Arc-3 SS-11

“…A movie job?”

“Yes. It's based on an occult horror manga, but I really want you to take the role.”

“Horror…? Nozomi's not very good with that.”

“That won't be a problem. Your character isn't the one who has to go through the frightening parts. That's the protagonist's role.”

It was late February, on a weekday when regular classes had already ended with graduation just around the corner.

School was over by the morning. After stopping home for a while, I made my way to the office by car. As soon as I arrived, I was called into a meeting with the general manager in charge of Dwarf Planet.

The general manager overseeing Dwarf Planet was a woman, something rather unusual for one of the agency's internal groups. Across her generation, though, female managers were actually the more common sight.

She was the one who brought up the new job.

“If that's the case…”

“Please. Filming's scheduled to begin in mid-March, so it'd be difficult to find a replacement at this stage.”

“…This is all rather sudden.”

“Well… the decision ended up being pushed back even further because of that scandal.”

The scandal had come to light at the beginning of the month. The production schedule had already been tight before that, and the delay only made matters worse.

“So… here. This is the original manga the movie's based on.”

“Resident of the Girls' Academy… I see.”

“Do you know it?”

“No. I don't usually read manga. If it's a well-known series, I might recognize the title, but…”

I considered myself an avid reader, and reading was one of my favorite hobbies. Still, I only ever read novels. The first time I tried picking up a manga, I couldn't even figure out how to read through it properly and ended up closing the book.

“The story follows a new female teacher who transfers to an all-girls high school and finds herself caught up in a series of terrifying incidents. You'll be playing one of the students, and you'll have quite a bit of screen time.”

“I see.”

It sounded as though my involvement had already been decided. Given the production schedule, turning it down now really would be difficult.

“There are also other Sistema Solare members in the cast. Besides you, four more have been confirmed.”

“That's quite a lot.”

They just kept piling on more reasons that made refusing impossible. Backing out now would only cause trouble for my fellow members, so accepting was really my only option.

“First, the lead role of the teacher will be played by Akane Shinada-san from Seven Satellite.”

“…She's the second-generation senior who's highly regarded for her acting, right?”

“Yes. The remaining three will be playing students: Kaori Naminoue-san, Shion Owada-san, and Mikuri Kayanuma-chan!”

“Eh… M-Mikuri-chan!?”

I had been thinking about the chance to work with Owada-san again when her name came up, but the last name caught me completely off guard.

“I-Is that true!?”

“It is. I received her confirmation just a little while ago.”

“U-Understood! Nozomi will do it too!”

“Ah, thank you. I had a feeling you'd say that.”

The general manager looked as though she was trying not to smile, but I couldn't have cared less. Co-starring with Mikuri-chan in a movie… I was already counting down the days until filming began.

“The film will adapt volumes one through four of the original manga, so I think you should read it beforehand and familiarize yourself with the story.”

“Understood. I'll get started right away.”

I should buy the physical volumes first. It'd also be convenient to have the digital editions on my phone.

I'd ask one of the household staff to pick them up for me.

“One more thing. I haven't spoken to Owada-san or Naminoue-san yet, so keep this confidential for now. They'll probably be informed sometime today or tomorrow.”

“I see. Yes, understood.”

“That should be everything… Oh, right. Your character's name is Mayu Haneda. She's a first-year high school student.”

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After wrapping up the meeting, I left the management department.

I'd planned to stay for some voluntary singing lessons today, but I was far too excited to concentrate on anything.

(I wonder what Mikuri-chan's schedule looks like today…)

I'd heard she was doing a magazine interview with several other Sistema Solare members. Apparently, it was taking place at a stylish café somewhere, so she probably wasn't in the office building.

“I'll call her tonight. That'd be less of a bother.”

I still didn't know anything about the movie's original manga, so it was probably better to read it first before calling. In that case, I should phone home and ask whichever member of the household staff happened to be free to stop by a bookstore and buy the series.

But first, I should contact Papa, just in case.

After that, I'd buy the digital edition and read it on my phone during the ride home.

Thinking that, I pulled my smartphone out of my bag.

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Authors Note
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I've posted the fourth installment of the members-only "Recent Updates" series.

This time, it's "A Moment During Lunch Break i

n the Dressing Room at the National Singing Competition Rehearsal," a short story of over 5,000 characters.