Due to the rain, there's even water leaking inside.
Including the marks, the acting is prearranged.
The places with puddles are carefully avoided.
I've already confirmed that during rehearsal too.
My entrance, the surrounding set, camera placement, lighting,
and how I'll appear in the cutaways and cutbacks.
I have to drill the scene into my head once more.
We'll resume the shoot now!
The camera's ready to roll.
Lighting is ready.
Mic is ready.
Scene 6, shot 51.
Ready, action!
The sound of the clapperboard rings and the camera begins to roll.
The air in the room becomes thick with tension.
As if a whole year had been condensed,
a heavy yet strong moment begins to pass.
A very long moment, like my life was being put to the test.
My name is Kana Arima.
I was called a genius when I was little, and everyone pampered me.
You were on TV again!
Kana, that's amazing!
Thanks.
KANA ARIMA'S GOLDEN AGE
But…
Was it my talent or was it the public's whim?
Or was more effort needed from me?
People will get tired of anything if enough time passes.
Today, I am called "the expired child star" online.
FORMER GENIUS CHILD STAR
It seems I was past my prime after some point in elementary school,
but I arduously clung on to this industry,
and finally grabbed this long-awaited main role.
I want to make this a good piece no matter what.
I'll grasp at straws if it's for that purpose.
STRAW?
I know.
I know this is a shitty piece of work.
Acting without basic acting skills.
Already four episodes are released, and most of the audience is disappointed.
It's been branded with the mark of failure.
But it's not too late.
This part is one of the original story's best scenes.
The showdown between the hero and stalker.
The girl who has never been loved is protected for the first time
and sheds tears.
I always cry when I read this part in the manga.
It's my favorite scene that I always read over and over.
If I can just synchronize with Melt to back him up and give the best performance,
I'm sure we can still…
Leave me alone!
Stop following me!
That sounds like something you'd do.
Synchronize with him…
But--
I'm not leaving you alone!
This is impossible! You can't back this guy up!
How can the director and crew think this acting is okay?!
Isn't this supposed to be a more tense, scary, and dreadful scene?!
Does acting really not matter?
This scene is more…
The mic's picking up his footsteps from the puddles.
Should we stop it?
No.
Let's use it. It sets the mood.
This girl isn't the person you think she is.
A flirty dude like you won't ever match…
Huh… I didn't think he was that good earlier.
But his acting now seems better than in the rehearsal.
I don't have talent like Ai.
I don't have a captivating aura. Nor is my acting really good.
That's why, I'll use everything I can.
Props, camera, lighting, actors…
I'll use all that I can to become like Ai.
You know, your face is really ugly up close.
Is that why you edit your photos?
Huh?
What did you just say?!
Didn't you hear me?
I said that woman is not even worth protecting!
That brat, he's improvising his lines and ignoring the marks…
Don't stop him.
Follow him with Camera 2. Make the light stronger too.
She's an important friend of mine!
Oh…
It's good.
It looks just like the original story!
This is one of the best scenes in the manga.
Stage direction, composition, pacing…
everything has a meaning.
I was always good at the book reports where you had to think like the author.
As long as you understand the story, you can easily get a passing grade.
Here, I set it up for you.
You wanted to do it, right?
Go all out, Kana Arima.
It's useless, no matter what you do!
The highlight of this scene is when the heroine sheds tears.
Just to make that moment of light shine,
I'm going to act out the darkness.
Just give up and let this happen!
Be scary. Be creepy.
Nobody needs you.
You gotta live life knowing your place!
Quit dreaming!
There's nothing good waiting ahead! Your life's in complete darkness!
And to finish it off…
If Kana Arima can cry well…
Still…
Still, there is light.
Oh yeah, that's her specialty.
My bad.
My fist hit you, right? I tensed up.
No need to apologize.
-I moved to get hit on purpose. -What?
Nothing beats acting with emotions.
That was good acting.
Thanks to that, I'm sure Arima got to go all out.
Jeez, that young kid just messed everything up.
Now, we'll have to adjust all our staging plans.
Well, it'll be all right.
On a set with lots of child actors,
you usually rewrite the script while filming anyway.
We're working with young actors, so this should be expected.
Looks like it'll become a good scene. I'm sure Kana will be happy.
