A slightly disheveled man wearing a shabby khaki jacket stood in front of a mansion. He had a scruffy beard on his chin and a listless, lethargic expression.
“Hoo-”
He looked up at the old two-story mansion and exhaled a moderate amount of cigarette smoke. The camera shot his back and then slowly moved to the side. The man was detective Mochio Yoshizawa. He seemed to be alone today without his junior detective. Mochio muttered softly with a cigarette in his mouth.
“Does he live here? He’s ordinary.”
Mochio had just come back from wrapping up a series of deaths that had occurred today. To be clear, it was a public conclusion. The police had officially announced the full story of the incidents to the public.
“······”
Both the perpetrator and the victims were dead. Starting with Misaki Shutoku, who killed Konakayama Kinzo, everyone killed each other like a tangled thread. In addition, the story of ‘Misaki Toka’ was revealed, but it was not made known to the world. It was too long ago, and the other serial deaths were several times more provocative.
No, is there anything left? Yes, solid circumstances and evidence.
The circumstances and remaining evidence were too clear to entertain any further suspicions, and the public was trembling with fear. It was only natural for the police to announce the closure of the case as quickly as possible.
but.
-Ugh.
Only one person. Detective Mochio, who just took out a new cigarette and put it in his mouth, was the only one who had not yet concluded the case. Two things were lingering in his mind.
Accomplice. And ‘Kiyoshi Iyota’.
Detective Mochio stepped away, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets.
-Kang, kang, kang.
He slowly climbs the iron stairs. At the end of the hallway on the second floor. He lives in the last house. The man Mochio is looking for.
The camera captures Mochio walking down the hallway, backing away.
soon.
“······”
Mochio had just reached the end of the hallway and was about to raise his hand to knock on the door.
-Clang!
The iron door suddenly opened and hit Mochio on the head.
“Ugh!”
Mochio, who was covering his head, groaned softly, and the man who came out of the house flinched and spoke to Mochio right away. No, it would be closer to saying he was upset.
“Surprise, what’s wrong with you?”
The man with his eyebrows narrowed glared at Mochio, who was bowing slightly and holding his head with both hands. He was suspicious. The man looked around the hallway. Then he became irritated at Mochio again.
“I’m surprised. What are you doing here?”
Mochio, who had his head covered, took something out of his pocket while making a sound like ‘keu’. It was a detective’s notebook.
“Detective, it opened suddenly and I couldn’t avoid it.”
“······Detective? Why are you in front of my house, detective? Ah! This is self-defense! Ah- No, is that a different meaning?”
“yes?”
“No, I’m saying it wasn’t my fault that I hit you, detective.”
“I’m not blaming you, though.”
“of course!”
The man’s voice was slightly frivolous. Mochio stared at him for a while. Soon, Mochio put his detective’s notebook in his pocket and asked the man.
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“······Is this Mr. Kiyoshi Iyota?”
“Huh? What? How did you know my name? Did you come looking for me?”
“Yes.”
The man with slightly wide eyes. No, Kiyoshi Iyota scratched his chin with a strange expression.
“Me, why me?”
Kiyoshi immediately became nervous. On the other hand, Mochio nodded slightly and answered as if it was nothing.
“Do you remember ‘Misaki Toka’?”
Kiyoshi folded his arms and looked up. He seemed to be deep in thought. However, he shrugged his shoulders as if he had no recollection. His movements and voice were light.
“Who is that? Is this the first time I’ve heard of it?”
There was a moment of silence here. About 5 seconds. Soon, Director Kyotaro’s shout rang out.
“Cut cut cut! OOOOK!!”
It was a sign of satisfaction. At the same time, Kiyoshi. No, Kang Woojin and Mana Kosaku came down the iron stairs. Several staff members joined them. It was for makeup touch-ups. Director Kyotaro also joined afterward.
“I’ll go with the storyboard up to this point. From here on out, you can do whatever you want as I said before. I’ll do the later scenes in the same way, first shooting the original scenes and then alternating between shooting the free scenes.”
