5 Hiroto Suzuki
For now, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
I didn't get particularly excited just because I landed the role. The audition had been urgent, and the results were out within half an hour of the last candidate leaving the room. It was easy to guess the choice was not really a choice for them.
Having quite a few lines for the first time didn't faze me.
Hiroto's innate curiosity was something I could tap into, having lived my early days as a baby, after all.
My father was ecstatic, beaming with pride, and my mother looked at me with warmth in her eyes. It seemed that now that I was useful, they were finally treating me like a "normal" child.
But all of that was inconsequential. I had no time for useless matters. Instead, I used every moment to go over my lines again and again, determined to perfect my performance.
The day of the first rehearsal arrived, and I took the opportunity to introduce myself to the members I would be working with the most. Of course, the Detectives weren't the only characters in this story.
My first scene involved playing with kids my age in the supposed park. Although they had only one or two words, these children were far more excited than I was. Acting like an excited child was perhaps the most challenging part for me, but I considered it a valuable practice.
"Hello, I'm Ren Hashibara. What are your names?"
Interacting with kids my age was a foreign concept, given that I wasn't really a child. Nonetheless, I tried to make it seem natural, treating it as an opportunity to hone my skills.
The other kids finally noticed me and exchanged glances, clearly unaware that one of the actors had been replaced. I couldn't help but pity them. They were just pursuing their passion for acting, but many were mere puppets of their parents, here thanks to connections rather than genuine talent.
"I am Kiba! What role do you have?"
One of the kids, Kiba, took the lead in questioning me.
"Hiroto Suzuki. The one who was supposed to play this role fell sick, so they chose me as a replacement."
It seemed my response satisfied them, as Kiba introduced the other few child actors present, assigning them roles like Classmate A, Classmate B, and so on.
"It's nice to work with you guys. Let's do our best to make this play a success!"
I said with a hint of a smile, causing the kids to laugh and cheer even harder. Some of the other actors looked annoyed, but I paid them no mind. It was important to connect with my co-stars and create a positive atmosphere.
"Now that everyone is here, we can start the rehearsal."
The authoritative voice of one of the staff members brought us to attention, and we all took our scripts, ready to start.
---
From the very beginning, I knew that adapting myself to the children's tone was crucial.
Hiroto is an incredibly curious child, but the other kids his age don't fully grasp his true passion for being a detective. To them, it's all just a fun game, piecing things together like a puzzle, without fully understanding the gravity of what a real detective does.
But Hiroto is different. Despite his young age, he possesses a level of intelligence far beyond that of a typical kid. When he's alone, he doesn't show the naivety of childhood but rather the sharp mind of someone much older.
That's precisely why this role suits me so well.
As we delved into the rehearsal, I found myself immersed in Hiroto's character completely. Changing my tone and mannerisms to match his innocent curiosity was second nature to me. Just like Akane Kurokawa, I believe that understanding a character is the key to replicating them convincingly.
It seems the other actors appreciated my efforts too. When we reached the scene where Hiroto finds the note and starts piecing the clues together, I could see genuine admiration in "my" brother's eyes.
He is one of the detectives in the story, but his nod of approval was more than just staying in character. He was truly impressed by my performance.
Rehearsals were an enjoyable mix of hard work and "bonding". Lala Lai's reputation as one of the best companies was evident in the dedication of the staff and their care for us.
As the days passed, we practiced relentlessly, making the most of every moment to refine our acting skills. Communication between child actors and the adult cast wasn't always easy, but we worked together as a team, and the results were worth it.
---
The two weeks smoothly passed. In an hour, it will be the first time we will have to execute "A Detective's Hard Job".
In total, we have to repeat this play two more times, but of course, the first time will determine its overall success...
"My dear, your father and I are so proud of you. Show them what you're capable of and make sure to catch the Managing Director's eye. Don't let anyone steal your spotlight, alright?"
Why do some kids end up with such twisted personalities or grow up to be worthless individuals? People often blame the parents, and while that's not always the case, in this situation, I couldn't help but agree.
What would a typical child have thought about this situation...?
If I ever become a parent in the future, I swear I'll never subject my child to this kind of mental pressure.
"Sure, Mommy," I replied, mustering a smile, but deep down, I felt fortunate to possess the cold, rational mind of an adult. I didn't need their insincere praise or anyone else's cheers to motivate me.
This is just the first step.
---
Author's Note: I'm releasing this now since I'll be dead for a while but don't worry, as soon as I can I'll post another chap
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