Ch. 6: As the Night Deepens
The tour of the studio I had been on with Will came to an end…-.
Going outside, I saw the sky was full of twinkling stars.
OO: “It’s gotten so late.”
Will: “Did you lose track of time ’cause you were having so much fun?”
OO: “Yes. It was a little frightening, but I’m glad you showed me so many different things.”
Will: “Me too, your smile and your face warped in fear are things I don’t want to forget.”
Smiling, Will took my uninjured hand.
Will: “It’s been a while since I’ve had a nice break.”
OO: “Are you always busy then?”
Will: “Yup, I’ve completely devoted myself to movie making for the past two years or so.”
OO: “That long!?”
We headed towards the hotel I was staying at, and happened to pass by a large theater.
There were a great many staff members making preparations for something.
Will: “Oh yeah, my new film is having its advanced screening here tomorrow. If I don’t finish it tonight…kuku.”
Will suddenly burst into laughter as he spoke.
Will: “Sorry sorry, I was just remembering that face you made when you were scared…”
OO: “…geez.”
Yet at this point, I was able to take what he said in stride.
Will: “Look forward to tomorrow, ‘kay?”
OO: “…I will!”
And so we arrived in front of the hotel.
Will: “G’night OO.”
Will, who had come all this way to see me off, spoke quietly.
He was waving at me until I’d completely disappeared inside the hotel.
Ch. 7: Red Carpet
The next day…-.
Will once again came to the hotel I was staying at.
He was killing time before the advanced screening started, and his waiting room was located in the same hotel, a mere stone’s throw from the theater.
OO: “How much longer until it starts?”
Will: “Still a little while. Look, you can see it from the window yeah?”
Will gestured to the nearby window, and I peeked out…
OO: “…!”
I could see the theater, so close it looked like it was right under the window, and the red carpet leading into it was surrounded by a huge throng of people.
OO: “Wow, there are so many people…and cameras.”
Will: “That’s good …It’s kind of newsworthy. Though I’d like the real opening day to be a little more flashy.”
At that point, there was a knock at the door, and a make-up artist entered the room.
Make-up Artist: “Director, can I come in? You need to get ready soon.”
Will: “Yeah, but the director doesn’t really need make-up does he?”
Make-Up Artist: “Of course you do, you’ll be on stage greeting everyone…and there’s a hair stylist standing by in another room too.”
Will: “Then, first I’d like to get that special zombie mask I ordered…”
Make-Up Artist: “Director!”
Will: “Fine, guess I can’t refuse.”
Will was pulled out of the room by the make-up artist, his expression saying how tedious he thought it all was.
OO: “I hope it goes well, good luck with your speech.”
Will: “Thanks. Ah, also…”
OO: “…?”
As if suddenly remembering something, Will took out his notepad.
Will: “Right, I forgot earlier, but when this is over, can I have some of your time? …there’s something I want to talk to you about!”
OO: “Sure, that’s fine.”
(What on earth could it be…?)
Make-up Artist: “Director, hurry up!”
Will: “Yeah yeah.”
Heading the frantic call, Will left the room.
…
……
Shortly after, the blue sky was filled with the crack of fireworks.
OO: “…”
(It’s started!)
I leaned out the window and looked out at the theater.
Then, the crowd exploded into cheering as Will appeared.
He made his way down the magnificent red carpet.
Audience 1: “Kyaaaaa—-!”
Audience 2: “I’ve been looking forward to this forever!”
The shrill voices of the fans even reached me in the hotel.
There was also an overwhelming number of flashes going off, and I felt like I would go blind after looking at them too long.
Will: “…”
Within it all, Will waved as he walked, smiling beautifully.
(Being surrounded by that many people…)
Up until this point, I’d had no idea how many people were eagerly awaiting Will’s film.
Director Will Beaton, the up-and-coming director who had charmed the world…
(I had no idea…)
Yet it was in this way that I saw him, and he seemed to be somewhere so very far away from me. That thought made my heart ache a little.
Ch. 8: A New Fascination
I looked at Will, surrounded by a large crowd of people…-.
Feeling a little down, I moved away from the window and lay on the bed.
