Chapter 57: The Grandeur of 500 Yen

Due to thorough early preparations and the good condition of the cast, the filming of FZ progressed exceptionally smoothly, even faster than Shinji originally estimated.

Kariya's antics also had their benefits. His presence provided the film crew with a lot of humor, creating a relaxed atmosphere despite the somber story being told.

After the incident with Tokiomi, Kariya played pranks on everyone he had scenes with. However, most of them were harmless jokes to lighten the mood, so Shinji didn't intervene.

The only exception was Zouken.

It must be said that Kariya was truly a member of the Matou family; in terms of being petty, he was not inferior to Shinji. To retaliate against his old man for dragging him into trouble, Kariya managed to get hold of a can of insect repellent.

When Zouken approached him, Kariya sprayed his father directly in the face.

The final result could be described as a draw. Kariya successfully killed two magical bugs that Zouken carried with him, but the cost was almost having his head turned into a dung beetle by his own father.

"From the current situation, as long as everyone's condition can be maintained."

In the temporary restaurant on the set, Shinji, enjoying his lunch of pork cutlet rice, discussed work with Udagawa Nao sitting across from him.

"I can finish the shooting by October, and the initial editing should be done by the end of the year." Shinji shared the progress of the movie with the president of Bandai.

Udagawa Nao nodded with joy, calculating, "In that case, we can start promoting the movie from the beginning of the new year, giving us plenty of time."

With the success of FSN, Bandai was a major supporter of FZ, being the largest investor in the movie in Japan.

Therefore, Bandai was very concerned about the progress of FZ's shooting and would occasionally send people to Fuyuki City to confirm the progress.

Actually, this kind of small task didn't require someone like Udagawa Nao, a middle-level manager, to do. Sending a junior employee would be sufficient. After all, according to the agreement between Shinji and Bandai, Bandai couldn't interfere with the filming of the movie. They were just confirming the progress, which anyone could do.

In Udagawa Nao's words, she was expressing the attitude she should have.

But in reality...

"Udagawa-san, you're here again?"

Kariya sat down with his own ramen next to Shinji, naturally joining the conversation between Shinji and Nao.

"Yeah," Udagawa Nao nodded modestly, "The company made a big profit on FSN, so naturally, they are very interested in the new movie."

In fact, it's more than just a simple big profit. Currently, FSN's box office in Japan has reached an astonishing 12.4 billion yen, and it's still rising.

More importantly, the film has already accumulated a global total of 470 million dollars, breaking 500 million and 600 million is not a problem at all.

Although Bandai doesn't get a share of the global box office from FSN, relying on the channels of the Time Group, Bandai is selling toys like crazy in Europe and America.

The specific numbers are still being calculated, but Shinji has already heard some inside information from Waver within the Time Group.

"I hope this movie can sell as well as FSN," Kariya sighed while keeping his eyes on Shinji.

As an actor, he still considers himself only second-rate.

If he could become famous with the success of FZ, Kariya thinks his career might take a step forward.

It's worth noting that several main actors in FSN have received countless invitations. If it weren't for Arturia and other Heroic Spirits unable to leave Fuyuki City, they would probably be running between major film crews by now.

This treatment makes Kariya openly express his envy.

"Uncle Kariya, no need to worry," Shinji patted Kariya on the back, "By the summer next year, FZ will be released."

Speaking of this, Shinji said to Udagawa Nao, "Udagawa-san, you need to put more effort into promotion; these types of movies rely heavily on it."

Commercial films are different from art; word of mouth isn't the most important thing; massive promotion is.

Shinji doesn't want to see a promotional model like FSN's slow and dragging again.

"Don't worry about that," Udagawa Nao took a sip of hot tea and said, "We at Bandai want the movie to sell even more than you do."

Although they can't monopolize the peripheral development of FZ like FSN, as long as FZ can guarantee the same big sales as FSN, Bandai can still make a big profit.

"I will do my best to make the movie," Shinji promised, "This is only my second movie in my life."

"Then I wish Director Shinji great success."

Udagawa Nao smiled, nodded, and put a spoonful of rice into her mouth.

"Yeah— the pork-covered rice in your cafeteria tastes really good, much better than our Bandai cafeteria."

"Of course, after all, the head chef is a certain white-haired hero."

EMIYA's cooking skills are truly remarkable. As the ultimate form of Emiya Shirou in household matters, his skills have reached a master level.

Many crew members prefer to choose the cafeteria rather than go to fancy restaurants.

