"I'm in Tokyo, and this is some kind of movie star comeback system?!"

Chapter 124 The Debt

Stepping through the soundproof door of Studio 3, Sakamoto Yu took in the view inside.

The lights are all on.

The cool-toned fluorescent lights on the ceiling were all turned on, illuminating the entire photography studio.

The bright environment actually made people feel more constrained.

There were three people sitting behind the table.

In the very center is Kon Ichikawa, and to his left is a planning manager from Toho's headquarters.

Junichi Shinsaka walked over and sat on the right.

An open folder lay on the table.

Sakamoto walked to the table, stood still, adjusted his breathing, and then gave a respectful but not arrogant bow.

"I am Sakamoto Yu, nice to meet you."

Kon Ichikawa was known for his strictness, and he had been watching Sakamoto Yu's every move since the moment he entered. The audition had already begun.

After he finished his introduction, Ichikawa Kon said bluntly, "Sakamoto-san, I'm not targeting you personally, but you need to understand one thing."

Kon Ichikawa's eyes sharpened: "Good-looking actors won't have any advantage over me."

"On the contrary, that will be your disadvantage. I only want people who put their heart into creating characters."

"Don't try to use your charm or scheming on me. If you can't do it, you can leave now."

As soon as the cold, sharp words fell, the surroundings instantly fell silent.

The atmosphere at the scene was extremely cold, and the tense and oppressive atmosphere made people feel very uneasy.

Scene 3, shot 42.

Kon Ichikawa sat with his arms crossed and his hands on his abdomen.

Sakamoto Yu was slightly taken aback, but quickly adjusted his mindset.

He had already memorized the relevant lines perfectly.

This scene depicts Prince Kuramachi and two other suitors undergoing a test posed by Princess Kaguya.

There was no set up on site, so Sakamoto Yu simply knelt down on the ground.

Although Prince Chamochi is portrayed as a cunning and treacherous character, he still retains the demeanor of a nobleman.

Sakamoto Yu stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed steadily ahead, immediately revealing his noble and refined demeanor.

After a moment's preparation, he began to speak: "How could I not know that this matter is of utmost importance?"

What she wants, I will get by any means necessary.

Sakamoto Yu spoke steadily and with just the right amount of gentleness, like a well-mannered young nobleman, making one instinctively want to trust him.

Sakamoto Yu's slightly upturned lips revealed a hint of smugness.

This restrained emotion made Junichi Shinsaka nod in approval, and he turned to look at Kon Ichikawa.

He kept his lips tightly pressed together, not uttering a word, but his expression was unusually focused.

Next, Junichi Shinsaka will act alongside him, reciting his lines: "There are three treasures in total: the divine tree on Paradise Island that can produce diamonds, the fire rat fur from the Chinese volcano, and the gem on the dragon's head in the Indian Ocean."

Each of you choose one.

The script here indicates that all three characters should show expressions of surprise.

Sakamoto Yu's expression faltered slightly, then he lowered his gaze, pretending to be deep in thought.

"They are indeed described in the book, but no one has ever seen them in reality."

Sakamoto Yu frowned slightly, his gaze subtly sweeping across the air beside him, as if observing the reactions of the other suitors.

A calculating look flashed across his face.

"This is indeed a challenging task."

The steady voice paused for a moment in the middle, the last syllable slowed and lengthened, and the expression on his face showed a hint of indifference.

They seemed to think that this request was a bit outrageous.

Throughout the performance, Sakamoto Yu maintained a strong sense of interaction, as if he were truly communicating face-to-face with Princess Kaguya.

The benefits of doing this are obvious.

Shinsaka Junichi's emotions were gradually stirred up.

When he recited the words again, his tone clearly changed.

"I feel unworthy of the gift. If you are unwilling, you are welcome to refuse directly."

"I choose the diamond tree."

Sakamoto Yu's voice was clear and resonant, and he seemed confident and composed.

Shinsaka Junichi looked down at the script, about to turn the page, when Ichikawa Kon suddenly interrupted him: "You really are cunning."

As soon as Kon Ichikawa spoke, the entire room fell silent.

