To be honest, after watching it, I debated whether I should smash my laptop.
[I hate humans. Because everyone only thinks about themselves.]
As expected, Arima Kana's skills are the real deal. But the problem is...
"Ah! It's Loli-senpai."
Ruby? Even if you don't use her full name, could you at least call her by her surname?
[Is making that face fun for you?]
...............?
"Wow, that male actor's acting is the worst★"
"You're too direct, Ai."
Still, I can't deny it.
[What? You look cute when you smile.]
[Don't tease me.]
I don't know what to say about this gap in quality. The one thing that's certain is that it feels heavily like Arima Kana is lowering her level to match them.
[Don't touch my woman.]
[Ha, who are you?]
[Stop fighting!]
I felt that if I watched any more, my sanity wouldn't be able to handle it, so I closed Miyako-san's laptop.
And then, silence ensued...
"Wow, is Aqua really going to be in a production like this★?"
"Aqua must have... his own thoughts on the matter."
You're doing this to investigate Director Masaya, right? Isn't that so, Aqua?
"Was 'Sweet Today' always this kind of story?"
"Wasn't it roughly like this?"
Miyako-san, please at least look Ruby in the eyes when you say that.
Ai read a bit of the Sweet Today manga on her smartphone.
"The direction is okay, so it's not unwatchable, but isn't that original character who doesn't exist in the manga getting way too much screen time?"
"It's probably due to the production side wanting to feature as many actors as possible."
"Even to Yume, frankly, the development doesn't seem right, does it?"
"Well, trying to cram 14 volumes of content into 6 episodes inevitably means cutting things out, but this is indeed a bit severe."
Aside from the cast, I know the staff's skills are actually quite good, but...
"In the first place, Yume. Except for that Arisma Karuna girl? The acting of the cast isn't exactly great."
"It's Arima Kana. And apparently, most of the cast are models with no acting experience."
"Mama, Papa, how should I put this... It's serious!"
"No, Ruby. It's the worst★"
"I see, it is the worst, Mama!!"
"Ruby, Ai, don't be so blunt."
"But actually, didn't Loli-senpai... act much better than that before?"
I had to agree with Ruby. Arima Kana's talent as an actress was undeniably exceptional. perhaps, purely in terms of acting talent, she might even surpass Ai.
From what I've seen, Arima Kana has always acted by matching her performance to her co-stars.
Internally, I pitied Arima Kana.
Why are there so many people around me who trap themselves within their own molds?
Putting my own thoughts aside, I caught sight of Aqua deep in thought.
First Person POV: Hoshino Aqua
"Your sister said that!? Drop dead, that b*tch!!"
"You really have a foul mouth, as always."
It was the right decision not to mention Ai (Mom).
"For the sake of my honor, I'll say this just. In. Case! There aren't many high schoolers who can act as well as I can!"
Honestly, I do acknowledge her acting skills.
Yume (Dad) said so as well.
"Arima Kana-san? Hmm... indeed. If we look only at acting talent, she might act even better than Ai. But if I had to point out a flaw, perhaps it's that she always adjusts her acting to match those around her?"
Yume (Dad), who has a sharp eye, said that.
"Hmm? Kamasuma Kanako's acting skills? She's probably way better than Mama, isn't she? But it bothers me that she always tries to match her surroundings~ If she keeps acting like that, she'll probably never surpass this Mama, you know?"
Ai (Mom), whose insight is no less than Yume (Dad)'s, said the same thing.
When two people who are currently called great actors say so, it's no exaggeration to say Arima Kana's acting talent is genuine.
Does that mean she's lowering her level for the surrounding actors this time too?
"Then why are you like this this time?"
Thoughts not heard directly from her mouth are just speculation.
"This drama is a project meant to appeal to a female demographic that likes handsome guys by using a lot of models they want to promote from now on."
"Acting ability is secondary; the guys' looks are the priority."
"But if it goes like that, the production will fall apart. That's why they hired me, someone whose strength is acting, as the heroine."
That certainly doesn't sound wrong.
"For that reason, though, you weren't acting very well, were you?"
"Of course I'm half-assing it!!"
So that was it. There's no way Arima Kana's skill, praised by two people at the top of the acting world, would be at this level.
"All the actors around me are kids who can't act!! I'm the only one in the main cast who knows how to do it properly!!"
"If I gave a passionate performance in this situation! The other actors' inability would stand out so much it would be glaring!!"
"Glaring?"
"I want to act with full force too. Who would willingly give a crappy performance because they enjoy it?"
