But he also knew that once Uchiha Izuna chose to become a star, he certainly wouldn't be able to live with him forever.
Your friend is really something!" Having rolled around in society, especially the entertainment industry, for over a decade, Koizumi Yuri had her own way of reading people. With just a few words, she could tell exactly what kind of personality Oda Sakunosuke had. "Is he interested in becoming a star? I think he's very handsome—the kind of mature, charismatic type with a lot of character. He's also very caring; that 'daddy-type' boyfriend style is very popular right now!
Don't even think about it, he would never become a star." Uchiha Izuna rejected the idea outright. Someone like him, who had spent so long in the darkness, wouldn't want to stand before a screen for everyone to scrutinize; if he didn't have a specific need, he wouldn't choose that path. "Besides, he's a year younger than me, so he can't really be called a 'daddy type,' can he?!
Even younger than you!?" Koizumi Yuri said, looking astonished. "I really couldn't tell.
Uchiha Izuna flipped through the files, picked one out, finally took out his phone to make a call to Koizumi Yuri.
"You're choosing this character?!" Even just from the sound of it, one could imagine the speaker's look of astonishment.
"Yes, I think this one suits me best." Uchiha Izuna tapped the materials lightly with her finger.
Koizumi Yuri organized the resources in her hands, gathered a list of upcoming auditions, then handed the script to Uchiha Izuna. Unexpectedly, the first one he picked was a very difficult role.
Because the script featured a pair of identical twins, the character required one person to play two roles. However, for a male actor, cross-dressing like this was not only difficult to pull off without breaking character, but it would also lead to being mocked by the audience. Even if there were a one-in-ten-thousand chance of performing it well, people would still mock you for being effeminate.
It was truly a thankless role; if it weren't for the director and the production crew's exceptional capabilities, she wouldn't have given the script to Uchiha Izuna.
“Since you've decided, then stay home and practice your lines well. I'll come pick you up for the audition when the time comes.” Koizumi Yuri said no more; after all, if this one didn't work out, they could just switch to another. With Uchiha Izuna's face alone, there would be plenty of people waiting for him to act.
When Koizumi Yuri went to pick up Uchiha Izuna for the audition, she was shocked when she saw his outfit.
Are you planning to go to your audition dressed like this today?
"Why not?" Uchiha Izuna asked, raising an eyebrow.
No, it's truly wonderful." Koizumi Yuri said decisively, "This role is absolutely yours!
Number 21, Uchiha Izuna!
Several interviewers looked at the person who had sat down, whispering among themselves. One of them, a man in a white shirt with a noticeably receding hairline, spoke up, "Miss, have you come to the wrong place? The name called just now was Mr. Uchiha."
"Hello, everyone. I am Uchiha Izuna." With a clear, masculine voice that anyone could recognize, Uchiha Izuna introduced himself quite confidently.
"You!" Upon hearing this introduction, several people's eyes nearly bulged out of their heads.
"What, is it not beautiful?" The exquisitely dressed beauty held a round fan half-covering her face, as radiant as spring blossoms and as bright as the autumn moon.
Which Ninja doesn't have a few tricks up their sleeve for disguise? Moreover, he is an expert at dressing as a woman; back in the day when he dressed as an oiran in the pleasure district, even the legendary Second didn't recognize him, people spent a fortune just to see him.
Thinking about the look on the other person's face once they discovered the truth made him feel it would be quite amusing; this was a rare instance where he had achieved a complete victory in a clash against Senju Tobirama. Unfortunately, cough, cough, he was getting ahead of himself.
"Great! This is exactly what I wanted!" the bearded director stood behind the table, overcome with excitement.
There were plenty of handsome male actors who had auditioned, but when they dressed as women, they looked bizarre in all sorts of ways, the few women who could pull off the look failed to achieve the effect he wanted. To ensure the performance's quality, he was already considering whether he should find a female actress, but unless it was absolutely necessary, he truly did not want to ruin such a great concept.
Yo, isn't this Yuri?
Koizumi Yuri, who was waiting for Uchiha Izuna's audition, heard a familiar voice; she turned around and indeed saw the person who made her grit her teeth in hatred.
"Kikichi Kiko!" Koizumi Yuri spat out, each syllable dripping with murderous intent.
