Chapter 26: Method Acting
(A/N: Valentine here! Sorry for the late chapter update but I'm currently on vacation and will be until mid July. I will try to upload chapters when I can so please bear with me! Anyways, enjoy this chapter!)
[Akira's POV]
As I stepped onto the set, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The controlled chaos was invigorating, the buzz of activity a siren song to my performer's heart. I adjusted my disguise - a cap pulled low over my eyes, sunglasses perched on my nose - and let Miyako take the lead.
"Everyone, this is my brother, Hiro," she announced, her hand resting on my shoulder. "He's interested in learning about the movie-making process, so I thought I'd bring him along today."
I flashed a grin, the kind that comes naturally when you're used to winning over crowds. "Thanks for having me," I said. "I'm excited to see the magic happen."
As Miyako guided me through the labyrinth of sets and equipment, I slipped into the role of the curious observer, asking questions and nodding along to explanations. But beneath the surface, I was drinking in every detail, filing away each scrap of information for later analysis.
We approached a tall, lanky man with a headset and a harried expression. Miyako tapped him on the shoulder, and he spun around, his face breaking into a grin when he saw her.
"Miyako!" he exclaimed. "And who's this?"
"Taishi, meet my brother, Hiro," Miyako said, gesturing to me. "Hiro, this is Taishi, our brilliant director."
I stepped forward, offering my hand. "It's an honor to meet you, sir," I said. "I've heard great things about your work."
Taishi shook my hand, his grip firm and his gaze sharp. "The honor is mine," he said, his voice warm. "It's always a pleasure to meet someone who appreciates the craft."
We fell into easy conversation, discussing his vision for the film and the challenges of bringing it to life. I found myself genuinely engrossed, drawn in by his passion and his keen insights.
As we talked, I felt the weight of curious gazes on my back. I glanced over my shoulder to see a group of actresses huddled together, whispering and stealing glances in my direction.
One of them, a statuesque blonde with pouty lips, sauntered over, her hips swaying. "I'm sorry," she purred, her eyes raking over me appreciatively. "But have we met before? You look so familiar."
I chuckled. "I don't think so, unless you've visited Sapporo."
She giggled, batting her eyelashes. "I haven't before but I might have to check it out. Are you a model, by any chance? Or an actor?"
Before I could respond, Miyako stepped in, her hand on my arm. "He's neither," she said, her voice polite but firm. "Just a curious brother here to learn about the movie business."
The actress pouted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Aww, didn't know you were so protective of your little brother, Miyako."
Miyako just smiled, a touch of steel in her gaze. "What can I say? Family comes first."
As the actress sashayed away, I caught a glimpse of Ai out of the corner of my eye. She was watching the exchange, her jaw tight and her eyes narrowed. I could practically feel the waves of jealousy radiating off her, and it took every ounce of my self-control not to go to her, to reassure her that she had nothing to worry about.
But I couldn't break character. Not here, not now. So I turned back to Taishi, forcing myself to focus on the conversation at hand.
"So, what scene are we shooting today?"
Taishi's eyes lit up. "Ah, you're in for a treat," he said, rubbing his hands together. "We're filming the village entrance scene, with Aqua and Kana. It's a pivotal moment in the story - the first time our protagonist encounters the 'creepy children' who will change his life forever."
This was what I had come for - the chance to see Aqua in his element, to witness the magic of his performance firsthand.
As if on cue, Aqua and his co-star, a cherub-faced girl with fiery red hair, emerged from the dressing rooms. They were in full costume, their faces pale and their eyes ringed with dark shadows.
I watched, transfixed, as they took their places at the village entrance, their postures stiff and their expressions eerily blank. The assistant director called for quiet on set, and a hush fell over the crowd.
"Roll sound! Camera!" Taishi called out, his voice ringing with authority. "And... action!"
I leaned forward, my heart in my throat, ready to be amazed.
Aqua stepped forward, his head tilted at an unnatural angle. "Welcome to our village," he intoned, his voice a hollow echo. "We've been waiting for you."
Kana giggled, the sound high-pitched and grating. "Oh yes, we've been waiting a very long time." She skipped towards the protagonist, her movements erratic and unsettling.
I watched, transfixed, as they circled the hapless traveler, their voices rising and falling in an eerie sing-song. "You'll like it here," Aqua promised, his eyes blank and glassy. "You'll never want to leave."
Beside me, Ruby squirmed in my lap. "He's so good," she whispered, her voice filled with awe. "Like a real actor."
Pride swelled in my chest, warm and bright. This was Aqua's moment to shine, and he was seizing it with both hands.