Kana, can you go for the final scene now?
Kana?
Uh, yes!
Scene 7, shot 310.
Ready, action!
FACE OF A GIRL WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER
Good morning!
Uh, if you're gonna sleep, please go to your bed.
You'll hurt your back.
I'll fall into a deep sleep in my bed,
but I can wake up in about four hours if I sleep on the floor.
What an unhealthy life hack…
Do you have work for us?
For now, I put directions for the background
of page 2's cover page and page 3's panel 1 and 2.
Thank you.
I'll be watching the Mild Today drama, so let me know when you're almost done.
Oh, you still watch it on the day a new episode is released?
You two aren't watching it?
Just a little when it began.
I saw up to the second episode.
You've both given up, huh?
You don't have to force yourself to watch it.
You worked so hard to create this piece,
but they made such a mockery of it with that drama.
It makes me too angry to watch it.
I already knew from the beginning.
That this is an adaptation of a completed manga with no future growth in sight.
I should be thankful for it to have any kind of activity.
I'm in no position to complain.
Any manga artist who's had experience with adaptations say,
"Don't get your hopes up too high."
Every manga artist fantasizes how nice this and that would be,
but when it's over, they all have a sad expression.
Adaptations are like that, but…
Still, there is light.
Sensei?
I was able to feel thankful to have gotten the drama adaptation.
Everybody, watch at least the last episode!
This is really Mild Today!
ISN'T THE LAST EPISODE GOOD?
The majority of the audience had already given up
and only core manga fans or fans of the cast continued to watch the content.
The last episode of Mild Today never went viral or became a hot topic.
But it quietly received praise from a small community on the internet.
THE LAST EPISODE IS A MASTERPIECE!
"MILD FLAVOR TODAY" WRAP PARTY
Oh, that actor was in this series too?
When I see everyone like this,
it makes me realize just how many people were involved.
That's right. There are many people's jobs that are dependent on our acting.
We must achieve good results, so causing a scandal is out of the question.
By the way, you got a girlfriend or anything?
I don't, so scandals don't concern me.
I see.
Hmm.
Good work on the filming.
Sensei.
I believe this title was upheld by your acting skills, Ms. Arima.
Thank you so much.
Especially the last episode.
I wish it became like that earlier, but…
Hey, Aqua.
The last episode had good reviews.
Thank you.
The title was tough profit-wise,
but the goal was to give young talent like you opportunity.
So I guess we were able to accomplish that.
After I sent this producer's cigarette butt to DNA testing,
I found out we were complete strangers, so in a way, that was a relief.
However…
You're with Ichigo Production?
In some way,
you have a similar face to Ai.
Really?
Yeah.
I used to see her face up close, so there's no mistake there.
"Up close"?
What kind of relation did you have with Ai?
I worked with her when I referred her to a fashion magazine model job.
After that, not only did I send her jobs, I took care of her in various aspects.
Like introducing a good client.
Or when she met with a boy in secret from her agency,
I'd tell her a good restaurant.
Do you know who she was seeing?
Hmm?
Are you perhaps Ai's fan?
You interested in gossip of late celebrities?
I am.
Then let's see.
I don't mind telling you, but let's make it a deal.
Your face is similar to Ai's, it's pretty.
Do you have any interest in reality dating shows?
Hey.
How much longer, Ruby?
Jeez, just wait a second, Bro!
This uniform is cute but difficult to put on.
But it sure is cute!
Don't make us late on the first day.
Isn't your skirt too short?
Bro, you've always sounded like an old geezer.
Oh yeah!
Mama, we'll be off now.
CONGRATULATIONS ENTRANCE CEREMONY
Uh, the next three years, you must all…
Was entertainment course Class F?
Yup. Let's go to class halfway together!
Congratulations on being admitted, Aqua.
And Ruby.
This Youtou High School's class days are flexible compared to other schools,
but if you get bad grades or have bad attendance, you'll be held back.
There's not much difference in curriculum either.
But! That boy is an actor.
Those two belong to a major agency's idol group.
That girl with the huge boobs is a gravure model.
A voice actor and a streamer… A fashion model and a singer.
The ones on the bench are a Kabuki actor and an actress.
Everyone's a celebrity.
This is also the high school where the most entertainers gather in Japan.
