The director had only given Seiya the role because of Arima's connections and because he wasn't asking for a salary. The role was originally a minor one, where the acting could be either very demanding or not required at all. It would be demanding if they wanted to find a child who could face a pouncing wolf without flinching, a near-impossible task. It would be easy because the technical team could simply edit the close-ups to show only the wolf or the back of the actor. This meant that any child, regardless of gender, could play the role.
But when the director saw Seiya's performance, he changed his mind. He realized that Seiya had the makings of a child star. With his good looks and the "kendo boy" role, it would be a shame to cut all his scenes. That's why he had given Seiya so many pointers before filming. Of course, even though he saw Seiya's potential, that was all he could do. If Seiya kept making mistakes, he couldn't help him. Film was expensive, and everyone's time was precious. He couldn't keep giving Seiya multiple takes. If Seiya could pull it off, the director would give him more close-ups, and Seiya might even have a breakout role in this movie. But if he couldn't, the director would have no choice but to cut all his close-ups, as originally planned.
"Action!"
With the director's command, a crew member signaled the police dog, which immediately started running toward Seiya and Kana. The large dog, with its wolf-like appearance and the incredible makeup, looked like a snarling wolf.
"Ah! Don't come any closer!"
The genius child star who could cry in 10 seconds started to cry, and Seiya could tell that this time, Arima was truly scared and wasn't acting. In the original script, she didn't fall because of fear. But the director didn't stop the scene, which meant that Kana's fear was not affecting the original script. In fact, her fear made the scene even more realistic.
In that case, it's my turn to perform!
According to the script, Seiya had to charge at the wolf, swing his sword around, and then get knocked back. The director's only requirement was for him to swing the sword randomly without showing fear. But as a kendo champion, it would be difficult for him to swing his sword aimlessly.
I just need to hit its paws and then pretend to get knocked back.
With a new resolve, Seiya looked up, and his eyes changed. The director, who was watching the camera, was stunned when he saw Seiya's eyes. He had expected Seiya, a five-year-old child, to show fear in this "big scene," but he was completely taken aback by Seiya's unwavering expression.
What kind of look was that? What kind of expression? How could a five-year-old boy have such a determined and brave look on his face while facing a pouncing wolf? Was he really a five-year-old child? How could he have such mental fortitude?
And what Seiya did next stunned everyone on set, including the director. According to the script, Seiya was just supposed to swing his sword randomly. The script said that the kendo boy was supposed to fight the wolf, but considering the dog's fighting ability, no one, not even an adult, would be a match for it. But to the surprise of the director and everyone else, Seiya's small body shot forward like a cannonball. He swung the bamboo sword, which was taller than him, and aimed it at the wolf's paws.
"No matter what happens, I will not retreat! My grandfather once told me that the sword in my hand is meant to protect the weak!"
While swinging the sword, Seiya said his only line in the movie. With the shared powers from his other selves, his five-year-old body was strong enough to fight a wolf, let alone a police dog with no ill intentions.
But after the hit, Seiya suddenly remembered that according to the script, he was supposed to be knocked back by the wolf. So, after the hit, he intentionally stumbled backward and fell to the ground.
"Haruno, tell the dog to pounce on the boy again."
The crew member was stunned. According to the script, the scene was supposed to be over.
"Don't just stand there! I'm the director! Do as I say! Can't you see? That kid is a gold mine. Was that a five-year-old's performance and movement? His performance can be even better; the script is just holding him back!"
The crew realized that the director had seen Seiya's potential and wanted to give him more scenes. This was very rare during filming, but it was the director's right.
"Woof!"
The crew member blew a whistle and made some hand gestures. The "wolf," which was walking toward Kana, immediately turned its head toward Seiya. Seiya, who was on the ground, was getting ready to get off set. But when he saw the "wolf" pounce on him again and the camera still on him, he was stunned.
This script is completely different from the one I got!