"Without trying, you'll never know the final result. Besides, the audition only lasts half a day. Whether in reality or in anime, I prefer seeing happy endings. Miss Amamiya, wouldn't using this audition as the final curtain call of your voice-acting career before leaving the industry be pretty good too?"
Kamiyā Yuu stood up and smiled as he handed the script back to her.
Amamiya Kae reached out and accepted it with both hands, smiling.
"If Mr. Kamiyā thinks so, then I'll keep working hard and try to earn your approval."
—Such an ordinary thing to say. Just as ordinary as "hard work leads to success."
—But Mr. Kamiyā is an animation director. The fact that he has expressed a desire for me to stay twice now means that, in his eyes, I am not completely without value.
—Being able to obtain such a conclusion with mere words and without paying any price is already quite a satisfactory result.
For the next hour, Amamiya Kae, who had decided to continue with the audition, studied the script seriously.
Whenever there was something she didn't understand, she would ask Kamiyā Yuu for his opinion.
Kamiyā Yuu naturally did not hold back in sharing his understanding of Sakurā Kyōko's character.
Before long, Amamiya Kae understood why Kamiyā Yuu had said she was unsuited to voice Sakurā Kyōko.
Her voice was peaceful, calm, and gentle. It gave people the impression of a refined young lady from a respectable family.
Even though her ability as a voice actress was not poor, her fundamental vocal quality was difficult to change.
Without a doubt, even she believed she would fail this audition.
Even so, this time she earnestly carried out the preparations expected of a voice actress, trying every one of Sakurā Kyōko's lines while having Kamiyā Yuu point out the correct improvements.
"It's about time. Let's head to the recording studio."
Kamiyā Yuu noticed that the clock on the wall had reached ten in the morning. He stood up, walked to the vending machine beside them, bought two bottles of green tea, and handed one to Amamiya Kae with a smile.
"Do your best. Although your voice differs slightly from the role, your ability as a voice actress isn't bad."
"Yes. Thank you very much for your guidance."
Amamiya Kae accepted the green tea with both hands, gathered up her script, and followed behind Kamiyā Yuu toward the recording studio at the end of the hallway.
Before they had gone far, they ran into the group of voice actors heading over from the conference room.
Some veteran voice actresses recognized that this unremarkable-looking young man was the chief director of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica.' One after another, they walked over, bowed to Kamiyā Yuu, and said respectfully,
"Thank you for your hard work, Director Kamiyā."
Tōgi Yūko was among them as well.
Seeing Amamiya Kae beside Kamiyā Yuu, surprise flashed through her eyes. She did not understand how Amamiya Kae had gotten acquainted with him.
Quite a few newcomer voice actresses also recognized Kamiyā Yuu, but before the veterans moved, they did not dare act rashly. After the veterans greeted him, they also came over and respectfully offered their greetings.
'Puella Magi Madoka Magica.'
Anyone with some understanding of the anime industry knew that this anime was currently at the height of its popularity.
The reversal in its plot had sparked an extremely wide discussion online, causing the anime's popularity to surge rapidly in January, a season packed with excellent works.
Being able to voice a character in such a hit anime was an opportunity some voice actors would gladly pay for themselves.
Kamiyā Yuu wore his usual smile.
"You're the ones working hard this time. In any case, let's all do our best together."
Smiling was an essential part of the Japanese workplace. Greeting others with a stiff expression would leave an extremely rude impression.
After Kamiyā Yuu entered another recording room reserved for staff, Tōgi Yūko took the initiative to approach Amamiya Kae and asked with interest,
"Do you know that Director Kamiyā?"
—First of all, my name is not "you."
—Second, aren't there supposed to be some necessary pleasantries before asking that question?
Her self-mockery remained flawless.
Holding her script, Amamiya Kae nodded and smiled gently.
"I met him just now in the lounge area. He seems like a very kind person."
Tōgi Yūko paused, caught off guard by Amamiya Kae's attitude. After thinking for a moment, she continued,
"Director Kamiyā's identity isn't that simple. Aside from being the chief director of this anime, he's also the president of Yosuganosora Animation Studio."
"It feels somewhat surprising that he would personally come to this audition. Judging from the script, if nothing unexpected happens, this audition should be for a main role."
A voice actress nearby said in surprise,
"That young animation director is also a company president? No wonder he feels completely different."
"Tell us what Director Kamiyā is like. I can't imagine becoming president at such a young age!"
"That's not quite right. The hit animated film 'RWBY' and 'Magical Girl Nanoha' were both completed by Director Kamiyā alone. He also founded the company himself."
"Ehh~~!"
