1. A recap of last episode:Copy !req
2. When we applied for a high school offering performing
arts, we were reunited with the genius child actor.Copy !req
3. You're joining up? You'll be in
our performing arts department?Copy !req
4. No... I applied for general education.Copy !req
5. But why?!Copy !req
6. My sister is trying for performing arts and
I'm worried about her, so I applied here too.Copy !req
7. What?!Copy !req
8. My brother's got quite a sister complex.Copy !req
9. Gross!Copy !req
10. You know, I never did like this girl.Copy !req
11. You'll be her junior if you're accepted, though.Copy !req
12. Yeah, true...Copy !req
13. Hey, I can hear you!Copy !req
14. Aww... No point fighting it. Let's be friends, Loli-senpai.Copy !req
15. Keep that up and I'll bully you!Copy !req
16. Well, I'm gonna stop by the director's place.Copy !req
17. Okay, see ya.Copy !req
18. Wait!Copy !req
19. Hey, listen to me!Copy !req
20. Where're you going?Copy !req
21. Who is this director?Copy !req
22. Hey! Where're you living these days?Copy !req
23. Are you even listening?! Hey, I'm talking to you!Copy !req
24. What middle school you from?!Copy !req
25. You a delinquent or something?Copy !req
26. How long are you gonna follow me for?Copy !req
27. Until you answer all of my questions!Copy !req
28. You still do acting, right?Copy !req
29. No, not anymore.Copy !req
30. Oh...Copy !req
31. I see.Copy !req
32. So, that being the case...Copy !req
33. Huh?!Copy !req
34. Come on, let's catch up a bit!Copy !req
35. Hey! Wanna go to a karaoke place with me?Copy !req
36. Nope.Copy !req
37. Oh?Copy !req
38. Then, maybe my place or something?Copy !req
39. That's an extreme way to try getting closer to someone.Copy !req
40. I don't have much choice, okay?!
I'm still a celebrity, you know!Copy !req
41. I can't just head to a coffee shop for a chat!Copy !req
42. And places with private rooms
haven't opened for the day yet.Copy !req
43. Oh, I get it now.Copy !req
44. In that case...Copy !req
45. Oh, Kana Arima!Copy !req
46. I haven't seen you in so long - my, how you've grown!Copy !req
47. Um...Copy !req
48. I'm still acting, you know.Copy !req
49. I guess it doesn't compare to
my child actor days, though.Copy !req
50. Well, make yourself at home.Copy !req
51. Wow...Copy !req
52. Hey, Aqua. If you're not an actor anymore,
why're you always visiting the director?Copy !req
53. Isn't the truth that he's teaching you acting skills?Copy !req
54. Well, he trained me in the basics, but now I want to work
behind the scenes, and I'm kind of like his assistant.Copy !req
55. Oh, I see.Copy !req
56. Still, I'm glad...Copy !req
57. It's good to hear you're still in the industry.Copy !req
58. Anyone want a second helping?!Copy !req
59. Oh, I'm fine, thank you. I'm cutting carbs.Copy !req
60. You've gotta eat if you want to grow!Copy !req
61. Eat up, Taishi.Copy !req
62. Good grief...Copy !req
63. It's a bit of a shock, though.Copy !req
64. Hm?Copy !req
65. Never figured you'd be sponging off
your parents like a parasite...Copy !req
66. I see you still have no respect for your elders, little brat.Copy !req
67. Actually, that sounds nice...Copy !req
68. My parents retired to the countryside.Copy !req
69. So I'm living on my own in a dorm.Copy !req
70. Plus, I'm always relying on Uber for meals.Copy !req
71. Oh, that must be pretty expensive.Copy !req
72. It's okay!Copy !req
73. I've got loads of savings from
the money I made as a child actor!Copy !req
74. You annoying little rascal...Copy !req
75. Hey, Director, do you have any videos of Aqua's acting?Copy !req
76. I mean, I do, but...Copy !req
77. Don't show her.Copy !req
78. I wasn't thinking straight and
would like to forget I ever did that.Copy !req
79. I was under the false impression I had talent,
and the films paid dearly for it.Copy !req
80. So he says.Copy !req
81. If you want to see his acting,
you'll have to talk him into acting again.Copy !req
82. Oh? So that's how it is?Copy !req
83. Not happening.Copy !req
84. Actually, there's this project I play the female lead in,
and not all the roles are filled yet.Copy !req
85. Want me to talk to a higher-up and see what I can do?Copy !req
86. I won't do it.Copy !req
87. What?!Copy !req
88. What's the project called?Copy !req
89. "I'll Go With Sweet Today" -
it's a TV drama based on a shoujo manga.Copy !req
90. Oh?Copy !req
91. "Sweet Today"?Copy !req
92. Yeah, you know it?Copy !req
93. Well, anyone who's dabbled in directing and
