In crossover anime, who isn't a childhood friend?

He said he needed to take two days off, but in reality, he will be absent from school starting this afternoon.

Before leaving, Yukino checked with him, and he nodded confidently, indicating that his mission was temporarily over.

If there are any further discussions about the script, they can have a voice call in the group chat in the evening.

But regarding things like costume arrangements, filming location selection, and actor casting, there's no need to specifically inform him of the results.

Whether the three of them decide based on their respective responsibilities or discuss and decide among themselves, he will not have any objections to their decisions.

This can be seen as a way of delegating his authority as a director.

Now, not only Rikka, but also Eriri and Yukino are feeling some pressure, which is a sign of complete trust.

In that case, they must go all out and not disappoint Qianye, who has poured so much effort into this event.

"Now the most important thing is to choose the male lead for the movie... I recommend Qianye for the role. He not only has a great image, but he also fits the character's outstanding qualities in the piano. What do you think?"

After school in the afternoon, Rikka, as the casting director, convened the most urgent meeting at hand, which was to officially finalize the casting of the important male and female leads in the script.

She took the initiative to mention her brother's name first, which did not surprise Yukino and Eriri.

In fact, the two of them had already decided in their hearts that Yuan Qianye should play the male lead. There was no other special reason, only their trust in his ability to do this job well.

The two nodded in unison, approving the decision without any objection.

So Rikka wrote Minamoto Chiya's name on the blackboard after the male protagonist's name, and that was how the matter was settled.

Now that the male lead has been confirmed, the most important thing left is naturally...

"Yukino, why don't you try playing the female lead?" Eriri suggested.

This idea didn't come out of nowhere; it was something she had after reading the first draft of the script.

After all, Yukino's image is indeed a strong plus, and her quiet and rational personality traits seem to match the female protagonist in the drama very well.

Yukino felt a slight urge, but after a moment's hesitation, she shook her head: "I'm sorry, Eriri, I'm afraid I can't do it."

Eriri asked, puzzled, "Why? Yukino, you should be able to handle this role very well."

"Thank you for your trust, but after reading the script, based on my current understanding, I'm certain I'm not the best choice." Yukino shook her head again.

She spread the printed script out on the table, pointed to one of the sheet music pieces, and explained to Eriri,

"This is a new piece of music that Qianye composed while refining the script. Although it hasn't been given a specific name yet, it's quite important in the story. The male and female leads need to play it to travel through time and space. However, this piece is a bit difficult, and I can't master it right away."

"There's no need to rush this at all. Yukino, you've been learning piano since you were very young, so you have a foundation in this area. Just practice slowly. At worst, we can film the piano performance scene you just mentioned in the final episode. Also, Chiyo said that if there's really no other way, we can use a perspective trick and then edit and splice it together in post-production."

"Eri, you said it yourself, it was a last resort, a last-ditch effort. If there's a better way, then of course we should try to find one. Besides, it's not just that time-traveling melody."

Yukino flipped through the script, pointing out each detail.

“There are many other scenes where the female lead plays the piano. If possible, I would like to present these scenes directly to showcase the female lead’s charm, rather than using filming techniques to obscure them and make the audience feel that it is not real.”

In a sense, Yukinoshita also has the kind of personality that is unwilling to admit defeat, which is somewhat similar to Minamoto Chiya. She either doesn't do things at all, or if she does do them, she doesn't want to be careless and try to get by. She has to do her best to finish them.

"Finally, there's the issue of time. Right now, I need to take on the roles of both editor and producer, and I can foresee that I'll be very busy with post-production. Under these circumstances, I really don't have the extra time and energy to continue playing the lead role, let alone practice this already difficult piano piece."

After Yukino expressed all her concerns, Rikka, who had remained silent and merely observed from the sidelines, finally spoke up to persuade Eriri.

“Indeed, Yukino has already worked very hard. She has other tasks to complete. If we put the heavy responsibility of being the heroine on her shoulders, it would be too much pressure for her.”

Eriri sighed helplessly upon hearing this. Although it was a pity, she couldn't deny that what the two women said was true.

But now the question is, since Yukino is indeed out of options, who should they find to play the role of the female lead?

In terms of appearance, they must at least pass muster, and ideally they should possess the temperament and piano talent that match the female lead in the drama.

Such a person, at Zongwu High School...

Hey, it seems there really is.

Eriri belatedly looked up at the ceiling.

She wasn't looking at the empty white ceiling, but rather she was thinking of the person in the second music classroom, directly above the Department of Service.

The three of them fell silent for a moment, as if by unspoken agreement.

"I didn't hear any piano music today," Yukino said softly.

Rikka seemed to grasp the underlying meaning in her friend's words: "Because the piano competition is over, Kazusa has been practicing so intensely, she definitely needs to relax for a few days now."

Eriri didn't speak, but nodded thoughtfully.

Secretly observing their reactions, Rikka recalled what Chiya had said to her that morning. It had been a long time since she'd been trusted like this and entrusted with such an important task. She was filled with excitement, almost to the point of wanting to die for a friend. No longer wanting to hesitate, she raised her hand directly.

"Yukino, Eriri! I also have a suggestion for the female lead!"

Seeing that both of their eyes were focused on her, she subconsciously swallowed and forced herself to continue speaking.