Kikuchi Kiko was Watanabe Kamibayashi's current manager, a person who would use any means necessary and favored underhanded tactics; she was responsible for at least eighty percent of Koizumi Yuri's near-ruined reputation.
We haven't seen each other since Kamibayashi terminated his contract with us," Kikuchi Kiko said to Koizumi Yuri with a smile. "I heard you've taken on a new artist; did you bring him here for an audition? Though, it looks like you might be in for a wasted effort.
“The investment for this film is exactly our company's, it seems the two of us are auditioning for the same role. In that case, there's nothing to be done; after all, sometimes connections are a form of strength as well.” Kikuchi Kiko waved her hand dismissively. “You'd better prepare for other things instead.”
Koizumi Yuri watched her walk away in silence, only to turn her head and see Uchiha Izuna standing there, having overheard an unknown amount of the conversation.
You heard it too," Koizumi Yuri said with a bitter smile. "I've dragged you into this.
"Don't lose heart, it was just an audition, the final results haven't even been announced yet." Uchiha Izuna gave her a lazy glance.
But it was already a done deal. Koizumi Yuri hesitated, wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing. She felt that Uchiha Izuna was still a newcomer to the entertainment industry; although he was intelligent, he didn't understand these unspoken rules of the circle. She decided she would tell him more about it later, so as not to dampen his confidence.
A commotion erupted ahead as a handsome blonde man walked past, surrounded by a crowd of people who treated him like a star.
Koizumi Yuri glanced ahead. "That is this year's fastest-rising newcomer, the one who wants to embrace the number one spot on the men's popularity list more than anyone, Higashidani Wakata."
"Of course, if you take the idol route, you might even rise even faster than him," Koizumi Yuri said casually.
"No, forget that!" Uchiha Izuna refused decisively. The idea of embracing men or something similar.. he didn't feel like having that kind of title.
"Let's head back first. I remember there are a few good scripts left; I'll bring them to you in a moment." Koizumi Yuri said, perking up.
"I think the protagonist of this film should be chosen by the director, don't you agree?" Uchiha Izuna smiled as he looked at the rumored investor, blood-red tomoe spinning in his eyes.
Since you want to play games with him, then let's play.
Author's Note:
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Chapter 5
In a lounge, Kikuchi Kiko was conversing in low tones with Watanabe Kamibayashi.
"Sister Kikuchi, it looks like the audition results for the Twin Cast have been released." While organizing files on the computer, the assistant nearby suddenly noticed that the production team from the audition two days ago had updated their announcement, declaring the lead cast members.
"Is that so?" Kikuchi Kiko didn't even look up. The company had already reached an agreement with her before the auditions began: if the male lead candidates were of similar caliber, it would be a win-win if Kitano, who was under her, secured the role simply because he was an artist from the investment company. If a candidate performed exceptionally well and made the director hesitate, she would simply threaten to withdraw the funding. "The male lead is Kitano, right? Forward the announcement to Kitano and tell him to reply to the production team promptly after reading it." Although it was phrased as a question, she spoke with the tone of a statement.
"The male lead isn't Mr. Kitano, it's, it's Uchiha Izuna!" The little assistant announced the name on the screen with some surprise. He had been by Kikuchi Kiko's side for quite a while, so he naturally knew a bit about the news that the male lead for the production had been pre-selected as Kitano, one of Kikuchi Kiko's subordinates.
"How is that possible?" Kikuchi Kiko stood up in shock, her expression of smug satisfaction freezing on her face.
Watanabe Kamibayashi frowned, "What's wrong?"
Kikuchi Kiko's face was grim. "Do you still remember what I told you last time? That your former manager, Koizumi Yuri, brought in another newcomer, his name is Uchiha Izuna."
"Oh?" Watanabe Kamibayashi frowned slightly. Based on his understanding, Koizumi Yuri should have been devastated after the last blow, but he hadn't expected her to be able to get back on her feet.
"I'll make a call to ask the company what's going on?!" Kikuchi Kiko pulled out her phone with an irritated expression and began to make the call.
Hello, this is Kikuchi Kiko, I have something I'd like to ask.. I see, I'm so sorry to have to trouble you with this." Kikuchi Kiko hung up the phone with a smile, but her expression darkened the very next second. "The company is being so vague; I have no idea what kind of complication has occurred.
