Chapter 201: Like a Dragon? (Patreon)

Was Minami Yuji excited?

Of course he was!

The reason was simple.

In his years as a yakusha (actor) in Japan, he'd gotten a pretty good read on what kinds of films the Japanese industry preferred to make.

The first type was period dramas and arthouse films.

Unlike in the Celestial Empire, these films actually had a rare market in Japan, a society with that awkward "ichi-go ichi-e" (once-in-a-lifetime encounter) culture. They were cheap to shoot, and afterward they could win awards to gild the résumés of directors and actors alike, so plenty of Japanese directors were quite fond of the genre.

Incomplete and Three Sisters, both of which Minami Yuji had shot, were exactly this type.

The second type was animated films. They were also the most lucrative category in the Japanese film business, but they didn't actually need live actors. At best they'd ride on Minami Yuji's popularity, and every so often an animation director would invite him over for a voice cameo, with fairly mediocre pay.

The third type was the one most people knew well: adaptations of novels, manga, or tokusatsu. They came with a built-in fanbase and IP backing, so making them was quite profitable.

All in all, these three types were basically the three pillars of the Japanese film industry.

But that led to a problem.

There were simply too few genres!

Minami Yuji had come up from his child actor days and appeared in countless films.

That included plenty of commercial ones.

Even so, he could clearly feel the limits of the Japanese film industry on every front. Financiers were unwilling to risk money on other kinds of films, so most projects were arthouse pieces or adaptations of already-popular Japanese IP, with very little room for anything else.

Over these years, Minami Yuji had played an orphan, a destitute younger brother, and a disillusioned teen in a youth drama.

But he had never once played in a commercial action film.

As for the difficulties Nakashima Tetsuya had mentioned…?

What was so difficult about any of that?

Minami Yuji's gaze turned toward his freakish System.

Modern Mixed Martial Arts LV9.

[2] Superhuman Physique (After years of athletic training, your physical fitness has surpassed that of most adults. You possess extraordinary dynamic vision, recovery, and stamina.)

[8] Superhuman Stamina (Seven years of daily training and grueling work have given you stamina and energy beyond normal people. With this trait, you won't feel the slightest fatigue even after three days without food or water.)

An actor with excellent physical fitness?

Was Superhuman Stamina enough?

Many locations don't allow stunt doubles? Some of the action might be dangerous?

Wasn't Modern Mixed Martial Arts LV9 plus Superhuman Physique a match made in heaven, like two things that took one look at each other and clicked?

He could try a new type of role, and he could also bring these skills of his onto the screen to show them off!

Wasn't this practically a perfect stage handed to him?

It'd be strange if he weren't excited, right?

Maybe Nakashima Tetsuya had meant to scare him off a little, but where was there any scaring off to be had?

In Minami Yuji's eyes, this action film was practically tailor-made for him!

Interest sparked, he asked directly, "May I ask what the title and the script plan for your film are like, Director Nakashima?"

"Huh?"

Nakashima Tetsuya froze.

The thing was… wasn't this a bit too strange?

Other male actors his age had heard that long list of requirements and either looked troubled or stayed silent for a long while before saying they'd need to think it over…

And you?

Not only was there no trace of difficulty on his face, he'd actually taken the initiative to fire off questions about the film's details?

Tsk…

He couldn't help glancing at Minami Yuji again.

In all his years as a director, this was the first time he'd felt unable to get a read on an actor's thinking.

It was right then that Masaya Kaburagi, sitting beside him, started laughing. He turned his head and teased.

"Well? Director Nakashima, just like I told you, right? Yuji-kun's an interesting actor, isn't he? Let me tell you, he was already like this back when I first met him. His way of doing things always catches you off guard."

Of everyone present, Masaya Kaburagi was the least surprised by Minami Yuji's unexpected remarks.

After all, he had known Minami Yuji the longest.

Starting from That Child and on through LoveforReal, he had worked with Minami Yuji many times.

And every time, the other's way of doing things had caught everyone off guard.

But it was precisely those always-unexpected moves that let each program wrap up satisfactorily every time, even earning far more buzz than anyone had predicted.

So—

"Just pick him, then."

Masaya Kaburagi grinned and put in a word for Minami Yuji. "I don't think there's any need for an audition. Yuji-kun fits perfectly. With him as your lead, your film's baseline box office is practically guaranteed. His popularity isn't low these days, after all."

His voice paused.

"As for the physical side of things… that kid's been a freak since he was little. Back then he kicked open a solid wood door our production crew had prepared, with a single kick."

As he spoke, he mimed the motion with exaggerated gestures.

