If he had done that in front of Jiutiao Meijie...
I mean, Rish what, Nanai something, this Dubian Che wouldn’t even know the name of this girl with the big breasts, Takasaka Sahui.
After lunch, Dubian Che brought up the script.
"Did you think of any scenes?"
Kiyono Lin nodded, "I want to shoot a scene where the ’male protagonist fights a Firework Monster in the air, and after the monster turns into the most dazzling firework, the male protagonist reverts back to his human form, just in time to be seen by the female protagonist in the crowd, and their eyes meet.’"
"At this point, I don’t care if I get discovered or not, but let me first make it clear, I can’t actually fly."
The answer from Dubian Che, full of his usual nonsense, wasn’t something Kiyono Lin disliked, but she still looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"I know that," she said, putting away her finished lunchbox, "find the tallest building closest to the Shengong Outer Garden, shoot the fighting scenes on the rooftop, and then digitally remove the building."
"If it was as simple as you say, I wonder what the point of using a wire rig is."
Kiyono Lin realized that it wasn’t feasible, but it was her first time making a film, and she wanted to try everything.
"Just shoot the scenes first. If they look bad during editing, we just won’t use them. For now, let’s just gather enough footage."
"Sounds logical. Who are you planning to cast as the female lead?"
"Yuzao. I think she’d agree to help."
"..." Dubian Che made a face as if he were constipated, "Kiyono."
"May I share my opinion?"
"Why do we have to shoot a superhero battle movie? We don’t have enough budget for special effects, do we?"
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"If we don’t have money, let’s make a low-budget movie, maybe take inspiration from ’Love Letter’, and set the story during summer instead of winter."
"Tell me more about it." Kiyono Lin, who liked the novel "Love Letter", was intrigued.
"In the last fireworks festival of the summer, the male protagonist, while on his way to meet someone, dies trying to save a child who fell into a river. The female protagonist waits but never sees him. After the fireworks, she finds out her boyfriend has died. She learns about his childhood sweetheart who looked just like her during a conversation with the protagonist’s mother after attending his funeral."
"The protagonist had a crush on his childhood sweetheart?"
"That part can be left ambiguous, whatever you like. The protagonist only needs to show his face at the beginning, and maybe occasionally appear in the female protagonist’s memories, like in a school hallway or a library—places that won’t cost money."
Kiyono Lin thought about it and nodded appreciatively, "Who knew that someone who’s all legs and boobs could actually have a screenwriter’s talent."
"Oh, come on, I’m just good at surviving," Dubian Che said, frankly.
"Well, I’m counting on you tonight."
"To be the one who jumps into the river to save someone," Kiyono Lin rolled her eyes at him.
"Honestly, you know I’m quite confident in my swimming, right? Dying in a river would just be too embarrassing."
Ignoring Kiyono Lin’s murderous glare, Dubian Che continued, "How about a heart attack instead? That way, we won’t need to hire a child actor. Water scenes hold a risk for us, and adults would worry too."
"Do you think this is a Korean drama? A heart attack? Make it a stabbing by a thief instead."
"I have nightmares about getting stabbed, but what can I do if I am an actor, not an idol? For the sake of the film, overcoming my weaknesses is necessary."
"Could you not make yourself sound so noble?" Kiyono Lin said helplessly, "Plus, didn’t you say in an interview recently that you wanted to be an idol like Kimura Takuya?"
"Calling Kimura Takuya an ’idol’— my dear mother would kill you, no joke."
"Kimura Takuya can be anything." Kiyono Lin stood up, "There’s free practice at the Wind Instrument Club this afternoon, let’s go film at Meiji Shrine and find a good place for your death scene."
"The male lead is the male lead, and I am me, Lord Kiyono, I sincerely hope you can understand this distinction."
"Eh? Didn’t I tell you? I’ve decided to name the male lead Dubian Che."
"No!" Dubian Che replied.
"Oh, I thought Mr. Dubian could understand my thoughts just from my gaze, without me having to speak."
"....You did that on purpose, didn’t you?"
Kiyono Lin flicked her long hair back over her shoulder and taunted proudly, "Yes, what are you going to do about it?"
"...Fine, I’ll just pretend I’ve given you the right to use my catchphrase this time." Dubian Che decided not to bicker with a woman, "I’ll try to convince Meiji to be the female lead before the fireworks tonight. No other women."
"I don’t dislike a man who’s faithful," Kiyono Lin nodded.
"I am the most faithful man in the world, just don’t fall for me, okay."
"But," Kiyono Lin tilted her head adorably, "Mr. Dubian, why do I remember you saying you didn’t like Jiutiao?"
Dubian Che decided to exile her from womanhood; he’d definitely get her back if he ever got the chance!
The two agreed to go home first to change out of their school uniforms—Dubian Che had to return his clarinet as well—and then meet under the apartment block where Kiyono Lin lived, closer to the station.
Before that, Dubian Che took a tram to Jiutiao Meijie’s company.
Without an ID badge, he thought he’d have to identify himself and wait for the receptionist to notify Jiutiao Meijie personally before being let in.
But as soon as he arrived at the entrance, the security guard immediately bowed and spiritedly called him ’Mr. Dubian.’
Unaccustomed to this, Dubian Che kept exchanging bows with various people and unobstructedly took the elevator to the top floor.