Rather than doing a long take all at once, we’re going to split it up into the original and free-flowing parts for each cut.
The following are brief answers from Kang Woo-jin and Mana Kosaku.
“Yes, sir.”
“yes.”
The scene just now has been repeated about three times, and from here on out, it’s time for the actors to break away from the storyboard and do as they please, as Director Kyotaro had told Writer Akari, and for the two actors to act freely. Of course, this is while maintaining the directing, situation, emotions of the characters, and conflict.
The atmosphere on the set, where nearly 200 people gathered to watch the two actors, changed.
“Hey, it’s starting now.”
“Are Ambassador Kang Woo-jin and Mana Kosaku able to do whatever they want?”
“I heard that.”
Not only the 100 or so staff members, but also executives from film companies and distribution companies.
“This is the first time I’ve seen a cut like this, will it be okay?”
“Well- but in Hollywood, they often leave it up to the actors. The perspectives of directors and actors are different. I don’t see it in Japan. Honestly, I’ve heard about it, but this is the first time I’ve seen it.”
“It’s not that bad now. There are already so many challenges, so isn’t it overdoing it?”
“Now that we’ve come this far, all we can do is watch.”
Akari, the writer sitting behind the director’s seat with glasses on the tip of her nose, didn’t really say anything. It was also strange. She was seeing the scenes from her own work with her own eyes. But her expression was stiff.
“······”
What she had just seen was a cut she already knew. And the drawing was satisfactory enough. However, from here on out, it was unknown.
At this time.
“Author.”
A gruff old voice came from her right. It was Chairman Hideki, with his suit jacket off and his secretaries around him. He sat down and asked quietly.
“Kiyoshi just now seemed a bit unusual. Wasn’t he originally that kind of character?”
“Ah- That’s right. The storyboard artist Kiyoshi knew that Detective Mochio would come, and he added some proper acting.”
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“To hide your original appearance?”
“Yes. It’s confusing. Kiyoshi knows that Detective Mochio is smart. This scene is expressed to some extent in the original work, but the director was a bit more ambitious with this cut, adding detailed direction and adaptation.”
“So does that mean things are different now? I heard that actors are acting more comfortably outside of the script.”
“······I came to see that too.”
“Hmm- I see.”
Chairman Hideki, with shining eyes, turned to face the front.
‘It’s a sight you don’t often see. But it’s not easy, is it? The staff’s tension is high.’
Director Kyotaro, who finished explaining to Kang Woo-jin and Mana Kosaku, left the filming area. The same goes for the staff who finished adjusting their makeup. Kang Woo-jin and Kosaku only had a brief conversation and did not seem to have any specific plans.
Are you saying that we should value each other’s feelings?
It was true.
The two actors, Ujin and Kosaku, had a point of agreement. It all started with Kosaku’s suggestion.
“Let’s keep the basic core lines between each other, but let’s do the rest of the free acting comfortably without telling each other.”
It was a suggestion not to be picky. It meant to become a real ‘stranger’ character and give yourself over to the acting and the situation with the emotions that come rushing in indiscriminately. Kang Woo-jin had absolutely no reason to oppose it.
“All right.”
That’s more convenient for me. No, it’s funnier to tell them everything in the first place. So, you can’t leave it up to the actors’ freedom, right? Kang Woo-jin answered cynically.
“I will go in peace.”
I was sincere.
A few dozen minutes later.
Preparations for reshoots were slowly being completed. The hundred or so staff members who had rushed out held their breath, forming a circle around the filming location, and executives from the film company and distribution company also fixed their eyes on the set with serious expressions. Writer Akari’s eyes were filled with strange anticipation and worry, and Chairman Hideki on her right had a face that was hard to read.
“······”
After a brief conversation with the cinematographer, Director Kyotaro sat down at a table with several monitors.
“Hoo-”
I took a deep breath and gestured to the staff. A male staff member jumped out and slapped a slate in front of the camera.
-widely!