"I think the choice of the female lead doesn't necessarily have to come from among us. I think the key focus should be on the suitability of the role and the temperament and charm of the actress. After all, if these aspects feel too incongruous, the final result may not be satisfactory."

She subconsciously quoted a viewpoint she had heard from Minamoto Chiya.

Seeing that Yukino and Eriri were listening attentively and nodding in agreement, Rikka gained more confidence and finally voiced the thoughts that had been lingering in her mind.

"So I think...why don't we try inviting Kazusa?"

After so much buildup, it wasn't surprising to Yukino and Eriri that Rikka said it at this moment.

Yukino had no objection and even agreed, but she had other concerns: "I don't have many opportunities to interact with her, and I don't know if she will accept our invitation."

"As long as everyone feels there's no problem, I'll handle the rest of the negotiations with her. After all, it's my duty!" Rikka seemed very confident.

After all, her relationship with Kazusa, while not as intimate as her relationship with Yukino Eriri, was still quite good.

She had previously gone to visit the Touma family with Chiya and even had lunch together.

Going back further in time, when Chiya invited Kazusa to her home for the holiday, she and Kazusa had a pleasant chat.

Yukino analyzed,

"If we could invite her to play the female lead, that would be the best. With her piano skills, she would probably only need two days of simple practice to master these pieces. The rest would only be the lines and acting. We can give her tips on the lines off-screen. As for acting, I agree with Qianye. After all, she is a student, not a professional. As long as she doesn't break character to a certain extent, it's perfectly acceptable."

Rikka picked up the conversation,

"I don't think we need to worry too much about that. There's a saying that most people who make music have a sensitive and delicate heart. Besides, Kazusa is quite smart. Even if her performance on stage is slightly lacking, with Yukino and my brother guiding her, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Hmm." Since Yukino had no objections, it was Eriri's turn.

Rikka stared intently at her!

“I…I’m fine with it too. I share the same idea as Yukino. It would be best if she could agree to play the lead role.”

Eriri's stance was very straightforward, and her thoughts were also very simple.

Since Yukino is not suitable to play the female lead, and as a mixed-race person, her appearance and temperament are too different from the female lead in the drama, it is only natural that someone else must be chosen.

In short, she can accept any role as long as it's not the one she hates the most, Kasumigaoka, who plays the female lead.

Although Kazusa didn't have many opportunities to interact with her, she had a good impression of her. Although she was quiet and didn't talk much, she wasn't annoying.

"Then we've tentatively decided that Kazusa will play the female lead!"

Rikka excitedly wrote "Touma Kazusa" in the "Heroine" column on the blackboard.

"There's no time to lose, I'll go talk to Kazusa right now!"

She was full of energy and immediately took out her phone, went to the window, and made a call.

Yukino and Eriri exchanged a knowing smile.

"Eri, I have an idea. How about we start filming some scenes tomorrow?"

"Huh? But the female lead hasn't been finalized yet, and Qianye isn't here either."

"Key plot points can be postponed. We can shoot some transitional shots or establishing shots first, which can serve as practice and familiarize us with the process."

"I see. Indeed, shooting some relatively simple scenes before the official start of filming can really help build our rapport and teamwork."

"Then let's leave it at that for now. I'll bring the photography equipment tomorrow, and after school we can go and shoot the beach scene at sunset."

"it is good!"

Just as the two of them had finalized their initial plan, Rikka's calls to Kazusa went unanswered.

Rikka hung up the phone, looking somewhat unwilling, but without much hesitation, she turned around, picked up her schoolbag, and spoke to Eriri and Yukino.

"That's enough for today. I'm going to Kazusa's house to find her now."

"There's no need to rush. Maybe her phone is out of battery or she's in a place with no signal. Try calling again in a little while," Eriri advised.

Rikka shook her head. Every second was precious now, and she couldn't wait any longer.

"It's okay. I have nothing to do right now anyway. The worst that can happen is that I'll just have made a wasted trip. But if she's home, I'll do everything in my power to get her to agree to this today! Bye-bye, see you tomorrow!"

Rikka hurriedly ran away from the Service Department.

Seeing her so full of energy, Yukino and Eriri's interest was also unconsciously raised.

"Rikka is working so hard, we can't fall behind," Yukino said softly.

Eriri suggested, "Yukino, why don't you come home with me now to get the photography equipment? We can find a scenic spot near my house and try out the shooting effects first."

"Alright."

Around 5 p.m., Rikka stood outside the imposing mansion of the Touma family.

Although she had been full of energy in the Service Department, she was still somewhat nervous after arriving here.

Arriving at someone's house without prior arrangement and disturbing them is somewhat impolite and shows a lack of tact.

Not to mention she came empty-handed and without any belongings, which shows a lack of manners.

But we're friends, so the rules of adult society probably don't apply to me...

With her mind racing, Rikka finally took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

Soon, a response came from the intercom.

"May I ask who this is?" came the voice of a middle-aged woman.

Rikka remembered that the voice was completely different from Kazusa's mother's voice; it was slightly older, and it seemed to be the maid her family had hired.

"Hello, I'm Rikka Takanashi, a friend of Kazusa," Rikka replied crisply.

"Ah, please come in."

The iron gate clicked open, and Rikka walked along the stone path through the front yard to the entrance hall of the main house.