doesn't know it is a fraud. It's a highly renowned work.Copy !req
94. You interested?Copy !req
95. Like I said, I'm through with acting.Copy !req
96. If I put in a word, the part might be as good as yours.Copy !req
97. The producer, Kaburagi-san,
has a soft spot for me, you see.Copy !req
98. "Kaburagi"?Copy !req
99. Hm?Copy !req
100. Is the producer's full name Masaya Kaburagi?Copy !req
101. Uh, yeah?Copy !req
102. There are three mobile phones
Ai left behind when she died.Copy !req
103. Among them was a work phone and personal phone,Copy !req
104. and those only had communication logs
with fellow group members and agency staff.Copy !req
105. Though Ai seemed ditzy,Copy !req
106. I learned she was more careful than I'd imagined
and spared no effort in protecting our secret.Copy !req
107. The issue was the third phone.Copy !req
108. It's one that Ai used before she ever became pregnant.Copy !req
109. It's a model from several generations ago,Copy !req
110. so finding the proper battery to replace
the one that had died was no easy task.Copy !req
111. However, that couldn't even begin to compare
with the effort needed to break the passcode.Copy !req
112. When input incorrectly, the phone locks for 30 seconds.
I didn't even know how many digits long it was.Copy !req
113. It took half a day just to try 100 passcodes.Copy !req
114. It took a month to try 1,000.Copy !req
115. Day after day.Copy !req
116. Day after day.Copy !req
117. Day after day.Copy !req
118. The 45,510th attempt...Copy !req
119. It took four long years to arrive at that passcode.Copy !req
120. The phone still had email and phone number details for a
dozen some people with connections to show business.Copy !req
121. And among them was...Copy !req
122. Masaya Kaburagi.Copy !req
123. Come on, join me! Besides, the cast
is basically all people our age!Copy !req
124. The male lead has a girlish face - he's really cute!Copy !req
125. I'm in.Copy !req
126. Huh?Copy !req
127. Reach out to the producer for me.Copy !req
128. What's with the sudden change of heart?Copy !req
129. Wait, no way...Copy !req
130. The male lead has a girlish face - he's really cute!Copy !req
131. Are you...?!Copy !req
132. Let's do this thing.Copy !req
133. I'm looking forward to seeing you act.Copy !req
134. That said, the situation on set can be
a bit problematic, so be prepared for that, okay?Copy !req
135. Hm?Copy !req
136. The guy's been acting since he was a child?Copy !req
137. Yes!Copy !req
138. Hmm...Copy !req
139. He's got a handsome face.Copy !req
140. Well, if an extremely fine actor like yourself
recommends him so strongly... then, sure, call him up.Copy !req
141. Okay, take care.Copy !req
142. So the role's decided, then?Copy !req
143. Hm? Yeah.Copy !req
144. Well, I'd be fine with most anyone, anyway.Copy !req
145. What?! You're gonna be in a TV drama, Aqua?!Copy !req
146. Why'd you tell her?Copy !req
147. I mean, you weren't gonna tell her yourself, were you?Copy !req
148. Doing publicity for our entertainers is the agency's job.Copy !req
149. Well, Mom did say... that one day maybe
I'd be an idol and you'd be an actor.Copy !req
150. I see you haven't forgotten.Copy !req
151. It's not about that.Copy !req
152. I just want to get close to that producer Ai interacted withCopy !req
153. back when she was alive and
collect even a single hair root of his.Copy !req
154. Fulfilling Ai's wish? Yearning to be an actor?
I have no such lofty ambitions.Copy !req
155. So, what's the show called?Copy !req
156. "I'll Go With Sweet Today." It's based on a shoujo manga.Copy !req
157. Oh, I know that one! "Sweet Today"!Copy !req
158. It's that manga Aqua's got in his room!
That was a fun read!Copy !req
159. Don't read my stuff without asking.Copy !req
160. It's a drama produced by a recently
established internet TV stationCopy !req
161. that will have six episodes total,
three of which have already been released.Copy !req
162. Even the main cast is mostly made up of new actors,
and it seems the production is a bit on the smaller side.Copy !req
163. Apparently, Aqua will play a villain
who shows up in the final episode.Copy !req
164. You're perfect for it. You've got
a sinister-looking face, after all.Copy !req
165. Oh, shut up.Copy !req
166. Since it's an internet-streaming show,
we can watch it right now.Copy !req
167. Oh, I wanna watch it!Copy !req
168. I hate people.Copy !req
169. After all, everyone only thinks of themselves.Copy !req
170. Oh, it's Loli-senpai!Copy !req