Clearly, that astonishing kick Minami Yuji had landed in That Child was still vivid in his memory.

But Nakashima Tetsuya, hearing all this, shot him an exasperated glare. "Shut up for now, Kaburagi, kid."

As a director, he of course knew how big Minami Yuji's name was now.

With him on board, the baseline box office should be secure.

After all, even if you counted only the audience members who'd come specifically to see Minami Yuji, there'd probably be a big crowd.

But…

With a low hum, Nakashima Tetsuya picked up his sake and took another sip.

Only then did he speak up.

"I originally meant to go over the film and the script details with Minami-kun first, but since Kaburagi, kid, has already brought up the casting, let me start there."

He let out a "hm," as if organizing his words, then began a couple of seconds later.

"Minami-kun, do you remember the two pieces of news I mentioned earlier?"

"Of course."

Minami Yuji nodded.

He had a good memory and wasn't forgetful. Before the conversation even began, the other man had said he had two pieces of news for him.

Looked like he was going to share them now.

"How should I put it… of these two pieces of news, one is without a doubt good news for you, Minami-kun."

He set down the sake cup in his hand and watched the sake slosh against the walls of the small round cup. Then Nakashima Tetsuya spoke.

"Actually, after you won the TV Drama Academy Prize Lifetime Achievement Prize, the investors sent word to me. They want me to talk to you directly and have you pre-cast as the lead of this commercial action film."

That was right. Honestly, Masaya Kaburagi hadn't even needed to bring it up.

His side's investors had long had the idea of pre-casting Minami Yuji.

Especially after Minami Yuji won the TV Drama Academy Prize Lifetime Achievement Prize, they'd been pushing even harder.

It couldn't be helped.

Minami Yuji's popularity was simply too high.

In the Japanese industry today, you couldn't talk about the new generation of actors without running into him.

"Oh?!"

Before Minami Yuji could state his position, Masaya Kaburagi on the other side perked up first. "Isn't that a good thing?"

It really was a good thing.

Minami Yuji had his own ideas, and so did the investors.

Wasn't that a perfectly natural case of mutual attraction?

Why not just pick Minami Yuji and be done with it?

But what Masaya Kaburagi hadn't expected was that, after hearing him out, the old man across from him with the salt-and-pepper stubble simply shook his head.

"That's the other thing I wanted to say."

His eyes, clouded with age, sharpened.

"I turned down the investors' pre-casting idea. Which means, Minami-kun, if you want the lead in this film, you'll have to earn it yourself, through an audition."

"Huh?"

Masaya Kaburagi, whose smile always made people uncomfortable, couldn't smile anymore.

He rarely showed surprise, but now he did. He had no idea why Nakashima Tetsuya would do this.

After all, even the moneyman behind the project wanted to pre-cast him… and Nakashima had flatly refused? Wasn't that offending people?

And even if you set that aside…

"There's nothing wrong with Yuji-kun's acting either."

Exactly.

Why was Minami Yuji called the number one of the new generation of actors?

Precisely because his acting far surpassed that of actors his age.

From his child actor days to now.

Masaya Kaburagi, at least, had never seen an actor whose acting could surpass Minami Yuji's.

Heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and the people's support: everything had practically come together.

Under such circumstances, why would Nakashima Tetsuya bear the pressure and flatly refuse the investors' request?

There was no reason for it at all.

"I…"

Nakashima Tetsuya was just about to explain.

But what he hadn't expected was that, in the next moment, Minami Yuji, who had been sitting across from them quietly listening, spoke first.

"Director Nakashima, you dislike the rotten practice of pre-casting actors, right?"

Nakashima Tetsuya fell silent.

A long silence.

After about ten-odd seconds, Nakashima Tetsuya finally spoke.

Only this time, the way he looked at Minami Yuji carried a clear note of appreciation for the first time.

"You really are the most noteworthy actor of the new generation, Minami-kun."

Now he finally understood why people in the industry looked so awestruck and admiring whenever they talked about Minami Yuji.

That sharp power of observation alone was enough to put him above a good many actors in the industry.

And that wasn't all.

Nakashima Tetsuya's gaze swept across Minami Yuji's handsome face.

He marveled even more in his heart.

Because there wasn't the slightest trace of displeasure on Minami Yuji's face.

He had revoked the man's pre-cast eligibility, practically half-forcing the new generation's strongest actor to go to an audition.

Any other actor would surely have shown some emotion by now, more or less.

After all, what Nakashima Tetsuya had done was the equivalent of forcibly stripping away their privilege.

But Minami Yuji, sitting in front of him?

Not the slightest displeasure.

Not even a shadow of irritation.

