I'm such an idiot. If I hadn't taken this job, I wouldn't be here. If I weren't here, my cool, refined persona wouldn't have crumbled, my dignity mocked.
Takizawa sat in the broadcast booth after weeks away, work earphones on, a glass of water and a stack of scripts before him, staring at the ceiling.
"Greetings, listeners nationwide! Welcome to the fourth episode of Dark Dream Talk for Dark Rebirth Fantasy! I'm Hidaka Rina, voice of Princess Penelope and your host."
His kouhai-senpai across the table brimmed with energy, radiating unstoppable cheer. Her eyes crinkled into happy slits.
"And of course, we've got a guest—back for his second visit. Welcome, my royal knight!"
"I'm Takizawa Satoru, voicing Alfredo. Hey, everyone," He said, his introduction flat as still water.
"Huh? Where's 'Your Sword King of Night, swiftly arrived'? You sound like a grumpy kid dragged to morning class!" Hidaka chided, tapping the table.
"Ever since we announced you as the fourth episode's guest, letters poured in! Episode four's airing was a whirlwind, and we can't fall short—gotta match the fans' passion!"
"No, it's weird," Takizawa said, exasperated. "A character killed off in half an episode showing up so often in side gigs…"
"No way! It just proves how loved you are," Hidaka said, slipping into Penelope's voice, all pouty grievance. "Or are you saying you hate me, hate Dark Dream Talk?"
Takizawa didn't reply right away, letting silence hang for a few seconds.
"You're supposed to have Alfredo say, 'I'll follow you forever'!" The embarrassed girl said, smacking the table.
"But you asked Takizawa-kun, not the knight, so I hesitated."
"What's the difference?"
"As a voice actor, I like you more than Penelope, but Alfredo would pick Penelope over you," Takizawa said smoothly.
"So… it's all liking anyway?" Hidaka summed up, pausing.
"…"
"Ugh, the vibe's already weird. Can this hyped-up fourth episode even wrap cleanly?" She fretted.
"'Hyped-up' is a stretch, no?"
"It includes me, your host! You keep dodging responsibility. Give me back that boy from episode one who synced with me like a true knight. Didn't you say you'd be thrilled to return? Was that a lie?" She tilted her head, pouting playfully.
There it was—the girl's ultimate weapon.
Her sweet smile, wistful eyes, and disappointed tone could melt stone. Worse, this seasoned senpai knew what she was doing.
A devil's nudge, a cute bully's tactic.
A lowly guy like him couldn't resist, only dance in her palm.
"Even in the endless blaze of purgatory, if you call my name, I'll cross land of the dead, my body reduced to silent ash, to shine one last time, igniting the darkness around you."
His voice, praised by top directors, rang clear and noble, like a vow in a sacred hall.
"Now, Your Highness, call me!"
"Alfredo!"
"I hear you… across shores and stars, the sworn knight Alfredo rides again, offering his soul!" He declared grandly.
"So, Dark Dream Talk episode four is brought to you by Hidaka Rina and—"
"Takizawa Satoru!"
"Here we go!"
Hidaka stifled a giggle, finishing the intro as the BGM played, segueing to the main segment.
"Thanks, Takizawa-kun, for indulging me. You okay? Low energy today—feeling sick?" She asked, concerned.
"Haven't had lunch yet," He half-joked.
"Oh, I made cookies!"
"Then I'm tasting them after this."
"Heh, they're good, right? Family recipe, honed since I was a kid. I'm super confident," She said, smirking proudly.
"You cook too? That's great—classic homemaking skills with modern independence. You'll be an amazing adult," Takizawa praised.
Someone who can't even wrap gyozas should take notes.
"Gotta live up to that. Let's keep pushing. Now, first letter!" Hidaka cleared her throat.
"From listener 'Bet-It-All-on-Richard': Hi, Hidaka-san, Takizawa-san. I'm a huge Dark series fan, hooked on the books and games. My favorite's the loyal Alfredo. Takizawa-san's performance moved me, especially his sacrificial chant against the enemy. Could you share your take on the role? A live reenactment would be amazing!—Wow, Takizawa-kun, a fan of yours!"
More like a twisted Alfredo stan, Takizawa thought, stone-faced.
"Oh, I remember Alfredo's scenes were re-recorded, right?" Hidaka said.
"Yup."
"That was wild. We'd finished, then the director demanded a redo. Thinking back, it was genius. Your performance, plus the staff's vision, made episode one epic," She marveled.
Takizawa didn't assume malice, but odds were director Nagasaki saw Alfredo's potential and banked a flashy take to milk with the producers…
"Exactly. Alfredo's my first role. I treasure him and think about relationships from his perspective," Takizawa said, poised and friendly.
"You read the source material?"
"Of course, but just the early parts—not because I'm cheap, but to stay in character. Knowing the full plot might ruin my grasp of his emotions," He said earnestly.
"So nuanced! Let's grant this fan's wish. Do that fiery chant live. It's wordy, but you've got it memorized," Hidaka said, her tone oddly excited, almost boastful.
"Listen, he's insanely dedicated. For episode one, he came so prepared he'd memorized the script!"
"That happened, but it's not that impressive," Takizawa said, sheepish, since it was pure cheating via past-life memory.
"You don't look like the hardworking type," She teased, covering her mouth. "Now, perform!"
The air stilled for a few seconds.
Reluctantly, Takizawa tapped his past-life recall for those grim lines.
A cryptic incantation, laced with genuine sorrow, flowed slowly.
"O Lord of Blazing Sun, hear my prayer, and grant me valor and wisdom."
"O King of Frosted Skies, strip me of all, free this soul from mortal failure and ignorance."
His voice rose, resolute.
"Here I rest in the gods' mercy—come, Starfall Blaze!!"
Clap clap clap.
Hidaka applauded wildly. "Amazing! That's Takizawa-kun! So immersive, a perfect recreation!"
"By the story, I'm dead now. You're on your own," He said, drained.
"No way, my knight! You can't die—get back to work!" She said in Penelope's voice.
"Using her voice? You're all demons!"
The high school girl just laughed, delighted.
***
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