171. Hey, so...Copy !req
172. Hm?Copy !req
173. do you get enjoyment out of making that face?Copy !req
174. There something you want?Copy !req
175. Not really, I was just chasing some cat
and happened to come across you.Copy !req
176. What the heck?Copy !req
177. Well look at that... You're cute when you smile.Copy !req
178. H-hey now... Don't tease me like that.Copy !req
179. Be honest with yourself.Copy !req
180. Hey, buddy! Hands off my girl!Copy !req
181. Huh? What's your deal, man?Copy !req
182. Please, cut it out, you two!Copy !req
183. Stop fighting!Copy !req
184. Wait, was "Sweet Today" really like that?!Copy !req
185. On the whole, was that the feel it had to it, I wonder?Copy !req
186. The direction is on point, so I wouldn't go
as far as saying it's unwatchable...Copy !req
187. but all these original characters not
in the manga are getting screen time.Copy !req
188. The production side must want to feature
as many actors as possible, huh?Copy !req
189. Also, the story didn't unfold like that in the manga, did it?Copy !req
190. When you pack 14 manga volumes into half a TV season,
it's inevitable that some of the story will get cut.Copy !req
191. Plus, the acting is...Copy !req
192. Seems many of the show's actors
have no prior experience.Copy !req
193. How do I put it...?! It's downright awful!Copy !req
194. Now, that's a bit too blunt.Copy !req
195. Anyway, wasn't Loli-senpai better at acting than that?Copy !req
196. Shut the hell up! She really said that?!
She can drop dead!Copy !req
197. I see you still have a foul mouth.Copy !req
198. This concerns my reputation, so listen here:Copy !req
199. There are hardly any high schoolers
who can act as well as I can!Copy !req
200. Then, why'd it turn out how it did?Copy !req
201. This TV drama is meant to target the female
demographic that's into good-looking guys,Copy !req
202. so they're featuring a bunch of models
they want to start promoting.Copy !req
203. Acting ability is a secondary concern.Copy !req
204. But if they went ahead with that,
the show would be a bust.Copy !req
205. Which is why they cast me, someone known
for her acting chops, as the female lead.Copy !req
206. Considering that, your acting's not on point, is it?Copy !req
207. Obviously, I'm holding back!Copy !req
208. Everyone up there on screen with me is a ham actor!Copy !req
209. You've got nice nails.Copy !req
210. People count on others to make them stronger.Copy !req
211. Come on, try smiling.Copy !req
212. I'm the only one in the main cast
who can act worth a damn!Copy !req
213. Just imagine if I gave it my all in that situation!Copy !req
214. Their ham acting would stand out as ham-fisted
to the point it'd be like a ham roast!Copy !req
215. "Ham roast"?Copy !req
216. I'd like to put everything into my acting, you know.Copy !req
217. I mean, who would enjoy going
out of their way to act poorly?Copy !req
218. But, good acting and creating
a good show are different things.Copy !req
219. No doubt, right from the planning stages
the seller's viewpoint has been overly prioritized.Copy !req
220. There's no way it can be entertaining as a show.Copy !req
221. When the author of the source manga visited
the set for the filming of episode 1...Copy !req
222. her look of disappointment was hard to bear.Copy !req
223. But the actors and behind-the-scenes staff
each gave it their allCopy !req
224. because we wanted to create
a good show for all the viewers and fansCopy !req
225. of the manga so far as we possibly could.Copy !req
226. At the very least, I want to make it watchable.Copy !req
227. To accomplish that, I'll do lousy acting if necessary.Copy !req
228. Even if that means diminishing
your reputation as an actor?Copy !req
229. For an actor, it's communication skills that're important.Copy !req
230. The old me flaunted her acting ability.Copy !req
231. It's true I was able to sell,
but I treated others like they didn't exist.Copy !req
232. Which is why job offers dried up in
the blink of an eye once I was past my peak.Copy !req
233. There were kids who were better actors than me, so
I had to give people a reason to cast me despite that...Copy !req
234. I realized how important that was.Copy !req
235. I'm now an actor who's easy to work with,Copy !req
236. as I strive to contribute to the quality of a production
without being bent on getting my way.Copy !req
237. I also have a long-standing relationship
with Producer Kaburagi.Copy !req
238. I'm bearing that in mind with this project too,
