is far lower than a film director, but he does no less work than one.

Above him, there were still producers and screenwriters holding sway; in the promotion of television dramas, it was often written that this was the latest masterpiece of such-and-such a screenwriter or producer, while the director was conversely overlooked.

"You brat!"

Horiuchi Susumu vigorously ruffled Shuya's hair.

"Shameless! Someone is bullying a kid!"

Shuya wailed in protest, and the two men, one big and one small, began to horse around despite the age gap, drawing the eyes of everyone present.

Then, they all couldn't help but reveal warm smiles.

Hanazawa Sakura was smiling too, but she sensitively caught the envious look in Sakurajima Mai's mother's eyes.

She didn't need to guess to know that Mai's mother was envious of the connections Shuya had in the entertainment industry.

...To think that Mai-chan is such a good child, how could she end up with a mother like that?

How pitiful.

Hanazawa Sakura glanced at Sakurajima Mai.

People like Mai's mother were very common in the industry; in fact, she wasn't exactly a bad person, and she even genuinely believed she was doing what was best for her daughter.

However... was imposing one's own ideas onto a child really the right thing to do?

Hanazawa Sakura knew it wasn't.

Mutual respect was what was best for both parties.

...Mai's mother, you probably don't realize the severity of this yet.

But this way of yours will inevitably lead to a backlash.

A child is not a parent's possession, after all...

Hanazawa Sakura shook her head, not wanting to overstep her bounds.

Besides, it was impossible for Mai's mother to listen anyway.

Everything would have to take its natural course; if there was an opportunity, helping out would be doing all she could.

Shuya and Horiuchi Susumu might have been messing around, but they were still very professional when it came to work; after an afternoon of filming, all the shooting tasks were completed.

"Thank you all for your hard work today."

"Good work."

Everyone exchanged polite pleasantries.

Ms. Lin relayed Blaise's words, saying, "It was truly filmed very well. Needless to say for Shu-chan, but Mai-chan was also unexpectedly photogenic."

"Thank you."

Mai humbly bowed her head.

Ms. Lin said, "Oh, right, regarding the costumes from the shoot... if you don't mind, please take them home."

"Hm? Is that okay?"

Shuya asked.

"Of course it is."

Ms. Lin nodded, and Blaise smiled along with her.

"Um..."

Mai looked at her mother, but Shuya had already said, "Thank you, then I won't stand on ceremony!"

He also expressed his gratitude to Blaise, and Blaise told him not to worry about it.

Their company was so large that these clothes didn't amount to anything at all.

The Staff Members helped load the clothes into the two cars.

Then, as Hanazawa Sakura and the others were saying their final goodbyes.

Shuya, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, sidled up to Mai and said sheepishly, "Mai-chan, can I take a few evening gowns? I want to give them to someone."

"Sure."

Mai nodded without thinking too much about it.

Hearing Shuya's words, Maeda Saori, who was helping move the clothes to the car, laughed, "Shu-chan, is it for the Quintuplets again?"

"Do I have anyone else to give them to besides them?"

Shuya said.

Mai asked curiously, "Quintuplets?"

"My neighbors, good friends."

Of course, Shuya wouldn't say in front of everyone that he treated them like his daughters.

"Eh... how amazing."

Mai was very interested; Quintuplets were truly rare.

Shuya smiled without answering, simply picking out five dresses of the same style but in different colors.

"You could take a few more."

Mai said. Her family was well-off, so she didn't care about the cost, and she also wanted to return the favor to Shuya.

"No need. If there are any more, she won't accept them."

Shuya said with a smile.

Mai was very curious about the "she" in Shuya's words. Why did his smile look so good whenever he mentioned her?

But Shuya offered no explanation.

After Shuya moved the clothes back to his car, Hanazawa Sakura and the others hadn't returned yet, but Horiuchi Susumu had come over first.

"Um, Mai-chan, are you interested in acting?"

Horiuchi Susumu asked right away.

"Oh? So soon?"

Shuya was startled; it seemed the casting really was urgent.

"Eh?"

Mai was also taken aback by the abrupt question, but she quickly regained her composure: "I love it. My mother even hired a teacher to instruct me before."

"Is that so? Then if you're free now, would you like to audition? Our station is casting for a Morning Drama."

Mai-chan: "...Huh??? Morn... Morning... Drama?"