"What's with all the new faces today?"
At 4:30 p.m., on the third-floor hallway, two male employees stand sipping tea, their gazes fixed on the bustling lobby below.
The usually quiet first-floor lobby is teeming with people—mostly young, attractive women.
One of the employees, a slightly balding guy, looks curious. His colleague shrugs. "Seems like Fuyukawa's team is holding actor auditions."
"Section Chief Fuyukawa? Actor auditions? Are they already casting voice actors for their project?"
"Not voice actors—actors. Man, you're really out of the loop. Last Friday, Fuyukawa's proposal got company approval. It's for a live-action interactive movie game."
The colleague explains patiently, and the balding guy blinks in surprise. "A live-action interactive movie game? Like a real-life galge?"
"Exactly. Hikari Bird Studio was set up to test the waters with galge. Looks like Department Four knows they can't compete with the old-school galge giants, so they're trying something new. But let me tell you, Fuyukawa's under a ton of pressure this time."
"Pressure? I heard their studio's project is just a small-scale one, like a hundred million yen. Isn't that kind of project just a sandbox for promising young guys like Fuyukawa to cut their teeth?"
The balding employee sounds both envious and confused. His colleague takes another sip of tea and lowers his voice. "It's not that simple. Sure, Hikari Bird's budget isn't huge, but… you know how Department Four got that new minister, Miyano, dropped in recently? Word is, she's super assertive and wants to push into ARPGs—action role-playing games."
"ARPGs? Isn't that Department Three's territory? They've been on a downward trend, but they're still a legacy department. Back when the company was starting, their flagship title Yuri: Machine Revolution put NTsoft on the map. Is Minister Miyano really trying to steal their slice of the pie?"
The balding employee's eyes widen, and his colleague nods. "Yup. So now, Department Three and Department Four are butting heads. Fuyukawa was personally promoted by Minister Miyano, so he's caught in the crossfire. Don't spread this around, but I heard through the grapevine that Department Three's pulling some strings. Minister Endo has deep connections in the entertainment industry, and it's making things tough for Hikari Bird to recruit actors. They're stuck auditioning amateurs."
"And get this—Department Three's Kazuma Studio set up their voice actor auditions right next to Hikari Bird's today. It's a blatant power move. Tsk, I wonder if Fuyukawa's regretting being picked by Minister Miyano now."
On the third-floor hallway, the two gossip away. Meanwhile, down in the first-floor audition room…
"Ms. Shiraishi, if you were trapped in a closet with a man you barely know, and your son is outside, so you can't leave, how would you react?"
In the audition room, Tetsu Fuyukawa sits with one leg crossed over the other, a notebook on his lap, pen in hand, his sharp eyes studying the amateur actress in front of him.
The woman auditioning for the role of "Hao Hao's Mom" is Marika Shiraishi, 33, divorced. Despite her age, she has fair skin, a great figure, and a sultry charm—perfectly fitting the "mature wife" archetype.
At Tetsu's question, Marika bows nervously, thinks for a moment, and answers cautiously, "I'd feel nervous… and maybe a tiny bit of curiosity? But mostly nervous."
Not a bad analysis.
Tetsu nods inwardly. It's already past 4:00 p.m., and he's seen at least forty amateurs today. Maybe because of the game's genre, many candidates misjudge the scenario, immediately jumping to suggestive ideas. One bold actress even lifted her skirt during her audition.
Marika Shiraishi, though, has clearly put some thought into her response.
After a moment's consideration, Tetsu glances at Mrs. Nogi. "Nogi, go act opposite her."
Surrounded by Beauties is a first-person perspective game, but it's not just a camera in the actress's face. There's a "stand-in" actor involved, though they have to lean back tactically to keep the camera clear.
With Hikari Bird Studio's tight budget, they can't afford a dedicated stand-in, so team members fill in.
Soon, with Tetsu's nod, the performance begins.
---
The closet space is cramped, so Marika Shiraishi's upper body presses against Mrs. Nogi as she starts reciting her lines.
The scene is a bit odd—a 33-year-old "mature wife" flirting with a 40-something office lady—but everyone in the room is professional, and no one cracks a smile.
Watching the first half, Tetsu nods approvingly.
Marika, as a mature woman, nails the sultry vibe—so much so that Tetsu feels a spark himself. But…
"Something's still missing."
Tetsu frowns slightly. The character of "Hao Hao's Mom" is a sexy, fiery single mother who works as an accountant.
Sultriness is great, and while Marika's looks and figure don't quite match Sayoko's, they're still impressive. But she lacks the grit of a single mom and the steadfastness of an accountant.
Expecting an amateur to nail sultriness, nervousness, and resilience is a tall order, but there's no helping it. "Hao Hao's Mom" is a pivotal role. In the original timeline, this character carried much of the game's early buzz.
