Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

2024-07-13

After recent attempts, Xia Fan discovered that in addition to being able to sense faith values ​​and songs, he could also sense the "blessings" and "skills" bestowed by the God of Heaven.

Unfortunately, the existing [Divine Eyes], [Psychic Body], and [Kagura: Izumo Sword Dance] are better than nothing to him, and are not as valuable as [Guaranteed Discounts on Vegetables].

"You shouldn't be asleep at this time, right?"

After checking the time and seeing that it was not too late, Xia Fan dialed the number called "Hoshina Hanami".

"Xia, Xia Fan, good evening."

Soon, the other end of the phone rang with a weak and excited greeting from Hoshina Hanami.

"Have you rested? Sorry to bother you so late. Is it convenient to talk now?"

Xia Fan asked apologetically.

"No, no, no bother! I just got back to the hotel, just washed up, and am getting dressed..."

"Besides, Xia Fan, it's convenient for you to call at any time...ah, it hurts..."

Hoshina Hanami explained in a panic, then kicked something and let out a pitiful cry of pain.

"Today, when I was filming a walk-through concert in Kumamoto Castle, the 800 cherry trees on site were in full bloom, and the audience who listened to me singing "Sakura" were also very enthusiastic. The number of online views is also growing steadily!"

"Thanks to Xia Jun's plan, the whole team became more and more confident as the filming progressed, and we are determined to follow 'Sakura Front' through the entire eleventh district."

The girl excitedly told Xia Fan about her recent filming experience.

"The shooting of the singing and walking project went smoothly, which is really great."

Even through the phone, Xia Fan could imagine her happy look with tears in her eyes.

"I'm calling because I have a song and I want you to help me record a demo."

He made his request straight to the point.

"What? It's only been a short while since I finished writing 'Sakura' and you have a new song?!"

"I want to listen to it, I want to record it! From now on, Xia Fan, if you have a new song, even if it's just a rough draft, you can ask me to help you audition it."

While marveling at Xia Fan’s “high productivity”, Hoshina Hanami was also full of curiosity about the new song.

"Ah, I don't mean to give me the original singer, I just want to help return the favor of "Sakura"!"

Realizing that what she had just said had overstepped her bounds, she explained further.

"Well, please, I'll send it to you right away, let's chat on LINE."

"Okay, what will Xia Fan's new song be like? I'm really looking forward to it."

After hanging up the phone, Xia Fan sent the accompaniment and lyrics to the other party.

A full hour later, he received another call from Hoshina Hanami.

"Sorry, Xia Fan, I can't help you audition this song."

The girl said apologetically.

"Why? Is it related to the artist's contract restrictions?"

"That's not the case... it's... it's... it's... oh, it's because Xia Fan, your song is too difficult!"

"The range of this song, from the lowest note E3 to the highest note G5, spans 29 semitones. I specially prepared my voice and tried many times, but I couldn't finish singing it."

After hesitating for a while, Xing Ming Hanami told the reason with a coquettish tone.

"It's hard to find a suitable singer to record this difficult song in a short time, so let's use a virtual singer."

After thinking about it, Hoshina Hanami suggested again.

"Well, that's all I can do. I knew this song was difficult, but I didn't expect it to be this hard. I'm the one who caused you trouble, so you don't have to apologize."

Xia Fan sighed.

Hanami Hoshina was able to stand out from a girl group like AKSB48, which has hundreds of trainees, and was recommended to participate in the "Tokyo Newcomer Music Award" and debut as an "idol singer". It is obvious that her singing talent and professional training are very solid.

Even she said that the song was "impossible to sing". I guess few of the new singers participating in the "Tokyo Newcomer Music Award" could sing it completely.

"By the way, Xia Fan, how are you contacting the advertising company that President Tachibana recommended to you last time?"

Hoshina Hanami tried to change the subject and downplay Xia Fan's distress.

"SUN Advertising? I contacted them under the name of President Tachibana, and they made an appointment for me for an interview. I remember the time was..."

Speaking of this matter, Xia Fan was just like a simple husky and his attention was easily diverted.

"Wait, tomorrow morning?!"

"It's over. If you hadn't reminded me, I would have completely forgotten about it. I haven't prepared anything yet..."

He opened the calendar on his phone and found that the "interview" was scheduled for tomorrow.

"With your qualifications, Xia Fan, there will be no problem with the audition. It's so late now, and I'm very tired today, so I won't disturb you. Go to bed early!"

"Well, I have to finish the song and prepare for tomorrow's interview, so that's it for today."

Hearing someone's panic, Hoshina Hanami considerately said good night first.

"If it's rock, then I'd definitely use 'I Love' which has a clear tone, a strong sense of tempo and rhythm, and a wide range of sound."

After hanging up the phone, Xia Fan quietly opened the music software, picked a name from among the virtual singers, and started recording.

In fact, the music department and performing arts department within Bethesda also have a collaborative mechanism that can help contact suitable singers for auditions and recordings.

All that is required is that the music producer pays a “small” “hardship fee” himself.

Finding the right person is one thing, but singers who cost money are not an option for Xia Fan.

"Not bad, the virtual singer can at least present the entire song in its entirety."

After some debugging, Xia Fan finally recorded the DEMO of "Red Lotus".

Faced with an extremely difficult song, the virtual singer's "lack of emotion and all technique" that he usually criticized has now become her biggest advantage, as she perfectly and accurately presented the original tune of "Gurenge".

The most important thing is that no one asked him for a penny as “hardship fee”.