Kana reached out, her small hand gripping the protagonist's arm with surprising strength. "Come with us," she urged, her voice suddenly deep and guttural. "Come and play."
And then, with a final, chilling line from Aqua, it was over. The assistant director called "Cut!", and the spell was broken.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, my mind reeling with the sheer power of what I had just witnessed. Aqua had been magnificent, his performance nuanced and utterly believable.
As they started preparing for the next scene, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Kana was frowning, her brow furrowed and her lips pursed.
"I want to go again," she demanded, her voice petulant. "I don't think I got it right."
Taishi shook his head, a gentle smile on his face. "You were perfect, Kana," he assured her. "Both of you were. We don't need another take."
But Kana wasn't having it. She stomped her foot, her face turning an alarming shade of red. "No!" she shouted, her voice shrill. "It wasn't good enough! Aqua was better than me, and it's not fair!"
With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off. A hush fell over , everyone stunned by the sudden outburst. I glanced at Aqua, saw the discomfort and embarrassment on his face.
Taishi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Take five, everyone," he called out, his voice calm but firm. "Aqua, let's talk."
As the crew dispersed, murmuring amongst themselves, I watched Taishi lead Aqua up the slope. They spoke in low tones, Taishi's hand resting reassuringly on Aqua's shoulder.
Ruby tugged on my sleeve, her eyes wide. "Is Aqua in trouble?" she asked, her voice hushed.
I shook my head, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "No, munchkin," I said softly. "Taishi's just checking in on him, making sure he's okay. It can be tough, dealing with a co-star's meltdown."
Ruby nodded, her little face serious. "I think Aqua did amazing," she declared. "He's going to be a star, I just know it."
I chuckled, ruffling her hair. "I think you might be right, kiddo. Your brother's got a real gift."
[Aqua's POV]
As Taishi led me away from the set, I could feel the weight of everyone's stares on my back. It was an odd sensation, being the center of attention like this. Usually, I was the one observing, not the one being observed.
Kana's outburst had caught me off guard. I knew she was competitive, but I never expected her to lose her cool like that. Especially not on set, in front of the entire crew.
"Well, that was intense," Taishi said, his tone light as we reached a quiet corner of the studio. "You holding up okay?"
I shrugged, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "I guess. I just don't get why she got so upset. We were both doing our best, right?"
Taishi sighed, crouching down to meet my eyes. "That's the thing about this business, Aqua. Sometimes, people get so caught up in their own performance, their own desire to be the best, that they forget it's not a competition."
I frowned, trying to wrap my head around the concept. "But isn't that the point? To be the best actor you can be?"
Taishi smiled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "In a way, yes. But being the best actor isn't about outshining your co-stars. It's about working together, about bringing out the best in each other."
I chewed on my lip, mulling over his words. "So Kana... she was too focused on being better than me?"
Taishi nodded, his expression serious. "Exactly. And that's a dangerous mindset to have in this industry. It leads to jealousy, to bitterness. It can poison even the most promising career."
I felt a flicker of unease in my chest. I had always prided myself on my ability to read people, to understand what made them tick. But this world of acting, of Hollywood... it was still so foreign to me.
"Is it always like this?" I asked, my voice quiet. "The competition, the drama?"
Taishi's expression softened, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder. "Not always. But it's a part of the business, one that every actor has to learn to navigate."
I sighed, leaning back against the wall. "Maybe I'm not cut out for this, then. I don't think I have the stomach for all the mind games and the posturing."
Taishi raised an eyebrow, surprise evident in his features. "Really? But you have such a natural talent, Aqua. The way you inhabit a character, the depth you bring to your performances... it's remarkable."
I felt a flush of pride at his words, but it was tempered by a nagging sense of uncertainty. "Thanks, but... I don't know if acting is what I want to do forever. It's fun, and I like the challenge of it, but it's not my passion."
Taishi was quiet for a moment, his gaze searching my face. "You know, that's a very mature perspective to have at your age. Most kids your age, if they had your talent? They'd be chomping at the bit to be the next big thing."
I shrugged, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "I guess I've always been a little different. I've been told that I have an old soul."
Taishi chuckled, shaking his head. "That you do, kid. That you do."
We lapsed into silence, the muffled sounds of the set drifting over to us. I could hear the crew resetting, the clatter of equipment and the murmur of voices until a voice I knew all too well cut through.
"Hey, you two. Everything okay over here?"
I turned to see Akira approaching, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. Even in his disguise, there was no mistaking the warmth in his eyes, the genuine interest in his tone.
"We're good," I said, trying to play it cool. "Just having a little heart-to-heart about the joys of the acting world."
Akira raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh? Do tell."
