Anime rating game

I've been so willful with you, I'm so sorry.

There are so many... I'm sorry.

Thank you--

Kaori Miyazono

P.S.: I've attached my treasure; if you don't want it, please tear it up and throw it away.

On the last page is a two-dimensional version of Kaori Miyazono looking back, with the words "Thank you" on it (the entire picture is hand-drawn by Mashiro).

Staring blankly at Kaori Miyazono in the painting, tears involuntarily streamed down her cheeks.

Arima Kousei put down his script and tried to wipe his tears with his sleeve, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't wipe them away.

"I'm sorry, Kaoru, I wish I could have confessed to you sooner."

"I'm sorry, I... I really want to see you."

After a long while, Arima Kousei finally raised his head, his red eyes fixed on Masamune and the other man.

"When is Kaoru's funeral? This anime was created to commemorate her, right? Is there anything I can do to help?"

? ?

"No, you've misunderstood. Kaori Miyazono is still lying in the hospital, and that last letter wasn't her suicide note."

Sensing that he might have misunderstood something, Masamune quickly explained:

"Although it was indeed a letter she wrote, the letter itself was written in advance, after all, she was in a state where it wouldn't be surprising if she died at any time."

So... Kaoru is still alive.

Arima Kousei calmed down, but his heart tightened.

"I remember now, in this script, Kaoru's surgery was on February 18th. How is she now?"

"Reality is exactly as written on paper. Although the ending is my prediction, the probability of it happening again is as high as 99%."

Seeing the anxiety on his face, Masamune changed the subject and said directly:

"Therefore, I decided to take a gamble by making animation."

bet?

In a moment of stunned silence, Arima Kousei seemed to realize something.

Since about half a year ago, the world has undergone many wonderful changes, and the animation industry has become quite magical.

"Are you sure?"

"No, there's absolutely no chance, but the success rate of her surgery is too low. If we don't take the gamble, she'll surely die."

Upon hearing the word "death," Arima Kousei's heart suddenly raced and pounded violently.

Is there enough time?

“I have contacted many experts and have transferred her to St. Luke’s International Hospital. I will do everything I can to postpone the surgery until April next year.”

"Is the purpose to get an evaluation at the end of March next year? Animation production probably won't be that fast, right? And what about the broadcast?"

"The two animation companies are working together on this project, which should be completed by March next year. As for the broadcast, we will adopt a multi-episode format."

Seeing that he didn't seem to understand, Masamune explained again:

"Typically, animation works by getting TV stations to invest and form an animation production committee together."

"To put it bluntly, it means that the TV station pays the animation production company to buy the series, and then broadcasts it on TV."

"This time it will be the other way around, with our animation production company paying the TV station to buy fixed time slots."

It certainly sounds feasible.

Immediately afterward, Arima Kousei thought of another question and hesitantly asked:

"What is your relationship with Kaoru? Why...why go to such lengths to save her?"

"It's nothing, just ordinary friends I've met once. Don't worry about it, I'm not losing money making animation, it's just that I'll earn a little less than the normal amount."

Masamune took another document from the file bag, placed it on the coffee table, and slowly began to speak:

"Now that you know the whole story, let's talk about the purpose of our visit today."

"If we want to save Kaori Miyazono, the anime's rating needs to be at least 4 stars, and even then, it's only a possibility."

"Even so, it is still a gamble. Therefore, the only thing we can do is to do our best to create even better animation."

"As the male protagonist of the story, we hope that you will assist in the production of the script, storyboard, music, etc., and also serve as the voice actor for the male protagonist of this animation, voicing yourself."

"If Kaori Miyazono were in good health, she would actually be the best choice to voice the female lead."

Can I?

Honestly, Arima Kousei felt somewhat uneasy.

"I've never done this kind of work before..."

"It's okay, just be yourself. For you, it's just repeating your feelings and words in front of many people."

"I…"

"This is something only you can do. It's hard for anyone else to achieve the same effect as you personally taking charge. When it comes to ratings, even a difference of just half a star can result in vastly different rewards."

"I understand, if I can do it."

Arima Kousei clenched his fist, then gradually relaxed it, making up his mind, and signed his name on the contract.