which is why he gave me the role.Copy !req
239. I see you actually learned
how to cooperate at some point.Copy !req
240. I've grown up, you see.Copy !req
241. Well, I guess my face is also just
as pretty as any of those model's!Copy !req
242. Actors sure are a self-assured bunch, aren't they?Copy !req
243. Anyway, we film tomorrow!
And the episode will be released next week!Copy !req
244. After filming, it'll be edited and delivered in a flash!Copy !req
245. We're skipping the read-through and going right
into a rehearsal then filming, so I'm counting on ya!Copy !req
246. I see the schedule's a disaster, too.Copy !req
247. The guy who had your part kept complaining and quit,
so we had to reschedule - it was a mess.Copy !req
248. It's not a very appealing role, after all.Copy !req
249. Which is why I was able to squeeze you into the cast.Copy !req
250. I got the part via a contact and
I'm skipping the read-through...Copy !req
251. Nothing new for me, I guess.Copy !req
252. When I did the same thing as a little kid,
you really chewed me out.Copy !req
253. Oh, the memories...Copy !req
254. To think I'm the one who got you cast this time.Copy !req
255. I've turned into a despicable grown-up!Copy !req
256. It's nothing to laugh about.Copy !req
257. But, I do understand how the director felt now.Copy !req
258. By now, you get why I asked you to take the part, right?Copy !req
259. It doesn't matter who trashes me
or calls me a lousy actor.Copy !req
260. Please... Work with me to make a good show.Copy !req
261. With you on board, I believe it's possible.Copy !req
262. A hopeless project plus a cast of actors who can't act...Copy !req
263. Still, after listening to Kana and taking a fresh look,Copy !req
264. I can see that the script and direction
have been adapted to suit the actors.Copy !req
265. I notice that techniques to make the show watchable -
despite the bad acting - have been used here and there.Copy !req
266. The show's crew is excellent.Copy !req
267. In addition, the female lead is
an immensely talented actor.Copy !req
268. There just may be a way to pull this off.Copy !req
269. With TV dramas, the lead actors gather in
a room to do a read-through and rehearsal,Copy !req
270. and based on that the chief director
or director creates the storyboards.Copy !req
271. Then, there's an on-location off-camera rehearsal,Copy !req
272. camera rehearsal, and full run-through
before the actual filming starts - that's typical, anyway.Copy !req
273. I hear we could only secure this location for one day,Copy !req
274. so everything from the off-camera rehearsal to the
run-through is being combined into a single rehearsal.Copy !req
275. We only get a single practice run.Copy !req
276. Pretty sloppy, I'd say.
Even my director's more thorough than that.Copy !req
277. We don't have either the budget or the time.Copy !req
278. Hey there, Kana-chan.Copy !req
279. The rain's crazy today, huh?Copy !req
280. I wish they would've postponed filming.Copy !req
281. Seems we've got a few leaks in the roof, but we'll be fine.Copy !req
282. Well, this humidity makes my hair frizzy.
Plus, I hate how damp it feels in here.Copy !req
283. Oh, let me introduce you.
He'll be playing the stalker today.Copy !req
284. I'm Aqua.Copy !req
285. I look forward to work-Copy !req
286. Hi.Copy !req
287. That guy's got a bad attitude.
He didn't even introduce himself.Copy !req
288. That's the male lead, Melt Narushima.Copy !req
289. Well, he's young too, and it's pretty
common for rising stars to be like that.Copy !req
290. Er, I'm kinda bashing myself by saying that.Copy !req
291. A certain idol agency and places like it
train their performers well,Copy !req
292. so they're polite, well-liked on set, and don't disappoint.Copy !req
293. There's good reason they're used so often, right?Copy !req
294. On that note, greeting people
is an important part of the job.Copy !req
295. Go on!Copy !req
296. Pleased to meet you. I am Aqua
with Strawberry Productions.Copy !req
297. I look forward to working with you today.Copy !req
298. Yeah, same here.Copy !req
299. Masaya Kaburagi... A man who had
some kind of connection to Ai Hoshino.Copy !req
300. A man who may be my and Ruby's biological father
and who may have been involved with Ai's death.Copy !req
301. I need to look for a chance to collect
a sample I can run a DNA test on.Copy !req
302. That guy's the one in charge of this set.Copy !req
303. His opinions get conveyed on set
