Anime rating game

This person is as magnanimous as ever, even though he didn't bring it up himself.

Hachiman paused for a moment, then smiled and said:

"I also need to talk to you about light novels."

"No problem, which one?"

Both of them.

"How about this Saturday afternoon, let's find a place to eat and chat? Tokyo or Chiba?"

"You decide. I'm not very familiar with Tokyo. Most of the places I've been to in Chiba are just street stalls."

"In that case, let's go to Ginza. There's a newly opened star-rated hotel there. I heard the food is excellent and the ambiance is nice. I'm on vacation this weekend, and I was just thinking of taking Mashiro to try it out."

"No problem, let's discuss the details on Saturday..."

After ending the call, Hachiman Hikigaya turned around and said:

"The restaurants in Ginza, I don't know what star rating they are, but they are definitely places we wouldn't dare to go to."

"It's so good to be rich."

"Yes, but both novels are selling very well. In a few years, we can go to those places more often."

"Did my brother write light novels just for the money?"

"That's how it was at first, but now I've gradually come to like this feeling."

"Go for it, brother! Our family's upward mobility depends on you."

Chapter 121 The Newcomers of the Screenwriting Department

"Master, I've written another episode's script. Could you please take a look?"

"It's too long. Let's polish and shorten it. Each short story should be under 7 minutes. As a creator, we should spend more time revising than writing."

"understand!"

That morning, as Masamune passed by the office where the scriptwriting department was located, he noticed a girl he didn't recognize asking Maijo, the scriptwriter, for advice on scriptwriting.

Her long, dark blue hair was tied into a single ponytail on one side. Compared to her outstanding appearance, it was the seriousness in her brows that left a deep impression.

"Screenwriter Mai-no-Mori, is this your newly accepted disciple?"

“I don’t remember ever taking on any disciples.” Mai Jun smiled and introduced, “This is Midori Imai, a new intern in our company’s screenwriting department. Although she is still in college, screenwriting doesn’t require sitting in an office all the time.”

Imai Midori?

Masamune seemed to be deep in thought. So this was the last member of the five-person group from Ueyama High School. No wonder his words and actions were somewhat similar to those of Miyamori Aoi and the other three.

"Are you writing a script for Tom and Jerry?"

"Yes, this animation is perfect for training newcomers. Imai has a talent for writing. With some further polishing, he might become an episode writer."

Noticing Midori's curious gaze, screenwriter Mai-Gi-Oh! realized that Midori might not know Masamune, and added:

"This is Masamune Hayase, the president of Musashino Animation. He is also a very talented scriptwriter. The scripts for several of the most popular anime were written by the president himself."

"Good morning, President!" Midori Imai suddenly bowed, then introduced herself, "My name is Midori Imai, I'm 20 years old, and I joined the scriptwriting team at Musashino Animation two days ago..."

"I see. Mai-jun is quite skilled at scriptwriting. I often consult him. Let's work hard together from now on."

"Hmm... So the president and I are from the same school."

"That's how it is, but I'm your senior."

"Hello, senior!"

? ?

Mai-jung, the screenwriter, was slightly taken aback, but quickly realized what she meant and couldn't help but say:

"I don't recall ever taking on a disciple. Or perhaps, given my skill level, I'm not qualified to take on a disciple?"

“Maki is too modest. In fact, I have been your disciple for a long time,” Masamune said with a smile. “If you don’t mind, I will pay a visit this afternoon to make up for the lack of formal apprenticeship.”

"Please spare me, President. With my skill level, it would be too much of a mistake for me to take on disciples. However, I have no problem giving you some guidance on the basics of scriptwriting."

"Then I'll trouble you as always, Ms. Mai-chan."

Maitake was speechless. Why did they all like to talk to themselves so much? Perhaps, this was a talent in itself.

"President, you've come at the right time. There are actually a few things I'd like to discuss with you about 'Four Lies'."

“No problem.” Masamune pondered, “However, the animation has already been handed over to the TV station. Considering the production and broadcast time, there is probably only room for revision in the last few episodes.”

Maitake nodded slightly, then said:

“I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot these days… The anime ended with Kaori Miyazono’s death.”

"The story echoes itself, and the lie that began in April left an indelible wound in Kousei Arima's heart."

"The overall tone of the animation, or rather the ending, was predetermined from the very beginning, and this aspect is indeed unchangeable."