The gossip caused the female voice actresses to exclaim repeatedly. Then they became even more interested and pressed Amamiya Kae about her relationship with Kamiyā Yuu.
—Is this what they call borrowing the tiger's might?
—I've already explained that I only met Director Kamiyā just now, so why can the same question still be asked so many times?
—Simply because I have a slight connection to a lion, the difference in treatment is already this great.
—Well~ it doesn't hurt me anyway.
The chaotic chatter made Amamiya Kae's expression turn troubled.
She clasped her hands together and suggested in a relaxed tone,
"In any case, shall we go in and prepare first? We shouldn't keep Director Kamiyā and Director Shindō waiting too long."
...
The voice-acting audition ended normally.
As expected, Kamiyā Yuu and Shindō Tsukasa both agreed that Amamiya Kae's voice was unsuitable for Sakurā Kyōko.
After careful discussion, they chose Tōgi Yūko as the voice actress for the main role.
Kamiyā Yuu arranged another supporting role for Amamiya Kae—Saotome Kazuko.
She was a new character who had not appeared in the first seven episodes of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' the teacher at Kaname Madoka's school and a friend of Kaname Madoka's mother, Kaname Junko.
By the time the audition ended, it was already noon.
At Shindō Tsukasa's invitation, all the voice actors and staff who had participated in the audition went to an izakaya for lunch.
Although all the voice actors except Tōgi Yūko had failed, for a voice actor who wanted to make a name in the industry, it was still very necessary to build good relationships with animation production companies and participate in social drinking parties like this.
When Shindō Tsukasa informed her that she could sign a contract with them to voice another non-main role, Amamiya Kae felt a little surprised.
This pleasant surprise was far greater than she had imagined.
Originally, she had expected herself to fail.
Being directly chosen as the voice actress for another supporting role was both within expectations and beyond them.
Her voice-acting career could barely continue after all.
...
Because Kamiyā Yuu had said it was inconvenient for him to go out at night, Shindō Tsukasa had moved the audition from afternoon to morning, then from morning to early morning.
As a result, Kamiyā Yuu did not go to the company at all that day and instead went directly to the sound department to select voice actors.
At a little past two in the afternoon, after the meal ended, Kamiyā Yuu drove back to Yosuganosora Animation Studio.
Opening the door to his office, he saw the same petite figure who had clearly been waiting there for quite some time.
This time, the sound of the door opening was immediately noticed by Gogyo Ruri.
Startled, she hurriedly stood up from the sofa and greeted him nervously and stiffly.
"Welcome back, Brother."
"Have you been waiting long?"
Kamiyā Yuu took off his black suit jacket and tossed it aside, then walked to his desk and drank the cup of warm tea that had already been prepared.
"Sister Aoi told me Brother would be back soon, so after finishing the work I had on hand, I came here to wait."
Gogyo Ruri explained softly.
"I'm not blaming you. I understand how you feel very well."
Kamiyā Yuu waved a hand and laughed softly.
Yesterday, he had already told her that the answer regarding the character design would be announced today.
Gogyo Ruri fiddled with her fingers, not daring to meet Kamiyā Yuu's eyes.
Her question was hurried yet hesitant.
"Then... Brother, can you tell me the answer now?"
"Kuroneko, do you know where I went this morning?"
Kamiyā Yuu asked calmly instead.
Gogyo Ruri shook her head blankly.
She had been unable to find Kamiyā Yuu all morning and had gone to look around outside his office several times.
It was only after Morishita Aoi noticed the unusual behavior that she told her Kamiyā Yuu would probably return around two in the afternoon.
"The sound department. I was handling the audition for Sakurā Kyōko's voice actress together with Director Shindō."
—A voice-acting audition!
—In other words, Sakurā Kyōko's character design has already been finalized!?
Gogyo Ruri understood the implication in Kamiyā Yuu's words.
She suddenly raised her head and saw the teasing look on his face.
Her cute little face flushed red, and she puffed her cheeks unhappily.
"Brother, hurry up and tell me the answer."
"Yes, yes."
Kamiyā Yuu took the script he had brought back from his briefcase and gently tapped Gogyo Ruri's forehead with it, smiling.
"These are the lines I wrote temporarily this time. Open it and take a look."
Kamiyā Yuu's attitude gave Gogyo Ruri a faint premonition.
A strange throbbing welled up in her heart.
Could it be that he had really adopted her character design?
The moment that possibility occurred to her, Gogyo Ruri felt as though her breathing had stopped.
The trembling sensation rising from her body tangled with her complicated thoughts, as if all the strength in her body had been drained away.