Taishi chuckled, clapping me on the shoulder. "Your boy here was just schooling me on the finer points of navigating big egos and petty rivalries."
I felt a flush creep up my neck, but I couldn't help the swell of pride in my chest. It wasn't every day that a seasoned director praised your insight.
Akira's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "That sounds like Aqua, all right. Kid's got a wisdom beyond his years."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't quite suppress the smile that tugged at my lips. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, old man."
Akira clutched at his chest in mock offense. "Old? You wound me, Aqua. I'll have you know I'm in the prime of my youth."
Taishi snorted, shaking his head. "I'll leave you two to catch up," he said, his tone warm. "I need to go make sure everything's set for the next scene."
When Director Taishi finally left, Akira's brow furrowed. "Is everything okay? I saw what happened with Kana..."
I shrugged, trying to play it off. "It's fine. Just a little creative difference, that's all."
But Akira wasn't buying it. He fixed me with a knowing look, the kind that always made me feel like he could see right through me.
"Aqua," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "You know you can talk to me, right? About anything."
I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat. It was still a novel concept to me, having someone who cared enough to pry, to push past my carefully constructed walls.
"I just..." I started, my voice wavering slightly. "I don't know if I'm cut out for this, you know? The acting thing. It's fun, but it's also... a lot."
Akira was quiet for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. "You know, Aqua," he said finally, "when I first started out in the music industry, I had my doubts too. It's a tough world, full of ups and downs and more rejection than you can shake a stick at."
I nodded, hanging on his every word. Akira rarely spoke about his early days, and I found myself hungry for any scrap of insight into his journey.
"But you know what kept me going?" he continued, his eyes distant with memory. "The love of the craft. The thrill of pouring my heart into a song, of connecting with an audience. That's what made all the hard parts worth it."
"That's how I feel when I'm acting," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Like I'm tapping into something bigger than myself, something... meaningful."
Akira smiled. "Hold onto that feeling, Aqua. Let it be your guiding light. And trust that whatever path you choose, whether it's acting or something else entirely, you've got the talent and the heart to make it happen."
"Thanks, Akira," I said. "That... that means a lot."
He reached out, ruffling my hair in that way he knew I pretended to hate but secretly loved. "Anytime, kid. Now, what do you say we head back? I don't want to miss a single second of Ai's big scene."
I grinned, feeling lighter than I had all day. "Right. We can't miss that."
As we approached, I noticed a group of actresses huddled together, their eyes darting towards Akira with barely concealed interest. It was the same look I'd seen on Ai's face a million times - a mix of admiration, attraction, and maybe even a hint of longing.
But Akira, true to form, seemed completely oblivious. He was too busy taking in the details of the set, his eyes scanning the rustic cabin with an appreciative gleam.
I nudged him with my elbow. "Looks like you've got quite the fan club, uncle."
Akira blinked, turning to me with a look of exaggerated confusion. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Aqua. I'm just here to support my very talented nephew."
I sighed, not buying his act for a second. "Come on, Akira. You're telling me you don't notice the way those actresses are looking at you? They're practically drooling."
Akira glanced towards the group of women, who quickly averted their gazes, pretending to be engrossed in their scripts. "Oh that, can't risk blowing our cover. Ai would kill me if I let anything slip."
I grinned, picturing the look on Ai's face if she found out Akira had been flirting with his co-stars. "She'd probably make you sleep on the couch for a week."
Akira shuddered, a look of genuine fear crossing his features. "Don't even joke about that, Aqua. That couch is a nightmare for my back."
I laughed, the sound echoing across the set. It felt good to joke around like this, to forget about the pressures of the job for a moment and just be a kid goofing off with his... well, with Akira.
"Speaking of Ai," I said, trying to lighten the mood, "we better hurry up and find our seats. I don't want to miss a single second of her big scene."
Akira grinned, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Lead the way, kid. I'm right behind you."
As we settled into our chairs, the buzz of activity on set reaching a fever pitch, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building in my chest.
Watching Ai work was always a thrill, but there was something special about this moment. Having Akira here, sharing in the experience... it felt right, like a missing piece of the puzzle finally falling into place.
The director called for quiet on the set, and a hush fell over the crowd. I leaned forward in my seat, my eyes glued to the cabin door.
And then, like a vision from a dream, Ai emerged.
She was breathtaking. Every movement, every flicker of expression, was a masterclass in acting.
Beside me, I heard Akira's breath catch, a soft "wow" escaping his lips.
I glanced over at him, taking in the look of pure awe on his face. It was a look I knew well, the same one I saw in the mirror every time I watched my mom work.
This was my family. My crazy, talented, love-filled family.
And I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
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