[CH.69] Resolve to Overcome Anxiety About One's Role
**TL Notes: So as not to confuse you all, I made a list of the characters that get mentioned in this chapter that you may have forgotten before. Sumire Matsuda: MC Yoko Ando (Yoko-san): Sumire's manager. |
The shooting has been going on for about three days, but there's a slight delay in the schedule. If it's just a two-day delay that required adjustments in various places, the actors managed to shoot without too many retakes, and by gradually tightening the preparation time between scenes that were set with some flexibility, it's not uncommon for the shooting to end on schedule or even a bit ahead.
So why is there a sign of delay in just three days? It's related to Ishidou-san. When asked by the president of the agency, Mr. Dani, if he could act, he answered without much thought, "Of course!" However, it's nearly impossible for an amateur to suddenly deliver performances that meet the director's demands. Although the staff and cast appreciated the fact that he had memorized his lines from the script when there was little time before the start of shooting, it's quite stressful when the shooting stops every time due to an "NG (No Good)" from someone else, even though it's not his fault.
Since it's still early in the production, I don't have many scenes to shoot with him, but every time the number of retakes exceeds ten, I can't help but sigh. Of course, I may feel a bit irritated, but expressing that would only worsen the atmosphere on set, so I make sure to hide it.
Moreover, it seems that Ishidou-san is aware of his own shortcomings. He consistently bows his head to the staff and other actors, showing effort and sincerity. Specifically, during breaks, he goes to ask questions to deepen his understanding of the role he's playing with the directors. He also seeks advice from older actors on how to improve his acting. In the late Heisei era of my past life, there were many people who valued results over efforts, but in the current world that still carries the atmosphere of the Showa era, there are many who properly appreciate those who are making efforts to improve the current situation.
Especially Nakamura-san seems to have taken a liking to Ishidou-san, and I often see him enthusiastically giving guidance with the script in hand during his own breaks. I want to believe that it's not to escape from Yoko-san's cold gaze, and honestly, I wish they would reconcile soon since I, who often has the opportunity to eat together with them, am the one who suffers the most.
While thinking about such things, Ishidou-san approached me, waving his hand. There's a man in a suit about half a step behind him – could it be that hopeless manager I heard about?
"Sumire, do you have a moment? I thought it's a good opportunity to introduce our new manager."
"Oh, the previous manager was dismissed?"
"Dismissed is an understatement, he was fired. In the end, there was such a mess because we couldn't get in touch with Dani-san, and a tremendous thunderbolt struck. We're reforming to ensure that information reaches everywhere from the desk."
It's frightening how in the era where immediate dismissal was allowed under the top's directive, I couldn't help but smile wryly as I nodded. Then, a man in a suit behind Ishidou-san handed me a business card with both hands.
"I deeply apologize for the great inconvenience caused by our company's shortcomings. I heard that you also advised Ishidou-san beyond that, and I am truly grateful... I'm sorry for the delay. I am the new manager for them, and my name is Sakamoto. Nice to meet you, and thank you in advance."
With a 7:3 parted hairstyle and black-rimmed glasses, and judging from the precise angle of his bow, Sakamoto, the new manager, gives off the impression of being a well-organized person. However, I can't blame anyone for thinking my first impression was somewhat robotic. Glancing at Yoko-san standing behind me, I could tell she probably had the same thought, as she wore a similar expression to mine.
"I'm Sumire Matsuda. I'm sorry, but I've run out of business cards at the moment."
"What are you saying, Sumire? You even have business cards?"
Being prompted by Sakamoto's politeness and following the business etiquette I had picked up a bit in my past life, I responded. Yoko-san chuckled and interjected.
"So even in your company, you're teaching business manners to young child actors. That's impressive."
"Oh no, we occasionally have etiquette training internally, but we only teach the bare minimum of manners to the talent. Sumire, where do you acquire that kind of knowledge?"
Looking at Yoko-san, who seemed somewhat suspicious, I explained that when I was in my hometown, I read business etiquette how-to books in the library. It's not a lie, I did read a lot of such books in the library despite having knowledge from my past life. While targeting the desired knowledge on the internet is convenient, finding interesting things among the diverse books at the library and satisfying my curiosity was quite enjoyable.
"Sumire-chan, it's almost showtime, so please get ready!"
While the four of us were engaged in trivial conversation, a staff member a little distance away called out to us, waving. I had become quite accustomed to the lifted loafers that initially felt awkward, and it felt nice to have a slightly higher perspective than usual.
I was wearing a white blouse, a conventional gray office-like vest, and a slim navy skirt, but no matter how you looked at it, it seemed like cosplay. My hair was casually tied into a bun behind to give a plain appearance. However, the stylist had set it professionally, making it look effortless yet well-groomed.