Will I ever see Kaoru again?

"Of course, but I don't recommend you go see her now. On the one hand, she is currently recuperating, and these few days are crucial; on the other hand, I'm afraid you might not be able to contain your excitement and tell her that we are working on an animation."

"Can't we tell her?"

"If I had told her beforehand, and it still failed in the end, she would have been even more desperate at that moment."

"That's right."

"However, it's not about keeping you apart for months. Rather, you are her reason for living. Therefore—"

Masamune took out a brand-new smartphone that he had prepared in advance from his briefcase and slowly handed it over.

"Use this phone to contact her for now. You can visit her after her condition stabilizes."

"The relevant communication software and accounts have been prepared in advance, and she is the only contact person in them."

"When chatting, try to keep what you are doing secret so that she doesn't find out anything."

"The school has already arranged a long leave for you."

"In terms of academics, teachers will come to your home every evening to help with tutoring, and you can participate in the exams as usual. If you don't do well on the exams, we will also try to help you get a recommendation for admission."

Stunned, Kousei Arima took the phone, his mind filled with astonishment, and he couldn't help but say:

"You guys are really well prepared."

"this is what we are supposed to do."

Seeing the smartphone in his hand, Masamune turned to look at the Maitake mushroom enclosure to the side:

“Maki, the scriptwriter, I’ve finished my work here. The rest is up to you.”

"no problem."

Mai nods slightly, looking intently at Arima Kousei:

"Arima-kun, I'm the head scriptwriter for the anime 'Your Lie in April.' There will be many more things we need to discuss with you to refine the script."

“Understood, thank you for your help,” Arima Kousei said softly.

Chapter 72 I'm not a trash can, thank you.

Early December, Monday, after the Musashino internal morning meeting.

Arima Kousei subconsciously followed Mairou's footsteps as she occupied the area, but before she had taken more than a few steps, Masamune called her back.

"Arima, wait a minute, the script is all done and no further modifications are needed."

"Your job today is to assist with storyboard production, and work with Shizuka Sakaki, the voice actress for Kaori Miyazono, to rehearse some difficult-to-draw scenes in the 12th-floor lobby."

"In addition, I also need your suggestions on scene layout, characters' emotions, and so on."

"Understood." Arima Kousei nodded repeatedly and hurried to the twelfth floor.

Unlike Kousei Arima, Shizuka Sakaki, who voices Kaori Miyazono, arrived at the twelfth floor early because she did not need to attend the meeting.

Upon seeing Arima Kousei following behind Masamune and the director, he quickly stood up to greet him.

"President Hayase, Director Nakamura, Arima-kun, good morning. I am Shizuka Sakaki, the voice actress for Kaori Miyazono."

Noticing Kousei Arima's curious gaze, Masamune spoke up to explain:

"Shizuka's voice is very penetrating, and her acting skills are also good. After an internal audition, she is qualified to play the role of Kaori Miyazono."

In fact, Shizuka Sakaki was only a second choice. Several popular voice actresses who were shortlisted were unavailable, and time was tight, so they found her to do the voice acting.

Therefore, she needs to make further breakthroughs in her acting skills, which is why she was asked to rehearse animation scenes with Kousei Arima and contribute to the storyboard drawing.

"Arima-kun, from now on, just follow Coach Nakamura's instructions and cooperate fully."

“No problem.” Arima Kousei turned around and greeted Director Nakamura. “I’m Arima…”

Having worked there for more than ten days, he had gained a basic understanding of the employees at Musashino.

President Hayase oversees the overall situation but does not get involved in specific matters or production details.

The director, Nakamura, was on loan from the opposing AL company. Perhaps because he wasn't very familiar with the Musashino team, he was very polite to everyone.

In the afternoon, a quiet blonde girl would come over to guide and revise the storyboard.

Despite being just a junior high school student, Arima Kousei had to deal with a group of older adults, which made him somewhat reserved.

But thinking of Kaori Miyazono, who is still lying in a hospital bed, filled me with renewed motivation, and I felt that nothing else mattered.

Seeing that Arima Kosei and the others quickly got into work mode, Masamune turned and left.

Producing three animations simultaneously required a lot of adjustments, and they were all minor inconveniences.