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

"Also, the tone of your speech should be more contemptuous and more assertive..."

Director Nakano stepped forward and started to complain to Xia Fan unceremoniously.

"Really? Then will it be better if you smile like this?"

Xia Fan twisted his mouth again.

"You're laughing like an idiot... Never mind, it would be better if you just didn't laugh at this part."

"Half-time pause, everyone take a break!"

"Try to feel it again, and imagine that overwhelming and irresistible momentum."

Looking at Xia Fan's stiff smile, Nakano's eyes twitched and he scratched his head helplessly.

The "evil force" Inagawa Group that illegally attacked the crew was smashed by the police, and "The Withered Chrysanthemum and the Sword" also started the second day of filming.

Xia Fan and Shirakawa Rika are currently filming a very important love scene...

The young master of the Rakshasa royal family, Kazama Manye, rescued the heroine Chiyo from the siege of the Black Rakshasa and handsomely killed the culprit.

He advised Chiyo to leave the dangerous battlefield, but Chiyo was determined to follow the footsteps of the Shinsengumi during the war, even at the risk of her life.

Thus began a fierce debate and confrontation between the two.

No matter if he is familiar with the subject or not, once filming begins, Director Nakano becomes a detail-obsessed person who doesn't care about anyone else.

Even if you have memorized the lines and actions, a character like "Chikage Kazama" who says one thing and thinks another requires a lot of performance details to interpret the inner drama.

Xia Fan, who hadn't found the feeling of the role yet, was shot down six or seven times by Nakano just for the opening dialogue.

"Humph, if you want to play the role of 'Manyo Kazama' well, it's not as simple as just being overbearing and disdainful."

"Behind these seemingly overbearing, cold, disdainful and harsh lines, there is actually hidden Kazama Manyo's tenderness and worry for Chiyo trapped in the battlefield."

"To express the complex emotions behind this, you don't have to rely solely on lines and facial expressions. You can also use some micro-expressions, clothing details and body movements, such as..."

Although she seemed to be disdainful of Xia Fan's "rookie acting skills", Shirakawa Rika opened the script and patiently taught him her experience.

"I see. Is this the mental journey? I can't understand it just from the script and the lines."

"Can a play be performed like this? Shirakawa-senpai, you are worthy of being a senior."

Xia Fan listened to her "after-school teaching" as carefully as a chick pecking at rice.

Chapter 103: Manyo Kazama

Chapter 103 100 Kazama Manye

2024-07-13

Chapter 103 100% Kazama Manyo

"Hehehe, acting is a skill that requires a lot of effort. It took me many years of practice to reach the level I have today. You still need to work harder."

"In fact, in the comics, the Kazama plot hides a lot of details."

"After this heated argument, he was very reluctant, but still agreed to personally escort Chiyo to Ezo to be with Hijikata Toshizo."

"But in fact, at that time, as the young master of the Luosha royal family, he had the responsibility of leading the clan. He also suffered a lot of discussion in the clan for acting alone."

"Also, although their positions are opposite, he has great respect for the people of the Shinsengumi..."

Hearing the title "senior", Shirakawa Rika puffed out her chest proudly and began to preach even more vigorously.

"There are so many stories behind this scene. You won't know unless you read the entire comic..."

Xia Fan felt suddenly enlightened, and the character of "Kazama Manye" became more full and three-dimensional in his mind.

He quietly spread out his hand, and a mask appeared out of thin air in his palm.

[Noh Mask·Man'yo Kazama: 90%…95%…100%]

During these few days, he stayed at home studying his notes and trying to figure out the character, but he was unable to complete the creation of the "Noh Pseudo-face" before filming started.

But at this moment, under the meticulous teaching of Rika Shirakawa, Manyo Kazama's "Noh False Mask" finally reached perfection.

"By the way, Senior Shirakawa knows a lot about The Chrysanthemum and the Sword. Could it be that he is also a fan of the original novel? Which school do you belong to?"

Looking at Shirakawa Rika, who had changed from her usual cold and arrogant appearance and was now talking nonstop, Xia Fan asked with a smile.

"I...I was just bored while waiting for a scene, so I used this comic to kill time..."

Shirakawa Rika folded her arms across her chest and turned her face away with disdain.

"As for what sect... it's not any sect!"

She glanced at Xia Fan, her eyes sweeping across his golden hair, blood-red eyes, and bright fangs, and her ears turned slightly red.

"How's the search going? I've rested enough. Let's do a few more..."

After a while, Director Nakano came over and asked.

"Well, with the guidance of Senior Shirakawa, I think I should be able to make great progress compared to before."

Xia Fan made an "OK" gesture.

"Don't bring me along when you brag. I don't have that strong of a leadership ability."

Rika Shirakawa helplessly spread her hands, looking helpless.

Although Xia Fan worked very hard and she did her best to help, without the basic skills supported by a professional background, it was quite difficult for her to master the role of "Kazama Manye" in a short period of time.

If he acts well, he is a domineering boss; if he acts badly, he is an awkward boss.

"The release deadline is approaching, we don't have much time, we have to polish each shot one by one."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Xia Jun is an actor who 'gets into the role'. If you shoot a few more times and finally find the feeling, there might be a surprise."

Accustomed to the uneven acting skills of amateur actors in past advertising shoots, Director Nakano naturally did not pay so much attention and told the two to "practice makes perfect."