Finally, I put on a light pink cardigan, and I was ready. As I walked towards the center of the studio, a set resembling an office caught my eye. Unlike the late Heisei era, there were no computers on the desks. Instead, file folders containing documents and manuals were neatly arranged on the shelves. Although having laptops, desktop computers, monitors, keyboards occupying the desk might seem inconvenient, the era of handwritten work now felt cramped and potentially hindering.
Different from rehearsals or dress rehearsals, there was a unique tension associated with the actual performance. I nodded in greeting to the actors who had already taken their positions, picked up a stack of documents. The upcoming scene involved me fielding various questions from colleagues, answering them while moving around briskly. I needed to walk smartly from this document shelf to my seat with ease, so as I awaited the cue, I mentally reminded myself, 'I'm a capable office worker.'
The director announced the number of scenes, and the staff clinked their clappers. It was as if the office had come to life, with phones ringing, voices handling calls, and colleagues consulting with each other, filling the set.
---
"Kashiwagi-san, about this part..."
"We received a call from the other party the other day and discussed it. The price remains the same. Please request the Document Department to create the formal contract based on those figures."
"Kashiwagi, there's a call on line 3. It's Mr. Yoshimura from Otsuka Trading. Can you take it?"
"I apologize, but I have another matter to attend to first. Please convey that I will call back after finishing that. I'll make sure to return the call within 30 minutes at the latest."
"Kashiwagi-san, I need to send an invoice by tomorrow, but the numbers just won't match."
"I'll help you later. For now, take a deep breath and recalculate from the beginning. In situations like this, it's usually a calculation error, so stay calm and recalculate."
Dealing with the rapid succession of requests from colleagues, I finally made my way to the desk assigned to me. I sat down on the creaky office chair, let out a small sigh, and without a moment's rest, picked up the receiver. Pretending to press the outside line button, I instead pressed the internal line button and punched in a random extension number.
Even though I couldn't hear any sound from the receiver, I pretended there was a response from the other side. Imagining the lines of the person on the other end, I paused for a moment and smoothly performed the scripted lines for the telephone conversation to make it seem natural.
"I apologize for interrupting your busy schedule. This is Kashiwagi from Murayama Industries. Thank you for your continued support. Could you please connect me to Mr. Tachibana in the Sales Department?"
---
After a short pause, I resumed the pretend telephone conversation. Connecting the words mostly ad-lib, the clapper finally rang, and the directors checked the footage they had just shot. I waited a little longer, and with the director giving the OK, I breathed a small sigh of relief.
"Amazing, Sumire-chan. Despite your appearance, you can say those lines so naturally."
"I've never had a regular job, but I can totally believe that's what a capable office lady sounds like."
"True. Despite the appearance, thanks to your acting skills, you look like an office lady you'd find in Marunouchi or somewhere."
While I'm not entirely comfortable with the recurring phrase "despite the appearance," I'm genuinely happy to receive compliments on my acting. I thanked them and then returned to Yoko-san's side.
"That's great, Sumire. Observing the desk people at the office really paid off," Yoko-san said, patting my head. I nodded with a smile. Even with the confidence to act like a proper working adult based on my past life's experience, I was concerned that it might come off as unnatural. So, for several days after school, I observed how work was done and how phone calls were handled. It was enjoyable, and I learned new things. Plus, I felt like I became even friendlier with the office workers.
"You're really amazing, Sumire, with the one-take OK. I need to practice and do my best not to cause trouble for everyone," said Ishidou-san, enthusiastically donning his unfamiliar suit. I cheered him on, telling him to do his best. During the filming, I felt a connection to the protagonist or shared similar circumstances, making the shoot smooth. But this time, the protagonist is a pure woman, and there are aspects of her dealing with romantic feelings towards a man, which feels distant from my own experiences. I feel like I might struggle to incorporate my subjective feelings and make the character my own.
The character I play, Saki Kashiwagi, is a 23-year-old woman who is competent at work but has never dated due to her delayed development. She earnestly lived her life until now, and the simple yet challenging role involves developing romantic feelings for a newly hired male colleague of the same age, played by Ishidou-san. On the surface, I'm confident that I can handle it in my current state, but that would quickly be exposed as a facade. As Ms. Azusa always says, I want to show everyone an emotionally charged performance.
While I worked on character development from receiving the script until the start of shooting, it was during the actual filming that I gained a clearer understanding of my character, her situation, and emotions through the set and the performances of other actors.
From there, I let my imagination run wild, determined to make this role truly my own. I tightly clenched my right hand, renewing my determination.
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