"Yawn... That's about it. I tried my best."

After packaging the DEMO and sending it to the music department’s internal submission mailbox, Xia Fan stood up and stretched.

"What should I wear to tomorrow's audition? A suit, a T-shirt, or a uniform?"

Then, he yawned and opened the messy closet...

What Xia Fan didn't notice was that his own shadow in the corner began to move unnaturally...

A pair of big eyes quietly opened from the shadows and stared at him quietly.

……

The next day, Shibuya, SUN Advertising Company.

"Hello, I'm Xia Fan, who has made an appointment for an interview. Here is my resume and some examples of my previous work."

"Okay, thank you for coming all the way here. Please wait a moment. Let me take a look..."

In the office, Xia Fan handed the information to a gentle and capable middle-aged man.

While the other party was reviewing the documents, he looked around curiously.

Unlike the B-company building with a strong atmosphere of the nouveau riche, the office of SUN Advertising Company is a "small, run-down house" with only a few rooms hidden in a shabby alley around Shibuya.

But in stark contrast to its shabby appearance, the interior of SUN Advertising Company is decorated in Japanese Wabi-Sabi style, combining simplicity, comfort, durability and artistry. It is obvious that it was designed by a master.

"I have a preliminary understanding of Xia Jun's situation. Your excellent appearance and rich experience in advertising shooting fully meet our company's actor standards."

"Since you are the one Liangzi risked his life to recommend, the interview and registration procedures will be simplified."

"There is a project in our company that will be launched soon. We are holding auditions for roles these two days. Would you like to try it?"

After watching quietly for a while, the man went straight to the point and talked about the next work.

Chapter 31 Audition

2024-07-13

"President Tachibana doesn't have to risk his life to recommend a job opportunity... By the way, you mentioned auditions for actors and roles? Isn't that advertising models?"

The man's wording made Xia Fan a little confused.

"Oh, didn't Liangzi explain it to you? That's really his style."

The man seemed to be close friends with Tachibana Ryoko, and he smiled helplessly when he heard this.

"Unlike other advertising companies, SUN Advertising was founded by several famous directors and supervisors in the industry out of interest. The company's mission is to produce the best video ads with the lowest cost, the best creativity, and movie-level production standards."

"In order to prove the 'production level', we only use amateurs in our advertising shoots. The content is not vulgar, borderline, or hype-based. It all depends on the shooting level, the actors' acting skills, the creativity of the script, and the language of the camera."

"In the advertising industry, there is a saying that 'what's produced by SUN is of the highest quality.'"

He explained to Xia Fan proudly and patiently.

[The gods have sent down an oracle: worship the gods with Noh music, and be amazed by the world. After completing it, you will receive the gods' blessing.]

Then, a certain god delivered an oracle at an inopportune time.

"Noh... Does this Tengokami want me to participate in the video commercial?"

Xia Fan pondered for a while before he understood the meaning.

Noh, also known as Noh drama, is an ancient traditional drama of the eleventh district. It originated from performances in religious ceremonies. The content is mainly the performance of mythological stories, and its purpose is to worship gods and comfort the dead.

Perhaps, for this "outdated" evil god, acting and "Noh" are similar things?

"Singing and dancing aren't enough, they also want me to act. This Tian Yu Shen is really willful."

Translated, this oracle seems to be saying "Put on a show to entertain me and surprise those stupid humans at the same time."

"I'm auditioning for a role in a video commercial. I'm very interested. Please let me try."

Although he had never received any training in drama or acting, and his work experience was limited to print advertising shooting, in order to fulfill the oracle, Xia Fan gritted his teeth and asked the man for help.

"Okay, please follow me."

"Ah, now?"

"Yes, the filming location is not far away."

The man stood up swiftly and motioned Xia Fan to follow him.

"Well, when your company shoots commercials, there won't be a rule like 'actors must eat products so they can better concentrate on filming', right?"

Xia Fan asked another question with some concern.

"I have never heard of such a rule in the industry. Occasionally, brands will give some 'samples' to staff for trial, but there is no requirement to use them. Moreover, this advertisement is for women's cosmetics."

"That, that's good."

Although it was a bit strange, the man still answered Xia Fan's questions very patiently.

"This open space is rented by the company and is used as a place for regular interior filming."

The two left the office through the back door, walked along the alley, and soon came to a wide open space.

On one side of the open space, several huge containers were assembled together to cleverly create a studio, dressing room, makeup room and equipment warehouse.

At this moment, a man wearing a sun hat and a mustache was standing in front of the container, directing the on-site work.

"Director Nakano, you're here. This is Xia Jun who was recommended by our partner. Please arrange an audition for him."

"Mr. Xia, this is Director Nakano who is in charge of the filming of this advertising project. He was promoted from assistant director at such a young age because of his rich filming experience."

"The next task will be handed over to you two."

The man greeted them familiarly, introduced the two to each other, and then went back to the office.

"Xia-kun, huh? Please look at the camera... Yes, smile naturally... Hmm, smiling and not smiling, completely contrasting styles..."

Without any intention of greeting, Director Nakano directly took out a handheld camera and started filming Xia Fan from head to toe.

"You have good looks, your face shape and facial features are photogenic from every angle, and your temperament and eyes are very personal. If you shoot content for females, female viewers will be crazy about you!"

After taking a look with the camera, Nakano nodded in admiration, and suddenly sighed.

"Unfortunately, the male character I need for this project doesn't quite match your style..."