Uneasy daily life

I believe I am!

Bai Ying's phone suddenly rang, and he picked it up to answer it.

Yukino Yukinoshita calmed down a bit... Hmm? Why am I so concerned? Shirakuni's thought process is already quite confusing, so it's normal for her to make these kinds of judgments and actions. Am I being a little too concerned?

The term "Brave Plus" still makes me a little angry, like when people used to say that the older sister was more powerful.

"Huh? Discussing adding scenes... Director, I still have to study... Don't try to fool me, studying is nothing compared to working... And don't give me empty promises, I'm perfectly fine... What? You've already arranged leave for me? What? The crew is mostly here, we can start? Yes, yes, okay, okay... Alright..."

Bai Ying hung up the phone with a serious expression and fell into deep thought.

"It sounds like you're going to be busy. I never thought that white fungus could create value one day."

"What kind of value creation is this? That director is clearly trying to exploit my good looks to add a layer of lubrication to the film and create hype to attract audiences!" Bai Ying said heavily. "I feel there's a big problem—the director wants to achieve success and fame! He wants to strive!"

“Oh…” Yukino Yukinoshita realized, “The white fungus might become a cornerstone that lifts up Sakurajima-san’s star. It’s like a lucky accident that brought salt to our lives.”

"Absolutely impossible! The director wants to win, but did he even ask me?"

Bai Ying stood up and began to calculate how to make the director not want to win, mentally rehearsing how she would point fingers at Sakurajima Mai.

Yukino Yukinoshita opened her mouth and asked the white figure who was about to leave, "Aren't we going to the picnic today?"

"No, I hope you enjoy Yuihama's handmade dishes."

"Yuihama is still a long way from wanting to cook..."

……

Yukino Yukino snapped out of her daze, chewed on the fried tofu in her mouth, and frowned involuntarily: "I didn't perform well today, the tofu is a little burnt."

"Really?" Yui Yuigahama took a bite and felt that it was beyond what she could possibly imagine. "It's delicious."

"After all, it's a picnic, so it's normal for the heat to go wrong. In the end, can you really eat anything good when you're picnicking under these conditions? Thinking that the food is particularly delicious is just an illusion in your mind—yes, just like the so-called couple's set meal, it's an open and honest deception, and you're willingly being deceived."

Hachiman Hikigaya muttered a few words unconsciously, then suddenly looked around warily.

Yui Yuigahama asked, puzzled, "It's one thing for Hachiman to say strange things, but what are you doing?"

Hachiman Hikigaya breathed a sigh of relief: "N-nothing..."

"Because he couldn't get close, he chose to slander. It was both a subconscious way of reminding himself and a reflection of his resentment. Hachiman is really a rather eccentric person."

Is the minister's vengeful spirit truly restless?!

Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly turned his head and said in surprise, "Ah... it's Oreki."

“It’s Oreki, Hikigaya-kun.” Oreki Houtarou replied listlessly.

Hachiman Hikigaya leaned back in disbelief—Oreki! How could you repay kindness with enmity?!

Houtarou Oreki raised his eyes, which were slightly dark-circled and almost lifeless—"Am I not repaying your kindness in the same way you are?" Ha.

"Ah, hahaha..." Yui Yuigahama chuckled dryly, "I thought it was Shiro talking just now."

"If it were Haku-kun, he would strongly agree with Hikigaya-kun's distorted remarks, and then add another friend to Hikigaya-kun's circle once Hikigaya-kun comes to believe it."

Yukino Yukinoshita recalled, "Just like the scene when we first met, I remember the two of you talking a lot..."

"Yukinoshita's cooking is perfect. If I couldn't taste the deliciousness, it's my taste buds' fault," Hachiman Hikigaya said sincerely.

"I didn't play well today, but I didn't pay attention to that."

Yukino Yukinoshita raised her eyes and searched among the students whose tablecloths were spread out around her, asking curiously, "Where did Anshinin go?"

"Who is Anxinyuan... Anxin?" Yui Yuigahama slapped her forehead. "Shiro always calls people strangely, and it's gotten all messed up."

Hachiman Hikigaya quickly continued the conversation: "Yes, he always likes to call me his subordinate, Oreki his greatest threat, and Yukinoshita the hero..."

"Huh? Little White didn't give me any weird nicknames?"

Yui Yuigahama suddenly felt a strange sense of exclusion.