"But putting reality aside, can we add some warmth to such a cruel and cold story?"

"How exactly?" Masamune asked instinctively.

"For example, isn't the president going to the hospital tomorrow to hold a graduation ceremony for Kaori Miyazono? If a scene like that appeared in the anime, I think it would somewhat dilute the somber atmosphere."

"Hmm... Of course, you could do that in real life, but it feels a bit out of place in an animation, doesn't it?"

"I'm just giving an example; I'm not trying to copy reality."

Masamune pondered for a moment, then shifted his gaze to the curious Imai Midori.

Have you seen "Your Lie in April"?

"I've seen it, but it hasn't finished airing on TV yet, so I don't know how it ends."

"In that case, take a look at the script first, and then we can discuss your opinions."

“I have the script for Four Lies here.” Maizou took the opportunity to hand over the script she had taken out of the drawer.

"Thank you. I'll be at your service then."

Imai Midori bowed slightly again, then sat down and began to read the book carefully.

About twenty minutes later, he finally stood up, looking dazed, and said:

"So this is how 'A Lie in April' ends, senpai? Is this the ending you came up with?"

"Yes."

"Senior, you're so mean! Why didn't you end it with a happy ending?"

"With current medical technology, Kaori Miyazono's illness is a terminal illness that is difficult to cure. The success rate of surgery is very low, and even if it is successful, it is impossible to fully recover her health."

"President, Kaori Miyazono does exist?"

"Haven't you been keeping up with the news online lately? The real-life versions of Kousei Arima and Kaori Miyazono are quite famous, aren't they?"

“I have seen those comments, but I have never really believed them. After all, the idea of ​​a 14-year-old junior high school student dating seems a bit unreal.”

“Indeed.” Masamune couldn’t help but smile. “But considering the situation here, it’s not too strange. And most people wouldn’t find it strange either.”

The reason it feels unreal is probably because she herself has a rather conservative personality.

Thinking of this, Masamune changed the subject and said:

"Getting back to our previous topic, Ms. Mai-ko's suggestion is to add some heartwarming scenes to the anime to soften the cruelty of the ending. What do you think?"

Imai Midori thought about it seriously, quickly flipped to the penultimate episode of the script, pointed to a line and said:

"Here, Kousei Arima has lost Kaori Miyazono forever. He plays the piano alone, his mind constantly replaying Kaori Miyazono's image."

"If I were to write the script, I would have Kaori Miyazono's music played in sync here."

"It doesn't make any sense logically, does it?" Masamune said to himself. "How can they perform if the people are all gone?"

“We can try to find a solution. For example, when we hear Kaori Miyazono playing, Kousei Arima runs out of the music room like a madman. But the next moment, the school's loudspeaker announces: In memory of our outstanding third-year student Kaori Miyazono, we are broadcasting her violin performance.”

"What's the point of this? It not only ruins the tone of the story itself, but also makes a fool of Arima Kousei and all the viewers."

"But the cold tone has been diluted, hasn't it?"

"Please do not create for the sake of creation."

Seeing this, Maitake couldn't help but interject:

"Sorry, just pretend I didn't say anything. Perhaps I'm just getting old and don't like overly sad stories."

"No, I think Ms. Mai's suggestion is very good."

Masamune shook his head slightly and said with a smile:

"How about this, if Kaori Miyazono survives the evaluation at the end of March, we'll invite Kaori Miyazono and Kousei Arima to do a reality interview program."

"Please have the two of you discuss your views on animation, your future plans, and so on."

"Knowing that Kaori Miyazono survived because of the anime will dispel the sadness in the hearts of the audience, without having any impact on the anime itself."

"Of course, if the assessment results are useless for treating the illness, the surgery fails, and Kaori Miyazono passes away like in the anime, then nothing will be done. At most, we can only place a bouquet of flowers in front of her tombstone."

“That would certainly work.” Mai nods slightly, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Would the real-life Kaori Miyazono be able to survive?" Midori Imai asked hesitantly.

"It's hard to say, it depends on luck."

"So, the reason you created 'Four Lies' was to save her?"

"Not at all."

"Senior, Kaori Miyazono will definitely live. As long as we all pray like this, she will definitely live."

No wonder she's a friend of Aoi Miyamori; they're exactly the same in this respect.

"That's true," Masamune replied with a smile.

Chapter 122 Kaori Miyazono's Graduation Ceremony

Early March, afternoon, in a hospital ward.