"Don't worry, you know as well as I do that Director Araki's works excel at art films—they get critical acclaim but don't sell well. Besides, the movie hasn't even been filmed yet; it's not even certain if it will get critical acclaim." Watanabe Kamibayashi comforted her softly, his mannerisms being more intimate than the typical relationship between an artist and their manager.
No, Koizumi Yuri cannot rise again. There is no room for compromise between her and me," Kikuchi Kiko said, suddenly calming down and speaking with a smile. "You're calling for Uchiha Izuna, right? You can only blame his bad luck; Koizumi Yuri will never give up unless he is completely suppressed.
Uchiha Izuna?? She really has the nerve to say that; even Senju Tobirama wouldn't dare claim he could suppress him completely.
"Today seems to be the time when the Twin Cast announces the main cast list," Uchiha Izuna reminded Koizumi Yuri.
You still remember that?" Koizumi Yuri opened her laptop. After a few days of processing, she no longer felt much anger regarding the casting being pre-decided; after all, such things were common in the industry. "Let me take a look.
“Don't be too sad, it's normal not to be selected,” Koizumi Yuri said, opening the Twin Cast announcement while turning back to comfort Uchiha Izuna. “Mm, the male lead is U, U—!” She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at the lead actor's name on the announcement.
"The male lead is you!" Koizumi Yuri turned to Uchiha Izuna with excitement. She had given up all hope for this role, but because of Uchiha Izuna's persistence, she had checked the announcement as a matter of routine. Now, discovering that the lead actor's name listed was her own artist, she suddenly felt as if she had been knocked unconscious by a windfall from the sky.
"Yeah." Uchiha Izuna nodded casually, showing no sign of excitement at being selected.
What's going on?" Koizumi Yuri felt like she had been doused with a bucket of cold water by Uchiha Izuna's calm demeanor. Once her excitement faded, she felt a sense of confusion. "Since Kikuchi Kiko said that, she must have been one hundred percent sure. So why is the male lead you now?
“Who cares why!” Uchiha Izuna calmly turned the pages of the book; it was the original novel of Twin Souls. “As long as the outcome is in our favor, isn't that enough?”
"That's right, who cares why!" Koizumi Yuri thought. This time, they had truly lucked out; it was incredibly rare for a newcomer to land a male lead role right upon their debut. If it weren't for Director Araki's relatively narrow selection criteria and the low likelihood of becoming famous, which resulted in less competition, they might not have even secured the lead role.
Since you've landed this role, you need to prepare well," Koizumi Yuri instructed him. "Director Araki's temper isn't very good; if you don't meet his requirements, you'll be scolded severely.
Oda Sakunosuke opened the door after getting off work. The empty room felt suddenly quiet. Even though he had lived alone for so many years, he suddenly felt that something was wrong without that one greeting when returning home. Habits were truly a terrifying thing; it had only been a few days since Uchiha Izuna moved out, he already felt lonely.
When it came time to cook, Oda Sakunosuke felt strangely distracted for some reason; with his skills, he actually managed to burn the food. Looking at the black, charred mass on the plate, Oda Sakunosuke contemplated whether he should mistreat his mouth and stomach.
Ding, a notification sound from a text message went off on his phone.
Oda Sakunosuke looked down and saw that it was a message from Dazai Osamu, inviting him to the bar for a drink.
"Oda Sakunosuke~" Dazai Osamu waved his hand, calling him over to sit down.
As Oda Sakunosuke sat down, he noticed there were quite a few empty bottles next to Dazai Osamu and Sakaguchi Ango, clearly indicating they had been there for some time.
"One fried rice, please! Thank you!" Oda Sakunosuke called out to the bartender.
"Eh, Oda Sakunosuke, you've had plenty of time to come by for drinks lately. Aren't you going to accompany your 'darling' anymore?" Sakaguchi Ango asked Oda Sakunosuke with a slight blush on his cheeks and a smile. He had been drinking a bit too much today, his speech was noticeably more lively; normally, he would never make such a joke.
Are you talking about Izuna?" Oda Sakunosuke toyed with his empty glass. "He found a job recently and has already moved out.