“Yes,” Hachiman Hikigaya said, “The Deadly Chef… gulp!”

Yui Yuigahama delivered a chop to Hachiman Hikigaya's head.

"There's no such term!"

Anshin-in isn't here... Does Chitanda know where Haku-kun is filming?

Yukino Yukinoshita thought to herself.

Chapter 152 Pointing and Whispering

The script is very well-made. After my mind conjured up the images from the words, many parts subtly matched what I wanted to express...

Okita felt a kind of passion and impulse that had found its direction. The highest praise for a truly excellent art film is not what awards it has won or how much it has at the box office, but that it can be appreciated by both the refined and the popular. However, this is very difficult - the script must be story-driven and interesting, and the actors and directors must be able to bring out its depth.

As a failed director, I dream of making that kind of movie, but isn't it still just a dream?

After so many years of failures, I've experienced the dismissive attitude that it's just this time, the shallow arrogance that the audience is no good, and the painful self-reproach that it's just that I'm not good enough. Sitting in the movie theater after the show, watching the sleeping audience and the couples who are completely oblivious to the movie, I burst into tears.

At that moment, I thought that if God could grant me a stroke of luck, I would seize it all. Now, with a promising script before me, popular stars joining the cast, and a relaxed filming environment, I have to consider whether this might be the only opportunity I'll ever have.

It is my duty to restore the glory of art films!

Okita was fired up, patrolling the set with an air of determination. He knew he couldn't do it alone; everyone needed to give 1000% to push the project to new heights. Let's start by checking on the key members.

The female protagonist is Mai Sakurajima.

A big star, a representative of youth, has never played a very complex role, which raises concerns about his acting skills and may cause conflicts on set.

"Ms. Sakurajima, my requirements for this film might be a bit high..."

"Please be strict with my performance, director."

Mai Sakurajima said earnestly, "This is not just polite talk—Mr. Okita, I want to see what I can do with all my might. If I don't meet your expectations, then let me reshoot."

This is my final performance, my farewell to the entertainment industry... At least, I want to leave behind the name of actress Mai Sakurajima, rather than a label like "star idol."

To be able to put a period to my dream, rather than an abrupt comma.

"Alright! Then I won't say anything polite. You don't need to worry about causing trouble. The crew members are all my old buddies, and I won't go easy on them."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Director."

Mai Sakurajima continued reading the script and studying her character.

Okita was a little shocked. Why did Sakurajima seem to be more driven than him? He hoped it wasn't just intermittent bursts of ambition followed by a sustained period of complacency.

The male protagonist is Naoki Muraki.

The actor, who came from humble beginnings, was chosen as the male lead because of his unremarkable appearance. His advantage was that he was young and fit the image of a male lead.

"Muraki, I know you joined the crew with the goal of getting your salary. Discussing making a good film and high box office is just irrelevant..."

"Ahem, director, you don't need to be so direct—we signed a contract."

"I don't mean to back out at the last minute. To put it bluntly, we can sign a contract with a higher base salary and box office revenue sharing, but I will have extremely strict requirements. Would you dare to accept it?"

"Director...did you...did you ask the investors?"

“My family will agree. Why do you think I've been able to keep making movies despite failing so many times over the years? You need money to pursue your dreams. I know you don't have any dreams yet, so I'm giving you money directly. What's your answer?”

"I'll risk my life!"

Excellent! When young people squeeze together, they can unleash tremendous enthusiasm and vigor!

Bai Ying, the male lead and screenwriter.

"Shadow..."

“Ah Zheng…”

Okita's expression twisted: "What kind of strange way is that?"

“Isn’t the director using a strange form of address too? I also feel awkward when you use a more intimate, Japanese-style address,” Bai Ying observed. “Besides, the director suddenly becoming so close to me… I’m not sure what to say.”

“Okay, what about your friend from the theater troupe?” Okita asked. “I’d like to ask him to help with the music; the payment is negotiable.”

Bai Ying quickly calculated with her fingers: "Puppet Shadow should be on the plane."

"gone?"

"Let's go." Bai Ying had confirmed her suspicions and tentatively asked, "Director, you don't mean you want to win, do you?"

Okita asked in confusion, "Win? What do you mean?"

"I want to win awards, I want box office success, I want to be the brightest star in the night sky."

"Don't you want to?"