Director Kyotaro took off his hat and picked up the loudspeaker. Just before the word ‘action’ came out of his mouth, Kang Woojin, who was on the set mansion side, had already closed the iron door and entered.
And then.
‘first-‘
He quickly pulled up Iyota Kiyoshi. In an instant, the world Woojin saw became a ‘strange parasite.’ Everything became Kiyoshi, but for some reason, Kang Woojin did not stop working.
He is different now than he was in the past.
Currently, Kang Woo-jin has the recently added ability, ‘Freedom of Role’. The mold has been broken. There are countless possibilities. Well, in fact, it has been broken for quite some time and Woo-jin has already mastered it. To put it in an extreme way, Kang Woo-jin is now able to suddenly dance a mask dance while maintaining ‘Iyota Kiyoshi’ itself.
However, Woojin takes out something else instead of the mask dance.
Actually, I had already decided on the answer a few days ago.
‘First of all, role synthesis is necessary.’
Anyway, it was a cut where Kiyoshi was watching Detective Mochio and adding some acting. So, the role composition would be useful. However, Woojin didn’t want to throw away Kiyoshi’s roots. Kiyoshi wanted to keep Kiyoshi-ness until the end. Even if it was acting within acting.
So, the character called through role synthesis must be similar to Kiyoshi, but also have to be able to deliver a twist.
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As expected, Kang Woo-jin has a summoner in mind.
“······”
A different scent overlapped with Kang Woo-jin, who was already filled with Kiyoshi. It was the summoned beast responding to its master’s call. The role synthesis was accomplished in an instant.
This is just a taste. The real thing starts here.
Kiyoshi’s foundation is maintained along with the summoned beast brought out through role synthesis. However, Kang Woo-jin is planning to break the scenario’s framework.
Unlocks ‘Freedom of Role’.
Meanwhile, Mana Kosaku, who had no way of knowing about this situation, was outside the iron gate, recalling Detective Mochio’s feelings while making a resolution inwardly.
‘It’s okay, just go with dignity. Even if you leave it to your own devices, the situation in the play will be the same. Mochio’s situation is more important than Kiyoshi’s. Kiyoshi has to hide, and I can vaguely sense that he’s hiding it.’
This means that you can deal with any kind of smoke that comes your way with ease.
‘If you attack, it will be on my side. I have no intention of letting him, Kiyoshi, go easily.’
The two actors were thrown into unknown territory as true ‘strangers’.
At this time.
“Hi- Action!”
The director’s signal rang. Soon, Mana Kosaku. No, detective Mochio moved with both hands stuck in his jacket. He climbed the iron stairs with a cancancan sound. The camera followed him and moved in front of him.
We arrived at the end of the hallway before we knew it.
but.
“······”
It’s quiet. According to the original scenario, the iron gate should have opened. But there’s not a single movement. The frame was broken from the start. However, Detective Mochio doesn’t care. He scratches his head. And then he knocks on the iron gate.
-dripping.
3 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds. No movement. Mochio sighed softly and scratched his chin.
“Are you not at home?”
He knocks on the door again.
-Knock knock knock.
This time, the intensity is stronger than the first time. But the iron door shows no sign of opening. What is it? Detective Mochio glanced around the hallway and chuckled.
“It seems like they’re asking for a password.”
Natural ad-lib. Director Kyotaro, who was burying his nose in the monitor, muttered with satisfaction.
“Okay, okay.”
Anyway, the door wouldn’t open. It was when Detective Mochio lowered his head to look at his wristwatch in front of the iron gate.
-Clang!
Suddenly, the iron door opened and hit Detective Mochio hard on the head. With a bang, Mochio staggered slightly, and from inside the door, Kiyoshi Iyota with an indifferent face poked his head out.
But he didn’t open his mouth.
“······”
just.
“Ugh-”
He just quietly looks at Detective Mochio, who is complaining of pain. Kiyoshi’s face doesn’t have much of an expression. What’s funny is…
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-Ugh.
