Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 410 Don't be afraid, we're here to save you
Monday, Tokyo.

Looking at the small house in front of him, Daigo Ryudo sighed with some emotion. He hadn't expected to have to move out after living there for so long.

In contemporary Japan, there aren't many houses available for free rental. Apart from lucky people like Tani Akira who found a place to live for free, most people live in what is similar to 'shared accommodation' in later generations.

In other words, a group of people live together in a house. After paying rent to the landlord, the landlord will take care of them like Sherlock Holmes' landlord, providing services such as food and drink.

The homeowner himself lives in the main house and can be seen from time to time.

Such dwellings are commonly referred to as XX Village.

However, general commercial rentals will not appear for another ten years.

Even in later generations, there were still co-rental schemes called XX Manor, only the landlords would no longer appear as often, nor would they take care of everyone like Holmes' landlady.

This event is also recorded in 'The Pet Girl of Sakurasou'.

Ryudo Daigo is currently living in a Mikawa-sou house provided by the 'Mikawa Office', but he is preparing to move out.

"Speaking of which, why is the shared apartment at the Extreme Detective Agency called Araki-sou? It's so hard to guess!"

Ryudo Daigo shook his head, stopped thinking about it, packed his backpack, and left.

He didn't bring much when he came, and he left with almost no luggage.

"Sanhe Village, I probably won't be coming back again."

The thought had barely crossed his mind when Ryudo Daigo heard a sound he least wanted to hear.

"Longtang-kun, where do you want to go?"

He turned around and met President Tokugawa's gaze.

Tokugawa was the director, or rather the president, of the Mikawa office.

Standing beside him was a tall, sinister-looking man, none other than President Tokugawa's assistant, or rather, his henchman, Honda's assistant.

"President...President."

“The contract has not yet been fulfilled, so you have no right to refuse the firm’s work arrangements. Alternatively, you can pay five million yen to terminate the contract with the firm, and then all of this can be put to rest.”

President Tokugawa sat at the entrance of Mikawa-sou, tapping his fingers lightly on the registration desk, becoming increasingly certain of the matter.

Yes, for a newcomer, he has no choice.

Otherwise, the old man will pull strings, or you'll have to pay him.

If you don't have money, then you'll have to use connections.

Otherwise, if you breach the contract, it will be difficult to find a job in the future.

"Or perhaps, we actually have another option."

President Tokugawa slammed a thin sheet of printed paper onto the table with a loud thud.

Ryudo Daigo took a closer look and found it was a loan agreement. The agreement stipulated that he would borrow five million yen from 'Honda Financial Services' as repayment for the Mikawa Office, and would then need to repay 100,000 yen every month for ten years.

A long, screeching sound of brakes came from outside the door, like a heavy object being dragged across the road. Ryudo Daigo felt a tightness in his chest, as if his heart was being gripped tightly.

This is too much!
Just as President Tokugawa showed a hint of certainty, the gate of Mikawa-sou was suddenly kicked open, and Niiemoto Tatsumi rushed in carrying a baseball bat.

"Where is he? Where is he... Oh, you're here."

A dozen or so stunt performers, who had just finished filming and were covered in sweat, rushed in, crowding the narrow entrance and filling it with the smell of sweat.

There were also two stunt performers inside, dressed in armor and monster suits.

President Tokugawa leaned back instantly.

what is this!
Even Ryudo Daigo showed a hint of alertness.

What is this?!

"Give way."

A slightly effeminate voice rang out, and everyone made way for Tanaka's assistant as he walked over from behind them.

"So you're here, President Tokugawa. What a coincidence! This person is already a contracted actor with our agency."

Niya Hontatsumi put down his baseball bat and placed a small leather suitcase on the table.

The suitcase was opened, revealing neatly arranged banknotes inside.

On the other side was a contract containing various termination clauses.

"President Tokugawa, please." President Tokugawa took a deep breath: "You don't think terminating an actor's contract is easy, do you? At the very least, you have to go through a series of legal procedures at the agency."

Tanaka's assistant bowed slightly: "It's alright, I have plenty of time to complete all the formalities, but before that, we need to take this person with us."

President Tokugawa's lips twitched, but he still picked up his pen and wrote a few strokes.

"Hmph... You can handle the rest at the Mikawa office!"

Tanaka's assistant gave a slight bow and said, "Thank you for your cooperation. Let's go."

He turned around and looked at Ryudo Daigo.

"Longtang-kun, aren't you leaving?"

"Oh? Oh! Coming right away!"

Ryudo Daigo hurriedly picked up his suitcase and followed closely behind.

Seeing that the place was deserted, President Tokugawa slammed his fist on the table in anger.

Damn it, this is outrageous!

Honda's assistant came over.

"President, what's going on?"

"This is miso soup! Don't ask!"

……

Outside the door, Ryudo Daigo was still shaken but also somewhat uneasy.

So what kind of agency did he join?
"You two are actually...you two?"

"Yes, that's it." The second family readily accepted it: 'It's the actor.'

Ryudo was astonished.

I'm not asking about the actors!
"Oh, you mean the thing in my hand? A baseball bat? That's a weird tool we used when filming action scenes."

Niyamoto Tatsumi casually tossed the baseball bat into the back seat of the van.

"Then, what about the rope?"

"For measuring the scenery."

"There's also a knife?"

"It's fake, the foam knife is just a prop for filming."

"That accent?"

"I was born with a long tongue, so my speech has a natural trilled 'r' sound."

"Yes, really?"

Ryudo was astonished.

Why does it feel like he's actually on another pirate ship?

……

……

"Yakuza? Are you kidding me? We are a legitimate actors' agency, and everyone here is a professional action actor. There is no such thing as Yakuza. You are slandering me."

Gu Ming spread his hands: "Mr. Kurosawa, let's have another drink."

Kurosawa Mitsuru chuckled self-deprecatingly: "You're not, but they certainly do look like it. Anyway, let's not talk about that. Let's talk about movies. Next week, the third and final installment of The Scroll of Vengeance will be released, along with The Reincarnation of the Demon World. That's a major production from Toei's parent company, Furuya-kun. You should be ready, right?"

"Of course."

As Gu Ming was speaking, a news report came on the television.

"It is reported that the two teenagers who went missing in Tokyo Bay recently have been found. The crew of the drama 'Makai Tensei' played a huge role in the process. Director Kinji Fukasaku said that this was just a small favor as a Japanese citizen and it was his duty."

Gu Ming and Kurosawa Mitsuru exchanged a glance.

Oh dear.

What a coincidence!

(End of this chapter)