via the chief director or director.Copy !req
304. He has strong ties to modeling agencies,
and most of the show's casting fell to him.Copy !req
305. In any case, he's a looks-above-all-else kind of guy.Copy !req
306. That's also the reason he agreed to cast you.Copy !req
307. It's time for the rehearsal!Copy !req
308. Let's do this. I trust you have the script memorized?Copy !req
309. Yeah.Copy !req
310. I play a stalker who follows the female lead around.Copy !req
311. What irony of fate is this?Copy !req
312. To end up portraying a stalker,
like the man who killed Ai...Copy !req
313. And... action!Copy !req
314. We'll stop there for now!Copy !req
315. Hmm, we've got a leak here...Copy !req
316. So, for this shot let's speed up
the dolly then move onto the next one.Copy !req
317. Hey, your acting's just fine.
What's this "I prefer to work behind the scenes" stuff?Copy !req
318. This is a role anyone could do so long as they practiced.Copy !req
319. I'm not so lousy that I hinder others,
but I don't exhibit any charm either.Copy !req
320. My acting that Kana Arima witnessed that dayCopy !req
321. only felt so alien due to the disparity
between my physical age and inner mind.Copy !req
322. Now that my body has caught up to
my mental age, I'm just a dime-a-dozen actor.Copy !req
323. If you're looking for terrific acting from me, I'm sorry.Copy !req
324. Oh, please...Copy !req
325. Well, I'd be lying if I said I had no expectations at all...Copy !req
326. but you did enough.Copy !req
327. Your acting feels like that of someone who's put
in the work for a long time, and I personally like it.Copy !req
328. The little techniques you use
are considerate and meticulous...Copy !req
329. It's like you've set your ego aside
and thrown yourself into the story.Copy !req
330. But maybe ordinary people wouldn't realize that.Copy !req
331. It could be that it doesn't really matter
to anyone besides long-time actors like us.Copy !req
332. You don't need to be so thoughtful.Copy !req
333. Yes, I do. After all, I'm leader of
the troupe here, believe it or not.Copy !req
334. I'm in a lead role for the for first time in a decade,Copy !req
335. so it's a big job to me and you better
believe I'm gonna give it my all!Copy !req
336. Good point. I hadn't seen you at all lately,
so I was surprised you were still acting.Copy !req
337. My rough patch lasted quite some time.Copy !req
338. I couldn't get any work, and people online
treated me like my career was over.Copy !req
339. But, I kept on training.Copy !req
340. Even I didn't know what I was putting in all that effort for,
and the thought of retiring kept crossing my mind.Copy !req
341. However...Copy !req
342. I'm finally now being recognized for my ability!Copy !req
343. I'm so glad I didn't call it quits!Copy !req
344. Which is why even if you don't do really terrific acting,Copy !req
345. I was happy just to see that
you're continuing this line of work.Copy !req
346. In this world shrouded in darkness, I learned there
was someone who'd been struggling along with me.Copy !req
347. That alone is enough.Copy !req
348. How much longer till we resume filming?
Melt's got a magazine shoot after this.Copy !req
349. We're almost ready. In any case,
Arima-san has been comforting the cast for us.Copy !req
350. Ah, Kana-chan... She's easy to work with
and nice to have around.Copy !req
351. She does a nice job flattering just about everyone,
so she's great to appoint for whatever random role.Copy !req
352. Besides, the name "Kana Arima" is
more or less known to the public.Copy !req
353. Now that she left her agency and went freelance,Copy !req
354. her performance fee is dirt-cheap and
we can still leverage her name recognition...Copy !req
355. so we're getting a deal.Copy !req
356. Well, it's a pain that she's picky about the acting, though.Copy !req
357. This TV drama is nothing more
than promotional material.Copy !req
358. We're not even asking for acting ability in the first place.Copy !req
359. It seems that's the one point she hasn't picked up on.Copy !req
360. I'm finally now being recognized for my ability!Copy !req
361. That's not recognition.Copy !req
362. That's just the way of the world, Kana Arima.Copy !req
363. In fact, it's rarer to be evaluated appropriately.Copy !req
364. I've collected what I needed,
so my goal is already accomplished.Copy !req
365. But...Copy !req
366. We're resuming filming now!Copy !req
367. I'm already here, so I might as well go out with a bang.Copy !req