Seeing Udagawa Nao's liking for pork-covered rice, Kariya quickly interjected, "Nao, you don't know, pork-covered rice is a specialty here. Did you see that lemon-headed British guy over there?"

Kariya pointed with chopsticks to Kayneth, who was also eating pork-covered rice in the distance.

"Since the first time he had pork-covered rice, that guy fell in love with it, and now he eats it every day at lunch."

"Really?" Udagawa Nao asked in astonishment, "He looks like a nobleman, and he actually likes such common food?"

"Of course."

Kariya proudly puffed up his chest, as if the food in the cafeteria was made by him.

Shinji just quietly ate his meal on the side, not disturbing his uncle's "happy time."

In fact, Shinji knew more about Kayneth's liking for pork-covered rice. The first time Professor Kayneth came to the cafeteria, he wanted to order beef-covered rice. However, not knowing the Japanese characters on the menu and unwilling to ask others with his noble attitude, he mistakenly ordered pork-covered rice.

As for the reason for the mistake...

That lemon-headed idiot actually thought that the radical [月 (moon)] in the character [豚] (pork) had the same pronunciation as "cow" in English, so he thought [豚] referred to beef.

Although in the end, Kayneth fell in love with pork-covered rice, which was a good thing, every time Shinji saw Professor Kayneth eating rice, he felt a bit annoyed.

'You deserve it for your receding hairline, you lemon head!'

Shinji, cursing Kayneth in his heart, scooped the last bit of food into his mouth, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said, "I'm done eating, you two continue. Also,"

As Shinji stood up, he patted Kariya on the shoulder and whispered in his ear, "I won't be a third wheel; Uncle, you need to put in more effort."

"Mind your own business!"

Kariya turned his head and glared at Shinji, only to find that he had already disappeared.

'That little devil is really bold,' Kariya chuckled awkwardly and continued, "So, let's continue. Nao, where were you in the conversation?"

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After lunch, Shinji left the restaurant and headed straight back to the FZ shooting studio.

However, as soon as Shinji entered the studio, he saw Rin and Ophelia with their younger sister Sakura, chatting with a girl near the entrance.

Although the girl had her back to him, her slender figure and waist-length silver hair easily revealed her identity.

The moment Shinji saw Cloris, it seemed like there was a telepathic connection as she suddenly turned her head, and her gaze immediately caught Shinji.

The eyes of the two collided in the air, and then their expressions almost simultaneously changed.

However, Cloris's face was clearly filled with joy and excitement, while Shinji looked conflicted.

Under Cloris's waving, Shinji reluctantly quickened his pace and walked over to her.

"Lissy, why are you here? And if you came, you should have let me know," Shinji asked, deliberately with a hint of reproach.

Cloris crossed her arms and smiled, "I was afraid that if I notified you, someone would use work in Tokyo as an excuse to run away, causing the production to come to a halt."

"Who is it? Who would do such a thing! The existence of the crew means money every day!"

Shinji confidently said, as if the "someone" Cloris mentioned wasn't himself.

But the next words from Shinji exposed his true thoughts.

"Lissy, you just arrived in Japan. Why don't you go adjust to the time difference first? You should be going to the hotel to sleep right now."

Cloris gave a cold smile and tapped Shinji's chest with her hand.

"Just met, and you're already kicking me out. You really don't appreciate me."

"I didn't mean that."

Shinji twitched at the corner of his mouth, not knowing how to explain.

On the side, Rin Tohsaka pinched her chin, seemingly waiting to see a good show. Ophelia pulled her away, and Rin reluctantly left the scene.

"I bet 500 yen on this." Rin wouldn't miss any opportunity to tease Shinji. "Shinji mentioned the hotel; he must be planning to take Flora-san into the hotel room for some alone time!"

Ophelia answered without hesitation, "I'm in. I believe the boss will continue working; he's not that irresponsible."

In the secretary's mind, her boss, Shinji Matou, was a responsible and ambitious magus. How could he give up his career for mere "pleasure"?

"I don't think my brother would make a move on Flora-san."

Sakura pursed her lips; she clearly understood Shinji's criteria for choosing a partner and knew that Cloris wasn't within his hunting range.

"Also, you guys are only betting 500 yen? It shows your limited perspective."

Hearing Sakura's sarcasm, Rin awkwardly touched her nose.

'It's really embarrassing to say that I only have 500 yen in hand, so I better keep silent.'

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