As his mental replay hit a scene of frantic shouting in an alley, the lounge quietly filled with more people.
Nagasaki Yukimasa, with his slight paunch, ambled in, warmly announcing that recording could begin.
Everyone packed up, paused their shows, and headed to the studio.
It was Takizawa's second time in a recording booth, so he had some bearings. He slipped into the corner reserved for bit players.
"Let's kick off Dark Rebirth Fantasy. Introduce yourselves, and we'll start once the equipment's ready," Nagasaki said, setting his half-drunk coffee on the console.
"I'm Hino Satoshi from Production Baobab, voicing the male lead, Miran Creed. Looking forward to working with you," Said a seasoned pro, his demeanor calm and poised, setting the tone.
"Hi, I'm Hidaka Rina from Osawa, playing the female lead, Pannis. I'm still green, but I'll keep up. Please guide me!" The young girl said, her eyes sparkling, delivering a perfect 90-degree bow.
Wait, you're not a bit player?
Takizawa, in his corner, froze. You're the princess I'm sworn to protect?
"I'm Nakajima Kenji from I'm Enterprise, playing the bandit leader who kidnaps the princess," A mild-mannered, herbivore-type senpai said gently.
Then came the lively introductions from the background actors.
"I'm Takizawa Satoru, also I'm Enterprise, voicing Knight Alfredo Charles Trivesjessin. Hope to learn from you all," Takizawa said last. His agency senior, Nakajima, gave a thumbs-up, while Hidaka, the only familiar face, offered a stiff smile.
Takizawa rubbed his forehead.
It was like mistaking a stranger for a friend, slapping their back, only to face awkward eye contact.
No escaping now. The first episode, after the narration, jumped straight to his knight escorting the princess's carriage.
Takizawa and Hidaka Rina took their places at the mics.
The recording light flashed red, and a screen displayed the scene with millisecond-precise timing. A middle-aged narrator lowered his voice, weaving the tale.
The booth fell silent.
"On the distant continent of Ashibili, birthplace of gods and elves, all races took root and thrived. But with the last primal god's passing, the throne of world order stood empty, and wars of greed and ambition flooded every land. Elves were slaughtered, demons sang, humans struggled."
The narration dripped with emotion, epic and soaring. But the screen showed crude line art, rough storyboards, lazy "flame effect" Text labels, and a demon king's grin like a screaming marmot. It was jarring.
The animators must be sleep-deprived, Takizawa thought, wincing.
"Sage Kazal ushered in a new era of peace, but conflict, even after centuries, never fades. Power struggles persist."
The screen showed a grand battle—stick figures wielding toothpick swords, clashing, with only generals getting rough facial sketches, plus more text-labeled effects.
"In the Holy Year 258, the continent's nations signed a peace treaty. This land of gods, scarred by war, finally caught its breath. But no one knew how long this peace would last—"
The scene shifted to a sprawling forest, a carriage rolling slowly.
Hidaka and Takizawa perked up, their cue nearing. She eyed the screen, timing her script. He focused too, amused by the knight's sketchy design, unable to look away.
Fun aside, the karaoke-style subtitle prompt in his vision signaled his line.
"Stop the carriage," Takizawa said, hitting the mark. "Your Highness, we've traveled half the day. Would you like to step out for air?"
"I'm not in the mood," Hidaka replied, clutching her script.
"A commoner like me can't sway royal dealings," Takizawa said, pausing. "But no matter the thorns on this path, Princess Pannis, I'll protect you."
"Alfredo, don't worry. I'm fine."
"We'll rest here. Call if you need me."
"Alfredo."
"Yes?"
"Nothing. Keep watch."
"You're the same as ever, never hiding your sorrow. If you'd like, I'll listen. You've been so quiet since leaving the capital. I'm worried."
Their back-and-forth was steady, no newbie flubs like tongue-twisting or stumbling. It was solid. Nagasaki, behind the glass with headphones, nodded occasionally.
For a first-time lead and a debut, they were impressive.
Nakajima, their agency senior, joined in as Takizawa's "enemy attack" cry kicked off the knight's demise.
After a flurry of attack and defense—grunts and shouts simulating combat—came the standoff.
"Are you their leader? With such swordsmanship, why hide your face for these shameful acts? Who dares defy royal honor?" Takizawa demanded.
"Heh, a royal knight, forged through grueling trials, lives up to the name. But can that strength protect your sworn charge?" Nakajima said, his harmless look cloaking a venomous tone.
"Let's see what you're made of!" Takizawa declared, righteous.
On-screen, the knight and bandit leader charged, swords clashing. The next frame showed the knight's sword arm severed, flying high.
"Alfredo!" Hidaka cried, voice breaking.
"Stay back, Your Highness!"
"It's over, weak knight. Witness your end!" Nakajima sneered.
The armless knight staggered up, chanting a spell for a final, sacrificial strike. Smoke cleared, revealing only the battered knight on the ground.
The bandit ignored him, smirking coldly, moving for the princess. Takizawa stepped back, yielding the mic to the real star.
"Let her go!" The voice, commanding and assured, marked the male lead's arrival.
