The host leaned forward. "Do you think his success could even change how awards are judged?"
"It might," Hikaru said thoughtfully. "Studios might start submitting more original works instead of just safe sequels. If Mizushiro proves originality can win this many awards, it could shift the system."
The host nodded. "So do you think he could dominate the Lioras the same way as the Japanese Awards?"
"That's harder," Hikaru replied. "I think he could win two, maybe three. But this year has a lot of strong continuing series in the running, so I don't think he'll dominate completely."
"So which categories do you think Mizushiro's works could win?" the host pressed.
Hikaru nodded. "Madoka Magica is almost unbeatable. It's the kind of once-in-a-decade work you rarely see. And you might be surprised I'm saying this, but his second-best shot is Initial D, specifically for its soundtrack. It's such a different kind of OST from what's usually used in anime."
The host smiled. "That's it for today, and thank you to everyone watching."
The next day, Haruki arrived at the studio as today was going to be the final selection of voices before locking in the core cast. The main recording room had its lights on already, and staff were moving cables and checking mics as he walked in.
Haruki had called Ryuko for a try at the role of C.C., but she had already lined up multiple projects after the success of Into the Abyss, so she couldn't make it.
As he, Kazuya, and David Heyman were sitting at the long table in the viewing room, the final contestant for Lelouch's voice actor was reading the lines. The actor's voice came through the monitor speakers as he delivered his line:
"If the world is to be changed… then I will be the one to change it."
Haruki quietly jotted notes while David listened closely, and Kazuya watched every small shift in tone.
As the audition ended, the three exchanged brief glances.
"Strong presence," David said under his breath, marking something on the casting sheet. "Yeah," Kazuya murmured. "But maybe needs a bit more unpredictability… Lelouch has to sound like he's always three steps ahead."
Haruki gave a small nod. "We can keep him in consideration. He fits the role well."
The actor stepped out of the booth and gave a polite bow before leaving.
After multiple auditions, they had finally locked in Lelouch and C.C.'s voice actors, with tomorrow reserved for Kallen and Suzaku.
A week went by, and Friday arrived. Toma picked up his weekly Echo Shroud.
In the previous JoJo chapter, the Pillar Men had awakened. JoJo and Caesar had arrived at the location to stop them, and both of them battled, but the Pillar Men weren't affected by any of Hamon's effects.
As Wamuu, one of the Pillar Men, fought JoJo, he had cut JoJo's wrist, saying that in one minute, JoJo would bleed out and lose consciousness. The chapter had ended there.
Mizushiro really liked ending on cliffhangers, which Toma had gotten used to, but sometimes he wanted to write some strongly worded letters to Mizushiro-sensei, because the cliffhangers stayed in his head for the whole week until the next chapter came out.
As he started reading today's chapter, Wamuu said, "Now go ahead and retrieve your weapon," while JoJo began acting, pretending he couldn't stand.
Toma muttered, "There's no way he's pulling this off."
"Huh? What did you say? Did you say to me to retrieve your weapon? That will not be necessary, as I have no need to pick it up." JoJo's earlier launcher cracker came flying like a bombard and hit Wamuu in the face, leaving one side exposed. Right after, JoJo started attacking him with the clacker.
Seeing this, Toma still thought, I don't think this'll be enough to beat him.
As he kept reading, sure enough, Wamuu let him land the hit, his pride making him reckless. Then, he launched his technique: Divine Sandstorm, rotating both hands in opposite directions as he charged the attack and let it fly.
JoJo avoided most of it but still got hit, collapsing to the ground with blood leaking from several spots. Wamuu turned toward Caesar and Speedwagon.
"Normally I would not attack humans, but you have seen my same, so I will destroy you both."
In the background, Joseph stood up on his knees and started walking. Caesar and Speedwagon froze in surprise, and hearing the sound of his movement, Wamuu turned his face toward JoJo. But JoJo was still lying there.
Toma let out a sudden laugh, breaking the tension for a moment. "Ahahaha."
As JoJo crawled forward on his knees again, Wamuu turned to look, and again, JoJo was down. After some time, he finally reached the mine cart and climbed in.
Hearing this, Wamuu turned. "Still alive? You thought you could escape using your trick?"
"You are the fool. All I need to do is get to this mine cart."
"Oh, so you're trying to buy some time for your friends to escape?"
"You still fell for it. This trick is older than you."
"So now what are you going to do? How are you going to escape this?"
"Do you really wanna know?"
"Let me guess… is it something stupid like going into the mine and using explosives on me? Or do you plan to pull the brake and send the mine cart flying?"
As the manga panel revealed JoJo hiding dynamite behind his back, Toma laughed again. "Where does he even keep this stuff?!"
…Crap. He knows my plan, JoJo thought.
As Wamuu sent the mine cart off the rail into the pit,
Toma leaned forward, breath caught in his throat.
And as he reached the last panels, there it was again: TO BE CONTINUED.
"Damn it… not again."
[Note: I thought I would be able to have two chapters ready, but lately I've fallen into a spiral of editing more than writing. That's why it's taking so much time. I'm trying to get double chapters done, hopefully this weekend.]
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-a-t-r-e-o-n.com/Alioth23 for 60+ advanced chapters)