The agent quickly waved his hand, saying, "You're too kind, it's our honor."
As Laila chatted with them, she looked at the young and inexperienced girl, Kyoko Fukada, who sat before her. In her previous life, she had known about her. The girl in front of her, who was only 16 years old, was just as beautiful and innocent as Laila remembered, and even when she reached her thirties, she could still portray youthful roles.
She had to admit that inviting her was partly due to her mischievous side. She was curious to know whether this innocent girl could maintain her purity and beauty while swinging a massive spiked iron ball.
In the movie, the Japanese girl wore a sailor uniform, wielding a weapon with a fierce demeanor. This image left a deep impression on Laila. Unfortunately, the original actress for that role was only 14 years old and hadn't entered the entertainment industry yet. Laila could find her easily, but how could she explain how she knew about this young girl in distant America?
So, Laila changed her approach. She used the convenience of the internet to search for clues on certain Japanese websites. Coincidentally, a TV drama starring Kyoko Fukada alongside Takashi Kaneshiro was released in Japan in July, titled "God, Please Give Me Some Time[Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake]." It was a sad love story between a music producer and a high school girl.
Seeing the innocent face and high school identity, Laila immediately thought that having this innocent girl play a ruthless character might be interesting. She promptly asked Louise to contact Japan and extend an audition invitation to Kyoko Fukada's agency.
Japanese people held a deep admiration for America. Despite numerous disappointments, they continued to follow America earnestly. Setting aside past events like the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, even during the 90s bubble era, Japan's resources were drained by the United States, a fact that was horrifying enough to despair any Japanese person.
However, even in this context, Japan still yearned for America. Just like how Laila easily managed to hire Shinichi Chiba at an unexpectedly low price, once Louise sent an invitation to Kyoko Fukada's agency, they readily agreed without even requesting to see the script. They swiftly arranged for her to come before Laila.
The eagerness in their response made Laila confident that if she were a man, they would probably offer Kyoko Fukada something beyond the script to ensure her participation in the film.
After a brief conversation, seeing that Kyoko Fukada appeared less nervous than when she had arrived, Laila handed her the script.
"Let me first explain the character. I'm making an R-rated action film this time. The role is that of a beautiful girl in a sailor uniform, but at the same time, she's incredibly skilled and loyal to the extent of eliminating any obstacles for her master."
Laila then expressed a hint of doubt, saying, "After meeting Ms. Kyoko, I feel that I might be a bit too reckless. How could a lovely girl like her ever portray such a ruthless and cold character?"
"No!" The agent quickly interjected to prevent Laila from expressing any further negative opinions. He had been instructed by the president himself and was well aware that if Kyoko Fukada didn't secure this role, he would be packing his bags and leaving the company. Losing such an opportunity to enter Hollywood was a mistake he couldn't rectify even if he committed seppuku. If Kyoko couldn't land this role, having her audition in Hollywood would still have benefits for her future career.
However, Kyoko's response was swift and determined. With a hint of defiance, she stood up, saying, "I can do it! Let me give it a try!"
"Of course." Laila smiled at her, "Then, please show me a cold expression."
After translating Laila's words, the agent didn't expect Kyoko Fukada to transition into audition mode so quickly. She hesitated for a moment, closed her eyes, and after about 30 seconds, she opened them again. Her dark pupils seemed to have gained a frosty layer, devoid of warmth.
Honestly, Japanese TV dramas had given Laila the impression of being somewhat exaggerated—be it humor, anger, or coquettishness, their actions were always a bit more theatrical.
At just 16 years old, Kyoko Fukada followed suit. When Laila asked her to show a cold expression, she truly managed to tense her face, clamping her lips tightly together, exuding an aura that kept others at bay.
It might have been a tad too forced, but it seemed acceptable. Laila nodded slightly in approval. Then, she posed another question, "Imagine your loyal master is being taunted by a woman as insignificant as an ant. In front of your master, you need to show the most trustworthy demeanor, ready to eliminate any obstacle for them. You should use your weapon to behead the opponent and present their head as an offering to your master."
Once Laila's words were translated by the agent, Kyoko Fukada's face instantly grew pale. It was unclear whether it was due to the explicit nature of Laila's description or the vividness of the scenario, but the 16-year-old girl seemed to struggle with processing it.
However, she eventually spoke up, "Can I have a few minutes to consider?"
Laila gestured with a smile and crossed her legs, waiting for the forthcoming performance.
The agent was also quite nervous. He felt that they might truly be losing this rare opportunity. The company had positioned Kyoko Fukada as an innocent figure after discovering her, so her training had been focused on that image. She could easily portray a lady, a heiress, or a pure student. Yet to play a role so impactful and powerful, he was afraid that she might not be up to the task.
He regretted not seeing the script earlier...
No! Even if he had received the script earlier, he was afraid that the president would still have insisted that Kyoko come to the United States. Landing the role would be great, but even if she didn't, the story that a Hollywood director had taken an interest in her and invited her for an audition could bring her benefits for her future career.
However, given the current circumstances, he wasn't too optimistic. At this point, all he could do was pray that Kyoko Fukada would suddenly receive divine inspiration and deliver the performance Director Moran was hoping for.
After a pause of about three to four minutes, Kyoko Fukada took a deep breath and lifted her lowered head. This time, instead of maintaining the distant and cold demeanor from before, she smiled sweetly.
With her naturally innocent and cute appearance, combined with that gentle smile, it was captivating, making it hard to take one's eyes off her. Yet, when the agent saw her smile, his heart sank suddenly. They needed a cold, ruthless female assassin. How could she convey that while smiling so charmingly?