He just sat on his cushion, gentle in expression, as always.

His look suggested that, to him, having privilege or not made no difference at all.

Even by his own strength alone, he could win this casting.

Remarkable…

Nakashima Tetsuya marveled again inwardly, and went on.

"Yes, just as you said, Minami-kun. I've always hated the rotten habit of the industry today, where actors get pre-cast at the drop of a hat."

He was a director who'd come up in the Showa era.

Back then, the Japanese industry was nowhere near as mature and developed as it was now.

But precisely because it was still green, pre-casting wasn't nearly as rampant as it was today.

Every newcomer had a chance to charge ahead.

Every veteran kept honing their acting so they wouldn't be overtaken.

It was an unpolished era, but one full of passion.

But now?

Actors being pre-cast.

Scripts being rewritten.

casting couch.

Some celebrity or other getting caught in yet another cheating scandal.

The whole industry was certainly far more mature than before.

But it was also…

"Rotten to the core."

A look of contempt crossed his face, and Nakashima Tetsuya made no effort to soften his wording.

But he also understood.

He was only a director.

In this commercialized age that chased fame and profit and measured everything by gain, he could do nothing at all.

After all, this was the tide of the times. That the industry had been commercialized and that fame and profit were pursued was inevitable, and nobody could change it.

But—

"At the very least, I won't let that rotten pre-casting habit appear on my set."

With a "ha!" he downed the sake in his cup in one gulp, and Nakashima Tetsuya said it just like that.

Yes.

He couldn't change the bad habits of the industry.

But he could at least make sure the shooting crew he led stayed free of them.

So…

"I'm sorry, Minami-kun."

With his hands on his thighs, Nakashima Tetsuya, now past sixty, actually bowed his head to Minami Yuji.

As a director, he naturally knew how important this opportunity was to Minami Yuji. It was his first film since turning sixteen, and a proper big-budget production at that.

Yet because he himself refused to bow to this rotten Japanese industry, the boy had taken a stray bullet.

It was truly unfair to him.

So even if Minami Yuji held some grudge or complaint against him, he wouldn't say a word in his own defense.

But what Nakashima Tetsuya hadn't expected was that Minami Yuji showed no sign of blaming him. Instead, he blinked and asked back, "Why are you apologizing to me, Director Nakashima?"

"Eh?"

Another unexpected question.

Nakashima Tetsuya was about to explain his answer.

But then he heard Minami Yuji's voice again.

"Not wanting to feed the culture of pre-cast actors in the industry is a good thing to begin with, so you don't need to apologize to me, Director Nakashima, not from the start."

"Wha…?"

Nakashima Tetsuya couldn't hold back.

He looked at Minami Yuji's face once more.

As mentioned before, Nakashima Tetsuya was a veteran director in the industry.

He had seen far too many actors complain about industry privilege and say they never wanted to see pre-cast roles again.

But once those actors became famous, they forgot their own words.

The moment they saw a good role, they wanted to compete viciously, and even used the resources and agencies behind them to try to get pre-cast.

What they'd resented from the start was never "privilege" itself, but being unable to be among the people who enjoyed it.

For that reason, Nakashima Tetsuya figured Minami Yuji was most likely just being polite right now.

It wasn't what he truly felt.

So was Minami Yuji just being polite?

If Minami Yuji himself had to say.

Then naturally, it was half and half.

That's right.

Everyone has selfish impulses, and Minami Yuji was no exception.

If he could get a role through the back door, only a silly little sister like Ruby Hoshino would refuse.

But at the same time, his dislike of pre-cast roles was genuine.

The reason was as simple as it gets.

He had once been a victim of a pre-cast role himself.

That time with She and Him, he still remembered it clearly.

He'd finally given it everything.

Even the System had kicked in, and his acting skill had shot straight up to LV8 back then.

And the result?

The audition slot he'd fought so hard for was brushed off with a single word, "pre-cast," and the role was lightly taken away.

Do you even have that kind of ability? Then go ahead and act it yourself.

So Minami Yuji had an innate aversion to being "pre-cast."

Because of that, although Minami Yuji felt a little regret at not getting to enjoy the privilege, he would never resent Nakashima Tetsuya for cancelling the pre-casting.

On the contrary, toward this stubborn old man who held to his principles, Minami Yuji felt a certain admiration.

After all, to keep one's original intentions in an industry this murky… there were far too few people like that.

So…

"Director Nakashima, everything I've said is sincere. Please rest assured."

With a gentle smile, Minami Yuji raised his tea in place of sake and toasted the other man.

"Is that so…?"