The mighty bandit fell fast. Takizawa returned to Nakajima's mic.
"Alfredo, please, don't die. Don't leave me," Hidaka pleaded.
"Your Highness… don't weep for me. My life was yours the moment I swore my oath. Brave stranger, I beg… protect her to Snowpeak Castle," Takizawa gasped.
"I swear, loyal warrior. Rest now," Hino said.
The red recording light dimmed.
"Good, Part A done," Nagasaki said.
The tense studio relaxed slightly.
"Nice work, rookie," Nakajima said, patting Takizawa's shoulder. "Your death wail had real grit!"
"Thanks to your lead, I died with style," Takizawa laughed.
"Hidaka-chan, you were great too. Osawa's got a steady future," Nakajima said.
"Thank you!" Hidaka replied quickly.
"Man, I want praise too," Hino Satoshi said, swaying, hands on hips.
"You're no rookie. Stop acting young," Nakajima teased.
The senpais weren't harsh, keeping the mood light, and the studio buzzed with warmth. Takizawa, done for the day, considered heading home to clean his new place but stayed to soak up experience.
Part B focused on the male lead and princess, setting up the story, wrapping smoothly. Nagasaki then re-recorded flawed lines. After a few, Takizawa's name was called.
It felt like being summoned to the chalkboard for unfinished homework.
"Takizawa-kun, redo all your lines with a different feel," Nagasaki said, dropping a bombshell.
Takizawa flinched.
This wasn't a chalkboard moment—it was like being caught smoking, offering the principal a drag, and getting dragged to the flagpole for a loudspeaker scolding.
The other actors fell silent, staring.
"Is… everything wrong?" Takizawa asked, nervous. Was the coffee not his taste?
"Not at all. It went so well, and you're only here once, so let's get another version," Nagasaki said, smiling.
"…Sure. How do I change it?" Takizawa said, heart pounding.
"Voice it like you're the male lead. Go bold, fancy, no limits," Nagasaki said simply.
Takizawa scratched his head, confused but eager to meet the client's demands.
"I'll tag in," Hidaka offered kindly.
"Thanks," Takizawa said.
Hidaka stood, noticed his empty hands, glanced around, and grabbed his forgotten script from the sofa.
"Don't be nervous," She whispered, thinking the sudden redo had thrown him.
"I memorized it, but thanks for the thought," He murmured, smiling.
"?"
Before she could process, Nagasaki called, "Start."
Takizawa, unbothered by the script, spoke freely. His tone, texture, and emotion shifted dramatically. With polished technique, his voice elevated, dripping with noble resolve.
The generic loyal soldier vanished, replaced by a vivid knight, burning with devotion. His battle cry transformed from a dry shout to a hero's desperate, lone stand.
His dying words weren't a plot device but a prequel hero's solemn handoff to the main story's lead, heavy with sacrifice.
His final gasp, a masterstroke, meshed seamlessly with the cold, elegiac end-credits aria.
Finishing, Nagasaki sipped his coffee, satisfied. "That's the one. Great work!"
Takizawa rubbed his throat, stepping back.
"Such an elegant, vibrant voice," Nakajima said, eyes gleaming with respect. "Born for this."
"Powerful. I might need a redo myself," Hino added, nodding.
Takizawa waved off the praise, humble with the veterans.
His debut recording wrapped in three hours. It felt easy, but only because his role was half an episode.
Not bad. Time to eat. That ramen shop I passed looked good.
Bidding farewell, he handed his script to Nagasaki, humming as he headed for the elevator.
"Takizawa-kun, sorry to bother," Hidaka called, catching up.
"Huh? What's up?" He asked, still sheepish about their earlier mix-up.
"Can I ask about your line at 12:05?"
"Sure, which episode?"
"Uh, the first, obviously…"
"For the first, it's the male lead to the princess: 'Wait here for me,'" Takizawa said.
"Thanks," Hidaka said, nodding dazedly.
"Hope we work together again. Keep it up!" He said, waving, stepping into the elevator.
Hidaka flipped through her script, checking the random time she'd thrown out. It matched his answer exactly.
He really memorized it.
She'd thought he was a flippant guy who didn't take notes.
Turning, she watched the elevator descend, her bright eyes curious.
What a weird guy.
***
If you like the Classroom of the Elite and Danganronpa series, don't hesitate to check out the new project I'm currently working on:
[COTE: The True Perfect Human]
Synopsis:
Since the era when humanity was still focused on steam and coal, people have already been questioning what the Perfect Human truly looks like.
Some say the Perfect Human possesses overwhelming physical strength… others claim the Perfect Human has unparalleled intelligence.
Of course, there are also those who believe the Perfect Human possesses both... strength and intellect.
Like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
That's why when people ask who the most perfect human in all of fiction is, they often point to the Masterpiece of the White Room as the Perfect Human.
But… only the OGs know that the only Perfect Human who has ever walked this earth is...
The Ultimate Hope…
Izuru Kamukura.
...
This is the story of Izuru Kamukura as he challenges Classroom of the Elite searching for whether there is anything in this world capable of dispelling his boredom.