Oh no! The director really wants to fight! How can haters share glory with celebrities?!

Bai Ying said in a deep voice, "Of course I want to, but the problem is that you, director, might make the wrong judgment in your enthusiasm. I suppose the reason for adding scenes for me is quite simple?"

“Brother, you understand, so let’s be frank.” Okita Masashi pressed down on the white figure with both hands and said in a deep voice, “You’re in charge of satisfying the female audience, and Ms. Sakurajima is in charge of satisfying the male audience.”

“Taking things out of context is enough to send the director to jail.”

Bai Ying said earnestly, "Director, my supporting role is meant to be a 'villain' character, meant to ignite the audience's emotions. Adding scenes for me would damage the core of the story, and whether it would even attract the audience is another matter entirely. It's completely sacrificing the greater good for the lesser good. I know the director craves success and recognition from the public, hoping that passion will ignite a flame, not just fizzle out. But obsessing over success will lead to pain, pain will lead to obsession, and obsession will lead you down the wrong path..."

Okita pondered for a moment and said, "Hmm...that's true. Sakurajima-san's role is more about attracting the male protagonist, so logically speaking, there's no need to increase your role's screen time..."

Bai Ying seized the opportunity to advise, "Precisely because time is limited, it must be precise and substantial. If you increase my screen time, then the story's core content will inevitably have to be compromised. Man proposes, God disposes, Director, being too persistent is not a good thing."

Okita calmed down a bit: "I was indeed a little impulsive. Your script is well-written, and I felt it was an opportunity to prove myself, so I got a little carried away."

Bai Ying said with satisfaction, "It's good that the director has grasped the point; the script is just a minor issue..."

Okita handed over the script: "You revise it."

Bai Ying: "What does the director mean by this? Are you asking me to add more scenes for myself?"

“It’s not about adding scenes. The script has enough depth and visual tension, but it lacks a bit of everyday life,” Masashi Okita encouraged. “You need to add some down-to-earth scenes, something lighthearted and enjoyable that will make the audience smile knowingly. Ideally, you should also add some classic lines that are both down-to-earth and profound, and that will resonate with the audience.”

Bai Ying scratched his head: "Does the director mean 'crocodile tears', 'even a skinny camel is bigger than a horse', or 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'?"

“No, no, we need to cater to modern tastes. These old sayings are a bit outdated.” Okita explained, “Simply put, ‘career and love’ versus ‘money and women’ may seem to have the same essence, but the feeling they evoke must change, and when they’re together, there should be a kind of vitality that spreads through people’s minds!”

Bai Ying asked, "Director, are you awake?"

Okita asked, "Brother, are you satisfied with your script?"

"very satisfied."

"Can you refuse to be more satisfied? No creator can refuse a work that makes them more satisfied."

"I would like to be more satisfied, but the conditions don't allow it."

Time or money?

"A flash of inspiration."

"I'll lend you the little dark room; it'll be useful!"

"If a director has a history of failing, the dark room will likely have a negative effect."

"My brother is also a creator, he should know that you have to push yourself a little..."

"So that he can die with his eyes open in disgrace."

"Young man, you are so young. You should have the ambition to soar like an eagle, but also the resolve to be pushed off a cliff—"

"Eagles can only fly if they can descend a cliff; that's determined by their genes, and has absolutely nothing to do with courage or determination. Can you really admire someone's unwavering resolve for squatting to defecate, or admire someone's diligence and self-reliance for a lifetime of heartbeats?"

"Oh dear, it's a simple metaphor of using an eagle to represent people."

"But I'm a dove."

"Doves?"

"The free white dove."

Creating is difficult, but revising is even more difficult!

Bai Ying changed her mind and thought of a win-win solution. She immediately said, "Director, actually, the actors' acting skills are more important than the script. I am willing to put in more effort for the film. Let me give Ms. Sakurajima some pointers on her acting skills and try to add some color to the film."

Hmm? If we're talking about acting issues, shouldn't the male lead need more guidance? Why is it Sakurajima-san?

As Okita pondered, a sudden realization dawned on him. He thought of a win-win solution and shook his head, saying, "Brother, I'm the director. Acting is about delivering performances that satisfy the director. Your performance last night was amazing, but you can't apply that to filmmaking. Teaching acting isn't just about having good acting skills..."

"Of course, if you want to show your sincerity, it wouldn't hurt to let you give it a try."