Moreover, once filming starts, various expenses such as labor, venue, equipment, etc. will be incurred. It can be said that funds are being burned every minute, and the filming must be completed no matter what.

"Humph, the one acting opposite you is me, who has rich acting experience. It's normal to feel nervous and stressed. Don't take it to heart."

"Thank you for your comfort. Shirakawa-senpai may seem distant, but he's actually very helpful."

"Who, who is willing to help? I just want you to stop holding me back."

The two stood in the middle of the street again, ready to start filming again.

"Huh, after all the hard work, it's finally done."

Xia Fan spread out his palms and condensed the translucent "Noh mask" that only he could see.

"I hope the effect won't be too disappointing."

He slowly pressed the defiant mask of "Kazama Manyo" onto his face.

"So, Kazama vs. Chiyo, Act 3, Scene 1, Eighth Test!"

The stage manager slapped the board again and quickly stepped away.

Xia Fan covered his face with one hand and slowly raised his head.

His waist was straighter than before, and his shoulders and arms were drooping lazily...

His chin was raised with a hint of pride, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of his thin mouth.

Those blood-red eyes exuded a fierceness that made people dare not look directly at them, but they also concealed a strange charm.

The staff members who made eye contact with Xia Fan felt as if a sword was pointed at them in their hearts.

"Such a strong pressure... The momentum is completely different from the previous ones..."

"It's simply the difference between a house cat and a tiger."

Looking at Xia Fan on the monitor, Director Nakano stood up suddenly.

"The culprit who secretly refined the 'Black Rakshasa' has been beheaded by me. In the final analysis, they are just some greedy and desperate criminals who are seeking power and profit."

Xia Fan's voice was deeper and more magnetic than before, and his tone was filled with an irresistible and self-evident meaning.

"The Black Rakshasa Legion has been destroyed. What are your plans?"

He stood sideways and looked at Shirakawa Rika with sharp eyes.

"..."

Shirakawa Rika was stunned by the sight and felt her heartbeat speed up

She could clearly feel that Xia Fan's violent and sharp eyes softened when they fell on her, and instead showed a hint of undisguised pampering and desire.

"Thank you, Mr. Kazama, for drawing your sword to protect me and killing the culprit. Next, I still want to continue heading north to find the Shinsengumi."

But her psychological qualities honed over the years, as well as her instinctive acting skills, allow her to deliver stable expressions and lines.

"Your joke is not funny. If it comes from the heart, it will be even more unfunny..."

"Wakamatsu and Aizu have fallen, and the Shinsengumi have fled to Ezo across the sea. It will soon be besieged by the new government forces and become the center of the war."

"As the daughter of a pure-blooded Rakshasa royal family, you should cherish yourself even more!"

Xia Fan tilted his head slightly, his expression calm, and spoke in a resounding voice.

"But everyone from the Shinsengumi might be there! I've missed them so much that I haven't been able to meet them..."

Shirakawa Rika's eyes are soft, but her attitude is extremely firm.

Inspired by Xia Fan's outstanding performance, she also began to immerse herself in the play.

"Since you already know that your clan was destroyed because of humans, you must have hatred for humans in your heart. Why are you so obsessed with the Shinsengumi?"

Xia Fan's voice became even deeper, and his fangs were exposed from time to time while he spoke, as if he might bite someone at any time, revealing his resentment of being disappointed in someone.

"My existence is of no help to the Shinsengumi. I just wanted to go, I didn't expect to do anything!"

"I don't understand what Mr. Kazama said..."

A strong illusion arose in Shirakawa Rika's heart that the person standing opposite her was no longer Xia Fan, but the real "Manyo Kazama".

She could clearly sense his anger and understood the reason...

I, who was the one he cared about so much, doted on and treated kindly by him, did not value my own life at all and went into danger for “a mere” Shinsengumi.

"enough."

Xia Fan's pupils dilated slightly, he bit his thin lower lip, and stepped in front of Shirakawa Rika without any warning.

The distance between the two of them approached zero in an instant.

Chapter 104 Wall Dong

2024-07-13

"If you go alone, you will only die hastily. It is extremely foolish."

Xia Fan's evil and handsome face dominated Shirakawa Rika's entire vision.

The short blade in his hand had been half unsheathed without him knowing when, and the sharp edge lightly touched her delicate snow-white neck.

Those ruby-like blood-red eyes unreasonably attracted her gaze.

"I want to take you away without your consent."

The magnetic voice, the heavy breathing, and the determination contained in the words seem to have the power to isolate all the noise in the world.

"..."

In this "zero distance" state of almost kissing, Shirakawa Rika felt her brain go blank, her rapid heartbeat exploded in her ears, all the blood in her body rushed to her cheeks, and she even forgot to breathe instinctively.

The two of them remained in this state for a moment...

Seeing that Rika Shirakawa didn't respond to him, Xia Fan raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said in a deep voice: "Cut."

"what?"

"Ok?"

The word "Cut" made the staff who were watching in silence, the photographer who was shooting enthusiastically, and Director Nakano who was absorbed in looking at the monitor, all look bewildered.

Although there is no rule that actors cannot shout "cut", it is rare and not in accordance with the rules for actors to shout "cut" on their own initiative without the director saying anything.

"Why, she forgot the lyrics, are you going to continue filming 'The Wooden Man'?"