I welcome you, underclassmen.
Welcome to the world of show business!
I'm getting nervous!
There's no need to be nervous!
This isn't a training school or a film set, it's just a normal school.
So you just have to act normal.
Wow…
Beauties to my right!
Pretty boys on my left!
This is clearly different from my local middle school!
Although, since I've inherited Mama's genes, I shouldn't be losing face-wise.
I will not be overwhelmed!
Look at this girl!
STARE
Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to stare.
I thought, "There's a major beauty here."
This entertainment course sure has amazing people.
Well, so are you.
Are you a model?
I am somewhat.
I'm Minami Kotobuki. Nice to meet you.
Minami Kotobuki…
Oh! You're a gravure idol!
Isn't it inhumane to google someone right in front of them?
Wow, a G cup! How sexy!
Stop!
I never heard real Kansai dialect before! Are you from Osaka?
No, I was born and raised in Kanagawa.
My dialect is just like… my style?
It's a fake Kansai dialect?!
And just like that, I became friends with Minami.
What the hell was that?
Hello.
Well, I'm glad you made a friend.
Did you make any friends, Bro?
Well, I didn't exactly enter this school to make friends.
Oh, this is when they couldn't make friends.
Sorry I asked something cruel.
You don't have to tell me about class anymore.
I have people to chat with at least!
Guys don't establish friendships immediately.
My course is available from middle school unlike yours.
Most friendships are already established, so it takes time to make new ones.
It's not like I'm a loner on my first day. Understand?
Aqua's talking a lot more than usual…
Minami, could you be friends with Aqua too?
Sure thing.
Don't pass around your friends.
Forget me, just worry about yourself.
Your class is special, so it must be different.
That's true.
When I think about how everyone around me is a pro too, it makes me nervous.
There's no need to be nervous!
This isn't a training school or a film set, it's just a normal school.
So you just have to act normal.
Ruby…
I heard this same exact line somewhere.
Well, from the looks of the entrance ceremony,
there were many good-looking students, but I barely saw any in the media.
So you don't need to get nervous.
No…
There was an incredible person.
Now, learning materials and the sort will be sold after this…
I apologize.
I had a promo today on a live show this morning.
I wanted to at least attend the entrance ceremony, but…
Frill Shiranui…
That's Frill Shiranui…
Frill Shiranui was here!
She's a hit on that Monday night drama!
A multitalented entertainer who can sing, dance and act!
When you say "beauty,"
Frill Shiranui is the first person who comes to anyone's mind!
Of course I know of her, but I never knew you were obsessed with her.
She's my most fave now.
Hmm.
"Hmm"? It's the Frill Shiranui!
Not interested.
My most fave has always been and will always be Ai.
Well, same for me, but…
That's different from this!
Oh! Look, there's the real thing!
Ah, she's so cute even from a distance!
Seriously, you're just a fan.
You're her classmate, right?
But…
Huh?
Hello, Ms. Shiranui.
My sister's in the same class as you.
Please treat her well.
Hey, Bro!
I know you.
Weren't you in Mild Today?
I'm surprised you knew.
It didn't even become that big of a news.
It was talked about on set the other day, so I watched it.
It was good.
Thanks.
I've seen you on the cover of Mid Jump magazine before.
Was it Ms. Minami?
Yes!
Wow…
They're both being acknowledged by Frill Shiranui!
And you are…
Um…
I'm sorry, but what do you do?
I'm, um…
doing nothing at the moment…
I see.
Um…
Do your best?
Miyaemon! Make me into an idol already!
Don't rush me.
We can't set up an audition right away because we want to make an idol group.
But at this rate…
That girl doesn't really have any work.
What? She's just a commoner.
There's a commoner mixed in here.
What a troublesome celebrity fan.
I'll get bullied at this rate!
To make a proper group, we need to hire a talent scout and undergo proper steps.
Besides, you can't find cute girls that easily.
Most of the ambitious girls are taken by the major agency auditions too.
There's this cute girl with giant boobs called Minami Kotobuki in my class.
She's in another agency. No!
Maybe if she was a freelancer.
But I don't want any trouble between agencies.
If you want a freelancer, you know one.
A freelancer who barely has any work despite being well-known
and has a cute face.
Subtitle translation by: Kanami Kitabayashi