"A job? What kind of job?" Dazai Osamu couldn't help but lean forward, closing the distance toward Oda Sakunosuke. It was rare to encounter someone capable of such extreme disguise; what kind of work would such a person seek? He was truly curious.
Wait!" Sakaguchi Ango suddenly remembered what Oda Sakunosuke had said when he asked him to modify Uchiha Izuna's identity information, "Could it be that he really became a celebrity?
Exactly." Oda Sakunosuke nodded. "If you're lucky, you might even see him on TV in a few days.
"A star!" Dazai Osamu's eyes sparkled. "That sounds truly incredible! I never imagined he would choose such a profession." Exposed under the spotlight, every single movement would be analyzed to the extreme by others.
"Mm." Oda Sakunosuke replied perfunctorily. He wasn't in a talkative mood today; for some reason, he felt restless, as if he had a premonition that something was about to happen, the stubble on his chin made him look even more haggard.
You look like you're feeling quite lonely, Oda Sakunosuke," Dazai Osamu said with ill intent. "How about I come over and sleep with you tonight?
"Forget it!" Oda Sakunosuke flatly refused Dazai Osamu's "thoughtful" offer. What kind of joke was that? Everyone in the organization knew that Dazai Osamu had a student under his control, Akutagawa Ryunosuke. Whenever Dazai Osamu occasionally mentioned him in Akutagawa Ryunosuke's ear, Akutagawa Ryunosuke would look at him with such hostility that he'd look like he wanted to pounce and beat him up. If Dazai Osamu went back with him tonight, Akutagawa Ryunosuke would be at his door beating him up by tomorrow.
"That's a real shame, then." Facing Oda Sakunosuke's refusal, Dazai Osamu shrugged without surprise. Although he did indeed very much want to go with Oda Sakunosuke, he also knew that his presence as an executive would bring him a great deal of trouble.
After seeing off Dazai Osamu and Sakaguchi Ango, Oda Sakunosuke also stood up to prepare to head home, but his steps suddenly faltered when his peripheral vision caught sight of the cat beside him.
Oda Sakunosuke stared thoughtfully at the cat lounging on the barstool.
"Meow!" The cat, with large patches of black fur amidst its tan coat, bristled its fur and let out a fierce meow at Oda Sakunosuke. Hey, kid, why is your gaze so strange? Are you thinking about something bad?!
Nekomata was a stray cat. It had started appearing at the bar one day, because it looked very clean and behaved itself without disturbing the customers, the bar owner never drove it away.
Do you want to come home with me, Nekomata?" Oda Sakunosuke crouched down, meeting the cat's large eyes. "I can let you sleep under the same covers as me!
"Meow!" You brat, you really have ulterior motives! The cat grew even angrier, stood up, vanished with a few quick leaps.
I knew it wouldn't work!" Oda Sakunosuke stood up dejectedly, his despondent expression making him look even more like a decadent middle-aged man. "I just wanted to raise a cat of my own.
He walked home, muttering to himself.
Just before reaching the door, Oda Sakunosuke stopped in his tracks, staring at the dark shadow before him. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was actually a man wearing armor.
?? Armor? What era is this, why is someone still wearing this? Could it be cosplay?
Oda Sakunosuke took two tentative steps forward, his ability, Seamless, triggered automatically.
At the same time, Oda Sakunosuke, having foreseen several forms of death, fell silent at this familiar sense of déjà vu.
Glancing at the person collapsed on the ground, their long, thick black hair was somewhat disheveled, they appeared to be quite large in stature, creating a significant presence in front of the door. On their collar, a round fan emblem was embroidered, which Oda Sakunosuke had heard Izuna mention was the crest of the Uchiha Clan. Oda Sakunosuke thought for a moment and felt that this person might have some connection to Uchiha Izuna; perhaps it was he who had left Izuna here, otherwise, why would he happen to be collapsed right at his doorstep?
Oda Sakunosuke pondered for a moment before saying, "May I ask, do you need me to contact Uchiha Izuna for you?"
As soon as these words fell, an overwhelming pressure descended, nearly making Oda Sakunosuke unable to breathe. Waves of emotion surged in Oda Sakunosuke's heart; this man's aura was the strongest he had ever encountered.