Perhaps sensing the sincerity in Minami Yuji's words, Nakashima Tetsuya's slightly aged face broke into a smile. "Then it seems I'm the one who's been petty."

He lifted his cup with a laugh and drank with Minami Yuji.

Then he didn't linger on the topic, and paused his voice instead.

"If that's the case, then from here on, Minami-kun, you'll have to compete in the audition."

Right. Since the pre-cast route was closed, Minami Yuji would have to compete against other actors for this role.

"It's not a nice thing to say, but the actors attending this time will surely be a very impressive lineup, and the competition will be especially fierce."

Minami Yuji was no longer a child actor.

At sixteen this year, he already counted as a full-fledged young actor in the industry, and he had to compete with adult actors.

That naturally meant far fiercer competition than during his child actor days.

Never mind anything else.

Among adult actors, there would probably be quite a few at the professional level (LV7-LV8) in acting alone.

Not to mention this was a big-budget film with a 3 billion yen investment.

The heat of the competition would surely be terrifying.

He kept analyzing it point by point.

But soon he sensed something was off.

Because neither Masaya Kaburagi nor Minami Yuji had picked up the thread.

Especially Masaya Kaburagi. The instant he saw Nakashima lift his head in some confusion, he burst out laughing.

"Director Nakashima, those words might put some pressure on an ordinary actor, but think about it. The young actor beside me is Minami Yuji."

That's right!

The person beside him was Minami Yuji!

Galaxy Awards, Broadcasting Foundation Award, Blue Ribbon Awards, Kinema Junpo, Golden Flight Award, Pegasus Award, an eight-time consecutive sweep of Best Actor at the TV Drama Academy Prize, the first-ever winner of the Academy Prize Lifetime Achievement Prize, and the lead of Three Siblings, which held the number one box office spot for five weeks running!

As for acting?

Minami Yuji sitting there had never feared anyone!

You could tell just from that frighteningly long title string of his, which, with all the miscellaneous other awards added in, would run hundreds of characters longer.

And now… it was only an audition.

To put it in slightly showier terms:

"Don't worry, Director Nakashima. Even without pre-casting, I can still take the lead."

Minami Yuji spoke.

His expression was as gentle as before.

But this time, Nakashima Tetsuya clearly read something in that gentle expression.

That something was called confidence!

That's right.

Confidence!

A confidence so absolute that it left Nakashima Tetsuya no room for even half a doubt!

As if infected by Minami Yuji's confidence, Nakashima Tetsuya shook his head with an amused smile. "True. If it's you, Minami-kun, you could surely take the lead even without pre-casting. I've been worrying too much."

As he said it, his eyes held an indescribable brightness as he looked at Minami Yuji.

That's right… if it's the Minami Yuji in front of him… if it's him…

"Then let's bring the conversation back to where we were."

Pressing down all the turbulent emotions surging in his chest, Nakashima Tetsuya put on a serious face. "Next is the film itself. First, the title of this project."

A good film title did lend the box office some boost.

Though, compared to the title, what Minami Yuji really wanted right now was to get the script in his hands first.

But what he hadn't expected were Nakashima Tetsuya's next words.

"Dragon Among Men. That's the name of this film."

"Pfft—!"

"Huh…? What's wrong? Is there a problem, Minami-kun?"

Seeing the ever-calm Minami Yuji suddenly spray tea, Nakashima Tetsuya was startled and asked in bewilderment.

Minami Yuji waved a hand to say don't mind it, and picked up a paper napkin to wipe his mouth.

The thing was…

Was there a problem?

There was a huge problem!

Minami Yuji forcibly controlled his expression and didn't lose his composure any further, but a raging storm had risen inside him.

Dragon Among Men, also known as Like a Dragon.

In the world he'd come from, that was a famous action-adventure game!

It mainly depicted Japan's yakuza… the story of protagonist Kazuma Kiryu moving through the underworld.

It was a proper colossal game IP, with the whole series having passed 27 million copies sold.

He'd never expected to hear the name of that classic Japanese game IP, Like a Dragon, in this world…

How could that not startle Minami Yuji?

The key point was…

Didn't this world not have the Like a Dragon series?

Minami Yuji's brow twitched.

That's right.

This world was different from the one he'd lived in before. Some works existed, while others didn't…

Since the Like a Dragon IP didn't exist here… then…

"Director Nakashima, might I see the script?"

After tidying up the mess his tea-spraying had caused, Minami Yuji spoke up on his own.

"Ah… yes, that's fine."

Nakashima Tetsuya nodded.

Besides wanting to see for himself the poise of Minami Yuji, the top actor of the new generation, he had also come intending to hand the script over so Minami Yuji could study the role carefully.

