First-person: Hoshino Yume
"Ah, that idol... well, her face is definitely outstanding. If she's lucky, she might survive."
"Her face is outstanding, but she needs luck?"
I understood what Director Gotanda Taishi was saying.
In the world of acting, no matter how pretty or handsome your face is, you can't become a top-tier actor on looks alone.
Rather, many people with unique or unconventional looks become top actors through hard-earned skills. But I know that in this world, if you rely solely on your face to break into acting, no matter how hard you work, you'll reach the level of a second-rate actor at best.
I figured this opinion would hold true in any world, so I quietly agreed with Director Gotanda's assessment.
"Listen well. Actors are divided into three types."
"First, there are the star actors. They're expected to draw in audiences and serve as advertising pillars, so their income is excellent."
"Next, there are the skilled actors. They ensure the quality of the work and maintain the brand's label."
"And finally, the rookie actors. No staff expects actual acting skills from them; they're just there to provide freshness on screen. Honestly, there's also the purpose of giving experience to those who might become the next stars. In a way, it's an investment by the entire industry."
Seeing Aqua make a confused face at Director Gotanda's words, I decided to explain further.
"Aqua, think of it this way: all those rookie actors are in a stage where they're receiving investment. If any of them fail to gain either public popularity or favor on set, their spots will be instantly taken by the next batch."
It would be simpler to call it a food chain—eating or being eaten. But I didn't voice that last thought. It was my small consideration for him; there was no need to reveal such a dark reality just yet.
"Huh? You seem to know a lot about this industry. Do you have experience?"
"No, it's just that working in security, you naturally pick things up."
I've done security work on sets a lot in my past life, too. But I can't say that to someone who might think I'm crazy.
"Well, that's how it is, kid. In this world, if even one out of a batch of rookies survives, that alone is a huge success."
"Only the top-tier in any field survive."
"Hmm~~~ Then it should be fine. Ai is a top idol, right, Yume?"
Looking at Aqua gazing up at me confidently, I chuckled and patted his head.
"Yeah, Ai is definitely top-tier."
Whether that's as an idol or as an actor, I don't know, but in my opinion, Ai won't become truly top-tier in anything. At least not as she is now.
But, if by some chance she gains more confidence in her own emotions and breaks free from the 'lies' of her current self, then no one will be able to stand in her way. She could rise to the pinnacle as a super top-tier star.
So, I wish she'd find happiness soon. But I don't see anyone around her right now who could make that happen.
By the way, I've assigned employees from my department at the security company to watch Kamiki Hikaru. To prevent any tricks or double-crossing, different members monitor him daily and report directly to me. Since there haven't been any suspicious meetings or incidents yet, I've continued the surveillance orders with some peace of mind.
I left Aqua by the director's side and went to find the makeup artist. After finishing her makeup, Ai looked at me and winked.
"Well, I'm off!★"
"Yeah."
Aqua would probably watch Ai act from beside Director Gotanda. And Director Gotanda would soon come to understand why Aqua spoke so highly of her—and why I internally thought Ai was still in an ambiguous state, not quite a master of anything yet.
"Shot 74 is ready~! Okay, slating shot 74! One, two, three!!"
Clap!!
Ai's acting began. Naturally, everyone's eyes were captivated by her.
The distance between me, Director Gotanda, and Aqua was quite far, but with my enhanced senses, if I focused just a bit, I could hear them clearly.
"Hmm, honestly, her acting is just so-so. But for some reason, she subtly grabs your attention."
Of course. Others say Ai's talent is for being an idol, but I declare that Hoshino Ai's talent is not specifically for that.
Hoshino Ai's true talent is the ability to perfectly control the charisma that emanates from her.
That's why, whether she's an idol or an actor or doing anything else, she uses that charisma to captivate attention. People naturally call her top-tier because of it. But if she can break free from those lies holding her back, I declare that Ai can be truly top-tier—as an idol, an actor, or whatever she chooses.
"Right? She said this earlier: 'On stage, you have to look cute from every angle to everyone, but here, it's enough to look cute to the camera. If it's okay to use MV-like techniques, isn't that a field I'm confident in?'"
"MV sense, huh? Is that the era we're in now?"
"It's really well made, so you have to watch it!?"