"But acting well and making a good production are two different things."
"If you ask whether acting well makes for a good piece of work, the answer is no."
"Certainly, the promotion for this project has been too obvious from the planning stage. It can't become interesting as a piece of art."
It's exactly as Yume (Dad) thought.
"How do I see the drama? Hmm... obviously, it's promotional. Even from the perspective of a regular viewer, not an actor, the acting of everyone except Arima-san is a mess."
"But using those actors despite that means it's for some kind of promotion."
"Is Arima-san like an insurance policy considering the other actors' skills?"
"How must the original author feel? Well, obviously..."
[It must be the worst.]
"Actually, the author visited the set during the filming of episode one. That disappointed expression was painful to watch."
"But every single actor and staff member is working hard. We want to make it at least a somewhat good work for the viewers and the fans of the original."
"At the very least, I'll make it a 'watchable' drama. If that requires giving a crappy performance, I'll do it."
"Even if it means lowering your own evaluation as an actress?"
[People stuck in their own mold cannot grow unless they break that mold. Do you understand what this means, Aqua?]
Why do Yume (Dad)'s words from back then come to mind now?
"What's important for an actor is communication skills."
"The old me showed off my own acting. I was certainly popular, but I looked down on others."
"So when my peak passed, the work disappeared in the blink of an eye."
"I realized there are kids who act better than me, so the meaning of hiring me—that became important."
Is this what Yume (Dad) meant?
"First of all, the current me is an easy-to-use actor who doesn't involve ego and strives to contribute to the quality of the work."
"I've known the Producer for a long time too. He hired me this time because he knows I understand that part well."
"Before I knew it, you've gained a sense of cooperation."
[If a person hits a wall in something, realizing it and changing is something they must do themselves.]
Did Yume (Dad) know Arima Kana would change?
"Fufufu, I am an adult, after all."
"Well, my pretty face that doesn't lose out even next to models plays a part too, and that Producer is actually a sucker for looks!"
"Actors are all overflowing with confidence..."
"If you're an actor, the most important thing is confidence. Well, in my current situation, whether I have confidence or not, there are many people willing to use me."
"Work comes in just by acting, you know? Since Aqua resembles Mama and Yume, surely you'll become a good actor too!"
Come to think of it, neither of them ever complained while doing acting work.
"So, the shoot is tomorrow!"
...What did you say?
"It airs next week! Editing right after shooting! Immediate delivery!!"
"Understand that we're skipping the table read, going straight to rehearsal, and then straight to shooting!"
"The schedule is doomed."
If Yume (Dad) knew, he would have flipped the whole thing over.
"The kid who was supposed to play your role complained and quit, so rescheduling was a huge pain. It's not exactly a good role, either."
"That's why I was able to slip you in, though."
She handed me the script naturally.
"Getting a role through connections, skipping the table read... this pattern again..."
It reminds me of when we were kids.
"You sure were loud with your complaints when we did the same thing as kids."
"Wow~ nostalgic~ But to think I'd be the one doing it this time. I've become a dirty adult."
"What are you laughing at?"
"But now, I feel like I understand the director's feelings. You already know the reason I called you, Aqua, right? I don't care if people curse or if you act terribly."
"Please. Make a good work with me."
"I feel like if it's with you, I can do it."
First Person POV: Hoshino Yume
"So, you're doing it after all, Aqua."
"Well, yes. It reminds me of the old days."
The old days, huh...
"Well, since it's you, Aqua, I believe you'll do well. If you need any help, just say the word."
"Then, can you come to the shooting location with me?"
"Me? I don't mind. I don't really have a schedule this week anyway."
It doesn't clash with Ai's schedule either, so Ai will just be at home tomorrow.
"Alright then, I'll tell Miyako-san that I'm going with you to your shoot."
"Yes, please."
"Don't mention it. I can do at least this much for family."
"However..."
Aqua is likely feeling the same thing I am.
This drama's hopeless planning and the cast who can't act.
However, after listening to Aqua and checking the drama again after reading the report...
I realized that the script and direction were unexpectedly adjusted to fit the actors.
I could tell that 'techniques to make it a watchable work' despite the crappy acting were being used here and there.
The staff involved in this drama are competent.
And the heroine is a skilled veteran with undeniable talent.
Aqua and I locked eyes.
"There seems to be a way, doesn't there, Aqua?"
"Well, I think there is a way."
Even as we spoke, I had the illusion that the star in Aqua's right eye was being dyed black.