He passed over the light brown script.

And the moment Minami Yuji took it and started flipping through, he understood.

So that's how it is…

He sighed.

It might have been a lovely coincidence.

The script for this film called Like a Dragon shared a name with the Like a Dragon of his old world.

But as he leafed through it carefully, its plot matched none of the series' installments from his old world.

But although the story didn't match… still…

"The screenwriter's style does have a bit of that Like a Dragon flavor."

Minami Yuji couldn't help muttering.

The story began on a rainy night.

Fujiwara Kazuma, who had been out collecting an overdue payment from a rival faction on his yakuza organization's orders, returned home to find the charred corpse of the foster father who had been his only family, dead without a sound in the bathtub.

Swept up in the flames of rage, he began investigating the whole affair.

But what he hadn't expected was that, at this very moment, both his brothers from the past and the organization he relied on inexplicably turned their blades against him.

The rain fell harder.

Blood soaked his body.

Cars overturned.

And the truth grew even murkier behind the curtain of rain.

The dragon among men, walking through the dark of night, swore in his burning rage to make the killer hiding in the shadows pay the price.

Along the way, there were plenty of depictions of gangs, giri (duty), and so on, exactly like the Like a Dragon series.

Even Minami Yuji had to admit that judging by the writing and plot structure alone, this was a pretty excellent commercial action film.

Apart from the protagonist's name being just slightly different from "Kazuma Kiryu" in Like a Dragon,

the whole story structure could pass as an original film independent of the Like a Dragon series.

"Well, Minami-kun? Are you confident you can play this role well?"

"Mm… confident, yes, I suppose I am."

Looking at the name Dragon Among Men, Minami Yuji couldn't help shaking his head.

He was confident, sure, but could the title be changed? It really threw him out of the moment.

But that was only a thought in his mind.

The film title was purely the producers' and screenwriter's call.

What came next was much simpler.

Minami Yuji chatted with Nakashima Tetsuya a while longer about the Dragon Among Men script and confirmed the audition date. After a few parting pleasantries, it was time to say goodbye.

With one foot on the motorcycle's footrest, his legs clamped around the frame, he drove power from his waist.

"Then I'll head back now. Thank you both for treating me today."

Minami Yuji started the motorcycle and called out his thanks to those behind him.

There, Masaya Kaburagi and Nakashima Tetsuya stood by the entrance of Ajinotei.

They'd both been drinking and couldn't drive, so they could only wait in the private room for someone to come pick them up, and stepped out to see Minami Yuji off in the meantime.

But perhaps because Minami Yuji had stayed silent for so long reading the script earlier,

Nakashima Tetsuya still couldn't hold back. "Minami-kun, if you have any questions about the script, call me anytime."

A director personally coaching an actor.

In the industry, that too counted as going through the back door.

But Minami Yuji hadn't minded even having his pre-cast spot cancelled.

For such a tiny privilege, Nakashima Tetsuya felt he should still grant it.

What he hadn't expected, though.

In response to this rare act that went against his own rules,

Minami Yuji over there simply laughed.

"Don't worry, Director Nakashima, it's fine! Please look forward to audition day. I'll definitely perform the Dragon Among Men you have in mind!"

As he spoke, he even turned his body sideways and waved at Nakashima Tetsuya.

For Minami Yuji, a man of principle like Nakashima Tetsuya being willing to bend those principles for him was already enough.

As for the coaching…

That wasn't necessary.

Because acting was something an actor ought to work out for himself.

Since Minami Yuji already had his helmet on, Nakashima Tetsuya couldn't see his expression.

But judging by that waving hand,

Nakashima Tetsuya felt sure that hidden under that helmet was a calm, gentle smile, just like the one he'd seen earlier.

With the crisp roar of the engine,

the motorcycle, its bright red taillight glowing, smashed through the night and rode out onto the street.

Meanwhile, Masaya Kaburagi, blowing out a white ring of smoke, said with a grin beside Nakashima Tetsuya.

"Well? Minami Yuji, the number one of the new generation… did he let you down, Director Nakashima?"

"Let me down? Far from it."

Watching Minami Yuji's retreating back, Nakashima Tetsuya let out a breath.

"He completely exceeded my expectations. I've never seen an actor like him."

He had never seen an actor like Minami Yuji.

Even a man who always stuck to his principles,

felt that he'd have no problem pre-casting this one.

Those eyes, so used to seeing the rot and ugliness of the industry, for the first time shone with the same expectation they'd held in his youth, when he had watched the old actors of the Showa era.

That's right…

This was the first time he had ever looked forward so much to the audition for an upcoming film!