"Good morning, President! How do I look?"
Ichika met the President's car downstairs. It wasn't her manager, but the President himself—a silver-haired man in his sixties.
"What kind of movie is it, President?" Ichika asked as she got in.
"A zombie movie."
"Eh? Z-Zombies?" Ichika's smile froze. She'd hoped for a romance or a drama.
"This is your first audition, right, Ichika-chan?" the President said, ignoring her shock. "You might be drawn to the glamour of being a star, but this is a cruel world. Especially for a beautiful girl like you. You know what I mean."
Ichika's heart tightened. Rin had warned her about this. Is he saying I have to...
"I personally dislike it," the President continued, "but it's a reality. Trading your body to a director for a role is a huge temptation for newcomers. Often, girls offer themselves even if the director doesn't ask."
Is he hinting that I should offer myself? Ichika frowned. She was already thinking about paying the contract termination fee. Her family was wealthy enough that she could afford it.
"I'm not hinting at anything," the President said, seeing her doubt. "I tell every newcomer this. I've seen many girls sell their bodies only to be scammed. They get a role that isn't even a supporting part, or nothing at all. I'm telling you: even if you decide to go down that path, don't be a fool. Don't get cheated."
"I won't do that," Ichika sighed in relief. "A friend warned me. He said if I ever run into trouble, I should call him."
"Oh? You have a friend like that?"
"Yes."
Ichika had only met Rin once, but she didn't mind using his name as a shield.
Soon, they arrived at the audition site. There were lines of people—some from agencies, some just freelancers. As a signed actress, Ichika was ushered into a waiting room.
"Don't make eye contact with the director. Don't focus on them. Imagine you are in the world of the script..." The President gave her last-minute tips.
"Ichika Nakano!"
"Here!"
She stood up, her hands trembling. When she finally entered the room, she saw four directors sitting behind a long table. Cameras and lights were pointed at the center.
"My name is Ichika Nakano..." she began, her voice steadying.
The lead director opened a script. "You are a student in class. A zombie outbreak happens. Show us being attacked."
Ichika took a deep breath. She stumbled back, falling to the floor. Her face twisted into a mask of pure terror. "Ah... no... stay away!" Her legs, already numb from nervousness, shook naturally. She pushed herself backward, eyes wide as if a monster was right in front of her.
"Good. Now, show us being a zombie."
Ichika stood up, adjusted her expression, and began to limp with a twisted neck and uncoordinated limbs, letting out a guttural hiss.
"Okay, that's enough. Go home and wait for news."
Outside the room, Ichika felt like she was floating. "Is 'wait for news' code for 'you failed'?"
"For minor roles, that's just how it is," the President said. "Should I take you home or to school? If you really want a role, ask that friend of yours. For a minor extra part, a simple recommendation is usually enough."