Mika froze for a moment, feeling as though the air around her had thickened, and her stomach was pierced by a cold wind.
Ryuji Takahashi! Matsuda-san's evil nemesis!
Mika's pulse quickened, and her vision clouded as she forced herself to maintain her composure. "Hello..." she said, responding feebly to his handshake.
"Why don't we sit down," said Ryuji Takahashi, leisurely pointing at a leather sofa along the wall of the office.
I'd rather use a chair.
Mika looked around.
"Please," repeated Ryuji, pointing at the sofa. He waited for her to sit down. Then he lowered himself, one of his knees almost touching hers. Mika recoiled, compressing herself to take less space and increase the buffer between them. Her reaction produced a faint smile on Ryuji's lips.
"Everyone was impressed with your audition, Mika," he began. "And I now fully understand why." He smiled, but Mika felt chills as she watched his lips spread into a smile, and she lowered her gaze. "This movie is especially important to me. So, before I approve the candidate for this role, I need to get to know you better—who you really are, beyond the surface."
Why don't I want you to get to know me?
"I feel like you're not comfortable having a conversation here," Ryuji said. "Let's make it a little more casual, then, shall we? I think dinner is a better setting for a character exploration."
"Dinner?" Mika looked at the man. Ryuji's face was certainly attractive, and eyes expressive and sensual. But the way he was looking at her, assessing her every expression, felt so… uncomfortable.
How could I possibly have any respect for an evil person like Ryuji Takahashi after what he's done to the teacher!
"Yes, dinner tonight works well for me." Ryuji checked his watch—or was he showing off?—crossed Mika's mind—and nodded. "I'll request a car, and we'll be able to leave soon."
You're not even asking if tonight works for me, too?
"And while we wait for the ride, tell me how you learned about the role in the first place."
All the way to the restaurant, Mika dreaded the upcoming dinner. Ryuji clearly intended to charm her with his words and impress her with his means—from a luxury car ride and his tailored clothes to the upscale restaurant he'd chosen for them. On the other hand, Mika knew she couldn't refuse the conversation, if she wanted to get the role. At the end of the day, Ryuji was the producer on the project and it was part of his responsibilities.
Or does this dinner go beyond his responsibilities?
She felt the unspoken pressure, the invisible strings he was pulling in an attempt to bind her to him in a way she couldn't quite articulate.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Ryuji opened the car door and extended his hand to assist Mika. Reluctantly, she allowed a palm of her hand to meet his, and his gentle touch lingered a few moments too long as she got out onto the pavement. When he finally let it go, she wanted to wipe her hand, but was too embarrassed by her reaction. She walked into the restaurant with her right hand hanging by her side in an unnatural position, as if it were hurt.
Inside the restaurant, the lavishness of the space made Mika feel even more out of place. The people at the tables glancing at her passing by all felt distant, unpleasant, and haughty. The two of them were led to a private table near the back—the best seat in the house, naturally. Ryuji's chair was pulled out for him, and he took his place opposite her, never breaking eye contact.
"So, Mika," said smoothly, leaning back in his chair with an air of ease, "tell me more about yourself: about your family, your education, your aspirations."
His question felt sharp… penetrating… unwelcome.
Mika hesitated for a moment, the weight of his gaze pressing down on her. Her hand instinctively brushed against the amulet hidden under her clothes. It steadied her somewhat.
"There is really nothing special about me or my family," she said quietly but as firmly as she could. "I study environmental technology. And I'd like to portray Aiko because she is someone I deeply admire."
A flicker of something crossed Ryuji's eyes—amusement? Or was it something darker? His lips curled into a faint smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Why do you admire her? Most people never heard of Aiko."
He's right. But I can't tell him about my vision. It's one of the secrets he must never uncover.
"That's true," she said. "I happened to hear about from a relative, and I also read about her in the history of the Taira Region."
Ryuji raised his eyebrow slightly. "You read the history of Taira Region? That certainly sets you apart. I don't think I've ever met anyone else who read it."
Mika couldn't quite decide whether there was more mockery or compliment behind his comment. His expression remained part-amused part-condescending, and she hadn't heard anything from him yet that would sound completely sincere to her.
She took a sip from her glass of water and didn't reply.
"And what do you think about Aiko as a character? Was she a good witch or a bad one?" he asked, his gaze narrowing as he studied her reaction.
"I don't think anyone's actions are always good or bad," Mika replied slowly, her voice still firm, though her stomach churned with unease. "Aiko did what she thought was right and protected what she believed in. She was very lonely, but was able to stand firm surrounded by hardship and evil. That's something to admire."
Shivers run down Mika's spine as she processed her own words.
"She was very lonely, but was able to stand firm surrounded by hardship and evil." Am I speaking about myself?
Ryuji's eyes glinted as he studied her, his smile not quite fading. "So you think it's justified that she destroyed half of Taira Region as she escaped?"
Destroyed half of Taira Region? I've never heard of that. I heard about the lands becoming infertile, but there was no mention anywhere of Aiko's role in the disaster.
Mika didn't know how to respond to Ryuji.
"Is that in the script?" she asked, her voice uncertain.
"Of course not," chuckled Ryuji. "The portrays Aiko as almost infallible—which she certainly wasn't." He looked at Mika in a meaning way, as if checking whether she received the message.
What is he trying to tell me?
"Are you infallible?" His voice was lower now, more intimate. "If so, I'm not sure you'd be able to portray the true Aiko."