Aqua, when you get flustered, you naturally drop formalities just like Ruby does. I wish you'd understand my heart and become a kid who shows consideration towards his elders.
By the way, what Aqua quoted to Director Gotanda was something Ai had said to me first. Ai probably thought only I was listening, but since I didn't warn her that Aqua was nearby, he must have heard it too.
Just as we were about to leave after the shoot ended safely...
"Hey, you there, the manager. Can I talk to you for a bit?"
"Are you referring to me?"
"Yeah."
"Understood. Miyako, please take care of Ai, Aqua, and Ruby."
"Ah, okay."
Miyako took the three of them ahead to the car, and I stayed to talk with Director Gotanda.
"By the way, don't you think it's a waste to keep a face like yours just as a manager?"
"Well, I haven't really thought about it."
"I see. Then I have nothing more to say. Go on ahead."
"Understood. Thank you for your hard work today."
"Yeah. Well, I have a feeling either you or that kid will contact me soon."
"Is that so?"
He probably set a trap to draw Aqua into this drama. No matter how much Ai's shooting captivated everyone, her scene was only one shot, after all.
Clearly, he hasn't been surviving in this industry for years for nothing. There's quite a cunning side to this business.
After finishing the conversation with Director Gotanda, I drove us back. Of course, Ai was in the passenger seat. On the way home, I thought dozens—if not hundreds—of times that I should just knock her out to make her stop talking non-stop.
One day, a month after the shoot ended, Ai, Aqua, Ruby, and I were sitting in front of the TV.
The reason we were all gathered was solely to see Ai in this drama. Unfortunately, I didn't particularly want to watch it.
Well, that's because...
"Ah! It's on air!"
"Hmm~ we shot quite a lot."
"I'm looking forward to Mama's acting!!"
"Oh, this is the scene!"
"Ah, Mama!"
"Ugh, zoom in closer!!"
"Huh!? Is this all!?"
"She only appeared for a brief moment!!!!"
Listening to Ai, Aqua, and Ruby's rapid-fire reactions, I understood why I hadn't bothered to get my hopes up.
Director Gotanda clearly thought of this edit as a setup to draw either me or Aqua in. And of course, Aqua immediately grabbed my smartphone, pulling out the business card from before to call someone.
Naturally, knowing who it was, I didn't stop him.
Third-person: Hoshino Aquamarine
Aqua hurriedly used Yume's smartphone to make the call. The person on the other end was, of course...
"Oh... the precocious baby."
Gotanda Taishi, the director in charge of Ai's drama shoot.
"Hey, Director!! You didn't use Ai at all!"
"Ah~ that shot definitely came out well, but it's a shame, I tell you."
"Then why!?"
Aqua was about to ask why most of Ai's scenes were cut if they came out well, but the director's words were the cold wall of reality.
"The lead actress is someone the production company is pushing as a 'too cute and skilled actress.' But if there's a face even better than hers in the same frame, what do you think happens? Strategically, it creates a problem, doesn't it?"
The inner thoughts of Hoshino Yume, watching Aqua on the call, and the thoughts of Director Gotanda Taishi matched perfectly.
Ai stood out too much in that frame.
"So, due to pressure from above, we cut it down as much as possible in the editing stage."
"What... what does that mean?"
"Screen time is decided by the power balance between companies. Think of it as an accident and accept it, kid."
"I don't get it."
Aqua, who didn't understand—or didn't want to understand—couldn't accept it. But the unavoidable wall of reality stood firm.
"Even if you don't get it, what can you do? It's good to dream of the entertainment world, but don't do the stupid act of dreaming in the entertainment world. This isn't a place for art; it's just a place for business."
"But, well, I understand your point and feel sorry about it. So, although it's not exactly a substitute..."
"I want to give work to Hoshino Ai, whom you spoke so highly of. Of course, it's related to a movie, so you won't have complaints, right?"
As Hoshino Yume had predicted, Director Gotanda was already prepared. Aqua had swum right into the director's net.
"Huh? Really?"
"Yeah, of course. But..."
Director Gotanda Taishi wore a sinister smile that anyone could practically hear through the phone.
"The condition is that you... and Hoshino Ai's manager... both of you appear in it."
"Wh..."
Aqua had been caught hook, line, and sinker by the fisherman named Gotanda Taishi.