Even from backstage, the audience's applause echoed. The director, as the head honcho, had already gone up to greet the arriving media and guests.
The light was dim, veiled in mist, with only the green exit sign flickering. Still, Takizawa could see the flush on the girl's face.
She was dressed to the nines, as if attending a royal gala.
Clothing can transform a person.
The black dress flattered her figure, a far cry from her usual denim jacket or athletic wear. Her lively short hair, once casually strewn, was now meticulously curled. Light makeup smoothed her youthful cheeks, and glossy lips, coated in high-end balm, shimmered like soft jelly, their faint lines alluring.
Sakura-chan had gone from a clumsy high schooler to a poised, black-rose heiress.
The Cinderella-like shift was captivating, though she was already cute.
With his plain presence as a foil, she shone even brighter.
"What?" Sakura caught his lingering gaze, glancing over.
"You look stunning today," Takizawa said honestly, meaning it.
"Oh," She replied coolly, hands fidgeting, then turned away.
"Director said you're pumped for this promo?"
"Tch, hardly."
"Wow, nervous enough to blush?" He teased.
"It's foundation!"
"No way, you weren't this red before. What makeup changes with face heat?"
"You're annoying!"
Sakura kicked his shin—again.
"Picture the audience as pumpkins," Takizawa offered, sharing his wisdom.
"What, fooling a five-year-old?" Sakura scoffed.
"That's prejudice. Matsuoka, a grown guy, swears by it."
"But my mom's down there."
"Sakura-san's the lone rose among pumpkins—"
As they bantered, the host called them.
"Let me introduce our special guests…"
Sakura's face tightened, adopting a lofty facade.
"The mysterious boy in a fox mask from the rural forest, Gin's voice actor, Takizawa Satoru!"
Amid welcoming claps, the plain young man strode up, mic in hand. Despite his worn, generic shirt and pants, his fresh profile and easy smile drew eyes, like a cool breeze. By a spring lakeside, he stood under frost-kissed poplars, his gaze reflecting boundless white and void.
He nodded to the host and director, bowed to the crowd, and stood tall.
"The innocent girl saved by Gin, Hotaru's voice actor, Sakura Ayane!"
Sakura, itching to go, stepped up, stage lights tracing her petite shoulders and waist, her shadow regal. The mic in her hands felt like a queen's scepter.
But her grand veneer cracked fast. A few steps in, she stifled a laugh, covered her face, and waddled duck-like to Takizawa's side.
Their contrasting, clumsy charm won roaring applause.
"Could you both say hello?" The host gestured.
"I'm Gin's voice actor, Takizawa Satoru. Thanks for having me."
"Um, I'm Sakura Ayane, voicing Hotaru. Thank you all for coming. I hope we meet your expectations. First meeting—please guide me," Sakura said, half a step behind, piling on formalities. They exchanged glances.
Takizawa winked encouragingly; she bit her lip, smiling shyly.
"Into the Forest of Fireflies Light has a set release date, right?" The host asked.
"Yep, September," Director Omori said cheerfully.
"How's production going?"
"Recording's done. Now it's post-production tweaks, syncing visuals to audio. Both voice actors nailed it—how could we not keep up?" Omori tossed them a compliment.
"Any key challenges in the project?"
"Light and wind effects, distant sounds—natural elements set the mood. I wanted a dreamy vibe, the essence of the original. Also, character movements, especially Hotaru's. She's tiny but lively, which taxed our animators."
"The story mainly focuses on the two leads?"
"Yup."
"Takizawa-san, Sakura-san, you carry the story's weight with distinctive roles. Curious—what went into voicing Gin?" The host prompted.
"He's a ghost but human, caught between, with an inherent distance from the world," Takizawa said, scratching his head. "I was told to keep it natural, lazy, conversational."
"Gin's role demands natural talent," Omori adjusting his glasses. "When Takizawa-kun read his lines, I was floored. His voice—beautiful, pure, laced with a boy's quiet sorrow—was exactly what I wanted."
"Gin's masked, face hidden, so Sakura-chan and I discussed how to sync our performances."
"With just them in the booth, they were free, always joyful. Watching them immerse felt fulfilling," Omori chuckling.
"Thanks for the care," Takizawa said quickly.
"Nah, you two were having fun," Omori said, pleased.
"Sakura-san, the director mentioned Hotaru's lively. You worked hard to match that?" The host smiled.
Sakura gripped the mic earnestly.
"The age range is wide—six to eighteen. I've been six, but not eighteen, which was tricky. I had to imagine, diving into the novel, picturing my future self."
"She's only seventeen this year," Omori bragged.
"Seventeen? Not sixteen?" Takizawa blurted, surprised.
"That was last year. I had a birthday," Sakura said, dropping formalities, glaring.
"Happy birthday."
"Don't patronize me!" She raised a hand to swat him.
The audience laughed warmly.
"We used pre-recording since the schedule's relaxed," Omori smiling kindly. "They seem tight now, but they started distant, seats far apart with no one between."
"I thought it fit. The story's about two people on a small stage, nurturing precious memories. Seeing them grow closer was perfect—I'm thrilled as the overseer," Omori grinned.
"And notably, in and out of the story, Hotaru's the proactive one."
Publicly exposed, Sakura flushed with shame and anger, chin up, voice firm.
"Only because he was rude, ignoring everyone, no respect! I had to call him out."
"No fight, no friendship," Takizawa waved off. "We're close now. She nags me to give up seats to elders, be honest, save the planet, respect teachers."
Rude? He'd mastered Emotional Intelligence!
A mature adult wouldn't argue with a naive kid like Sakura, unversed in high-level mind games.
"This is being recorded for disc bonuses. Stay composed," Takizawa whispered, spotting cameras, leaning toward her.
Smack!
Sakura, red-faced, slapped his shoulder—her hardest hit yet. Caught off-guard, Takizawa winced, stepping back.
No retakes for this.
***
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