…
……
(…huh? When did I…)
I realized after a moment that I’d fallen asleep for what felt like only a few moments.
Looking at the clock in the corner of the room, I noticed the hand had shifted an hour.
Then there was a knock at the door.
Will: “A~lright, work’s over! Let’s go OO!”
OO: “Eh, Will!?”
The door was thrown wide, and he came to stand right in front of me…
OO: “Ah, wait, go where?”
Will: “I’m hungry, so let’s go to a café or something.”
OO: “Eh…?”
He was in high spirits as he grabbed my arm, and pulled me out of the room with surprising force.
…
……
Will went out of the hotel and started walking without even a glance towards the theater.
OO: “Is it alright for you to not watch the screening?”
Will: “That’s just for the other people who worked on it and commercials and stuff. I’ve seen it plenty of times. Or did you want to watch it? It’s pretty scary though…”
OO: “…um…”
Will: “Ahaha! I can’t stand how honest your reactions are! But…”
Will had been dragging me along up until that point, then he suddenly moved and put his arm over my shoulder.
Will: “Besides, you can see my films any time you want, so right now you can prioritize this right?”
OO: “…alright.”
In the end, I was caught up in Will’s way of doing things, and went to the café.
We were guided to a table inside the shop, and after we were seated, Will started to spread out a great many number of files.
OO: “What’s all this?”
Will: “This? Data for my movies.”
Then set out on the table were…
A collection of the notes Will had been taking everywhere he went.
Along with the notes was also a fair amount of sketches and drawings, but what was depicted in those was…-.
OO: “Th…this is…!”
At my reaction, the corners of Will’s mouth turned up into a broad grin.
Will: “Exactly. They’re all about you. From the moment you came to Kenal until now…all of the reactions you made in all the different situations.”
Will chuckled.
Will: “See…you have a completely honest reaction to everything. I already filled four of these huge note pads with information about you.”
OO: “Th-that’s a little…”
Will: “Weird right? I carefully took detailed notes on you, probably more than I needed.”
OO: “Eh…-“
I tilted my head as he spoke and…
Will: “I’ve actually been thinking about my next film.”
OO: “Your next one…?”
Will: “Yes! The next one. I want to film you for it.”
OO: “Eh…me!?”
Will nodded and put his fingers in a square, looking at me through his makeshift filter.
Will: “Yeah, you’ll look real good on film!”
OO: “But me and horror…”
Will: “Well you’re a little too healthy-looking. At least, based on the style I’ve used up to this point.”
OO: “So why me?”
Will: “Why?…because I want to film you?”
Will starred at me directly through his finger filter.
Then he looked at me in all seriousness as a director about to give rise to a magnum opus…
(Is he serious though?)
OO: “But I don’t even have any acting experience…”
I shrugged my shoulders apologetically, and Will gave a reassuring laugh from deep in his chest.
Will: “That’s why I was thinking of making something that was more suited for you. A new movie that only I can shoot, and only you can star in. That pureness of yours…in my hands, it’ll be something that will bring fear to all kinds of people.”
OO: “S-so it’s still horror…”
Will: “Like I said, I’ll change my style to fit you. But…I am still the horror film director Will Beaton after all.”
Will smiled, and a suspicious laugh escaped his lips.
Will: “Yup, I’m sure this’ll be something greater than any other film I’ve made before! Let’s see, I don’t mind searching the world for a setting that’ll suit you. And to write a proper script, I’ll need to get to know you a lot better…and after that, let me think…”
Will was practically bursting as he talked, and he started forming a plan without even listening to any objections I might have.
OO: “But…”
(Can I even do it…?)
I closed my mouth, and averted my eyes as I tried to hide myself from his gaze…
Then, he put his finger under my chin and lifted my head, a smile on his face.
In the peculiar air that he had about him, I felt a strange new sensation fill my chest, not like nervousness or excitement.
Will: “It’ll be alright. Don’t worry, I’ll look out for you … So, I want you to tell me more about yourself…and to spend every minute together…ok?”
His voice was more seductive than ever, and he spoke as if trying to entice me in…
Deep in my chest, my heart started pounding frantically.
(Should I give it a shot…?)
The thought came so naturally, and I wondered if it was because of some mysterious power that he held.
END