After a moment's thought, Tetsu calls, "Cut," jotting notes in his notebook. "Thank you, Ms. Shiraishi. Your acting was quite good."
Marika's smile freezes. As an adult, she knows this is polite rejection.
Sure enough, Tetsu continues, "Your acting is solid, but it's not quite what I'm looking for yet."
"Thank you so much for this opportunity," Marika says, her smile stiff as she gives a deep 90-degree bow.
But as she turns to leave, Tetsu adds, "Your acting is impressive. Over the next few days, try studying the vibe of a professional working woman. If you feel confident in that kind of role, come back for a second audition in three days."
Marika freezes, then bows repeatedly, her enthusiasm making her ample chest bounce noticeably, though still a size smaller than Sayoko's.
"Really?! Thank you so much, Team Leader Fuyukawa! I can't thank you enough!"
"No need to thank me. If you want the role, focus on improving."
As Marika bows her way out, Tetsu sets his notebook on the table, rubbing his throbbing temples. He glances at Kawaguchi. "How many more outside?"
"That was the last one."
"Got it."
Checking the time—4:50 p.m., ten minutes until the end of the workday—Tetsu stands. "That's it for today, then. Good work, everyone. Nogi, make sure tomorrow's audition candidates are set."
"Will do, Team Leader. Thanks for your hard work!"
"Mm."
With a nod, Tetsu shoots Sayoko, who's tidying the audition room, a quick "meet me in the parking lot" glance. Grabbing his briefcase, he steps out—and immediately raises an eyebrow.
The hallway outside their audition room is empty of candidates, but next door, Department Three's Kazuma Studio is still swarmed with a long line of voice actor hopefuls.
As Tetsu emerges, an employee at Kazuma's door stands with hands behind his back, chest puffed out, chin slightly raised in a subtle taunt.
"Fighting over petty stuff like this? No wonder Department Three's slipping."
Everyone knows about the rivalry between Departments Three and Four, and as an insider, Tetsu is well aware of it.
Kazuma Studio usually holds auditions on the third floor. Setting up on the first floor, right next to Hikari Bird, is a clear attempt to flex their dominance and stir gossip among employees.
Glancing at the employee, who seems to want to provoke but doesn't dare go further than a raised chin, Tetsu says nothing. He takes the elevator back to his office to organize files and prepare to leave.
Sure, Kazuma Studio's crowded doorway outshines Hikari Bird in terms of spectacle, but that's irrelevant. The company judges on results. The louder they crow now, the harder they'll fall later.
After tidying his briefcase and audition notes, Tetsu reaches the parking lot just past 5:50 p.m.
The sky is dimming, and the lot is nearly empty of employees.
A black Volkswagen's headlights flash nearby, and Tetsu strides over. But as he reaches for the door, the window of a gray K-car next to him rolls down.
"Team Leader Fuyukawa, free tonight?"
The voice is familiar. Turning, Tetsu sees Marika Shiraishi in the driver's seat.
Wearing a deep V-neck blouse, Marika flashes a flattering smile, leaning forward slightly, her curves accentuated by the seatbelt.
To be honest, Marika's outfit is undeniably alluring, but Tetsu just raises an eyebrow. "Sorry, I've got plans tonight."
Rejected.
Part of it is that he's working on Fate tonight, but more than that, these kinds of deals always come with strings attached.
High-risk moves like that don't interest Tetsu. Marika, however, seems all-in, reaching out the window to grab his arm.
"Team Leader Fuyukawa, I just want to have dinner or… something?"
"What do you think you're doing?"
Another hand—a smooth, pale one—grabs Marika's wrist. In Marika's panicked gaze, Sayoko, now in a black halter dress, appears before her.
The usually gentle and refined Sayoko's face is icy with menace!
"Sorry!"
Marika panics, flooring the gas and speeding off.
"These women nowadays, no shame at all," Sayoko mutters, wrinkling her nose.
Tetsu chuckles. "She's just trying to get by. Come on, let's go grocery shopping."
"Mm."
In front of Tetsu, Sayoko turns back into her gentle, lamb-like self, obediently getting into the car. But Tetsu doesn't notice the flicker of urgency in her eyes.
They've got Fate to work on tonight, but dinner comes first. The black Volkswagen pulls out of the lot and heads to the market.
But as the car rolls into a dimly lit alley, it stops.
No choice.
A warm breath brushes Tetsu's thigh.
Looking down at Sayoko—seatbelt off, black dress on, leaning under the steering wheel—Tetsu takes a sharp breath. His gaze drifts to the darkening sky outside as his hand finds the soft curve of her "92-size peach."
"Talking about others having no shame…"
"Mm—I can't let those bad women get a chance, slurp—"