The planning manager and Shinsaka Jun instinctively shrank their shoulders, stunned on the spot.

Why did he suddenly start swearing when he was acting so well? Did Sakamoto Yu mess up his performance?

Just as the two were stunned, Sakamoto Yu's voice came through clearly.

Why?

Shinsaka Junichi looked astonished, never expecting that Sakamoto Yu would dare to talk back.

The atmosphere at the scene was extremely tense, and the place was completely silent.

Just then, Ichikawa Kon said unhurriedly, "You chose the simplest of the three treasures."

The planning minister was completely bewildered, having no idea what the conversation between the two was about.

Junichi Shinsaka was the first to come to his senses and hurriedly looked down at the script.

As expected, what Ichikawa Kon just said was a line from the script.

After understanding the reason, Jun Shinsaka gasped in shock.

He clutched his chest, looking both amused and exasperated, thinking the two of them had started arguing on the spot.

"The first option is definitely the best."

Sakamoto Yu continued.

He remained completely unaffected, maintaining a steady and composed demeanor.

His shrewd tone, coupled with his leisurely manner and the subtle curve of his lips, perfectly captured the prince's cunning yet noble temperament.

After this scene ended, Kon Ichikawa raised his hand to signal the end of the audition performance.

"Go change into your costume and have someone put on your makeup."

"9

The staff took Sakamoto Yu to try it on.

Once he was dressed, a gleaming nobleman appeared before him.

The makeup artist, a woman in her forties, glanced at it and then froze.

That's perfect.

The bright red high-class dress complemented his handsome features, giving him an air of natural elegance.

The key is that Sakamoto Yu is tall and slender, and wearing this outfit, he exudes a very strong presence.

"This outfit will definitely grab everyone's attention on screen!"

Outside the venue, the three were discussing in hushed tones.

In most cases, it was Shinsaka Junichi who was talking, the planning manager was listening, and Ichikawa Kon remained silent.

"Director Ichikawa, what did you think of Mr. Sakamoto's performance?" Junichi Shinsaka asked, his throat dry. "His acting should be to your liking, right?"

Kon Ichikawa glanced at him and slowly shook his head: "His looks are too outstanding, which overshadows the character. This kind of actor is not suitable for my production team."

Shinsaka Junichi looked puzzled: "But when he was performing just now—"

“Prince Kurumachi is a hypocritical, cunning character who will ultimately be exposed,” Ichikawa Kon interrupted him.

"If the audience's first impression is simply 'this person is really handsome,' then any subsequent plot twists will be completely ineffective."

"His appearance is certainly eye-catching, and the audience will like him, but it does nothing to develop the character."

"What I want is the feeling of being slapped in the face, but with his appearance, he simply can't act that out."

"Just you wait and see," Ichikawa Kon said confidently. "Once he comes out in his costume, you'll understand what I mean."

As soon as he finished speaking, the studio door was pushed open, and Sakamoto Yu walked out.

The three of them looked over together, and the scene before them was unexpected.

He still stood tall and his demeanor was dignified, befitting a nobleman, but his expression was very strange.

A half-smile played on his face, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

With a half-smile, a hint of mockery and amusement in his eyes, and an underlying arrogance that he deliberately suppressed, he appeared both awkward and flamboyant, stirring a strange impulse in the viewer.

"This look—it's just too infuriating," the planning manager muttered to himself.

Ichikawa Kon, who had been calm and collected, suddenly narrowed his eyes upon seeing this.

Sakamoto Yu strode forward, immediately abandoning his previous casual and flamboyant demeanor.

"I'm so sorry, I was thinking about the role and wanted to verify it. My apologies." In the blink of an eye, he returned to his humble and composed demeanor.

"Sakamoto-san, try to avoid making that kind of expression in the future. It's uncomfortable to look at," the planning manager said softly, sounding somewhat helpless.

Sakamoto Yu smiled and nodded in apology.

Junichi Shinsaka, who was standing to the side, was completely oblivious to the fact that he was preoccupied with how to persuade Kon Ichikawa and did not notice that the director had fallen silent.

After a moment of silence, Ichikawa Kon suddenly spoke, saying something he hadn't expected: "Reproduce that expression you just had."