She had not even felt this way the first time she submitted a novel manuscript.
Facing the small stack of scripts Kamiyā Yuu handed over, Gogyo Ruri's slightly trembling hands failed several times to grasp the edge.
After finally taking it, she looked at Kamiyā Yuu's encouraging gaze and took a deep breath before daring to open it.
The script was filled with Sakurā Kyōko's trial lines.
The style of the dialogue was the same as the Sakurā Kyōko of her ideals.
It overlapped perfectly with the Sakurā Kyōko lines that had been circling in her mind for the past few days.
She had imagined countless times how her Sakurā Kyōko would react in different situations.
The script Kamiyā Yuu handed her gave her the answer.
She could feel the Sakurā Kyōko in her heart gradually becoming vivid.
Her voice, expression, and smile all emerged one by one.
Crinkle!
The script was clenched tightly in her small hands, the uncontrolled force wrinkling the paper.
Gogyo Ruri lowered her head and hugged the script tightly, as if protecting some incredibly precious treasure.
The instant she saw the answer, she felt that everything else no longer mattered.
The dark memories of the past surged up.
The days when she had spent all her time and energy completing the key animation assignments Kamiyā Yuu had given her.
The unease of coming alone to the great metropolis of Tokyo.
The hesitation and inferiority she had felt over these days.
Everything was blown into fragments by a hurricane.
For the first time, Gogyo Ruri realized that the emotions in her heart could be so complex.
They allowed her to clearly hear her own rapidly beating heart.
They made her feel how wonderful it was to be alive in this world.
For the first time, this was probably the first time she had sincerely given her all and received something in return.
Kamiyā Yuu could not fully understand Gogyo Ruri's feelings.
Sensing the abnormality in her emotions, he came to her side, stroked her soft black hair, and said gently,
"This is the conclusion I reached after thinking about it for a long time. You've worked very hard during this period."
"This version of Sakurā Kyōko's character design is the best proof of your efforts."
"And it is also something that makes me proud."
"Yes..."
Gogyo Ruri answered in a trembling voice, so small and fragile, just like the ruri glass in her name.
Gogyo Ruri released the script in her hands.
Her small hand grabbed the corner of Kamiyā Yuu's shirt.
When she turned back, her cheeks were flushed with delicate shades of red and filled with bright happiness.
The peaceful, satisfied smile at the corners of her lips reflected the tears shimmering in her crimson eyes.
She smiled at Kamiyā Yuu, both forced and natural.
That fleeting brilliance struck Kamiyā Yuu's heart as though it had been hammered hard.
That smile was absolutely the most infectious, most beautiful, and most girlish smile he had ever seen.
"Thank you..."
"Thank you... Thank you so much!"
"Brother..."
Gogyo Ruri choked out softly.
Overcome with emotion, she stood up and hugged Kamiyā Yuu tightly.
Her little face was buried deep against his chest as she burst into tears, as if releasing all the gloom and frustration that had accumulated inside her heart.
Crash!
The script slipped from her hand.
After a brief hesitation, Kamiyā Yuu raised his right hand and stroked her black hair to comfort her.
"This is the result you earned through your own hard work. Just be happy as much as you like."
Feeling the warmth of her skin pressed against him and the dampness spreading across his chest, Kamiyā Yuu felt a faint trace of guilt.
"...Yes... Yes."
After a long while, Gogyo Ruri's emotions finally calmed.
Her small hands at last released Kamiyā Yuu's clothes.
"I'm sorry, Brother. I got too excited."
Gogyo Ruri forced a relaxed giggle at Kamiyā Yuu.
The tear stains and blush still lingering on her little face made her look exactly like a miserable little Kuroneko.
Kamiyā Yuu picked up the wrinkled script from the floor.
Seeing her appearance, he said with amusement,
"Since I've adopted your character design, you'd better work even harder from now on."
"Honestly, look how much you've cried. You've soaked part of my shirt."
Kamiyā Yuu took a tissue from nearby and handed it to her.
Gogyo Ruri's face turned embarrassed.
It had already been covered in a cute blush, so the difference was not especially obvious.
She turned her head away and gave a proud little snort.
"This is Brother's fault. If you were planning to use my character design, why didn't you tell me earlier? I didn't sleep well at all last night."
As she spoke, she deliberately yawned and secretly opened one eye to peek at Kamiyā Yuu.
Kamiyā Yuu smiled wryly and shook his head, then waved the script in his hand at her.
"In that case, Kuroneko, are you interested in discussing Sakurā Kyōko's story with me next?"
"Mm!"
Gogyo Ruri smiled brilliantly.