Whenever a problem arose during filming, the director was usually the first to rush in.
After all, the director is the one primarily responsible for the quality of the work. He bears an undeniable responsibility for the presentation of every scene, making him more anxious than anyone else on the crew.
"Kurokawa-san! Come here for a moment."
"Okay."
A hesitant Kurokawa Akane glanced at Yuan Chuan You, who gave her a reassuring look, and mustered the courage to face the director's critique.
Nearby, the staff began tidying up the equipment, waiting in place for the upcoming reshoot. The young makeup artist, wearing a mask, approached the young man again, intending to touch up his makeup.
"Yuan Chuan-san, you're amazing. You almost never have an NG on set. No wonder Director Asano likes you so much~"
"It's just good luck."
"My, you're being so modest."
Ignoring the makeup artist's small hands dabbing at his face, Yuan Chuan You's gaze followed Kurokawa Akane in the distance, who was bowing her head while receiving the director's scolding.
Her fists were clenched tightly, her face pale.
Although Director Asano was usually easygoing on set, he was fierce during actual filming.
After about five minutes, the blue-haired girl was allowed back on set. Her expression was somber, her eyes filled with unease and disappointment.
From her very first day with the crew, Kurokawa Akane had wanted to make a good impression on everyone. Suddenly having an NG today, which drew strange looks from the others, made her feel terrible.
"Let's take a ten-minute break. Kurokawa-san, you can use the time to adjust."
The assistant director came over and gave Yuan Chuan You a meaningful look. "Yuan Chuan-kun, you could practice with her a bit. You two are partners, after all. You should learn to help each other out."
"Understood."
After nodding, Yuan Chuan You looked gently at the blue-haired girl before him and asked with a smile, "What did Director Asano say to you?"
"He said my acting is a bit stiff... that it looks strange."
Kurokawa Akane looked into the man's gentle eyes and asked tentatively, "Yuan Chuan-san, do you also think my acting is stiff?"
"Of course not. Since you were chosen for this drama, Kurokawa-san, it means your acting is up to par."
Yuan Chuan You thought for a moment. "The director getting angry just means his expectations are high. Don't take it to heart. We just need to work together and get this right."
"Then... what was the problem you were about to mention earlier, Yuan Chuan-san?"
The girl remembered what he had mentioned before, her beautiful blue eyes fixed on his face.
"Haha, I have a theory, but it might not be correct."
"It's okay. Please feel free to say whatever you think, Yuan Chuan-san. I won't mind."
Yuan Chuan You smiled gently. Because he possessed the [Newcomer Actor] and [Foundational Acting Technique] entries, he had formed a few theories about Kurokawa Akane's performance ability.
First, she was definitely not a rookie who had never acted before.
Moreover, Kurokawa Akane probably had extensive performance experience. During their rehearsals, Yuan Chuan You had noticed that her vocal techniques and physical control clearly showed signs of training.
Yet it was precisely this trait—the mark of formal training—that created a sense of dissonance when she portrayed a lively high school girl.
After silently reviewing it in his mind, Yuan Chuan You slowly began to speak.
"Kurokawa-san, you must have debuted quite early, right?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever performed in stage plays?"
"Eh?"
The blue-haired girl was slightly taken aback. She had been active for some time as a young actress in the LALALAI Theater Troupe, but this was her first time acting in a television drama.
"Yuan Chuan-san, have you seen my stage plays?"
"No, I just had a feeling." Yuan Chuan You smiled slightly. "And that's the crux of the problem, Kurokawa-san. When you were performing just now, I saw your hands making some strange movements."
"Strange movements?"
The girl held her delicate white hands in front of her chest and asked, a little puzzled, "Could you be more specific, Yuan Chuan-san?"
"Actually, I've already guessed the reason. Because you have experience with stage plays, Kurokawa-san, your body has subconsciously retained that habit. Those kinds of exaggerated acting techniques are suitable for the stage, but not for the atmosphere of a television drama."
Yuan Chuan You gestured a couple of times and said gently, "Why don't we run through the scene once? You act according to your previous habits, and I'll pinpoint the problem for you directly."
"Okay!"
Kurokawa Akane nodded seriously. If she wanted to gain recognition, she had to deliver the most perfect portrayal of her character.
Yuan Chuan You cleared his throat, his eyes fixed on Kurokawa Akane's reaction, and then he slipped into character and delivered his line.
"Marina, have you noticed that Dan guy has been a little off lately?"
"...Satoshi, you think so too?"
The girl froze for a second but quickly responded with her memorized lines, resting her delicate chin on her hand and leaning forward a step.
"Yeah, that guy is famously terrible at sports, but he was actually playing basketball in gym class yesterday. He even went one-on-one with Kitagawa-senpai. How is that possible?"
"Yeah... could it be related to Dan's car accident?"
Kurokawa Akane thought for a moment, her beautiful brows furrowing slightly.
"It's possible, but can a car accident really change someone that much?"
After Yuan Chuan You delivered his rhetorical question, it was Kurokawa Akane's turn. The girl skillfully struck a pose, preparing to deliver her final line in one go.
And then...
...she felt someone suddenly grip her wrist.
"Eh?"
Kurokawa Akane's face flinched, and she jumped, startled.
"Right here..."
Yuan Chuan You applied a little pressure, lifting her small hand. "Kurokawa-san, haven't you noticed that when you deliver your lines, your right hand subconsciously makes a sort of propping motion?"
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Kurokawa Akane froze for a moment. But when she looked down at her small hand held by the young man, understanding dawned.
Because the movement was unconscious, she really wouldn't have noticed it without seeing it for herself.
"...So that's what it was? I understand now. Thank you for pointing it out, Yuan Chuan-san!"
"Mhm. Stage plays and television dramas are different. You're playing a lively high school girl, Kurokawa-san, and you've actually grasped most of the character's details perfectly. It's just that your stage habits sometimes show through."
"I understand."
After adding these words, Yuan Chuan You released her hand.
"Let's try one more time, then. We start filming for real in a few minutes. I'll help you find the right feel, Kurokawa-san."
As Yuan Chuan You smiled at her, the blue-haired girl across from him subconsciously touched her wrist, where his warmth seemed to linger, making her heart beat a little faster.
"Okay..."
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Action!"
The director's shout rang out again. Kurokawa Akane exchanged a look with her partner and took a deep breath.
"Satoshi, why don't we investigate the truth behind this together!"
Her voice was clearer than before, and her gaze seemed more genuine.
There were no exaggerated hand gestures, no forced energetic smile—only lips that pressed together slightly before suddenly turning up at the corners, just as a real high school girl would do when making a firm decision.
"Cut! Perfect!"
Director Asano shot to his feet, a satisfied smile finally spreading across his face. "That's the feeling!"
"This take is good!"
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