"Alright, that's enough," Kazuya said, his voice calm but firm.
"We'll give a fair evaluation of your audition. Please wait for the results outside," his assistant added with a polite smile.
Ryuko bowed, her face pale. She blinked fast, trying not to cry.
She knew how badly she'd flubbed it.
After one final look at the panel of judges—most already scribbling notes—she stepped offstage.
Only one person, Mizushiro, the original author, gave her a small nod.
"So, what did you think, Mizushiro-sensei?" Kazuya asked, more out of courtesy than curiosity.
To him, Ryuko was already out. Pretty or not, this was a voice acting audition—not an idol contest. The heroine's role demanded more than just effort. She'd frozen on her lines.
"I think she's good," Haruki said evenly.
Kazuya raised an eyebrow. "You mean... 'not awful,' or actually good?"
"I mean she's a real candidate," Haruki replied.
Kazuya blinked. "Wait, seriously? Even after that mess?"
Haruki gave a sheepish laugh. "I promise I'm not biased. I just moved to Tokyo—I barely know anyone here."
"Her voice," he continued, "it's really close to how I imagined Meiko."
"Sure, she was nervous. But if she relaxes next time, she might actually be the best fit."
Kazuya stared at him.
Until now, Haruki had only ever muttered things like "fine" or "not right." This was the first time he gave a full explanation.
And he didn't sound like he was playing favorites.
Kazuya glanced at the shortlist. He didn't say anything.
Most people would've left after bombing an audition. Not Ryuko.
She sat quietly in the hallway, too numb to move.
She wasn't expecting a miracle. She just… wasn't ready to give up.
She'd spent two weeks getting this chance. Saved up to buy a gift for her agent, begged for the referral. Practiced until her throat was raw.
"Ugh…" she groaned softly, burying her face in her hands.
She was used to local auditions, amateur stuff with her friends. This? This was Kazanami Animation. With the author in the room. It had been too much.
Inside, the auditions dragged on.
Kazuya kept asking for Haruki's opinion. The responses were mostly dismissive—"no," "not quite," "doesn't click." Occasionally, a "pretty good."
Still, Kazuya noticed something. Ever since Ryuko left, Haruki's energy had dipped.
Sure, there were better technical performances. But Haruki had a clear ideal in his head—his Meiko—and none of the others quite matched.
He wasn't trying to interfere. He respected the professionals. But this story mattered to him.
Kazuya, for all his cynicism, respected that.
The plan was to pick six callbacks. They already had nine possible names.
From fifty auditions, each four minutes long, ten hours had flown by. No breaks. Dinner was ordered in.
At 8:00 PM, the final voice actress finished. Everyone looked dead on their feet.
Kazuya skimmed his notes.
"Kaoru Minazukii, Rui Nikaido, Yuu Saotome, Aoi Kamisaka, Nanami Tsukishiro… and Ryuko Mei."
He glanced at Haruki. "These six okay with you?"
Haruki nodded. "Your call, Producer."
The decision was made.
Outside, only twenty women still waited. The others had already gone home.
When Kazuya's assistant stepped out, all heads turned.
"The following six candidates have been selected for the next round," she announced. "Kaoru Minazukii, Rui Nikaido, Yuu Saotome, Aoi Kamisaka, Nanami Tsukishiro and Ryuko Mei."
There were a few quiet gasps. A few subtle celebrations. And a lot of quiet disappointment.
Ryuko stood and followed the others toward the exit, dazed.
Only when she hit the cold night air did it register.
She wasn't clinging to hope earlier. She'd just been too stunned to move.
She'd messed up. Completely.
And yet—she was still in.
There was only one explanation.
Her mind drifted back to the calm, soft-spoken man who had sat beside Producer Kazuya all day.
"Not joining us for dinner, Sensei?" Kazuya asked as he stretched, cracking his back.
Haruki smiled. "I've got class tomorrow, and it's a long ride home."
He wasn't in the mood to be the only sober guy in a late-night drinking session.
After some polite goodbyes, Haruki left the office and stepped into the chilly evening air, pulling out his phone to call a taxi.
Ryuko was standing a few steps behind him, lightly shivering in the wind.
"You're still here?" he asked.
She forced a smile. "I just… wanted to say thank you."
Haruki paused. "For what?"
She looked down, clutching her arms tighter. "If you hadn't spoken up, I don't think I would've made it."
Haruki exhaled slowly. "It was Producer Kazuya's call."
"I know," she said quietly. "But still."
They stood in silence for a moment. Haruki kept glancing down the road, hoping the taxi would arrive faster.
Then Ryuko blurted out, "Would you maybe want to grab a coffee sometime? Just to chat?"
"…No thanks," he said bluntly. "Not interested."
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-atreon.com/Alioth23 for 50+ advanced chapters)