Kiyoshi’s eyes, looking back and forth between Detective Mochio and the iron gate, were filled with surprise. His expression immediately changed. It was a different look from his usual expressionless appearance. Nevertheless, his overall expression was stiff. And he didn’t say anything.
“······”
Kiyoshi hesitates, his hands trembling slightly.
Mochio confirmed the appearance.
Mochio said, holding his head with one hand and taking out his detective notebook with the other. He showed the notebook to Kiyoshi.
“Ugh- Ah, it’s okay. I didn’t have time to avoid it because you opened it too late. Don’t worry about it. I’m a detective. Are you Kiyoshi Iyota?”
“······”
The question was asked, but Kiyoshi just blinked his eyes in surprise and didn’t answer. Mochio smiled slightly as he put the notebook in his jacket. He still had one hand on his head.
“Are you Mr. Kiyoshi Iyota?”
Mochio met Kiyoshi’s eyes. He was wearing glasses. He was wearing a simple shirt. A shirt that was almost gray. It was a feeling that you could see everywhere. If you didn’t pay attention, no one would remember him. What was strange was his behavior.
‘Why is there no response?’
It was strange. It was definitely so. The Kiyoshi in front of me now had a mixture of his original and the smell of a clumsy or awkward young man. Yes, it was as if the two characters had merged.
Kosaku or Mochio said again, as if to say, let’s try stabbing him first.
“Oh, don’t be nervous. There’s a big incident all over Japan, but nothing much is happening around here. I just have a few questions to ask you.”
“······”
Kiyoshi doesn’t answer this time either. Still, his eyes are fixed on Detective Mochio. There’s something strange about his gaze. Where are you looking? Or rather, silence? Mochio judged that Kiyoshi was frozen.
Are you going to keep your mouth shut?
‘I’m calculating quickly in my head, and not saying anything is to hide my nervousness.’
But I can’t give you a break. Detective Mochio, who had a smile on his face and a noticeable stubble on his chin, asked Kiyoshi again.
“Mr. Kiyoshi Iyota, you knew I would come, right?”
Kiyoshi’s expression didn’t change much. At this point, all 200 people on set sensed something strange.
‘Why aren’t you saying anything?’
‘Did you forget your lines? Or is there anything you could forget when you’re doing it freely?’
‘Is it okay?’
The same goes for Director Kyotaro, who is staring at the monitor.
‘Silence. Is that what he was trying to achieve? He’s going to keep his mouth shut until the end?’
That wasn’t bad in itself. But the strangeness doesn’t go away. The first appearance, where the scents of the two characters seem to mix, was good, but the silence was too bland.
It was at this time.
-Ugh.
Kang Woo-jin or Kiyoshi, who had monopolized the attention of 200 people, moved for the first time. He raised one hand and placed it on his chest. The motion was full of courtesy.
Then he opens his mouth with difficulty.
“Ah, ah- euah-”
Woojin suddenly groaned. No, it wasn’t a groan? Soon, question marks appeared in everyone’s eyes, starting with Director Kyotaro. In particular, Detective Mochio, who was looking at Kang Woojin right in front of him, was the most intense.
‘What…? What are you talking about?’
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Mochio, with his eyebrows furrowed, asked Kiyoshi back.
“Huh? Hey, are you kidding me right now?”
But Kang Woo-jin still groans in a similar way.
“Ugh, ah- ah-”
Suddenly, both hands were raised. Detective Mochio instinctively flinched and went into a defensive stance, but Kang Woojin’s hands were not intended to attack him.
-Ugh.
His two hands began to fly gently in the air.
[“I’m sorry, I can’t hear you very well, detective.”]
It was Japanese sign language.
[“Detective, you probably don’t know what this sign language means either?”]
Kiyoshi was signing.
At that moment, Director Kyotaro, who was watching the monitor, widened his eyes and raised his head. He saw Kang Woojin inside the set mansion.
‘S, sign language?!’
Mochio was frozen by the completely unexpected acting.
“ah······”
Detective Mochio was clearly flustered.
end
